A/N: I was in the mood of writing, so I decided to write a chapter on this.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling.

CHAPTER 19

It was the same night when Dominique saw Rose entering the Common Room with her friends.

"Rosie!" she called her cousin, motioning her to come. As soon as she was close, she asked, "Where have you been?"

"Dinner," answered Rose, taking a seat in front of the older girl. She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you acting like my Mum? Did she send you an owl asking me where I was tonight?"

Dominique smirked. "No, you silly girl. I was just wondering because something interesting happened just now when you were out."

"Okay, what happened?"

She looked around, checking for any eavesdroppers. Once she's satisfied that almost everyone had gone to bed, she motioned her to lean closer. "I know what your secret admirer will give you next."

Rose widened her eyes in surprise. "What is it? Tell me, please."

She smirked again. "I can't tell you because it's a surprise, I'm sure," she said. "All I can tell you is that it's a really nice surprise that you might even cry because of it. Even I want someone to give me that nice surprise."

The younger girl smiled sheepishly as she thought she was luckier than her cousin. She then laughed softly, playing with her fingers. "It must be a very nice surprise."

Dominique nodded. "It might be the best one you've had so far."

That night and the next couple of nights (she reckoned it required hard work), Rose couldn't sleep properly. She kept on thinking about what gift she would get soon. She knew she wanted it to be a surprise but a little spoiler wouldn't hurt.

"Dom," she called her cousin softly one night at the library. "Can't you give me a little clue as to what it would be?"

Dominique shook her head. "No. That wouldn't be fair to him. I wasn't supposed to know about this." She looked up from her homework. "You're lucky I told you that you're getting a present."

Rose sighed in defeat. "Fine," she mumbled. She leaned back on her chair, looking up to the ceiling. "I wonder when he'll give me. It's been two days already."

"Well, it needs some complex magic," she said as she continued on her work.

Rose immediately diverted her attention away from the ceiling of the library and looked at the cousin. "So, you actually know exactly what it is?"

Dominique smiled. "I even know how to make it. And it really was complex." She then paused and looked away. "Now I wonder why James never asked me how to do it."

She frowned. "What do you mean?" She gasped as she came to a realisation. "Does James know how to make this gift too?"

"Yeah, it was one of our homework once," Dominique nodded. She suddenly leaned in closer, her eyes glaring. "But you are not – I repeat, NOT – allowed to ask him. He would know that I overheard their conversation. And he would tell Albus and Scorpius about this. And later on, I would be hexed by Scorpius especially."

"Okay, I promise I won't ask any of them about it." Rose kept quiet for a full minute before opening her mouth again, "But I can't help it that I'm curious!" She immediately placed her own hand to cover her mouth for she was too loud. She looked around, bowing her head at the students whose eyes were shooting death glares at her.

Dominique shook her head with a smile on her face. "I'm sure you'd get it soon. Scorpius is a brilliant boy. He might even send it to you tonight."

"I certainly can't wait!"

Rose stayed awake in her bed for a few hours more, fully expecting that she was going to get the present that night. But it ended without her permission. She was disappointed in herself, for waiting for Scorpius' next gift until she felt restless; she was disappointed in Dominique, for giving her false hopes; she was also disappointed in Scorpius, for making her wait. She knew it wouldn't make it any better, but she somehow felt it necessary to vent her anger out at the disappointment she felt at the moment.

Rose tossed and turned in her bed for a few more times before finally being able to take her mind off her secret admirer. She had to sleep whether she liked it or not.

It was the next morning and it still didn't make Rose feel any better as there was nothing at the foot of her bed (she had a dream that Scorpius came to her room to secretly place the gift there). She sighed deeply as she got ready for her first class of the day.

"Why the long face?"

Rose immediately looked up to the new voice, immensely surprised. She didn't realise she had reached the Great Hall in one piece. "A-ah," she stuttered, her right hand at the back of her neck, a sign she was nervous. She cleared her throat. "I couldn't sleep properly."

Scorpius tilted his face slightly. "Why? Too many thoughts in your mind?"

She blushed, looking away from his eyes. "Ye-yeah, you could say that." She cleared her throat again, before starting to gather her breakfast of the day. I have to ask him. "Err, where have you been, Scor? Haven't seen you around, except for classes." Good job, Weasley.

"I've been doing work in my room these days."

Rose looked at him from the corner of her eyes; she swore he was avoiding her. She just didn't know why. "I see."

Scorpius might have detected the disappointment in her voice as he also looked up with a worried look. "No, don't take this the wrong way. It's just that I didn't want to disturb you. You look so busy helping other students every day, or should I say night. And you've been hanging out with Dominique as well." He looked down, scooping a spoonful of cream soup. "So, Albus and I have been in our room, doing our work by ourselves."

"Sorry," mumbled Rose. "If you need any help, I'm always here for you. You know that, right?"

Scorpius just nodded with a smile on his face.

So he's been working on the gift every night. That means it really is complex. She sighed inaudibly. I wish there was something I could do to pay for his kindness and hard work. She stole a glance at him to find his eye bags as thick as a panda's. Why does he want to do so much just for me? I don't deserve his love.

"Poor Scorpius," Rose mumbled when she and Dominique were in the Common Room. They were supposed to do their homework, but Rose ended up thinking again about the mysterious boy.

"What now?"

She looked up from her neglected book. "I talked to him this morning. And he looked exhausted."

Dominique smiled and kept her eyes on the parchment in front of her. "Of course he did, or does rather. I know he's been staying up late preparing for your gift."

"How'd you know?"

"I have my sources."

Rose narrowed her eyes and then shook her head. "But really, I feel like I don't deserve this gift. What if he gets left behind in his studies? I have to be responsible for that."

Despite the face her cousin was currently supporting, Dominique laughed. "Rosie, I have two things to say. One," she put up one index finger, "he's a smart boy. I'm sure he can find some time to do his homework. And two," she put up one more finger, "don't flatter yourself too much. He stays up late also because of studying."

Rose looked away; her face was now as red as a tomato.

"Besides, people do crazy things when they're in love," said Dominique, continuing her deserted work. "You deserve this because you are also in love with him."

A/N: I realise that the ending is a bit off. I just don't know how to end it. Anyway I also realised a few days ago that I've started this story 1 year ago! You readers and reviewers have been with me for over a year already. And never complain about the slow updates. Thank you so much!

Don't forget to review. Til next time..