Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, the school, or anything else pertaining to Harry Potter.

AN: I think this apologising thing is starting to become a habit but still, sorry for those who were waiting for me to update for the past few days. I have no idea why but I had this humongous mental block and it wouldn't go away until yesterday. In addition, I had to rewrite it twice because the character's reactions plainly didn't make any sense. So well, here's the chapter, enjoy:) Really grateful to all those who reviewed, alerted or favourited the story, it really makes my day!

101-silentwhispers: Oh no. I never knew that reading my story could have made you more morbid. Hope that's really not the case though:) You get to see what happened to Rose and Scorpius in this chapter so hope you like what happened. My brain seems to be telling me that you may want to kick me for the explanation, but hey, I guarentee that you will enjoy one part of the story at least. Since you have been waiting for that for ages! Thanks for reviewing:)

hpswst101: I will try to work on the ending for the future chapters so that it would be less rushed. I hope this chapter's better. Sorry for the late update but the next few updates should be rather quick. Thanks for reviewing:)

Tishica: Yeah, poor Rose. I'm glad that you like my story:) I hope you like this chapter too, sorry if the update was a little slow, the next few updates should be quicker. Hopefully you will continue to enjoy the story and thanks for reviewing:)

Lily Orange: Thanks for all your reviews! I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the story:) I really value your feedback. I hope you are still enjoying the story up till now:) Thanks:)

Chapter 9: Life is meant to have Regrets

Rose felt like an idiot, standing in front of a red faced Scorpius, seeing that her face was probably the same shade of red. Now, why on earth did she even kiss him? As though things between them weren't awkward enough. Rose sighed. She may have thought it was a good idea before she kissed him, an even better idea when she kissed him, but as of now, staring at him in the face, the whole deal seemed simply stupid.

"Erm… hi Rose," Scorpius started. "If there's well nothing… I … Err… Albus … I need to go!"

Scorpius turned, and was about to leave when Rose stopped him.

"Err… Scorpius!"

It was now or never. She told herself.

"Actually, I do have something to err… tell you."

Scorpius looked at her. Rose took in two gulps of air. Now, spit it out! She mentally commanded.

"About just now."

"Oh, don't worry, I won't tell anybody about it if that's what you are about to say." Scorpius looked as though his foot was on fire and just couldn't wait to dash out of her sight.

"No. Well yes. Don't tell anybody about it. But, look, I know things are really awkward right now, so I have to clear things up," Rose said.

"Ok, err… yeah?"

"That… kiss…" she breathed. "I didn't mean to kiss you."

"Err… ok."

The tone seemed to suggest that he didn't believe her. Not that she blamed him. What kind of excuse was that?

"No really. I was really angry with Lysander, I mean he did cheat on me. I saw him coming and I wanted to make him envious," it was a blatant lie. She knew she had done it because she felt like it, but Lysander was a brilliant excuse.

"Oh."

Scorpius relaxed but no smile appeared as she had expected.

"I know I shouldn't have… kissed you, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. I didn't think about Posse," she apologised. "You can go rush off to wherever you wanted to go to just now. Just wanted to clear things up in case you got the wrong idea."

A frown flitted across his face but it was so fast, Rose couldn't be sure if she had seen it. She placed it as part of her imagination.

"Don't worry about it Rose. I understand. I would have done it too if I were you," Scorpius told her.

"Thanks Scorpius. See you later then. I broke up with Lysander but don't beat him up, I was in the wrong too."

She muttered an abrupt goodbye and scurried across the halls, not able to stand it any longer. She was afraid that if she continued to look at him, she would cry again. Tears were welling up her eyes and she didn't know why. Perhaps it was because she had told a white lie to cover herself, or maybe it was the truth behind that white lie.

***

"Alright Scorpius, what were you and Rose doing during Defence Against Dark Arts class?"

Albus stared at him with a stern quizzing look, his eyes seemed to be searching his face for an answer.

"What on Earth are you talking about?"Scorpius asked back feigning innocence.

"Don't ask me what I'm talking about. You know it!"

"Nothing happened," Scorpius said.

"Really?" Albus's eyes narrowed, "First, I heard a whole group of students talking about some mishap during D.A.D.A and that Rose was hit and you left the classroom with her. Next minute, I saw you with a red face and a while later, Rose and Lysander comes out with equally red faces. Tell me what the hell went on."

"You aren't going to settle for a simple nothing I guess."

Scorpius resigned with a sigh. He didn't want to tell Albus what went on between him and Rose, it seemed rather private to him. He had no idea what to make of it either and if Albus knew what they had did, there was no guarantee that he would be leaving his dormitory in one piece. But then again, there was no guarantee that he would be leaving his dormitory at all if he continued to shun the question.

"I accidentally hit Rose with a spell. So I brought her outside to get some fresh air."

"I think I figured out that much from those gossip," Albus huffed. "You aren't really replying the question you know."

"Fine. I was asking Rose how she was doing and suddenly…"Scorpius bit his lip, not wanting to continue.

"And suddenly?" Albus was probing like an anxious child wanting to hear the rest of a thrilling story.

"She kissed me," he said preparing for an outburst. None came.

"You aren't coming after me with a broom?"

"I will, if you don't tell me what happened," Albus told him. "Rose is rarely distracted in class, even if you sneaked up at her with a spell, she will still be able to detect and counter you in the last minute."

"I think she found out that Lysander had been two timing her," Scorpius said after much consideration.

Albus's face turned purple.

"Alright, now I really want to bash him up. Anyone has a bludger nearby?" he fumed, pacing around the room, fumbling for the huge brown mass.

"Rose told me not to bash him up. I don't think she'll be happy if you did so," Scorpius told him.

"She doesn't know what's good for her. Seriously, I think I should call all my cousins to gather up and give Lysander the blanket party of his life! He wouldn't know what hit him, and Rose wouldn't even know about it!"

"She said that she was in the wrong too, so it shouldn't be just Lysander's fault. Even though he's no longer her boyfriend."

"Really, she said that. You know what then? I think you should go after Rose since she is single," Albus offered.

"Albus, you know that I want to, but you forget a major fact, she's single, but I am not," Scorpius told him.

"Look, you don't love Posse, right? You can deny all you want, but I know you don't. Just dump her, it won't be like she's the first. Once you are single, you guys can hook up!"

"Right now Albus, you seem like a salesman trying to sell your cousin off," said Scorpius as he laid on the bed.

"I'm not trying to sell my cousin off, Scorpius, but I'm convinced that she likes you, since she kissed you and I rather you were her boyfriend than some other guy," Albus laughed, not bothering to find the bludger anymore.

"She didn't kiss me because she liked me Albus. She was just trying to make Lysander jealous."

"Excuses, that's what it is. Trust me Scorp, she likes you, if not she wouldn't have kissed you, she's not the type who kisses random guys."

"Neither is she the type who kisses any guy she likes. Anyway, I don't think she likes me in the way you think she 'likes' me."

"You're living in denial Scorp. You aren't seeing anything!" Albus exclaimed and sat right beside Scorpius's bed. Sometimes, he was just so frustrated with the fact that his cousin and his best friend just could not see how much the other party liked each other that he wanted to drip a drop of Veritaserum in their drink.

"The only thing I see is that this is a one way relationship, with me liking her as a lover, and she liking me as a friend." Scorpius just couldn't understand why Albus was trying so hard to get them together. It wasn't as though he had gotten a confession from Rose telling him that she loved him, what made Albus think that Rose would feel that way about him.

"And after so many times, I wonder why I am still talking to you about Rose when obviously you don't take in a word I say," Albus sighed, shaking his head.

"I'm going to find Sarah, I hope you do realise the truth sooner before it's too late."

Scorpius watched as Albus got out of the door before he turned. He was so confused he wanted to scream. He wanted to believe what Albus said, if only he could, but what if it was wrong? His pride would be hurt. What if it was right? They would be able to get together but not for long. He was rather sure that Rose's dad would probably fling him out of the door the moment he entered her house. And he didn't think his father would give him his consent for going out with a girl who wasn't a pure blood. They could never be together.

He tossed, there were so many obstacles if he chose the path of going after Rose, whereas if he stuck with Posse, everything would be so easy, he could just go out happily with her without a care in the world. No objections, everyone would welcome him with open arms, and his parents would happily agree. Life would be so much easier if he sacrificed that bit of happiness. If only that was the case.

He flipped one more time, pushing his fringe away from his forehead and bit his lip. He knew what he had to do, at least a vague idea, and he was going to do it. He was going to have a date with Posse.

***

Scorpius couldn't help but get frustrated with himself.

He had been waiting for Posse for the past ten minutes, and the only thing his mind seemed to process was Rose, Rose and Rose. It didn't strike him that something could have happened to Posse, which causing her to be late, nor that he should go check up on what was taking her so long to arrive. The whole time he rested on the couch, his mind had been on Rose. And possibly the fact that she was currently single and he oh so badly wanted to court her as a girlfriend.

If only his mind could focus on the more important things like what he was going to do when his girlfriend arrived. Because the only plan he had made so far was meeting her at six o'clock in the Gryffindor common room and nothing else. He had planned on making up the other plans on the spot, seeing that it had always worked. However this time, he wasn't so sure about it.

He took a breath in, hoping to clear his mind from Rose, instead, a picture of him enjoying a candlelight dinner with Rose formed in his head.

Stop it! He willed himself, his fingers tugging at tufts of his blonde hair. But the image wouldn't leave. And he knew he was fighting a losing battle, trying to stick with Posse. His resolution was faltering and he wasn't sure he could keep it the battle with his heart up any longer. He sighed, he had no idea what was the next step he had to take.

Footsteps drew nearer and a familiar floral scent wafted up his nostrils.

Posse was here. There was no more time for him to figure things out, he was going to have to make his decision right then. He got up and sauntered towards Posse.

"Posse, I think I have something I need to say to you."

***

Posse couldn't believe what had just happened to her a few minutes ago and now, she was trying to take in everything. What she had just heard, what she had just experienced and the pain that rise and fell with the motion of her chest.

She stared at the flowers in front of her, the bouquet of red roses seemed to mock her. She lunged at them, ripping them off their stalk one by one, hissing and screeching as her room mate flashed her a scowl.

"Posse, if you don't shut up by the next minute, I'm going to throw you out of the room and lock the door," she muttered coldly.

Posse burst into tears and buried her face in her fluffy pillow. She was livid and depressed from what had just happened, why couldn't her room mate understand? She didn't want to remain calm, she wanted to hiss and pounce and she had no intention to stop just because her room mate had told her to. She continued to bawl as the incident popped into her mind once more…

***

"Posse, I think I have something I need to say to you."

"Ok, shoot then Scorpy."

Scorpius hesitated, Posse had no idea how serious the matter was, and she probably wasn't prepared for the bombshell he was about to drop. For a moment, he felt like ending all of it with a joke and lug Posse out for a nice cosy dinner at a posh restaurant his father had once brought him to. But no, he had made his decision. There was no backing down.

"Well, you see Posse, you aren't going to like what you are about to hear, I'm warning you first."

"You are so adorable at times, you know that? Whatever, Scorpy, just shoot," she chirped.

"Posse, serious."

"I'm perfectly serious!" she tried to pull a straight face, but it failed and she broke into fits of laugh.

Scorpius sighed.

"When I said that you aren't going to like what I'm about to say, I really mean it. There's no time to joke around laughing like a maniac dressed in pink robes!" he chided.

"Fine," she huffed.

"What's it with you, it's like you are a different person or something. You aren't smiling or anything., Should I check if someone has replaced you with a droid?"

He glared at her.

"Posse, I'm…"

"I'm serious? You said that many times already," she scoffed.

"No. I think that…" he gritted his teeth

"We should break up."

Posse stared at him with a look of befuddlement before a grin coursed her face and broke into a laugh.

"Ha ha… you totally… got me there…. Scorpy. Break up. You shouldn't be joking about this kind of things you know. You're lucky I got that you were joking."

Scorpius growled, couldn't Posse tell when he was being serious? The way she was taking all of it was not making things any easier for him.

"I'm not joking Posse, do I look like I'm joking?"

Posse's laugh turned into a nervous giggle as she levelled her gaze to meet Scorpius's. His face was expressionless, his eyes betrayed no laughter and his mouth was almost arched into a frown. The truth struck her like a bolt of lightning. He was perfectly serious about it. He was breaking up with her and she had no say in it.

"You're serious about this? You're really breaking up with me?"

Scorpius didn't know what to say but the truth. He nodded.

"Why?"

Posse wanted to know. Was it because she was dumb? Was it because she wasn't as pretty as he would have liked? She didn't believe that Scorpius would just dump her for no reason at all.

"It's not you. It's me. I like someone else."

He turned his head so that his eyes faced the floor and not into the despondent expression that hung on the girl's face in front of him. He could imagine that welling up with tears at that instant, and even though Posse was not the girl that he loved, it pained him to see any female cry, especially when he was the cause of it.

"Who is it? Is it Allison? But she's over you! She doesn't like you anymore!" she whined. Seeing that Allison had been his girlfriend for the longest period of time, she couldn't help but immediately rush to the conclusion that he still fancied Allison and wanted to get back with her.

However, he shook his head.

"I got over her already, it's somebody else."

Posse was astounded, she had never expected there to be someone else besides Allison that could possibly get between her relationship with Scorpius. She couldn't believe it, and the fact that there had been a third party angered her to no bounds.

She shrieked, allowing the tears to stream down her face as she pounded her fists against Scorpius's chest.

He stood there, unmoving before he opened his mouth.

"I'm sorry."

But that wasn't what she wanted to hear. She didn't want an apology. She wanted to hear that he actually liked her, and that she wasn't just some replacement for the girl. However, the words never came. He pushed her away and slowly walked back to his dormitory.

Posse cried.

***

"Shut up Posse! I'm serious about throwing you out!"

Posse stopped bawling, rage surged through her as the word 'serious' rang in her ears once more. She pulled herself up from her pillow.

"Don't you even think of throwing me out!"

"Pffft. Posse, what can you do about it if I did throw you out. Besides, get over it. It's just a tiny miserable break up. It's not like it's your first. And besides, you should have known that Scorpius was the playboy type of guy when you dated him. You should have expected that to come."

Posse didn't know what it was, perhaps the irritable smirk on her friend's face or what she had said, it made her go ballistic. She hollered.

"It wasn't just some stupid break up. He never did like me! I was just some stupid replacement for someone he liked!"

Her friend's smirk grew even wider.

Posse saw the smirk and smiled, this would be a nice time to get back on her good friend with what she had learnt.

"But that person wasn't you Allison. I confronted him. He has gotten over you too!"

"What?" there was disbelief in her tone.

Posse laughed.

"He got over you! And I know it's not a lie, because I can tell if it was."

"That guy! How could he have gotten over me? It's not possible!"

Watching Allison's face turn murderous, lifted her spirits a little. Allison rarely got into tempers, and the way she was behaving, Posse could tell that Allison hadn't moved on from Scorpius. If Scorpius didn't like her, Allison definitely did not deserve it, since she was the one who had betrayed him. This served as a comfort to Posse.

"It's possible! Guess you don't hold that much place in his heart as you originally thought! There's actually somebody else who is better than you!"

Allison couldn't believe what she was hearing. Scorpius had actually found someone whom he liked even more than her. She saw green.

"You know what Posse, I don't really care who's actually better than me. But whoever that person is, let me just warn her first. She's going to get it… real bad. I swear."

For all those who have been waiting for Scorpius to break up with Posse, the chapter has finally arrived:) I hope you enjoyed this chapter, although it may be kind of confusing with all the asterixes and italics. The italics are for flashbacks and thoughts in case you didn't know. The next update should be up by the end of this week and I hope to finish the story by the end of next week since school is starting soon and I would not be able to use the computer as frequently as I would like. For all those who like the story so far and were hoping for a long continuation, I'm sad to say that this story is coming to an end soon, in just a few more chapters. Reviews, alerts and favourites are gladly appreciated as usual, so I would like to thank you beforehand if you did. Thanks for reading this chapter:)