Scorrose

seven

She was surprised at how quickly the big day arrived.

Rose stared at herself in the full-length mirror, scrutinizing every aspect of the way the dress hung on her body. Her mother had tailored it perfectly according to her measurements. Not only did it accentuate the few curves she had in the best possible way, it really did look stunning with her flaming red hair, hanging in loose ringlets down her back. She'd curled it and worn it half-up, her simple go-to for formal events. The rest of the girls in her dormitory had already headed off to meet their dates, though she had lingered around, stalling the moment a little bit longer.

With a deep breath, she gave herself one last look-over and left to meet Siobhan in the common room.

"Oh no no no no no," Siobhan said, the moment she laid eyes on Rose. Rose froze.

"I look awful, don't I?" She asked, the dread she'd been trying to keep at bay finally settling deep in her gut.

"No, you look great!" Siobhan said quickly. "But your hair is so...plain. It doesn't go with the rest of your look."

Rose touched her hair self-consciously. "I think it looks fine."

"Can I re-do it?" Siobhan asked immediately. Rose hesitated. "Please? Pretty please?"

Rose glanced at the time. "We'll be late," she said.

"It'll be quick," Siobhan said. "Anyway, there's nothing wrong with being a little late."

Rose sighed, fingers twirling at the ends of her hair, pondering it. "Okay. Sure."

Siobhan beamed. "You won't regret it."

Rose had to hand it to her— the girl really did know how to work with hair. Despite the thickness, Siobhan expertly manipulated it into an intricate braid that Rose knew she'd never learn to replicate, leaving out wispy curls for a more casual effect.

After she finished, Rose touched her hair gingerly. "Wow, thank you. It's so... elegant."

Siobhan smiled. She had braided her own hair into a crown on her head, which made her look older somehow. She wore a deep maroon dress that cinched at the waist and spread out to her ankles.

"You look pretty, by the way," Rose said.

"Thank you." She held out her hand. "Shall we get going, then, madam?"

Rose grinned and locked her elbow into Siobhan's. "Why yes, my good lady, we shall."

Giggling, the girls headed out the portrait hole and towards the Great Hall.

The bass from the music rattled the staircase as the two descended, and quick glance into the crowded room showed that the party was well underway. Rose realized they'd missed the waltz but she didn't mind. She would have had to sit it out anyway.

She stepped down the stairs apprehensively, trying to take in the lights and decorations while also avoiding tripping over her dress. Half-way down, she noticed Albus with his date, a pretty and tanned girl with raven-black hair, and her heart sped up. If Albus was here, Scorpius was bound to be nearby... and sure enough, there he was, a little ways behind Albus, checking his watch.

She meant to look away before he could notice her but then he looked up and their eyes locked.

She couldn't gauge his thoughts. His expression remained impassive.

Quickly tearing her eyes away, she carefully made the rest of the way down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, she looked up to find Scorpius still watching her. Her cheeks became warm.

Did he have no shame?

"Hey, Rose!" Albus said, waving at her with a smile.

She smiled and waved back, glad to be back in her cousin's good graces. Their annoyance towards one another had vanished after a few days apart, and though she hated to admit it, she had begun to miss his company.

"Hi, Albus." She approached him. "You look dashing."

"Thanks. This is Shannon, she's a fourth year."

Rose smiled in greeting and introduced Siobhan, all the while feeling Scorpius' presence just a few feet away.

After she felt like she had ignored him thoroughly enough, she looked up to meet his eye. "And where's your date, then?" She asked, trying to keep her voice playful and light.

"Restroom," Scorpius replied, joining their cluster. She caught a whiff of his cologne when he neared, a faint but fresh scent. His hair was neater than usual and he had accessorized his dark dress robes with an emerald green tie.

"For a moment there," he said, eyes sweeping down her dress. "I thought you were a Slytherin."

She pretended to gag, ignoring the prickly feeling his gaze brought upon her skin. "No way," she said.

He smiled slightly. "That's a shame. It's a good color on you." He raised his tie. "Matches me."

She hadn't realized this until he said it and a strange feeling grew in her gut. A sort of fluttery, swooping feeling. "I suppose, yeah," she said. "It kind of... looks like we're a couple."

She wasn't sure why she'd said it, exactly. She'd meant it as a joke, but nobody laughed, including herself. An awkward moment passed as everybody stood around in silence. Scorpius blinked, flustered. "I... Uh, yeah. Kind of."

Polly returned before another awkward silence could ensue, although Rose was more annoyed than relieved at her appearance.

"Hi, Score," she said, linking her arm into his and giving him a kiss on his cheek. Polly looked especially gorgeous. She wore a long, glittering indigo dress that looked as if it had been sewn straight out of the night sky. Scorpius flushed easily, averting his eyes from Rose's.

"Hey, Polly."

"Do you want to go back and dance?"

"Um... yeah. Sure." He gave Rose a close-lipped smile before leaving with Polly, hand in hand. She watched the two go.

They made for a good couple. She was a good height for him. Her dark hair complimented his white blond. And she was sure Scorpius enjoyed dating the prettiest girl in their year.

"He did ask you," Albus said, startling Rose.

"What?" She said.

"I was there at least three different times for it. You know he wanted to go with you. Don't start looking at him like that now.'

She sputtered, trying to come up with an excuse, but he just raised his eyebrows knowingly and started to head back inside with his date. "I'll see you."

"So it was him that asked you," Siobhan said matter-of-factly. "You're crazy. I would've said yes a thousand times."

Rose groaned internally. "Why does it matter? Let's go dance."

Siobhan shot her a sly smile but went ahead of her, heading straight into the heart of the dance floor.

A/N Hi y'all. I will try to upload more regularly as this is a fairly quick story with short chapters, but life is insanely busy so I can't make any promises!

Thanks so much for reading! Love you all! <3