(p.s. not a long chapter so take ur time x)

third person pov

' your lips, my lips
apocalypse '

The power Rose Black held was no secret amongst the students of Hogwarts and the members of the sacred twenty or truthfully anyone in close enough proximity to witness her esteemed capabilities.

When Rose was five her grandmother had sent her into a fit of anger, unsuspectingly resulting in the entire kitchen at their French manor being set on fire without the Black heir lifting a finger. Although there were signs before then suggesting Rose held too much power for a young child, that was the first true moment Walburga Black realized just how powerful her granddaughter was.

The lessons began immediately, Walburga had experience with powerful children from dealing with her son, Regulus Black. But Rose was on a whole new level, something the woman could have never prepared for.

When Rose was brought to Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore immediately took interest in her, already aware of the talent he had seen written on the front page of the prophet from the many accomplishments Walburga had forced her to gain. The headmaster suggested private lessons to Walburga who immediately agreed, even if the woman never like Dumbledore, no one could deny how strong he was and he could turn Rose into the most powerful witch to exist.

And Rose saw nothing out of the ordinary when she was a first year training with her headmaster until she begged to stop each lesson, because from the moment she had set that kitchen in fire at five-Rose Black was turned into a weapon.

Her brain was above average as well, something sharper than the dagger she carried. Academics were important to Walburga and Orion, both dedicating their time to make her hold more knowledge than anyone her age could bear. This wasn't unusual when being the heir from a elite family, all the boys had dealt with such pressure to be a smart as possible.

It worked in some ways, Theo and Draco and Whitman were all the smartest boys Rose had ever encountered, stretching far beyond their own parent's intellect. Blaise was an odd one to pinpoint though, he was intelligent with no denial but never cared to apply himself nor did he deal with the pressure all of his friends had received from their families because Miss Zabini could care less about rules.

Rose's pressure was different in many forms, Walburga more adamant than Orion or anyone on teaching her everything years ahead. It led to the Black heir often being looked at oddly for the bored expression wore when a professor spoke, but that wasn't her fault-she was listening.

There were often rumors surrounding Rose's place at top of every class she took, people claiming her family paid for tutors or she had cheated her way to the top.

Though that was not what was most often said.

It was simple whispers about the unfair nature of her knowing 'everything' and how she could never understand how much others struggled to get excellent scores because of how easy each piece of knowledge and skill came to her without trying.

But she did understand how hard others struggled to do well in school.

Rose tried, she tried really hard.

And nothing, nothing ever came easy.

Everything Rose wanted and did had a price attached to it. Whether that be her sleep or health or stability and so on, she payed for each one.

She was relentless in becoming Walburga's version of perfect.

Classes had ended for the day, the sun setting outside casted a warm bluish hue through the black lake and into the long arched windows of the shared dormitory between Rose and the boys.

Blaise and Theo were off at the quidditch field, the latter being dumb enough to agree to help Blaise practice before tryouts for the one open chaser position. Theo, Draco, and Rose had all joined last year with much debate from the other houses in disbelief.

Draco refused to help for obvious reasons, Blaise was bound to not listen to instructions which would make the whole ordeal a long process and the blonde lose his temper. So he took to nestling deep under multiple blankets, sleeping peacefully after drugging himself into a afternoon nap with potions and his curtains closed.

Thankfully Rose had casted a silencing charm as Nirvana blared loudly through the record player by one of the windows, despite the urge to ruin Draco's sleep she knew how rare it was for him.

Rose sat on her bed as well but fully awake with curtains drawn as the large mattress stayed littered with parchment and textbooks. She was leaned over with her hair lazily thrown up as she crossed out the incorrect information on the pages of a transfiguration textbook. This was a ritual of hers at the beginning of every school year, marking out the wrong info and then turning around to revise it all.

Hermione attested the routine, claiming to question the curriculum was absurd.

Rose called her ignorant and told her best friend trusting the people in authority to want them to reach their full potential was what is absurd.

Whitman walked through the dormitory door, eyebrows raising at the loud music blaring inside the room. He knew what it meant, Rose was attempting to find silence in her mind. Once he had walked in on her listening to literal screamo while attempting meditate, when questioned Rose simply told him 'It silences my mind'. He couldn't help but laugh in amusement that something so chaotic with enough power to make one's ears bleed could be her version of peace. Although this time, the mellow melody of a Nirvana song made him realize she was doing homework instead of meditation.

He glanced at Theo and Blaise's empty beds, remembering where the two had went off to before looking over at Draco's beside Rose's with the curtains closed. Whitman picked up in the pieces of the puzzle as he saw Rose's curtains drawn as well with a spare piece of parchment that had fell in between the two beds.

He walked over to the window, not taking the time to admire the water sloshing against it from the creatures below, simply reaching out to the beige record player and turning it down before heading to Rose.

Whitman brushed past her curtains, a smile working onto his cheeks at the suspecting snap of him turning down the music never coming-Rose too wrapped up in her work.

He adjusted the curtains back to how they were, knowing she needed privacy from the light shinning in the room for her sanity.

"Love, how long have you been like this?" He questioned while looking around at the mess of parchment and books on the bed.

Rose grunted in response, hearing him shuffle some of the books and parchment away to clear space as he kicked his shoes off.

"Why don't you take a break?"

"Breaks are for the weak and feeble minded" Rose mumbled, flipping another page of the textbook before angrily crossing out words like a rapid moving animal.

Whitman laughed lightly, crashing down onto the bed and resting his back against the headboard as he kicked his feet up. "Take a break Ro"

Her head snapped toward him with a blank stare, "Do I look like I need a break?!"

Whitman looked her up and down, the mess of curls atop her head and wide eyes showing him it had been hours. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Oh fuck off" Rose rolled her eyes while turning away, "Greatness is nothing without true attempt"

"All of Theo's philosophy books are messing with your head" He laughed once more, adjusting an arm behind his head as she started to mark out words again. He leaned up slightly to notice how tightly she was clutching the quill, angrily scribbling.

Oh, she was mad about something.

"Penny for you thoughts, Ro?"

Rose groaned, squeezing her quill so tight it snapped before she frustratedly turned her entire body to him.

Whitman eyebrows raised in amusement once more at her anger directed toward the silky comforter that twisted with her body movements, "Go on love. Tell me who poked the bear today"

Her lips twitched as she adjusted her knees under herself, throwing her hands up. "I'm so-I'm so flustered!"

The arm under his head flexed as he shifted to wave her closer, "Hm...in a good way or a bad way?"

Rose looked down at her hand, finding ink smeared at the bottom-a constant result from being left handed. "Stupid fucking ink"

Whitman pushed her hand down, "Hey, you're fine Ro. Come here"

She huffed before throwing herself at him, inciting a grunt out of Whitman from the force before his hand latched onto of her thigh and pulled her into a straddling position as he sat up-wrapping his arms around her body as her own went around his neck.

"I don't know what to do Whit" she mumbled against his neck.

Whitman was patient as always and hugging him was warm, comforting in a way that felt like the term safety and home.

"When your ready-" he soothed her hair down, "Tell me what's going on in that pretty little head"

"Me and Theo almost kissed. Twice"

He stilled, taking in a rush of air that made Rose pulled her face out of his neck and look at him questiongly.

"Are you alright?"

Whitman swallowed before smiling, "Of course-just wasn't what I was suspecting"

She didn't pay any mind to his look, continuing to ramble as her hands rested on the sides of his neck. "Do I just say screw it all and kiss him? I want to! But I'm terrified to do so"

Whitman cut off her rambling, his hands dropping onto her hips and squeezing there. "Theo he loves you as you do him and I beg you to see that. Letting those voices take control isn't what should be happening because you should-you should be with someone like him" he finished quietly.

Rose shook her head, "That's not even the worst of it all though, what if he doesn't want to kiss me back?"

Whitman brought a hand up off her hip, sliding it onto her cheek to make her focus on him. "I can't think of one soul who wouldn't want to kiss a girl like you"

Her breath hitched quietly before she whispered with cheekiness, tugging on the roots of his hair. "You know I don't take compliments well"

"Give me another sixteen years and maybe you'll be comfortable with them by then" He taunted by lifting his face towards hers before noticing that was not the only thing on her mind, "Something else is bothering you, love"

Rose nodded slowly, inching her hips closer to his own to keep her voice quiet even with the silencing charm. "I'm scared to like...kiss him, you know? I've only ever kissed Draco and we were children then" she shook her head again, "What if I'm awful at it?"

Whitman waited for her to take a deep breath, running his hands down her thighs soothingly in a way that sent chills down her spine.

"Everyone has to get their first kiss out of the way, you just have to simply do it"

"But I don't want to just be kissed" Rose murmured, her eyes involuntarily falling onto his lips. "I want to really, really be kissed. Like how I read about in my books, I want someone to kiss me good enough to where I forget my sense of self"

Whitman murmured back as he studied her eyes, "I could always be your test run and get you ready for-" he had to take a pause, "For the real thing"

"I'd like that"

His lips parted, "Wait-you're being serious?"

"Yeah Whit, I mean I have to the urge to do it right now" Rose bit her lip in concentration as she looked down at the hands he subconsciously tightened around her thighs, "With the way you're touching and looking at me. Yeah, why wouldn't we?"

Whitman stared at her intently as she placed her thumb on his bottom lip with curious eyes, unable to find his speech as he lifted himself up and let their chest brush.

"Can you show me?" Rose breathed, dragging her thumb across his lip. "I trust you"

Whitman's breath caught in his throat, only able to think of one word as he looked into Rose's eyes, his hands around her thighs pulling her impossibly closer. "Yes"

She weaved her fingers into his hair, feeling her body warm from their proximity.

Whitman took a few moments before speaking, "If I were him I'd brush your hair back-" he lifted hand off her thigh, brushing her hair off her right shoulder. He grasped her chin after and tilted it up before his lips attached to Rose's jaw, making her breath hitch loudly. "I'd kiss you here-" he mumbled as his hand slid onto the side of her neck and his lips trailed down the other side, nipping slightly in a way that made her gasp at the sensation. "And I wouldn't stop-" he tilted her head back and his hand around her thigh moved upward while his lips trailed onto her collarbones.

Rose pulled roughly on his hair, not anything or anyone else in her mind but him with eyes screwed shut. "My god, Whit"

Whitman kissed up her throat, forcing Rose to bite her lip to conceal any noise.

As he reached her jaw once more, he pulled her thrown back head up, letting their half lidded eyes connect and noses brush.

"I wouldn't stop-" His voice hoarser than before and he wore a unfamiliar look of intensity as he placed his thumb on her bottom lip and pulled it out from between her teeth before mumbling against her lips. "Until you were begging me to kiss you"

"Please" Rose breathed heavily, the urge too much for her to handle. "Kiss me"

Whitman nipped at her bottom lip with a whisper, "Say it again"

"Please kiss me" She groaned quietly.

His fingers dug into her cheek before pressing their lips together softly, restraining himself in every way possible as she melted against him.

Whitman pulled away and dropped his forehead against her own with a ragged breath as Rose grasped both sides of his face.

Her fingers traced over his cheekbones as they shared a look, communicating words with their eyes.

Immediately after they rushed back into each other with hunger this time, meeting halfway with lips crashing down.

Whitman copied her actions, grasping onto both sides of her face as she lifted up slightly to kiss him deeper and he pressed his head up.

His tongue slid across her bottom lip, forcing her back down onto his hips-making Rose let out a sound of pleasure that gave him the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth.

And then, Whitman snapped.

He dropped a hand back onto her thigh before flipping them over, his lips never leaving her own as he laid her down onto the bed.

Rose arched her back up to keep their contact as her hands tugged on his hair, Whitman's fingers digging into her skin as they trailed from her knee down and down.

People kissed all the time, but Rose was convinced it was rarity to be kissed like this-with such rawness and passion. Whitman made every kiss in the pages of her books and on the screens of a television seem trivial.

The door of the dorm clicked open, the loud sound of it being slammed against the wall after with quidditch gear being carried.

Whitman willed himself to pull away, both their cheeks red and lips swollen as he hovered a inch above.

They shared a form of intense eye contact with pupils blown as his fingers dug into her hip before simultaneous smiles broke out and Whitman dropped his forehead back onto her own-rolling it around slightly.

Rose went to kiss him again, still not back on planet earth with the realization of Theo and Blaise were entering the dorm but the sound of Blaise yelling made her hesitate.

"Help! Theodore Nott has killed me!"

"Stop being a ninny and go ice your leg Blaise or so help me Salazar I'll take Ro's dagger and stab you"

Whitman swallowed as his smile dropped, brushing the hair off her face before he began to sit up, moving out from between her legs.

The curtains ripped open, Theo adorning a exhausted smirk with full qudditch robes and gear still on. "There's my people"

Rose cleared her throat and smiled up at him, "You smell awful"

"Oh? I didn't know you wanted a hug" Theo stated before crashing down top of her body, making Rose yelp and try to turn her face away at his stench.

"Teddy! You're all sweaty!"

Theo hummed, wiping his face off on her shirt. "Mhmmm...don't you love it?"

"No!" Rose yelped again as he moved his face up to hover over her own, rapidly turning her face away to escape the sweat. "Teddy no!"

Theo chuckled deeply before beginning to kiss her cheeks and forehead, Rose giggling as she weakly tried to shove him away.

The Nott boy gasped her hips to pin her down as he lifted his head up only for a moment with a serious look, "Accept your fate baby"

Rose giggled again before squealing as his sweat face and lips started kissing all over her forehead. She glanced over at Whitman who began to stand with a smile as she gave in, letting Theo keep kissing her temple.

' Thank you ' She mouthed.

Whitman nodded with a thick swallow, turning his gaze away but was stopped by Theo lifting up to question him.

"Where are you going? I need quality time with two people"

"I uh-" Whitman started before stopping.

"Someone get me some ice before I die!" Blaise yelled from across the room.

"I'm going to go get Blaise ice" Whitman blinked before quickly disappearing.

Theo gave Rose a weird look before grinning, "Odd boy"

"I know but not odder than you" Rose giggled before kissing his sweaty nose, groaning after with fake disgust.

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A/N: LOLOLOL seems like an unimportant chapter but I HAVE MY REASONS.....you're all just going to have trust me with this rewrite okay? a big part of understanding it will be remembering events and taking note of minor actions and details to get hidden messages

-missed u guys even if it was a day

-saw a alexa demie edit today and all i can think about is the mistake i made not using her because holy shit she has rose energy so hard

-didn't want to make this a long chapter because I felt like it would take away from what occurred

-i have no words except im jaw dropped

-side note...theo and rose are the most precious thing in the world

all of us after that scene:

xx

thank u for 200k reads u all are the best to ever ever exist mwah