Hello everyone! I'm trying to get as many chapters done as possible before I go back to school, so here is chapter four! Thank you so much for reading, but I would love you even more if you review! But I would settle for you adding this to your alerts... :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

The next few weeks were wonderful for Rose. The weather was beautiful, the crisp fall air making her feel alive and refreshed. Her classes, although hard, were fascinating to her. Her friends were in high spirits, despite the new pressure put upon them given the beginning of the quidditch season. And it felt very good to be back at Hogwarts, her home away from home. But what really made the first month of school wonderful was the last thing she could have ever expected. She found herself looking forward to Monday nights and replaying conversations between herself and a certain Slytherin in her head. In a very unusual way, Scorpious Malfoy had become one of her best friends.

She found herself confiding in him all the time about her problems, her worries, and her fears. She found herself laughing with him harder than she normally did and wanting to hear his laugh as well. Although the friendship was rather shocking even to her, it was one that she valued now immensely.

But she was the only one who understood her newfound happiness. They had decided it would be better for both their houses to keep their friendship somewhat of a secret. They would simply be acquaintances; trying to keep peace between them because of the time they were 'forced' to spend together. It was pretty convincing as cover stories go.

As for the smile that Rose seemed to always wear, her friends believed it had to do with Ben. Ben had been trying to talk with her more and more after the first few days of school. It was clear to Rose now that he liked her, but just couldn't figure out how to tell her. So instead he played the 'friend wanting to become something more' role, which was fine for her. Honestly she wasn't even thinking about having a boyfriend. After watching Lily work out what was happening with Collin, she felt that boys were far more trouble than they were worth.

That Monday night she was talking with Scorpious like normal, when suddenly they heard snogging from one of the broom closets. It wasn't unusual for them to come across couples trying to sneak out after hours, in fact it happened every time they patrolled. It was somewhat awkward for Rose and Scorpious, but they were beginning to get used to it. Scorpious walked over to the door and opened it up.

"Goyle, fifteen points from Slytherin. Fifteen for you too Joan. Go back to Slytherin house now before I have to deduct anything else." As Goyle's face came into few Rose could tell he was clearly not happy about the situation. Personally Rose couldn't fathom why anyone would want to snog Joan, she was a horrible person, and therefore when Goyle drew his wand against Scorpious Rose was a little surprised. Instinctively she reached for her wand as well, but stopped herself before pulling it out. If this turned into a duel in the hallway it would go very badly.

"What if I say no Malfoy? Hm? What if I curse you and your little girlfriend and continue on? Can't take points then, can you little prefect?" Goyle got a menacing gleam in his eye that made Rose's stomach flop.

"Get the hell out of here Goyle, I'm not messing around." Scorpious said, taking a step towards him.

Goyle snorted, "You're a blood traitor too now, aren't you Malfoy?" He glared at Rose before turning back to Scorpious. "Someday you'll realize where you really belong, and when you do you better get your loyalties in track. Because if I run across you again, I won't spare you." Goyle turned away from them and walked away down the hall with Joan on his heals, not allowing Scorpious to say another word. Rose felt the adrenaline rush through her, making her feel rather nauseous.

She collapsed against a wall and ran her hands through her hair. Why does this sort of thing always seem to happen to her? The cool stone felt good against her flushed face. She took deep steady breaths trying to calm herself down. Scorpious seemed equally disturbed, pacing slowly on the other side of the hall. She heard him cursing under his breath. Quickly and unexpectedly, he turned to face her.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"For what could you possibly be sorry for?" She asked, a little stunned.

He took a deep breath and began pacing again. "I should have hexed him or something. Anything. Instead of standing there like a dolt and waiting for him to attack you. It was a complete…" he trailed off, clearly switching to internal dialog. "Well, I'm sorry."

Rose began to smile comfortingly. "That ridiculous. If you attacked you know that McGonagall would have gotten you into serious trouble. And not to mention it would begin a duel that wouldn't end well. Really, I'm happier you didn't."

Silence was thick all around them as they were each enveloped in their own thoughts. How on earth could he possibly feel responsible for that? Why was he so upset about not being able to protect her? She could protect herself just fine; he knew that.

When did her life get so complicated?

Scorpious felt horrible.

He was a coward. A complete coward. What had stopped him from defending Rose? Did he feel some sort of sub-conscious devotion to his house and therefore the people in it? No, that was absurd. He hated Goyle. That was obvious.

So why, Merlin, why had he not been able to do anything, hex him, deduct more points. Anything but just stand there watching him walk away.

He could tell Rose noticed how upset he was; she tried to console him through the rest of their patrol. But he couldn't stand it. He had to do something, anything, to redeem himself. Then he decided; he would never let Goyle get near Rose.

It was clear he was going to want revenge. Scorpious had heard him bragging about Joan in the common room, he would defiantly be upset that his night got interrupted. And taking it out on Rose would be a clear choice of revenge, not only would he retaliate but he would also get stroke points from his family for hurting a Weasley. The thought of it made his blood boil.

"Rose," he said before leaving to go to his own common room. "I want you to know, I won't let him hurt you." He said boldly.

"What?" Asked Rose, an incredulous look on her face.

"He'll be out for revenge, and he'll probably go looking for you. But I want you to know, I would let him near you."

"Scorpious," she said softly, her eyes going wide. She seemed to recover herself. "I am a big girl, I can take care of myself. Really, I'll be fine" she paused, looking him over. "Goodnight Scorpious." She said softly before heading off to her common room.

"Goodnight Rose."