Professor Finnegan was away for a conference, so Professor McGonagall was filling in for Double Transfiguration.
"Today's assignment will be completed with a partner"—everyone in the class glanced towards their friends—"of my choosing." Everyone collectively sighed.
"The second name I announce will move to sit with the first, understood? Julia Pan and Colin Graft, Scorpius Malfoy and Rose Weasley, Bailey Hill and..."
Rose moved to sit beside Scorpius Malfoy, who refused to look at her. She should hate him for that, at least, if her father's nearly direct orders weren't enough. But she couldn't bring herself to waste energy on trying.
She started doing the assignment.
"Woah, what are you doing?" Scorpius still didn't look at her, only the rabbit she was chanting at.
"The assignment."
"She hasn't even got to that yet." Professor McGonagall was still calling out names.
"It's on the board." Rose watched Scorpius's eyes glance at the board, which clearly said the incantation.
"There may be some weird twist, like if you say that too many times without dancing a luau, your soul gets stuck inside the body of the rabbit."
"You wanna see me dance a luau?"
"I wanna see you wait for instructions you nitwit, Transfiguration is dangerous."
"I didn't take you for the scared type. Are you always this much of goody-two-shoes, Slytherin?"
"In front of McGonagall? Yes."
"She is pretty scary."
"She's pretty amazing. Imagine commanding that much respect. I'd love to be like her."
"Desires to be an old lady. My, what a friend I've found." Rose smiled at him.
"So you wanna be teacher?"
"No actually, an obliviater." Scorpius, once again, accidentally forgot he was supposed to hate her.
"Oh that's right, you said you were good at obliviating charms." There was an awkward silence, McGonagall reading names in the background. "Forgive me for being intrusive, but I would think you wouldn't have to work. Malfoy family trust and all that."
"I don't for monetary purposes, but," he met her eyes hesitantly. "I think I'd go insane if I didn't work."
"You know, I never thought about that, whether or not I would want to work if I didn't have to. I think I'd be the same. I'd go crazy sitting in a house alone all day."
"You wouldn't be alone though. All those cousins..."
Rose laughed. "True, but I'm trying to think outside my situation." She thought for a moment more. "No, I could never be alone even if I tried."
"Don't."
"What?"
"Don't ever try to be alone."
Rose smiled at him, as if she knew exactly what he meant. "I won't."
"Simply say the incantation on the board and try your best. Good luck."
A/N-So here's chapter two. This one's a bit shorter, I know. And I won't be able to post for another week or so, because I'll be out of town. Sorry! But thank you so much to everyone who's favorited-and while I won't begrudge anyone who doesn't like to reply, any feedback is appreciated. Anyway, thanks!