We were met by a very solemn looking Anton. He was sitting up in bed and staring at the white wall opposite him, with a very far-away look in his eyes.

When he realized we had entered the room, after about a minute, he shook his head as if coming out of a daze and acknowledged us with his cute, signature half-smile. I returned it meaningfully. Clifford's hard expression, on the other hand, didn't waver and it looked like he was trying very hard not to lose control. It would have been rather funny, had the situation not been so serious.

I walked over to Anton and sat on the bed next to him. He looked at me with those gorgeous brown eyes and slipped his warm hand into mine. From over a year of dating him, I knew this was his usual gesture of reassurance, but today it didn't seem to satisfy me like it usually did. His hand felt unusually clammy and I figured it had been another effect of the cocaine.

He must have sensed my uneasiness because he lowered his head and pressed his lips against my hair. I leaned in instinctively and put my head against his neck. I had always loved being in this position with him. We were very rarely showed affection for each other with such a level of intimacy, so it made it extra special for me when we did. A loud cough from Clifford brought me out of my daze caused by the spicy scent of Anton's cologne.

'Are you two finished?' Clifford said angrily. Anton scoffed and pulled me in closer. Although I knew he probably did it to rile up Clifford even more, it still felt nice after nearly 24 hours of no affectionate human contact.

'How are you feeling?' I murmured to him, ignoring Clifford's menacing stare.

He shrugged in response, and I felt myself becoming angry at him again. I know I was acting bipolar, but seriously, after all I had done to care for him, to ensure he was in good health; his only acknowledgement of my help was a shrug of his shoulders?

One look at Clifford, and I sensed his train of thinking was on the same wavelength as mine. He took a step forward towards us and I felt the classic 'flint family tantrum' coming on.

'Are you actually so much of a prick, Anton, that you would act as if nothing has happened?' Clifford questioned. He took another step forward.

'Rose has been worrying herself sick all day about you. Even Blake was worried!' I looked at Anton's face and searched for some sort of notion of guilt, but to my annoyance, I found none. He just had that same neutral expression he had when we first came in to the dormitory. Maybe this was just some effect of the drug. Maybe he couldn't really process what we were saying at all. It wouldn't surprise me, considering the size of the empty packet which had held the cocaine.

A minute of awkward silence followed. Clifford and I waited for a response from Anton, but none came.

'Don't you have anything to say?' Clifford yelled.

Clifford's tone of voice seemed to have woken Anton up a bit.

I felt his gaze on me, but I stared at the floor instead. I didn't want him to see my expression of hurt and rejection. I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting Anton to say. Maybe some sort of 'thankyou Rose' or even an apology. Not silence.

'Baby' Anton whispered. I didn't look up. 'Rose. Look at me sweetheart. Please.' I lifted my head slowly so my blue eyes met his brown ones.

'Why?' I asked, shaking my head slowly in confusion. 'I thought it was over'

'It's not that easy Rose'

'How long?' Clifford asked softly, his tantrum subsiding.

'Just that once' Anton replied.

I gave him a hard stare. It was always hard to deduct whether or not Anton was telling the truth. Over the years he had managed to master the mask he wore, making it nearly impossible to read him accurately.

'I swear' he said earnestly, and I at once believed him. Not because I was entirely certain he was telling the truth, but because I badly wanted to believe it had only been that once.

I nodded and kissed his shoulder through his thin shirt. I looked up at his face and saw the corners of his sweet mouth turn upwards into a dazzling half-smile.

Anton shifted his stare to his brother, and I turned to see Clifford scowling next to us.

'You still haven't given us answers Anton'

I nodded in agreement with Clifford.

'We won't judge you baby' I told him truthfully. If it had been anyone else I probably would have judged them – a regrettable aspect of my nature, but because it was Anton, one of the people in the world I was probably closest to (Scorpius and my parents shared that title), I didn't.

Anton sighed and went back to staring at the opposite wall.

'You guys wouldn't understand' he said softly. 'You're fifth years. You don't feel the pressure yet'

His voice was so sorrowful I almost forgave him then and there. I probably would have if it wasn't for Clifford's scoff of interruption.

'Come on. Don't act like you suddenly care about your future' Clifford said as his crossed his arms.

There was a few moments of silence before Anton spoke again, this time, much softer than before.

'I got a letter from Dad'

Clifford drew in his breath sharply at this, and uncrossed his arms immediately. Anton wouldn't meet my eyes and this time it was his turn to stare at the floor. I wasn't exactly sure what to say. Neither of the Flint boys ever mentioned their father. I knew their parents had separated from a young age, and that they spent the majority of the time living in their manor with their father, Marcus. I had also concluded that their relationship with Marcus was strained if their lack of letters to him were any indication.

A look of understanding passed between the two brothers.

I spoke up. 'I don't understand' I started slowly. 'Why would this cause you to…you know'

Both boys sighed and another look passed between them. I was starting to become slightly exasperated. What was with all the secrecy? I was Anton's girlfriend and Clifford's friend for Merlin's sake. Why wasn't anyone telling me what was going on?

'Well?' I pressed on.

'Look…Rose' Anton started in an infuriatingly superior voice. 'Just don't worry about it, okay?'

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

'Don't worry about it?' I repeated, my voice rising. 'You almost over dosed Anton. Of course I fucking worry!'

Clifford winced at my swearing. I didn't blame him – the situation had to be pretty intense for me to swear.

Despite my outburst, neither boy attempted to explain the situation to me, which only further fuelled my anger. Anton was going red in the face, a sure sign of anger. I didn't care though, all I wanted at that point was answers, and I was determined to get them.

'I've been busting my arse worrying about you Anton. I sat next to you as you slept for hours waiting for you to wake up, I – '

'For merlins sake Rose just stay out of it!' Anton yelled, effectively cutting me off.

I was fuming now. How dare he cut me off? I was the one that should be yelling at him, not the other way round. He was the one who had done wrong, not me. I looked at Clifford for some answers but all I got was a bent head.

'Fine' I muttered angrily, grabbing my bag. I stormed out of the dormitory and slammed the door behind. If they wanted be like that, then fine. I was done dealing with stupid Flint boys anyway.

Authors Note: I'm not very happy with this chapter, because Rose is sort of bi polar and changes her opinions unrealistically quickly, so I apologise for that. I realize there hasn't been much Scorpius/Rose action yet, but it will come very soon I promise. And the focus on Anton won't last for too long either, its just something I need to develop in order to get the story going. Thankyou to everyone who has followed and reviewed, and pleased continute to do so.

April Unicorn