The weeks since the Christmas holidays had passed in a haze of avoidance for Rose Weasley. She busied herself with studies and spent more time with her friends, trying to put distance between herself and Scorpius. She couldn't shake the confusing feelings that had been stirred by that moment at the Potter house. Their interactions were scarce, filled with awkward silences and fumbled words.
One evening at dinner, Rose sat with her Gryffindor friends, engaging in animated conversation. The hall echoed with laughter and clinking of silverware. Suddenly, a burst of loud laughter from the Slytherin table drew her attention. Rose's eyes widened as she saw Scorpius with Adelinde Mallow, a third-year Slytherin, dabbing at a stain on his shirt, her laughter flirtatious and loud. Albus, sitting beside them, rolled his eyes in obvious annoyance.
Rose's grip on her cup tightened, a strange feeling gnawing at her insides.
Unbeknownst to Rose, Albus observed her from across the hall, concern etched across his face. He saw her watching Scorpius and Adelinde with a mix of confusion and something else he couldn't quite place.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, and it was clearly connected to Scorpius.
Days later, as Rose rounded a corner in one of the hallways, her heart seemed to skip a beat. There, laughing and flirting with Scorpius, was Adelinde again. Scorpius locked eyes with Rose. Panic surged through Rose, and she bolted past them, not daring to look back.
Scorpius noticed her abrupt departure and, concerned, quickened his pace to catch up with her. "Rose, wait!"
She could hear Scorpius calling her name, but she couldn't bring herself to stop. Rose's footsteps quickened, her heart pounding.
Scorpius finally managed to intercept her, his voice tinged with concern. "Rose, why are you avoiding me?"
She waved his accusation away, her tone sharp. "Why does it matter, Scorpius? It's not like we were ever that close anyway."
Scorpius frowned, hurt and confusion etched on his face. "Rose, please. I don't understand what's going on."
Rose's eyes flashed, her hurt turning into frustration. "Maybe you should ask Adelinde. She seems to be much more your type. I was not mistaken after all."
Confusion clouded Scorpius's eyes. He racked his brain, trying to understand what Rose meant. And then it hit him – the conversation with Albus on Christmas Eve. She must have overheard.
Before he could respond, Rose turned and hurried away.
Later, Albus found Rose in the courtyard, her face flushed and eyes filled with turmoil. He approached her cautiously, concern etched across his features.
"Rose, what's going on?" Albus asked gently.
Rose's gaze flickered to Albus, a mix of emotions swirling in her eyes. "Nothing, Al. Just... just having a rough day."
Albus could tell she was upset about something, but he didn't want to push her. "Alright, if you say so. But you know you can talk to me if anything's bothering you."
Rose managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Al. I know."
She turned away, retreating to the Gryffindor tower, leaving Albus with a sinking feeling that there was more to the story.
As Rose entered the Gryffindor common room, she collided with Logan, a fellow third-year student. He held her steady, joking about their unexpected encounter. When he saw her distress, his tone softened.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked, concern in his eyes.
Rose forced a smile, grateful for his timely intervention. "Yeah, thanks. Just a bit... distracted."
Logan raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Well, how about we go get some hot chocolate from the kitchens? It might help."
Rose's heart lightened at the suggestion, and they made their way to the kitchens, conversation flowing easily between them. They discussed the upcoming Third Year Party, a welcome distraction from the tangled emotions that had consumed her thoughts.
Meanwhile, in the Slytherin common room, Albus approached Scorpius with a determined look on his face. "We need to talk." he said firmly, leaving no room for avoidance.
Scorpius nodded. "You know, I'm feeling rather peckish," Albus said. "Why don't we chat over a snack in the kitchens?"
As they turned the corner towards the kitchens, they were met with an unexpected sight.
Rose stood with Logan Lockwood, the Gryffindor Quidditch player who often found himself in fierce competition with Scorpius on and off the pitch. Scorpius' eyes shifted between Logan and Rose, a strange pang of jealousy clawing at him.
Rose's expression betrayed her surprise, clearly not anticipating this encounter. She looked to Logan, who wore a smug grin that didn't bode well for the situation.
"Scorpius," Logan sneered, "if it isn't the Slytherin wonder boy."
Scorpius shot back with a retort, "Logan Lockwood, Gryffindor's second-rate Seeker."
What brings you two down here? Looking for some snacks to fuel your next loss on the Quidditch pitch?"
Scorpius clenched his jaw, refusing to let Logan's words get to him.
"If you'd like to place a bet on our next match, I'd be more than happy to oblige."
Albus, sensing the rising tension, jumped in with a playful grin. "Ah, the age-old rivalry continues! But let's not forget we're all friends here, right?"
Albus exchanged a wary glance with Scorpius, sensing the tension between the two. Before the situation could escalate further, Rose intervened, pulling Logan's arm with determination.
"Come on, Logan," she said firmly. "We need to get going."
Logan shot one last smug look at Scorpius before allowing Rose to lead him away. As they ascended the stairs, Rose couldn't help but glance back, finding Scorpius' eyes locked onto hers.
Albus couldn't help but notice the exchange, and once they were alone, he turned to Scorpius with a pointed expression."Allright, what in Merlin's name was that all about, mate? And don't give me the quidditch rivalry excuse. I saw the way you looked at Rose."
Scorpius's jaw tightened, his frustration evident. "Just leave it, Albus. Rose seems perfectly content hanging off of Lockwood's arm."
The bitterness in Scorpius's tone didn't go unnoticed by Albus, who couldn't help but wonder about the deeper currents running beneath the surface of their relationships. As they reached the kitchens, a sense of unease settled over both of them, and the need for an honest conversation loomed larger than ever.
The common room was bathed in warm, dim light as Rose and Logan entered, the echoes of their encounter with Scorpius and Albus still resonating in Rose's mind.
As they settled in the cozy surroundings of the Gryffindor common room, Logan cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Rose, I was wondering if you'd like to be my date to the Third-Year Party next weekend."
Rose looked at him, her thoughts racing. Memories of Scorpius and Adelinde's interactions played like a broken record in her mind. She felt a pang of uncertainty and longing for something she couldn't quite pinpoint. Finally, she nodded, a small smile on her face. "I'd like that, Logan."
Logan's face lit up, and he gave a satisfied nod. "Great. It's a date, then."
As Logan headed to his room, Rose retreated to her own, feeling a swirl of emotions.
Lying in her bed, she stared up at the canopy, lost in her thoughts. She couldn't deny the strange mix of emotions that had surged within her earlier. There was a complexity to her feelings for Scorpius that she hadn't fully understood before.
The upcoming Third Year Party now held a new layer of significance, and Rose couldn't help but wonder how things would unfold. She closed her eyes, hoping that the answers she sought would come with the light of a new day.