The Space Between
Chapter One.
Albus Potter was my best friend. I mean, sure he was my cousin and all that, but with such a large family you don't really spend much time with people outside the family, and you find yourself growing close to at least one of them. And for me, that one person was Albus.
I guess it was mostly because we were the same age. So when all our older cousins were going off to Hogwarts, we sort of stuck together. Sure we weren't the youngest ones in the family, but we were at that age where we thought we were older, more mature, and that hanging out with the youngest in the family was uncool and just not an option.
I was afraid that going to Hogwarts would ruin our friendship. I was scared he would find a bunch of new friends, and ditch me for them. I guess I underestimated him, because, yeah, he did make a bunch of friends, but he never did ditch me. I was always his best friend, and he was always my best friend, and I soon realized that nothing could ruin that.
We had been going to Hogwarts for five years, and this year was going to be our sixth. I couldn't wait, even though it was supposed to be a very hard, and important year for me. However I was a prefect, and top in practically every class. So I knew it shouldn't be a problem for me. I was excited, more than afraid of what the year would hold.
Albus and I said goodbye to our families at Platform 9 ¾ and got on the train, along with our many cousins. I can't even remember how many were in Hogwarts at that point, and at the same time some had already finished school, so it wasn't even all of us. Us Weasleys (and Potters, too I guess) are a rather large group, to say the least.
I was in a great mood, excited about going to be a sixth year, and having whole new responsibilities. Albus and I quickly ditched our cousins and were off to the prefects meeting that was always held on the train before arriving at Hogwarts (Albus and I were the sixth year Gryffindor prefects, obviously). But, of course, I had to see someone that had to go and kill my good mood.
"Hey, Weasley." He smirked at me as soon as I entered the compartment. Yup, that's right, Mr. Scorpius Malfoy himself.
"Piss off, Malfoy." I said immediately. It was just habit at that point.
Malfoy put his hand to his heart, pretending to be hurt by my words. "Why must you be so mean, Weasley, I was only trying to be polite. Besides, I just wanted to talk to Albus, here, seeing as I haven't seen him all summer"
"If you wanted to talk to Albus, then why did you say hello to me?" I snapped back at him.
He ignored that comment, and he and Albus proceeded to converse about god only knows what. Yup, that's right, Malfoy is friends with Albus. And, believe me, I know exactly what you're thinking. A Malfoy and a Potter? Friends? Impossible, bizarre, absurd, ludicrous, dare I say just down right crazy? Well yes, you would be right in thinking that, but, unfortunately, it was the truth. They were friends. Best friends, even. I didn't know why, or how, I just knew that that was the way it was.
And the funny thing was that their parents didn't seem to mind so much that they were friends. I mean, sure everyone was a little surprised, but I guess no one wanted to do anything about it. The war was over, and they (well my family, I'm not completely sure about the Malfoy's) didn't want their kids hating each other even though they themselves hated one another. The only thing they really cared about was not having to see each other. Sure the kids could hang out, but only if the parents had no association with each other. A bit funny, in my opinion.
But back to Scorpius Malfoy. Ugh. That's all there really is to say about him. I don't know what Albus sees in him, he's horrible! And for crying out loud, practically his whole family were Death Eaters! I know what you're thinking, I sound prejudice. But I'm not really, I just don't like the fact that his past, or his family's I should say, is filled with nothing but horrible, murdering people.
But I digress. I guess that really has nothing to do with Scorpius as a person, but still, being raised in that kind of family and environment has to have had some effect on the guy. Right?
After Malfoy walked away for a moment, Albus turned to me and said, "You know, Rose, it bugs me that after all these years you still can't seem to get along with Scorpius. I mean, would it kill you to give the guy a chance?"
I looked at him for a moment, as if questioning his sanity. "Yes, Al, I believe it would kill me."
He sighed, and was about to say something else when Malfoy came back over.
Finally the meeting started so the two guys had to stop talking. For once, I could barely pay attention. Usually I'm focused, and attentive, and I always pay attention, no problem. But that day, for some reason I just couldn't concentrate. Maybe it was because I was tired. Maybe because it was just boring. Or maybe it had something to do with the look Scorpius Malfoy was giving me.
He was sitting across from me, and he didn't seem to be paying any attention to the meeting either. He just kept staring at me, and smirking. I was just about ready to jump up and smack that stupid smirk right off the guys face. But what really bothered me was the fact that this was bothering me in the first place. Why did I care? I knew Malfoy was a jerk and was just trying to mess with me, but it still bugged me to no end.
Finally, the meeting ended, and almost as soon as it did Malfoy stood up and sauntered over to where Albus and I were. Before anyone could say anything, I glared at Malfoy, and asked, "What the hell was that all about?"
He continued to smirk, and he said, "I don't know what you're talking about, Weasley."
"Oh, I think you do, Malfoy." I muttered.
"Why does it bother you so much anyway?" He asked, obviously trying to keep the laughter out of his voice.
And it bugged me even more that he asked that. He'd gotten me. Why the hell did I even care at all? What did it matter. So I said, "Because!"
He snorted. "Very intelligent answer, Weasley."
"Guys!" Albus finally said, making both Malfoy and me turn our heads to look at my cousin. "Geez you both need to cool it, seriously."
"He started it." I said, sounding very much like a five year old. "And yes, I do realize how immature I just sounded, Malfoy, so I don't need you pointing it out to me." I added before he could open his mouth. He just laughed silently, making it obvious that that had been what he was going to say.
"Okay, we need to get you two away from each other." Albus said. "Scorpius, I'll talk to you later, okay?"
He nodded. "Sure, Albus." Then he added, "See you around, Rose, darling."
I practically screamed, "Do NOT call me-" But Albus just grabbed my hand and started dragging me away. I was fuming all the way to the compartment Albus forced me into.
"Why do you have to be so mean to him, Rose?" Albus asked, now looking annoyed with me. "He's one of my best friends. I really just wish you two could get along."
"Why don't you try asking him to be a little nicer to me, then things might be different." I said.
"But, Rose, face it. You're usually the one that starts it." I was ready to explode at him. Me? Starting it? He HAD to be kidding. "Like before, he just said hello, and you just told him to piss off."
"Did you hear the way he said it, though?" I pointed out.
"Oh, come on, Rosie, you know that's just the way he is. Hell, he even talks like that to me sometimes, and how long have we been friends?" He said.
"I just don't get why you're even friends with the guy in the first place." I muttered, half hoping he wouldn't hear me.
He tilted his head to the side slightly. "What do you mean?"
I sighed. I'd never honestly told Albus what I thought of Scorpius. I always respected their friendship, and kept my thoughts to myself. But since he asked, I just felt myself ready to spill out all my thought about the guy. "Well, he's a jerk. To me and to everyone else. He was a jerk to you when you guys first met too. And I mean, come on, Al, he's a Malfoy." I said as if that explained it all.
"What's that got to do with anything?" He asked seriously.
"Well, you know what his family is. My mum and dad hate them. Your mum and dad hate them. What else is there to say?" I said, exasperated.
He smiled lightly and said, "Did I ever tell you how Scorpius and I became friends?" I shook my head. "Well, you're right. He was a jerk to me when we first met. And I was a jerk to him. Everyone had warned me about the Malfoy family, and especially their son, and told me not to go making friends with him. And well, his family told him the same thing about me and you. And all our family, pretty much. So then one day we were talking... well more like just swapping insults, really, when he said something like, 'It's not like you actually know anything about me.' And so I said, 'I know you're a Malfoy, and that's all I need to know.'"
He paused for a minute, as if remembering. Then he shook his head and continued. "Well, then he said how he hated only being known as a Malfoy, and how he was automatically labeled 'evil.' He said that he wanted to be known for who he was, not for his name or his family. And then I realized I knew exactly how he felt."
I snorted. "How could you know exactly how he felt? You're far from having anyone thinking you're evil."
He nodded. "Yes. But think about it. I'm Harry Potter's son. I've always been treated differently. And sure, it's kind of like that for the rest of my siblings, and even you're family. But let's be honest. I look exactly like my dad, so it's always been at least a little different for me. I mean of course, I'm proud of who I'm related to and all that, but still it's like people expect something from me because of my family. And sometimes I just wish I could be know as my own person, not just as 'Harry Potter's son'."
I completely understood what Albus meant. It was always hard on him. I knew he wanted to make his own name in the world, and that he felt that he would only ever be known for his famous family. So it was finally starting to make sense to me how he and Scorpius had that in common, even if their stories were slightly different.
Albus continued. "So I told all that to Scorpius. And I guess we just kept talking about it. And we both agreed that we would each be our own person. No matter what it took. And well, I guess from that point on we just became really good friends."
As much as I hated to admit it, I was kind of feeling bad for judging Malfoy. And I knew he wasn't "evil" like everyone thought. But that still didn't mean I liked him as a person. Because he still was an arse to me at times.
I sighed and said to Albus, "Yeah, okay, I see what you mean. But still. Even if he doesn't deserve the reputation he has because of his name, he still can me a jerk at times."
"How so?" He said smirking. "Give me one good, solid, reason you think he's a jerk."
"Well..." I said, and I honestly had to think about it for moment. But then something came to me, "Well, you know his reputation with girls. It's disgusting!"
"Ah, so that's what this is about?" Albus said, laughing. "You don't like that he hangs out with other girls because, secretly, you love the guy. Oh, I should have seen this..."
"WHAT?!" I shrieked. "No WAY! Please, Al, I would never touch Scorpius Malfoy. Believe me." I muttered the last part.
"Come on, Rose. You're telling me you've never thought of him that way? Never? I mean, look at the guy, there's no denying it, he's good looking."
I stared at Albus for a moment, before saying warily, "Al, are you gay for Malfoy?"
"Pshh, no." He said. "Please, I've got a worse reputation with girls than he does."
I thought about it for a moment, then nodded in agreement. This happened to be true. As quickly as Malfoy could go from girlfriend to girlfriend, Albus was always worse. And I don't know if it's even fair to call them girlfriends... more like shagging buddies. Okay, okay that was a little harsh. But I have absolutely no reason to be nice to, or about, Malfoy.
"But, Rose, you never did answer my question." Albus pointed out.
I rolled my eyes. "And what question was that?"
"Have you ever thought of Scorpius as... you know..." he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Ew, gross!" I said. "And I did tell you, definitely no!"
"Okay, fine. I guess I just meant do you find him attractive?"
I thought about it, and decided that yes, I did. But was I going to admit that to Al? Well, he would know if I was lying, and I just never lie to Al in the first place. "Well, sure. I mean I'm not blind. I know a good looking guy when I see one." I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Thank you for your honesty." He said, and stood up.
"Wait, where are you going?" I asked.
"To talk to Scorpius." He said, and winked at me.
"Oh, come on, Al. You're not seriously going to tell him what I just said right? I mean... please don't!" I was begging. I never beg. What the hell? Why do I care if Scorpius knows I think he's good looking? He probably already knows he's gorgeous, I mean, half the female population at Hogwarts would most likely be with him in a heartbeat if he asked them. So what did it matter if he knew that one more person thought he was good looking? Oh I don't know anymore.
Albus chuckled "Relax, cuz, I'm just going to hang out with him. No biggie. Remember, he's my best friend, I haven't seen him all summer. So I thought it'd be nice and go hang out with him. Of course, you're welcome to join, I mean, since we both know you're harboring the desire to be with him and-"
"Oh, don't be crude, Al." I snapped. I'd had enough of his lip. "Fine, ditch me, go hang out with you're boyfriend, see if I care."
He just rolled his eyes. "Don't be dramatic, Rosie. Go hang out with Jackie. You'll be fine, I promise." And with that he left.
I sat there, alone in the compartment for a moment, thinking. About nothing, really. Just everything that Albus had said. Well, he didn't know what he was talking about. But I realized that maybe I should try being a little nicer to Scorpius. I mean, he was Albus' best friend. And Al was my best friend. So it would help if we could all get along. And I guess after everything Albus had told me about Scorpius, he didn't seem like such a bad guy. I mean, if he could just stop acting like a jerk to me, then I could stand to be in his presence.
I sighed, and realized I was still sitting by myself in the compartment. I decided I would take Al's advice and go find my best girl friend, Jackie. Maybe she would have some thoughts on the subject. Although why I suddenly gave a rats arse about Scorpius Malfoy, I still didn't know.
A/N: Okay so this is my first ever attempt at a Rose/Scorpius fic, but I've been reading a lot of them lately, and I've found I really do love them together. Okay, so please, since I'm not really sure if I'm doing the two justice, please review! And tell me what you think. Please be honest, but in a nice way. You know, constructive criticism. It would really help and I would really appreciate it!! Oh and just letting you know I am horrible at coming up with story titles, so I got the title for this from a song by Valencia. GREAT song you should all go look it up! Haha. Okay so thanks for reading guy!! Now, pretty please... REVIEW!!
