Valentine's and Viruses: Part I
Sixth Year
Late winter her sixth year, Rose received a particular owl from the Weasleys. Rose often got mail from them, as most Pureblood students did, since her family knew how the mail worked in the wizarding world. On any day, to anyone besides Scorpius, this would have gone unnoticed. But Scorpius had grown so accustomed to keeping the redhead in the corner of his eye, that that morning when a barn owl fluttered down to Rose's corner of the Gryffindor table, he immediately looked her way.
Scorpius watched over Zabini's shoulder as Rose patted the owl's head in thanks and opened the letter. He loved watching her read a letter from her parents; giggling at her father's spelling errors, and smiling at her mother's advice. Really, Scorpius loved watching Rose do anything.
But this time was different. Her eyelashes fluttered on her cheeks as she zoomed across the page, as always, but her spirit disappeared as she got to the end of the letter.
"I have to go," he could practically hear her say to her friends. She swiftly stood from the table, knocking a goblet and turning red in the face. Her two best friends, Annabel and Maisie got up as well and hurried after her. Headmistress McGonagall was quick to follow them out of of the Great Hall.
And just like that, the only thing that made meals at Hogwarts worthwhile for Scorpius was gone.
He grumbled and looked down at his copy of The Quibbler. He flipped open the front page to the Editor's Note.
"I don't know how you can read that bollocks," Goyle growled. "My father told me that writer Loony Lovegood is completely out of her mind. You will be too if you read that."
Scorpius grunted as he turned the page, took a gulp of coffee, and hoped to see Rose again soon.
Scorpius sauntered into Defense Against The Dark Arts late and scanned the room. His favorite head of red hair was nowhere to be seen. He turned on his heel and walked straight out, ignoring the professor's protests.
Down some halls and up some stairs, Scorpius soon found himself lingering at the entrance to the Headmistress's office. Blimey, I'm mad, Scorpius thought, starring up at the menacing statue of a griffon.
Before he could turn back, Scorpius heard the light footsteps of someone approaching. "Why, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall greeted. "I had a feeling I'd get a visit from you today."
Scorpius's brow furrowed. "What?"
The professor just smiled, years of stress and wisdom crinkling at the corners of her eyes. As a Slytherin, Scorpius had never seen Professor McGonagall give him a genuine smile, but he quite liked it. "Let's talk," she said simply, inviting him inside the griffon's wings. He stepped in, and the whole statue rotated upwards, revealing an office full of books and portraits.
"Sit," she instructed, walking to her desk. He did. "Are you here about our friend Miss Weasley?"
Scorpius could feel his face get hot suddenly. "I- I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I do," she sighed, smiling again. She crossed her arms. "I've been a professor for quite some time, Mr. Malfoy. I've seen generations of Malfoys and Blacks and Greengrasses pass through these halls. "You look almost exactly like your father, you know." She paused, and he swallowed. "But I can tell your heart is different."
Scorpius looked at the floor.
"I've seen the way you look at Miss Weasley," she said. "And I know the look of a boy in love."
"Where is she?" he asked softly. "She ran out this morning- she would never miss a class."
McGonagall's lips pursed and she looked down. "I'm afraid one of Miss Weasley's family members is ill. Because of Miss Weasley's outstanding academic record, I've allowed her to spend a few days with her family."
"I need to go see her!" Scorpius exclaimed.
"Now, Mr. Malfoy, don't overreact, she'll be-"
"No," Scorpius said sternly. "I have to see her. Let me go for a day, I have perfect marks in all of my classes, just let me be with her! This is my chance."
McGonagall looked at him for a moment and then sighed. "Pack a bag, Malfoy."
TBC