Chapter 10: Tutoring

(Scorpius's pov)

Breathe, Scorpius, I told myself on the way back to Hogwarts after Christmas break. I was sitting on the Hogwarts Express with Albus, Ben, and Luke, but Rose was sitting just across the aisle with Sahara and Alana. If I looked closely enough, I could see Rose's reflection in the window of the train, allowing me to sneak glances at her without anyone noticing. Taking a deep breath I let out a long, pitiful sigh. When had this madness started? Here I was, staring at Rose's reflection and hoping no one would catch on. What was happening to me?

After Albus was hurt, Rose and I had become close friends. We, along with Albus and our other friends, hung out together during Hogsmeade weekends. In class, we were even sometimes partners. This was what I had wanted since first year, so I should be happy right? Wrong.

After the Amortentia lesson in Potions, I realized why Rose's appearance had seemed so different to me. I was only just noticing how many natural curves her body had, and how her red, luxurious hair was one of her best features. Although I hated to admit it, Rose Weasley was pretty. No, she was more than pretty; she was stunningly beautiful. In addition to her looks, I realized I loved everything about her personality, from her sweet charm to her intelligence. Merlin, I even loved her stubbornness. During Christmas break, I realized that I had probably been in love with Rose for a least a year or two, and just didn't know it. I also realized that it was extremely painful to be in love with a girl I knew I couldn't have. Before break, Rose and I had scheduled to meet in the Potions room every Tuesday and Thursday. How was I going to get through this?"

"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy!" Albus yelled suddenly, making Rose and her friends stare at us from across the aisle.

I blinked as I woke up from my daydream. "What?" I asked confusedly.

"I called your name three times. Are you alright, mate?" my best friend asked, his voice full of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied.

"Well, it doesn't seem like it."

"I'm fine, alright?" I snapped, getting slightly annoyed. "Now, was there was a reason you called my name, or do you just like the sound of it."

"I was just wondering when you were going to start tutoring Rose in Potions." Albus said, lowering his voice slightly to make sure Rose didn't hear him.

"This Tuesday. Why?"

Albus smiled. "I just wanted to wish you luck. Rose can be extremely stubborn."

I sighed. "Yeah, I know, and I kind of got the impression that Rose doesn't want to be tutored by me."

"I don't think it's you." Luke spoke up softly. "I think Rose is just too proud to accept the fact that she needs help in something. I mean, everyone has something they struggle with. Am I right, Al?"

Al nodded. "Exactly. I tried to explain to Rose that Professor Flint probably just wants her to score well on her Potions O.W.L., possibly get an E on it, which she is capable of, but stills needs a bit more practice. And what better person to ask to tutor her then the best potion maker in our year? But of course, Rose being Rose, she refused to listen."

I quickly glanced over at Rose to make sure she wasn't listening in before I replied. Luckily, she, Alana, and Sahara were still involved with their own conversation. "Thanks, Albus. I feel slightly better now."

And it was true. Albus had this talent to make even the worst situations seem a whole lot brighter.

(Rose's pov)

"Hey, Rose, I was planning on going to the library after classes." Alana announced after Transfiguration class the Tuesday after we got back from break. "Do you want to come?"

I smiled. "You know I do, Alana." I said before I remember something. My smile turned into a frown. "Oh, I can't, Scorpius is tutoring my in Potions in fifteen minutes. I still don't understand why I even need tutoring."

Alana sighed. "Rose, don't you realize Professor Flint is just trying to help you? You're probably capable of getting an E in Potions if you practice more, and Flint knows it."

"I still don't think it's necessary." I muttered.

Sahara, who had just caught up to us rolled her eyes at me. "You're impossibly stubborn, Rose, you know that? Just cooperate with Scorpius, and this tutoring will be over in no time."

"I can't wait." I mumbled, and Alana, Sahara and I parted ways as I headed to the dungeons and she headed to the Gryffindor Common room to start on our Transfiguration essay.

Scorpius was already in the Potions room when I got there, getting out some ingredients. He smiled as I came in. "You're late." He said playfully. "What took you so long?"

"I don't want to be here, Malfoy, so let's get this over with." I snapped.

Scorpius's grin remained on his face, but the teasing tone in his voice disappeared. "Well, someone's a little grumpy today. And when did you start calling me by my last name again, anyways."

"Today." I replied grumpily.

"I see. And how long is this mood going to last?"

"As long as the tutoring does."

Scorpius shrugged. "Well, just see about that. You just can't stand the fact that I'm better at something than you are!"

"That's not true!" I argued. Well, maybe that was part of the reason.

Scorpius laughed. "Yes, it is. Just the same, I think we should get started. I was thinking we'd brew another Amortentia potion today, since that is fresh in your memory. I think I'll just observe for now, alright?"

"Fine." I sighed, and opened my Potions book to the Amortentia page. Over the next hour or so, I set to work on making the potion. I managed to do most of it on my own, with Scorpius giving me helpful tips along the way like, "You're stirring too fast. Slow down a little," and "When it says a 'pinch' of something, it means a little less than what you're using, alright?" Every once in a while, Scorpius would take over for me and demonstrate something. By the time I was done, the Amortentia looked almost exactly as it was supposed to.

"Well, everything looks good, but maybe you should smell it just to make sure." Scorpius told me, and I obeyed. Sure enough, my Amortentia smelled exactly like it had before break.

"It smells the same." I said, and Scorpius leaned over to smell it too. This time instead of freezing when the scent flowed through his nostrils, he smiled.

"It's perfect, Rose." Scorpius exclaimed. "Let's go show Professor Flint how much we accomplished today.

Professor Flint seemed to be impressed with my potion, as his lips curled into a smile. This was unusual because Flint rarely smiled, not even to the Slytherins, and he was their Head of House. "This is most excellent, Ms. Weasley. I can see improvement already." He poured my Amortentia into a small bottle, placed a lid and a label on it, and set it on the shelf with the other potions before dismissing us. Scorpius and I walked back to the Gryffindor common room and parted only to go to our dorms.

(Scorpius's pov)

For the next several weeks, our tutoring routine continued. Each day working on something different, and sometimes we reviewed things Rose had struggled with. By the end of January, she had improved tremendously, so much in fact that I rarely had to correct her. In addition, Rose seemed to actually enjoy the lessons. She even went back to calling me by my first name, and our lessons were always full of laughter and playful teasing.

"You don't even need me anymore." I remarked after another successful tutoring session.

"Sure I do." Rose reassured me. "I'm still not as good at potions as you."

I smiled. "And I intend to keep it that way."

Rose laughed. "Whatever you say, Scorpius. You know, I never thought I'd say this, but I actually enjoy studying with you. We should study together more often.

"Really?" I asked, trying to hide the surprise from my voice.

"Would I lie to you about something like that?"

"Well, my Transfiguration could use some work." I admitted. "Do you think I could help me with that?"

Rose smiled. "Absolutely. We'll help each other."

I couldn't help but smile back. Not only would I get to brush up on my Transfiguration skills, but I would get to spend more time with Rose. And that was what I wanted more than anything.

Author's note: Sorry, everyone, I know I said I'd update faster, but my mom was on spring break this week (she's a teacher) and needed to use the computer a lot for school, and her job obviously comes before fanfiction. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait.