Chapter 30: Double Date

(Rose's pov)

After we returned to Hogwarts after the Christmas holiday, time seemed to pass even more quickly than before. Before we knew it, February was here. It was hard to believe that we only had about four more months at Hogwarts before we graduated. Although Scorpius and I were planning on staying together after Hogwarts, we didn't know much time we would get to spend together, so we wanted to spend as much time together as possible.

The weekend before Valentine's Day another Hogsmeade trip was scheduled. That was when Albus got the idea for himself and Alana to go on a double date with Scorpius and me. Everyone thought it was a good idea, so that Saturday, we all met in the Great Hall.

First, we went to the Three Broomsticks, where the boys bought Alana and I butterbeers. There, Scorp and Al argued about who had the better girlfriend.

"Clearly, it's me." Albus claimed. "I mean, no offense, Rose, but look at this girl. She's gorgeous, and has the sweetest personality."

"I disagree!" Scorpius exclaimed. "Rose is much better. She gorgeous, intelligent, kind, protective, strong-willed… the list goes on."

This argument lasted for about fifteen minutes, while Alana and I just looked at each other and struggled not to laugh at our love-struck boys. After the Three Broomsticks, I convinced the others to come to Tomes and Scrolls, Hogsmeade's bookshop to pick up a book I wanted.

After the bookshop, we all went to Honeydukes, where Scorpius and Albus competed with each other to see who could buy the best gift for their girlfriend. Scorpius got me a large chocolate heart, while Albus bought Alana six large bags of assorted sweets. Alana and I disappointed the boys by telling them they had tied.

We stopped in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes after that, and visited Uncle George, Aunt Angie, and Dad – Dad was working full time there now, as he had just recently retired from his auror position. The Hogsmeade location of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was opened a few years ago, when Uncle George had earned enough money from the Diagon Alley location to buy Zonko's joke shop.

"Hey I know you!" Uncle George exclaimed as we came in.

"Hey, Uncle George." Albus and I said together.

"Who have you brought with you today?"

"This is my girlfriend, Alana Finnegan, and Rose's boyfriend, Scorpius Malfoy." Albus replied.

Uncle George studied Alana and Scorpius for a bit before saying. "Well, you two seem to have chosen well. And remember, everything is half-priced for family. Just come see me when you're done."

"Thanks, Uncle George." I said. "Do you know where Dad is?"

"He's back in the storage area." Uncle George answered. "Feel free to go back and say hello."

We went back and said a quick hello to Dad before exploring the shop some more. After purchasing a few items, we decided to have a snowball fight on the hill near the shrieking shack. Soon, we began to grow hungry, so we went to the new restaurant that had just opened about two months earlier. After lunch, we explored the village for a few more hours before heading back to Hogwarts. Once back at school though, no one really wanted our double date to end quite yet. Suddenly, Albus got an idea.

"Who wants to play Quidditch?" Al asked.

Scorpius and I eagerly agreed, but Alana was a little apprehensive. "Isn't it a little cold?"

"Of course not!" Albus exclaimed. "It's about zero degrees out. That's nice for February."

With that, we stopped at our dormitories to get our brooms, and Albus opened the Quidditch shed using his captain's key to get an extra one for Alana.

"Are you sure we're allowed to use the field?" Alana asked.

"Of course we can." Albus assured her. "I'm a Quidditch captain, after all, so I have a right to use it. Don't worry."

"But… it's starting to snow. Wouldn't the visibility be bad?"

Albus was starting to get frustrated with all of Alana's complaints, and all three of us could tell. "Just use a water-repelling charm. Really Alana, why are you making all of these excuses?"

Immediately, Alana bowed her head. "I – I'm not."

"Yes, you are!" Albus snapped. "Don't lie to me."

"Fine, I'm afraid of flying." Alana cried. "Are you happy now?"

So that was it. I should have remembered. During flying lessons in first year, Alana fell off her broom. Luckily, she was caught by Madam Hooch just in time; otherwise she might have been seriously injured. Ever since then. Alana's been terrified of heights. I supposed I thought she had gotten over it.

As soon as Albus heard those words, his eyes softened, and I knew he felt bad about yelling at her. "You know, I have a better idea. You can climb on the back of my broom, and we can just fly around."

"I don't know…" Alana said slowly.

"Alana," Albus sighed. "I will not let you fall, I promise. Please just try it. For me."

"Okay." Alana sighed, and warily got on the back of Albus's broom. At first, her eyes were closed, and she had her face buried in Albus's dark, messy hair. After a while though, Alana became braver, and soon she was even laughing as Albus, Scorpius, and I raced each other around the field.

"That was so fun!" Alana exclaimed, kissing Albus lightly on the lips. "Thanks for convincing me to do that, Al."

"And thank you for being so brave. That is why I love you so much." Albus said, kissing her back.

Scorpius and I smiled at each other, because we knew Alana had just learned something I myself had learned not to long ago. That if you're afraid to conquer your fears, then you will miss out on something truly amazing. I finally had the courage to introduce Scorpius to my parents, and now that I had, my relationship was care-free and just plain wonderful.

Author's note: It's 6:40 in the morning my time, but honestly, I don't really care. This chapter has been delayed long enough, and it's either post this now or wait until tomorrow.

Sorry the chapter's so short. It's kind of a filler chapter if you couldn't tell.

Finally, I'm trying to decide what story I should write after this one, so I have two plots on a poll on my profile, and I'd appreciate it if you all would answer it. One is Draco/Astoria and the other is Teddy/Victoire. Check out the poll for more details.

And as always, please review!