Chapter 5: The Heart of Hogsmeade
The crisp air of Hogsmeade was filled with the tantalizing aromas of freshly baked pastries and hot drinks, creating an intoxicating blend that made rose 's stomach rumble with anticipation. She stood with scorpius outside the entrance to the village, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.
"Ready?" scorpius asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"More than ever," she replied, forcing a smile that masked her apprehension. They shared a determined glance, and with that, they stepped into the bustling streets, hand in hand.
As they wandered through the village, the atmosphere was electric. Students from all houses mixed freely, laughter and chatter echoing around them. rose noticed a few curious glances directed their way, but she pressed on, focusing on the joy of being with scorpius rather than the potential judgment of others.
Their first stop was Honeydukes, where they filled their bags with sweets, laughing as they sampled different flavors. scorpius tried a Fizzing Whizzbee and ended up with candy stuck to his nose.
"Charming look you've got there, Malfoy," rose teased, her laughter ringing out.
"Hey! It's all part of my plan to distract you," he joked back, swiping a finger across his nose and pretending to be serious.
After leaving the shop, they made their way to the Three Broomsticks, where Madam Rosmerta greeted them warmly. rose felt a flutter of nerves as she glanced around the crowded room, half-expecting disapproving stares. To her surprise, a few students waved and smiled, their expressions welcoming rather than hostile.
"Let's get a table by the window," scorpius suggested, guiding her through the throng. They settled into a cozy booth, the bustling atmosphere creating a sense of warmth and safety around them.
"Two Butterbeers, please!" scorpius called to Madam Rosmerta as she approached, and rose felt a sense of ease wash over her.
As they waited for their drinks, scorpius leaned in closer. "This isn't so bad, is it?"
"Not at all," she admitted, feeling her initial anxieties fade. "I think it's going well!"
They toasted with their Butterbeers, laughter bubbling between them as they shared stories of their families' quirks and their most embarrassing moments at Hogwarts. For the first time in a long while, rose felt completely free.
But as the afternoon wore on, rose noticed a group of Slytherins entering the pub. Her stomach twisted as she recognized some of them—students who had a reputation for being quick to judge and slow to accept change. Among them was a tall boy with dark hair, his sharp features and icy demeanor unmistakable.
"scorpius," she whispered, her heart racing. "Look over there."
scorpius turned to follow her gaze, his expression hardening. "Just ignore them. They're not worth your time."
"But what if they—"
"Hey! There's rose !" a voice called from across the room, interrupting her thought. It was Lisa, one of rose 's fellow Gryffindors. "Come join us!"
Relief washed over rose as she saw a few of her friends waving her over. She exchanged a glance with scorpius, who gave her a reassuring nod.
"Let's go!" rose said, standing up and pulling him along. They made their way to the Gryffindor table, where laughter and chatter filled the air.
"Look who decided to show up!" Grant exclaimed, grinning as he spotted them. "scorpius Malfoy and rose Granger-Weasley, together at last! Who would've thought?"
"Yeah, well, here we are!" scorpius shot back, his tone playful, though rose could sense the tension lingering.
As they settled in, rose felt the warmth of her friends surrounding her, providing a protective shield against the judgmental eyes of the Slytherins. They joked and shared stories, and for a moment, it felt like everything was perfect.
But then, the Slytherin group approached, led by the boy rose had noticed earlier. His name was Theo, and he had a knack for making others feel small.
"Look who it is," Theo said, his voice dripping with condescension. "The Gryffindor princess and the Slytherin traitor."
"Nice to see you too, Theo," scorpius replied coolly, his demeanor shifting.
"Are you really going to stand here with her?" Theo sneered, glancing at rose as if she were something unpleasant he'd stepped in. "Don't you have any pride left?"
"Pride?" scorpius said, crossing his arms. "You mean the kind that's based on bloodlines? I'm not interested, thanks."
rose felt a mix of anger and anxiety bubbling inside her. She could sense the tension rising, and it was as if the entire pub had gone silent, all eyes on them.
"Maybe you should remember who you're associating with," Theo continued, taking a step closer. "You're not exactly winning any popularity contests, Malfoy. Are you sure you want to ruin your reputation for her?"
"Reputation?" rose interjected, her voice steady despite the tremor in her heart. "You mean the same reputation that was built on prejudice and fear? I think we're better than that."
A few of the Gryffindors behind her cheered softly, lending her strength. scorpius's gaze met hers, and she saw a spark of admiration mixed with pride.
"Wow, look at you, rose ," scorpius said with a smirk. "Getting all feisty."
Theo rolled his eyes, and with a dismissive wave, he stepped back. "Enjoy your little moment, but just remember—people like you don't belong with people like him." He turned and walked away, his Slytherin friends following suit.
As the tension dissipated, rose felt a rush of adrenaline. She turned to scorpius, her heart racing. "I can't believe I just said that!"
"You were amazing," he replied, his voice filled with admiration. "I'm glad you stood up for yourself."
"Thanks," she said, still catching her breath. "But I hope I didn't make things worse."
"Not at all," scorpius said, reaching for her hand and squeezing it. "You just showed them that we're not afraid."
As the noise of the pub returned, rose realized how much courage it took to stand up against the past and embrace the present. With scorpius by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges came their way. Their relationship was more than just a defiance of their families' expectations—it was a statement of their own identities.
With a newfound determination, rose smiled at scorpius, feeling a surge of hope. Whatever happened next, they would face it together, hand in hand.