~~Chapter Nine~~

~~Of Stars~~

-OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO-

'Tell me did you sail across the sun, did you make it to the Milky Way…

To see the lights all faded, ad that Heaven is overrated…'

-Drops of Jupiter by Train-

A quick A/N before this starts. : I am soooo sorry! I meant to get this out to you guys on the 12th, I really did, but I was severely jetlagged and ended up sleeping most of the day away. I woke up this morning, and pushed this out, which is why it's fairly short. I hope you guys enjoy it! To make up for my lapse, I absolutely will have an extra chapter out on August 17th! I promise you! Hope you enjoy!


-Scorpius-

I sat on the sand, digging my feet into the grains and enjoying the way the sun kissed my skin. I watched as two distant figures came rushing towards me, sluicing through the water in a mad race. Albus reached the sand a split second before Rose. He stood, laughing and shaking his hair back from his eyes. His board shorts hung a little low on his waist, and as I watched, Rose popped up from the water and yanked them down, leaving Albus snatching at air. Rose ran the rest of the way up the beach, laughing gaily, before plopping down next to me. I handed her a towel, and she rubbed it quickly through her hair, and then scrunched the ends until the towel was soaking. When she'd finished with the towel, she leaned back on her arms, pushing her breasts into my view. Rose has done a little more developing since the summer started, her breasts have gotten just a tad fuller and she's gained hips. It really helps her fill out a bathing suit, and the one she's wearing now is barely more than two scraps of material, Roxanne sent from her latest summer shoot for Witch Weekly. Although she's just starting her seventh year this fall, Roxie managed to grab the attention of the head talent scout for their modeling department while she was shopping during the Easter holidays.

She'd been sending Rose little pieces of memorabilia here and there, but this was the first piece that was wearable. The top was a deep blue and was what Rose called "bandeau style"; it stretched across her breasts and was held up by two small diamond encrusted straps that I would have sworn were uncomfortable if Rose hadn't shown me the padding underneath them. It gave me a spectacular view of the freckles dotting her chest. I'd come to know each of them intimately and every time I saw them I heard distant whispers of Rose's sighs in my head. The bottoms were a small scrap of matching fabric. They fully covered Rose's valuables, but the sides featured a lattice pattern, giving me peeks of lightly tanned skin here and there. The expanse of skin left bare to my view revealed miles of legs and a smooth stomach that I wanted to touch. I shook my head, shifting my eyes from her frame and watched Albus walk at a more sedate pace towards us.

This was Albus' sixteenth birthday party. It was quite a shock that we were fifth years this fall. I'd received the letter three weeks ago, letting me know that I'd been appointed prefect for Slytherin and was relieved when both Albus and Rose had gotten their badges as well. Albus had written me last week to inform me that his family would be jetting down to Cannes for his birthday. The whole family was going as his Aunt Gabrielle; his Aunt Fleur's sister, would be having her second child, and had wanted her sister in attendance. The word had spread until it had finally just become a family holiday. Since the dates crossed over Albus' birthday, he'd decided he might as well enjoy his trip. I'd received an invite and, after receiving explicit instructions of proper Malfoy behaviour when abroad, was allowed to head out. The whole family was out on the beach, generally having a good time. I must say, I love being around this family. They're always so exuberant and full of life.

Albus finally reached the blanket and sat next to us, pulling a curl of Rose's wet hair in retaliation for her earlier offence. It sprang right back into it spiral shape, meshing with the rest of the riotous tumble that waved past her shoulders to just skim the waist band of her swim bottoms. She'd actually just gotten her hair trimmed before the trip, but didn't want to part with the length. She'd told me that decision was partly because I seemed to love her hair so much. I grinned to myself. She has no idea how much I enjoy tunneling my hands into the layers of her hair, shifting the silken strands through my hand, enjoying the fact that none of her curls ever tangle on my fingers. They all seem to wrap gently and release. As I watch, she drapes the mass of it over her shoulder and starts to braid it, wringing excess water out of it as she goes.

"So, Al how did the presents rack up this year?" I asked the question while Rose finished braiding her hair.

"Mate! I got everything I asked for and more. Aunt Fleur got me a ton of new clothes, Mum and Dad got me a new broom and new riding goggles. Uncle Ron got me a great book on women...said something about using it to win over Aunt Hermione. And my absolute favorite cousin here, got me a new pair of trainers." He looked over at me, grinning widely. "Are you enjoying your trip?"

I was, but for reasons I definitely could not share with Albus. It gave me an excellent reason to be next to Rose, and what's more romantic than France. I had been taking advantage of the fact that my grandmother had insisted I learn French and Latin when I was younger. Rose was duly impressed by my mastery of the language, and I'd been getting a lot of kisses out of it. Instead of saying all of that however, I muttered a "Fine," and turned my attention back to the surf. I felt Rose drop her head on my shoulder, and lifted my arm to wrap it around her shoulder. She'd been unusually quiet today, and I was curious as to why, but figured it would be best to ask questions when we were alone.

My friendship with Albus was still on somewhat shaky ground. We didn't talk for nearly two weeks after the Easter debacle and classes were particularly strained. Every time I'd caught Albus' eye he would turn his head immediately. Rose had been uneasy about the whole situation and insisted on taking the blame. Nothing I could say would convince her that the problem was between Albus and I and no one else. She'd fluttered back and forth between the two of us at meal times, as my unofficial invite to the Gryffindor table had been rescinded, making small talk and darting glance between our tables. The tension had become nearly unbearable. It was just my luck that, once again, Gryffindor and Slytherin faced each other in the Quidditch Final that year. We'd won, but the look Albus had given me over his shoulder as he'd marched off the field had sapped away any joy I'd felt at winning. I'd followed him, and after a few unnecessary words, we'd ended up having a fist fight that'd had to be separated by both of our respective teams.

Rose had been horrified and hadn't known who to blame, and Madam Pomfrey had insisted we heal from our wounds non-magically, because "there's nothing worse than friends fighting friends." Rose refused to talk to either of us until we'd talked to one another, and so we'd basically been forced to talk to one another to overcome Rose's cold silence. Since then we've both been walking on egg shells around each other, pretending that everything was fine, when in reality it couldn't be more awkward. I heaved a sigh and glanced down at Rose, noticing that she was drifting off. The stars seemed to twinkle on her skin; illuminating her pale complexion and making her look like she'd been brushed ever so gently by the moon itself. She took a deep breath and her pale lashes fluttered up, revealing those navy blue eyes. She glanced up at me and, seeing me watching, gave me a smile, then reached up and planted a quick kiss on my cheek. I smiled back down at her, but out of the corner of my eye I could still see Albus' frown. I watched as he hopped up and left, moving in the direction of Alice and her parents. He didn't look back.


-Rose-

They think I'm stupid, that must be it. Why else would they think I wouldn't notice the obvious tension tainting the air around them, the awkward jokes and laughs and the way they both went out of their way to keep space between them? I sat on the beach alone, watching the waves roll gently, and enjoying the feel of the sea breeze rushing across my face, whipping my hair around my head. I'd managed to escape out here after dinner. As much as I love my family, I sometimes feel as if I'm being overrun. I steal moments like this whenever I can. The quiet gives me the opportunity to think, to breath, without being asked a million and one questions. Nobody had noticed my dash from the dinner table but Scorpius, and I knew he understood the need to just be every once in a while, but I've been out here for almost an hour so I'm sure he'll be out soon. I'd changed into an old Gran Weasley sweater and a pair of jeans that had seen better days. They were ripped at the hem and there were several holes on the knees, but they were comfortable and functional. I sighed and pushed my hair away from my face in a rush of movement, tucking it behind my ears and glancing up at the sky. It was late and dark clouds were running across the sky, I knew there was a storm coming but was hesitant to go in. I hear footsteps behind me, and see blond hair in my peripheral vision. He sat next to me and placed his hand on my arm.

"Are you ready to go in?" he asked, his hand rubbing my arm in a slow, reassuring movement. "The rain isn't going to hold off much longer."

"In a minute. I like the smell of the sea." As I spoke, the first spray of a chilling mist stung my face. Scorpius sat next to me silently, watching the waves as well. I fully intend to get both Albus and Scorpius into a locked room and force them to talk out their issues. Neither of them will admit that it had anything to do with my new relationship, but I'd seen Scorpius' black eye and the whole left side of Albus' face had been a mottled mess after the fight they'd had. I was just opening my mouth to speak when the mist suddenly intensified into a cold rain.

"Let's make a run for it before we get soaked." Scorpius took my hand, and I sprinted beside him to the house, not slowing until we'd gotten up the stairs and reached the landing in front of my room.

We hadn't run fast enough. Water trickled from my hair and dripped down my neck, and my wet sweater clung to areas I wished it wouldn't. Scorpius nudged the door with his foot and pulled my inside. "Get into some dry clothes," he said, his fingers already fumbling with the buttons on his own wet shirt.

I didn't move to follow suit. The room was already too warm and growing warmer by the second. I watched as his loosened shirt stretched open, revealing smooth skin. I'd forgotten how well-proportioned Scorpius is. His stomach is washboard flat, and I can see the outline of his abs, all six of them, marching their way down to the top of his jeans. His arms are strong without being overly muscled and I can see his biceps working through the thin material of his shirt. I watch his fingers, long and slim, making quick work of his buttons and shiver, remembering the feel of them skating across my skin. I was so caught up in staring at his bare chest, it took me a minute to realise that he'd stopped moving his fingers. I looked up to catch him looking at me. His eyes were dark in his face and heavy lidded. I recognized the look, and sucked my bottom lip into my mouth. His eyes traced a path from my hair, clinging to my scalp and dripping down my back, to my sweater, its dampness pressing it to my body and leaving nothing to the imagination. A second later, he'd cleared the distance between us.


-Scorpius-

I knew I was making a big mistake when I grabbed the towel from Rose's unmade bed and wrapped it around her wet hair. But I'd read the desire in her eyes and it hit me as hard as if she'd thrown her naked body in front of me. I had to touch her. It was killing me not to, even if it was only to soak up the raindrops that were trailing down her face and neck. I should laugh, tease and make a joke of the two of us dripping all over the floor. But the restraint I had been using for the last few months had stretched beyond my limits. My thumbs rode the smooth lines of her neck, from her earlobe down to her shoulders and back again.

The pain of craving what I shouldn't let myself even think about was excruciating. We had been caught in a thunderstorm. She should look drenched and bedraggled, but all I can see is the girl I'd fallen for that long-ago fall day. My gaze fell to the intoxicating swell of her breasts. To the exquisite thrust of her nipples below the clingy wetness of her sweater. I was out of my mind with wanting her, hungry to carry her to the bed and make the memories that were driving me over the edge come alive for her. Hard and hurting from wanting her, I trailed my thumbs from her shoulder, tracing the delicate border of her sweater as it dipped into forbidden areas.

Rose didn't back away. If she had, I might have been able to force myself to stop. Instead, she took my right hand and placed it on her breast. The movement was a statement, an acknowledgement of the need that raged inside her, the same way it did in me. Even more, a statement of trust. My insides turned to mush. My outside, to rock-hard desire. My fingers caressed, rubbing her nipples to soft peaks that strained at the damp wool of her shirt. She rose on tiptoe and teased and feathered my lips with hers. But I couldn't play at this, not this time, not with my emotions stemming from our previous encounters. This was as bold as Rose had ever been with me. Our breaths mingled, and the saucy sweetness of her, the taste I'd grown drunk on so many times before, left me shaking. She moaned, tiny seductive crooning that sucked away the last vestiges of my control. Finally she pulled away, inhaling deeply and laying her head on my shoulder.

"I can't play at this, Rose. If you want me, say so, and I'll deal with the repercussions later. But I won't play tease and run."

"I wasn't playing." Her quick, shallow breaths tripped up her words.

She eased out of the embrace, but not so far away that I didn't still feel the warmth of her breath against my skin. I trailed her arms with my fingers and then clasped her hands.

"I'd like to make love to you. No-" I shook my head, exhaling a long, exasperated breath. "—I ache to make love to you. But I'm not the kind of man who'd take advantage of a woman who's caught up in the moment."

"I don't think "take advantage" is an accurate description, Scorpius. Perhaps you're not the kind of man to give in to my advances when I'm not ready."

Her honesty touched me and triggered the type of smile I didn't know I was capable of these days. "Whatever," I said, letting go of her hands and stepping backward for one more look at her kiss-swollen lips and her flushed cheeks. "But I'm also not the kind to turn down heaven if it's offered. I may have been your friend first, but I'm still a man."

"I noticed." Bending over, she picked up the towel that had fallen at by her feet. She shook it and tossed it at me, a grin deepening the dimple in her right cheek. "Did I ever notice."

Leaning against the dresser, I watched her walk into the bathroom. I am a fool, I decided. If I had a grain of sense where Rose was concerned, I'd be miserable right now, sorely repentant for putting my body on the line. Instead I was crazy with wanting her, school-boy eager to kiss her again. Under the right circumstances, I'll make love to her, and be elated. The other students at Hogwarts may see me as cold and uncaring, but when it comes to Rose, I'm softer than warm butter.


A/N: This will be a blanket disclaimer for the fic: I do not own Harry Potter or any related merchandise, or characters created by J.K. Rowling. This fic will be written from the Point-Of-View of both Rose and Scorpius. I will include the song I feel would best goes with the general point of the chapter at the beginning of each chapter. Feel free to YouTube it, while you read. Please enjoy…and don't forget to read and review!

Special A/N: I'd like to thank CatAnne78 for taking the time to point out a grammatical mistake! I don't have any betas so anytime you notice something, point out!

Also to Puckleberry Pie who gave me an honest review, although I'm not quite sure you realised it was a teaser because I'd yet to finish the actual chapter!