Chapter Seven:

Too Much to Handle (Rose's POV)

It was Christmas morning and everything was fucked up. The entire family was due over any moment and that just made me feel nauseous. James hated me. Lily was banned from speaking to me. At this point I only had one friend and he was apparently a pariah to my family. The fact that my parents still held contempt towards the Malfoys' just baffled me. Yea, sure Scorpius's dad had once tried to kill my uncle, but that was in the past. At least that is what I hoped. I grabbed my pack of fags and a lighter. I lit up a cigarette and walked over to my wardrobe after I had completely woke up and stared at my clothes. And stared. And stared. And stared. I had no motivation to even get dressed and didn't even care about the cool air drafting through my windows. My entire body was covered in goosebumps and my hair was standing up. My eyes flitted closed as I stood there, feeling and looking like a complete zombie.

"Rose!"

I jumped and turned around. "Oh, hi mum." I droned and turned back around. Not caring that all I had on was my knickers and had just flashed my mother. I hadn't even tried to cover up my chest.

She walked over to me and grabbed my shoulder. "Is that a cigarette, young lady?"

"Hmm?" I looked down at my burnt out cigarette. I hadn't attempted to smoke on it at all. "Oh, yea it is."

She grabbed it out of my hand and threw it on the ground. "This is totally unacceptable behavior!" She whirled me around to face her, her hands on my shoulders. I wanted to laugh at the fact that my breasts were a mere foot from her face. "What has gotten into you lately?"

I shrugged and turned back to my closet, pulling out a dress that I had bought over the summer and threw it on over my head. I stared at the mirror for a moment and then bent down to pick up the cigarette my mum had thrown. "Cheers." I said to myself and lit it up, ignoring my mum entirely.

"Merlin's beard!" my mum shrieked and stormed out of my room calling out my father's name.

I sighed and opened the drawer on my nightstand and grabbed my bottle of pharmaceuticals and popped a few pills. That was most likely the only way I'd get through today. I also took a few swigs from my little flask of vodka. I walked down stairs and plopped down on the couch next to Hugo and just picked at my nails, waiting for the eminent arrival of my family.

I was getting annoyed by Hugo's loud chomping on his burnt toast. "I'm going outside," I stated and walked over to the foyer and grabbed my coat.

My mum sashayed over to me. "What are you doing outside, hm?" She tried to sound sweet, but I knew she was being nosy with a slight aggravation to her tone.

I stared at her for the moment then shrugged. "I'll just be out in the garden... contemplating life and suicide."

My mum's draw dropped to the floor and I cocked a small smile and left the house. I wasn't even worrying about what I had just said to my mother... damn, these pills were nice. I sat on the bench and looked up into the sky. It was cold out but the brisk, cold air just smelled so brilliantly. I lit up a blunt and sighed, breathing in the dank taste of the weed. I was enjoying myself for the first time in a long time. I always had a feeling that I was a loner at heart.

"Rose?"

My eyes fluttered open. "Teddy?" I grabbed his arm and looked at his wristwatch. "It's eleven already? Is everyone here?"

"No, I'm the first to arrive. What are you doing out here?" He asked as he sat down next to me. "You smell like..."

"Weed." I answered and handed him my half blunt. "Want some?"

"Oh, no I don't..."

"Smoke? Yea right, Ted." I peered at him. "Ever wonder what happened to your flash and spliff a year back?" I smiled at him as I saw it clicking for him that James and I had swiped his stash.

Teddy laughed and lit up the blunt. "You bastards."

I grinned and looked over towards the house. "More people are arriving, let's move to the greenhouse."

"Who's here?" He asked.

"Oh, it looks like it's just Victoire..."

He coughed and stood up, holding out his hand to me. I took and and he led me to the greenhouse. I took the blunt back from him then blew smoke into his mouth. He gave me this look that sort of that kind of just gave me a feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Teddy laughed at me. "You look so stoned."

"I popped some Xanax earlier."

"How many?"

I giggled. "A few."

He licked his lips and pulled a flask out of his pocket. He took a swig then handed it to me as he spoke, "You are so interesting."

I chuckled. "This I know."

"I mean, I would have never guessed you were like this.

I frowned slightly. "Yea..." I was overwhelmed with a bit of anger. "I'm so over pretending," I blurted out. "Wow, that just sounded like an annoying tortured soul teenager."

"Well you are a teenager..." Teddy nodded. "But, I know the feeling. If anyone knew how I was, they wouldn't even... I don't even know what they would do." He sighed. "What happened with you and James? He's been ranting about you every time I come over."

"I set up Lily with a guy behind his back," I replied. "He just overreacted."

"Nutter," Teddy breathed. "Are you dating anyone?"

I shook my head. "No, I've only just turned sixteen so I have time to shop around. No need being tied down."

"Yep, I know the feeling. I'm only twenty-four. Want to shop around with me?" He raised his eyebrows at me with a toothy little grin.

I laughed. "Oh, yes." He shot me a look. "Oh, you're serious?"

He leaned in. "Why not?"

I smirked. "You're ancient."

"We are only eight years apart."

"You're stoned, dude."

He leaned in closer. "So are you."

He was so close that I could feel his breath on my face. It felt nice in contrast to the crisp air. My heart was beating faster than I wanted it to and I knew he could hear it. It was throbbing in my ears. I could feel my cheeks burning hot. Then he kissed me. My eight year old self was jumping up and down. I have had a major crush on Teddy since as long as I could remember and oh fuck was he a great kisser.

He pulled away and smiled at me as he placed his finger under my chin. "I like you, Rosie."

I grinned a goofy grin. "I like you too, Ted." I backed away, not breaking eye contact. "See you inside."

I walked back inside to see my entire family congregated in the living room. I took a glass of champagne and sat down next to Victoire, still breathing heavily. "How are you?"

She looked at me, her blonde hair perfectly done and her skin perfectly porcelain. "I'm fine, how are you?"

I drank the entire glass of champagne. "I'm just peachy," I replied in my fake voice with a fake smile plastered on my face.

Teddy walked in and shot a smile my way. I smiled back as I grabbed another glass of champagne.

"Who does he think he is? Smiling at me like that after he just dumped me last week. What a sodding idiot he is..." Victoire ranted.

"Hmm? Teddy? Oh yea, he's... an idiot," I breathed. I couldn't hide the smile on my face.

James spoke up. "What are you smiling at?"

I shot him a glare. "Shut up, yea?" I snapped. "I am allowed to be happy you know?" I stood up and stormed out to the kitchen where my mum was crying, not wanting to deal with James at the moment.

"Mum, are you okay?"

She looked at me and enveloped me into her arms. "Are you going to be okay? I don't want to lose you, sweetie. You are my baby girl."

Suddenly I remembered what I had told her and my heart sink. Never had my mum had any sort of issue with me and never had I made her cry... in a bad way. I was so guilt stricken I almost started crying... almost.

"Mum, I'm just going through somethings. I will get over it, I promise. I just hit a rough patch. It's all over though, I swear." I pleaded for her to stop crying.

It took me about a half an hour to get her to calm down and I just sat there across from her patting her leg and trying to make her feel better. As soon as her last sniffle was sniffled I made an excuse and walked back into the living room where James was engaged in a game of Wizard's Chess with Fred. Lily was sitting next to James, sneaking shots from his flask and all the adults were huddled around talking about grown up things. I sighed and resolved to sit down next to Teddy who was just flipping through a Quibbler.

"Hey." I set my feet up on the coffee table after I had grabbed a glass of champagne. "What are you reading?"

"Something stupid. Merlin I just want to kiss you again," he whispered and smiled sideways at me.

The corners of my mouth curled up and I took another sip of champagne. "I think I have the solution to that up in my room."

"Oh yea?" He raised an eyebrow and made a move to get up, but just as we were about to leave to do the deed, my mum walked out.

She announced loudly, "Dinner is ready, everyone!"

She looked a little bit happier, thinking her child was going to try and be different. That made me feel glad and guilty at the same time. I hated that feeling, but didn't really care at that moment. I was actually quite hungry and excited for my mum's muggle baked turkey. We all sat around an oversized table and ate and were civil and things were great until Victoire started talking.

"I think that it's rather weird that Teddy is invited to family gatherings, yea?" She looked around the table, looking for anyone to take her side.

I furrowed my eyebrows at her. "Why would you say that? He's sitting right here... it's a bit rude, don't you think?"

Victoire shrugged. "He's not really a part of this family."

Fleur nearly choked on her pumpkin juice. "Victoire!" she nearly hissed.

"Come off it, Victoire," James piped up, staring at her coldly.

Victoire glared at the two of us. "I don't want him here."

"You are a blithering idiot," I snapped and threw my napkin down. "I'd rather Ted in this family than a prissy little bitch."

Then I stormed off outside onto our garden bench. A few moments later, Teddy showed up, scratching the back of his head, looking at me with a somber look.

"You, uh, didn't have to stick up for me like that, you know? Victoire is just mad that I fell out of love with her."

I shook my head. "Everything is just so fucked. You're twenty-four and I've only just turned sixteen! This is wrong. I can't do this. I don't care if I've always had a little crush on you... I just..."

Then he kissed me again and I just couldn't push him away. I had no will to. I kissed him back fervently, not wanting to let go. Everything was just clicking in my brain. I was enlightened for the first time in weeks. I felt safe and happy. It was everything I wanted. Everything I thought that I could never have.

"Wow," a low voice said suddenly.

Teddy and I broke apart to look up. James was standing there, with a wide smirk on his face.

My jaw dropped. "James... please..."

"Victoire's a bitch," James interrupted me, chuckling at the end of his statement.

Teddy stood up and fist bumped him. "No worries."

"Can I have a moment alone with Rose?" James asked.

Teddy nodded and looked back at me, smiling. "I'll talk to you later, Rose."

I grinned after him as he walked back into the house. James sat down next to me and pulled out a blunt, lighting it up with his wand. "Want some?"

"Do I ever..." I breathed and took it from him, inhaling the sweet and stale taste.

James turned to me. "Rosie..."

I looked at him, my eyes welling up with tears. "James?"

He began speaking, "I am so sor..."

Then I hugged him. "Oh Merlin I fucking missed you, you miserable bastard!" I cried.

He chuckled and hugged me back. "I fucking missed you too, you crazy bitch."

I pulled away and wiped away some of my tears. "Can we just go back to how it was, please?"

"If you can forgive me for being... what was it... a miserable bastard?" James answered.

I nodded. "You bet your arse I can forget about it... as long as you let poor Lily be about Sam."

He shrugged. "I met the guy. He's really not so bad. He's taking her to some concert tomorrow."

"I'm going to... with Scorpius," I added cautiously, studying his reaction.

"Scorpius Malfoy? You guys...?"

"Oh, no no no. We are strictly just friends... I mean, he did kiss me once, but we were blown." I blurted out. "It isn't going to happen again." I smiled.

"This is just weird," he sighed and took the spliff from me. "Can we talk about what I just saw earlier... you and Ted?"

I groaned and covered my face. "I have no clue! What the fuck am I doing with him?"

"You guys look good together, besides the fact that he'll be fifty when you're forty-two." He squinted a bit at what he just said. "You know, it doesn't sound too bad when you put it like that."

"Yea?" I inquired. "But what would my parents say? What if we get serious?"

James snuffed out the blunt and ruffled my hair. "You'll deal with it when that day comes. He's a good guy and our parents are over the moon for him. It will all be okay."

I smirked and fixed my hair. "We better get back inside."

He shook his head. "Nope, I told them we were going to go blow off some steam, so... where to, Rosie?" He stood up and held out his hand to me. I smiled and looked up at him, taking his hand without a second thought. Not caring where he was leading me.

HPNG-HPNG-HPNG-HPNG-HPNG

The next day was the day of the concert and I was perfectly excited. I was particularly excited about hanging out with Scorpius again. Something about him always made me smile. I was sort of jumpy around him, thinking about our last encounter. I knew we were just friends but there was always that notion that he was my someday guy. That someday maybe we would be together. But not I was kissing Teddy and I didn't know if Scorpius would be weird if I told him about it, even though I really wanted to. I rarely made eye contact and directed my attention towards Lily most of the time. It wasn't until we were at the concert when I took his hand and let him up to the mosh pit. We were having a blast until I saw Teddy in the distance, waving for me. I quickly elbowed my way out of the crowd and walked up to him. Completely disregarding Scorpius, but after seeing Ted, I didn't care. All I wanted to to was to talk to him.

"What are you doing here?" I yelled over the music. I was completely covered in sweat, I knew I looked like a hot mess.

He smirked and pulled me close up against him. "I came to see you."

I snaked my arms around him and kissed him, not giving a single fuck. We stumbled against a wall and I could feel him getting hard. I pulled away and grabbed his shirt collars.

"This is wrong," I breathed, knowing he couldn't hear me. I took a few steps back from him.

He nodded, reading my lips. "Sometimes being wrong, is right." He yelled.

I smiled and punched his arm. I turned my head and saw Scorpius standing there, holding two waters looking inquisitive. My smile slowly faded and I disengaged myself from Teddy. I smoothed out my clothing and walked over to him and grabbed one of his waters.

"Ready to continue rocking?" I inquired loudly, grinning wildly at him.

He finally cracked a smile after what looked like much contemplation. "Let's go." This time he took my hand and dragged me back out. I shot a look back at Teddy who was standing there, looking rather confused at what had just happened. I hoped he didn't think I was stringing him along.

The rest of the concert went by and everything was perfect, but I could tell Scorpius wanted to ask me about Teddy... and then when he walked me to my door he finally asked.

"So, that guy... is he...?" He began and coughed. "Is he like, what your babysitter?"

I started giggling and slapped his arm. It seemed to be my nervous go to, just hitting people. "No he's... he's my family friend. I guess we are kind of, seeing where things go."

Scorpius's eyes widened. "Are you kidding? Rose, he's like thirty!"

"He's twenty-four," I replied, rolling my eyes a bit.

Scorpius shook his head. "Guys your age just aren't your thing then?"

"Nope," I snapped, ending this conversation.

He nodded in compliance and bid his adieus and I walked into my house, feeling rather accomplished. I went up to my room and saw a note there on my bed from Teddy just telling me hello. I smiled and set the note on my night stand, then dressed in my flannel pants and a tank for bed. I heard a small pop behind me and wheeled around to see Teddy standing there with a bottle of vodka. I grinned and and invited him to sit on my bed. We stayed up all night and talked and kissed and it was perfection. I was utterly happy

HPNG-HPNG-HPNG-HPNG-HPNG

It was New Years Eve and I was happy as could be. Things with Teddy were just great, besides the sneaking around and James and I were finally talking again. The thing with Teddy was that even though we had only been together for a short amount of time, he had already told me that he loved me. I was completely infatuated. I had never even told anyone that I loved them before, and didn't start with him, but I could definitely tell that I was getting there. He had understood, of course and continued to profess his love for me. I walked downstairs, humming and smiling. My mum was sitting on the couch reading the Daily Prophet. She turned and looked at me.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Oh uh," I stammered. "James and I are friends again."

My mum smiled. "Oh really? Oh Rosie! I am so happy for you!" She squealed.

I smiled at her and sat down next to her and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the coffee table. "So when are we going to Uncle Harry's for the party?"

"Oh, everyone is coming here. Harry decided to start remodeling for the new baby room a few days ago as a surprise to Ginny, but completely forgot about the party she was planning. She will be here any minute to start decorating."

I raised an eyebrow. "Well that sounds like a lot of fun... isn't she like super hormonal right now?"

My mum nodded dismally. "I would leave as soon as possible, sweetie."

I laughed and nodded. "Roger that, mum." I kissed her on the cheek and traipsed outside, pulling a bit of spliff out of my pocket.

"You going to smoke that?"

I smiled and looked over to the garden where Scorpius was standing. "Hey you."

He shot me a toothy grin as I walked over to him. He opened his mouth to speak, "What are you up to right now?"

"About to smoke up, you interested?" I questioned.

He nodded and we went to sit on the bench. We sat in silence for a few minutes, smoking the blunt down when he finally spoke up. "So are you still seeing that one guy?"

"Yea," I answered. "He's really great."

He looked at me. "Just be careful, yea?"

"I will." I looked over at my house. "What are you doing tonight?"

He shrugged. "Nothing. My dad's going to play some game with his school friends and my mum's in Italy with her new toy. I'll probably get wasted and smoke some spliff."

"How about you do it here?" I asked.

"Really? You sure?"

"The more the merrier," I answered back.

He shook his head smiling. "Yea, that sounds fun."

HPNG-HPNG-HPNG-HPNG-HPNG

Nearly everyone had arrived to my house that evening. My dad was steaming in the kitchen, ranting to my Uncle Harry about a Malfoy being in his house while Fred, Lily, Scorpius, James and I sat around in the den, sneaking shots of vodka and smoking spliff and airing it out with our wands. I was quite enjoying myself, but I hadn't seen Teddy arrive yet and then out of the corner of my eye, I saw him arrive, closely followed by Victoire and her family. I made eye contact with him, but he quickly looked away. I frowned.

"What's wrong, Rose?" James asked.

"Hm?" My attention snapped back to my group. "Oh, nothing's wrong."

"Everyone in the living room!" my Aunt Ginny demanded merrily.

We all got up and made our way into the living room. I sat down next to Teddy. "What's going on, are you okay?"

Teddy turned to look at me with sad eyes. "I have to tell you something..."

"Everyone!" I rolled my eyes as I saw Victoire demanded everyone's attention. I grabbed a glass of champagne off the table, unusually nervous and annoyed at the same time. I was worried about Teddy. He looked so upset and sad.

"My dear family," she droned. "I would like to make an announcement. Aunt Fleur squealed with delight and clapped her hands together. She continued after she shot a smile at her mum. "As of last night..."

I groaned and took a huge gulp from my glass

"...Teddy and I are having a baby and we got engaged!" She shrieked happily. "He proposed after I told him."

I began choking on my champagne. I gasped. "You have got to be kidding me!"

"Rose!" My mum snapped.

My eyes widened. "Oh, right. Sorry..." I shot a scathing look at Teddy who was ducking away from everyone.

"We are very excited," Victoire bit and glared at me.

I wanted to cry. I looked over at James and Scorpius who had stood up and were looking at me with shocked and sad faces.

Everyone began flocking around Victoire, congratulating her. I felt numb.

"When are you guys going to get married?" I heard my Aunt Ginny ask.

I wanted to throw up.

Victoire was beaming. "I'm not sure yet, but I'm hoping before our little one comes." She was gingerly rubbing her belly.

"Congratulations, Teddy!" Harry embraced him and shook his hand.

I wanted to kick him in his balls. "When did you find out?" I asked over all the commotion. "That you were pregnant... when did you find out?" I was being demanding and adamant. I could tell, but I didn't care.

"Two days ago, you little busy body," Victoire replied with a smile, but her tone was edgy.

I sighed and meandered into the kitchen. I was at a complete loss. I had no clue what to say to Ted now. He was perfect to me just a couple hours ago, but now it was as if I could see all of his flaws all at once. I downed another glass of champagne and my bladder insisted on relief. I trudged to the restroom and overheard Victoire and Dominique whispering back and forth.

"...but you aren't pregnant, Vic. You just want Ted back. Don't you think that is just a little messed up? What about in a few months when you aren't showing?" Dominique hissed.

"Don't be so over dramatic. He's such a puppy dog, he'll always do the right thing." I peered into the bathroom and Victoire was putting on some lip balm. She continued her sentence. "Once he's fallen for me again, I will have a miscarriage and it will bring us closer and in turn, I'll I have it all mapped out, Dom. It will be okay."

Dominique shook her head. "This is so messed up."

"I know," Victoire smiled.

I opened the door and glared at the both of them. "You little bitch."

Victoire wheeled around and shot me the same glares I was shooting her. "Spying on me, Rosie? Isn't that just a bit juvenile?"

"I can't believe you," I nearly shouted, ignoring her failed attempt at trying to hurt me. "How can you do that to him?"

She closed the gap between us and shoved a finger in my face. "You are the little slut that's sneaking around with him, Rose. Don't act like no one knows how much of a slag you really are."

I grabbed her finger and bent it back. "Don't push me, Vic," I growled into her ear.

"OW!" she yelled and grabbed my hair. "Get off of me!"

I grabbed her hair as well and slammed her into the door as she shoved me out into the hallway. My head connected with one of the pictures in our hallway as it shattered to the ground we stumbled haphazardly out into the living room where everyone was she I tumbled on top of her and slapped her across the face.

"What in the hell is going on?" my mum screamed and pulled me up off of her.

Victoire stood up and fixed herself up. "She just attacked me! I'm pregnant, you idiot!"

My jaw dropped and I attempted to make a pass at her again, but my mum held me back. "You're lucky she's holding me back you little cunt! You aren't even pregnant!"

Everyone looked at Victoire, they were all unsure of what to believe.

"She's... she's lying!" Victoire stammered just as Dominique appeared from the hallway. She looked shocked and scared. "Tell them, Dom! Tell them how she just attacked me!"

I looked at Dom, pleading with her my eyes. She looked down at her feet then back up at everyone. "Rosie's right," she squeaked out. "I'm so sorry, Vic but you can't do this to Ted."

Teddy slowly sank down onto our couch. He looked so hurt and I wanted to cry for him. "Can you just give us three a second?" Teddy asked somberly. "Can we go outside?" He stood up and walked towards the door as Victoire and I followed. We went out to the bench in the garden and sat down. Teddy stood in front of us, pacing back in forth.

"You," he pointed at Vic. "You are a manipulative and maniacal little bitch. I have no feelings for you. I could never love someone who would lie about being pregnant just to get someone back. You are completely out of your mind and I wish you the best of luck, but I never want to speak to you again."

"Teddy, let's not make suck a rash decision, love," Victoire reached out to him.

Teddy pulled his hand away from her grasp. "No."

She stood up and flipped her hair back. "You'll regret that decision later on in life."

Teddy sat down as Vic stalked back into the house. He turned to me and took my hand, and I could see tears forming in his eyes. I looked down at our hands. Our hands. Together. I shook my head and pulled my hand away.

"I can't... I can't..." I was crying now. "You proposed to her."

Teddy gazed at me, pleadingly. "I was just trying to be a good person."

"I know. I know that," I sobbed and took his hand back into mine. "That is what makes you so amazing."

There were hot tears streaming out of his eyes. His big, beautiful blue eyes. "I am so sorry that I proposed to her. I was just taken off guard and she said she was..." He choked on his own words and that made my heart break for him. He continued to try and get the words that were hurting him out. "When she told me she was pregnant, I was oddly happy. I don't have a mum or a dad and I wanted so much to have a family..."

Then I kissed him. Our lips melded so breathtakingly well that I couldn't help but just melt into him. I was so raptured by his touch. His skin touching my skin was more than my body could handle. I was on fire. I felt faint and so lightheaded and then everything went black.

A/N: It's been so long. Not that anyone really reads this, but I honestly think this is my best fic yet! :D I put a lot of thought into each plot and character. I hope that it shows. This is the only fic I have had the courage to even post online because I was so confident in it. More to come. Lot's of stuff happened in this one, I know. Hopefully it wasn't too sporadic. Thanks! READ AND REVIEW. Do it. Do it now.