Chapter 13: December

Finally, Rose was discharged from the Hospital Wing after a week. She was still a tad bit soar, but she was happy to go back to class, her Prefect duties, and Quidditch. Even though she was extremely grateful for Scorpius to grab her homework so she could keep up with classes, she was thankful to be physically back. Everything between her and Scorpius went back to normal, they did their study sessions every night in the library. Scorpius had always beat her there now, because he didn't have Quidditch practice anymore.

"It's weird, your always here before me now." Rose said as she sat down across from Scorpius.

"I know. Even though my teammates are prats, I will miss it. It felt good flying everyday. The feeling of flying....it feels like your free, and you don't have to worry about anything." Scorpius said as he pulled out his textbook.

"Yea, I know that feeling. It feels great." Rose responded. The two then got to work. O.W.L.'s would be approaching in a few moths time. Both were shooting for all O's.

Their study sessions were filled with work like this for the next few weeks, then before anyone knew, December  approached. You can say that December was a lighter month for them. Quidditch practice was down to one day a week for Rose, due to the new frosty weather. This gave her more free time, but a slim free time. Rose was just as ambitious as Hermione when it came to studying. But, she still had a little bit of free time. She wanted to spend this free time with Scorpius. She still hadn't asked him about their "chat," when she was in the Hospital Wing. She had to ask him. She just had to!

Then one day, when they were having one having their study sessions, Rose asked Scorpius something.

"Hey, I think we have a free period later. Do you maybe want to go on a walk or something?" Rose asked.

Had she really just asked him that? Of course he would!

Scorpius put down his book, and said, "Really? Of course." Whoops, that's not how he wanted to respond. But, that's what he thought in his head, and he had spitted it out loud.

"Great!" Rose responded, she then went back to her Charms homework. She was so excited. She had really just asked him to go on a walk with her. She thought it as a romantic walk, but she didn't know if Scorpius would.

Welp, she was wrong. He thought the exact same thing. "Did she just ask me to go on a romantic walk with her? SHE DID!"

The two continued to do homework for another half hour. Then, they headed back to their dorms to change out of their school robes into something more casual. They agreed that they would meet back at the Entrance Hall.

Rose changed into a cozy, knitted jumper, slid on a pair of jeans, put on a pair of tall boots, grabbed her coat, put on a hat and Gryffindor scarf. Then, she popped in her tiny, gold, Rose shaped earrings. She then headed down to the Entrance Hall.

Scorpius took off his school robes, and also decided to change into something casual. He put on a shirt, a pair of nice, dark jeans, and slipped on his winter boots. Wait! One more thing! He decided to give himself a spray of Black Nior, just in case. He grabbed his coat, and headed down to meet Rose.

When he got there, Rose was waiting for him, her coat in her arms.

"Ready?" Rose asked.

"Yes." Scorpius responded.

The two walked out of the castle, and out onto the frosty grounds. They chatted and laughed. They then approached the trees down by the lake. Scorpius looked at Rose. She was so pretty. The way the snow fell in her flame colored hair. The way her curly hair escaped out her hat, cascading down her back. Then, he saw something shimmer in the sunlight, it was under a lock of her hair. Then he did something he couldn't control. He took that lock of her hair, and tucked it behind her ear. He then noticed a shiny, gold, rose shaped earring.

Rose was looking at Scorpius. The way the snowflakes fell, and settled in his platinum-blond, soft looking, slightly wavy hair. His sliver eyes reflected the shiny-ness of the ice that formed over the lake. Then a hotness erupted all over Rose's body. Scorpius just touched her hair. And it felt REALLY GOOD!

After Scorpius realized what he did, his insides did back flips. Did he really just do that? Their was a silence between them for a minute, then Scorpius said something.

"Oh, sorry. I saw something shine. I had to see what it was." Scorpius said as he looked Rose in her deep, ocean blue eyes.

"Oh, that's fine." Rose said as she touched her earring gently.

"They're pretty." Scorpius said. He didn't know if he was talking about her earrings or not.

"Thanks. Hugo got them for me last year for my birthday." Rose responded.

The two contained to walk to the other side of the lake, while both thinking about what they just experienced. Then, when they approached a tree, Rose said, "Look."

"That's so sweet." Rose continued. This tree had multiple harts and initials carved into it. The two continued to look at, both secretly wishing R+S was carved into it.

"Oh Rose, look at this." Scorpius pointed out at a certain set of initials.

"R+H '96" Rose said as she touched the carving in the tree. Her hand touched Scorpius's for a second, before he pulled his away, but reluctantly.

"Do you think?" Scorpius asked.

"Yea. It's just funny though. Technically my parents didn't date until 1998. Actually, I think my dad was dating another girl in 1996." Rose said giggling.

"Well it looks like one of them was crushing." Scorpius said with a chuckle.

"Most likely my dad. This is something he would do." Rose said with one last laugh.

The two then continued on, having a very enjoyable stroll. Just chatting. They then went back up to the castle for dinner.

*** Another two weeks went by. It was now the week before all the students left for Christmas break. The December Hogsmeade trip was coming up this weekend. Rose and Scorpius were already going together, they had decided that last month. Both were looking forward to this weekend, the school week was filled with a lot of O.W.L. Preparation. As Scorpius was sitting in History of Magic, a thought popped into his head.

"I need to get something for Rose for Christmas." Scorpius thought to himself as Professor Binns was going on and on about the Goblin Rebellions again.

"But what?"

"I don't know."

Scorpius had to get the perfect gift for Rose. He didn't know what yet, but he was going to.

Soon enough, the long school weak had passed by, and it was now Saturday. Scorpius wasn't as nervous as he was a month ago. He was really looking forward to the day, then Rose approached him after breakfast.

"Hey Scorp. James decided it would be a great day for a Quidditch meeting." Rose said sarcastically.

"I should be done by 11:30. Just go down there, I will meet you." Rose said disappointed.

"Okay. Yea, that's fine. I'll meet you in The Three Broomsticks." Scorpius said as Rose walked back to the Gryffindor table. Secretly, Scorpius was grateful for this. This would be the perfect opportunity to find Rose a gift.

After breakfast, Scorpius headed back to his dorm, changed, grabbed some money, and made his way down to Hogsmeade.

Scorpius walked into the village with all the other students.

"What to get Rose?" Scorpius asked himself. Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw something shiny. The same kind of shiny he saw when he saw Rose's earring.

He then decided to follow the shine. It lead him to the window of the jewelry store in the village. Scorpius approached the window. What he saw was perfect. It was a dainty, gold, necklace with a rose shaped charm hanging off it. Next to the necklace, was matching ring. It was perfect for her. He then walked into the shop.

"Hello, can I help you today?" The worker greeted Scorpius as he walked in.

"Yes, I would like to buy that rose set in the window over there." Scorpius said.

"Oh, yes that's a nice one, I'll get it for you." The worker responded, then went to the window to grab the necklace and ring.

When she came back, she laid the set on the counter.

"Will this be all for you today?" She asked.

"Yes, but can you wrap them, they're gifts." Scorpius asked.

"Sure thing." The worker said back, she then wrapped the set, and put a tiny bow on it.

"Okay then, all wrapped. That'll be 40 galleons." The worker said to Scorpius.

Scorpius then payed the worker, and stuck the set in the pocket of his jacket. He couldn't wait for Rose's reaction. It was perfect timing, it was about 11:30, so he walked over to The Three Broomsticks, and got a booth. Within five minuets, Rose walked in and sat down across from him.

"Hey, I'm so sorry about that. James thought it was great to practice in 20 degree weather for a match that we don't have until March." Rose said irritated.

"That's okay." Scorpius responded. The two then ordered a few Butterbeers, and chatted for about a half hour.

"Hey, um, since we have to leave for Christmas break on Monday, and I won't see you, I got you just a little something." Scorpius said as he pulled the jewelry set out of his jacket pocket.

"Oh Scorp! You didn't have to do that! I didn't get you anything!" Rose said, shocked. He really thought to get her a Christmas present. She hadn't got him anything. She felt bad.

"Oh no. I insist, it's fine." Scorpius responded, handing her the gift.

Rose took the gift from him, and ripped it open. She was shocked. They were beautiful. She couldn't believe he did this for her. Her insides felt hot again.

"Do you like them? I thought they would match your earrings." Scorpius said with an eager look on his face.

"Oh Scorp! I love them! They're beautiful! But they were probably expensive. You really didn't have to do that!" Rose said as she observed the beautiful ring and necklace.

"No it's fine, really. It's Christmas. Now, you should put them on!" Scorpius said. Rose slid the ring on her finger, and Scorpius came around the table. She lifted her hair out of the way so Scorpius could close the necklace clasp.

"Wow Scorp, their so nice. I can't thank you enough. Now I have to get you something!" Rose said as she was still starring at her new ring.

"No, you don't. I just wanted to do something nice for my.. friend. Merry Christmas Rose." Scorpius responded, he really wanted to say girlfriend, but clearly, he couldn't say that. Not yet at least.

Rose and Scorpius continued to talk and sip their Butterbeer. Before they knew it, they had to go back up to the school. Rose and Scorpius parted in the Entrance Hall, and made their way back to their common rooms.

Rose thought to herself, "What am I going to get him. It needs to be something special like this." She was determined to get Scorpius a gift back. She had to.

When Rose walked into her dorm to put her coat and hat away, Lily squealed.

"What?" Rose said startled.

"What's around your neck and finger! Those are new! I've never seen them before!" Lily said.

"Oh, their new. They were a gift." Rose responded simply, she may of had a smirk on her face.

"Oh Merlin's Pants Rose! Tell me EVERYTHING!" Lily responded, and the two girls gossiped all night about it.

Eventually, Lily returned to her own dorm, and Rose went to bed. She changed into her pajamas, and took off the necklace and ring and set them on her bedside table. She just plainly looked at them. They were beautiful. She really needed to give him something back. Then she took the ring, kissed it, and set it back down, and went to bed. She thought about all night what she could get Scorpius. I mean, it wasn't December 25th yet, so she still had time. All she knew at that moment was that she needed to get Scorpius a Christmas gift.

Author's Notes:

Hey everyone. Thanks for reading. This chapter was a little choppy, but still good though. I have to admit, it was a little weird writing a winter chapter in May, but I still enjoyed writing it for you guys. The next chapter will definitely tie in with this one, so keep on the lookout for when that comes out. As always, I hope you guys enjoyed this, and thanks for reading. Stay safe and healthy friends!

-christinahpfan12 =