AN: This is a continuation from Cursed Child onward that will explore Scorose from Rose's POV and other similar themes. I think there's some interesting parallels between the two.

The first thing Rose Granger-Weasley heard was her alarm clock. She slammed the snooze button, and sat up. After a second, she turned it off, grabbed her clothes, and hopped into the showers. Only alone in that cubicle did she allow herself her secret smile.

Al and Scorpius are back! They're not lost anymore! Unconsciously, she let her grin grow wider as she finished washing her hair out. She didn't sing in the shower except at home because she was sure her voice was horrendous. But she felt so happy, she could have, if she didn't have her extremely tight self-control.

She turned off the water, ran a comb through her hair, and then got dressed. She had to make sure she looked absolutely perfect- as usual. Her camisole and shirt were tucked into her skirt, her tie hung straight, and her robes were even, her socks all the way to her knees. She'd polished her shoes the night before, so that was one less thing to worry about. Finally, a little makeup application and she grabbed her school bag before heading downstairs with Polly and Demetria.

Rose sat down across the table from Yann Fredericks, the favorite Beater of Gryffindor House. She knew he liked her- and she wanted to like him back, but couldn't. Every time those dark blue eyes seemed to flutter at her, she could only think of a moon-gray pair, and she wanted to swoon at his voice- but she felt nothing. He was the sort of boy she should fall for- but she couldn't.

"Quidditch practice today, eh, Rosie?" Yann said with a grin. "I bet you'll be looking good out on the field."

"I plan on it," Rose replied, a confident, graceful smirk on her face. She grabbed some fruit from a bowl in the center and a few strips of bacon. "Got to keep my figure."

"Your figure is nice enough as is," Yann said.

"You're sweet," Rose laughed. Her eyes caught on Scorpius and Al as they walked into the other end of the hallway. That smile, that-

"Rose?"

She blinked. Polly elbowed her sharply in the ribs.

"Earth to Rosie?" Yann asked.

"Sorry, I must've dazed out for a moment," Rose said. "What was it, Yann?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade this weekend," Yann said. "Maybe look at the new Nimbus at Quality Quidditch."

"I'm sorry, I can't," Rose lied immediately. "I have to study."

"Give it a rest," Yann said. "You study every weekend. Surely you can take a break every once in a while?"

"O.W.L.s are next year, Fredericks," Rose said. "I can't afford to slip up now. Mother says my education is most important."

"Your mother isn't here!" Yann laughed.

"That might be so, but I won't disobey the Minister of Magic," Rose said firmly. "Would you?"

"No," Yann admitted.

"We need to kidnap you for a night of fun sometime," Polly said. "It's tragic, how your mother never lets you live."

"I'll have plenty of time when I have a high-paying Ministry job," Rose assured her.

"But that's years and years away!" Polly complained. "I worry about you."

"Don't, I'm fine," Rose said with a casual wave of her hand.

As soon as she entered the Potions classroom that morning, Scorpius stood up immediately.

"Rose, exactly who I wanted to see," he said, those moon-gray eyes and that adorable smile beaming at her. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to Hogsmeade with me?"

Rose's heart pounded against her chest, time seemed to slow. All eyes were on her. She could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. Say something you idiot.

"No, Breadhead," she stammered, and she rushed past him to her seat in the front. She opened her Potions textbook and set up her cauldron. She let her red hair spill all around her, hiding her face from others' view like a curtain.

Polly sat down next to her. "I can't believe that dork asked you out!"

All Rose could do was mod.

"He's the son of the Dark Lord, and he thinks he can be with the daughter of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger," Polly continued. "He's out of his bloody mind!"

Rose didn't move or say a thing. Her heart pounded against her chest again. She wasn't sure what it was she felt towards Scorpius. It was warm and fuzzy-but it made her feel so weak. Like she was walking on the edge of a cliff and could fall at any moment. She didn't want to speak poorly of him, but she couldn't afford to sacrifice her kingdom for him.

"Besides, as if you'd want him when you could have Yann!" Polly said, rolling her eyes.

"Polly!"

"You have to know that the boy is in love!" Polly said. "Yann is so sweet on you!"

Rose weakly smiled, and looked over her Potions notes.

"You really should say yes sometime, take a risk," Polly said. "You're a Gryffindor- we're supposed to be reckless and rebellious- your mum and dad were! They'd surely understand if you went on one little day with a nice boy like Yann."

"I'll think about it," Rose promised.

As she walked down the hallway, on her way to Quidditch practice, she saw Al and Scorpius talking in the hallway. The words came to her, almost as if someone had whispered them in her head.

"Hello, Scorpion King," Rose said, the words tumbling out of her mouth.

The look on his face almost made it worth it. He was so beautiful. . .

Before she knew what had happened, she leaned in and had kissed him on the cheek. When she realized what she'd done, she pulled away. She faltered, barely managing to make herself smile coolly like she'd trained herself to as he put his hand over his cheek, his eyes wide with joy.

She walked away, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.

She'd just given her kingdom away.