Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series.

Chapter 2 Captured by a Nimbus

James and Scorpius ended up making the Hogwart's team. It was going to be entertaining to see how players from different Houses teams would work together. No one else seemed to be worried about it, so I did not give it another thought.

I had gotten in the habit of watching their practices. One day after practice before supper, Scorpius walked up to me after the others had left.

"Hey," he said.

"You guys are looking real good out there," I told him.

It was true. I was pleasantly surprised that no major arguments had broken out.

"Thanks," Scorpius said. There was a moment of silence before he cleared his throat. "You want to go for a ride?"

I laughed and looked around to indicate I had no broom.

"I didn't bring my broom," I told him.

He looked down with a cheeky smile.

"I guess we're just going to have to share mine," Scorpius replied.

My eyes widened. Before I knew it, he had gotten on his broom and pulled me with him.

"Scorpius," I yelled.

"Hold on tight," he said. I gasped and wrapped my arms around his waist as he flew up. The shock of what just happened soon faded. "Fun, right?"

"If you say so," I replied.

I closed my eyes, letting the wind pass over me. Before I knew it, we were back on the ground. Safe and sound. I was almost sad that it was over. But I was not going to tell him that.

"Well?" Scorpius asked.

"That was… different," I told him. "Not being to one flying."

We walked to the Great Hall and went to our separate tables without another word.

xxx

About a week passed, and I was in the common room reading. Well, it was more like just looking at the words than reading them. Nothing was sticking.

"Why the long face?" someone asks.

I looked up to find it was my brother.

"What?" I asked.

"Rose, you haven't been yourself for a few days. What's wrong?" he wondered.

I shook my head and looked back at my book.

"Nothing," I replied.

It was obviously a lie, but I did not want to talk about it. And I really hoped Hugo would not press the matter. However, I knew my brother too well. He would get it out of me if it was the last thing he did.

"If you say so," Hugo said. The truth was I was feeling a bit down. Scorpius had been busy with practice that I had hardly seen or talked to him. "Dad…"

And that is what did it. I slammed my book shut and glared at him. Everything we talked about ended up about Dad and Scorpius.

"Don't get me started, Hugo," I said, hoping that would be the end of it.

But of course I knew better to believe that.

"He's a Slytherin, Rose," Hugo replied.

I hated that he automatically assumed my mood had to do with Scorpius. It was true, but that was not the point. "What's making you bring this up anyway?"

His expression then turned sincere.

"I notice the way you look at him sometimes when you think he can't see you," Hugo replied.

I looked away for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed. Had I been that obvious?

"And what if I was in Slytherin?" I asked.

"You're not," Hugo said, his expression turning serious again.

That was the thing about the Weasley's. No one was in Slytherin. Ever. You would probably be kicked out of the family if you were. He walked away. I hated to admit he left me thinking. Yes, Scorpius was a Slytherin, but did that really matter in the end?

"I notice the way you look at him sometimes when you think he can't see you," Hugo had said.

I let those words sink in. Scorpius was my friend, right? Just my friend. I did not want anything else. I did not think of him as anything else I told myself. But what if I was in Slytherin? Would I feel different? I silently cursed Hugo for putting this in my head now. And then I realized it did not matter if we were in different houses.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake," I said out loud.

A few students turned my way, but then went back to whatever they were doing. I could only imagine the looks I was getting when talking to Hugo. I hoped I was just overthinking this, but deep down, I knew the truth. I was falling for my friend. How had it come to this?

"This can't be happening," I whispered to myself as I went to my empty dorm room.

I fell to my bed and closed my eyes. And then I realized something else. Something that I knew would not let me sleep tonight. Did Scorpius feel the same? I could not think about it anymore. I even got my book back out and tried to bury my head in it to block any other thoughts. But that last question kept playing in my head from time to time. Did Scorpius feel the same? I guess I'd find out sooner or later.