Scorpius and Rose

Chapter 10- Christmas With The Weasley's

I bounce on my heels as I scoop Gingersnap up and stuff her into her container.

"Meoooooooow," She whines, and I shush her.

"Be quiet, Gi, we're going home!" I shut the latch on my suitcase and drag both her and the suitcase down into the common room.

Scorpius is sitting by the fire, staring into the crackling flames and not moving.

"You're staying here again?" I ask. I try not to sound surprised, but he notices. I can tell by the way his shoulders curl up around his shoulders.

"Yep," He says. "It's not any different than any other year."

"You don't think..." I trail off. It's not my place. "Right."

He turns to look at me, and he smiles sadly. "Happy Christmas, Rose," He says.

I smile back. "Happy Christmas," I respond.

I would stay with him, but after last year Mum made me promise to come back this Christmas, and even though my parents have warmed up to Scorpius, I don't want to risk making them resent him.

He turns back to the fire, so I leave without another word.

It feels wrong, but I don't know what else to say.

...

I climb up the stairs to the Hogwarts Express and walk into my usual compartment. I close the door and let Gingersnap climb out of her cage and explore the compartment. Satisfied, she curls up on the seat and falls asleep. I buy and eat an entire box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans without too much trouble. ( I got a Vomit, Earwax, and a Boogey flavour). The ride is quiet, but I don't mind. Silence is better than sharing a compartment with James.

I get off the train and see my family.

"How was Hogwarts?" Ron asks my brother and me.

"It was so great, Dad! I got to see a hippogriff!" Hugo says excitedly.

"It was fun!" I say. "I joined the quidditch team and Scorpius, Bordeaux and I were scoring a bunch of points, and our seeker, Alaska Hare, is really good. Like really good."

"I'm gonna join the quidditch team when I get older!" Hugo announces proudly.

"I look forward to beating my little brother." I tease.

He sticks his tongue out at me.

"I'm glad you two had fun." Mum rolls her eyes and picks up my trunk. "Come on," She says and leaves. I follow her to the car. On the way there, I see Mr. Malfoy looking hopefully at the Hogwarts Express. Why I wonder, is he waiting for someone who will never come? He waits for Scorpius every year. Hopeful, but deep down, knowing the truth. Why I wonder, avoid your family like fire?

⋯

When I get home, the whole family is there for Christmas Eve. Uncle George and Aunt Angelina, with Roxanne and Fred II. Gramma Molly and Grandpa Arthur, Uncle Percy and Aunt Audrey, with Molly and Lucy, Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur, with Dominique and Louis, Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny, with James, Albus, and Lily. Victoire and Teddy also show up together. Hagrid is there, too, and Professor Longbottom.

"Happy Christmas, Rose,'' Professor Longbottom says, and then he has to leave. Hagrid drops off his presents and then is on his way, and then the place goes into chaos. The only other children besides me that aren't crazy are Victoire and Teddy, and they're technically not 'children', both being 18. James, Dominique, Louis, Hugo, Roxanne, and Fred II all run off to play Quidditch, and Lily, Molly, and Lucy all group up and giggle about things, while Albus sits quietly on an armchair. "Albus!" I wave at him. He gets up and wanders over to me.