Using the prompt 'It's your move"

Chapter Forty-Four

It was as if life had carried on without them for the five months they had been out of school. Students went from one carriage to the next, hugging friends, throwing jinxes, and gossiping about their summer. Some passed Rose's carriage, but very few heeded them any attention.

Not many people disturbed the Weasleys or the Potters. It was as if they thought they would hex them just for looking.

James thought it was hilarious, but Rose found it rather disconcerting. Was that why she had very few friends aside from her cousins? Was that why most others simply avoided her? Or was she just too much of a pain to be around that they didn't even bother? Now that she thought about it, she rarely spoke to the other girls in her dormitory. There was Jasmine – who she didn't like – Georgia who was Jasmine's best friend and two other girls called Fiona and Mabel. Georgia was really the only one she spoke to.

That thought had never bothered her until now. She probably didn't even know their birthdays.

"You okay, Rosie?" Albus questioned, nudging her in the ribs. "We're almost there, we should probably change."

Rose looked down at her Muggle attire. Normally, she arrived at King's Cross in her robes. This time, she'd almost forgotten them all together.

"Right," she mumbled, rummaging through her trunk to extract a set of robes. It was dark enough that everyone in the carriage could get changed comfortably without worrying about prying eyes.

Despite loving her cousins and brother dearly, she still didn't want them to see her in just her underwear.

Slowly, the train came to a halt and students started pushing and shoving from all directions, eager to get on one of the carriages that would take them to Hogwarts. Rose waited with the others until it was virtually empty before they even moved.

"Feels good to be back, doesn't it?" James questioned, taking Jasmine's hand as they followed the stragglers to the final carriages that would take them to Hogwarts.

"It does," Rose answered absently, admiring the castle from the distance. She'd almost forgotten what it looked like, it had been that long since she'd been there. The last time she had set foot in the grounds she had been morbidly depressed – with good reason – over everything that had happened. She'd barely spoken to anyone, and she had distracted herself by focusing on Hugo, who had seemed to be dealing with things better than her.

Despite dreading what was to come, it cheered her greatly to be back. She missed school, and now that she was here, she was glad she hadn't dropped out. She would have hated it.

The six of them (Rose, Hugo, James, Jasmine, Albus and Lucy) all clamoured onto one of the carriages which she knew was pulled by Thestrals. She couldn't see them, but from what she knew of them, she was glad. She never wanted to see anyone die.

The carriage took them to the entrance door of the castle, where Professor Longbottom was waiting for everyone out the front. When Rose and her family approached, he gave them all a very wide small, making it obvious he was pleased to see them.

"It is good to have you back," he said cheerfully.

Rose gave her professor a weak smile as she passed. The crowded hall overwhelmed her so much that she didn't even see Lysander Scamander until she crashed straight into him. Both of them toppled to the ground, causing everyone to stop and stare.

"Watch it, Weasley," he said cheerily, getting to his feet and offering her a hand also. "You might need glasses.

Rose didn't smile. "Sorry," she mumbled, feeling herself go read. So much for wanting to stay unnoticed on her first night.

Lysander and his twin brother Lorcan were both in James' year. Lorcan was in Ravenclaw and managed to stay at the top of the class, according to James, while Lysander was a lot more laid back and seemed to have inherited his mother and father's curiosity and beliefs in odd creatures only they could see.

He hadn't admitted it, ever, but it was common knowledge that he fancied Lucy quite a bit. Lucy was too shy to admit, too, but Rose was quite sure she fancied him too. She just wished they'd stop dancing around each other. Both of them lacked the social skills required to actually act on their feelings.

Professor Gimp – looking as happy and as delighted to see them as ever – was directing them all into the Great Hall, encouraging them to hurry before the first years arrived. Rose followed the long line in, realising that this year, she didn't actually know any of the new students coming. All of her cousins (save Fred and Roxanne) had either already left, or were currently attending Hogwarts. She didn't even know anyone outside of the family who were coming. This year was going to be a whole new ball game for them.

They found a spot at the Gryffindor table – Rose in between Hugo and Albus – and Gimp gave them instructions on what would happen. It was the same as every year, and the Hall soon erupted into more chatter as they waited.

It wasn't long until the doors were opened again, and in marched about forty new first years. They looked just as terrified as every new group, and Rose had no doubt she had looked like that too. It was daunting seeing so many people much older and much bigger, and Rose had been absolutely petrified at the idea of going to the school. Then, being her naïve, eleven-year-old self, she had instructed the Sorting Hat about the pros and cons of all four Houses before leaving it to decide her fate.

Her Sorting had been one of the longest ever, and people still remembered it to this day. Scorpius never let her forget it.

Rose sat up a little straighter, and turned around. Scorpius! she thought. Her mind had barely thought of him the whole day, and now that she realised, she felt quite ashamed. She looked for him on the Slytherin table and he gave her a small wave.

She smiled at him, waving back.

Hugo nudged her. "Don't forget your promise," he whispered.

"Not now!" Rose snapped, turning faintly pink.

"Soon, though, right?" Hugo questioned.

Rose ignored him, turning her attention back to the front where Professor Longbottom had placed the Sorting Hat on the stool.

Everyone quietened as the crease in the old thing opened, and began chanting a song. Rose hardly listened to it, but she was drawn to the mention of staying strong through hard times, and the Gryffindors showed the greatest bravery in tough situations.

She sighed. She hadn't felt very strong through her tough situation. Hugo had been the strong one, and he had always doubted his spot in Gryffindor. She thought he had proved it these past months, though. More so than she had anyway.

"Well that was short this year, at least," Albus commented with a smirk. "Last year the first years were almost asleep before they'd even been Sorted."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and then turned their attention to Professor Longbottom who was beginning to call out names to be Sorted.

A loud cheer erupted from the Gryffindor table as the first student – Miriam Appleby – was sent to their House. The poor girl looked petrified, but it was Georgia who patted her hand comfortably and gave her a wide smile.

Soon, the girl's nerves vanished.

Rose paid little attention to what the Sorting Hat was doing, clapping only when someone was put into her own House. The names meant nothing to her this year. She recognised a few from names her parents had mentioned, but she probably wouldn't remember their faces.

Once everyone was seated and at their tables, Gimp gave the traditional headmaster speech, and then they all dived into the feast.

Rose devoured everything, cheerfully eating the food she had missed. She always missed the Hogwarts food. No matter how good or bad her parents were at cooking, or Harry and Ginny, nothing beat the food at Hogwarts. The house-elves did a good job. Rose wasn't going to lie.

Dessert soon came too, and Rose ate quickly. She wasn't even hungry, but she wouldn't let the food go to waste. Both James and Albus watched her with amused expressions.

"People might think Mum and Dad don't feed you, Rosie," James said.

Rose shrugged. "It's been five months," she said.

Her cousins laughed.

"You'll make yourself sick, Rosie," Hugo then said.

Rose turned to him, glaring. "You sound like Mum," she accused.

"And you eat like Dad."

After that, Rose did eat a little slower, and she was one of the first to leave the Great Hall to make her way to her dormitory. It wasn't until she reached the portrait of the Fat Lady that she realised she had no idea what the password was, so she had to sit out the front until a prefect arrived.

She groaned when she found out who it was.

"You're a prefect?" she demanded, sounding harsher than she intended to towards Jasmine?

The girl nodded. "Mum and Dad were thrilled," she said brightly. "You know… seeing as neither of them were and my brothers are no-hopes."

The idea of prefects hadn't even occurred to Rose until now. She was a fifth year; that was when the badges were sent. If everything hadn't happened in her life, maybe she would have been expecting one. After all, her parents had both been Gryffindor prefects, and her name was Weasley.

Was it shallow to just assume she would have been given one?

Jasmine seemed to read her expression. "Don't worry, I was just as surprised as you were," she said. "I mean, I thought you had it for sure, as did everyone else. You're Rose Weasley, and you're bloody smart. I thought Gimp was sure to give it to you."

Rose shrugged. The concept didn't bother her as much as she thought it would. She didn't really have a desire to be a prefect. Not this year.

"But… weren't you supposed to go to some meeting on the train?"

Jasmine looked confused. "I-I did," she said.

"Oh." Rose had absolutely no memory of Jasmine ever coming up for breath with James, let alone leaving the carriage. "Anyway," she then said after a moment's awkward silence. "Password?"

"It's Petrificus Totalus. The Fat Lady thought she'd make an easy one for a while for the firsties and all."

Rose nodded as the portrait swung open and she was greeted by the familiar sight of gold and maroon. The fire blazed in the corner and she couldn't help but smile at the feeling of being back. She remembered the beginning of her fourth year and how happy she had been back then, unaware of the events that would befall her in the coming months.

"Are you going to bed?" Jasmine asked as Rose approached the spiral staircase.

She nodded. "It's a tiring day," she said.

Jasmine gave her a sympathetic look. "Okay, then," she said. "Well… goodnight."

Rose smiled at her. "Thanks," she replied, and without saying anything else, she made her way up to her dormitory and collapsed – fully clothed – onto her bed. She truly was exhausted, and she just couldn't wait for tomorrow to come. Her classes started then, and she could get back to her normal life.

That would be good, she decided. Despite the fact that she was seriously behind everyone else now. Part of her thought that maybe she should have stayed back and repeated fourth year. At least then, she'd know what to expect come fifth year.

For the first time ever, she felt very unprepared for what was to come. How much was she going to embarrass herself in her first lesson?

The thought made her feel extremely ill, and she fell asleep with a full stomach, resisting the urge to go to the bathroom to throw up.

OOO

The next morning she still felt sick, but she tried to ignore it. She knew she was just worried about the coming day, and she had to push past it. She was smart, she knew that. She'd be fine.

She went down by herself to breakfast, yet found James already there. She sat with him, and was soon joined by Scorpius too.

"Morning," he said cheerfully.

Rose jumped, startled by his appearance beside her. "Scorp!" she said. "What are you doing at the Gryffindor table?"

"Having breakfast with you," Scorpius answered as if it were obvious. "I am allowed to, aren't I?"

Rose nodded. "Yeah, of course," she said. "You can fill me in on everything I've missed… but… won't your friends think it strange?"

Scorpius turned around to look back to his table then shrugged. "No, not really," he said. "Anyone who does isn't my friend."

Rose smiled at him. "Thanks, Scorp."

Scorpius returned her smile. "Anytime," he said.

As Rose nibbled on a few pieces of toast, Scorpius briefly went over everything they had learnt while she was absent. Professor Longbottom had sent her a whole bunch of stuff a few days before, but she'd barely looked at it, let alone studied it. She knew more spells than most people her age, anyway, thanks to her parents. They hadn't taught her specifically, but she'd seen them use them, or stolen their books they needed for their jobs. She knew – and could perform – a few spells that were only taught to the seventh year elite.

"Hey, you'll be fine, Rosie," Scorpius said, seeming to notice her expression. "If anyone can catch up, it's you." He patted her arm. "You'll probably still be smarter than half of us who were there for the whole year."

Rose smiled. "I highly doubt that," she mumbled.

"No, seriously," Scorpius continued. "There are some people in my year that… well they may have inherited some good looks, but they certainly don't come with any brains."

From the other side of Rose, James snorted into his cereal. "Charming, Malfoy," he said.

"It's not like you don't think it," Scorpius retorted. "Seriously, Rosie, they're dumb."

Rose shrugged. "Still makes no difference," she said. "I still don't know half the stuff."

"But you'll learn, Rosie," Scorpius assured her. "You'll be teaching me in no time." He finished his breakfast fairly quickly, and then got to his feet. "Slughorn's handing out timetables," he said, pointing to the Slytherin table. "I probably should get mine."

Rose nodded. "See you soon, Scorp," she said.

He gave her one last smile before disappearing. The moment he was gone, James slid just a little closer to her, and Hugo replaced Scorpius.

"When're you going to make your move?" James asked.

"What?" Rose stuttered, turning to face her cousin. "What move?"

"You know, on Malfoy," James answered. "You promised Hu."

Rose rounded on her brother. "You told him," she said.

Hugo shrugged, looking quite sheepish. "I had to tell someone," he said.

Rose glared at him. "No, you didn't," she replied furiously. "What I told you was a secret; between us."

"Rosie… the fact that you fancy Scorpius is no secret," James said.

"Shut up!" Rose spat, looking around at the table. Some were watching and appeared extremely unsurprised by James' revelation, but most were too lost in their own conversations to care.

"The only one who doesn't know is him," James added.

"Do it now," Hugo urged. "Organise a date. Tomorrow's Saturday…."

"And where would we go?" Rose wanted to know. "The Room of Requirement?"

"If you want to." James shrugged. "Though, he mightn't be ready for that yet…."

Rose hit him. "That's not what I meant," she said.

"Just do it, Rosie," Hugo said. "He's not going to turn you down."

"You don't know that."

"He fancies you, Rosie. He fancies you a bloody awful lot, it's sickening. You'll make his year by asking him."

Rose sighed. "After classes," she mumbled, just as Professor Longbottom drobbed her timetable in front of her.

"Now, Rosie!" Both Hugo and James said in unison.

Rose glanced down at the timetable in front of her. Unless Scorpius had changed classes, they were in virtually the same. She didn't feel comfortable with that happening if he turned her down, or said he wasn't interested.

They had held hands in Diagon Alley that day, but that was all. Their relationship went no further, and she wasn't even sure if she wanted it to go further.

But she did fancy Scorpius, and she had made a promise to her brother. She wasn't going to go back on that.

As she got to her feet, James gave her a little nudge in the direction of the Slytherin table. Feeling sick to her stomach, she slowly approached Scorpius where he was once again sitting with his two friends, Michael and Evan.

"Um, Scorp," she said quietly.

Scorpius spun around, looking genuinely surprised to see her. "Rosie," he said, smiling at her.

"Can… can I talk to you for a second?"

Scorpius' brow furrowed. "Okay," he said.

"Alone," Rose added, looking to Michael and Evan. She didn't mind either boys, but she certainly wasn't going to do this in front of them.

"Um… sure." Scorpius got up from his spot and they walked towards the entrance door, and stood a little bit to the side. "What is it?" Scorpius asked, looking worried. "Is everything okay with your classes?"

Rose nodded. "Yeah, it's not that," she said. "I-I was just wondering if… well tomorrow's Saturday, and I was just wondering if you wanted to do anything?"

Scorpius was even more confused than he had been before. "Don't we always?" he asked.

"No, I mean… together…." When Scorpius was still confused, she sighed. "Like a date, Scorpius," she said.

The boy's eyes widened in shock. "A date?" he questioned.

Rose nodded. "Maybe… maybe we could walk down to the Lake or something like that. You know… a picnic or something." She felt her cheeks turn red as Scorpius grinned.

"That sounds great, Rosie," he said.

"I-It does?"

Scorpius nodded. "Yep, as long as you get the food."

"I can talk to the house-elves," Rose said, nodding.

"What time?"

"Midday?"

Scorpius nodded, and Rose couldn't ignore the glint in his eyes. "This sounds perfect, Rosie," he said. "But… I have class now… so I'll see you in few minutes?"

Rose nodded.

"Okay, then, bye." And without further ado, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek, shocking Rose and a few people who had just walked in for breakfast.

After he'd gone, Rose touched the place he had kissed her, and turned to face James and Hugo, where Albus had now joined them. All three gave her the thumbs up, and she couldn't help but smile at them.

She hadn't expected that.

I thank everybody for their patience for this story, and my lovely beta's patience and my random upload of chapters. Sunny Lighter is amazingly quick, and I am just slow and busy with life. You'd think it would be easy to upload chapters I wrote... 2 years ago, right? Wrong!

But anyway, not long to go now, and I hope you are still enjoying it. Please leave a review. Would be much appreciated!