Rose Weasley and the Sneaking Slytherin

Rose Weasley and the Sneaking Slytherin

"The Challenge"

"These Muggles have got the right idea, you know? Laying out on the beach, enjoying the sun, no homework. And wearing shorts in March? I could get used to this."

The seventh years had chosen Las Palmas as their vacation spot, where they found a small Wizarding community. Day one of their trip was shaping up to be incredible. The local fare was absolutely decadent, the beaches were divine, and the blokes were getting an eyeful of the locals.

"Not a proper robe in sight, mates," Finnigan drooled. "Where's Creevey when you need him?"

Rose and her roommates had found a nice shop, where they bought very colorful robes for the trip home. Rose had to buy a swimming costume as well, as she had forgotten to pack one. Actually, Rose wondered, I can't remember the last time I even needed one. Stupid, rainy London.

The locals seemed to be enjoying the tourism as well. Herds of students, Galleons jingling in their pockets, wandering around slack-jawed. Professor Sprout, the Hufflepuff sponsor, had to guide several of her students away from a street vendor who seemed most unappealing in her opinion.

As they were staying in a Wizarding community, they had the opportunity to fly as well. Albus had taken this news to mean that the Quidditch team should have daily exercises.

"Nothing formal or exhausting," he justified over the groans of his teammates. "Just a few laps along the beach every day for agility. Plus, I though we could try a few Muggle sports, just for fun. And to keep us on our toes," he finished lamely, when his cousin's suspicious eyes turned on him.

"Muggle sports?" Patil piped up. "What kind of sport?"

"Well, from what I understand, they play something called voyel-ball, and it is especially fun on the beach."

"Volleyball, Al. Don't you ever listen?" Rose teased. She was indeed in better spirits since the sun was now warming shoulders.

"Right, whatever. Well, let me just conjure a net so I can show you the basics."

After near an hour of explanations, corrections, confusion and one magnificent bruise over Henry Bell's left eye, they seemed ready to play.

"Alright, so everyone's got it?" His teammates nodded their heads. "Well, let's split up into teams... well, three on four won't work. We really need more people."

"Oi, you lot looking for a challenge?"

The Gryffindors turned to see the Slytherin Quidditch team loitering nearby. Their captain, Scorpius Malfoy, was smirking at Al, trying to bait him.

"It seems like you all might need more practice losing to us, that's all."

The Slytherins chortled behind their leader. Al took a deep breath and said, "Give me a minute to talk to my team, Malfoy."

The team joined together on the opposite side of the net from their would-be opponents.

"All right, team, what will it be? According to my dad and my uncle, the animosity between houses used to be palpable, especially between Slytherin and Gryffindor. Now, I know times have changed that quite a bit - it certainly seems less violent, if half the stories I've heard are true - but there is still a healthy level of competition. So who is in? Who wants to sweep the sand up with these snakes?"

The lions roared as they turned toward the challenger.

"Sure thing, Malfoy. Did you lot want a quick tutorial?" The Gryffindors behind Al sniggered under their breath watching the Slytherins bristle. All except Scorpius, who always seemed calm and ready.

"No thanks, Potter, I don't think we need any help from you...or yours." He leered at Rose in her swimming costume, who blushed deeply.

"Right then," the red head said boldly, turning to her teammates, "let's stomp these snakes."

~*~

The evenings were so cool and peaceful on this island that Rose thought she would never be able to leave. Well, peaceful down here on the shore, away from the noise and the drinking. Of course Finnigan would be the first to discover where to find Firewhiskey. It would serve him right to fall off his broom during exercises tomorrow morning.

Rose enjoyed a party as much as anyone else, but she often preferred a quiet, cozy place to collect her thoughts. She leaned against the pier, looking out to where it ended in the ocean. The salty sea air was drifting through her copper curls lazily, and the breeze was as intoxicating as any Butterbeer.

I rather enjoy that beach volleyball game, she mused, especially when the Slytherins get their arses handed to them. Scorpius is all right, of course, but most on his team have gravity over agility. As her thoughts turned to Scorpius, she glanced around to be sure she was alone. Once she felt safe, she threw her body back and flopped into the sand.

Why does that ridiculous, cocky git have to be everywhere? The last thing I need right now is to have my thoughts filled with a stupid boy. I have exams coming up, for Merlin's sake! And dad would absolutely kill me if he knew. I'd be in a Body-Bind until menopause!

Rose lay there feeling the tide tickle her toes as she stretched on the beach in the bright, summery robe she bought in town. She closed her eyes and surrendered to her girlish fantasies. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice the company approaching until the sand beside her shifted. When she opened her eyes, she gasped to find Scorpius sitting next to her, clutching his knees to his chest and staring out over the water.

"What an amazing view. I don't get to enjoy the scenery much at home." He glanced at her pointedly. "You know what I mean?"

She sat up very quickly, spraying sand into Malfoy's lap. She was visibly flustered, and annoyed that, as always, he seemed perfectly at peace.

"Well, if you don't mind, the "scenery" is leaving!"

As she started to leave, Scorpius reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"No, don't leave on my account. Stay a while. Aren't you enjoying the view?" he asked, while the smirk grew across his face.

"Just how can you be so unabashed after the way you leered at me yesterday? That was absolutely inappropriate! And in front of our teams!" Rose fumbled in the sand, trying to gain her arm back, but his grip was steady and his smirk never faltered.

"Rosetta, you know that no one saw that but you. You aren't angry at me because of the way I look at you." He pulled her back down to where she was inches from him. "You're angry because you can't get what you want."

Her struggling slowed. Why did he have to use my nickname at a time like this? The intensity of his eyes changed, and his voice softened as he said, "Why can't you have what you want, Weasley?"

Rose felt a sudden and frightening certainty that he was planning to kiss her. What kind of world have I stumbled into this year? Nothing makes sense! How did I get here? Oh, shut up, Rosie, you know exactly what happened...

RW and the SS Chapter 01 4