For anyone who read the first chapter, I've edited it a fair amount so if you're interested you might want to re-read that before reading chapter 2. Either way thanks! And I hope you enjoy
The following week passed in a whirlwind of 'what the hell Rose?' and 'but you hate Malfoy', never mind the bitchy glances I've been receiving from Amanda. Even kicking Malfoy where the sun doesn't shine didn't seem to make things better. Yes Poppy high fived me after watching Malfoy hobble from the hall, but that was all the congratulations I received. Maybe I had been a bit forthcoming assuming it wouldn't be seen by those who didn't understand my dislike for the boy as a plea to become the next in his long line of conquests.
Malfoy had strategically been avoiding me, as had the friends Amanda and I had in common, namely Dominque, but altogether nothing had majorly disrupted my routine.
After the lesson I was pulled aside by most of the clan; Al, James, Hugo, Fred, Roxy, Mel, Poppy and Charlie. Lily ran off to an undisclosed destination as soon she had the chance and Dominque was too busy pandering to Amanda's whims to concern herself with her 'outrageous' cousin.
"Merlin Rosie, what were you thinking? Malfoy is a complete and utter prick. I thought you hated him? If he so much as lays one finger on you then I swear he will hear about it from my fist."
Roxy giggled at hearing James make such a ridiculous threat, "don't be silly James, Rose obviously partnered with Malfoy to poison him with one of our new products, besides of course he is going to have to touch her, they are dance partners." All my male family members seemed to growl under their breath as Roxy spoke, realising she was right, " besides, I have the perfect one in mind Rosie, it will charm whatever he wears into a bright pink kids t shirt covered in little bunnies!" she exclaimed, "I know it's genius, I can't believe you didn't talk to me first before putting your plan in motion though, I would be offended but I am too excited to have a subject to test my new product on!"
I grin evilly at my second favourite cousin, "you have a lot of faith in me Rox, that however was not my plan, I need the dance to go well for me however I shall keep you posted, I'm sure it'll get to a point where we can slip him a few of your concoctions."
She hugged me excitedly and most of my cousins seemed satisfied with my response. After a little more tactics talk I managed to get them off my back, all but Al. I momentarily curse myself for forgetting he always knows what I'm thinking. Well almost always.
"I'm drawing a complete blank here Rosie," he says seriously, I groan internally, serious Al is never a recipe for fun. "Why on earth would you volunteer to dance with Malfoy? And I don't want you to spew off any of this head girl crap at me."
"I don't know, it just seemed sensible at the time, the awkward silence was kind of awful, you have to admit. I just felt a bit bad for him I guess,"
"He's not a nice boy Rose, make sure you're careful, I'd hate to think of him anywhere near you but I know you can handle yourself. Just don't fall into any of his traps." I could tell he was softening.
"Well he does have marvellous facial structure," I smirk
"Shut up."
We walk along in silence for a few minutes before he begins chuckling to himself, the chuckle then turns into an outburst of loud peals of laughter.
"What is it?" I grin, his laughter is infectious and soon I'm giggling just watching him,
When he calms down he eventually stutters out, in between the odd breathless chuckle, "It's just you and Malfoy, the idea is hysterical, last time you two were alone together for more than 10 minutes you cursed the little toe off his left foot remember?" The laughter started again and this time I was hit by the full wave of hilarity, I loved laughing with Al. He was the best friend anyone could ever wish for and our sense of humour was scarily similar. After the wave had washed over me my stomach was hurting and my cheeks aching from smiling. Linking my arm through his I smiled happily,
"Let's go get food."
This would work, I thought to myself as we walked towards the yummy smell of roast chicken.
The next time I saw Malfoy was the rehearsal a week later, whether that was coincidence or carefully planned fear for his genitals I don't know. By this point Roxy had already come up with 33 different ways in which we could trick Malfoy into ingesting one of her new potions, each were more malicious and better than the one before. Something tells me she asked a certain pair of mischief makers for some advice but props to her for the list, some of the options were so delightfully evil that I decided when the dance was over, even if Malfoy behaved himself I just had to try a select few of them out. Besides I think pink bunnies would particularly suit his white blonde mop of hair. In fact, secretly I am excited at the prospect of him showing up to class looking less than fine, that boy needs to have his ego taken down a few pegs.
This new Malfoy who feared me was actually rather funny, he looked worried every time I stepped towards him and whilst we practiced the spin I noticed his free hand moved down to guard his crotch from any incoming attacks. However as soon as he realised I wasn't about to pounce, which took about 5 minutes, his old self began to resurface and it is safe to say that things escalated fast. Having him live in fear of me was nice whilst it lasted. The more I ignored his jests, the cockier he became until one of his insults came out a little louder than planned and they reached the inhospitable ears of James who was mid twirling his partner, Casey Fields. He abruptly let go of her hand, causing her to fall backwards and if that wasn't what attracted the attention of the entire hall it was what happened next. Fred was quick to leap in to prevent any proper damage but that wasn't before James had yanked Malfoy out of my weak grasp and pinned him against the nearest wall, he had hold of the neck of his jumper which meant Malfoy was pathetically gasping for air.
I just stood there, staring at the space Malfoy had been.
James hissed threateningly, "Don't you EVER call Rose fat Malfoy, DO YOU HEAR ME? You may be a snake and a complete scumbag with no respect for anyone but themselves but that does not give you the right to talk to her or any other girl for that matter like that."
He was interrupted by Professor Longbottom calmly coughing and instructing everyone back to their places.
I'd only ever once been called fat before and it was a touchy subject, as I'm sure it is to most people, especially girls I'm told. I'm not going to go all 'Dear Agony Aunt' on you all but as a Weasley I am genetically engineered to like my food, and I do, and sometimes when I eat too much cake it shows, I'm only human after all. I'm happy with my body though, constant quidditch practice means I can never stay out of shape for too long, but occasionally when someone comes along and calls you out on that minor insecurity you have constantly niggling at the back of your mind, you can't help but feel a little winded.
I felt my bottom lip wobble ever so slightly as everyone moved back to their positions. Malfoy sauntered back over to me, I didn't look at him but instead continued to stare at the ground. He was not going to see those stupid tears that were welling in my eyes. He would not win.
James reluctantly left, mostly because Fred was pulling him away, he clapped his hand on my back and wished me luck with the 'tosser', obviously not realising what Malfoy had said upset me, which I am definitely grateful for looking back on it.
As Malfoy's hand snaked round my waist and the other grabbed my hand in his, we continued to practice the steps.
"Weasley?"
"Heads up everyone, you will never master the true feeling of the dance unless you maintain eye contact," Professor Longbottom instructed, there were numerous boys who stifled a laugh at this, needless to say this is not how they would normally choose to spend their Monday evenings. "Rose, head up please." He was only doing his job but I full blown hated him in that moment, rather irrationally I will admit.
I looked up, my eyes full of un-spilled tears, glistening in the candle light. Malfoy's smirk froze on his face and he looked temporarily paralysed as it dawned on him for the first time ever that I hear all the shit that comes spewing out of his mouth in the heat of the moment. When we are at each other's throats, going in for the kill, I listen. We hated each other ergo we meant nothing to each and looking at the shock on his face, it had never dawned on him that he was speaking to another human being. To him I was dirt, a weasel. Not a girl. Not a girl who stopped eating carbs for six months and only wore baggy shirts after her jeans were all of a sudden too small to zip up and her favourite dress cut off blood supply to her limbs. I should never really have expected anything else from Scorpius Malfoy however I was inexplicably sad and disappointed.
The rest of the lesson passed in a mutual silence, staring into each other's eyes, not putting a foot out of place. We glided around the room effortlessly. I hated him. I hated his stupid chiseled cheekbones and his horrible smirk, I hated the way he chuckled whenever I called him a snake and the way his eyes narrowed when I insulted his family. I hated how his eyes were hypnotic, they reminded me of the wind in a heavy storm when it forms that whirlwind shape, dark grey and crazy. I could tell he was going crazy. I hated that two tears were the number I let slip. Staring into Malfoy's eyes, his huge concerned crazy eyes. He was only worth two tears. I hated that he was worth even two of my tears.
I forcibly pulled myself together and thought of nothing but the steps for the next half an hour. Professor Longbottom eventually stopped us, congratulating us on picking the steps up so well. He glanced at Malfoy and me whilst he said that, probably to check we hadn't murdered each other.
I turned to leave after that but Malfoy caught my hand,
"I'm sorry,"
"Whatever Malfoy." I could feel the tears welling in my eyes again.
"Weasley please believe me, I never meant to call you that, it just slipped out."
I pulled my hand out of his. "I hate you Malfoy." I hissed vehemently. I felt a tear overflow and roll down my cheek, "I hate you." I left then and he didn't try to stop me.
Never again am I going to volunteer to dance with Scorpius Malfoy.
