Under The Veil (Next Generation Harry Potter FF #1)

6 {Late Night Quidditch Practice}

IT WAS AFTER dinner, and Rose and Scorpius were found sitting on a stone window sill near the Gryffindor tower. The two were sitting quietly next to each other, both watching the last of the sun disappear behind the Forbidden forest. Eloise was in detention currently for snipping at Professor Deirdre. Albus had fallen asleep early. 

That Saturday night, Rose was headed out of the Great Hall with Alice and James. As she walked up the stairs she kept thinking about what she would be doing that night. The obvious answer was working on homework and then going to bed, but the thought of going to bed scared her. There was this fizzing feeling inside of her that she couldn't get rid of. It had been there ever since the night of the library break-in. The conversation of Ravana and the Department of mysteries hung in her mind, baffled at the thought it had anything to do with her. 

It was too insane, too coincidental for it all to be true. But the more Rose thought about it the more she seemed to think this was the only explanation for the sightings. 

There was only one question. Why now?

Instead of going to the tower, Rose told Alice and James to continue without her. That she wanted some fresh air and some time alone to think. With some convincing that she was okay, Alice and James finally went through the portrait and left Rose alone. Rose was being truthful, but what Rose craved more than fresh air was to see the human figure again. She wanted to find it, to follow it at any cost, and see if she truly had anything to worry about with the Veil. Yet, she had not seen anything since Hagrid's class.

So she sat there on the window sill, staring at the Forbidden forest for any sign of movement. There seemed to be something moving along the trees when a familiar Slytherin had made his appearance.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Scorpius chuckled, as Rose jumped from his sudden hello. He looked out of the window to where Rose was gazing and frowned. "What are you doing here alone?"

"What are you doing near the Gryffindor Tower?" Rose asked, ignoring his question. 

"Had to visit the Owlery. Mind if I sit with you?" Rose seemed reluctant to agree but nodded her head and Scorpius took a place next to the ginger-haired girl. "Trying to find the figure again?"

Rose ignored his question and continued to look out towards the forest, trying to see if the movement within the trees was anything. 

"Rose what would you do if you saw something?" Scorpius leaned in trying to get her attention, but she continued looking at the forest. "Would you try and get us? Or would you go by yourself?"

Rose absentmindedly picked at her nails but said nothing

Scorpius sighed, "Rose we said we'd be there with you. To make sure nothing bad happens. We have no idea what you are dealing with. We have no idea what will happen if you get too close-"

"You can't always be there for me."

"Only because you won't allow it," Scorpius said, and Rose felt her chest get tighter. "Look at you right now. Eloise and Albus are unavailable and you didn't expect to see me tonight. You are purposely looking for trouble alone."

"I just..." her voice caught in her throat, "I need to see it again... I need answers. I look for the mysterious figure when you are all there but... you can't stop me from looking when you're not there." 

Scorpius nodded softly, "I understand you want to know what's going on. Just... try not to put yourself in danger." Rose kept quiet, determined to keep her eyes out the window. "I wouldn't mind sitting here with you every night. You know, to keep you company."