Sorry for the long-ish wait again, but here we have Chapter 15! Yay! Enjoy! – I hope ;)
As soon as Scorpius had dressed himself in dark blue skinny jeans and a shirt with the short sleeves folded back a couple of times, he decided he was presentable. When running a towel through his hair didn't dry it, Scorpius enchanted it before deciding there wasn't enough time to gel it into his trademark quiff, and instead just grabbed a jacket and ran towards the Gryffindor Common Room.
*
Rose had been waiting outside her Common Room for about 5 minutes when Scorpius showed up. She'd been surprised not to find Nathan waiting for her, or punctual at the very least, because he'd seemed really keen every time she'd spoken to him. Rose had dressed simply- in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a hoodie over the top, because it was cold, she told herself. But it was also because she wasn't that desperate to impress Nathan. Rose admitted to herself that the main reasons she'd said yes to Nathan were that she didn't want to be the girl who'd never even been on a date, and because Nathan was a nice guy. Not because she liked him.
Still, she was kind of annoyed he hadn't arrived yet. It was bad enough that she still wasn't talking to Molly or James, and that during the next task Lucy would be Group Leader- the one spark of light was that a boy liked her- a boy actually liked her! A boy liked her- Rose Weasley- the arrogant know-it-all. She'd been surprised at first, then flattered, and now just plain confused. So when a panting, flushed Scorpius Malfoy arrived, and began to talk, Rose had no idea what to think.
"Rose- I've not missed you- good." She looked at him pointedly, he expression clearly saying 'Yes, I'm here, now what do you want?' Scorpius felt his palms get sweaty... what if she said no? "I need to talk to you... it's a bit...I mean, I don't know how to..."
"Rose!" called a voice. It was Nathan, sprinting down the corridor, red in the face. "I'm so sorry I'm late, it was-" he caught sight of Malfoy. "Erm, what's this?"
"I wish I could tell you. Scorpius just turned up, and hasn't told me why."
"What was it you want to say to my date, Malfoy?" Nathan asked, with a dangerous edge to his voice.
Scorpius felt a sinking feeling in his stomach... disappointment . No, it was more than that. He felt angry with Nathan, but that was an understatement- he was angry with most people most of the time. He was fuming with Nathan. Scorpius was surprised to notice that he was upset with Rose too. Why would she go out with this Ravenclaw idiot? She deserved so much better.
Rose and the snob were looking at him strangely. He swallowed. "It was nothing important... I wanted to... ask how Quidditch was going with the Gryffindor's."
He could tell neither of them believed it, but Rose humoured him anyway. "It's not that great, really, because the team aren't getting on, but-"
"But we've got to go, so we won't be seeing you." interrupted Nathan, taking Rose's arm. "C'mon, Rose."
Rose threw an apologetic glance at Scorpius over her shoulder, before allowing Nathan to guide her out into the mid-morning sunshine.
*
Scorpius headed back to the boys dorm slowly, dragging his feet. He wasn't sure what he'd expected Rose to do, but not to already have a date. He wasn't sure why he was surprised at this new information, he knew better than anyone how attractive she was.
"Hey, Scor!" came a girls voice from behind him. He turned to see Katie Thompson in all her weekend finery: jewellery galore, a ridiculously short skirt and tight blouse, (with the first few buttons open, not leaving much to the imagination,) and heeled boots. They weren't clothes appropriate for school, or for the current weather outside, Scorpius thought, before realising how ridiculously sensible he sounded. He didn't want to start being uptight about everything, so instead focused on how good he outfit made Katie look. She may have been dressed like someone who would have their name scrawled on the wall of a public toilet, but it was hot.
"Hi Katie, why aren't you in Hogsmeade?"
"Because," she began, making her way over to him, confidence oozing out of her, evident in the way she moved her hips, keeping her chin up and looking as if everything and everyone was below her. She turned Scorpius around, so he was facing the way he'd come, linked her arm with his, and headed back, this time with Scorpius alongside her. "I was looking for you. I thought maybe we could go to Hogsmeade. Together."
It wasn't an offer, Scorpius realised; it was a command. When Katie wanted something, she got it, and a date with Scorpius was no different. No to her anyway.
"I don't know, Katie. I'm not in a great mood at the moment. Maybe some other time." He unlinked their arms, and made towards his dorm, but she caught his arm.
"I don't think you understand." She sounded genuinely confused. "I'm asking you on a date. Me, Katie Thompson. Most boys would give an arm or a leg for this."
"Maybe, but I'm not most boys."
"Scorpius? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm fine!"
"Yeah, but you're clearly not."
"Just because you've been rejected, it doesn't mean there's something wrong with me!"
"Well, it kind of does, but this isn't about me- it's about you. What's up? You're normally so confident, so charming..." She pulled closer to Scorpius, laying a hand on his chest. He jerked back at her touch. "Oh, I see!" she exclaimed, "You like someone else, but they don't like you."
"How do you know?" Scorpius exclaimed, accidently confirming her theory in his moment of shock.
"I'm just good at that sort of thing. Who is it?"
"Not important. Anyway, the fact remains I don't want to go to Hogsmeade."
"But you do want to get this girl, don't you? Assuming it's a girl, that is."
"It is, and yeah, but- oh I see."
"See what?" Katie asked innocently.
"Your plan. We go to Hogsmeade together, and start kissing or whatever in front of Rose to make her jeal-"
"Rose? Rose-the-Weasel? That's who you like?"
Shit. Scorpius thought. Should I deny it? No, she'll be able to tell. "Yes, I like Rose Weasley, not Weasel. Problem?"
"No, it's just that you could do so much better..."
"I don't want 'better', I just want Rose."
"Well, this is all very sweet, but back to reality. Yes, you were right about my 'plan'. Are you up for it?"
Scorpius contemplated. Making Rose jealous would definitely make her angry with him. If she had any feelings for him, that was. But if Rose did get jealous, then she'd realised she liked Scorpius and wouldn't go out with Nathan again, leaving her on the market for Scorpius. Do you have any better suggestions to win over Rose? Said a voice in the back of his head. Anyway, Katie's hot, kissing her won't be too bad, maybe even fun, and Rose hurt you. Now you can get back at her. Scorpius was disgusted with himself for wanting to be cruel towards Rose, but the Slytherin part of him was taking over, and he was upset and lonely. Hurting Rose was not the main reason for his response; his desperation to do something, anything, which would make Rose love him, was what drove him.
"Ok." He said.
"Excellent." Katie grinned. "Then let's go."
"One question: what's in it for you?"
She shrugged. " I don't have to walk around Hogsmeade on my own; I get to kiss a fit boy; I've nothing better to do." And I get to hurt the Weasel. Katie added in her head, but decided it was best not to say this. If she likes Scorpius, that is. And I don't see why she wouldn't.
"So you don't like me or anything?" Scorpius asked carefully. "Just to get the awkwardness out of the way." He added in a rush.
Katie laughed. "God, no. It's nothing to do with you, Scorpius, you're hot and everything, but I'll admit that I just make out with anything with a pulse- animals excluded. It's been a while since I actually had any real feelings for anyone." She didn't say it as if she wanted pity, but Scorpius couldn't help but feel sorry for Katie. He tried to imagine having kissed so many people that he couldn't tell the difference between liking someone, and just being lonely. He'd kissed quite a few girls, none of which had meant anything to him. Some because he was primary school age when they kissed, and had no concept of what it meant to like someone at that age, and others hadn't meant anything because... well, they just didn't. He'd kissed them because it was what was expected of him, and he'd given in to peer pressure. Like he had with the deal with Alex. And kind of like he was doing now. But he could still tell when he liked someone- how many people must Katie have made out with, or gone 'all the way' with, to have got to this stage?
"Ok." He said, deciding to ignore this thought. "Let's go."
*
By the time Rose and Nathan had reached Madame Puddifoot's, they had already exhausted the topic of the Inter-House Challenge, and were now discussing Quidditch.
"So how's practise going for the Gryffindor's?" Nathan asked, as he pulled out a chair for Rose. She smiled at this simple gesture of chivalry, which was practically dead now a days. Obviously Rose was all for men and women being equal, but it was nice to meet a boy who behaved like a gentleman for a change.
"Not too great, really." She sighed, as she sat down and Nathan seated himself opposite. "The team's very dysfunctional at the moment, but I'm hoping we can sort it out before our first game. After all, we're not playing first, are we? That's you versus the Slytherins."
"Yeah, it is." Nathan gritted his teeth, and looked as if he was about to continue, when a waitress came over to take their order. "Just one cup of tea, milk, no sugar for me. Rose, what about you?" Nathan said, in response to the woman's question.
"Erm... a hot chocolate please." The waitress nodded and left.
"You don't like tea or coffee?"
"They're not really my thing. Anyway, what were you saying about Quidditch?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm a bit worried, to be honest. I've seen the Slytherins practise, and they're really good. I mean, we're not bad, but we don't have the hours to practise that they do. We have more natural talent, I'd say..." Rose let Nathan carry on talking about Quidditch, only contributing a nod or an 'mmm' every now and then. He paused briefly when their drinks arrived to thank the waitress, before continuing on a stream of his Quidditch woes. Rose's eyes were focused on the door. It wasn't as if she wasn't interested in the game, or what Nathan had to say about it, but she just couldn't work up any enthusiasm for neither the boy, nor the sport. She didn't know why.
*
Scorpius and Katie reached the door of Madame Puddifoot's. "Well, if she's on a date with a Ravenclaw, then they'll be in here." Katie assured him. "Remember: act as if you're really into me."
Katie pushed the door open, and gripped Scorpius' arm tightly, pulling him towards an armchair in the corner. "That's her, yeah?" she nodded towards Rose.
Scorpius felt a clenching feeling in his stomach at the sight of Rose with another guy, which lessened slightly when he saw the bored look upon her face. "Yeah. That's her."
"Good. Then sit here." She pushed him into the armchair, which was in direct view of Rose's seat, and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"What the-" Scorpius began, before realising his reaction wasn't appropriate for the part he was playing. "I mean, good idea, Katie." He tentatively placed his hands on her back.
"Oh, I'm full of them." she whispered, before placing a kiss on his lips, which Scorpius returned. He would've liked to have been able to say he felt something other than jealousy and anger towards a guy on the other side of the cafe, but he didn't. Scorpius opened his eyes, allowing Katie to keep kissing him, just to see how Rose was reacting.
She had seen them, he realised, but it was hard not to. They were making quite a scene. But, what did Rose think? He couldn't tell.
"Scorpius, this is a bit of a one way thing at the moment." Katie whispered to him.
"Yeah, sorry." He kissed her back, trying to check on Rose as much as possible. The Ravenclaw had noticed her looking, Scorpius realised, as Nathan had turned around too. Malfoy could see that Rose's new friend was a little angry that Rose was taking more of an interest in Scorpius and Katie than him. Job done, Scorpius thought.
And not a second too soon. Katie pulled away from him, and turned around. "What?" she asked.
There was a waitress stood in front of them, clearly having tapped Katie on the back to get her attention. "I've been told to ask you to either stop kissing and buy something, or leave."
Katie opened her mouth, clearly about to start an argument, but Scorpius got in first. "The second option is great. C'mon, Katie."
"Bu-what?" she asked as he dragged her out.
*
Rose had zoned out on what Nathan was saying, and was watching the door open. To her surprise, it was Scorpius who entered arm-in-arm with the tart who was Al's Potions partner... Katie, she was called.
It was only a second before the two of them were sat on the same chair, and making out. Rose hadn't really witnessed a lot of people kissing like this: she wasn't into romantic films, and her parents only pecked each other on the cheek, in front of her, anyway, so she wasn't really sure how 'passionate' this was, and if Scorpius and Katie were really into each other or not. Either way, she suddenly felt a clenching feeling in her stomach, which she couldn't identify at first. For all Rose's brains, she was remarkably stupid when it came to emotions, even her own, but after a minute, she realised the feeling was jealousy. But why would she be jealous? She tried out various reasons for this is her head, before coming to the only logical conclusion: that she liked Scorpius Malfoy. No, no, no. That couldn't be right. He was far too Slytherin, and arrogant, and charming and good-looking and... Oh God. She liked him. This would not end well.
"Rose?" Nathan's voice broke through her reverie. "What are you staring at?" Before Rose could avert her eyes from the couple in the chair, Nathan had followed Rose's gaze, and had seen what had caught her attention. "Oh. I see." He said, turning back to face her.
"Hmmm? Sorry? See what?"
"Literally I see you staring Scorpius Malfoy and Katie Thompson, but metaphorically I see the reason you've been so absent on this date."
"Absent? I'm right here!"
"It's a metaphor, Rose, for your lack of response to anything I say."
"I know, I was just... I don't know."
"So tell me, am I right?"
"Right about what?"
"Don't play ignorant, you're too smart, so I know you're just acting."
"Fine. The reason I haven't been very responsive is because I find you going on about Quidditch immensely boring."
"I stopped talking around Quidditch 10 minutes ago, and have moved on to my trip to Diagon Alley over the summer. But that doesn't explain why you were staring at those two in particular."
Rose and Nathan simultaneously glanced over to Scorpius and Katie who were now leaving, Katie in a huff, Scorpius seeming indifferent. Rose was about to make up an excuse, and say she had no idea what he was talking about, before realising he'd probably be able to tell. Why were some people so good at reading emotions when she was appalling at it?
"Ok, fine. I'm terrible at understanding how I feel, but I think I may like Scorpius."
Nathan feigned indifference, asking only: "Why did you agree to come out with me then?"
"Because I didn't know that I liked him then. I've only realised since."
He nodded. "Ok." There was an awkward pause, then: "I take it you don't want to go out with me again?"
Rose shook her head gently, her curls bouncing with the movement. "I don't think so. It's nothing against you, it's just... you know." He nodded. "I should probably go." Rose said, standing up and taking out her purse. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing, it's fine. I'll pay."
Rose opened her mouth to say something about feminism, and how women should pay, and get paid, the same as men, but Nathan prevented her by joking:
"This way I'll get to show off about having been on a date with the Rose Weasley, even if it was only one."
Rose grinned at Nathan. He may not be her type of boyfriend, but he was definitely her type of friend. "Thanks, Nathan. See you around."
"See you, Rose."
I might not get the next chapter published for a while, with Christmas coming up soon, but I'll try. :) And, as usual, feel free to review, favourite and follow ;)
Oh, and Merry Christmas! :D
Lucy x