Spaces Between Us

In a relationship like the one he was in with Rose, Scorpius knew that what they actually said wasn't really that important at all. All the horrible words and the backhanded insults, all the curses and calls and general bitching didn't mean a thing. What really were important were the words that they didn't say out loud. The meaningful, sometimes awkward silences and the charged looks; the causal touches that filled the spaces between them.

On the outside, to the rest of the world, they were a Malfoy and a Weasley. They had to hate each other, to curse each other to do everything they could to try and get rid of each other. Or at least they had to make it seem that way. A jinx that accidently flies wide, a hex misworded so instead of bogies attacking there were bunnies frolicking. It all seemed to be just accidental and according to the rest of Hogwarts their rivalry was as fierce as ever but Scorpius knew that it was different, that things had changed.

It was exactly what he had been told to expect. His father had experienced the exact same relationship with Hermione Granger but sadly the stigma that prevailed after the wizarding war meant that they couldn't be together. She had ended up marrying that awful weasel and having to spawn his children. But, Draco had told him, it was no matter. The next generation would simply have to succeed where the previous one had failed.

Scorpius would never forget the first day he had met Rose Weasley. They had bumped into each other on the train. She had been all blue eyes and fiery hair and he hadn't been able to think of a word to say to her. All he could think of were his father's final words to him: "one day son, you are going to marry that girl."

She opened her mouth and Scorpius just knew in that moment that she felt the same way. That she felt the instant connection between them and the electricity that sparked through the air around them. This was it the moment that would shape the rest of his life.

"Malfoy, what are you doing? Get out of my way."

It took him a moment to realise that it was not a declaration of utter and undying love that had just spilled forth from her rosebud lips. It was in fact a dismissive statement sneered at him with a level of disgust he had not experienced before. It shocked him to his very core and all he could do was gape at her, a stupid look on his face. She glared at him for a minute more before sighing and shouldering past him leaving the young boy heartbroken in the middle of the train corridor.

The second he had been sorted into Slytherin and had gotten back to the dorms he had written to his father expressing his confusion and hurt at the rejection of a girl he had been told was his soulmate since he was old enough to understand what the word meant.

The letter he received in return served only to strengthen his resolve. His father explained that Rose was only acting in this manner because of the stigma attached to their names. A Malfoy and a Weasley couldn't even be seen conversing civilly with one another never mind have an open relationship in front of the whole world.

So for seven years Scorpius bided his time. He lived up to the reputation that the world had set him, he was arrogant and womanising, he did fairly well in school but he was always cocky about it. Most importantly though, he went out of his way to make Rose Weasley's life hell. Or at least he tried to make it appear that way.

It was on the night before they left Hogwarts forever that he decided to finally confront her about the connection he had felt between them since day one.

"Rose?" he asked when he finally found her alone in the back corner of the library. He didn't really know why she was there, they didn't have any homework after all and they never would again, but she was there at a table scribbling away.

Her head snapped up and a brief moment of confusion flickered across her face before the familiar mask of disgust slammed down like a protective mask. "What do you want Malfoy?" she sneered at him.

Scorpius looked around furtively checking to make sure that they were truly alone before stealing towards the chair opposite her grinning like a mad man. "It's okay," he insisted in an excited whisper, "we're alone. You don't have to pretend right now."

Rose let her quill drop and she sat up straight in her chair. She was properly frowning now as she looked at him. "What are you on about?" she demanded and for the first time Scorpius felt his reserve falter. She had to just be being careful, or thorough.

Scorpius leant forward and reached for one of her hands but she flinched away from his touch and glanced around, obviously worried that someone would see them together not fighting. "It's okay Rose, there's no one here but you and me. We can be open and honest."

"Honest?" she looked back at him and Scorpius couldn't see anything but confusion in her eyes, and a little fear. "Honest about what?" Could he have been wrong all of this time? All those looks and those fleeting moments, could he have imagined them all?

"A-about us," he insisted. Reaching for her again, but this time Rose jumped away from his touch panic sparking across her face. Scorpius felt himself deflate in his chair. This was not going at all to plan.

"You're insane, there is no us!" she gathered up her books and parchments and started to leave the library. "Honestly Scorpius, what are you thinking?"

At the sound of his name, his actual name, falling from her lips he looked up and was surprised to see a small smile gracing her lips. Amusement and secrets danced in her eyes as she nodded towards the single piece of parchment left on the table before turning on heel and disappearing between the towering stacks of books.

Scorpius felt the hope spark in his chest as he read over her note. It contained a time and a place and it was actually signed 'love Rose x'. He felt triumphant, he felt a happiness he didn't know existed and as he rose from his chair and all but floated out of the library he realised with a certainty that for all these years he had been right.

It was the words they didn't say out loud, that filled the spaces between them, that meant the most.