Sparks of Fyre (a Scorose FanFiction)

Chapter Nine (Rose)

        "Is it true that you strangled Malfoy this morning in Herbology?"

        Rose looked at Lily with wide eyes.  "What?!  Who told you that?"

        Her younger cousin's eyes were just as round.  "That's what me and Lorcan heard in Potions this afternoon."

        Rose was gobsmacked.  She had been on her way to dinner when Lily ambushed her.  She hadn't heard a single story like that all day!  Although, if that was what was circling about her then no wonder no one had told her for fear she might strangle them, too!

        "Well?" Lily pressed.  "Did you?"

        "Of course not!" Rose exclaimed.  "I can't believe you would even think that, Lily!"

        Lily shrugged.  "Well, you do hate him, Rose.  I wouldn't put anything past you when it comes to Malfoy."

        It didn't take Rose much willpower to keep the newfound fact that she didn't actually hate Malfoy to herself.  Lily was a gossip and Rose didn't want that getting out.  The Slytherins were already having a field day knowing about the bet. 

        "Well, I wouldn't go that far," Rose muttered.  "The Venomous Tentacula, however..."

        Lily gasped.  "I heard that story, too!  So it's true?"

        Rose huffed.  "So you believed that I strangled him over the plant that is literally known for it?"

        Lily shrugged.  "I just wanted to be sure."

        "Whatever," Rose sighed.  "Yes, it's true.  He deserved it, though!  He was tormenting it!  There's no way Professor Longbottom will let us re-sit the assignment after that..."

        Lily rolled her eyes.  "It's only one test, Rose.  You can afford to fail one."

        Rose had never failed a test in her life.  It wasn't that she couldn't afford to fail—her ego couldn't handle it. 

        "The only reason I paired up with Malfoy was so that I would get a good grade," Rose complained.

        And because he's a blackmailing git, she thought to herself.  That was something she would take to the grave, even if he deserved the wrath of her family after his stunt that morning. 

        Lily laughed.  "Don't pretend you hated it, Rose." She wiggled her eyebrows.  "Being partnered with Scorpius can't be that bad—I mean, have you seen him?"

        Rose turned her nose up.  "I have, actually.  And now he's got a big, ugly rash to go with the rest of him."

        Her cousin rolled her eyes as they entered the Great Hall.  The Slytherins clocked Rose immediately.

        Raphael Kistler smirked from his seat next to Albus.  "Woah, woah, watch out, here comes Rose Weasley!"

        Virtra giggled across from him.  "Poor Malfoy was too slow!"

        Albus shook his head at his friends' antics.

        Lily, however, glared at them as the two girls passed them.  "Shut it, Raph, or Rose'll come over and strangle yo—"

        "Lily!" Rose hissed, yanking the younger girl onto the bench next to her.  "For the last time, I didn't strangle Malfoy!"

        "Sorry, Rose," Lily shrugged, turning her back on the laughing Slytherins.  "It was the first thing I could think to say."