For the Quidditch League

Holyhead Harpies, Chaser 1

1-(poem) Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day (Sonnet 18 - Shakespeare)

7- (word) quicksand

13- (poem) 100,000 Pennies (Sheldon Allan Silverstein)

Also for:

Monthly Drabble-a-thon: Teddy Lupin

Elemental Song Challenge: Fire: Burn it all with your frozen heart, Darling. -Phi, "Knife of Romance"

Off the Block Competition: Backstroke Easy

Divergent Challenge: Amity: "The opinions of others cannot damage you."

Collect a Collection: Next-Gen: Rose Weasley, prompt Lonely

"Hey, Rosie," Teddy said to me, on that day. It was at a wedding, and that person was getting married. It was nice of him to come and talk to me. I was completely alone.

I was always alone these days. It was so funny, my being alone, because in my Hogwarts days, I was never alone. Everything I always did was done with the self-conscious thought that someone would be watching, and I would never be alone. Being the daughter of Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, two thirds of the Golden Trio who Saved the Wizarding World meant you were never alone.

But here I was, at a wedding, surrounded by people, completely alone.

"You doing ok?" Teddy sat down beside me, handing me a glass of champagne. He twirled his own in his fingers, staring at it.

He was such a sweet thing. Victoire was lucky. They really deserved the happiness they had found in each other.

Teddy wasn't alone. I was.

"I'm fine, Teddy. I'm having fun. How's Victoire?" I asked, making a half-hearted attempt to cover up my misery. He was going to see through it anyways.

"You aren't fine, Rosie. C'mon. Tell me what's wrong," he said, nudging my shoulder. "You know, I'm a great listener. Having a wife like Victoire teaches you a few things," he joked, grinning.

I sighed, touching the scar on my cheek. I had earned it when I was a baby, when my family was attacked by former Death Eaters. My mother and father had managed to get us out of the burning house before it came crashing down on our heads, but I was in the room that the spell hit, and the burns I had gotten that evening had scarred me forever. Dark magic always left it's mark. "It's just...I spent my entire life doing things for other people. I made each decision based on the effects it would have on others, and I put everyone else's happiness before mine. I felt like because I was imperfect on the outside, I had to be perfect within. I could never make a mistake and could never get angry and was never made trouble for anyone. And then I met him, and we became friends, and for once I felt beautiful with him. I felt like I could do the things I wanted, and I didn't have to constantly think of others for once. When he asked me out, I was so happy, Teddy, that I felt like the richest girl in the world. And then that ended, and now I have all of this love for him, and nothing to spend it on because he has to marry another girl." I was crying by this point. All I could think of was that day.

We had been dating for four months, and I was so happy. The two of us would sit in our common room, cuddled together on our couch, discussing everything from our classes to our futures to our impending graduation. Talk had died down about us finally getting together (honestly, I didn't mind the comments about us taking long enough), and he had met Hugo, who approved. Even Albus, the third member of our little trio, had seen it coming and tactfully allowed us privacy. Our relationship didn't get in the way of us competing with each other over grades, and our private moments in the Head chambers were nice. We could be alone to be with each other and get to know each other, without constantly being watched by other Ravenclaws.

Life was perfect.

But then that day came, and my heart broke. It had started out so well. He and I went to Hogsmeade, enjoyed the spring weather and the sun on our faces. We walked along the streets, laughing and goofing off. He bought me chocolate, and I splashed him with water in a puddle. We saw friends and went off by ourselves, and everything seemed perfect until his owl alighted on his shoulder with a hoot.

That letter shattered our happiness forever. I had to watch as his face dropped and he slowly handed it to me.

"Dear Son,

I tolerated your friendship with Ms. Weasley but I will not tolerate these accounts of your new relationship with her. I first and foremost am extremely disappointed you did not ask my permission first, for I would have wished to hear it from you instead of another. However, I also must tell you I disapprove of your relationship entirely.

Rosalind Weasley is an intelligent girl, yes, but she takes too much after her mother to be a suitable wife for you. You need a wife who will be able to entertain your guests and impress them with her work around the home, not in an office. Rosalind would not be suited to that lifestyle. She is too headstrong, too opinionated, and will not follow your orders. While I am sure your relationship has been refreshing and entertaining, you must end it now. You will be graduating in a few weeks and will be learning to take over the family business and manage things. You are my successor, son, and I will not have your life ruined by the insolent girl you find yourself infatuated with.

Not only is she not suited for you, but the betrothal arrangements have been made. You are to begin courting Sarah Zabini immediately. She will be a perfect candidate for the position of your wife.

Failure to comply with my orders will result in your disownment. I trust you will make the right decision.

Your father"

I finished recounting the day to Teddy. He sat in silence for a moment, drinking his champagne slowly.

"You really memorized that entire letter? Rosie, it's been, what, five years now? I knew the breakup was bad, but... you need to get over him, Rose. He's not worth all this." He placed a hand on my shoulder, his hair turning a dark, dull grey.

"I know, Teddy, but recently... I got the invitation and then the Ministry wants me to work on his case. You know his father is being sued? Well, I had to interview him and just seeing him again, I..." I couldn't hold it together anymore; tears began to stream down my face.

"Oh, Rosie... You still love him that much?" I could only nod in reply.

We sat there in silence for a moment.

"It's like quicksand, Ted." My voice was hollow from my little crying jag, and I stared at the horizon without seeing it. "The more I try to free myself from the situation, the more I get sucked in. I tried to be civil, I tried to distance myself, and I just kept getting hurt. It kept getting awkward, and I would find myself in these situations and I would just feel like I was worthless. I kept remembering everything his father said about me. I just... sometimes, it's hard not to think he's right. I am too headstrong, and disobedient, and I can't keep from sharing my opinions in a discussion. I can't just sit their mindlessly and smile if I don't agree. I'm not right for him, it's true, and I think that's why it hurts so much. I'm getting pulled in deeper because of my want for him, but I'm struggling against it because I know his father is right; I'm not right for him."

"Don't I get a say in what's right for me?" said a voice from behind me.

And there he was. That man. I felt movement from behind me and I knew Teddy was walking away. He knew better than to be here with me. I needed to speak with him alone.

"Scorpius."

"Rose."

"Congratulations on your-"

"Won't you please sit-"

We both stopped, blushing. It was so awkward to speak to him now... I wished for the old days again, the days when we were happy and in love, when we could speak for hours about nothing and never run out of anything to say.

Finally I decided to just ask him.

"Why, Scorpius?"

He was silent for a moment. "'Why', what?"

"Why do you still drag me on like this? You act so charming, you flirt with me, you act like you want me, and then you get married to her and invite me to the wedding!"

"It's fake, Rose. My relationship with Sarah is fake. The only reason the wedding actually happened is because our fathers pushed it to happen before this whole lawsuit blows up in their faces. They're trying to put as much of the assets into our joint account so that it isn't there when they audit their company. But it's too late. They put a freeze on everything tonight. Neither my dad nor Mr. Zabini can access the accounts, and once this lawsuit is over they'll be ruined. And Sarah and I will be free."

I shook my head, dazed. Audits? Assets? What? I was confused at what was happening, and then I remembered the papers the minister had handed me that morning. The Malfoy Mansion was being appraised and they were launching the investigation. The lawsuit was going to be much more than just a suing case. I'd been handed stacks of paper going back to Abraxas Malfoy. That family company had been started in the blackmarket and had never left it.

"What does this have to do with your marriage to Sarah? I don't understand what you're trying to tell me, Scorpius," I said. I was sick of it all; I had to get away. "I don't even know if I want to understand. I need to go." I tried to push past him.

"Rosie-"

"I'll see you in court tomorrow, Scorpius," I said, and started to leave, but his hand shot out and he grabbed my wrist.

"Don't go. Please."

There was something in his voice, something that made me turn around and look at him.

"Sarah didn't want to marry me just as much as I didn't want to marry you. We don't love each other, but neither of us could get out of the engagement without getting disowned by our parents. But we've both been saving money, and we have some things that can't be touched by the Ministry. As soon as the party ends, we're signing the annulment papers. It's going to be over, Rose. There's nothing my father can do about it. He doesn't get a say in who I love anymore. I wish he never had anyway. I wish I had treated you right and just been disowned..."

"I wouldn't have let you, Scorpius. Your father was right about me; I'm not good for you. I wouldn't have made a good wife for you. Sarah's prettier, and quieter, and she knows how the upper class works. I'm too loud, too forceful, too course. I'm not right for you," I said, looking down, not making eye contact.

"Rosalind Weasley," Scorpius said, sliding his hand up to my shoulder and lifting my chin with the other so that we made eye contact. "You may not be the prettiest or quietest of most knowledgable girl of the caste system, but none of that matters to me. You're smart and kind and helpful, and you're strong and independent, and you are perfect for me. I don't care what my father says, because he is wrong. I love you and that's all that matters. Nothing more. Our love is stronger than anything, and I want nothing more than to be with you again. You're lovelier than the sun and the moon and the stars combined, and you always will be, because I love you and you love me."

Before I could argue, he leaned down and kissed me, and I couldn't help but smile as my arms wrapped around his neck and his hands tangled themselves in my hair.

Life was perfect again.