Chapter 4

                                    

                                          
          
                          
Scorpius had told Rose to meet him at Madam Piddifoot's Tea Shop at three in the afternoon. He had arrived a half hour early, and secured a seat toward the back. The place was so small, and all the tables were so close together. Scorpius had only ever seen the outside of the shop, and didn't realize how tacky and frilly it was on the inside.
                          
The table was a round light wood, covered in doilies, lacy napkins, and two pink placemats, each with with white and pink plates and teacups, in-between them a ghastly pink sugar bowl. The walls were pink, and there were framed photos of cats, and other girly looking decorum. Scorpius was instantly embarrassed to be sitting in the shop by himself. 
                          
Madam Puddifoot squeezed herself between several tables to greet him. "Hello dear, what can I get you?"
                          
"If you don't mind," Scorpius said, "I'm waiting for a girl. I'd like to wait to order until she arrives."
                          
Madam Puddifoot gave a sly smile. "Not to worry dear boy, I'll come back over when she's here. But if you change your mind, don't hesitate to find me."
                          
"Thank you," Scorpius said.
                          
Scorpius felt his nerves pulsate through his body, becoming more nervous every moment. Time seemed to crawl by at an unfair pace. 
                          
He glanced around and saw half a dozen couples at the various tables. Two of the couples were making out, and the other four seemed to be having quite a time. One of the couples, two Gryffindor's, shot him nasty looks. He scowled back at them, straightening himself in his seat. The two of them looked away and started laughing with each other, occasionally shooting awkward glances at him, obviously hoping he wouldn't notice they were talking about him.
                          
This made Scorpius even more uncomfortable than he already was. He checked the time. It was ten to three. 
                          
When he looked up, he saw her. Rose opened the door, and a little chiming bell went off to signify her entrance. She scanned the room and gave one of her heart-melting smiles as she strode over toward him. He couldn't believe that she was here for him. 
                          
"Hiya," she said, plopping down in the chair opposite him. She looked around the shop and said, "I've never been in here before. It's..." She raised her eyebrows. "It's interesting."
                          
"I'd never been in here before either," Scorpius replied. He noticed the two Gryffindors looking shocked to see him sitting with Rose. He felt a triumphant warmth cascade down his body. He felt proud to be sitting here with the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. 
                          
Madam Puddifoot shoved her way through some tables and hovered over their table. "Ah, there's the lovely lass," she said. "What can I get you two lovebirds?"
                          
Scorpius and Rose both looked at each other, blushing. They each ordered a cup of tea, and Madam Puddifoot was quick to retrieve them.
                          
There was an awkward silence as they slowly sipped their tea. Finally, Scorpius broke the silence. "You look beautiful, Rose," he said boldly. 
                          
She blushed, and began to twirl a strand of her long red hair. "Thanks Scorpius," she said shyly. "I'm still kind of in shock to be here... with you." She smiled, "but I'm happy." She paused and added, "I'm sorry."
                          
"Sorry for what?" Scorpius asked.
                          
"I'm sorry for all the years I brushed you off... and when I rejected you in our fourth year, when you asked me out. I guess I've had a very narrow-minded view on things for a long while. I don't think I ever saw you for you. I saw you as a Malfoy, and I guess I've been raised to be suspect of the Malfoy family." She quickly added, "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to insult your family."
                          
"It's okay," Scorpius said. "I get it. Death Eaters and all that. Just because I'm in Slytherin doesn't mean I'm evil or something."
                          
"Of course not," Rose said. "If I thought you were evil I wouldn't be here with you, now would I? I guess I was also just caught up in what other people thought of me. But even if we do end up dating, I'm still on the Quidditch team, I'm still getting top marks, and I have friends... I don't think it would change much."
                          
Scorpius took a moment to think about this. Would it be difficult for Rose if they were together? He'd thought about it before, but never in a serious way, because he never thought he had ever had a real chance. He noticed that most of the couples in the room were staring at them.
                          
"Rose," he said. "It's okay. Really. Can we just, you know, start over?"
                          
"I'd like that," Rose said. 
                          
"So, with that said, do you want to get out of this place? The atmosphere is a bit... pink."
                          
Rose grinned. "I would love that."
                          
They both rose from their seats, and Scorpius plopped a few sickles down on the table for their tea. 
                          
Scorpius opened the door for Rose, sounding that chiming bell, and they walked out onto the High Street.