She'd tracked Albus down on the very first day, cornering him in one of the comfier chairs in the corner of the common room. "We should stick together."
Albus looked up from the book he'd been reading to blink at her timidly for behind long eyelashes. "Okay." She waited for him to say something else. He didn't, simply went back to his book. Rose sat besides him, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Okay? Is that it?" He didn't offer anything else. "Look, if we're going to be friends, we need to learn how to communicate."
Albus marked his place in the book and set it down besides him. "All right."
"Wonderful!" She beamed at him for a couple of seconds seconds. Then a few more. He didn't say anything else. Rose sighed.
"Look, I understand you being shy, but I did expect at least some sort of refusal, if you don't want to be my friend. At least a 'bugger off' is better than pretending to be something you don't want to be. Haven't you heard?"
To her surprise, Albus began to laugh. "You're not used to people listening to you, are you?" She shook her head, still bewildered. "Even if I did say no. I've seen you at christmas parties. If you wanted me to be your friend, you'd wear me down eventually. I don't mind you, Rose. So stop acting as if I'm going to run off. Calm down." Rose's face fell slightly, and he back tracked hurriedly. "What I meant was, well. I'd love to be your friend. So don't worry about it."
Rose smiled, and soon she was laughing too. She had been right. Her and Albus would get along wonderfully.
