A Row in the Rain

A Row in the Rain

The weeks travelled by, as the days until the Christmas holidays dawned closer. Since the night of that dream Rose tried her hardest to try and forget the image of Scorpius's pale, dead, face and yet it still haunted her every time she closed her eyes or when she took a brief moment to rest between lessons. Her studying had become more frequent than it usually was, and her friends feared for her health, when she wouldn't stop working.

Rose knew how much Debby, Anita and Hailey worried about her but she was scared that if she was left alone with her thoughts for even a second the image that haunted her in her sleep would haunt her when she was awake as well. It didn't help matters when Scorpius was acting so strangely still.

As the days past, every morning Scorpius would blank her almost completely, muttering maybe only two words to her through out the course of the day. By the evening however, he resumed his normal self, by always chatting and playing endless games of chess into the night- only to ignore her the next day, yet again. At first she thought that it must have been in her head but as the days went by and they travelled into December even Summer had noticed a striking difference in his behaviour.

As the day of their first Hogsmeade trip began with a sound of Rose's alarm clock Rose flinched at the thought of having to spend another unbearable day in Scorpius's company, when he clearly wanted to ignore her.

Today she had no trouble getting up, as she usually did. Because today she was glad to get out of a slumber as another nightmare had played; each of her dreams resulting in the death of her best friend- with the image of his pale stiff face that she couldn't seem to get of off her mind.

She changed into a pair of jeans and a green turtle neck, as usual her hair hung in the loose curls they had always been in and as she yet again tried to straighten them they still resumed their curly self, even after a straightening charm had been placed on them.

She gave another heavy sigh, as she walked down the set of stairs and into Common Room, the sun bursting through the window and onto the photo as it had done the very first morning of the year. She smiled at the thought of how they used to be and how this year had changed there friendship in such a way Rose never thought possible. Their friendship had seemed so strong and untouchable yet here she was not sure whether he even considered her as a friend anymore.

And there was Scorpius lying on the same sofa they had spent the night on all those weeks ago. He had fallen asleep doing his homework. He was dressed in his emerald Quidditch robes, his hair was off at funny angles and he had his hand up to his face. It looked for a moment like he was sucking his thumb.

She giggled. It wasn't often that Rose got a chance to see Scorpius so dishevelled. She slowly took a steadying breath. With a shock she realised that they hadn't actually spoken for the last few days. Scorpius had taken to avoiding her. Well, he couldn't avoid her now.

Trying not to stare at the fact that he looked so peaceful and content in his sleep, something that had become rare to see in him over the past month, she knelt down beside the sofa. She poked his side a little but he didn't respond.

"Skip," No answer. "Skip," Nothing. She gave him a small shake and this time her voice was louder. "Scorpius," He shifted slightly in his sleep, his hand moving away from his face as he rolled over and gave a grunt. "It's time to get up."

"Five more minutes mum," He said groggily, Rose going into fits of giggles, still knelt down beside him so his lying head was level with her one.

"It's me Rose, you don't have five minutes- get up," She smiled. Scorpius opened his eyes and for a brief moment she could have sworn his eyes glimmered but as he adjusted into a semiconscious state his snide grin returned and his eyes shut down from any emotion that had been there only seconds ago.

"What do you want," Scorpius groaned, sitting up so that their heads weren't level and reverting his gaze to look everywhere but in Rose's eyes.

"It's Hogsmeade today," She snapped, angry at the response he had just given her.

"So…? What's that got to do with you?" His sneer felt cold and unfamiliar, she hated the "new" Skip, the one that he had made himself become over the weeks. Some evenings she thinks she finally has the old Skip back until she starts yet another day of snide sneers.

Was her father right? Would he indeed become Malfoy like- Dark Arts and prejudice?

As the snow fell from outside she realised, that was exactly how it felt these days. Skip was no longer Skip, when he took on his new persona- he was just Scorpius Malfoy, part of the family her family grew to hate. And even though she had given him plenty of chances, she simply wouldn't allow herself to believe that he had changed. She knew something had got into him- all she needed to do was to find out what because what ever it was it wasn't enough to ruin their friendship over.

"Well actually, Malfoy, it has everything to do with me," She sneered back, in a mocking way that strongly suggested she was unhappy. "Because you are Head boy and me, Head girl, so you see, today we have to spend the whole day together."

"Why,"

"We're doing patrol today, make sure no students are getting into mischief- you gave the prefects a day of remember- we planned this in our second week!" Rose said in disbelief, not sure how he could forget something that had been his idea.

"Oh- yeah- right," He muttered, He scratched the back of his head and had an expression on his face that Rose couldn't describe. The closest thing to it she could think of was "fear" and yet that wasn't the right word to place it with. He got up slowly and flashed Rose a sly smile. Then breathing slowly and looked down his watch he purred.

"Well… May I suggest seeing as you are dressed and I'm not? You go down eat and make me a bacon buttie and cup of coffee to go. Okay?" he smiled. Rose looked thunderous.

"Come on Min." he pleaded pouting slightly. "We have to do our duty…"

"Duty!" she shrieked shrilly. Skip flashed her, a smile as he turned and ran up his stairs.

Half an hour later, Rose was standing at the bottom of the stairs in the main entrance. She had a cup of coffee in one hand and a bacon buttie in the other. But she also had a plan because she was going to make him pay.

She was not his mother or one of his Quidditch floozies, for him to boss around. She was Rose Weasley and no man, not even Scorpius Malfoy was going to treat her like this.

As she waited, she saw all of the little Hogwartians ready to go through Goyle's checking.

"Are those mine?" Scorpius smiled broadly.

"Yes, just for you" Rose said with a wicked smile. He should have known something was up. She handed them to him. Scorpius's smile faded.

"But these are cold Rose!" He said in a voice with a moaning edge.

"But I thought if they were warm that would be cruel." She said softly walking off into a deserted part of the corridor. He followed transfixed in her wake.

"What do you mean?" he stupidly asked.

"I mean this…" she said pointing her wand at the things in his hands. The coffee rose high into the air above his head and slowly poured it over his head, so it splashed on his winter robes. "Don't you ever treat me like some sort off a slave again! Especially," She shouted. "When you've been treating me like the scum at the bottom of your shoe for a month."

Rose stalked off in front of him slightly, not wanting to even look at him right now. She felt him edge nearer to her and as they reached the very end of Hogwarts' grounds, they were walking side by side, silence descending between them as Scorpius looked determinably at the floor.

When Rose came to a halt, Scorpius, she noticed, took this as an opportunity to use his wand and dry his robes so they were dry and crisp. Rose caught herself casting her thoughts back to a particular memory of Scorpius teaching Rose how to produce a drying charm in her fist year. She then remembered when she taught him the Accio charm in return that very same day. They had been so young then and so innocent. These days it just felt as though they were drifting further and further apart as their families' words dawned on them more now than ever before.

And that was when she realised. Realised the truth behind what Scorpius had been telling her- warning her for years. It was now and only now- after seven years of them arguing about it- that she truly understood why Scorpius had been so adamant to keep this friendship a secret. Their friendship, in theory, could split her and her family apart or equally just split the two of them apart. If they did tell their parents and they weren't happy with it then ultimately, she could be forced to pick between the two- Scorpius or her own family. A choice that she wasn't ready make. Neither of them- or at least she thought- was ready to loose either of those things and it now suddenly dawned on her how much their lives could change if she had chosen to tell her family. The very thought made her insides crawl with fear and unease. She wasn't ready to give up her family for Scorpius and even though she would easily choose her parents over her best friend she still didn't like the thought of her life with out her Skip. Her future just looked black without him.

She then looked back at Scorpius who was now looking at her with concern. Rose glanced at him in understanding he then took it upon himself to turn away from her and walk into the carriage, almost reluctantly. Her eyes felt damp as he said nothing and blanked her. She couldn't, for the life of her, work out what he was wrong with him, but she gave asking a week ago.

The rest of the short journey was a quite one. Rose allowed herself to listen to the laughing third years that sat in front of her. One of them appeared to be a Witch with blonde, straight hair that sat nicely above her elbow; she was sitting next to a boy with turquoise eyes and black short hair.

The girl was looking down at a map of Hogsmeade smiling and chatting to the boy enthusiastically; a big beam on her face as she looked angelically down at the parchment, pointing to various attractions that they could visit. The boy however looked at her in admiration, agreeing with what was said, smiling and looking as though he could quite do with a day out with the girl. It was clear to everyone but the young girl that he liked her as more than a friend but it was also clear that she only thought of him as a friend. A pang of sympathy in the pit of Rose's stomach went out to the boy and this feeling only heightened when she told him that he was "the best friend ever" and he looked down in disappointment.

"Oh I'm so please we get to go together, Ryan" She said in a voice with such happiness that Ryan's whole face lit up, making Rose's lips twitch into a smile, something that hadn't been very frequent since the night of the dream. "We hardly ever get time together- I wish I was in Slytherin like you,"

"Nah, you don't wan' a be a Slytherin, Ellie" He told her, his hands resting on his lap. "Ravenclaw is much better suited for you- you're the smartest and nicest girl I know!" He blushed, going unnoticed by Ellie.

"Aww that's so sweet Ry," She said giving him a brief hug before letting go and having another glance over the map.

It was then when Rose turned to Scorpius, a knowing grin on her face, her blue eyes met his silver one's before he looked back at the young couple and spoke.

"Hey Ryan," He greeted as the small boy looked around. Apparently he hadn't noticed Scorpius there, he jumped slightly but his smile soon returned when he saw Scorpius's face.

"Oh, Hi Scor, you alright?"

"A bit tired these days but I'm doing ok- how's you're potions getting along?" Scorpius asked as Rose watched on in mild surprise.

"Oh yeah, tons better thanks to you- I got an 'A' for acceptable in my last homework- a bit of an improvement from my 'P' eh? Thank you so much," Ryan's whole face seemed to gleam in thanks as he chatted with Scorpius.

"No problem- you've always been able to do it- you just have to concentrate and not get too distracted. If you ever need help with anything ask me, ok?"

"Will do?"

"Or just ask Rose because she's smarter than me anyway," He said before he could stop himself, Rose smiled gratefully at the complement, though he didn't seem happy about saying it. Just then Ellie cleared her throat.

"Oh Yeah," Ryan said as he flushed, acknowledging her presence again. "Scor, this is Elena Collins, my best friend and Ellie this is Scorpius Malfoy, my personal tutor and head girl Rose Weasley."

"Pleased to meet you," Rose said addressing them both as she waved at them sweetly.

"Yes, Ellie," Scorpius smirked and looked at Ellie with a new founded interest. "I've heard so much about you- you're like a celebrity the way Ryan goes on about you- it's nice to put a face to the name- you must be real special!"

"Well I don't know about the whole special thing but its nice to know he talks about me," she took a quick glance at Ryan before continuing. "And I've heard a little about you as well, I assume you're the Seventh year friend that changed his life." Ryan went red as he nodded in embarrassment. Then faced Rose.

"You're very pretty, just like Scorpius described," Ryan said, desperately, so that the attention was no longer directed onto him.

"He said that, did he?" Roses questioned turning to Scorpius with a coy smile of surprise curled on her lips. Though Scorpius was facing the other way, gazing aimlessly out of the window, she could just about make out the slight tinge of red around the back of his neck.

"Oh Yeah, lots of times- he talks about you a lot," Rose was surprised yet interested to hear more, glancing at Scorpius every now and then to see if he was listening.

"What does he say about me?"

"That you're very pretty and smart and taught him almost everything he knows. He says that you're his best friend in the whole world and he never wants anything to change that. That he respects you and he likes it when you get angry but even more when you laugh. He said that you go on endless midnight trips down by the lake and that he was pleased that you got head girl but he was confused over your letter. He says that you're a secret but he doesn't want you to be and that you've known each other so long that you know more about him than anyone else. He doesn't like talking about you to other people like me but I ask him questions anyway. He tells me lots about you really, can't say it all now!" This confused Rose further and as she replayed his speech in his mind she noticed something.

"Confused by my letter?" Rose said in bewilderment, turning to Scorpius. "Which letter," Ryan then slouched in his chair, realising he may have dug Scorpius in it.

"Nothing, not important," He grunted but he was never able to lie and Rose could tell he was by the way he wouldn't give her eye contact.

"Come on tell me,"

"It's nothing,"

"Tell me,"

"NO!"

"Please,"

"Just drop it, ok?" The whole carriage went silent, but that didn't matter because it was then when it came to a halt. The doors swung open and they had arrived in Hogsmeade.

Rose listened as the laughter and light-hearted chit-chat echoed all around her as the snow flakes glided onto the ground and into the foot prints of children. People were having snowball fights and singing or dancing, eating and playing. Girls and boys travelled together, some in-groups others in pairs or couples. The frost swept across the air and the atmosphere felt cheerful and jolly. IT was clear that Christmas was approaching; people were buying presents or carolling as the strong aroma of the sweets from Honeyjukes came into full sent.

As Rose and Scorpius watched Ryan and Ellie walk away, Ellie dragging Ryan by the arm in the direction of Zonko's, while he waved at them, Al and Anita came into view.

"Hi Rosie," Anita screamed in excitement as she came over and hugged Rose happily. Rose did not fail to notice that Al looked a little put of. She didn't know whether this was because he couldn't bear to be anywhere near to Scorpius, because he knew Rose would be spending the entire day with Scorpius or simply because he'd rather be with Anita alone. "Hi Scorpius," She said greeting Scorpius with a hug also, much to Al's dislike.

"Hi you two," Rose replied.

"Hi Anita," Scorpius smiled, glad not to be alone with Rose. "Potter," He nodded in a strained fashion.

"Malfoy," He said returning the nod.

"What brings you two down here?" Rose asked. "Alone and together," She winked.

"Well Al asked me- he wanted me to help get your Christmas present!" Anita replied.

"Yes, which means we better be off!" Anita ignored this and hushed Al by waving an arm in the air as if to dismiss the subject.

"The four of us should meet up later in the Three Broomsticks," Anita continued, her eyes fixated on Rose. As both, Al and Scorpius both turned to Rose pleadingly.

"Sounds good, what about at one for lunch?"

"PERFECT!" Anita agreed, the two girls giggled, shaking hand before going their separate ways, Rose saw that Al was saying something to Anita as they walked of and it was then when Scorpius chose to speak to her.

"Why the hell did you do that?"

"Because you've been so miserable this last month that the thought of spending a day being blanked is unbearable." Rose answered in honesty.

"Great," Scorpius said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Now I have a lunch date with Potter,"

Rose shot him a look.

"Fine" he huffed setting off towards the shops; away from the growing crowd of Hogwartians. "I'll eat lunch with Potter…"

"Ok. But don't worry about Al" Rose smiled with a faint whisper of mischief haunting her angelic face. "Anita has him wrapped around her little finger. Not that she even realises it. But she likes you so you'll have no problem from him today; ok?"

They walked aimlessly in silence for a while; ready to pouch on trouble like a cat. Their silence was broken when they spotted Anita, alone, being followed around by a pile of packages.

"Looks like Anita has ditched Potter." Scorpius purred.

"No she hasn't!" Rose snapped stifling a laugh. "That pile of packages has Al under it." As they got closer Anita waved them over.

"Hey you two as head boy and girl could you do me a favour could you?" Anita asked her face expressing unusual hybrid of annoyed and amused. Rose and Skip nodded curiously.

"Oh no you don't!" Scorpius smiled. "What's wrong with Hogwarts golden boy?" Anita's eyes widened, pleading Scorpius to shut up. When she didn't say anything Skips smile widened. Then it struck him.

"Oh there's something wrong with pretty boys face is there?" He said as he tried to look around the pile to see Al's face. The pile moved every time Scorpius got close.

"Oh no you don't!" he exclaimed pointing his wand at the packages, making them glide gently to a near by bench. With the packages gone they could see that Al was singing. Singing at the top of his lungs; even though they could see, or rather hear that there was a silencing spell upon him.

His green eyes flashed dangerously at Skip; but he kept on singing.

"What's wrong with him?" Skip laughed; Rose unable to speak for fear she would laugh too. Anita didn't say anything; but removed the silencing spell.

"Oh Albus Potter,

No one will be hotter,

Sure to be the best wizard of your age

Your eyes are green

And so it'll be seen

That we'll count on you… who woo you…

Ooooo to Albus,

Born under the potters name

To the man who defeated the dark lord

Oh his life will never be the same

Oh to Albus

His raven coloured hair

His bright green eyes and feckless face

His mother and father make a good ol' pair,

Oh to Albus,

Oh to Albus,

Oh to Albus,

And his Family"

Albus sang before Anita replaced the silencing spell.

"Oh no" Rose said shaking her head as Skip fell over laughing. "Isn't that..?"

"Yep that song that made pop witch, Emelda Wander, wrote for him when he was born." Anita nodded glumly.

"But even though it was a hit; Albus hates that song." Rose said.

"Exactly! The Fred's and James developed this range of singing sweets. There's one where you just sing everything. One where you sing and dance; and this one which makes you sing you're least favourite song repeatedly. I had to but the silencing spell on him, for his own good."

She opened her mouth as if to say more when she saw Scorpius wave his wand and they heard Al sing again.

"Ooooo to Albus,

Born under the potters name

To the man who defeated the dark lord

Oh his life will never be the same" Scorpius stepped forward and grabbed Al's hand and twirled him around. They looked quiet silly as Albus glowered at Scorpius. The girls laughed as Al broke free and gave him a rude hand gesture. Scorpius then danced with Anita and Rose while Albus sang.

"Oh to Albus

His raven coloured hair

His bright green eyes and feckless face

His mother and father make a good ol' pair," Scorpius danced with both Anita and Rose. Not caring that they were making a scene. Other Hogwartians joined in. Some now singing with Al. Others merely dancing because there lips were busy silently singing along to their own least favourite song.

"Oh to Albus,

Oh to Albus,

Oh to Albus,

And his Family" By this point the whole street had joined in with the singing and dancing much to Albus's displeasure- the whole street burst into applause and laughter as Scorpius turned the volume off on Al.

"Sorry about that but that is my favourite part of that song. Thank Merlin they don't write them like that anymore." He sighed smiling at everyone. That little display of silliness he knew Potter would get him back for. But for Skip it was worth it, to make Rose laugh and make a fool out of Potter. Albus stalked off followed closely by Anita.

"Hey Potter," Scorpius called. "You forgot your packages!"

Albus trudged back kicking snow in Scorpius's direction.

"Now that isn't very nice is it Potter. And after we all had such a good time." Al swore with his hands again. Rose, who had been dispersing the crowd popped in between the two boys rolling her eyes.

"Al, go with Anita to the Hogs Head we'll get the counter curse and meet you there ok?" She said glaring between them; with such force as to make both boys step back.

"Thanks Rose" Anita sighed handing Al the pile of shopping. She grabbed Al by the elbow and led him away before shouting.

"AND ROSE BE CAREFUL. THE SINGING SWEETS AREN'T THE ONLY NEW PRODUCT OUT. THEY'VE DEVELOPED PAINT BALLS THAT ALWAYS FIND THEIR TARGET!" Anita shouted over her shoulder, before fading out of site.

Anger flashed in Rose's blue eyes. People would argue and say that they had done it to her on many occasions- Christmas was one of the main times of the year where prank after prank after prank had been pulled on her. Wasn't it just last year when they had given her a sweet that made her skin turn pink and she had to deal with the horrible clash of hair colour for the whole of Christmas eve? Well she had, had enough! Fred, Fred and James would pay for it; she wasn't going to let them get away with it not this time.

They had gone too far!

Without a second thought she began to stomp angrily through the snow and over towards Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. She felt her whole face grow hot with anger. She had been told by her mother to ignore the pranksters but she had also been told by her father to give as good as she got. Her mum's advice hadn't seemed to have worked so maybe for once her dad's words had an inkling of truth in it; then again wasn't it him who said that she loved the three of them really "deep down", well it must have been pretty deep down because it was times like these she could quite easily kill them and not even care.

For once in her life she'd act on impulse; act on what she feels on the time. They always say red heads have tempers and with Rose that was certainly the case.

"Where the hell are you going," Scorpius asked calling over to her, as he ran to catch up.

"To cause three funerals if we're lucky!" She screamed in absolute frustration.

She had marched half way to the store before Scorpius had caught up with his fuming friend.

"Min," he said spinning her around on the spot. "You can't kill them."

"And why not?" she said breathing heavy; her skin glowing in the winters light. "They gave Peeves that paintball. They were the reason we were late for the feast. The reason there was that rumour that's made this year so hard. That changed…"

"Our friendship?" Skip said finishing her sentence. "It's not that Min. Well, that's part of it but." he sighed. "We can talk about that later. Right now I need for you, as head girl, not to be arrested by your Uncle Harry and dad because undoubtedly it would be my fault." Rose playfully punched his arm.

"But I just know it was them that gave Peeves those paint bombs!" she said clearly still fuming but obviously calming down.

"Well, we'll find out and go from there." Rose huffed. "You need to act like a Slytherin when you're planning revenge and that means when you talk to them you'll have to stay calm."

"Oh no! I'm not talking to them. Because if I do; I'll curse them to next week!" she said shaking her head. "You do it!"

"Do what?" Scorpius asked slowly. "You don't mean me to actually go up to you cousins; on their territory they'll tear me to shreds!"

They were now stood outside Weasley Wizards Wheezes as sea so Hogwartians ebbing in and out of the shop. There were students singing and a lot with paint splattered on them. From outside the pair could see James green eyes sparkling with mischief as they watched the mayhem in the shop. His Uncle George had made him manager for the day and although they couldn't see the Fred's they knew that they knew that they were somewhere near by because of the off tune singing drifting towards them.

"Skip you hear that racket" Rose whispered leading them out of the way of the foot traffic, Scorpius nodded. "That's those are the Fred's." Then tone deaf singing of the Fred's stopped as suddenly as it begun.

"Ha! I knew it! They've got a cure. Mum probably made it just run it, get it and come out then we can get on with are day. Or I will curse you and them in equal uncomfortable measure!" Rose smiled while playing seductively with the bottom of Scorpius scarf. What neither Scorpius or his Min saw was that James Potter had chosen that exact moment look out of the window and saw the how Scorpius and Rose exchange. And James Sirius Potter was seriously unhappy.

Scorpius mouth went dry. Right then, he didn't want to see a Potter or any other Weasley. He wanted to take Rose somewhere and… He didn't know what but being alone with his best-friend suddenly sounded unbearably good.

"Fine" he grumped turning on his heels towards the shop. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Roses reflection, she was grinning at him. He smiled as he entered the nosy shop that smile, he decided, was going to be his downfall. The moment he stepped through the threshold of Weasley Wizards Wheeze Scorpius felt a pair of green eyes bore into him. James Potter appeared in front of him as suddenly as if he'd Apparated.

"A word Malfoy" James said through the kind of gritted teeth smile that sent a shudder through Scorpius. Suddenly he felt James strong hand grab his shoulder like a vice grip. Within moments they had moved from the front of the shop to a small back office. They managed to navigate through the crowd of excited teenagers and even past two dazed red heads.

The first red head they'd dodged was short and muscular with a wealth of red hair; that was straight but flicked at the ends. He'd been about to ask James something when he'd stopped seeing the look in his cousins eyes. Scorpius recognised him as being Fred, the son and heir to Wizards Wheeze by the lurid green, scaly jacket. That jacket, Scorpius knew, had been Fred one and George, Fred two's father had given it to him after much pleading.

Then seconds later, a tall and thin young man with a mane of red curls had come up to them. He was wearing glasses and was holding a clip board that was flashing like a remember all and was shouting at him in his Grandmothers voice. But far from being upset by this shouting Art, as Scorpius knew this Fred was called, was grinning like a fool. Then, after a silent exchange, Art left them to go into the office.

The office was small and cramped because of all the boxes of stock that were waiting to replenished stock as it flew from the shelves. But more then this Scorpius was unable to discern because James had started staring at him.

Seething.

Scorpius felt like if looks could kill; he'd have disgraced his father and been thrown into Azkaban.

James didn't say anything.

"Hello Potter, nice to see you. Message from the Head Girl; please can you give me the antidote to your singing sweet for your brother and the school because she has a feeling we'll need it." Scorpius said in as boldly as he could. James looked stunned but still annoyed.

Annoyed was actually only one of the emotions that Scorpius could feel radiating off the oldest Potter child but the other ones Scorpius didn't dare name.

"Please? Please? From a Malfoy!" he questioned loudly. "The 'great' pureblood prince says please to a Potter; in a message you're giving me from my bewitching cousin, a Weasley. What's your angle Malfoy?"

"Don't have one" Scorpius said flatly.

"Oh yes you do. I saw you smile at her and let her play with your scarf. She has a big heart that one. She's looking at you like you're a lost puppy or something…" James started to rant.

"Oh I see. You're already bored in this 'shop' and so are starting to write romance fiction. What's up Potter? Lost your charm or just not clever enough for the joke business?" Scorpius purred mimicking the way he'd seen his dad talk to people.

"Oh it's not my imagination. I saw you!" James explained.

"Imagination Potter… Now just give me the cure and you can…"

"Funny thing about the cure" James said glancing at a package on a near by shelf. "After Albus left here I followed in time to see you tormenting him. I saw Rose and Al's Slytherin bird playing along; didn't make my present known because I wanted to leave the boy with a shred of dignity. Then, I saw you out side the shop a minute ago, with Rose looking cosy."

"My cousin Minnie isn't to be messed around with Malfoy" James said dangerously. But a fire of fury had ignited in the pit of Scorpius's stomach. Of course Rose had told Scorpius that her cousins had called her Minnie as a child. And after her growth spurt had started to use it again.

"Well Potter I don't care what think. We're of age and if we want to 'mess around'. In fact, if we want to bonk 24/7 and have multiple babies it would be none of your concern. Not that I'd want to with Weasley…"

"Bull. I've seen the way you were looking at her: The way she got you to do her bidding. And then there are all those rumours. She's too good for you. Malfoy and you'd hurt her if you did. The family would be angry. Ours and I'd hate to think what your daddy would say."

James snarled.

"So if I was you I'd stay away from Rose. Far away. Because those thought you have forming in that perverted slimy head of yours will destroy the pair of you."

Scorpius opened his mouth to speak. But James stopped him.

"I don't want to hear your excuses. This time I'll agree with you; I think. It was my imagination. Because if it wasn't you'd have a problem the likes of which the wizarding world hasn't seen since the demise of moldey Voldey."

Scorpius could tell that it wasn't what was said but the way it was said that was stated that scared him and made him afraid and angry. If someone as fanatically thick as Potter.

"Now run along" James said calmly shoving the package into Scorpius's hand. They stared at each other for a while before Scorpius turned to leave. Package in hand. He felt Potter follow behind him and he was aware that a lot of the eyes in the shop turned to him when he re-entered the shop. He couldn't hear the noise of the shop because all he heard was the beating of his own heart.

He was angry and powerless in this Potter and Weasley filled place. This family centred world that Rose would hate to leave even if she did care for him.

James words had acted like a slap reminded him that he was a Malfoy and he had to act like it. The package suddenly felt heavy in his hands. He had to interact with Rose. He couldn't just run off and clear his head he had to see her.

As he left the shop and appeared in front of her face brightened.

"Here!" he spat, red faced. Then he closed his eyes and turned neatly on the spot Disapparating to the first place away from Rose he could of.

Rose was sat shaking. She was in a white fury. This was a kind to Rose being on nuclear melt down. Since Scorpius had abandoned her she had worked on automatic because we wanted answers from Scorpius.

So here she had sat, at the entrance of the only tunnel Scorpius could use to get back into the castle. For an hour she had waited, planning out what she wanted to say and how, that hour had seemed a fun-less eon. A pitiful end to a sad day and it wasn't over yet.

She had delivered the antidote to Albus and acted normally. Done her duty and acted normally and even lied to Goyle about Scorpius's where abouts. All the time burying her tears and hurt deep down. Letting those raw emotions power her through the day to this moment.

At the end of the tunnel she saw wand light. She knew it was him so she drew herself to her full height. She tossed her hair and shook her hair so it looked as wild as her mothers used to. Her dad had once confessed that he'd always know he was in trouble when he saw his wife's hair so wild. Uncontrollable hair equated to uncontrollable Hermione resulted in him being out matched.

She imagined her having her mother's strength and way with words and people and felt stronger. She knew she would need all her strength for this.

"Skip I want a word with you!" she said as soon as he came into view.

"No" he said looking more tired and warn than she had ever seen him ever. "Leave me alone."

She blocked his path but she he moved past her and sprinted into the castle. He performed a complicated disillusionment spell before silently leaving her behind. She was stunted beyond comprehension.

As she started to run towards Gryffindor tower she still couldn't figure how he had gotten away from her. As she raced towards the tower she was glad that everyone was in the Great Hall still. Because the sky outside seemed ominous they'd be no chance of her getting her target without having to explain herself if the common room was occupied.

Twenty minutes later she was outside the grounds tirelessly sprinting to where Scorpius was. This was going to be resolved tonight; One way or the other; whether he liked it or not.

As she got to near him she slowed and took a deep breath.

"Oi Skip," Rose shouted angrily, walking fast down hill as she headed over to the Black Lake where Scorpius Malfoy sat. "I want a word with you," He turned to face her and stood up, his face just as hostile as hers; sneering at her as though she was worthless.

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say, Min, so just leave me alone," She was next to him now, Scorpius had never her seen her look so cold at anyone, especially not him.

"Think again," She whipped out her wand and pointed it towards his neck. "Have you ever been on the receiving end of one of my hexes, learnt them from Aunt Ginny herself, rather painful," She said, Scorpius shook his head. "No, well if you don't tell me what the hell has got into you these days then you will know" She jabbed the wand into him a bit more. "Exactly what it feels like!"

"Is that a threat, Weasley?"

"No," Rose said with a smirk. "That's a promise."

"What's it got to do with you anyway, hate to break it to you, Min, but you're not that special, you know?" Scorpius tried to move only he found that he couldn't, when he looked down at his feet he saw a glowing gold colour sparkling around both of them, his frustrated gaze reverted back to his best friend. "What the hell have you done?"

"Now you can't move, so until you tell me, you'll just have to stay there!" Rose sneered putting her wand back into her Robes.

"You're not getting anything out of me,"

"Well then I hope you're comfortable," She said sitting down in front of him.

"Oh come on, Min, let me go!" He screamed.

"What's the magic word?"

"Please?" Scorpius suggested.

"No, sorry," Rose said tiredly. "The counter curse for that spell isn't 'Please'"

"Come on, that isn't fair,"

"Do you know what's not fair, Skip?" Rose said, her tone cool. She didn't care if she sounded cruel; he had taken it to far this time. He had been a complete prat for the past month and she was absolutely determined to find out why. He had no idea how much she had been hurt this month especially seeing as him dying was the only thing she could visualise in her dreams and it scared her. "What's not fair is you're best friend suddenly going hot and cold on you for no reason. What's not fair is being avoided day after day and the only thing they seem to say to you is 'Just drop it'. What's not fair is discovering that the one person you thought you knew, in fact, you know nothing about. What's not fair is when you are treated like scum and then expected to treat people like normal. Do you think that's fair? Fair? Fair? Well sorry if I'm not being fair to you, Malfoy but you're not being very fair to me!" She was hysterical now; even Scorpius could see it. He knew he shouldn't push it but it had to be done, it was the only way to get away from her.

"Let. Me. Go," He said through gritted teeth, trying his best to stay hostile, yet not doing a great job.

"Tell me what's wrong?" She pleaded; sounding so hurt and helpless that it made Scorpius's heart ache. "I'm your best friend; nothing is worth breaking our friendship over."

"Please just leave me alone and let me go," Scorpius said, he didn't want to have to deal with her- he couldn't think straight when he looked into those blue eyes that seemed to blind him.

"No, no, I will not leave it- I will not just drop it and I will not give up, not this time!" She said shaking her head furiously. "We are going to sort this out tonight, right now this second- and I don't care if it takes us all bloody night then the whole of tomorrow and the day after that- you will tell me!"

"Please go," He begged, but she didn't move.

"Is it about school?"

"No,"

"Is it about you're parents?"

"No!"

"Is it about the Slytherins?"

"NO!"

"Then what is it about?"

"YOU- IT'S ABOUT YOU!" He screamed, before he could even stop himself. That stopped Rose, she could feel the tears begin to form in her eyes, her brain felt clogged and her throat tightened, as drops of rain started to fall and lightning flashed.

"M-me?" She choked. "What did I do?"

"Y-you- you- you're just so-" He stuttered, struggling to find a word strong enough to describe what she had done.

"Oh because that really is a good reason," She said sarcastically, trying to shrug it of but still her throat clenched even tighter.

"You're not perfect, you know? You do have faults like every other human being!"

"I don't think I'm perfect," She said outraged, her arms plastered to her side, suddenly looking rather small and upset, and it cut through Scorpius's heart.

"Are you kidding me?" Scorpius said, carrying on with his act. "You think you're so damn perfect, that my reason for being completely off with everyone couldn't have anything to do with a perfect Princess like you because you're too damn special. You think that I couldn't ever be angry at something you did because Merlin forbid, someone might not actually like you!" It was pouring now. They were both drenched, and if it hadn't been for the rain then maybe Scorpius would have seen the tear that left her eye.

"You don't like me?" More tears began to flow and the grass now became a path of slippery mud, as the snow began to melt, it was silent as the moon rested behind the fog and mist of the clouds and all students were now tucked up in bed.

"Oh so you are clever," He sneered. "I think its better that we're not friends anymore,"

"WHAT? WHY?" She yelled, the tears still falling; though it was hard to tell in the rain.

"Because it's wrong, IT'S SICK!"

"Skip, this is not you," She lent over to touch him but he slapped her hand away. "This is your dad talking, not you? What did he say?"

"GROW UP, WEASLEY, MY DAD DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!"

"Then what, Skip?" she screamed. "Because I may be clever but I'm not that clever! TALK TO ME"

"You don't get it do you," Scorpius screamed at the top of his voice, Rose started to shiver as the icy rain now had soaked her. "I DON'T LIKE YOU! I NEVER HAVE DONE!"

"BULL!" she shouted with all her might fighting the feeling of panic and confusion that was growing inside of her.

"No it's not- it's one hundred percent true!" Scorpius protested, his feet still glued to the floor. "You annoy me to no end- I blank you for a month and you're still following me around like some kind off lost sheep WHEN WILL YOU GET THE MESSAGE?"

"WHEN WHAT YOU TELL ME IS THE TRUTH! WHEN YOUR EYES DON'T BETRAY YOU! YOU'RE LYING AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY. TELL ME SKIP. OR I SWEAR ON MY MOTHERS COPY OF HOGWARTS A HISTORY THAT I'LL..." she said reaching towards her wand.

"What is wrong with you?" He said with a groan. "It doesn't matter- we can't be friends and that's that- we're not meant to be friends, we're not meant to be meeting up in secret like this IT'S WRONG!"

"It does matter Skip. You matter. We matter. We can't just stop now. It's only wrong because of our families and we've always known that. For six years we've snuck around. You've had probably more detentions than anyone in the history of Hogwarts." She said stepping forward. She reached up and moved a lock of his hair from his face.

"It's nothing to do with our families," He pulled away.

"Then what!" she said her eyes pleading with him. They were both drenched now, the rain was heavy and they were dripping with water.

"Fine do you want to why?" Scorpius took a deep breath and Rose was unsure why yet she nodded. "I hate you," Rose inhaled slightly. "Yes that's right, I hate you- you make me feel sick, you make me wish I was somewhere else- YOU MAKE ME FEEL THAT MY LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH LESS COMPLICATED WITHOUT YOU AND I HATE THAT FEELING!"

"YOU HATE THAT FEELING. I HATE THAT FEELING BUT YOU LOVE ME..." she shouted. He stared at her like she was mad; he wanted to scream but he couldn't. "I LOVE YOU. LIKE BEST FRIENDS LOVE EACH OTHER" there was that word again, 'friends'. The word burnt like a thousand suns.

The tears in her eyes were now visible even in the rain; there was no way anyone could mistaken her red eyes even if it was dark. Her insides screamed because she had never felt so hurt in all of her life. Her insides tugged and her brain was buzzing, she felt dizzy, scared and her throat became dry as the lump was still forming.

"Love?" Scorpius snorted. "I don't love you- I hate you- I wish I never met you to begin with- you're scum just like the rest of them." He had been looking down but when he said the next part his eyes never parted hers. "I hate you. And I curse the day I helped you up in that corridor!" Those words stung Rose and cut through her like nothing else. It felt as though someone had stabbed her in the heart.

"You don't hate me Skip. I know you. You don't mean it..." she said in a small tired quivering voice.

She stepped closer to him. "It's me and you forever you said... Skip after everything. All the lies, all the acting. You don't hate me." she whispered her eyes closed as they stood cheek to cheek in the rain.

"Forever isn't real," He said lamely. "You don't know anything about me Rose," And that was when she knew, he had been telling the truth. The last word echoed in her brain. 'Rose' he had never called her that. Only once or twice as a joke but never with such a cold and empty tone or expression. Sure, he had called her Weasley and Minnie or Min even Rosie but never Rose.

She stepped back slowly. Her eyes scanning him with only hurt and fear written in them.

"But wh... wh... What about everything we've been through? That just means nothing to you now?" she said trying to stop herself from hyperventilating.

Her tears were flowing more rapidly and her heart ached as well, she couldn't believe his words, she couldn't believe what he was saying- it just wasn't possible, together forever that's what he said, inseparable, untouchable, nothing ever could get between them. She shook her head viscously as if it would whip away the situation, as if it was just another bad dream and that she would wake at any moment.

"Sorry, Rose, but we're finished." He said bluntly, reverting his gaze to the ground.

"But you s-s-said, we'd be friends forever, no matter what people said- you told me that our friendship was special- you told be that you cared about me- I told you everything- you promised you'd never leave me." She sobbed, as her whole body felt numbed by his words; the rain lay forgotten now.

"Just words, you can lie in words and promises can be broken,"

"So e-everything- the last seven years- it's over?" She questioned still crying her eyes out, asking him as if she was trying to confirm whether or not she understood him correctly.

When Scorpius nodded she waved her wand to release him, her head still full of disbelieving thoughts.

She looked at him for just a moment before turning away. So many emotions managed to go through her that moment; betrayal, confusion, disbelief, fear but the striking thing was the pain she felt- taking over her so that she could no longer think straight. She was scared. Scared of what her life would be with out him, empty. Scared of his words and whether he believed them to be true. Scared because she couldn't imagine a day without hearing from "Skip". Her Skip.

And as she walked away from him, sobbing harder than she ever had done, unaware that Scorpius was watching her leave with a look of such regret; unaware that the moment she spun around he turned away too, she knew it had come to an end.

Minnie and Skip,

Rose and Scorpius,

Weasley and Malfoy,

Finished.

She recalled Draco Malfoy's words "Weasley's and Malfoy's don't mix". And he had been right. The thought of never being able to talk to Scorpius as friends again pierced at her insides. Each thought agonised her more than the last. She felt hollow, empty, and un-cared for.

And as she lay in the Gryffindor Dormitory, drenching her old bed and listening to Violet and summer talking about her in concerned voices, she pretended to be asleep as her tears just started to fall…

Outside, the rain still poured on Scorpius washing the tears from his face. At that moment he hated himself. He wished he could take it back. Unbreak his and his best-friends heart. He was completely soaked now, he knew he would probably nearly die of cold as the wind had begun to whip him but he didn't care.

He welcomed the winds stinging chill. That was how his heart was feeling without her now; cold and hurt. He walked as far as to the tree near Gryffindor tower. He counted the windows until he saw the one he knew she was in. The light was on. He knew she'd be there. Upset with her dorm mates' questions. How he wanted to go up there and beg forgiveness; but he couldn't.

After he had left Rose, in Hogsmeade, he had gone home; to his own room. There, in the Malfoy Manor he had had time to think. Think like he never could at Hogwarts. And steel had entered his heart there. Near his family that he treasured as dearly as Rose did hers. He'd gone to his grandmother Cissy sought her advice.

Asked her how she had taken such a life threatening risk and lied to the Dark Lord when Harry Potter was alive and still a danger. She said she did it for her son, because at the end of the day, family meant the world to her. That's what she'd learnt as a Black, that's what she'd always done as a Malfoy. Her every action was guided by that truth.

He hadn't told her what conflict was going on between his heart and head; but she had known. Not the details but she had known. They'd spoken for a long time and she'd given him the courage he needed to do what he did.

He cared about Rose, so much, too much- more than he should. More than the other years and he didn't know why but he didn't want to find out either, He couldn't care this much for her, it scared him. All he had to do was clear his head, without her there and if his Grandma Cissy had sacrificed her life for her family, then he could sacrifice someone he cared about for his family, and that's what he had done.

To break their hearts so simply in the rain. It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do. But he knew that in the end it was for the best. He had always doubted if he was a true Malfoy because he had needed Rose so. But now he knew. He was a Malfoy and he hated it.

The stood under the tree until Roses light went out; then he trudged silently and emotionlessly to his own warm bed. When he entered the castle he didn't even bother to dry himself as he made his way through the corridors. As he got into bed his tears had dried as had the stone wall he had started to build around his heart.

And as his whole body ached in the pain he had put himself through, his own comfort as he slid into a restless sleep, was that perhaps now she hated him it would be easier to keep his act going.