In the Eyes of Gretta Zabini
By: LittleLauren:]
Chapter 3: Third Year
I was sitting in the Slytherin common room, reading Witch Weekly. Vince was sitting across from me, writing diligently in his small notebook. We've been sitting there for a while, waiting for Scorpius to come back from wherever he was. He's been very secretive lately, not walking with us to classes, or finding someone to pick on with Vince.
After about five minutes, I lowered my magazine and finally asked Vince, "What're you always writing?"
He looked up, squinting his eyes. "What's it to you?"
"Nothing," I replied, feeling a bit insulted. "I was just wondering. Ever since I met you, you've been glued to that thing. Someone was bound to ask you sooner or later, so no need to get snappy."
"Yeah, well just mind your own business."
I rolled my eyes, and went back to reading my magazine.
Finally, Scorpius came in through the portrait hole, obviously in a bad mood. He plopped on the couch Vince was on.
"Oi!" cried Vince, furiously crossing out whatever he had written. "You made me mess up!"
"Oh, shut up," said Scorpius. "Just turn the page and start over, mate."
Vince glared at him, but nevertheless turned the page and began writing again.
Scorpius sighed, obviously frustrated.
"What's up with you?" I asked, looking up from my magazine.
"It's- it's complicated," Scorpius answered, stretching and spreading out on the couch, which I saw was annoying the hell out of Vince.
"Try me."
Scorpius looked at me, then at Vince who was now looking intrigued with the conversation at hand. The blond laughed, "It's kind of a funny story, now that I think about it." He glanced at the both of us, our expressions did not change, so he exhaled and said, "It's Rose Weasley."
"What?" Vince and I said in unison, thoroughly confused.
"Don't tell me you two are-?" I began, but Scorpius interjected.
"Merlin, no! It's not like that."
"Then what is it, exactly?"
"Don't judge me, alright?"
"Too late there, mate," said Vince, but Scorpius went on explaining.
"Rose and I… we've been talking-"
"Oh, Merlin," I mumbled.
"-And we actually have a lot in common. Like, we always like to be right even if we're not, and we have almost the same classes together, and our fathers taught us to hate one another without an explanation as to why-"
"There is a reason, and I can tell you why," I interjected. "It's because your father and her father were taught to hate each other. It's a blood thing. It might not seem like anything to us, but it did to them, so we should just let it go."
"So you're suggesting that I just ignore it?"
"Yes."
"And I should let my family decide what's good and bad for me, and not have a say in my own life?"
"Ye-" I stopped. How did he know how I dealt with my family? I don't show that sort of emotion… I've learned to keep that part of me hidden, even to myself.
However, Scorpius gave me a knowing smile. "You don't fool me, Gretta. I used to be like you. Distant, cold, stuck up. But there is time to break away from that, even if it's just for a little while."
I stayed silent. I was speechless, no clever comeback up my sleeve.
"And Vinny," he said, turning to his friend who was looking pale. "Why do you bully the first years? I bet it's probably because your father used to, right? You want to make him proud. Well, he's not here. He can't see you pushing around people. He probably doesn't even know that you write poetry."
Vince's eyes went wide, and he didn't hesitate to punch Scorpius in the face. As much as this was a serious conversation, I couldn't help but laugh at Scorpius's expense. I didn't care that Vince wrote poetry… although I did think that was funny too.
Vince glared at me. "What're you laughing at?"
"Not- Not you," I said, sill laughing. "Scorp… your face!"
Despite the situation, all three of us began to laugh. Scorpius's nose was obviously broken, but he seemed to be laughing the hardest. We laughed until our sides ached. We needed that. When we stopped, I felt myself grasping for air.
"So, what d'you say we start over?" Scorpius said, panting and holding his bleeding nose. "Friends with no families attached?"
Vince and I looked at each other, smiling. "Okay," we both agreed.
"But my writing does not leave this room, got it?" Vince said, in all seriousness.
"Don't worry," said Scorpius. "I think I learned my lesson."