Rose and Scorpius, A True Love

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

SCORPIUS' POV

It's been a week now, since the trial. A week since I heard the loud clacking of the gavel, and the booming voice, announcing my fathers sentence. A week since I turned around, and saw her, right there. She had come. She still managed to be there for me, when my world came crashing down for the thousandth time. Some people cheered. Some people looked really upset. But Rose, it's like everyone around her became white noise, the edges were blurry, as I saw her standing there, staring into my eyes. She only cared what I thought of the sentence. She always cared. Sometimes too much. A lump in my throat grew, as I thought of her. I was always thinking of her. "Scorp?" The flashes of last week left my mind as I heard my name. I looked up to see Albus. "What are you doing? We are going to be late for class." He said, throwing my school bag in my lap. I had been staying in the Slytherin common room since I've returned to school. I didn't want to risk running into Rose in the Head Common room. "You do realize you can't hide here forever right? You have to talk to her, you guys have responsibilities that include working together." I shrugged my shoulders, and kept walking down the moving staircases, on my way to potions class with the Gryffindors. "You do realize you have a head boy and girl meeting tonight, right?" I nearly fell down the last step. My heart was in my stomach. I gave Albus a wide eyed look. "Yup, tonight. 6:30, in the head common room." He was smirking as he reminded me that my avoiding Rose, was ending today. As we drew closer to the dungeons my heart began to race. "I don't think I can do it." I muttered, pulling him aside. He gave me a confused look as we let others rush aside us to get to class. "What do you mean?" He whispered. "Can you go for me?" I pleaded. I don't think I've ever seen him roll his eyes more dramatically. "Okay, Scorp, I'm going to tell you this because I love you. You are going to that meeting tonight. And you are going to talk to Rose. You can not avoid her anymore. Maybe you guys can talk about things and figure out what your relationship is, instead of sitting on the couch in the common room for hours on end!" He finished with a large sigh, grabbed my robes, and dragged my sorry ass to class.

As I entered the cold classroom, I saw the wild red curls I was so used to seeing at one point. Rose was sitting in the front of the class, as usual. Harley was right next to her, and made eye contact with me. She gave me an apologetic smile, knowing how awkward it must be for me at this moment. I plopped down next to Albus and sighed quietly. I used to enjoy potions. Now I'm just scared of seeing those eyes. The deep blue voids which can halter my breathing in a matter of moments. But I never saw the red curls turn away. She was staring more than intently to the front of the room. "Well good morning class!" We heard Slughorns booming voice enter the room. There were indistinct mutters of 'good morning' all around. "Now, today we are going to do something a little interesting." The large walrus like man was quaking with excitement. "We are going to be working in teams today." Almost immediately I grabbed Albus's arm, silently claiming him as my partner. "Apposing teams. Gryffindor versus Slytherin." My arm fell, as did my jaw. "These individual teams will work against each other, racing each other to finish and complete a perfect Draught of Peace!" He fell silent as to watch the many tired looks become excited and eager. "This potion is not only complex, and specific, but incredibly difficult to successfully make. If done correctly, you will feel all anxiety drift away, you will be at complete peace. But um, if done wrong, well, one of you will find out I'm sure." Everyone began looking around for who they wanted to go up against. "Now, how this will work. You will each choose an opponent, who you will race to get the perfect Draught of Peace. I want to stress this clearly, time is not your first concern. Those whose potion is more successful will defy the time loss. At the end, which ever House has more success, will gain 150 points." No one looked impressed. "Per student." And suddenly there was a murmur of fascination and determination. Everyone wanted those points. "What if there is a tie?" My heart leaped at her voice. "Pardon?" Slughorn asked, as he drew back his excitement of such an eager class. "What it a team ties?" Rose asked again. "Well, if a team ties, then both shall receive a win, to add to the house counting." His mustache twitched with a smile. "Now are there any more questions?" He asked. No one said anything. "Okay, then you have three minutes to find your opponent!" He boomed.

Almost immediately students were racing to get to their friends and enemies. I looked at Albus desperately. He sighed dramatically. "Fine. ROSE!" He called over. Rose looked over to him. "Wanna see who really is the better cousin once and for all?" She smirked that gorgeous smirk, "Oh Albus, it will be so nice to hand you your own ass, all over again." They both ran over to a table together. I looked over, but Harley was already with another girl from Slytherin house. My heart sank. A part of me really missed that competition with Rose... all that was left was some Gryffindor boy. He was a little shorter than me, black hair, and blue eyes. I recognized him from the Quiditch team. "Guess it's me and you." I muttered. We shook hands, "the name's Terry." He said proudly. "Malfoy." I muttered. His eyes grew wide. "You're that guy whose dad just-" "how about we just focus on the potion." I whispered angrily. I was so ready to kick this guys ass. "On your marks!" Everyone quieted down. "Get set... GO!" And suddenly everyone was bustling about, racing against their opponent. As I laid out my ingredients, I could hear Rose over at the table behind me muttering to herself, she always had to talk out loud. I snuck a glance, her hair was pinned up in a messy bun as she examined her potions book. I shook my head and tried to focus on my own draught. I looked up at my opponent to see he was looking at me, and Rose. "What?" I asked in annoyance. "Didn't you guys break up?" He asked, staring more intently in Roses direction. "And why is my love life any of your business?" I said, feeling my face heat up. "No reason.." he whispered, focusing back on his potion. I tried to pay close attention to my own cauldron, but then, "I would so hit that." I heard him whisper under his breath. "What the hell did you just say?" I demanded loudly. People began looking up from their work. "I didn't say anything." He stated, looking confused. "I heard you whisper something." I said even louder, this time I could feel Roses eyes on the back of my head. "I have no clue what you are getting at!" He threw his arms out in defense. "Yeah I bet you don't!" I spat. "Mr. Malfoy! Is there a problem?" I heard Slughorn standing beside me. "No sir." I whispered. "Let's focus on our work, okay?" I felt his hand grab my shoulder comfortingly. Albus was giving me a look, asking me what was wrong. I shook my head and went back to my draught of peace, which was a light blue color at the moment. I didn't feel at peace at all. Suddenly I felt the same anger I felt when I saw Brandon Wood ask Rose to the dance a few years ago. As time went on, my potion got more and more out of control. It was now a thick, dark purple mess, when it was supposed to be a thin light gold color. I threw my hands in my hair and backed away from my cauldron. Giving up entirely. As Slughorn came around, Harley had been announced a winner, Rose had been announced a winner, five other Gryffindors, and seven Slytherins. Slughorn reached me, and looked disappointedly at my draught of peace. "GRYFFINDOR WINS!" He yelled. I looked around and saw many happy faces, even the Slytherins were chuckling. But Rose was just looking at me, she looked concerned.

I left class feeling like an idiot. Albus caught up with me, "what was all that about in there?" He asked. I shook my head, "I just don't want to talk about it." I whispered. "Well alright, but I'll catch up with you later?" I nodded my head, and waved him off as he ran to catch up with Harley, throwing his arm around her. Rose and I never had that. We didn't have a chance. It was either a secret, or we were being knocked out in the middle of corridors. I sighed heavily. I had no clue how I was going to survive this meeting with Rose.