Chapter 4: Shadows of the Past
The weeks following their outing to Hogsmeade were filled with laughter, whispered secrets, and moments stolen between classes. rose and scorpius became inseparable, finding time to study, joke, and simply enjoy each other's company. But as their relationship deepened, so did the weight of their families' legacies.
One evening, rose and scorpius found themselves in the common room, tucked into a cozy corner near the fireplace, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence. rose was sprawled out on a plush armchair, and scorpius sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by scattered parchments and books. They were working on their Potions essay when a sudden voice interrupted their bubble.
"rose ! What's going on here?" Grant Potter stood in front of them, arms crossed, his expression a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
"Uh, we're just studying," rose replied, trying to sound casual while a blush crept up her cheeks.
"Studying? It looks like you're getting cozy with Malfoy," Grant shot back, raising an eyebrow.
"Come on, Al," scorpius interjected, a slight edge to his voice. "We're just friends working on a project."
"Friends, right," Grant said, his tone dripping with skepticism. "You do know what your families are like, don't you? I just don't want you getting hurt."
rose shot a warning look at Grant. "I can handle myself, thank you. scorpius isn't like that."
"Really? Because it seems like you're both playing with fire," Grant replied, his concern evident.
Before rose could respond, scorpius stood up, an annoyed expression crossing his face. "What do you expect me to do, Al? Turn my back on her because of our parents' history? I'm not my father."
"Maybe you should remind yourself of that," Grant retorted, his voice rising. "It's not just your family's name that's at stake, it's rose 's too."
"Grant!" rose exclaimed, her frustration boiling over. "This is my decision, and I want to be with scorpius. You don't have to worry about me."
The tension in the air was palpable as the two boys stared each other down, their rivalry igniting old family animosities. rose felt caught in the middle, torn between her friendship with Grant and her growing feelings for scorpius.
"Look, I get it. You're protective of her," scorpius said, attempting to diffuse the situation. "But rose is her own person, and she should be able to make her own choices."
Grant huffed, his arms still crossed. "Just remember, if this goes south, it's not just you two who'll suffer. There are a lot of eyes on you."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Al," rose snapped, feeling a mixture of irritation and embarrassment.
As Grant turned to leave, rose called out, "Grant, wait! You don't understand—"
But he was already gone, leaving behind an uncomfortable silence. rose slumped back into her chair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. scorpius sat back down, his expression conflicted.
"Sorry about that," he said softly, his eyes searching hers. "I didn't mean to cause any drama."
"It's not your fault," rose replied, trying to quell her frustration. "Al just… he worries too much. He doesn't see that we're not our parents."
"I get it," scorpius said, leaning back against the chair opposite her. "It's hard for him to separate us from our families' histories. I mean, my dad still talks about how he wants me to carry on the Malfoy name in a way that restores our family's reputation."
"What do you want?" rose asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"I want to be myself," scorpius admitted, his voice earnest. "I want to make my own choices, but it feels like there's a shadow following me everywhere I go. And now, with us…"
"We'll figure it out," she reassured him, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "We just need to stay true to ourselves."
Just then, the portrait hole swung open, and in walked several Gryffindor students, laughing and chatting. rose felt the moment dissipate as the room filled with energy again, but scorpius's gaze lingered on her, his expression thoughtful.
"I'll talk to Al," he said finally. "He has a point, but I don't want him to think I'm a threat to you."
rose nodded, grateful for his willingness to understand. "Thanks, scorpius. I just wish it didn't have to be so complicated."
"Me too," he replied, his voice gentle. "But we're stronger than they think. We can rewrite the narrative."
The following days were fraught with tension as rumors began to swirl around the school about the budding relationship between rose Granger-Weasley and scorpius Malfoy. Whispers filled the hallways, and students exchanged glances, some with admiration and others with disdain.
One afternoon in Herbology, rose found herself sitting beside scorpius, their previous conversations hanging over them like an unspoken promise. Professor Longbottom was demonstrating how to care for the Mandrakes, but rose 's mind was elsewhere.
"Do you think everyone is talking about us?" she asked quietly, glancing around the classroom where several students were stealing furtive looks.
"Probably," scorpius replied with a resigned sigh. "But it doesn't matter. We know what's real between us."
As the lesson progressed, rose couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on her. It felt as if every whisper and smirk was aimed at her, and despite scorpius's reassurance, the anxiety crept back in.
After class, they walked together in silence, the tension palpable. Finally, scorpius broke the quiet. "We should make a stand. Maybe we should go to Hogsmeade again this weekend, together."
rose hesitated. "Do you think that would help? What if it just makes things worse?"
"Or it could show everyone that we're not afraid," he suggested, a spark of determination in his eyes. "We're just two people who happen to like each other, despite our families."
She took a deep breath, weighing her options. "You're right. If we let them control us, then we'll never have a chance to be ourselves."
With newfound resolve, they agreed to make their relationship public at Hogsmeade. rose felt a rush of excitement and fear as they stepped into the unknown, ready to confront the world together.
As the weekend approached, she found herself replaying Grant's warnings in her mind. The stakes felt higher than ever, but in the back of her heart, she knew that some risks were worth taking. With scorpius by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Their journey of love was just beginning, and she was determined to forge a new path, one that was uniquely theirs.