Disclaimer - I don't own Harry Potter.

The next day, Rose walked into the office with her usual resolve, ready to face whatever sarcastic remarks Scorpius had in store for her. She spotted him immediately, lounging in his chair with that infuriating smug grin of his. Of course, he'd been waiting for this moment.

"Well, well," Scorpius said, not bothering to look up from his paperwork, "if it isn't Miss I-can't-believe-I-have-to-go-out-with-Gareth-the-Git." He barely contained his smirk. "How was it, Rose? Did he manage to bore you to tears with his deep, intellectual musings on broomstick maintenance and Quidditch stats?" He raised an eyebrow. "I knew it. Knew you'd never last with him. Not your type, I said."

Rose rolled her eyes dramatically, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh, you're hilarious, Scorpius. Really." She leaned against the edge of his desk, the sarcasm dripping from her words. "It was a blast, actually. Grant and I bonded over how much we both hate the same foods. I mean, really, that's basically the foundation of any great relationship, don't you think?" She shrugged with mock nonchalance. "Not like he's a complete waste of space or anything."

Scorpius snorted and tilted his chair back like he'd just won a great victory. "Ha! You even can't remember his name properly, can you? Grant? It's Gareth, Rose. Really setting a high bar here."

She shot him a withering look. "Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't perfect the intricate details of a date I'll never go on again."

Scorpius leaned back with a smug grin. "Told you. I knew you wouldn't last. You'll probably come crawling back with the 'I'm never dating again' speech within a week. It's practically written in the stars."

Rose sighed dramatically, pacing around his desk. "You're not wrong. I'm definitely not going to marry him or anything, but you know what?" She paused, making sure to savor the moment. "It wasn't terrible."

Scorpius snorted. "Well, I guess that's a ringing endorsement."

"Actually," Rose added, her smirk widening, "I've agreed to a second date."

For a brief moment, the world seemed to stop. Scorpius's smug grin faltered, his eyes blinking in disbelief. "Wait—what?" He stared at her like she'd just announced she was moving to the moon. "You… actually agreed to another one?"

Rose leaned in, enjoying every second of his confusion. "Yep. Turns out, he's not as terrible as you think. In fact, I figured you'd appreciate the drama of me not following your predictions for once."

Scorpius blinked again, his usual cocky demeanor slipping just a little. "Wait, so you're seriously going on a second date with Gareth Fireheart?" He looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "You? Really?"

Rose couldn't help herself. "Shocked, huh? It's almost like I can make decisions without your constant commentary, Scorpius." She let the words linger, enjoying the rare moment of having the upper hand. "And who knows? Maybe I'll even enjoy it. You wouldn't be interested in hearing about it, would you?"

Scorpius's expression hardened, trying to recover his composure. "You're joking, right? Come on, Rose. You can't honestly think this is a good idea. You're—well, you're you and he's…" He waved his hand in the air like he couldn't even bring himself to finish the thought. "Just Gareth."

Rose shot him a wicked grin. "You know, for once, I might surprise you." She leaned back, pleased with herself for throwing him off balance. "But hey, maybe you're right. I'll probably bail after the second course. It's not like I need your permission to have a good time, Scorpius. He is perfectly fine and lovely boy, my family will love him. Don't they?"

Scorpius's mouth opened and closed as if he had something to say, but the words wouldn't come. Finally, he muttered, "Alright, fine. You're an adult. Go on your second date. But don't come crying to me when you realise he's actually a walking catastrophe. And don't say I didn't warn you."

Rose smirked. "Don't worry, I won't. You've been wrong about me enough times for me to know when I should listen to your 'expert' advice."

Scorpius's eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of something else in them now—something deeper, something he didn't want to acknowledge. He scowled, but the usual smugness had drained from his face. "Whatever," he muttered, waving her off. "But if Gareth turns out to be a disaster, you can't say I didn't see it coming."

Rose turned to walk away, her mind buzzing with the exchange. But just as she reached the door, Scorpius's voice stopped her.

"Rose," he said, quieter now, "I don't get it. I don't get why I never got a chance from you." His words hung in the air, heavier than she expected. "Even the boys you've barely met get a shot, but you've turned me down every time. No matter how well you know me. Is that because of I'm a Malfoy?"

Rose froze, her hand on the door handle. She turned back slowly, her stomach tightening. His tone was different now—not mocking, but something… real. The words hit her harder than she expected.

"I—" she started, but the words didn't come. She didn't have an answer for him. Not the one he wanted, anyway.

She looked at him, her throat tight. For a moment, everything felt raw. Then, without another word, she turned and left, the echo of his question following her like a shadow.

Why didn't I ever get a chance from you?

Rose,

Oh, how absolutely shocking that you're going for a second date with Gareth Fireheart. (Must I say that Gareth is bragging about winning you - the hard to win Weasley, over in one date all over the Auror office?) I mean, seriously, what are you thinking? I can't decide whether this is just some elaborate scheme to twist the knife in Scorpius's gut or if you've honestly lost your mind. If it's the former, well done—you've got him completely wrapped around your finger. I never thought Scorpius could be this much of a fool, especially when it comes to girls. Apparently, I was dead wrong. It's honestly pathetic at this point.

You'll be thrilled to know that Scorpius has been obsessing over you two—he's convinced you're on the brink of a proposal. Apparently, after only one date, Gareth is so madly in love with you that the wedding is practically set for tomorrow. I mean, how is it even possible to be this delusional in such a short amount of time? You've been exchanging letters—what, three, four times a day now? And yes, he's been counting.

And don't get me started on his endless whining about how you never gave him a chance. I swear, Rose, could he be more pathetic? He's honestly driving me insane. He's been following you around like some love-struck puppy for over a decade, and yet here you are, off on a second date with Gareth. (the person who you didn't know exist one week ago!) I just can't wrap my head around it.

But here's the big question, Rose—why wouldn't you give Scorpius a chance? You know he's been there for you, patiently waiting all these years. A decade? no more than that, remember? I know you have some sort of soft spot for him, even if you won't admit it. But I suppose you'd rather keep him pining away than actually confront whatever's holding you back, right?

To be honest, Scorpius is an absolute disaster these days. But hey, don't worry about him, I've stepped in to make sure he doesn't literally work himself into an early grave. He's so obsessed with this whole 'distraction' nonsense, he's practically buried under a mountain of work. I can't even begin to tell you how much of my vacation I've wasted trying to keep him from turning into a ghost. Maybe he'll be innovative in his misery at this rate.

But hey, don't let me stop you—go ahead, enjoy your second date with Gareth. I'm sure you'll be absolutely thrilled. I'll keep the disaster that is Scorpius in check for you.

Take care,

Al

Rose slammed the letter down on the table, her hands trembling with frustration. Anger bubbled up inside her, hot and relentless. Guilt twisted uncomfortably in her gut, but it only made her angrier. Why the hell did everyone assume she owed Scorpius anything just because he'd been following her around for years? So what if he'd been her friend—no, colleague—for a decade? That didn't mean she was obligated to give him a chance. It certainly didn't mean she had to drop everything for him just because he couldn't take a hint.

She sucked in a breath, trying to calm herself. But the words from Albus kept circling in her head like some sort of cruel, nagging chant: 'A decade... patiently waiting...' He sounded like some disappointed parent instead of her cousin.

Rose picked up her quill with a sharp motion, the ink splattering slightly, and began to write with fierce determination, her frustration lacing every word.

Albus,

Oh, I see how it is now. You've decided to become Scorpius's official spokesperson, have you? What a lovely change. And here I was thinking you were on my side. How naive of me. Instead, I get this condescending lecture about how pathetically obsessed he's become. Yeah, thanks for that. Just what I needed to hear.

First of all, let's get one thing straight: Scorpius is my friend—no, my colleague, and boss—and that's it. If you think I owe him something just because he's been around for years, then you've completely missed the point. I've rejected him repeatedly, Al. Why is that so hard for everyone to understand?

And this whole "he's been patiently waiting for a decade" nonsense? What, am I supposed to drop everything because he's been hanging around in the background like a lost puppy? Just because someone waits doesn't mean they're entitled to anything. Believe me, if I thought he was the one, I would've given him a chance years ago. But I didn't.

You talk like Fireheart's this insane whirlwind, but all we've done is have a nice date and future date plan, Al. Why does everyone keep treating me like I've made some life-altering decision after one dinner? You're all acting like I've signed a marriage contract already. News flash: I don't need your guilt or anyone else's to tell me what to do.

But hey, don't worry about me. I'll just continue living my life while you and Scorpius figure out how to turn his unreciprocated feelings into some tragic epic. Maybe next time you could step aside and let me deal with this my way without all the unsolicited advice, alright?

Rose

"Rose, is something on your mind?" Gareth Fireheart asked, his voice cutting through the silence as Rose stared at the blonde wizard sitting just a few tables away. "Do you know him?" Gareth's brow furrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued.

"Oh, no," Rose quickly replied, her face flushing. "His hair... its blond, isn't that?"

"Ah, you're interesting sometimes," Gareth said with a smile. "Are you alright, Rose? You're looking a bit... distracted."

Rose snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a smile. "No, I'm fine, Gelert."

"Gareth," he corrected, his voice soft.

"Ah?" Rose blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"It's Gareth," he said, gently reminding her of his name.

Rose winced, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. "Sorry, Gareth. I'm just a bit tired after the long week."

Gareth chuckled, clearly not bothered, but Rose could tell the conversation had taken an awkward turn. The rest of the evening passed in near silence, save for a few polite exchanges. When the time came to part ways, Gareth, ever the gentleman, offered to escort her home.

As they stood at the doorstep, he leaned in and planted a quick peck on her cheek. Rose's face turned a shade of red that could rival a Weasley, but the warmth from the kiss didn't quite linger as she'd expected.

"So, when's the next date?" Gareth asked with a soft, hopeful smile.

Rose hesitated, her mind still swimming with the evening's strange undercurrents. "I'll owl you, Gareth," she said, the words sounding almost rehearsed. "Actually, I'm a bit busy these days. Work's been... distracting."

Gareth nodded, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'll be waiting for your owl then. See you."

Rose watched as he disappeared into the night, the faint sound of his footsteps fading away. She stood there for a moment, staring at the spot where he had been, her mind a chaotic mess of confusion and unspoken thoughts.

Well, that was... something, she thought, barely able to process the swirl of emotions now creeping in.

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing. Hope you enjoyed the story.