Hey readers! Let me first say I am SOOOOOOOOOO BLOODY SORRY for not updating in like a week! I feel really bad! :(( I've just been so busy, and blahhhh! I'm sorry! I hope this really, really long chapter makes up for it. :) I also have a very important announcement: I will be out of internet usage for the next 2 to 3 weeks (maybe the 3rd week, or maybe not-I'm not sure) so I will be unable to update for at least 2 weeks, probably 3. I'm really sorry! I promise to update a lot when I get internet again. :)
Anonymous Reviewers:
Maggie: Thank you so much for reviewing! Aww :) Thank you very much! And thanks again for reviewing!
Thank all you readers for all of your wonderful reviews, favorite author notifications, favorite story notifications, story alert notifications, and author alert notifications (as well as simply reading my story)! It truly means so much to me. :) If you have time, feel free to let me know your thoughts. :) Hope you all like the chapter!
Thank you so much!
~mrsscorpiusmalfoyyy
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Just in case any of you didn't read my little A.N. (which I totally understand, by the way :) ) I have an IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
I will be out of internet usage for the next 2 to 3 weeks (maybe the 3rd week, or maybe not-I'm not sure) so I will be unable to update for at least 2 weeks, probably 3. I apologize profusely! I promise to update when I return! :)
Many hours earlier (while Scorp, Al, and Dil were talking)…
"Are you in love with Rose?"
"Yes."
All three boys—Scorpius included—sat quietly with their mouths hanging wide open, their jaws hitting the floor.
Albus was shocked beyond belief.
He had never, ever expected this. (This was probably due to the fact that Al is incredibly oblivious and dense, when it comes to these things.)
Yeah, the two would flirt constantly, but he figured it was only in jest!
His friends had even told him that they were kidding around and he had believed them—as he was not hung over at the time and could properly believe his best mates.
Somehow Al had managed to believe his best mates when they were lying and not believe one of his best mates when he was telling the truth…
Al stared wide-eyed at Scorpius, astounded by his friend's declaration.
Dillon was also shocked by Scorp's confession, although probably not as much as Albus.
Although he had been expecting that there was something more than "just best mates" between Scorp and Ro, the thought that their obvious feelings for one another would be more than just a little crush was astonishing.
It had never actually occurred to Dillon that Scorp's feelings for Rose were actually that deep—so deep that he actually loved her…
Lastly, Scorpius was also bewildered.
Obviously, he had known that he had "un-best-mate-like" feelings for Rose, but he hadn't known that he was in love with her.
How could that be? he thought to himself. How could it be that I didn't even know that I, myself, am in love with my best mate?
But his statement obviously had to be the truth, as veritaserum often brings out one's inner most secrets and desires, some even unknown to the person who speaks them.
Both Albus and Dillon reached the conclusion that Scorpius had not known that he was in love with Rose; they both realized that he was surprised himself.
I'm in love with my best mate, Scorpius thought, amazed.
After several minutes of silence and personal reflection, Albus awkwardly cleared his throat.
Scorpius looked at Al and immediately turned bright red, returning his eyes to the floor.
Dillon smirked at Scorp's behavior in an awkward, uncomfortable manner.
After a couple more moments of silence, Albus finally broke the silence by saying, "I'm sorry."
Both Scorpius and Dillon jerked their heads up to look at Al, who was now blushing embarrassedly.
Al had said it with so much repentance and sincerity that Scorp and Dil knew he truly was sorry.
"I'm really, really, really sorry, mate. I'm such a jerk for overreacting… and then not even believing you—my own best mate—and for saying we were no longer best mates… and for calling you the 'M' word," Al continued with his apology.
Scorpius smiled when Al referred to his last name as the 'M' word.
"And, I'm just really sorry, mate. I acted like a total jerk and I still feel really hung over, but that's no excuse for the way I behaved and I wouldn't blame you if you—"
"Al, relax!" Scorpius said laughing at his best mate's anxiety. "It's cool, mate. I know you're just still really hung over… and don't worry, I forgive you," Scorpius laughed.
Dillon laughed along with Scorpius.
Al let out a huge sigh of relief and ran over to Scorp and enveloped him in a bear hug.
Scorp and Dil continued laughing, while Scorp gently patted his crazy friend on the back.
Al quickly realized what he was doing, pulled away from Scorpius, and coughed awkwardly.
"So…"
All three boys grinned at each other, glad to be back to their normal friendship.
Several hours later…
"Have any of you found Rose yet?" Al asked Dillon and Scorpius. The three mates had been searching for Rose for hours upon realizing she was no longer in her bedroom.
Scorpius had come to the conclusion, with much encouragement and persuasion from Al and Dil, that he would finally tell Rose his true feelings for her.
Dillon and Albus assured Scorpius that Rose felt the same way as he did, thus encouraging Scorp even more to reveal his feelings to her.
"No," Dillon and Scorpius replied simultaneously.
"Well, it's practically supper time. I suppose we should just go to the Great Hall now. Rose will probably turn up there…"
The boys agreed and they all made their way to the Great Hall.
They took their seats at the Gryffindor table and began to pile food onto their plates.
Albus and Dillon talked and laughed, while Scorpius concentrated nervously on the floor.
He was mentally preparing himself for exactly what he would say to Rose, when, suddenly, the now full Great Hall went silent.
Scorpius looked at Dillon and Albus, whom were staring at the doors of the Great Hall with shock.
Dillon looked like he would fall out of his chair from shock, while Albus looked like he would do the same, but not before punching something. Albus was angry—very, very angry. When he looked closely, Scorp could see that Dil was also angry.
Scorp looked at his mates questioningly, but followed their line of vision towards the doors nonetheless.
What he saw wounded him to the core.
He felt as if his heart was being punched and ripped right out of his body.
He felt shocked, hurt, dejected, and more than a little angry.
The entire school watched as Rose Weasley and Malcolm Finnigan entered the Great Hall holding hands and giggling together.
This is disgusting, thought Scorpius.
Regardless, Scorp couldn't pull his eyes away from the girl he is in love with, now openly flirting with another guy beside himself.
Everyone watched as Ro and Malcolm walked towards the Gryffindor table,arriving right in front of where Al, Dil, and Scorp were sitting.
Rose looked at Malcolm adoringly as he placed a small kiss upon her cheek.
As the two sat across from the three boys, Al and Dillon glared at Malcolm while Scorpius refused to make eye contact with either Rose or Malcolm, choosing to stare dejectedly at the floor.
Scorpius was mortified, embarrassed, and heart broken.
Al and Dil told me she felt the same way! Scorpius thought. I was going to tell her I love her, but now she's with some other guy. Thank Merlin I didn't tell her my feelings… she would have laughed right in my face… I can't believe she's with some one else…
As things began to settle, Scorpius felt another feeling run through his body: anger.
How could she do this to me? Scorpius thought. Did that truth-or-dare kiss mean nothing to her yesterday? Even if it meant nothing, how could she ditch her best mate to hang out with Finnigan! He's a git! She even said so herself!
Albus was royally pissed off. After having possibly one of the biggest fights with his best mate over his cousin, then resolving the fight and convincing his best mate to tell said cousin his true feelings, said cousin shows up with Finnigan!
Everything was about to be perfect, until she showed up with him! Scorpius would have revealed his true feelings, and Scorp and Rose would have gotten together and they would have been happy. Even though Al is Rose's cousin and he is super protective over her, Al felt that Scorpius was the right guy for his cousin.
Scorp wouldn't use her and he truly had good intentions for Rose. Scorp was his best mate and was a great guy—he was perfect for his great cousin.
But now, this! And with FINNIGAN?
The guy's the biggest git at school! Al thought desperately. I can't let this happen…
Dillon was stunned and angry.
Rosie? And… FINNIGAN? WHAT? That doesn't even make any sense! Dillon thought. Finnigan's the biggest git, and besides, it's obvious Rosie loves Scorpius! Or loved, I guess… What happened?
Besides, Finnigan will just use her and break her heart! No, this will not happen to my best mate, Dil thought protectively.
I love Rosie—like a sister, obviously—and I'll do whatever it takes to protect her. I might not be anywhere near as protective as Al, but I will not let some idiot ruin her…
"Hi guys!" Rose said cheerfully. "You all know Malcolm," Rose continued, making sure to say her date's name with subtle adoration present in her tone.
Rose grinned at Malcolm and was delighted to see him grinning back.
You know, he isn't that bad, Malcolm. He's nice and funny, and he seems to really like me… I'm kind of glad everyone saw Malcolm and me together, so no one got the wrong idea about Scorpius and I from last night, Rose thought.
Her heart clenched when she thought of Scorpius and she chanced a quick peek at him.
He was looking at the floor dejectedly.
Why is he so upset? Know he can be happy I'm not obsessing over him when he doesn't feel the same way, Rose thought bitterly. The kiss on the cheek was the perfect touch. Now everyone knows that I have no feelingsfor my best mate…
Even though you did and still do, a small voice said in Rose's mind.
She ignored it and looked towards Albus and Dillon, who were glaring daggers at Malcolm.
Hmm… wonder what that's about, Rose thought.
Noticing that Rose was now looking at him, Albus stopped glaring daggers at Malcolm and turned his icy glare to Rose.
"Excuse me, Rosie," Al said coldly. "Can I have a word? Alone?" he continued sarcastically.
Rose raised an eyebrow at Albus questioningly, but got up nonetheless.
Al gestured for Scorp and Dil to follow.
"I thought you wanted to have a word alone?" Rose said frustratingly.
"Alone meaning without Finnigan."
Rose glared at Albus and marched out of the Great Hall, Albus, Dillon, and Scorpius following in her wake.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" Albus yelled at Rose, once they were outside the Great Hall.
"What the hell are you on about?" Rose said defensively.
"You and that IDIOT Finnigan! What are you doing with him?"
"If that's your oh-so-polite way of asking if I am dating Malcolm," Rose said sarcastically, "then the answer is yes. He asked me out today and I said yes."
Rose chanced a glance at Scorpius to see he still looked upset and more than a little confused. She also noticed that he looked quite angry, for some reason… Rose ignored this, seeing it as his problem.
"DATING HIM? What are you on about? You know better than I do that Finnigan is a right, foul GIT!" Albus said hotly.
"WHAT? How dare you go insulting my date! He is NOT a git! YOU ARE!" Rose replied, getting increasingly angry and loud.
Dillon, perceiving it to be his time to intervene in the conversation, said frustratingly, "Rose, Albus is merely saying that you were the one who called Finnigan all of those names last year when you were dared to kiss him. You were the one who told us how much of a git and a pig he is and how you cannot stand him."
"Well, I didn't actually know him then! I got to know him today and he's a really nice, sweet guy. And I like him!" Rose screamed.
"ROSE!" Albus shouted. "You know that all Finnigan wants with girls is… well… you know what I'm talking about! He USES girls, Rose! He's conceited and arrogant and a PIG! You told us that yourself! You can't possibly think he actually wants a relationship with—"
"EXCUSE ME?" Rose exploded. "Are you insinuating that a guy can't possibly LIKE ME or actually WANT A RELATIONSHIP WITH ME? What? Am I not pretty enough, or fun enough, or whatever for a guy to actually LIKE ME FOR ME?"
Scorpius, sensing this conversation going in the complete wrong direction, decided he would interrupt.
"Ro, you know that's not what Al is saying. He's just saying that Finnigan's not a nice guy to girls. He's been known to use girls and throw them away like they're pieces of trash! We just don't want you to get hurt, Ro." Scorpius said calmly, even though he was positively seething inside.
How could she do this to him? Scorpius kept thinking to himself.
"HURT? You seriously have the DIGNITY to say that you care about me getting HURT when you said—" Rose paused, shook her head, and continued.
"MY LOVE LIFE DOES NOT INVOLVE YOU; IT DOESN'T INVOLVE ANY OF YOU! Why you think MY love life concerns you is BEYOND me!" Rose screamed at her three best mates, furious beyond belief.
She took a quick, shaky breath and said as menacingly and cold as she could manage, "I don't WANT any of you in my love life…"
Rose made sure to carefully enunciate and emphasize "any of you," and pointedly look at Scorpius while she said this.
She wanted to make it clear to him that she no longer loves him, even if that may not be true, so that she wouldn't embarrass herself.
She needed him to realize that she felt the same way she did—that kissing him was a mistake and it meant nothing. She needed to do this to avoid getting hurt even more.
After glaring one more time at all three boys, lingering on Scorpius especially, Rose stormed away from her best mates and returned to the Great Hall.
Let me know your thoughts, please! Thanks again for all the lovely support3
~mrsscorpiusmalfoyyy
