*Chapter 7*

"You should tell Scorpius."

I closed my eyes, hoping that maybe, just maybe, that would make Xander go away.

"And what, pray tell, am I supposed to say to him?"

He put his hand on my shoulder. "I don't know, the truth?

"Which truth? The one where I like him or the one where his girlfriend called me 'mudblood'?"

"Both would probably be advisable."

I glared at Xander. "What about Aden then?"

"Oh, yeah, your boyfriend." He paused for a while, putting on a comical thinking face.

"Maybe you should consider ditching him."

I breathed out, exasperated. "Oh, that's a great idea! 'Hey Aden, here's your present, oh, and one more thing, I think we should end this between the two of us.' That's great Xander, just perfect!"

"Well… when you put it that way."

"I don't know what to do," I said, finally looking over at the boy.

"I have an idea…" He smiled, lifting his tie and swatting me in the arm with it. "See where Scorpius stands when it comes to the two of you."

"What are you playing at? All right, now I'm intrigued."

"Act all lovey towards Aden around Scorpius to see if it triggers any kind of reaction."

"What sort of reaction?" I interrupted.

"The jealous kind." He smiled, smirking sloppily.


A song played in the air, and the backyard was filled with magically summoned fireflies and many dancing, smiling, laughing couples.

My date was late. Later than the owl he sent said he'd be.

And I was stuck in the most romantic place imaginable. Alone. Being forced to listen to sappy music and watch about a dozen happy couples - Scorpius and Ashby being one of them - dance about the yard.

"Hello, Rose." I felt a breath on my neck, as a low, oh so familiar voice sighed into my ear. "Miss me?"

"Aden, love, you have no idea." Really, the poor boy didn't.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked and I agreed.

He smiled at me sweetly and extended his hand. I took it, feeling a twinge of guilt for everything that had happened the past few days. I didn't want to hurt him, but I didn't want to drag him along through this. Xander had a good enough plan. (Unless you look at it from Aden's side.) The plan would have been fullproof. (If Aden were a robot incapable of being hurt.)

"You look troubled, Rose." I snapped my head towards his face, surprised by him taking me out of my thoughts. "Are you wondering about my reaction to the train ride fiasco?"

No, actually, I wasn't. But that was a nice cover. Hmm. I wondered… "You must think I'm mental."

"A mate of mine told me about your… scene." He paused, a hint of a smile forming on his lips. "Whatever it is you did, love, I'm sure Ashby deserved it."

"I didn't do anything, she…" I quickly shut my mouth. Oh no, no, no. I cannot tell Aden.

Too many people knew as it was.

"She what?"

"She lied. She said I hit her, and I didn't." I faked a laugh. "Actually, the minger ran into the door."

"She's not a minger." He said it fast and bitter, and it caught my attention. "I mean she's worse than a minger, if that's what she did."

I nodded, studying his face suspiciously. There was something wrong with that. It was like he was defending her. But why on earth would he…

"May I interrupt?" A sweet, soft, and perfect voice tickled the air. I felt my knees weaken, my lips twitch to a smile, and my cheeks tinge pink. In this situation there were only two things I was certain of. One - I am a complete girl, and two - the voice belonged to Scorpius.

"Well…" Aden said, "If you must, but I do have to warn you - I've never danced with another lad before, so I'm not sure who'll be the lead."

Scorpius chuckled at the joke, but I could hear a tone in his laugh that meant he really wanted Aden to leave.

"All right, Malfoy, I'll let you dance with her… just give her back to me later, okay?"

I feigned a huge smile Aden's way which he returned. I watched his back for a moment as he walked away from me towards the house.

"Ashby's been hinting towards me getting a new best mate," said Scorpius.

I watched him cautiously, searching his eyes for some sort of hint, but I found nothing. I swallowed hard, trying to keep the nervousness off of my face, and out of my voice. "And you've decided to ditch me, I bet."

"Of course not." He reached his hand for a dance. "I'd never give you up, Rose."

"Not unless Ashby really, really wanted you to, right?"

"Rosie, don't be like this."

"Be like what?" I snapped, planting my feet firm and still on the ground.

"Like a nut case." He laughed, trying to get me to move again.

"For your information, this nut case has spent the past few days thinking her best mate hated her."

"That's stupid; I'd never hate you," he said, mimicking my harsh tone. "I love you like…"

"Like a cousin?" I smiled up at him sadly.

His eyes had changed and the barrier he held had fallen. And for the first time in months I saw my Scorpius. "No, not like a cousin. They don't love you like I love you."

"Scorp…"

"Rose! Rose!" For the billionth time tonight my head snapped towards Xander.

"What?!"

He choked out words through spurts of air.

"Oh, just spit it out mate," said Scorpius, anger tinged in his words.

"I think it'd be in your best interest to follow me. Actually… I think it would be in both of you two's best interests to follow me."

I shot Xander a look and he frowned at me. I checked his appearance and noticed it. He was lighter than he usually was, his eyes wider than usual and his silly smile was twisted into a deep and rooted frown. Something was wrong. Something big.


I bet you can't figure out why this stories called 'Maps'… (= The reasons in this chapter. It's in one of the characters dialogues.