XVIII: Double Date Drama

Scorpius came down the stairs to the common room to find Rose lying across the sofa, a book propped up against the armrest and she had one hand under her chin and the other lazily turning the pages, reading. He frowned: They were supposed to be at the Great Hall for dinner. He said, "No dinner?"

"Hmm? No. I was thinking that maybe we could just eat here."

"In the common room?"

"Yeah."

"May I ask why?"

"Because it's a long walk to the Great Hall. Pair that with moving staircases and I just don't want to go."

"Makes sense." Scorpius said, although it didn't. He went to the sofa and glanced at the book. It was something he had never read. He frowned and said, "What's that?"

"It's called a book, Scor."

"I know that." He said, rolling his eyes. "What's it about?"

"It's about this adopted girl who lives in Nazi Germany and loves to read. It's really interesting because it's told from the point of view of Death." She said, raising the book so that he could see the title. His eyebrows shot up and he nodded at the cover in approval. She placed the bookmark in between pages and shut the book before turning to him and saying, "So what are we doing for dinner?"

"Is it just me or did that sound like something we would say if we were married?" Scorpius said, raising an eyebrow. Rose felt a little horror but quickly brushed it off. She was about to respond with something witty when Lily came bursting in through the door, panting. She saw Rose and her worried expression changed to anger almost immediately. She pointed a finger at Rose, "You!" Then at Scorpius, "And you!"

"Do come in, Potter." Scorpius murmured soft enough so only Rose could hear. She hid a grin and said, "What happened Lily?"

"I thought... I thought something had happened to you two. The next time you decide to skip dinner, please let me know so I won't have to make Al endure an entire meal's worth of worry."

"Well we're really sorry." Rose said, before Scorpius could say something sarcastic and earn himself a hex.

"You had better be. Speaking of Al, he wanted to know if you and Malfoy would accompany him and Alice on a double date."

"A... double date." Rose repeated, her voice coated with unsureness.

"Yeah. I would go but I have to study for OWLs. And he wants to go on this Hogsmeade weekend which is when I have detention, sadly. So what do you say?"

"How about we talk about it and let you know?" Scorpius said and Lily nodded but didn't leave.

"We'll let you know later." Rose specified and realisation seemed to dawn upon Lily. She nodded and left. Rose was thinking deeply about everything that could go wrong.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Scorpius said.

"Oh no. I'll sell them for a dollar." Rose said, quoting from a song absentmindedly.

"What?"

"What? Oh no, nothing. I'm just thinking about it."

"I remember telling Potter that we would discuss it together."

"Right. I'm sorry. What do you think?"

"I think we should go for it."

"What?"

"What? I mean what could possibly go wrong — don't answer that. I'm just saying. We only live once right? Might as well do as much as possible."

"But...there are so many things that could go wrong!"

"We could always find reasons to not go. That's the challenge isn't it? Going in spite of that?" Scorpius said, moving forward and taking her hands and looking at her face intently. She was looking at the floor in thought. Then, after a pause, she said, "I suppose you're right. I can't believe you talked me into going on a double date. With my family. When did you become so brave?"

"I'm offended! I was always brave!"

"Says the boy who ran into my room because there was a lizard in his."

"Hey you let me sleep with you that night. So it was worth it." He said, grinning.

"Correction, I gave you an extra blanket and pillow and let you sleep on the floor while I slept on the bed. Don't change events, Scorpius. Especially ones where I was actually there as a witness. Plus, the lizard was behind your window seat. How did you even see it?"

"I saw its tail." He mumbled and Rose gave a laugh. She gave him a peck and said, "You're so cute sometimes."

"Sometimes?" He asked, smiling goofily.

"Yes. Sometimes. I don't think I need to inflate your already-too-big ego." She said, laughing again. He pouted at her and pulled away. She laughed and said, "Oh come on! Don't be so mad! I'm kidding! You're always cute!" Scorpius turned around and, putting his hands on his hips and, raising his chin, said, "I know I am!" With a head bob at the end that was probably supposed to be sassy but didn't come off as sassy. Rose laughed and said, "So we're on for this weekend?"

"Yup." Scorpius said, popping the 'p'. She smiled and nodded, leaving to find Albus and tell him.

When she returned, she was greeted with a table laden with food of all kinds. Her eyes widened and her mouth began to water. Scorpius was already seated. She sat down on the opposite side and they began to eat.

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The morning of the Hogsmeade weekend came and everyone was beyond excited. Everyone except Scorpius and Rose. They were beyond nervous. Rose nearly threw up and Scorpius nearly forgot to wear pants. They both decided that it was probably safer to avoid breakfast since they were leaving for Hogsmeade right after breakfast and would like to go there without throwing up. So when it was finally time for the carriages to take them to Hogsmeade, they were starving. Lily was walking with Rose and Scorpius and reprimanding them for not eating. Just then an owl flew down and dropped a letter on Scorpius. He opened it and read it, hiding it from Rose. And when he did, a smile appeared on his face. Like he found something sweet and cute and funny at the same time. Like he found something very Rose. Rose frowned with a slight smile and said, "What's so cute?"

"Nothing. Just a letter."

"Who's it from?"

"No one. Just another Slytherin."

"Who you used to like?"

"No. Just a Slytherin. Calm down, Rose."

"Well what does it say?" With each vague answer, she was getting more and more suspicious.

"Nothing." He said, not meeting her eyes. Instead he looked over her head at the carriages. Before Rose could question him further, he said, "We should go. We're going to be late, otherwise." Rose nodded with a frown and lead the way to the carriages.

They entered The Three Broomsticks and, finding Albus and Alice, joined them. Rose smiled warmly at them while Scorpius gave them a stiff smile. Albus and Alice managed a warm smile each at the couple and then proposed that they could go get butterbeer for the table. Scorpius and Rose agreed so Albus and Rose went (she had more faith in Alice not killing Scorpius than Albus) to get the butterbeer. The minute they were out of earshot, Alice said, "So, you're Scorpius Malfoy."

"I am."

"And you're Rose's boyfriend."

"Still getting used to that."

"Tell me. How does a Malfoy end up being with a Weasley?"

"It just... happened. I guess. But I consider myself incredibly lucky."

"And you have no trust issues whatsoever?"

"Um...where is this coming from, exactly?"

"I'm just asking. I mean, Slytherins are not known for being trustworthy, no offence."

"None taken. But no, there are no trust issues. I tell Rose everything."

"Everything except the letter." Rose said, appearing behind Scorpius and making him jump. He said, "Merlin's beard, Rose! You scared me! And what do you mean?"

"Why won't you tell me who the letter's from?"

"Because! I...can't!"

"What? Is it a love letter or something?" She asked, sarcastically. But then Scorpius paused and Rose could hear a glass falling and breaking in her mind. And she could see the shards spread around an empty room. Scorpius noticed her expression of utter and complete disbelief, mingled with disgust. He expected her to get up and storm off and then he would run after her and ask for her forgiveness. But that didn't happen. Instead, she said, "That was a love letter?!"

"Rose... you can't really want to do this now."

"Until about two minutes ago, there wasn't a 'this'." Rose said, softly and dangerously. Albus and Alice just stared at them in silence.

"Rose..."

"Who is it?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Stop trying to make this a film, Malfoy. It isn't. I'm going to do this here and now. So, what's her name?"

"What makes you think it's a her?"

"Fine. What's his name?"

"It's not a he. It's a she."

"Stop stalling, Malfoy. Who the hell is she?"

"Her name isn't important. It isn't her you're mad at, Rose. It's me."

"Stop being such a drama queen. But yes, it is you I'm mad at." There was a pregnant pause and then Rose said, "Have you ever written back?" More silence. A second glass shattered in Rose's mind and she nodded, more to herself than to Scorpius, stood up, and left. He didn't even try to stop her, which she was grateful for.

At the door, she stopped and looked back and Scorpius thought, for a fleeting moment that she was looking at him. But then he caught sight of Lily standing up and going to the door and following Rose out. He sighed and looked back and Albus and Alice, who were watching him intently, instead of Rose. He said, "I need to...go."

"Hey, Malfoy, calm down. She'll come around. She'll listen to you when you have something to say. Trust me." Albus said, not knowing why he wanted Scorpius and Rose to be together but he did. Scorpius gave him a half smile and left, in search of Charles.

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Dra-freaking-ma! :O LOVE LETTERS WHAAAAAA???

I'm not sure how long this chapter is so I'm sorry if its short :/

Did anyone understand the book and/or song reference? I've put the song on the side just in case :D it's pretty good :D one of the easiest to play on the guitar :D

GUESS THE BOOK :D

And...

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~RFM

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