Disclaimer: None of this story is mine and I'm making no profit from it.

A/N: Chapter 10 already? That's mad. Also, I wanted to address some of the comments from last weeks chapter. Yes, Rose is being unfair on Scorp- however, if I had written out the first six years of their time at Hogwarts then it would be much more understandable. From this story alone, Scorpius looks a bit more like an innocent bystander than he would if I'd written down the first six years of them both tormenting each other- but that's my bad I guess. Even so... yes, she is supposed to be being a little unfair.

Chapter 10:

I woke up on the sofa, curled up under my coat and the little warmth it supplied. I frowned, feeling the material between my fingers. In the haze of last night I could have sworn I'd dropped it on the floor.

But then again, how could I be sure of anything that had happened last night?

I winced as the memories came flooding back to me and hid my face in embarrassment. I had gotten drunk. Properly drunk. In front of my entire family.

Oh, well, I decided. It was Monday morning, back to reality. Back to school. I took a moment to thank Merlin that I wouldn't have to face my mum.

I dragged myself to my feet, before clutching the edge of the sofa as my head veered dangerously and a pounding began against my skull. Great. I thought. The last thing I needed right now was a hangover.

"Wow, Weasley, you really can't handle your drink." A voice came from behind me, humour lacing his tone. I spun around, before instantly regretting it as my head swam violently. I clutched my head and squeezed my eyes shut, earning a laugh from the blond boy watching me.

"Sod off Malfoy," I replied, but I didn't have it in me to get angry.

There was a moments silence before he spoke again. "Go to bed, Weasley."

"What?" I squinted at him, not allowing me to open my eyes too wide as the sunlight filtering in through the windows made me feel slightly nauseous. "I can't go to bed I have classes to go to and... and..." I trailed off, finding it worryingly hard to string my thoughts together.

"You won't be learning anything in this state, just go to bed."

I was going to protest but, honestly, going to bed really did sound appealing. Besides, when I opened my eyes and focused my vision again, he was gone.

I decided to get some sleep, since he was right- I wouldn't be able to concentrate in lessons. Not to mention it would be nice to sleep in my own bed for once.

I woke again at about midday, feeling much better. But- well- not smelling too good. So I had a quick shower and got dressed, before heading down to lunch. My spirits already brightened by the fact that I would at least attend one lesson that day.

I made it all the way to the entrance hall without coming across anyone, but just as I was about to go through the door to the great hall, it opened and I came face to face with Professor McGonagall.

Merlin's balls. I knew there was no way she hadn't noticed my absence.

"Miss Weasley," she said, halting me in mid-stride. My mind started whirring, dreaming up excuses. "We missed you in transfiguration earlier, and I was sad to hear from Mr Malfoy that you were feeling unwell, he thought perhaps you had food poisoning." There was a glint in the old professor's eyes as she spoke.

"Oh," I replied, taken aback, but trying to recover as quickly as possible. "Yes, professor. But I'm feeling better now."

"I'm glad to hear it," she smiled knowingly at me, before turning and leaving. Once again, I got the unnerving impression that Minerva McGonagall could see into my soul.

I squeezed into place between my brother and Lily, my head pounding again- but this time from the idea of having to answer all their prying questions.

But, thank Merlin, this morning all the attention seemed to be on Dom and her wedding. Which was perfect for me and perfect for Dom, if I know her. So I was able to chew on a chicken wing without being disturbed.

Even Hugo didn't ask where I'd been or call me out on my extensive drinking the night before. Which allowed my mind to wonder.

Malfoy had lied for me. He had made me go to bed to sleep off my hangover and had lied for me. And that night at the Burrow he had been almost amiable and last night he had tried to talk to me and I had been ignoring him. Just blatantly ignoring him.

I felt immature all of a sudden. And, for the billionth time, I wished I was one of those people who could just apologize when they did something wrong.

If I was one of those people, I mused, I would have probably been saved some pretty nasty times in my life. Like that time in first year when me and Al had fallen out over him being sorted into Slytherin.

I had known I was in the wrong, but I hadn't wanted to say sorry. Which led to months of us not speaking to each other.

Perhaps this was a situation like this.

Perhaps, this time, I would have to swallow my pride and apologize.

Well, eventually. First came potions. And then, studying.

It was dark outside when I finally packed my things away and left the library. A part of me, a bigger part of me than I care to admit, was hoping he'd be asleep when I made it back to the room.

But the logical side of me knew that was ridiculous. It was only 8 o Clock.

Still, I held out hope, right until I opened the door to our dorm and heard the shower running.

I groaned internally, before dumping my bag on the floor and sitting down on the edge of the bed. Well, at least him being in the shower gave me time to get my thoughts straight.

Not much time, it seemed, since moments later the shower shut off. There were a few moments of shuffling sounds before the door opened. I reflexively got to my feet, feeling as though I was intruding in his bedroom, before I remembered that it was my dorm too.

He emerged, hair wet and only with a towel covering the bottom half of his body. He stopped short when he saw me standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. I averted my eyes out of instinct, to which he rolled his own and walked past me.

"Surprised to see you here Weasley," he began, grabbing some clothes out of his trunk.

"Yes well..." I returned, finding myself at a loss for words. He raised his eyebrows at me expectantly.

"Something to say?"

"Yes, actually, I..." My thoughts trailed off again. "I wanted to say sorry."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise and I rolled my eyes. "No need to look that shocked Malfoy, I can admit when I'm wrong."

He scoffed, which earned nothing in a way of response from me.

"So where have you been then?" He asked, his tone of voice telling me how little he really cared. "Bunking with Scamander?"

My face morphed into a frown at his mention of Lorcan. "Obviously not," I replied in indignation, "Not that it's any of your business, but I've been sharing with Dom most nights. Though I don't see that being much of an option anymore." My mind wandered to the idea of whatever my cousin and Byron would be doing in that bed now that they were newlyweds. I resisted the urge to gag.

He nodded, and then we were plunged into silence, standing 4 feet apart and looking at each other. I thought about the awkwardness of it all and had the sudden urge to run from the room screaming and never come back.

Then there was a loud, violent banging on the door and voice sounded out, "Oi, Scorp, get out here." It was Tyler Zabini.

"What is it?" Malfoy replied, his gaze finally shifting away from me and to the door behind.

"Just get out here you tool," came the unnecessarily loud response, then we heard his footsteps retreating from the door, indicating that that was all he was going to say.

Malfoy exhaled in exasperation, before walking straight past me and leaving the room. I was alone. For the first time ever, I thanked Merlin for the existence of Tyler Zabini.

Alone, finally, I decided to go to bed. It was only 8:30, but honestly, I was still tired from the night before. Not to mention, I wanted to be asleep when Malfoy finally came back in. I didn't really want to face him again.

So I changed quickly, slipped into the bed and curled up beneath the covers.

Turns out, I was still awake when he finally re-entered the dark dormitory. But I kept my eyes shut and my breathing steady and did what I hoped was my best impression of a sleeping Rose.

I think he bought it because, after pausing for a moment in the middle of the room, I sensed him slide into the bed beside me.

My stomach tightened in discomfort, but I told it to grow up. I was just sharing a bed with the boy, nothing else. Besides, I thought to myself as I drifted off, the warmth now radiating from beside me was kind of comforting.

When I woke up in the morning, I felt more relaxed than I had in weeks. My legs were tangled with other legs, which made them warm- a feeling which flooded up my body. I huddled further into the duvet, sighing in contentment.

Wait, who's legs are they?

My eyes flew open and I shot into a sitting position, detaching myself from the boy sleeping next to me. "Oh, Merlin," I groaned aloud.

Malfoy shifted beside me, so before he could wake up properly, I dragged myself out of the bed and into the bathroom for a shower. Something about me felt off like I had something to be guilty about.

But I didn't.

When I left the bathroom, Malfoy was awake, sprawled leisurely on the bed, already dressed. I ignored him, but his eyes followed me through the room as I went to collect my bag.

"Is there a reason you're staring at me?" I snapped after having him watch me go back and forth through the room about five times, collecting various things.

Malfoy, completely disregarding my question, smirked smugly and replied, "Meet my parents Weasley?"

"Wh-what?" I replied, stopping in my tracks, completely taken aback by his words- so much so that I might have thought I'd misheard him if his smirk hadn't widened in response to my shock.

"Come meet my parents," he repeated simply, his amusement only seeming to grow.

"I've already met your parents," I replied, gathering my composure.

"You haven't met my dad."

W-well I..." I scrambled for some sort of response. He was right, I hadn't ever met Draco Malfoy- my own father-in-law. But I had kind of been hoping it could stay that way for as long as possible. Uncle Harry had always seemed to hold a strange sort of respect for the man, but none of my other family seemed to share the same view- apart from Al of course. The things I'd heard from my dad, however. That was a different story.

Although now I come to think of it, dad likes to exaggerate a lot.

"Your parents can come too," he continued, swinging his legs off of the bed and standing up. "I know my mum has been dying to meet yours."

"I..." I was about to come up with some excuse or another, but then I reminded myself of how I had decided to be mature about this situation only the previous day. So I forced a smile onto my face and replied, "Yeah, that would be great."

There was a pause, then he returned my smile and said, "Ok."

Then, before I could dig myself into any more holes, I turned and left.

Lessons were tedious that day, all apart from Defence against the Dark Arts, which I had with Al.

"Scorpius told me you agreed to meet his parents," My cousin said as we stood across from each other.

"Stop talking," I replied, focusing all my attention on trying to complete the task we had been set, which was to non-verbally disarm our partner. So far, I hadn't been having much luck.

Al rolled his eyes but shut up all the same, allowing me to concentrate. I frowned hard at the wand in his hand, practically screaming the incantation in my mind. But I wasn't getting anywhere. Eventually, I threw my hands up in exasperation and stepped back.

Al smirked, "Perhaps you're just a little distracted today Rose," he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"I agreed to meet his parents, Al, I'm not in love with him." I fished my wand out of my pocket to allow his to attempt the non-verbal charm on me. "Don't forget I already have a boyfriend."

"I'm just saying," he shrugged, "It seems things are going better today. You even slept in your own room- that's new."

I rolled my eyes, "Does Malfoy tell you everything?"

My cousin shrugged again in response. "He's my best mate."

I opened my mouth to respond, but a pointed look from Professor Green told us to get back to work, so I shut it again and let Al try and disarm me.

It didn't take him very long before he had my wand flying through the air. Which only made me more frustrated at myself and my incompetence.

I scowled as, once more, I tried to disarm my cousin using only my mind. Why was this so difficult? We had been doing basic non-verbal spells since sixth year. And expelliarmus was about as basic as you could get.

I huffed dramatically after another two minutes of intense concentration and even more intense failure.

"It's okay Rosie," Al told me, sensing my growing temper. "I'm sure you're just having a bad day."

He was probably right, but despite that, I left Defense Against the Dark Arts in a cloudy mood and determined to get the stupid charm right.

It was the evening and I was in our little common room, pouring over a book on non-verbal spells I'd gotten from the library, when the door opened and in walked Scorpius Malfoy. I glanced up for a second, before I returned my attention to the text in front of me.

"Oh, what a surprise," he began, sauntering into the room, "She's reading again."

"Ha ha," I replied, monotonous, expecting him to walk past me and into the dorm, but instead, he sat down on the sofa across from me.

I continued in silence, but I could feel his eyes on the top of my head as I studied. I thought perhaps if I ignored him he would leave, but after about a minute, it began to look like I was wrong.

"Can I help you?" I asked, looking up from my book and raising my eyebrows expectantly at him.

"No." He replied, smirking in satisfaction as he saw me growing agitated.

"Are you just going to sit there and watch me study then?"

He shrugged.

"Well, please don't, it's distracting."

"I'm sorry, Weasley, but like I've said before, I can't help how insanely attractive I am."

I scoffed. "You're ridiculous."

He flashed me a grin and, despite myself, I let out a short laugh.

"What are you reading, Weasley?"

I held up the front of the book half-heartedly so he could see. "Non-verbal spells."

He pulled a face in response, "Why?"

"Because," I laced my voice thick with exasperation. "I'm trying to learn how to do them." Then I stuck my nose very deliberately back in my book, trying to send a clear message for him to stop distracting me.

"You can't do non-verbal spells?" He asked, surprised.

"No, I can. Or- well- I could, but no, not anymore it seems." I frowned. No- there was no way I was actually losing my ability. I was just having a bad day.

Unable to wallow in my own failure any longer, I snapped the book shut and placed it on the table before getting to my feet.

"Where are you going?" Malfoy asked from where he sat, leaning back leisurely on the sofa.

"To see Lorcan," I replied, biting my tongue to stop myself from adding, 'not that it's any of your business.'

Then I left quickly, suddenly very eager to see my boyfriend after the stress of my waning magic skills. I was sure he could take my mind off it. Besides, for the first time since this blasted marriage law had been announced, things were actually going well with Lorcan.

When I got to his common room, Lorcan was sitting on one of the sofas near the fire. When I came in the door, he looked up and got to his feet. "Rose?"

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?" His eyes shifted to the door of his dorm.

I furrowed my brow in response, "Is this a bad time?"

He seemed to compose himself then, his eyes stopped shifting and he even managed a slight smile. "No, actually, I was going to come to find you in a minute." I went and sat down with him. "I think we should talk."

"Uh oh," I joked, but he wasn't laughing.

Instantly, the mood of the room shifted and my heart was pounding against my ribcage. "Oh?" I frowned properly this time, but I wouldn't let myself speak anymore, knowing my shaking voice would betray everything.

"The thing is... Rose," Lorcan rubbed the back of his neck and looked away, uncomfortable and clearly unsure of how to continue. "Me and Annette have decided to give this marriage thing... a proper go."

I sat, stunned into silence. It felt like the floor had just been stolen from underneath me- I felt that sickening falling feeling in my stomach and had to mentally remind myself I was on solid ground.

The rational side of me understood the decision, respected it even.

But the irrational side of me wanted to punch this bloody git in the face. Or cry. Or both. But whilst I was always very quick to emotion- especially around people I knew well- I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

So instead, I nodded curtly; not trusting myself to open my mouth. Then I stood up, turned, and walked away, slowly at first, but faster and faster as I moved toward the door.

"Rose," he called behind me, "Come on, say something." I ignored him as I left through the door. Don't cry, don't cry for him, I told myself, but even as I did I felt hot, angry tears brimming in my eyes. I swore to myself that I would not let them fall.

But they were coming down, so I hurried into a nearby empty classroom, shut the door firmly, before collapsing against a wall- sliding to the floor and clutching my knees as a form of support. And the tears came, hot and heavy and hard, my body was wracked with sobs before long and I was unable to control them.

Was I crying for Lorcan? Was I crying for my own situation with Malfoy? Was I crying because I was just exhausted?

Perhaps it would a mixture of it all. I didn't know. All I knew was that I sat there, tears falling thick and fast and blurring my vision.

I wasn't sure how long it was, but eventually, the door opened and someone walked in. I probably should have been embarrassed, but I honestly didn't have the strength. Besides, I figured whoever it was would take one look at my pathetic, crying form and walk straight out of the room.

But they didn't. Instead, they stopped in their tracks, paused a moment, before walking cautiously over and sliding down to sit on the floor next to me.

I looked up, and even though my blurred vision I could tell it was Malfoy. I opened my mouth, but he waved Al's marauders map, answering my unasked question.

"Oh," I replied, then hiccuped softly, my tears slowing. Then I closed my eyes again and, in a way that made the rational side of me hot with shame, I leant into his side. I couldn't help it, my hollow insides craved the warmth of someone. Anyone. I just needed to be held.

He didn't pull away, like- in the deepest parts of myself- I was scared he would, instead, he put a hand under my face and raised it. I blinked my eyes open, and I was looking straight at him.

"What happened?" He asked, and there was concern in his voice. Real concern. I tried to look away, but his hand kept my face where it was.

I squeezed my eyes shut instead. It wasn't as if he didn't know- Malfoy was a smart boy, he could put two and two together. I had left to see my boyfriend, and now I was crying in an empty classroom.

"Look at me," but I refused to open my eyes- so I felt him bring his face closer to mine. "Rose." His breath was hot on my face, and- in spite of myself- my eyes fluttered open in response, to meet his.

Suddenly, I realised how close he was. A part of my brain, muffled by my tears and pounding heartbeat, told me to get away from him. To stand up and leave. This was Scorpius Malfoy, the boy who had tormented me since first year. The bigoted, arrogant boy.

But there was a sadness in my very limbs and a pressure building inside me, so I didn't go. Instead, I did something that Rose Weasley never would have done in her right mind. I stretched up, and kissed him gently on the cheek.

When I pulled away again, he was still looking at me, but his expression was changed- his silver eyes searching mine for something. Then, before I even knew what was happening, his mouth was on mine.

That suppressed part of my mind was screaming now, telling me to stop what I was doing. But he was soft and warm, and my insides ached with emotion. I fell into the kiss, not wanting to pull away.

But then I faltered, even through the fog of grief I knew this was wrong. I jerked back, opening my eyes to see Malfoy, and my stomach churned. This was wrong, this was all wrong.

I clambered shakily to my feet, breathing heavily, and ran from the room before either of us had a chance to speak.

When I woke up the next morning, it was to an insistent tapping noise.

I groaned, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. Wait a second... where was I? I frowned at my surroundings for a moment, wondering why on /earth/ I was sleeping in the Gryffindor Common room, before the previous night came flooding back to me.

He had kissed me, and I had kissed him back. And then I had run, unsure of where to go, so I had come here.

I had kissed him.

But I hadn't been in the right frame of mind- I had been emotional and upset and irrational- and the bastard had kissed me anyway.

And why? Scorpius Malfoy hated me- it was about all I was sure off in the world. So what had he been doing?

That tapping was still there, stopping me from thinking, so I got up from my sofa and looked around. Mum's owl was at the window, tapping away furiously at the glass, a rolled up piece of parchment in his talons.

I rolled my eyes at the bird's foul mood, which seemed to match my own, but I opened the window for him nonetheless. He swooped in, hooted, dropped the letter to the ground at my feet and flew swiftly out again.

Good, I thought, moodily. I never like that stupid owl anyway.

I stooped down to pick up the letter, but, conscious that I didn't want anyone to see me in the Gryffindor common room dressed in yesterdays clothes, I decided to read it whilst I was walking.

It was from my mum, unsurprisingly.

To Rosie,

I just got an owl from Mrs Malfoy, inviting us over to the Manor this Saturday. She said that you and Malfoy had talked it over and decided it was time to meet each other's parents-officially. She asked us to be there by 11 O Clock.

From, mum.

Ps. I'm so proud of you for talking to him and making this decision, sweetie. I know this situation hasn't been easy on you, but I'm glad that you're being mature.

I groaned, stopping in my tracks right outside our common room. Oh, Merlins balls- this was the last thing that I needed. How could I meet his parents now, with everything going on? How could I look them in the eye?

I pushed open the door to our common room, tucking my mum's letter into my pocket and sending a prayer to every God anyone ever believed in that Malfoy was still sleeping.

There was no reason he should be awake- I myself had been woken unnecessarily early by a mixture of the uncomfortable sofa and mum's owl. But the castle was still quiet, no one else having gotten out of bed yet.

I didn't just want Malfoy to be asleep, I needed him to be. If I had to face him now, after last night I...

It didn't even bear thinking about.

So I conjured all my luck and opened the dormitory door.

He was standing on the other side, hand outstretched as if he had been about to open the door himself. His hair was messy and his tie wasn't tied, but hung loosely around his collar.

When he saw me, his eyes turned stormy and he took a step forward.

I took one back.

"Malfoy," I greeted, keeping my voice nonchalant as I greeted him.

"Weasley," he returned, but his voice wasn't nonchalant. I shivered slightly at the anger I heard there.

"Good morning," I persevered, resolving just to act like nothing had happened, "I was just goin-"

"Don't play games with me, Weasley." His voice was low, and he took another step into the common room.

"I-I'm not," I replied, stepping back again and hitting the back of a sofa

"What about what happened last night?"

"What about it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light, but I could hear it shaking. "I wasn't thinking straight, I was upset. You were just there and-" I broke off, instantly realising I had said the wrong thing as his eyebrows lowered into a scowl, darkening his face.

"I was just there?" He asked, venomously.

"Look, I don't know why you're so angry," I snapped, taking a step forward, "I was crying and vulnerable and you kissed me, not the other way round." I was sick of his moods.

A door opened behind me and seconds later I heard Lysander's voice.

"Everything okay out here?" He asked.

There was a lull of silence for a moment, as Malfoy's gaze slid to a spot over my shoulder, presumably staring Lysander down.

"Fine," the Slytherin said, eventually, the muscle in his jaw clenching. Before he looked back at me once, his eyes so cold I shivered again. Then, he walked swiftly out of the common room.

I closed my eyes, absorbing what had just happened and, for a moment, wondering if my magic was even worth this. Maybe I should just let the ministry snap my wand.

"Rose?" Lysander asked, I turned to look at the identical face of the boy who had dumped me last night.

"Everything's fine," I forced a smile, before going into my dorm to get dressed.

It was Thursday, Potions. My loss of Lorcan and my current relationship with Malfoy had kept me in an icy mood all week.

And when I say my 'relationship' with Malfoy, I'm referring to that fact that we had been steadfastly avoiding each other. At least, I had been avoiding him. But as far as I could tell, he wasn't even thinking about me. He had just gone back to not caring.

If he had ever even started caring.

On top of all that, our potions professor had decided it would be a good idea to pair me up with none other than Annette.

I didn't hate Annette. None of this was her fault, she was just a victim of the law. But... it wasn't easy to sit next to her. It was silent and awkward working with her, but I busied myself with the work to distract me.

We were in the middle of brewing armortentia, the love potion, when she spoke.

"I'm sorry about you and Lorcan." She told me, and her voice was so genuine that I had to smile.

"It's okay," I tried to keep my voice nonchalant. "I understand why you and Lorcan want to try and make it work. You are married after all."

"What?" She asked, confusion clear in her voice- so much so that I turned to face her.

"You know-" I began, puzzled, "I get why you and Lorcan are trying to give it a go and I don't blame you..." I trailed off.

"Is that what he told you?" She asked.

"Well, yeah."

She scoffed, laughing. "What a /bastard/."

"He... he lied?" I asked, incredulous. She nodded, and I realised that this was worse. This was so much worse. The idiot /lied/ to me.

"Oh," I said, softly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Rose," Annette told me and, even though I had hardly spoken to the girl before, she hugged me.

"Girls, back to your potion please," the professor called from across the dim dungeon.

It was lunch that same day when my family finally caught on.

"Rose," Dom came rushing up to the Gryffindor table and squeezed onto the bench, "I just saw Lysander, and he said that you and Lorcan broke up." She said, and I groaned internally.

"What?" Alice looked to me, "Is that true?" But the look on my face had already answered that question. "When?"

"Monday," I replied.

"Monday?!" Dom practically screeched. "Rose, it's Thursday. How could you not tell us?"

I cast a desperate look at Hugo, but he wasn't looking at me. His eyes were trained on the Ravenclaw table. As I watched, he took his wand out and stood up, unsurely. "Am I supposed to... like... hex him or something?" He asked.

"Sit down Hugo," I said and rolled my eyes. Dom took my brother's hand and pulled him back into his seat.

"So what happened?" Alice asked, wringing her hands nervously.

"Would you all relax," I told them, reaching for a sausage from the pile in the middle of the table. "It's over, he dumped me, and it's probably for the best anyway."

"He dumped you?" Dom rolled her eyes, "I can't believe that pathetic little sot."

"Yeah, well, anyway, he told me that he was going to try and make it work with Annette. But I was paired with her in potions today, and she said that that was a lie."

"What?" Alice looked absolutely scandalised, whilst Dom's face twisted into an expression I never wanted to be on the receiving end of.

"That slimy little git-" She began, but was cut off by a certain black-haired Slytherin appearing behind her.

"Who's a slimy little git?" Al laughed good-naturedly as he sat down beside Hugo.

"Lorcan," my brother replied, seemingly still a little gloomy that we cut short his rampage for revenge.

"Oh yeah, Scorpius told me, sorry about that Rose," Al told me sympathetically, "I never liked that guy anyway."

"Hold on," Dom held up a hand, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder in indignation. "Rose, you told Malfoy before you told us?"

"I didn't tell him, he just sort of..." I flushed red with the memory of that night in the empty classroom and prayed none of my family could tell. "He just sort of found out."

Dom narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously, but didn't say anything more.

A/N: There we go, done! A bit of a spicy chapter as this story goes. Sorry if the ending is a little abrupt. Please, if you liked it, leave a review. It really means a lot!