Ten, eleven, twelve gongs of the tower clock later, the last of the late night ball-goers were ushered from the dancefloor and off to their dormitories. Professors yawned and dozed as confetti was swept from every corner and chandelier, cupids following behind with more mischief. Music floated throughout the building until the instruments were relieved of their spells and they settled back into a storage closet, where they would remain until the next grand affair.
A fresh layer of snow covered every turret, balcony, and stone of the castle over which the Astronomy Tower stood guard. Just inside the tower door, a laugh was stifled and a chuckle echoed as an unexpected pair retreated from the cold, curfew, and curious eyes of their classmates.
"Who knew a Weasley could kiss like that," Scorpius teased, his arms wrapping around the Gryffindor as she lay against his chest.
"Oh hush," Rose laughed, her cheeks turning crimson as she winced with embarrassment. "And know I hate it when you call me that," she added, pulling back to glance up at him.
"I know," he admitted with a smirk.
Rose dropped her gaze and distracted herself by picking at the lapel of his tux. "I may be a Weasley but that's not all I am."
Scorpius watched her carefully. This woman, this Weasley, had completely unwound him. Dumbfounded him. Hate had melted to toleration which had transformed into a friendship that was quickly blossoming into something more. An idea struck him. "Well how about this?"
She lifted her doe eyes to him in wonder, her smile hesitant.
"Whenever I call you Weasley," he continued, his grin growing, "it means I want to do this." He watched her countenance transform from curiosity to glee as he brushed a kiss to her lips. She responded with great fervor, wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing him even closer.
They broke apart laughing. "I think I could get used to that," she replied, stealing a kiss of her own.
"Good." Scorpius released her to run a hand through his hair and lift the fallen cloak to her shoulders.
Rose was flying higher than the heavens, her heart soaring towards the young man in front of her, threatening to abandon her altogether. She was treading dangerous water and hoped she wouldn't regret it in the morning. "So what does this mean?"
Scor's brow furrowed, his head quirking to one side. "What does what mean?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "You. Me. Us." Rose held his gaze and searched it for truth. "There is an us, isn't there?"
Scorpius sighed.
"Wrong answer," she said, taking a step away from him.
"No, Rose, hold on," he said quickly. "It's not that easy." There was panic in his eyes as he stepped in front of the tower exit. He knew her well enough to know she was on the edge of running. Rose folded her arms over her chest. "Don't tell me you aren't thinking the same thing."
She stared him down a moment before her look softened. "Okay. Fine. What if I am?"
His smirk returned. "Do I have to make a list of why this won't work?"
"Why this shouldn't work," she corrected him. Rose knew every reason in the book why they shouldn't be together. Her parents. His parents. Her friends. Their houses. Their histories. The list could go on and on. "But it can," she said, and she believed it with all her heart. "If we want it to."
Rose held out her hand to him and Scorpius raised his to take it. Their fingers intertwined in the moonlight, and neither could stop staring at them.
"You do want it to, don't you?" she asked quietly.
Scorpius could walk away. He could sever all ties here and now, and his life would be much, much easier. But –he wouldn't admit it aloud—walking away from her was the last thing he wanted to do.