Disclaimer: I own nothing but plot and OC's
I used to go away for weeks in a state of confusion -
Albert Einstein
Most of the students had taken the start of the weekend to spend time in their common rooms; Rose however to her disdain was sewing.
Rose groaned for the umpteenth time as the sewing needle pricked her fingers. She wasn't exactly the best person for hand sewing and Mimi had been very specific about not using any magic for creating their Halloween costumes. Of course with the day of the party coming up rather soon, the girls were starting their costumes rather last minute.
A few of her roommates and Augusta and Mimi had congregated in her room for a costume making session; Suzanne and Kaylee were more than happy for the extra company however their other roommate Jodie wasn't as welcoming.
"couldn't we have just bought them?" Suzanne asked with a huff of annoyance as she placed down the remains of a bright yellow and black dress. Mimi shook her head before turning to face the dark skinned girl.
"I told you already, Suzy, if we all went to Hogsmeade we'll have the same costumes as everyone else" Mimi pointed out in a tone one would use on a child.
"Besides this is actually kind of therapeutic" Augusta chimed in with a smile however that was quickly replaced with a squeal as she poked herself in the hand.
To be honest Rose thought they were putting too much emphasis on the holiday; a large amount of the girls in their year had been planning their outfits since the beginning of the year.
"Hopefully they'll look alright" Kaylee commented as she held up her half finished costume, one of the stripes for the cheerleaders uniform started to peel off and she groaned in embarrassment and started in fixing it.
"We need to hurry up, the party is tomorrow" Jodie White, a burly brunette who no one actually liked, added.
Mimi smiled before pulling up her costume- like Kaylee she had chosen to be a cheerleader, for the two girls were always seen doing things together.
"Awesome!" Kaylee announced with a wide grin. True to her house colours, Mimi had created a black and yellow cheerleaders outfit. The girls all offered multiple words of encouragement to the small brunette, and it left Rose feeling a little harsh about her own sewing skills.
"Do you have to be perfect at everything?" Jodie drawled with a hint of resentment. Rose sent a glare at the brunette, the latter shrugged her shoulders in innocence.
"I wouldn't say perfect" Mimi muttered with a small smile whilst she shyly fidgeting with her costume.
"Why do you have to be such a bitch Jodie?" Rose asked with such venom that the other girls shrunk back in fear that a fight would soon break out. Jodie quickly sat up and narrowed her eyes at the redhead.
"What did you say?" She asked as if almost daring Rose to repeat it. Everyone was silent in the room; Suzanne had taken to glare at Jodie whilst Augusta was huddled in the corner with a worried Mimi next to her. Kaylee sighed loudly before standing in between the two girls in an attempt to cease the tension.
"Look guys let's just leave it" Kaylee suggested, though she was somewhat amused at the situation. Rose shook her head before pointing accusingly at Jodie.
"No Kaylee- she is a bitch and always to Mimi" Rose stated, her eyes narrowed at the brunette. At this Jodie quickly took menacing step forward and it took all of Kaylee's strength to keep the two girls apart- though it was difficult with Jodie's height.
"Maybe we should just forget this happened" Mimi suggested quietly from her space on the ground though it seemed no one was paying the two Hufflepuffs any attention.
"No one even likes you!" Rose spat, the statement causing Jodie to attempt to advance towards her once more. It took both Kaylee and Suzanne to hold the taller girl back, whilst Mimi attempted to calm Rose down.
"And people like you?" Jodie drawled sarcastically. Rose shrugged before nodding.
"No one can stand you, so you take it out on her" Rose shouted as she gestured to Mimi once more.
"Don't make this about me" Mimi muttered with a shake of her head. Kaylee frowned slightly.
"Just don't bother her again" Rose said with a hint of annoyance. Jodie raised a brow, a smirk on her lips- an expression Rose didn't like.
"Or what?" She asked almost as if begging for a fight. Rose shook her head before turning around, Mimi giving her a look of disapproval.
"Rose…" Mimi warned. Rose sighed before turning away, Jodie didn't see this as the end to their argument and attempted to strike the redhead. Jodie's hand connected with Rose's and redhead had her hand placed over her stinging flesh in pain.
"Jodie!" Mimi practically screeched before crouching down to see if Rose was alright. Jodie however held no remorse and shrugged.
"She got in the way" Jodie shrugged before Suzanne barged passed her to get to Rose.
"It shouldn't bruise too bad…" Mimi commented "We need some ice"
"There isn't any bloody ice here" Rose hissed, her hand still placed on her cheek. Mimi frowned before gently helping her up.
"Them we'll go to the kitchens" Mimi suggested as she started on pulling on Rose's arm. Rose frowned before allowing the smaller girl to pull her out of her room, though she did feel some sort of comfort in leaving Jodie with two very angry Gryffindor's.
Rose hissed loudly as Mimi not so lightly placed a bag of ice on her face. The sound caused the small house elf that offered the ice bag to quickly scurry away in fear. The coldness against her searing skin was not a good combination.
"Merlin's sake- are you trying to burn my face off!" She practically shrieked as she whacked the makeshift ice bag from her face. Mimi pouted before shoving back onto her face once more.
"Stop being a baby and that's what you get for getting into fights" Mimi muttered with a small smile. Rose frowned before crossing her arms.
"Hello defending your honour- Jodie was being a bitch to you and I'm tired of it" Rose countered.
Mimi shook her head sadly before shifting to sit on her knees.
"I am grateful...it's just...the next time that happens ignore it okay everyone else does" She said sadly.
Rose sighed before crawling over to sit next to her friend, the ice back still pressed firmly against the bruise.
"Mimi has this happened before...and not just with Jodie?" Rose asked quietly. There was a short silence before Mimi nodded, her dark brown curls had shifted so they covered her eyes but Rose could tell she was crying.
"Why...why didn't you say anything?" Rose asked once she'd found her voice. Mimi shook her head before using the heel of her hand to wipe at her eyes.
"It's just everyone they look up to me. My sister, my teammates- I can't look weak Rose" She said before placing her head in her hands. Rose was silent, never having to deal with crying people she was at a loss of what to do. She gently placed a hand on the smaller girl's back and to her surprise she started to laugh.
"You really aren't good at this" Mimi commented with a thick accent, something that seemed to come up whenever she was upset or angry. Rose shrugged before smiling.
"I'm the wrong person for comforting" Rose countered. Mimi nodded in agreement, though she rubbed at her eyes in the process.
"But great for getting slapped in the face- I'd say it's karma for burning me" Mimi added with a small grin. Rose smiled before lightly shoving her friend.
"I always knew you had a mean streak, Finnegan" Rose laughed "And as for getting slapped- I consider you an acquaintance" She added. Mimi placed the back of her hand dramatically against her chest.
"Only an acquaintance?" She asked with mock hurt before the door to the kitchens was swung open revealing a messy haired Al and calm looking Scorpius. Al instantly noticed the ice bag on Rose's face and had quickly cleared the distance to get a closer look.
"Oh merlin, Rose what happened?" He asked as he got a look at the yellowing bruise. Mimi shifted slightly in her space and Rose shrugged.
"That bitch Jodie White" She stated with a shrug. Al's eyes widened before placing the ice bag back on the bruise.
"Jodie as in big Jodie your room mate?" Al asked on shock. Rose laughed at his expression and nodded.
"Yep that's the one" Rose answered though she noticed how unamused Scorpius looked and she somewhat deflated.
"What brought this on?" He asked before helping himself to one of the many potatoes left from dinner.
Rose gestured to Mimi, the small Hufflepuff shyly waved at him which caused her cousin to practically choke at having not noticed her beforehand. Scorpius rolled his eyes at the action whilst Mimi attempted to stifle her own laughter however a small grin had appeared on her lips.
"Jodie was being a bitch to Mimi, we shouted and then she slapped me" Rose stated with a shrug. Albus nodded once his coughing fit had stopped and he abruptly turned to floor in embarrassment.
"I should probably go…"Mimi stated before standing, she turned to face Al and gently poked his shoulder.
"Want to walk me back?" She asked with a hopeful smile. Rose almost face palmed at the way Al dumbly stared at her, though it seemed he finally found himself able to respond and quickly nodded. Mimi offered the pair a smile before disappearing out the door behind Albus and Rose found herself alone with Scorpius.
She had been crying.
He knew that much from the way her ocean blue orbs were red and puffy as if been rubbed raw and her voice thick with emotion. Her usually immaculate hair was tousled and her clothing out of sorts.
"Hasn't anyone told you it's rude to stare" She commented as they passed a row if paintings. Meara had insisted on taking a detour round the castle, though Al was more than happy to oblige he was somewhat curious as to what or who she was trying to avoid and in this late hour they were the only ones occupying the hallway.
"Sorry...it's just" He paused at the way she stared expectantly at him and he found himself running his hand through his hair with frustration and nervousness.
"You were crying" He stated, though he suddenly regretted addressing the elephant in the room directly.
She stiffened slightly before quickly brushing some of her hair behind her ear.
"I...I was" She said quietly before speeding up her pace slightly. Al quickly walked into step beside her and ignored the way the painting angrily chastised him.
"They're wrong you know.." He said, mirroring the very words Meara had said to him down the corridor leading to the Slytherin common room. She seemed to remember and smiled at him slightly, though it wasn't one of her usual smiles this was sad and the usual sparkle was missing from her ocean blue eyes.
"Wrong about what?" She asked. He smiled before taking a step towards her and unfolded her arms, her expression softened and a small blush appeared on her tanned cheeks.
"I've heard what they've said-" He started his large hands engulfing her smaller ones. "It's all troll dung by the way" He added, glad that the statement was causing her to smile.
"You're a dork" She said with disbelief at his large goofy grin. He smiled before shaking his head.
"Maybe, but I'm a dork who knows a good person when I see them" He added, his grin widening at the way she smiled. She gently withdrew her hands from his and Albus noticed that after their detour they had arrived back where they started at the barrels next to the kitchens.
She headed towards the barrels almost as if to knock, however she quickly turned round and placed a kiss against his cheek. His face instantly grew warm and he noticed her own face was tinged with pink.
"You're still a dork" She stated before knocking on the barrels and disappearing into the Hufflepuff common room. He smiled, a goofy grin as he slowly placed his hand against his warm cheek and he decided that he was glad to be a dork.
The two had been sitting in silence for some time, Rose with half her face numb and Scorpius watching the house elves scurry around with disinterest.
"Didn't think you were foolish enough to get into a slap fight" Scorpius commented, the statement caused Rose to raise a brow at his sarcastic tone.
"Well that's just me, foolish Rose getting into slap fights" She spat before abruptly throwing her ice bag at the platinum blond. To her dismay he caught it one handed and silently placed it between them at their feet.
"You don't think before you act" He stated as he stared down at the ice bag before turning to face her. His brows were furrowed and his steel grey orbs were giving her direct eye contact.
She scoffed slightly before rubbing at her bruised cheek, so what if she acted on impulse it had always been the norm in quidditch- react quickly to the bludger, react quickly in the game. And in her own way, life was a whole lot like quidditch- Jodie was just the bludger she failed to hit.
"Stop touching it…" He stated before grasping her wrist, she opened her mouth to protest however no words formed and she found herself dumbly staring at the way his fingers encased her wrist. His gaze briefly flickered to her cheek and she found herself blushing at him being so close.
"Hmm it doesn't look too bad…" He muttered as he abruptly released her wrist.
"What are doing-" She asked, however she found herself quickly stiffening as he placed the very tips of his fingers against the bruise and Rose was certain she felt her heart rate increase at being in such close proximity to another person.
"Not too bad at all" He told her, seemingly unaware of her blush "Your bruise will fade in time" He added before removing his hand from her cheek. Rose quickly shifted to standing position and headed towards the door, though Scorpius was next to her and she found herself both nervous and confused once more.
"Just think next time, Weasley" He told her before walking out of the kitchens and leaving Rose to contemplate what in merlin's name just happened.
So what did you think of that?
Next chapter is The Halloween special party where things will happen so stay tuned.
JustAnotherFairy :)
