September passed excruciatingly slow for Scorpius. Not only were the classes a lot harder than they had ever been but now he was forced to see Rose flirting with Malcolm. Every time he saw her laugh or saw Malcolm brush back her hair he felt a sudden desire to hit something. Hard. And now it was the final weekend of September which also meant the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. This meant that Rose and Malcolm could finally go on their first official date closeted in Madam Puddifoot’s. What really annoyed Scorpius was that Rose had said that Madam Puddifoot’s was most likely the devil’s domain on earth. He was thinking about this for the millionth time while sitting in the library, which he happened to do a lot lately, when someone came and sat down beside him.
“Hey Scorpius.” The person said cheerily. He looked up and was surprised to find Ariadne sitting beside him with an expectant look on her pale face.
“Ummm…hey. What’s up?” He shut the book he was reading and turned his attention to her.
“Well the first Hogsmeade trip is this weekend and I think we should go together.”
“Like as a date? Because I thought we weren’t like that. I mean we’ve hung out and you’re really nice and all but...”
“You’re in love with Rose Weasley. Don’t look so shocked, everyone knows. Except Rose that is. Besides she’s going with Malcolm. I just thought that since neither of us can go with who we want to go with that it would be nice to go together.”
“You are aware that Albus isn’t seeing anyone right? There’s no reason you shouldn’t go with him.”
“You know why I can’t. I told you my secret.”
“And it’s not that big of a deal. Who cares that you’re actually a...”
She interrupted him swiftly, “Shhh, of course you don’t care. You’re a Malfoy, you understand. Albus is a Potter and he most definitely will not take it too well.”
“You’ll have to tell him eventually.”
She glared at him and changed the subject, “So Hogsmeade tomorrow. You’ll meet me in the Great Hall at 10 o’clock sharp. Don’t be late Malfoy.” She stood up and walked briskly away. Scorpius watched her leave and once she was out of the library he shook his head and reopened his book. Girls made absolutely no sense to him; Hogwarts really should have a class dedicated to how their twisted brains worked. As he was debating the merits of suggesting this class to Professor McGonagall he was joined once more by someone who didn’t greet him nearly as cheerfully as Ariadne did.
“Malfoy.” This time Scorpius wasn’t surprised to find Albus sitting beside him.
“Yes Potter? Can I help you with something?” He said sarcastically.
“How many times do I have to tell you to stay the hell away from Ariadne?” Albus hissed.
“For your information Potter she’s usually the one who seeks me out. I’ll be going to Hogsmeade with her tomorrow because she asked me too.”
“You’re not even interested in her!”
“You don’t know anything about me. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go find Rose, unless she’s with your scumbag friend.” He stood up and stormed away.
“He is not a scumbag!” Albus yelled after him. Scorpius grinned as he continued to walk away.
***
Rose had changed her outfit about ten times in the past half hour. She was extremely nervous about today and she wanted it to be perfect. Even though she and Malcolm had been going out for almost a month this was their first official date. Her roommates watched her tear apart her wardrobe in amusement until Meg took pity on her and picked up a pair of skinny jeans, a Holyhead Harpies t-shirt and a thick, white cable knit sweater and tossed them at Rose.
“Put those on then I’ll do something to your hair. It looks like a family of birds made a home in it this morning.” Meg said with a smile. Rose shot her a glare before quickly putting on the outfit. Meg proceeded to attack her hair with a variety of spells and potions and once she was finished Rose’s copper locks sat in perfect loose curls.
“Thank you so much Meg, if you ever need anything I’m your girl.” She hugged Meg and rushed out of the dorm and to the common room where she found Scorpius lounging in one of the big chairs by the fire, “Scorpius! Thank god you haven’t gone down yet.”
He looked up startled and Rose could have sworn that his pupils dilated when he saw her, “I’ve been waiting for you. Had to give you hell before your big date.” He smirked and Rose smacked him playfully on the head.
“Well how do I look? Meg picked out the outfit and did my hair. I’m not sure about the Harpies shirt though…I mean it was a gift from my Aunt but I support the Cannons like my dad and…”
“Orange would have clashed horribly with your hair Rosie. Meg made the right call. You’re really lucky that she doesn’t hate you.”
“Yeah she still won’t speak to Olivia. It’s mildly hilarious.” She had sat down in the chair next to him and curled her legs underneath her, “I can’t believe I’m actually going on my first date. I thought that James or Fred would have worked extremely hard to put an end to it. They haven’t even lectured Malcolm yet. They interrogated you on our first day, remember that?”
Scorpius had looked away from her and he remained silent. A wave of guilt passed over her before she realised that she shouldn’t be feeling guilty about going out with Malcolm, or about talking to Scorpius about it. It had been a month and Scorpius had shown absolutely no signs of jealousy or even any other emotion about it. She still had feelings for him but she had shoved them to the back in favour of letting feelings for Malcolm grow. And she did really like Malcolm. He was sweet and considerate and surprisingly truthful for a Slytherin. Besides, Scorpius was going to Hogsmeade with Ariadne today. He had told her last night after he had returned from the library. She had wondered why he was spending so much time there considering that for the past five years she had to drag him kicking and screaming to even get him through the doors. She liked to think that he just hated seeing her with Malcolm but every time that thought popped up she pushed it back down. It wasn’t fair to Malcolm or Scorpius that she was thinking like that. She hadn’t told anyone about her continued feelings for Scorpius, not even Albus who despised Scorpius more and more every day it seemed. Her thoughts were interrupted by Scorpius standing up abruptly.
“Ariadne told me I have to meet her at ten sharp or she’ll kill me. I should probably get going. Are you coming?”
Rose looked at her watch and then stood up too, “Scor it’s 9:58. There’s no way in hell you’ll get to the Entrance Hall before your time is up.”
Scorpius grinned, “Well we’ll have to run then won’t we?” He turned and began sprinting. Rose followed laughing. They made it to the Entrance Hall in record time but it was still well after ten. Ariadne was standing there tapping her foot impatiently and her eyes narrowed as she saw Scorpius.
“You’re late.” Scorpius walked over to her and began to explain while Rose watched amused.
“Hey Rose, over here!” She looked over and saw Malcolm standing with Albus closer to the doors. Tearing her gaze away from the hilarious sight that was Scorpius explaining to Ariadne she hurried over to join her boyfriend and cousin. Malcolm pulled her into a hug and she returned it although she pulled away a bit too quickly.
“Hey Al, who are you going to be going with?” She turned to Albus and tried to ignore the slightly hurt expression in Malcolm’s eyes.
“James and Fred. Uncle George is in Hogsmeade this weekend especially so he can see us so we’re going to see what new weapons of mass mayhem he’s created.” Albus grinned and Rose returned it.
“We’ll definitely have to stop by then.”
Just then Albus spotted James and Fred and went over to meet them leaving Rose alone with Malcolm.
“So should we get going?” Malcolm asked. Rose noticed that he was shifting uncomfortably and she chided herself for not acting more like the good girlfriend that she was. Scorpius had thrown her off this morning and it wasn’t fair to Malcolm for her to take it out on him.
“Yeah, let’s go.” She took his hand and beamed up at him. He returned her smile and his whole body relaxed as they began the walk to Hogsmeade.
***
Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes was always a zoo during Hogsmeade weekends but since word had gotten out that George Weasley was in town to unveil new inventions the store was so packed that it was inevitable that you would have to use force to get anywhere. Albus, James and Fred had fought their way through the crowd and were sitting comfortably in George’s office in the back.
“So boys,” started George, Fred and James narrowed their eyes at this. Fred began to speak but his father held up a hand and continued, “Until you’re out of school and married with kids I reserve the right to call you boy. As I was saying, what mischief have you caused so far at dear old Hogwarts?”
“They haven’t done anything yet Uncle George.” Albus laughed, “James is too busy trying to get a girl to look at him and Fred’s girlfriend usually won’t let him out of her sight. Speaking of, how on earth did you manage to come here with us?”
“She thinks Hogsmeade is lame.” Fred mumbled as Albus, James and George laughed.
“I have to say I’m disappointed in the pair of you. Six years of almost constant owls detailing your exploits and you’re been distracted by girls? Fred and I always had plenty of time for pranks in between being swooned over by every girl in Hogwarts.” George said with a grin.
“We were going to do something huge but there’s this competition and McGonagall said that we could get expelled if we disrupt it.” James pleaded.
“Do you know how many times Fred and I were threatened with expulsion? And did that stop us?” Fred and James shook their heads and George continued, “I’ve heard that Rose has a new boyfriend. Why are you not giving him hell?”
“He’s Albus’s friend and Rose doesn’t even like him!” Fred exclaimed, “It’s so obvious to everyone that she’s dating him to get Scorpius jealous.”
“Then why aren’t you making Scorpius’s life hell?”
“Because he’s the Gryffindor champion and we can’t injure him.”
“I’d like to injure him.” Albus muttered under his breath. The other three turned to him with alarmed looks on their faces, “He’s dating my ex. And for your information Rose is not dating Malcolm just to make Scorpius jealous.” He stood up abruptly and made to leave, “It was nice seeing you Uncle George.” Without acknowledging his brother and cousin he stormed out and battled his way through the throngs of people in the shop. He only stopped when he had made it to the street where he leaned against the building and caught his breath.
“Hey Al,” Someone had come up to him and he got a strong feeling of déjà vu, “Are you alright? You look like hell.” He looked up and wasn’t surprised to see Ariadne.
“You know what Ari I’m really getting sick of this act. How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t give a fuck about your stupid last name? How many times do I have to tell you that all I care about it you and that I want to be with you?” He had grabbed her shoulders and was looking into her eyes, “I love you Ari. Why isn’t that enough for you?” Tears were welling in her eyes and Albus’s heart broke. The one thing he hated more that Scorpius was seeing Ariadne cry.
“It is enough for me Al. You’ll just never forgive me when you find out and I can’t love you because you hating me will hurt too much.”
“I could never hate you.” He said softly.
“Yes, you can and you will.”
Albus looked at her and then realised that she didn’t come to Hogsmeade alone, “Where’s Scorpius?” He asked, abruptly changing the topic.
Ariadne’s eyes widened in surprise as she answered, “He took one look at Rose and Malcolm and bolted back to the castle. He doesn’t want to pretend anymore.”
“Pretend? What has he been pretending?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He is so in love with Rose, it’s tearing him apart to see her with Malcolm. He’s been pretending that it doesn’t bother him.”
“So he’s been using you to make Rose jealous? That’s not fair to you Ari, why would you let him...”
Ariadne cut Albus off, “He’s not using me. We’re friends. He can understand me better than anyone. I can trust him with my secret.”
“Why him? Why not me?”
“He’s a Malfoy.” With that she turned and joined a group of Slytherins who were heading back to the castle, leaving Albus staring after her and pondering what her words could have possibly meant. What did it matter that Scorpius was a Malfoy?
***
Rose and Malcolm were sitting in the Three Broomsticks with hot mugs of Butterbeer in front of them not saying a word. Rose’s brain was going at one hundred miles per hour as she tried to figure out what the hell had happened. She and Malcolm had gone to all the usual stores and things had been normal enough. He was easy to talk to and she enjoyed his company but she found herself missing Scorpius far more than was appropriate. She had glimpsed him briefly in Honeydukes, looking like he had just been hit by a train. Malcolm had just finished feeding her a chocoball and she was trying to swallow it. As she was almost choking at the time she figured that she had imagined the hurt expression on his face as he turned and walked out of the store. She hadn’t seen him since and she had also become a lot more quiet which she could tell was annoying Malcolm. He had marched into the Three Broomsticks without making sure that she was following him and slumped into this booth. Since then he hadn’t spoken a word to her or even looked at her. Rose was about to say something to him when Albus appeared at their table.
“We have to talk Rose. Do you mind, Malcolm?” Albus looked at Rose the entire time and she was alarmed by how emotionless his green eyes were.
“Yeah whatever man, I’m going back to the castle.” Malcolm said gruffly as he slid out of the booth and headed for the door without acknowledging Rose at all. She glared at the back of his head as he retreated and once he was gone she turned to Albus who had taken Malcolm’s seat across from her.
“Are you alright Al?” she asked quietly, trying to mask the anger she was currently feeling towards Malcolm.
“Rose do you still have feelings for Scorpius?” Albus was looking directly at her with the same blank expression that he had been wearing since he walked in. Rose was taken aback by his question and it took her a few minutes to formulate a response.
“I ummm…I mean he’s my best friend and I’m dating Malcolm and…”
“Rosie he loves you.” Albus’s expression had softened and he reached across the table to grab her hands, “And you love him. So if you’re dating Malcolm to make him jealous it’s worked. Ari told me that he ran when he saw you two together today. And obviously Malcolm has noticed that something is wrong.”
“Scorpius and me…I couldn’t risk it Al. What if we break-up and I lose him? I can’t lose him.” she pleaded.
“You’re already losing him. Ari also said that he’s done with pretending.”
“Al, I just can’t. I’ll break-up with Malcolm, if he doesn’t do it first, but Scorpius is going to remain my friend. He can’t know that I feel this way. Maybe if I break-up with Malcolm it will be easier for him.”
“Maybe, but Rose you should tell him.”
“I’m not going to tell him. Come on; let’s go back to the castle. Today has been a complete fiasco.” Leaving some sickles on the table to pay for their drinks Rose stood up and gathered her things. Albus stayed sitting until she gave him a pointed look that said she would leave without him if he didn’t hurry up. He scrambled out of his seat and followed Rose out of the pub and up to the school. Neither of them spoke because their minds were reeling with what had happened. Albus was still puzzling over Ariadne’s behaviour and why she would trust Scorpius but not him. Rose was trying to figure out how to break up with Malcolm in the nicest possible way and how she was going to explain it to Scorpius. They reached the castle and were surprised to find Scorpius and Malcolm standing on the marble staircase having a heated argument. Rose dropped her things and ran to them.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Drooling over my girlfriend when you’re supposed to be her best friend. You’re a coward and an ass Scorpius Malfoy.” Malcolm yelled as Rose reached the pair of them.
“And who the hell do you think you are? Abandoning her in Hogsmeade for no good reason. That definitely makes you boyfriend of the year. Do you even care about her at all?” Scorpius yelled back. Rose had to make a split second decision and she knew that this was the moment that she had to hurt one of them. She turned to Scorpius and placed her hands on his chest.
“Scor, please let me handle this.” she said softly. He looked down at her, his grey eyes widening in surprise as she turned to Malcolm, “Malcolm I do not appreciate you treating my friends like that. And you do not treat me like that either. We’re done. Please leave.” Malcolm glared at her and suddenly turned and stalked down the stairs to where Albus was watching. He said a few words to Albus and headed off towards the Slytherin common room. Albus looked up at Rose and Scorpius who were watching him before hurrying after Malcolm. Scorpius turned to Rose.
“Rose I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me, I…”
“It’s okay,” she interrupted, “Let’s go talk somewhere a bit more private.” She took his hand and led him up the stairs. He followed, trying to mask the smile that was threatening to give him away. Rose led him to an abandoned classroom by Gryffindor Tower where she dropped his hand and went to sit on the desk
“My mother once attacked my father with birds in here,” she said nonchalantly, “She told me to look for it. She wanted to know if there were still marks on the door. There are.”
Scorpius tore his gaze from Rose and looked at the door where there were indeed gashes in the wood. He looked back at Rose who was looking pointedly at her knees, “Rose, back there I don’t know what came over me. He had just come storming in without you and he saw me and…you didn’t have to break up with him.” He had walked to her and placed his hands on the desk on either side of her. She looked up and their faces were so close that it would take almost no effort for his lips to reach hers.
“Of course I did Scor. Things weren’t working out.” She leaned back slightly on the desk so that they weren’t so close together.
“I’m sorry. But you should know that I…”
She placed her finger on his lips and shook her head slightly, “Please don’t Scorpius. I need us to go back to normal. I need us to be friends.”
Scorpius turned away from her and her heart began to ache, “Okay Rose. Whatever suits you.” He proceeded to walk out the door, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
A/N- Well what do you think? Please don't hate Rose too much, her craziness will be explained very soon. And I know Ariadne is a random character but I will be giving her a bit more focus very soon- including a companion one-shot that will explain a bit of her background once her big secret is revealed. Please R&R!!!
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