Sparks of Fyre (a Scorose FanFiction)

Chapter Twelve (Rose)

         Neville Longbottom was not best pleased.  In fact, Rose had never seen him so worked up in her life.  She stood in front of the Herbology Professor that next afternoon at the beginning of the class, with Malfoy by her side. 

          The dark haired man was yet to speak.  He had stared at the two pupils in silence for the past minute, watching the redhead squirm under his gaze. 

          He sighed.  "I knew allowing you two to be partners was a terrible decision..."

          Rose said nothing.  She had received an earful from her mother that morning in the form of a sternly worded letter and, although her father's only input had been a post scriptum at the bottom of the page highlighting the hilarity he had found in Malfoy's unfortunate situation, she knew the adults in her life were disappointed that she had been involved in the scandal.  As if McGonagall's lecture hadn't been enough!  She couldn't handle letting down her favourite teacher as well...

          "I'm afraid I can't let you retake the assessment," Longbottom said. 

          Rose's heart sank.  She hadn't expected anything different, but to hear the words really unsettled her stomach.  She had actually failed something, for the first time in her life. 

          "It wasn't Rose's fault, sir," Malfoy spoke up.  Much akin to his initial attitude in the Headmistress' Office, he stood next to Rose with his hands in his pockets.  "She's already been punished by Professor McGonagall, can't she at least retake it herself?"

          Rose looked at Malfoy in shock.  She knew they were supposed to be sort-of-friends now but she hadn't expected him to stick up for her... he had done far less than that the previous day, after all.

          Professor Longbottom glanced at the Slytherin.  "I am well aware of whose fault it was, as is Professor McGonagall.  However, this was a paired task and as all the other students have completed the assignment then I'm afraid I mustn't waste anymore time and move on with the syllabus.  I'm sorry, guys, but that's the way it has to be.  Now, take your seats please."

          Rose walked to her seat without a word.  She hoped that all the drama surrounding the incident would be over after that conversation; she wasn't sure how much more disappointment she could take.  And while she was upset about not being allowed to re-sit the assignment... she still couldn't quite wrap her head around Malfoy asking for her.

          She glanced at him sitting across from her in his usual seat.  He didn't look particularly bothered as he shrugged in her direction.  "If you're going to tell me that this is all my fault then don't waste your breath.  Trust me, the message is clear by now."

          "I wasn't, actually," Rose whispered back with her usual Malfoy-reserved attitude.  "But now that you've mentioned it..."

          The Slytherin boy smirked.  He didn't get a chance to respond before Professor Longbottom called for the class' attention and Rose's every living cell was focused on the teacher. 

          She was on her best behaviour during the lesson, raising her hand for every question and listening with diligence.  But while Rose scribbled down almost every word the Professor spoke, Malfoy leaned back in his chair with an unwavering look of utter boredom. 

          For not the first time, Rose had to wonder if their "friendship" would work.  They were so different, in so many ways... she just couldn't see a middle ground where they would learn to tolerate the others' antics.

          Rose shook those thoughts from her head and returned to her work.  It hadn't even been a day since they decided to try and get along and already she was worrying about whether it would work or not?  She had to get a grip.  The world wasn't going to end if she and Malfoy couldn't be friends.