A/N: Thanks for those reviews! They made me happy, so for now the characters of this story are safe. Please keep reviewing! It really encourages me to write. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. There is some mild swearing on one occasion in this chapter so please be aware of that. Apart from that I hope you enjoy it.


It was an odd experience. I could hear them, talking (well whispering really) and plotting revenge on Veronica. I just couldn't see them. For some time, I lay there taking in their words before I heard Scorpius' voice.

"I'm going to kill her," he growled.

I gasped and sat upright, my eyes flashing open. I swayed as I took in the sight of the ten people crowded around my bed in the Hospital Wing and the other one slinking way to the door. I watched Scorpius leave amidst the flurry my family caused fussing over me and asking if I was alright.

"I'm so sorry about this morning, Rosie," James blurted.

"I forgive you, James," I sighed, running an errant hand through my messy bedhead.

"Great," he said, sounding relieved. "I expect you back in training within a week, mind."

"James…I'm not re-joining the quidditch team-"

"What? You have to, Rose. You're my best Chaser!" He complained, almost whining at me.

"Maybe when I'm fit again, but I just can't cope, James," I gently explained, beginning to divulge details of my various commitments. I hadn't been to a single Gobstones meeting this year and I was the president!

"Sorry," he muttered, dipping his head in shame. He mumbled an excuse about homework and left the Hospital Wing, leaving me with Lily, Albus, Dominique, Louis, Fred, Roxanne, Molly, Lucy and Hugo, who looked paler than I'd ever seen him.

Fred nodded at me and grinned. "Glad you're okay, Rosie. Better go and make sure James is actually doing that Potions work though…"

"Just don't distract him," I shouted uselessly after him. "Al?"

"Say no more. If James passes his NEWTs it'll be because I sat the exam for him," he joked as he stretched and grabbed his jumper of the end of my bed, pulling it over his messy black hair and following his cousin's footsteps.

"Just us girls then," Lily murmured from my right hand side. She was closest to my head and I nodded briefly.

"What are Louis and me?" Hugo asked indignantly. "Invisible?"

Dom solved the problem by taking their shoulders and manoeuvring them away from the foot of the bed and out the door, dusting her hands off as the door swung shut.

"S'okay!" Hugh called from the other side, his voice fading as he walked presumably towards Gryffindor Tower. "We know where we're not wanted!"

"What a world it would be without boys," she sighed.

"Good riddance," Lucy declared. "Fred and James were beginning to annoy me with those ridiculous theories…" She trailed off as she caught sight of Lily's gesture of drawing her hand in front of her neck.

"Theories?" I asked hesitantly.

"Well we are curious about why Veronica decided to just attack you," Dom explained.

Lily shot daggers at Lucy and Dom for bringing the topic up. But it was okay. It was time they knew really. They were my family after all and I'd hidden the truth from them for so long.

"Lily – it's okay."

"You sure?" She asked, turning from Dom's bewildered expression to look at me. Seeing my determined expression, she continued, "Yeah, you're sure."

I nodded, taking a deep breath and launched into the story. "Dom? You remember that Herbology lesson a few days ago with the Slytherin boys?"

"Yeah…"

"You remember they were talking about Scorpius and me?"

"Yeah…where's this going, Rose?"

"Well, Scorpius-and-I-went-on-a-date," I mumbled, running my words together.

"What?" Roxanne asked, laughing.

"Scorpius and I…well we…er…went on a date…"

Dominique choked. "You what?"

"But you hate each other!" Exclaimed Molly.

"He's a total douche!" Complained someone else.

"I'm shocked, Rose. I thought you'd die a spinster," someone joked. It was impossible to tell who in the din of voices continuously making observations.

"Guys," intervened Lily. "Calm down. She went on date with Scorpius. They're not together or anything."

"I see you knew, Lily. How could you not tell me?" Roxanne demanded, looking on the verge of tears. "I thought we were friends. Best friends."

"Because I asked her to," I answered, not wanting to be the end of Lily and Roxie's friendship.

"Why?" Dom asked, growing suspicious.

"Because…th-things didn't really end well…" I hesitated, unsure what to say. "Veronica interfered, messed things up. She told me I was part of a bet…and then…she kissed him in front of me…"

"That total – cover your ears Molly, Lucy – bitch!" Dom shouted, raring up to storm out and find Veronica. Lily darted forwards and grabbed the back of her robes, stopping her from leaving. "She…she…and today she…what a cow!" Dom's anger prevented any full sentences except those containing insults or swearwords from leaving her mouth. Finally gaining control over her speech, Dom promised, "Oho, she is going to wish she'd never been born after I'm through with her!"

"No, seriously, Dom, that'll just make things worse-" I tried to say before she shouted me down.

"Rose, have you seen yourself? Do you know what she did to you?"

I stared at Lily, literally begging for help.

"She broke one of your ribs, Rose! You could have died!" Dom continued relentlessly.

Speaking quietly, Lily explained. "A piece of one of your ribs broke off and punctured your lung…"

So, really it was no wonder everyone was so worried about me.

Choosing her moment, Madam Pomfrey bustled out of her office, alerted by Dom's cursing and loud voice. "This is a hospital, a place of rest and recuperation. Please avoid that kind of language. If you cannot control yourself, leave."

Dom nodded. "That's exactly what I'm going to do. I'll be back and respectfully quiet when Veronica Montague is in that bed right there," she said, pointing at the bed opposite mine before purposefully striding to the door and throwing it open.

Madam Pomfrey stared after her in shock, stuttering slightly. "And the rest of you. Miss Weasley needs rest!"

"See you later, Rose," Lily murmured. "You were really brave, you know?"

I whispered my thanks and watched them leave.

"How are you feeling, Miss Weasley?" Asked Madam Pomfrey moving around the bed to check on me.

I took a moment to assess my condition before answering, "Fine."

"No pain?"

"Nope. I feel fine, honestly."

"Good," she replied. "The skele-grow's finished its work then. Your ribs are whole and strong again."

"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey."

"Nonsense, child. Though please advise your young gentleman friend to stop hassling me in future. It slows the healing process, you know?"

I frowned. I didn't have any gentlemen friends.

"Mr Malfoy was most persistent in questioning me when you were brought in," continued Madam Pomfrey, unaware of my shock.

"He was?" I was smiling with wonder in spite of myself. I knew that getting involved with Scorpius again wouldn't bring anything good. How I ended up in the Hospital Wing was a prime example in support of that fact, but Scorpius was beginning to pull me in again. Friends, I told myself, there was nothing wrong with being friends.

"Speak of the Devil and he shall appear," Madam Pomfrey proclaimed, nodding towards the door where Scorpius' head was peeping around.

He sidestepped in, glancing about the empty room before his eyes came to rest on me. He smiled once and then began to speak. "Professor McGonagall asked me to check whether you could still do our detention…"

"Miss Weasley is in full health," Madam Pomfrey answered for me, smiling gently between the pair of us. It felt suspiciously like she was trying to set us up. "In fact you can leave together." She brought over the screen and I changed behind it, coming out in my grey skirt and pullover, my red and gold tie hanging untied around my neck and my robes undone.

Scorpius picked up my bag and threw it over his shoulder before doing my tie for me. "I'm glad you're okay," he mumbled as he did it, refusing to meet my eyes.

I stared at him in surprise, nodding numbly at his words.

"Filch would have grilled you if he saw that," he explained briefly, walking backwards out the door.

I hurried after him, reaching for my bag as I caught up to him. Smirking, he swung it out of my reach and held in the air.

Damn his height! Life just wasn't fair. I was convinced I would forever remain a four feet, six inches tall dwarf.

"Scorpius," I protested, "give it here."

He merely continued to grin and backed up the corridor towards the Clock Tower.

"Oh, so you're just going to pilfer my property now?"

"Rose, allow me to be chivalrous this one time…" he practically begged. Reluctantly I lowered my arm and followed him.

"Where're we meeting Filch?"

"Entrance Hall," he replied.

"Then why are we going to the Clock Tower?" I asked, obviously confused.

"I've just got something I want to take care of first…" he told me, keeping me in the dark. And I hated surprises – he knew that. At the fourth floor of the Clock Tower, he moved towards the stairs and wandered down them, checking to make sure I was still behind him.

"Scor, just tell me what we're doing?"

"I don't think so, Rose. I'm well aware that the second I tell you what we're doing, you'll refuse to cooperate."

"And with good reason. You'll only end up getting me into more trouble," I hissed.

Scorpius snorted but continued walking.

"I hate you," I told him.

"Now you know that's not true. It's impossible to hate someone as godly-looking as me," he joked. But it was true. Scorpius' good looks were irresistible.

Scorpius only stopped when we reached the end of the stairs and were standing in the Courtyard, directly under the clock. Gasping, I realised that we were stood in the exact spot I had met him for the Christmas party last year. My eyes shone with tears waiting to be shed.

Scorpius grimaced, knowing why, and I wondered why he had taken me there.

I didn't have to wait long to find out. Laughing lightly, Veronica, flanked by Warren and Jack, approached us from the dim evening. I stood my ground despite the fact that my legs trembled, not out of fear but from a cruel sense of anticipation.

"Scorpius," Jack snarled.

He nodded, looking only at Veronica, the mastermind behind the whole plan last year.

She stared back, clearly enjoying the attention, whilst I hid behind Scorpius hoping to escape the notice. He, however, was not oblivious to my intentions, and reached behind to take my hand and pull me forwards.

Veronica's eyes darted downwards, zeroing in on our interlocked hands.

She scoffed and sneered at me.

"You've brought us some fun, Scorpius," Warren jeered, causing me to flinch whilst Scorpius' hand tightened almost painfully around my own. He was angry. That much was clear from his blazing eyes and thin line that his mouth had become.

"Rose, is not here for fun." His voice was low and deathly menacing. "We're here to tell you to back off. If any of you hurt Rose, you'll have me to answer to, and you all remember how good I am with this…" He broke off to draw his want from his pocket, twisting it in front of his eyes and casually spinning it in his fingers.

Veronica glared at us more intensely. "If you're happy settling for a blood traitor…" she hedged.

"Rose isn't a blood traitor," Scorpius replied, gritting his teeth. "If anyone's a blood traitor, it's you three!"

Throughout the exchange I was silent, watching Scorpius' eyes flash dangerously, as Warren said, "I don't think you understand the concept of a blood traitor, mate."

"No, I do. A blood traitor is someone who turns against their own in support of someone else. Well, you all knew I like Rose, and as I see it, you turned against me," Scorpius declared. Strictly speaking he was right, a blood traitor was someone who turned against their own (the pure bloods) but they only did it to support a non-pure blood.

Scorpius' three ex-friends looked rather taken aback by his outburst.

"Right, so we don't hurt, Rose?" Jack clarified, shrewdly staring at me.

Scorpius nodded.

"And then we're friends again?"

This time Scorpius sadly shook his head. "No, sorry, Jack. Some things are unforgivable. I may never convince Rose to give me another chance. And that's your fault."

"Scor-" I tried.

"-Don't worry, Rose. It's not your fault. I don't blame you." He glowered at Veronica who ducked her head slightly.

"Scorpius, I'm sorry," she pleaded. "I did it for you. I love you-"

"-So that gives you the right to act like a spoilt child?"

"No! That's not what happened. If you'd just stop listening to Rose you'd understand!"

"How many times, Veronica? It's not Rose who doesn't like you! In fact Rose has been very understanding and fair in her treatment of you, which is more than can be said of you. It's me who doesn't like you. I. Don't. Want. To. Be. Friends. With. You."

Veronica staggered backwards and ran away crying.

Jack elbowed Warren and the pair of them left, hurrying after Veronica, leaving me clinging to Scorpius' hand like a lifeline.

I was gasping, breathing heavily in shock.

"Hey," Scorpius shushed. "I'm sorry you had to see that." He cupped my cheeks, his thumbs rubbing softly over my cheek bones. "Everything's going to be fine now though…they won't bother you anymore…"

I nodded, still feeling overwhelmed.

"Come on," Scorpius murmured, throwing an arm about my shoulders and directing me towards back into the Clock Tower. "I know a secret passage way through here. It should get us to the Entrance Hall in time to meet Filch."

Numb as I was with shock, Scorpius was able to lead me through the dark passage, his wand lit with Lumos before us both and his other hand soothingly rubbing up and down my arm.

Finally, the passage came to an end, and we found ourselves in the Entrance Hall broom cupboard, cramped and pushed together in close quarters.

"Sorry," he muttered as his chest brushed mine, sending sparks of electricity through me.

I stared at him wide-eyed whilst he fumbled for the door handle, occasionally brushing the bare skin along the back of my hand.

"There we go," he said, seizing the door handle and twisting it open. Unfortunately in order to pull it and push the door open, he had to lean into me and we both fell against the opening door, into a sprawling mess at Filch's feet.

"What were you doing in my cupboard?" He croaked, wizened and wrinkled with long, ratty white hair. "Hoping to hide from old Filch, eh? Well, it didn't work. Come on, we haven't got all night. I want these floors sparkling clean."

Scorpius groaned as he pushed himself to his feet, one of his knees clicking as he bent back down to help me up.

Filch passed us each a mop and set us to work, leaving to patrol the nearby corridors for Peeves – a favourite past time of us.

Scorpius grunted as he tried to reach behind the statue of Hansard the Horrible and mop the floor, his arm getting wedged behind it.

"Voldemort, that's annoying!"

I looked up and grinned, before going to his aid. "Merlin's Pants, how did you do that?" Despite my tight grip on his arm, I couldn't pull him free. "Try dropping the mop," I suggested.

The mop clattered to the floor, the sound echoing slightly off the walls. Heaving, Scorpius arm suddenly slid free and we both fell to the floor again, though this time he was on top of me.

Turning pink, he hopped up, muttering an apology and grabbed his mop, returning to his mopping.

I stared after him, remembering the feel of his body against mine.

"Rose?" Scorpius asked as he turned and saw me gazing at him.

I blinked, ending my reverie and was lost in disbelief. I had to stop thinking about Scorpius in that lovely romantic hue. If I didn't I'd never get anything done.

Smiling briefly, I began pushing my mop across the floor, leaving a path of shining tiles. After all, that was why I was there. I was meant to be cleaning, not mooning after a boy.

"Rose, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

I stood, leant on the end of my mop and replied, "Depends what it is…"

"I just wandered why you never told your family about us-" He cut off suddenly, looking at me in what could easily have been mistaken for fear. He wasn't afraid though, he was just nervous about my reaction.

"How did you know I didn't tell them?"

"They kept asking me why I was at the Hospital Wing with you and there at Breakfast…"

I sighed. "I didn't want to admit that I'd been hurt. They all think I'm perfect – best in the year, good at everything and they all just think that nothing fazes me. I couldn't face telling them because it would have made the hurt all too real."

Scorpius winced. "Sorry," he quickly muttered.

"It's not your fault," I told him with a shake of the head and a wry grin.

"I just have to disagree with you on one thing though."

"I know, I know – I'm not perfect-"

"-No, you are." I gasped, but Scorpius continued as though I hadn't reacted at all. "I'm the best in the year."

I burst out laughing, finally releasing the pent up emotions from the day, a few tears leaking out and my sides beginning to hurt as though they were splitting.

"Yeah, and I'm as old as Merlin," I joked.

"Seriously, Rose, last year I got a better Potions mark than you did-"

"-Codswallop!"

"I did," he griped.

"Whatever, Scor, pull the other one."

"I'll prove it one day."

Rolling my eyes, I countered, "Sure. Well, I answered your question, will you answer mine?"

"Depends what it is," he grinned, echoing my own words.

"Why did you really break off your friendship with Jack, Warren and Veronica?"

"To be honest, I don't know why I was even friends with them in the first place," he said reminiscently. "Well, that's not true. I met them on the train – they heard I was on-board and came into my compartment, eager to hear about my father and Voldemort. I took the easy way out. Three people came and offered outright to be my friends before they even knew anything about me. I managed to avoid all the awkwardness about my family that I had been dreading. After that, I noticed some of their less…let's say pleasant characteristics…but I just ignored them and pretended they were nice people really."

"So it wasn't just about me?"

"That's two questions!" Scorpius teased, pushing his mop once more. Turning serious once more, he answered evenly, "Not entirely about you. They were rubbing off on me, giving me a reputation I didn't really want. Sure, it was cool on one level – girls throwing themselves at my feet…" I zoned out for a minute, frowning. "…but, honestly, what I really wanted was to have a relationship, to be with someone and know each other so intimately it was like we were one entity." He blushed slightly again, gazing at me.

I nodded, silent and pensive for a few minutes.

"My turn," declared Scorpius suddenly.

"What?" I asked warily.

"You've asked me two questions so now I get to ask you another one."

"Oh no, I'm not answering anything else," I told him, my eyebrows raised high in amusement.

"Play fair, Rose," he said reproachfully.

"I am," I complained. "You'll ask me something I don't want to answer."

"I didn't want to answer your questions; but I did."

"Fine," I muttered, caving to his pleading grey eyes.


A/N: Please review because I love to know what you all think!