Little Things

Chapter Seventeen

Rose Weasley

The week before Christmas flew by, with Rose spending most of her time by the fireplace, reading the collection of books her mom lent her. They were manly Muggle novels, that Hermione enjoyed reading when she wasn't studying, back in her days at Hogwarts. Rose's favorites were the ones about strong independent female characters, who set out to accomplish goals and weren't afraid of the male authority.

Jo also showed up several times over the week to visit Louis, much to Rose's dismay. She was hoping she could spend some time with Jo and work out some of the kinks in their friendship. But all she received from Jo was a few, "hellos," and "goodbyes." Rose ended up counting down the days till the big Potter-Weasley bash that was held every year. All she wanted to do was spend time with Albus and Lily.

The day finally arrived. Twas the night before Christmas Eve and it was a tradition that all the grandkids (and friends) would go to the Burrow for a fun filled sleepover. It was something they had done ever since they were little and all the grandchildren looked forward to it every year. Especially Rose. Grandma Weasley got up to all nonsense in the kitchen and made bunches of Christmas goodies to serve the kids. They all also got jumpers with their first initial on it, along with a pair of matching pajama pants. The adults would then show up on Christmas Eve afternoon for dinner and family time. Christmas Day would consist of opening presents at one's own house, then meeting at whoever was willing to host Christmas that year's house to open presents and eat more delicious food made by grandma Weasley.

Rose was in her bedroom, packing some things for the Big Christmas Bash at Grandma's, when there was a knock on her door. "Come in," she called out. Her mom poked her head through the door.

"Need any help?" she asked, coming into the room and shutting the door behind her.

"No, I'm almost finished," Rose said, shoving the last item into her bag.

Hermione sat down on the edge of Rose's bed. "So, honey, do you want to finish telling me what you were saying about Scorpius the other day?"

Rose's cheeks turned the color of her hair. There was suddenly a lump in her throat and she tried to swallow it down. "Um, what did I say exactly?"

Her mom smiled. "That you had romantic intentions with Scorpius Malfoy."

Rose rolled her eyes. "You could just say that I have a 'crush' on or I'm 'sweet on' Scorpius, not that I have romantic intentions with him!" she exclaimed.

"Alright, calm down sweetie," said Hermione chuckling.

Rose suddenly thought of something and said, "Are you going to tell dad about this? Because he would absolutely freak out!"

Hermione thought for a moment, looking about the room as she did so. "No, I won't. Though, I will have to tell him if anything more happens." She said seriously.

"And you will be the first person I tell,"

"Good," Hermione got up and gave her daughter a hug. "Love you,"

"Love you too mum,"

Hermione walked towards the door. She was almost out of it when she turned around and said, "Make sure to use protection," and she shut the door before Rose could say anything.

Rose stared after her in amazement. That doesn't sound like something mum would say, she thought to herself, Perhaps dad is rubbing off on her. She then put a book in her bag and closed it, ready to go to grandma's.

~

"Hugo! Louis! Roise!" exclaimed grandma Weasley as she opened the door to the Burrow, welcoming them inside the warm house. Most of their family was already sat around the enormous kitchen table playing games. There was a large cluster of her cousins playing a Wizard and Witch matching card game, which the family loved. Rose noticed at the end of the table, Albus and Scorpius were playing a game of Wizard's Chess. She tried hard not to stare at Scorpius, but he looked up and made eye contact with her. They both quickly looked away.

"Rose!" exclaimed Lily, running down the staircase that led up to all the bedrooms. She ran to Rose and engulfed her in a bear hug. "Come upstairs, I have a lot to tell you." Lily dragged Rose right up the stairs before she even got a chance to answer.

Lily led Rose up to the "Girl's Room," which actually used to be Rose's aunt Ginny's bedroom, but had now become the girl's hang out room. Rose sat down on one of the chairs in the room and removed her coat. "Alright," she said, settled, "What do you need to tell me?"

Lily was sat in a bean-bag chair that lay on the ground. "Well," she started, "First off, Connor and I broke up-"

"Wait, you broke up? Are you alright?" Rose asked, genuinely concerned.

"Oh, yeah I'm fine. Totally over it. Anyways, there is this guy-"

"Wait, you already like a new guy?"

"Yeah, we were owling-"

"Wait, when did you and Connor break up?"

"A few days ago,"

"Oh. Okay, continue,"

Lily went on. "Of course you know Lorcan, right?"

"Yes," Rose sighed.

"Anyway, we started talking more than usual at the end of term and we've started owling over the past week-"

"And you want me to talk to him, since he's in Ravenclaw?" Rose cut in.

Lily looked surprised. "How did you know?"

Rose chuckled. "Lil', I've known you since you were born, I can figure things out about you in an instant."

Lily glanced down at her feet. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks Rosie."

"Yeah, you're welcome." Rose laughed quietly.

Just then they heard grandma Weasley call out, "Rose, don't you want to say goodbye to your parents?"

Rose exited the room and called down the staircase. "Bye mum, bye dad."

She heard her parents chuckle and they also called out their goodbyes. Rose returned to the room, where Lily filled her in on some of the latest gossip that Rose had apparently missed over the past few days.

~

The night wore on, with the cousins eating all of grandma Weasley's Christmas snacks and sipping on hot chocolate. They enjoyed a simple evening of games and jumpers with grandma Weasley. It grew darker outside and some of the cousins retired to bed. Lucy and Molly left the earliest, while Hugo went to bed a bit later. Louis's eyes also began to droop and soon he also went to bed. Grandma Weasley had left a long time ago. That left James and Fred, who were playing a game of Wizard's Chess, while their cousin Roxanne played a commentator. Lily and Albus were arguing about two different Quidditch teams that they both wanted for their Fantasy Quidditch teams. Whereas Scorpius and Rose were both reading, on opposite sides of the room.

"Hey guys," Roxanne said getting everyone's attention. "We should play truth or dare."

There were chores of "yeahs" and "sounds fun," from the majority of the cousins. Rose gulped, afraid of what her family would do. She looked over at Scorpius and they exchanged a look. What are we getting into, she thought.