Chapter Three: And I was crying on the staircase, begging you 'please don't go'.

As the weeks pass, and the students enter the final few days before Christmas break, Brooke still finds herself forcing Rose to class every morning. She uses a different ruse each time; being a star student, missing out, falling behind, the feminist who wouldn't allow a boy to let her fail, suspicion from others, and so on. However, today, she's becoming exasperated. As she brushes Rose hair, she tells her repeatedly about how ridiculous the red-head is being. Rose mumbles something incomprehensible and plays with the frayed ends of her jumper. She hates being like this, too.

They walk slowly to breakfast, as they always do now. Brooke's incessant chatter fills up the brooding silences. It's not an uncomfortable or tense silence, but Brooke hates it nonetheless. She hates silence and has an incurable urge to break them. She's not sure where that stems from, or just why it puts her at ease to constantly have chatter and noise around her, yet it's a fact of her life. Her friends know it well and she has no qualms in saying it.

Unexpectedly, Rose pulls away and a smile blooms across her face. Brooke halts mid-sentence, wondering if her friend has officially lost it. She follows Rose's gaze then and spots her brother eating a girls face.

Normally, Rose would find such an activity involving her brother utterly gross, especially with the way they're going at it, but her interest had been peaked at the sight of black hair. There's a genuine smile as she cheers, "Woo Hugo! I knew there was something between you and Sabrina!"

Raine Nott pulls away from Hugo, "Excuse me?" He doesn't look too happy, either.

Brooke takes this as the time to drag the speechless Weasley away before she adds more to the already acidic situation. Once they enter the Great Hall, Brooke faces the omni-present issue of where the hell to sit. They usually sat near Scorpius, which was obviously not an option, though she spies Lorcan across from him. She's at a loss.

She spots Dominique Weasley then, who isn't even in Ravenclaw, and directs Rose towards her. They both take a seat across from her. The girl had been telling a story to her other cousin, Lucy, but as soon as she see's the two older girls she smiles widely, "Rose, Brooke! How nice of you to grace our side of the table."

Rose raises an eyebrow as she loads her plate, "What are you even doing at this table, Dom?"

"Fancied a change of scenery," She replies with a shrug of her shoulder. Brooke identifies plenty with Dominique, if not classing herself as a little bit more sophisticated, but can't help be envious at how effortlessly beautiful the girl is. She knows that Dominique is part-Veela, but is it fair to look that good? Those sort of people should be shipped off to Beaxbatons, away from the common English folk.

Her blonde hair is long and healthy, reaching her elbows and looks as if one could sell if on the black market for hundreds. Her eyes, not the traditional colour, are a mesmerising brown that sparkle like they hold the worlds secrets and the faint scatter of freckles across her face add a relatable semblance to her. She seems even more gorgeous because of the freckles somehow. For some reason, she hates when Dominique hangs out with the four of them. If it's just Rose and Brooke it's okay, but adding the boys to the mix, she hates how Dominique domineers their attention.

"So, what's first this morning, ladies?" The girl in question asks, buttering her toast lightly.

"Transfiguration," Brooke moans. "I wish McGonagall didn't have it out for me."

"She only has it out for you because you never do your homework," Rose counters dryly, pushing her fried egg around her plate.

"Pish-posh, she doesn't like me."

Dominique is squinting at Rose, making the other girl squirm a little, "I'm not being offensive here, but you're looking a bit worse for wear, Rosie."

She hates that her friends and family call her Rosie. She hates the name entirely, coming from anyone's lips. "I just had a rough night, that's all – and no, I don't want to hear your sex comment."

She holds up her hands in a stance of defence, "Hey, who said anything about a sex joke?"

Rose finds herself drifting away from the antics of her friends, as Dominique and Brooke usually just discuss gossip and clothes, anyway. Lucy is quite silent through the whole exchange. With the others preoccupied, Rose allows her mind to wander to her ex-boyfriend once again. Ex. God, does she hate that. It's a dark reminder of the unceremonious dumping he gave her, as if it was nothing but a fling. Feeling rather weak in that moment, she risks a glance at him and instantly all colour drains from her face.

She knows the girl has always been interested in him, but for some reason, Rose never thought anything would actually happen. It seems Scorpius must have been rebuffing her all this time, because she wouldn't know that it's only okay to make a move now – doesn't know that he wasn't single, but is fresh on the rebound now.

Scratch that, she always suspected the other girl would make a move, but never ever thought Scorpius would reciprocate. Except there he is. Sitting at the table, not ten people down from her, whispering something in her ear and making her laugh outrageously. Rose blanches, pushing her plate of half-eaten food away.

"..you think? Rose? Roooose?" With no response, Brooke follows her friends line of sight. Her jaw drops, but once she gets over the initial astonishment, Brooke mutters, "Oh no. No he did not." She stands, fuming, and stomps her way over to him. Brooke and Scorpius have been friends since first year, long before Rose was added to the mix, and she thought she knew him pretty well. The boy she knew wouldn't flaunt some new girl and parade her around in front of Rose.

The boy she knew wouldn't boast a new girl mere weeks after the break-up, but moreover, he would never boast her cousin.

Without an ounce of hesitance, she pulls him from his seat mercilessly to face her. Also, without hesitance or much thought, she slaps him fiercely across the face. "You fucking idiot." The slap reverberates around the people beside him, rendering them all quiet. The rest of the Great hall plays on, not noticing the act. However, it doesn't take long for the silence to catch on as people begin to watch things unfold.

Brooke's oblivious to everyone's eyes because of the anger. She doesn't spare him another glance, and proceeds to pick Lorcan up from his seat and drag him out of the room. "Aw, but B, I hadn't even started on my panca…" His voice fades out as the doors close behind them. The second the gap closes, everyone explodes into chatter. Whispers, laughter and speculation are the general trend. Scorpius stares at the door in shock, still in the same position since she abused him.

He storms out himself then, not giving anyone a word or glance – not even Rose. Safe to say, it doesn't help the rumour mill.

Dominique turns to an equally stunned Rose, nonchalantly remarking, "Wow, didn't know Brooke and Scorpius were a thing. Beats me why he'd look twice at Molly – no offence, Lucy."


Rose emerges from Transfiguration later on feeling much better, while Brooke is now grumbling about how stupid the subject is. Rose can't agree with her, but lets the girl rant nonetheless. It's actually Rose's favourite class because she's brilliant at it, and has had more than one person remark on how she must have gotten that from her Mum. Being truthful, it irritates Rose how everything she does is somehow linked to her mother. She loves and admires her though, so most of the time, she takes it as a compliment.

It's difficult being the daughter of "The Smartest Witch of her Age", even if she tries not to show it. Living in someone's shadow is something most of her friends and family have to do; it's the price that comes from being the second generation. That's what they're called in the papers, stupidly.

She's drawn from her thoughts by Brooke linking her, "So, how are we feeling now, babe? I'm through with my rant."

"Much better. You know how much I love it!" Her eyes catch sight of someone then, "Wait, is that?"

"Molly." Brooke replies. Her tone means business, and Rose can only imagine her delight when the girl in question flounces over with a broad smirk. Rose doesn't like Molly – not much of the Weasley children do – but Brooke hates her. They've never gotten along, ever since first year when Brooke 'accidentally' spilt a drink on the girl in the train following a catty comment. Molly is in seventh year, with the maturity of someone in third.

From the words that tumble out of Molly's mouth next, she must assume Brooke's slap was to do with jealousy. "Oh, hi, Brooke. I'm just off to see my Romeo," She lets out a long, highly false giggle. "Let's hope the family doesn't find out. Right, Rose? They'd kill me! I'm just waiting for James to go berserk."

"Move on Molly, nobody cares." Rose starts wearily, trying to squash the hurt fighting it's way to her eyes. Her eyes always seem to betray her, damn them.

Brooke takes a different approach. Letting go of Rose, she takes a step forward to intimidate the older girl. "We don't give two shi—"

"Brooke, leave her." Rose's troubled tone alerts Brooke, who sends Molly a scathing look instead and walks ahead. By the clenching of her fists, she's mad as hell. Which Rose doesn't understand, because surely she should be the one annoyed?

"She called him Romeo." Brooke hisses, a frown marring her features. The inside joke between their group was how Scorpius and Rose were the star-crossed lovers, like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, is that Brooke is referring to. Before Rose can reply to that, through the object lodged in her throat (or so it felt.), the other girl speaks again, "If Molly is up here before transfiguration, James must be as well.."

Rose shakes her head, "Oh, Brooke, don't bother with him. He's not worth—" She's flouncing over to a group of boys a few feet away from them then, and Rose cringes because it's that typical 'lad' group. She has to stay and wait for her, unwilling to completely leave Brooke with the sharks. She'll just wait bit away.

"Who do you think you are, James? Starting fights for no reason at all? Don't interfere in things that aren't your business."

He laughs condescendingly, "And what does that mean, Brookie?"

"You've nothing to do with Scorpius. Personally, I'm disgusted with how primal you acted." She takes a step closer, relishing in how he seems to think she's going to give into some nonsensical, passionate make-out session like some idiot. "We're through, Potter." His face drops. "No more kissing, flirting, hugging… I'm not speaking to you again until you apologise to Scorpius Malfoy."

James, feeling hurt and humiliated, "Oh, what, you love him that much?"

Brooke, in all her anger and habit of speaking without thinking, strikes back with, "YES! Yes, I do – wait, what?" James eyes widen, visibly shaken by the revelation and a little wounded. Before Brooke can get out another word, he stalks away. His friends follow him, barely acknowledging her presence.

Brooke, her eyes as wide as James', turns around to Rose and she immediately begins apologising, "I'm so sorry, Rose, I didn't mean to - I was just trying to hurt – I wasn't thinking –"

"It's okay," Rose laughs, "It doesn't matter if people think you're with Scorpius. Makes me feel less uncomfortable around everyone if they suspect you rather than me." She links her arm through Brooke's again, disturbed with how quiet the girl is. "Besides, I love how you talked to that jerk."

Brooke averts her eyes and responds half-heartedly, "Yeah… me too."


The walk to the Room of Requirement is not unlike the one to breakfast, but both of them are silently hoping this time that Scorpius is nowhere in sight. There's a strange lack of chatter between them, the strangeness mostly stemming from the fact that Brooke isn't filling it. The talkative girl is caught up in her own thoughts and dealings of the day, after causing so much gossip for herself. She can scarcely believe she said those things to James, especially making him think she's in love with Scorpius. Sure, she had enjoyed chastising him for fighting Scorpius, but then it crossed a line.

Brooke actually likes James, and now she had ended everything with him. She had quite clearly said no kissing, flirting or even hugging! What had she been thinking? Her temper is her greatest vice once it gets going, and that's why she so rarely allows herself to get angry. She can't think straight when she's angry. Brooke much prefers the relaxed, chilled version of herself and is this person for most of the time.

She's angry at herself now. She saw the brief hurt in his eyes as he turned and left, the slight slump in his shoulders as he did so and the lag in his step. She hadn't intended on hurting him. It was the anger, that damned anger. Her anger should have been directed at Scorpius, but James had been there. And he is partly to blame for everything falling apart.

Now, James wants nothing more to do with her. Her best friend is a quieter, more boring version of herself. Scorpius and her aren't talking now she assumes. Lorcan feels trapped between sides.

Brooke herself felt torn before today, and had her loyalty to Rose not been so strong, she might be still talking to Scorpius. As it is, she doesn't approve of the Molly/Scorpius situation and definitely not of the show they put on. In all honesty though, she doesn't want to lose him as a friend. Six years of friendship shouldn't mean nothing.

They're abruptly at the entrance to the room, and once the door appears, they exchange a look of apprehension. If Scorpius is inside, it will be highly interesting. Even if they don't want to face what's happening, they'll have to at some point. At least there will be some sort of closure. They had been postponing their Room of Requirement meetings till tonight, when both Brooke and Rose agreed to meet Lorcan there - and Scorpius.

Upon entering, however, they see Lorcan sitting patiently on the couch. He's on his own. Every night since third year, they all meet in the Room of Requirement to talk, do homework, or just relax. Except – Scorpius isn't here.

Lorcan looks casually over at Brooke from his homework before saying nonchalantly, "So, I hear you're in love with Scor, B."

"Goddammit, I'm not in love with Scorpius Malfoy!" Brooke objects loudly, stamping her foot harshly down onto the ground in a rather childish fashion. Lorcan chuckles. "It was a slip-up when I was fighting with James; a complete accident! Now, I've been asked about five hundred and thirty seven times today about our 'relationship'. I mean, as if I could love that asshole." She pauses thoughtfully during this rant to glimpse at Rose, "Sorry."

Rose waves her off, "Oh, don't be."

Brooke sits down beside Lorcan, trying to explain, "I was only trying to rile James."

"Well, it worked. He's furious as far as I can see. Of course, I'm only assuming this because I heard him verbally attacking Molly and Scorpius in the hallway. He mentioned you, Brooke, more than once."

"How much are we talking here?"

"Ah, I'd say an average of twenty. Every third word was Brooke," He rolls his eyes and the girls do the same, but at Lorcan's obvious exaggeration.

He then shifts uncomfortable, which is out of character for him. "Eh, Rose?" she turns to him, fearful of the words coming next. He never calls her Rose. It's always Rosie or Red. "Scorpius asked me to give you something.."

"An apology gift? A note? A letter?" With each suggestion, Rose's heart perked a little bit.

Brooke and Lorcan's eyes meet subtly, her understanding immediately that this is nothing to do with reconciliation. Both of them hate seeing Rose so broken, so upset about everything. Brooke shakes her head at Rose, "I doubt it, babe."

Lorcan reaches into his pocket, taking out a silver mens bracelet. It's one that slides over your wrist through a narrow gap in the steel, but on the inside, in beautiful font reads, Scorpius Malfoy. Rose bought it from him for their year anniversary, joking that she was going to put 'loves Rose Weasley' on it, but wanted him to be able to look at it if they ever split.

She doesn't take it from his hands, and instead leaves the room. Brooke figures time alone is needed from her, so doesn't follow. She and Lorcan are left alone. Which isn't an unusual occurrence.

Both feel miserable about themselves, and yet, irritated that their friends dated because it ruined everyone's friendship. "He's not going to come around, is he?"

Lorcan exhales slowly through his nose, shaking his head, "Nope."


A/N: So I've a few things to say at the end of this chapter, so bear with me if you can! hah.. First off, I'm sorry for the long wait. I had exams, blah, blah, you know the drill. They're mostly over now though, so hopefully I can update as usual. Secondly, I have to reiterate, this is a re-write of "We Were Both Young". The plot is essentially the same, with no big surprises, and the changes are mainly grammatical and slight plot fixtures. It took me literally a day and a half to re-write the whole thing, so I haven't put in the work that I perhaps ought to have. Regardless, I hope you still enjoy it, and I'm sorry for the lack of change.
Don't own HP or Love Story.

Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate it.
CN.