♟Promotions and Sacrifices [Scorose]♟

Chapter 24

Rose stared down at her soggy cereal, invested in her own thoughts. Specifically, thoughts about last night. What she thought was a silly little crush was apparently more because it baffled her how she reacted when she saw him with Alexis.

The fact that she had to constantly remind herself that she and Malfoy were nothing more than acquaintances was enough to bring her to the conclusion that there was something seriously wrong. Was the universe playing some kind of game on her? Haha, very funny. Now please, for the sake of her sanity- make it stop.

And as if that wasn't enough, he just had to check up on her. Yes, it was very nice of him. That was the problem. Why did he care so much? Why did he choose to spend the rest of the night with her instead of with his little Slytherin buddies or fangirls? Why did he stay with her the whole night in utter silence, just to walk her back to the Gryffindor common room when she got tired?

Rose dropped her face into her hands, sighing as the 'why's' scratched at her mind. There was no way he could have feelings for her too right?

She let out a chuckle, as the thought itself was absurd.

"What's so funny?"

Rose looked up to see Albus- but just Al. Oddly, Malfoy wasn't by his side.

"Nothing." Rose shook it off as he took a seat across her.

"I think all that studying is making you go mad." He mumbled, filling his plate up with eggs and bacon.

For the rest of breakfast, Rose didn't say much. She simply listened in on her cousin's conversation- something about Aunt Ginny threatening to send Albus a Howler if he doesn't bring his grades up.

Having Malfoy's absence finally getting to her, she spoke up. "Where's Malfoy?"

Albus broke off from his current conversation, turning to Rose. "He wasn't feeling good this morning. Said he's skipping potions."

"Why?" She blurted.

"I dunno." He shrugged, swallowing his eggs before continuing. "But he didn't look too good. Maybe it was something he drank last night."

Rose nodded, looking back down. Maybe this was good. Without Malfoy bugging her all day, she could get over him.

She took a bite of her cereal, looking at the empty seat besides her, oddly missing his teasing.

~~~

"Rose! Hey, Rose, wait up!"

Rose sighed in dismay as Jacobs' voice ran through the halls. It was passing periods and she only had three minutes to get to professor Flitwick's class.

The halls were packed with students rushing to their next classes and she was almost fortunate enough to get away in this crowd. Almost.

Jacob finally reached her, grabbing a hold of her arm so they wouldn't get separated. "Where were you yesterday?"

"I was with my cousins." She shrugged.

"I can't believe you stood me up like that!" He exclaimed.

Rose raised her eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You said that we'd hang out later."

"Oh, right! I totally forgot. I was just so busy with-"

"With what?" He interrupted. His grip on her arm tightened uncomfortably.

She snatched her arm away from him, taking a step back. "I was just busy. Look we can-"