Chapter Two

She was consciously avoiding Scorpius Malfoy, her closest friend. She was actively doing something she had never done, something she had sworn to never do since they became friends. She mentally cursed herself as she glanced at the letters she was currently writing. She needed help, Merlin she needed help.

Mum,

I'm scared. Don't tell Dad, you know how much he worries. But for the first time in years, I'm truly afraid of becoming a monster, of being seen as a monster. I don't know what to do, how to control it. It has been so long since I've truly felt this kind of fear, and I don't know how to handle it. I know I don't need to worry about the physical transformation. However, my moods have been sharper. My temper is becoming shorter. I don't know what to do any more Mum. Sketching and classes only help me so much. I nearly attacked a student when I woke this morning. What if I hadn't been able to control myself? What if I had given into the predator's instincts and allowed the beast the hunt she's desperately craving from me. Mum, I feel like that scared little girl who had just been bitten and was frightened she would hurt her brother and cousins. What do I do?

Rose

She folded the letter to mother, setting it aside and focusing on her next letter to her other best friend who also happened to be her older cousin James.

James,

I miss you. When are you going to take a break from your Auror training and come visit your favorite cousin? I could really use some time in your haughty presence to take my mind off the stress of everything. Write back, do well in your training.

Rose

She folded the letter to James and set it atop of her mother's , closing her eyes she inhaled a breath knowing she would need strength for the next letter she was about to write.

Uncle Bill,

I need help. I don't understand why it's becoming harder to control the beast. She wants out, wishes to run, to hunt, and I can hardly control these urges anymore. I don't understand what to do. I'm afraid I'll hurt someone, that I'll hurt Al, Hugo, Lily, Roxy, Dom, Louis any of them. I'm having a mental break down and no one sees it, no one sees how hard I'm struggling to stay whole. Earlier this morning, when I woke, I nearly attacked another student. It was pure luck that I was able to reel the beast back before she took over completely. She wants to taste blood, wants to hunt and I don't know how much longer I can fight it. I need help Uncle Bill.

Rose

She inhaled a breath as she folded that letter as well before pushing out of her seat she had taken in the library and gathering her two other letters. She hadn't thought anyone would come looking for her, especially her cousin.

"You're avoiding Scorpius," Albus Potter stated. It wasn't a question, merely an observation he made.

"No I am not," Rose tried to argue, only for Albus to shake his head, already seeing through her lies. He fell into step beside her, deciding it would be better to walk with her than have this conversation in the open for anyone else to hear.

"Yes, yes you are. In potions, you decided to partner with Alice rather than Scorpius like you always do. You weren't at breakfast. You weren't at lunch. You are either avoiding the Brood, or you are solely avoiding Scorpius. And since you are walking with me, talking to me, my suspicions are confirmed. You are avoiding Scorpius for some unknown reason," Albus listed, watching his favorite cousin from the corner of his eye. She wasn't tense, but she wasn't exactly relaxed either.

"I'm not avoiding him. I wasn't hungry this morning and decided to do some studying. Alice needed help with her potion's assignment. I wasn't hungry for lunch either, plus I needed to write a few letters I've been neglecting for the last week. Mum isn't too happy with me and I believe she's barely restrained herself from sending me a howler," Rose's excuses were plausible, but they were also very thin, and Albus could see that.

"Rose, you're my cousin. We were born three weeks apart, and we have this connection the other's don't understand. You're not telling me the truth, but you aren't lying to me either. I respect you, I'll give you space. When you're ready to talk, when you need someone to talk to cancel out that noise in your head, you know where to find me," Albus stated as he stepped in front of her, forcing her stop so he could wrap his arms around her thin shoulders and hug her tightly to his chest.

"Thank you Al," Rose mumbled, hugging her cousin back tightly. He stepped back, nodding once before going back down the corridor, hands shoved deeply into his pockets as he moved at a lazy pace, not bothered in the slightest.

He was caught at the end of the corridor as he rounded a corner out of sight from his cousin. His best friend, Scorpius Malfoy, was waiting for him.

"She's avoiding me," he didn't bother to ask, he knew from her actions. Al only shrugged his shoulders, his carefree expression slipping from his face.

"She won't outright say it. But yeah, she's avoiding you mate. What did you do to annoy Rose?" Albus questioned, falling into step beside the Malfoy heir. Scorpius didn't answer right away, his hands shoved deep in his pockets and his storm colored eyes trained on the stone floor of the corridor they were walking down.

"Scorpius?" Albus pressed, emerald green eyes narrowing as his friend continued to avoid eye contact.

"I don't know Albus. I honestly don't know what I did to infuriate your cousin," Scorpius finally snapped, his temper flaring from his frustration of the situation he was in. Albus sighed, shaking his head at the sign of his friend's temper.

"Calm down Malfoy. I'm sure whatever is wrong will blow over in a few days. Just give Rose some space and I'm sure everything will go back to the way it was. Scorpius could only nod, breathing an agitated huff of air at the thought of not speaking to Rose.

Rose sat in between Alice Longbottom and her brother during dinner, at the opposite end of the table she usually sat at to avoid Scorpius. She hated the feeling that settled in the pit of her stomach, but she just couldn't face him at the moment. She pushed the food on her plate around, not truly eating something, a sign that didn't go unnoticed by her brother who nudged her arm with his elbow.

"What's wrong Rose?" Hugo questioned, concern lacing his tone and his eyebrows drawn together. Rose glanced at her brother, not truly seeing him for a moment until she shook her head. Her unfocused gaze coming back.

"I'm sorry, what?" she mumbled, after blinking a few times to see her brother's worried cerulean blue eyes on her.

"Something's bothering you Rosie, what is it?' Hugo demanded, her childhood nickname slipping from his lips. Rose sighed, her lips parting before she shook her head.

"Rose, owl post," Alice murmured, watching as the familiar dark owl dropped three letters on the table top in front of her. Rose offered her friend a smile of gratitude. Her eyes quickly scanned over the names on the letters, trying to decide which to open first.

"Who are they from?" Hugo questioned, curious as always when it came to the post his sister received. Rose rolled her eyes before answering.

"James, Mum, and Uncle Bill, noisy brat," she commented, a teasing lilt in her voice for the first time all day.

"Oi! That git can take the time to write to you, but can't bother answering his own brother?" Albus demanded, standing across from her behind his sister. Scorpius was beside him, curiosity coloring his features. Rose's only answer was a smug smirk before deciding to open that letter first, just to further antagonize her cousin.

Rosie-Posie,

I miss you too, crazy cousin. I'm doing well in training, thanks for asking, forgetful little girl. I was actually planning a visit this weekend, check up on Lily and Al as a surprise. We could spend the day in Hogsmeade, just the four of us. I'm pleased to know you find my presence haughty, insufferable know it all. Don't let the stress of everything get to you little Cousin. I don't want to see worry lines on your face when I see you in a few days. I'll know. Just, try to survive without me for a few more days. See you soon.

James

Rose smiled softly as she read words her cousin wrote to make her laugh. That would be the only reason he would start the letter with that ridiculous nick name to her. She folded the letter carefully before sliding it into her messenger bag. Albus quirked an eyebrow, obviously curious as to what his brother could possibly say to brighten her mood. She just stuck her tongue out before turning to the letter from her mother.

My Sweet Rose,

You do what you have always done. You are intelligent. You are brave. You are loyal. You are cunning. The sorting hat stalled when he was placed on your head. There was a reason. He couldn't decide which house to place you in, even knowing this terrible burden placed on your shoulders. Yet he decided you were better suited for Gryffindor rather than any of the other houses. Do you know why that is my sweet Rose? It's because, above all else, you are brave, courageous. You will figure everything out, just like those matches of wizarding chess you play against your father. Don't worry Rosie. You'll know what to do when the time comes. Just remember your father and I love you very much Rose.

Mum

There was one thing Rose hated most in the world. That was crying in public. Quickly she grabbed her last letter, before pushing off the bench and rushing from the great hall, knowing her brother would bring her book bag to the common room for her. She hated the salty tears that began to fall from her cheeks as she raced up the changing staircases. She could hear a voice calling her, a familiar voice she had been avoiding shouting her name. She pushed herself harder, trying to reach the portrait before he caught up to her. However she wasn't so lucky. His cool fingers wrapped around her wrist, halting her progress down the corridor.

"Rose, what's wrong?" Scorpius questioned, his voice soft as to not frighten her. She turned, her fist clenched as if to hit him. Scorpius was able to catch her other wrist before her fist connected with his cheek, tugging her closer to him until he could wrap his arms around her, trapping her arms to her side. She didn't answer him, just shook her head as she pressed her face closer to his chest, the tears rolling down her cheeks continuously.

"I-I-I," she couldn't force the words past her lips, couldn't control her breathing long enough to get the words past her lips. Scorpius only hushed her, hugging her closer to him. Carefully he walked himself backwards until he hit the wall, easily sliding down it with Rose sitting in his lap. He continued to hush her, rocking her until she quieted. He waited for her to say something, anything, only for soft snores to reach his ears. He breathed a sigh, glancing down the hallway to see if anyone was coming. He pushed to his feet, careful not to wake her. Quietly he murmured the password to the Fat Lady, walking through the portrait whole and maneuvering to overstuffed arm chair. He simply wasn't ready for her to be out of his arms. He exhaled a sigh, knowing she would like hit him when she woke, but he couldn't resist not having her close to him, in his arms where he could breathe in her scent.

He truly loved this girl, and yet she didn't see it, didn't see what she did to him. She simply didn't understand what she did to him just being there, being near him. He inhaled her scent, something reminiscent to firewhiskey, but more. Something just uniquely Rose.

"I love you so much, Rose, so much more than you could ever possibly realize," Scorpius whispered into her hair, his lips grazing the top of head. Rose tensed, and Scorpius frozen, afraid that she had woken. She only murmured, snuggling closer to him and he exhaled a breath of relief.

A/N: Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think.