Sparks of Fyre (a Scorose FanFiction)

Chapter Nineteen (Rose)

The Fat Lady's cackles only contributed to Rose's despair. She gazed a hole in the floor as she wracked her brain for a way to wriggle out of the grave she'd dug herself.

Rose only had a few options. 1) She could discard the sweater immediately by setting it alight or something else along those drastic lines. However, it was Scorpius Malfoy's Quidditch jumper, and even though he should be smart enough to have more than one, Rose didn't want to be the reason he froze to death in the middle of a match. So option number one was in the bin.

2) She could waltz in flaunting the rival house's colours, pretending that she'd developed colour blindness in the last three hours and just pray that no one noticed. But if there was anything Rose knew about her housemates... they'd notice.

With option number two less than feasible, Rose sighed and pulled the oversized sweater over her head.

She cast a glare at the Fat Lady. "One word about this to anyone and I'll tell McGonagall about your one night off a year rule."

The Fat Lady scoffed as she eyed Rose stuffing the green sweater up the front of her own zip-up jumper. She didn't say a word, however. Instead, she swung open without asking for the password and Rose knew she'd won that argument.

She clambered through the portrait hole, ignoring the mutters from the painting as it closed behind her. In an ideal world, she'd be able to escape to her dorm with no distractions but, as to be expected, her family was gathered around the fireplace.

Roxanne was seated on the couch and she had just burst out laughing at something her brother said. Fred was grinning proudly next to her, while James shook his head in disappointment on Fred's other side. Rose's little brother was seated on the floor with his head tilted up to the armchair, talking quietly with Lily who occupied it. Hannah was snuggled in the last armchair across the table, reading a book.

James was the first to notice Rose. He cheered when she ducked from the potrait hole. "Rose! There you ar—"

James stopped mid sentence. One by one the group followed, falling silent. All eyes were on the redheaded witch who had just made her appearance. Rose squirmed under their gaze.

"Rose..." James muttered now, gobsmacked. His eyes were trained on her stomach.

Fred's mouth was agape. "Rose, are you pregnant?!"

Lily's eyebrows hit her hairline. "Well, that was quick."

A loud gag sounded from Hugo.

Rose brought her hands to her stomach, hiding it from view. "What are you lot talking about?" She laughed nervously.

James pointed his shaking hand at her belly.

Roxanne looked slightly sick. "What do you think we're talking about?"

Before Rose could do anything, Lily lurched from the armchair and hurtled towards her. Rose panicked. She darted for the girls' dormitory stairs, but only made it up two steps before Lily reached her.

The young witch launched herself onto Rose's back and the two girls embarked on a rather strange wrestling match. Rose was trying to keep Lily's hands away from the zipper of her jumper.

Lily was sneaky, however, and managed to grab a hold of it.

Rose's heart stopped. "Lily, no!"