"No, I really have to leave now!" Margery tried to pry her way out of Scorpius's arms but he would tickle and she would collapse into a fit of laughter. Under the covers of his bed they had found out all the things they had never known about the other. Scorpius was thrilled and infatuated with his girlfriend. She was intellectual, graceful, and most definitely innocent. She was the breath of fresh air he so desperately needed, "Do you want me to get a detention?" She laughed as she tried to push his hands away from her waist.

"No, I just don't want you to leave me." He pushed the dark hair behind her ears and bit his lip, "You can stay." She leaned down and kissed him gingerly.

"No, I cannot Scorpius Malfoy." She gave him one last peck on the lips and then hurried down the stairs and back to her dorm. He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling.

The smile on his lips faded to nothing and then morphed into a frown. This was completely irrational and unlike him. Margery was very pretty, nice, and he could talk to her easily- but she wasn't what he wanted. And if she wasn't what he wanted…then what in the hell did he want? Scorpius gave out a huff of annoyance and sat up. Albus was snoring loudly in a bed down the row. Scorpius debated whether to wake him up or simply go to sleep himself. He really couldn't handle another restless night.

"Al." Scorpius whispered. No reply, "Albus, wake up." There was silence and then a loud snore as a response. Scorpius picked up one of his shoes and flung it at Albus who woke and fell out of his bed, "Did I wake you?"

"Yes, and abrasively if I must say so myself!" Albus grunted and trudged over to Scorpius.

"What am I going to do?" Scorpius muttered but his friend only gave him a blank stare.

"About what?"

"Rose." Scorpius looked to Al for an answer, but he quickly looked down to the floor.

"Scorp, I don't want you to be hurt by her. You're my friend and I know my cousin can be really careless with people's feelings sometimes….What I'm trying to say is that, if you want to know what is going on in Rose's mind, go ask her. But please don't expect too much." Albus waited for Scorpius to respond but all he got was a small nod. He turned, ruffling his dark hair with his hand and fell back into his bed.

He's right, Scorpius thought, don't expect too much. The moon passed over the foggy window and Scorpius eyes closed for sleep.

"Have you seen Rose?" Scorpius ran down the moving stair case after Lily who refused to say anything, "You're going to give me the silent treatment…because you were being an ass?" She turned around her mouth gaping open and pointed her little finger at him.

"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, don't you dare—"

"Lil, chill out." Albus walked up behind her and took her arm gently, "It's okay to be wrong every once in a while." She didn't say anything but yanked her arm away and stormed off.

"Have you seen Rose?" Scorpius fixed his band T-shirt and adjusted his jeans. The hole in the knee was fraying more and he knew he would soon have to make them into shorts or throw them away. Albus nodded and gestured for him to follow. They rounded a few corners and ended up in a remote section of the castle where many students went to read and study. It was a large alcove with comfortable chairs and carpets to sit on. In the farthest corner sat the auburn haired girl, her brow furrowed in thought as she studied her charms book. Scorpius felt nauseous.

"Just go talk to her." Albus gave him a little push and he was off. She didn't seem noticing him walking towards her, or standing next to her….or giving a little cough to get her attention. He slowly crouched down next her and when she noticed she screamed in surprise.

"Sorry! I wasn't trying to frighten you—"

"No, it's okay-I just ha… I just didn't see you there." Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink and her brown eyes darted between him and the floor, "So…what's up?" Her voice was filled with expectation.

"Well, I just wondering why you didn't show up the other night?" He surprised himself with how calm and collected he sounded, even though on the inside he was a ball of nerves.

"Oh. About that—"

"Rose! Hey." Nathan Fennely seemed to be bounding toward them and Scorpius cocked and eyebrow, "There you are I've been looking for you." The, rather pudgy, young man leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek as she gave Scorpius a sympathetic smile. He didn't need it though. He felt his mouth curve into a smirk as he gave her a nod.

"No need to explain." He gave out a coy laugh and stood up. Nathan looked like a gorilla about to throw Scorpius for being anywhere nears his mate. It made him want to laugh even harder.

"But there is—"

"No, there isn't Rose." Scorpius heard a familiar laugh and turned around. Margery was walking down the hall with her friends, a daisy tucked behind her right ear. Scorpius snuck up behind her and picked her up she let out a girlish squeal.

"I'll catch up to you guys." She waved as her friends continued on, "What's up?" Her soft voice calmed his nerves.

"Nothing, what are you doing today? Did Selena give you a hard time?" He felt Rose's eyes burning through him as his hands rested on Margie's waist.

"No, apparently one of your friends talked to her. You know," She blushed, "I'm really glad you asked me out." She stood on her toes to kiss him, "I told my friends I would hang out with them for a bit. I'll see you tonight thought?" He nodded but before she could leave, he pulled her into a tight hug. His eyes never left the brown ones across the room.

"I don't know when Mum will realize yellow is just not my color!" Albus groaned as he tried to changed the color of his robes multiple times. They stayed the same canary yellow and he threw them on the floor, "Are just plain black dress robes too much to ask for? It's not my fault my brother was an eccentric git." Albus went back to slicking his hair back in the mirror. Scorpius paid no mind to him.

He was already dressed in his robes which were, as Albus had wished his to be, plain black. He let his blonde hair fall about his forehead as they normally did because he hated to wear his hair brushed back. He sighed and looked from his watch to Albus ten times, "Just put on the robes Al, I'm sure one of the girls can fix it." Scorpius yawned. He wondered what color Margery's dress. All the girls had kept their dresses a surprise, apparently a tradition with Halloween Balls. Albus gave Scorpius a pitiful look and slowly slipped into the robes. He was quite right, yellow was not his color. They made their way quickly down the boy's stair case and called over any 7th year girl to help them. Luckily Julie Boot changed the robes from yellow to black in one flick of her wand and Albus's anxiety left him.

As they approached the Great Hall two girls in gold dresses stood next to a giant window gossiping to each other. When the dark haired one turned her head Scorpius was astonished. Margery looked absolutely beautiful, as did Albus's date Helena. The girls quickly took their date's arm s and hurried into the hall.

"Why is it so damn crowded?" Albus sighed.

"They started letting third years come to the balls. I guess they figured it would make them feel mature." Helena laughed to herself and Margery rolled her eyes.

"I don't find her very charming." She whispered to Scorpius as they walked away.

"Last resort, believe me Al has better taste." Scorpius took her hand and then spun about on the dance floor. She gleamed like a star from all the lights and for most of the night she had him distracted. Hours later they sat down at one of the side tables.

"I'm going to get some food, be right back." Margery pecked him on the cheek and ran off. Scorpius traced his fingers around the circular pattern on the tablecloth. He sighed sadly. The past month had been a mixture of happiness and guilt. He looked toward the dance floor where he saw Rose with her head rested on Nathan's shoulder. She looked happy. Scorpius squinted. To be honest she looked painfully happy; essentially, to the trained eye she looked miserable. He wanted to knock over that stupid gorilla and let her explain herself, but it was much too late for that. They met eyes and he simply nodded at her. She wore a white dress with little silver sparkles falling about it like the stars above them in the night sky.

Scorpius suddenly felt out of place. He didn't want to be here anymore. He didn't want to dance, or laugh, or look at Margery. It was all too real the fact that he was using her. He heard her voice drifting towards him and jumped up out of his seat, "I'm going to get some fresh air." He began to walk away before she could stop him.

"It's cold out—"

"Be back in five." He pushed his way through the crowd of dancing students and made his way outside. It was a small relief feeling the brisk air hit his face. Still he could hear the music and laugher so he began to sprint as far away as he could. He found himself in a patch of trees down near the Care of Magical Creatures class lawn. He sat down and laid his head in his hands. He wanted that red head out of his mind. He leaned his head against the tree behind him and closed his eyes.

"Scorpius I want to talk to you." When his eyes opened that red head was standing over him with tears in her eyes.