A/N: Yes, I've returned. I'm not dead yet. I'm very much alive actually. Well the semester is ending and for that reason, the uni was 'really' nice to give all of us so many assignments that I couldn't write anything for this chapter. Well, all assignments are submitted and all presentations are done, all that's left are the exams which are coming in 8 days! And I haven't started revising yet.

Well, without further ado, this is chapter 4. Enjoy. And I'm sorry if it's short.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling.

CHAPTER 4

It was really quiet that night, even for a library. It was a Saturday evening; almost everyone was outside, avoiding this space for some quiet and relaxing time in their own Common Rooms. But not one Scorpius Malfoy. He had to do some extra work for being late to his class this afternoon. And it was due this coming Monday. Rose and Albus had offered to help; but being a nice person that he was, Scorpius rejected the offer and let them have the evening off.

He sighed, placing his quill on the table. Merlin, why didn't I accept their offer? There's so much to do, he thought as he hung his head. He then decided to close his eyes for a while. Clearing his head, he hoped that he would at least feel relaxed before continuing his work.

But unfortunately, something – or someone, rather – was on his mind. No matter how hard he tried, that person was always there. Not that he minded though; it's just that the time wasn't right. He should be thinking about his work, not her.

Scorpius sighed again, burying his head on his hands. He groaned as he tousled his own hair.

"Careful there, Scor. You'll lose your hair."

Without even looking up, Scorpius knew who the newcomer was. "Oh, shut it," he mumbled calmly even though his heart at that time had started to pound. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't a girl keep her friend some company?"

"They can," he said, finally looking up. "And I thank you for coming." Scorpius then grinned. "Why aren't you outside enjoying your Saturday?"

"Everybody's busy with their own business," answered Rose, shrugging off her shoulders. She took a seat in front of him.

Scorpius couldn't help but smile as he heard her answer. That means she'd rather be here with me than with her friends, he thought.

"How are you doing with your work?"

"Err, a few more paragraphs to go."

"And by 'a few', you mean?"

Scorpius paused. He knew that his answer would anger her somehow. So he just kept quiet, pretending to find some information on the book in front of him.

"So, how many more paragraphs do you have to write?"

"Around ... eight more?"

"Eight?" Her voice echoed in this quiet library.

The librarian was immediately at their side, surprising both the students. "I am sorry, Mr Malfoy and Miss Weasley. Even though the library is quite empty, you still cannot talk as loud as you want."

Both Scorpius and Rose mumbled their apologies. As soon as the librarian disappeared, Rose asked him again; this time in a lower voice, "Eight? What have you been doing here, Scor?"

"Oh I've been walking around the library, counting how many books we actually have in here," he replied sarcastically. "Do you know how many pages I have to do?"

"Yes, everybody in the class does. You have to do 10 pages. And how many have you done so far?"

Scorpius paused again, letting out a deep breath before answering, "Two, going on three."

"What?"

He immediately silenced her by placing her hand over her mouth. "Do you want her to come here again to scold us?" he hissed, leaning up front to whisper.

Rose shook her head. She then took his hand away from her mouth to mumble an audible sorry.

As he realised how close they were sitting now, Scorpius widened his eyes. "Err, that-that's okay," he stuttered. Too close, I could even see her freckles. And not to mention that she's holding my hand now, he thought.

Rose nodded, slowly letting go of her friend's hand. She was blushing, he noticed.

Scorpius then cleared his throat to clear off the awkwardness between them. "Err well, I've only done around three pages. And I've got around eight more paragraphs to go."

"Do you need any help?"

He looked up. "You're really asking me whether I need help or not?" As he got a nod as a response, he said, "But it's a Saturday evening. You're supposed to have fun outside, not helping me with the extra work I have to do."

She narrowed her eyes. "I should be the one saying that. You're supposed to have fun outside. And come early for a class. Why were you late anyway?"

"I overslept."

Rose tilted her head. "Overslept? But it was an afternoon class."

Scorpius looked away from her. "I wanted to take a nap just for a while at the library. But 15 minutes turned into an hour."

"Where was Albus? Weren't you studying together?"

"We were, but he went out just a few minutes before I decided to take a nap."

Rose shook her head in disbelief. "You could've asked him to return here and walk together to class."

"I didn't want to be a bother."

She narrowed her eyes again. "So you'd rather get extra work than be a bother to your friend?"

"Well, when you said it like that –"

"You're really strange, you know that."

Scorpius started laughing quietly. Rose soon followed after.

Once they were sober, Rose repeated the question, "So do you want some help?" When all Scorpius was doing was to stay quiet, she continued, "I'm serious, Scor. So don't ask me again whether I'm sure or not. Because if you do, I'll return to the Common Room."

"I thought you said the others were too busy with their own business?" asked Scorpius, a smile on his face.

Rose narrowed her eyes. "Well, I can be busy with my own business: reading. Now if you excuse me," she then stood up, slowly pushing the chair.

Scorpius was too confused to do anything but stare, "Wait, where are you going? You're not going to help me?"

"I was before you started asking me questions," hissed Rose, before closing in the gap to whisper. "Do you want me to accompany you here and help you or not?"

Realising how close they were once again, he started to blush. His heart was pounding so hard that he's afraid Rose could hear it somehow. He noticed her face starting to redden too, but she kept her face there.

"Well?" she prompted.

"Y-Yes."

"Yes what?" she whispered.

"I do need you here with me." He widened his eyes as he realised what he said. "Err, I mean, I need you here to accompany me because I need your help so I can finish my extra work quickly." He took a deep breath. "Please?"

It was probably the slowest minute he had ever experienced. It might only be a few seconds – one minute tops – that Rose kept looking at him with a straight face albeit a bit flushed, but it felt like hours.

Finally Rose smiled his favourite smile and took her seat again. "Fine, do you have anything in return?"

Scorpius blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I've been helping you for the past few weeks, Scorpius. Don't you think I want something in return?" she asked, taking the book and parchment away from him.

He tilted his head. "Err, okay. What do you want something in return?"

"Be mine."

A/N: Yes, I realised that it's not my best. I admit it. My mind is slightly off these days. Too worried about the exams I suppose. And I'm too sleepy as well, it's almost midnight here. Well, don't forget to review. Tell me what you like or dislike from this chapter, and so on. Til next time..

P.S: I can only continue writing after the 25th. So please be patient. ;]