Rose's last month at Hogwarts was completely consumed by N.E.W.T. preparation. She studied in class. She studied in the corridors. She studied at the breakfast table and in the common room. Hugo and Lily, studying for their O.W.L.s, studied with them and hours would pass where the only sound came from the rustling of parchment and the scratching of quills.
Scorpius often sat next to her, his hand brushing hers as he reached for a chocolate frog or a spare bit of parchment. He never acknowledged the contact, but Rose could have sworn he was doing it on purpose. When she got up to go to the library, he went with her. When she decided to eat, he followed. If she headed to the one class they didn't share - Care of Magical Creatures - he walked her across the grounds. He almost never actually spoke, but she heard his message loud and clear just the same.
At the end of the month, when they walked out of their final N.E.W.T. - Transfiguration - she, Scorpius, and Al just stared at each other.
"So that's it then," Al declared. "We're officially done as Hogwarts students."
Neither Rose nor Scorpius said anything, and they all stood, gazing up at the ceiling of the entrance hall. From the moment Rose had put down her quill a strange tension had leaked into every one of her muscles. This was the end; the future she'd so desperately wanted for herself had come, and she couldn't face it. That this would be her last night at the castle that had given her a home and a friendship and a family she'd never have imagined for herself as she lay in bed dreaming of her first day was too much to consider. She felt the tears on her face and didn't try to hide them.
"Rose," Al said, sliding an arm around his shoulders. "We'll be ok."
Scorpius said nothing, just stepped forward and swiped the tears from her cheeks. Without pause, he reached for her hand and grabbed hold of Al's robes, pulling them out the doors and into the warm sunshine of the late afternoon. He propelled them silently across the grounds and past the greenhouses. They wandered by the lake and the forbidden forest. They walked onto the Quidditch pitch, Rose and Al watching as Scorpius silently waved his wand over the base of one of the three rings and the initials SHM appeared. They waved at Hagrid, tending his vegetable garden, and headed back up toward the castle, stopping just at the little rise that gave a perfect view of every part of Hogwarts. Letting go of them both, Scorpius sat on the grass, long legs stretched in front of him, and tipped his face to the sky. Rose sat next to him, tucking her ankles under her as Al sprawled on his stomach, propping his chin on his hands.
"I've been afraid of this ending for so long," Al said after a long silence. "I've wanted what comes next so badly, but I've never wanted this moment."
"It's not an ending," Scorpius said, staring out across the grounds. Rose too looked out over the place that had given her everything. Dusk was settling down, and the hazy glow of the sun gave the castle a warm glow.
"It's a beginning," she agreed. "Hogwarts will always be a part of us."
"For another week anyway," Al said, a bittersweet smile spreading across his face.
"Not for me," Rose whispered.
Al jerked around to look at her, but Scorpius didn't so much as glance up from the piece of grass he was shredding. "What do you mean?"
"I leave tonight."
"But our N.E.W.T. results and - "
"I don't need to wait for mine," she said. "I'm in regardless of marks."
"But it's your last week! You have to say goodbye!"
"I told you, Al," she said in a tone of condescending patience that would have made her mother proud. "I'm not saying goodbye. Not to Hogwarts and not to you."
"Did you know about this?" Al's question was accusing, his eyes narrowed at Scorpius.
"Well," Scorpius replied carefully, "she's been saying for ages that she'd have to leave after our N.E.W.T.s. I actually assumed that as soon as she stepped out of the exam room she'd vanish in a puff of smoke."
"How can you be so calm about this!"
Scorpius's expression darkened. "I've spent six months trying to force myself to get used to the idea of her leaving us, Al. If I look at all calm, at least some of that time hasn't been wasted."
"Scorpius," Rose breathed, reaching out for his hand.
"No. No goodbyes. You promised, and I won't allow it."
"Since when do you allow her to do anything?" Al huffed.
"Cheers, Al," Rose said with a little salute.
"Don't 'Cheers, Al,' me. My last week is ruined," he moaned, collapsing face first into the grass.
"Don't be dramatic," Rose said with a cheerfulness she could just barely fake. "You'll still have each other."
"Don't be thick. He's going to be a miserable mope when you leave."
"Sitting right here," Scorpius drawled with a shake of his head.
"Are you saying you aren't going to come over all grumpy and morose tomorrow morning?"
"You're both going to survive," Rose said, glancing at Scorpius out of the corner of her eye. "You'll busy with your training that you'll barely have time to miss me."
"Like hell," Scorpius muttered.
"See?" Al exclaimed triumphantly. "It's already started. And you're just abandoning me to deal with it all on my own."
"Actually, Uncle Harry will have to deal with it. You'll be in Scotland."
"Excellent point," Al said, with a little clap of his hands. "Dad's sensitive, Scorpius. He loves to talk about feelings and - "
"The plan is to joke our way through the pain then?"
"Don't we always?" Though it wasn't as bright and open as usual, a smile had crept its way onto Al's face. "Well, I'm going back to the common room."
"But, Al - "
Al ignored Rose's protest, pulling her to her feet and wrapping her in a tight hug. "Go solve the hell out of the universe's mysteries, favorite cousin. Try not to miss me too much."
Rose laughed, pulling away and ruffling his hair. "I love you, Al. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"If I followed that advice," he called over his shoulder as he headed back toward the castle, "I'd never do anything!"
She stood and watched him walk away, her arms wrapped around her middle.
"Rose," Scorpius said, and she gave a little jump when she realized he was right behind her.
Rose turned to face him, reaching out to take his hand. "I meant it. I won't say goodbye."
"And I meant it when I said I wouldn't allow it."
"So what can we say?" she asked, stepping closer.
"I love you," he said simply. "And I'll be waiting."
"I can't ask you to - "
"Good thing you're not asking. I'm telling. I'll be here when you get back."
Unable to stop herself, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was short and sweet, and it didn't feel at all like a goodbye. When Rose stepped back, she didn't look away.
"I love you, too."
He bent down to kiss her cheek. "Owl me if you can."
She nodded, and he turned and followed Al. Rose didn't watch him walk away, instead going back to sit at the top of the rise. The sun was setting now, and it seemed fitting that her last glimpse of the castle would be the most beautiful it had ever looked. She thought of her trunk packed away in her room, of Linus given over to Lily's safe keeping, and of the future that was spread out before her. She was just about to head back to the castle when there was a loud crack behind her.
Immediately she was on her feet, wand out, and staring in shock at the barely balding wizard standing before her in plain black robes.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The wizard gave her an appraising glance. "Marcus Moon, Miss Weasley. I'll be your mentor throughout your training. I've come to collect you."
"You can't apparate onto Hogwarts grounds," she said, slowly lowering her wand.
"Is that what they told you?" he asked, his benign smile sending a flash of nerves through her. She didn't say anything, and his smile widened. "Well, come along. We're already running rather late."
"But where are we - "
"That's for you to figure out."
"How am I supposed to apparate if I don't know where I'm going?"
"Destination, determination, deliberation, Miss Weasley." With another crack, the wizard disappeared.
Rose, staring at the spot that he'd been for one long second, screwed her eyes shut, pulled out her wand, and vanished into the twilight.