A/N: Here's the next chapter. I'm not as pleased with it as the first one, but it's something, right? I can't believe this has taken me nearly a week to get up. I had writer's block. After writing Albus, I struggled to write Rose. She doesn't have as much of a voice as Albus does, I'm afraid. It's harder to write her. A huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed/put on alert/favourited this story. You guys make my day. (:
Warning: Mild slash, and one bad word.
Disclaimer: Rowling owns Harry Potter, not me.
Cheating.
-Rose POV -
Our relationship is running strongly. I remember when he asked me out at the end of Fifth Year; I was ecstatic. I had beamed like an idiot and agreed eagerly, he chuckled and hugged me, promising to write to me over the summer. I returned the promise, and said I couldn't wait to see him again. The letters consisted mainly of whining complaints about how boring it was at his house, how his parents were so obsessed with turning him into a proper man, and my letters in return were also full of such complaints – how my mum expects me to be the best in school, how they get annoyed if they find the tiniest of dents in my school record.
I felt closer to him than I ever thought possible. School started, and we announced the news. Most of the kids were alright with it, but after three Howlers, Dad officially stopped talking to me. Mum said she was happy as long as I was happy, and that Dad would warm up soon. Uncle Harry wrote a letter telling me to be careful, but he said he found Dad's behaviour hilarious, and to keep Scorpius as long as possible. The rest of the family welcomed the news with open arms. Even Scorpius' parents were pleased, telling him that he had caught an intelligent, admirable girl and shouldn't let me go any time soon. The letter made me blush.
All is good, yes, between Scorpius and myself.
We sit in the Great Hall, enjoying dinner, his arm around my waist. I'm smiling and laughing, conversing with my friends. Someone mentions something about my cousin, James, and my eyes automatically hunt him out on the Gryffindor table. My eyes trail along the rest of the red and golden House, and I pause when I notice Molly, Lorcan and Alice - Albus' friends - sitting by themselves.
"Where's Albus?" I ask curiously, noticing the absence of my other cousin. I realise that Scorpius won't know, of course, but I ask anyway.
As I expect, Scorpius says he has no idea, but he adds, "I'll look for him after dinner if you want."
I smile and thank him. Dinner ends and we all rise to leave. Scorpius kisses my forehead and says he'll meet me in the Common Room later. I grin, thank him again, and make my way to the Ravenclaw Tower.
I attempt to do my homework, but worry gnaws at me from the inside, making it next to impossible to concentrate. It's raining outside, like it has been for the past two weeks, and I smile softly. I love the rain. I don't why, but something about watching it, hearing it patter against the roof and windows, soothes me. I walk over to the window and sit down, resting my back against the stone wall as I gaze peacefully at the Lake. A blond figure catches my attention, drawing it away from the lake, and my eyes widen as I realise it's Scorpius.
What is Scorpius doing outside in this weather when he's supposed to be looking for Albus?
Oh, I see …
A raven-haired figure is sitting on one of the rocks by the lake, and it doesn't take a genius to realise it's Albus. He's hunched up, his arms around his legs, which are pressed against his chest, and he seems to be thinking hard, as he doesn't turn around to look at the approaching blond. Scorpius stops a few feet away from Albus, and I think I see his mouth forming words, but they look so small from the Ravenclaw Tower that I can't be certain. Though he must have, because Albus' head turns around to look at him.
Albus must have responded, because now Scorpius is moving forward again, and he sits down beside him, his arm pressing against Albus'. I can't see their faces, but I decide they must be talking, as they're both facing the lake, and Scorpius isn't the kind of person who just sits in silence.
But suddenly Scorpius is moving away slightly, not much, but he turns around, so their arms are no longer touching, to look at Albus, his head tilted to the side slightly. I squint through the rain and see that Albus' mouth is moving quickly and constantly. He's telling Scorpius what's wrong with him, I suppose. Scorpius puts his arm around him, and my eyes widen in shock. Scorpius isn't a very physical being. It took him a while to get used to putting his arm around me as we walk in hallways, or holding my hand when we went to Hogsmeade. It had always been awkward movements the first few months, but that touch seems so natural and calm.
I stifle a gasp behind my palm as their lips brush against each other. My heart rips painfully, teasingly, slowly, as if it was trying to torture me to the brink of insanity. Tears pool out of my eyes as they continue to kiss, and I can't take it any more. I push myself hastily off of the window ledge, my feet finding the floor easily as they pound against it repeatedly. I ignore the stares of the Ravenclaws behind me as my feet slap against the creamy stone of the steps. I burst through the door of the dormitory, thankful that my bed is closest to the door as I collapse onto it, sobs racking my body as the wails are muffled by the pillow.
I never thought Scorpius was capable of doing such a thing. He's always been the angel in my mind's eye. He behaves in school, rarely gets in trouble. He got great O.W.L's, only one less than me. He treats me like a lady, with total respect and care. When I'm upset, he would be my shoulder to cry on, and wouldn't ask what had gotten me in such a state.
I saw him as the perfect boyfriend, but I see now that I was wrong.
How long have he and Albus been seeing each other behind my back? How long has he been lying to me? Did he ever care for me, or has he been using me to get to my cousin? Doesn't he know how fragile and delicate my heart is? Doesn't he understand that one simple mistake can cause it to fall and shatter into a thousand, sharp, tiny pieces, stabbing at my insides?
I wonder what I'm doing here. The bastard doesn't deserve my tears, not after the scene I just watched. If he really cares for me, he wouldn't kiss my cousin. If he really loves me, he wouldn't have done such a thing. I realise now that I have been foolish and naïve, that I've fallen in his trap and I'm stuck. I sit up and take deep, shaky breaths, wiping my nose with the cuff of my robes. I rub the tears from my face with my palms, standing up. Wobbling, I stumble over to the bathroom and turn the tap of the sink on. I lean against the counter as I cup the cold water in my hands, bringing it up to my face and splashing it against my skin.
My breathing is erratic and shaky as I make my way back to my bed, walking on jelly legs. I collapse onto the mattress and, only pausing to remove my robes, leaving the rest of my uniform on, I scramble under the covers and suppress a yawn. Crying always does this to me, it always makes me so exhausted. Confused and heartbroken, I fall into a dreamless sleep.
I don't mention the kiss with Scorpius the next few weeks, though I'm distinctly colder towards him. I find excuses not to sit with him at lunch, not to walk to classes to him, not to study with him, not to go to Hogsmeade with him. His kisses aren't returned with equal passion, though I make a small effort. Every time he touches me, my heart cracks just that little bit further, because I know I'm not the only one who he touches this way. Every time he kisses me, I want to cry, because I know he uses those lips to kiss another. Every time he tells me he loves me, and I return the saying, I want to hit him, because I know he's lying.
I've cut off all contact with my cousin, something that does not go unnoticed by my boyfriend and Albus. I know they've noticed a difference, but neither of them dare bring it up, just like I don't dare bring the kiss up. It was just something that can't be discussed easily.
I catch them at it again a couple of months later. James and Albus have a huge argument in front of everyone, though no one can understand what they're shouting. Albus runs off angrily, and I try to stop Scorpius following him, but Scorpius shakes out of my grasp. I call his name, and he turns around again, his eyes livid.
"He's our friend, Rose, don't you care about him?"
And then he's gone. I bite my lip and follow him, though I don't think he realises I'm there. I'm a good few feet behind him, and I move silently. He finds Albus close to where they were when I saw them kiss, although this time, Albus is leaning against a tree, breathing heavily as his wide eyes stare angrily at the lake. Scorpius walks up to him tentatively and I hide behind another wide tree. Scorpius crouches down beside him and rests a hand cautiously on Albus' arm. Albus visibly relaxes and apologises for a reason I cannot fathom.
"It's alright, Al, ignore James. He's a pathetic idiot."
Albus smiles slightly and Scorpius sits down properly, putting an arm over Albus' shoulders. Albus rests his head on Scorpius' shoulder, snuggling into him like I used to when I was upset. I bite my lip harder, frowning as I fight back jealous, angry tears. As Scorpius plants a kiss on Albus' black hair, I run, desperate to escape, my heart shattering once more.
How could he do this to me?
A/N: The next chapter.... Revenge, hopefully from Scorpius' POV, though that has yet to be decided. I want it to be from Scorp's POV, so you get to see a chapter from each character, but I'm lacking inspiration for this one. It might take a bit longer to get up, depending on how long it takes for me to think of an idea for it, but I promise this story will not be abandoned, and will probably be complete by the end of the month. If you have any suggestions, PM me. (:
Would it be too much to ask for a review? Even if I said 'Pretty please with Rose and Albus plushies on top'?
