Scorpius and Rose

Chapter 7- Staying Here

"Please let Professor Oakwood know if you are staying here for Christmas," The Gray Lady intones as she floats through the Ravenclaw commons.

Scorpius sighs.

I glance up from my book, Hogwarts, A History. "Are you staying here again?" I ask him.

"Yes." He frowns.

"Why?" I flip to the next chapter, The Enchanted Ceiling.

He picks up a large book and peers at it. "I don't like Christmas." He says, not looking up from it.

"That's impossible. Everyone likes Christmas." I close my book and glare at him.

"I don't like Christmas at home, then." He turns the page in his book.

"Why not? Stockings... St. Nick... presents... what's not to like?"

"You can talk all day, I'm still staying here," Scorpius says.

"You'll be alone." I set my book down on the marble coffee table.

"It won't be any different from last year," He points out, but we both know it isn't true.

His mother.

"Maybe it will."

"How?"

"If you don't go home this year, I'll stay too."

Scorpius rolls his eyes. "No, you won't."

"Actually, I will." I stand up and put my hands on my hips.

He looks at me carefully. "Okay then."

"Really?" I blink.

He shrugs. "Being stuck with you all break is preferable to going home."

I look at him in shock for a moment. "I'll write my Mum and Dad," I say finally, composing myself.

"You do that," Scorpius says, his attention back on his book.

...

I set down the book I'm reading as soon as Rose vanishes into the girl's dorm. I'm not even sure what I was reading; I wasn't paying attention.

She's staying here for Christmas? It's a weird thought. I've had Christmas alone for several years now- It's always quiet, and calm, with nobody around. I picture my typical Christmas being shattered by Rose bounding out of the girl's dorm, wearing a horrendous sweater I've only ever heard about and squealing, and I can't help but smile.

Rose emerges again, holding an envelope.

Father will be alone this year. I almost felt guilty, but then the rage builds back up behind my sternum. Maybe he deserves it.

She turns and smiles at me, and a bit of the rage ebbs away. I smile back.

"I'll tell Professor Oakwood that I'm staying and go give this to a school owl," she says, holding up the envelope.

I nod. "Okay."

...

I hum quietly as I enter the common room. Everyone has already left for the train ride home, and Scorpius and I are the only Ravenclaws staying at Hogwarts for the holidays. Scorpius is sitting in front of a bookshelf, looking up at the domed ceiling covered in stars. He turns his head to look at me with a small, slightly sad smile. "Hey," he says softly.

"Hey," I respond, sitting next to him.

He looks back up at the stars, silent.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" I ask.

"Talk about what?" He sounds heartbroken.

"Your mum. I know she meant a lot to you."

"She died 5 and a half months ago, Rose. It doesn't matter anymore."

I turn to face him. "Your mum doesn't mean nothing, even if she's dead." He flinches, so I soften my voice. "I'm sorry, Scorpius. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me. But if there's anything I can do now, just tell me, okay?" I give him a soft smile.

"Alright." He exhales and gets up. "I'm gonna go down to the kitchens and see if there's any food. Do you want anything?"

My stomach rumbles. "Do you think there's any steak and kidney pie left from last night?"

"I can almost guarantee it. Be back in 20."

...

Mum sends me a letter on Christmas Eve, saying that she misses me and wishes I was home with the family. Hugo signs at the bottom in green, standing out against the neat black lettering. Have fun, Rosie! I chuckle. Only Hugo would be happy that I'm staying at Hogwarts with Scorpius. He thinks we're "cute". I have to keep telling him we're not dating.

Christmas morning I wake up to see a pile of packages at the foot of my bed. I groan when I see a lumpy present in red wrapping. Grandma Weasley. I cringe as I open it, knowing there's going to be a sweater in there. I exhale deeply, relieved when I realize it's blue and not maroon.

When I walk down to the commons room Scorpius is already up and has a book in his lap. Gingersnap rubs against his legs before laying down. She paws at his toes and he quickly drags them away.

"Can you please tell your cat to not bite me? That would be much appreciated." He looks up at me. "Is that the infamous Weasley sweater?" He sounds excited. "It looks a lot softer than I thought it would. Can I feel it?"

I step forward to the couch, and pet Gingersnap. "Be nice!" I reprimand her, sticking my other arm out to Scorpius, who still has his legs curled up against him.

"That is so soft. I'm a little bit jelly." He says, joking.

"What did you get for Christmas?"

"My dad sent me a watch."

"That... Hm."

"Yeah. I'm not sure how to feel about it either."