A/N: I think we go back to a bit more of Rose's view. After all, she is the one who has had hesitations about her and Scorpius. And she is yet to deal with Chase. Thanks for the reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot.

Chapter Ten: The Confrontation

"It's just a dance," retorted Rose to Paige's comments about Rose's lack of enthusiasm.

"Oh come on. You know all the attention will be on you," replied Paige, "I mean you obviously have to go with Malfoy but Chase will be all over you!"

Rose glanced at Lily to her left and rolled her eyes. It was the following Saturday and the first three hours of her time at Hogsmeade had been spent with Scorpius. The week had been flowing along smoothly. By day her and Scorpius pretended things were civil at best but in the common room they shared they would spend a lot of the time laughing and sometimes, though rare still, flirting. The date that morning had gone along brilliantly. It had been a hot breakfast at one of the café's with a stroll through Hogsmeade.

"Yes, well, in case you haven't noticed," said Rose icily, "I tend to spend a lot of my time away from Chase."

Paige remained silent while Alice pretended to not be interested in the conversation. Lily had a small, smug grin on her face. The group entered the three broomsticks and picked a booth under a cobweb with a fake, extremely lifelike spider moving about in it. Rosemerta enjoyed getting in the Halloween spirit every year, always managing to come up with some new and exciting Halloween decoration.

"You've outdone yourself again, Rosemerta," commented Lily pointing to the spider web.

Rosemerta chuckled, "You can thank your Uncle George for that one. He tried it on your grandmother. Scared her half to death apparently. Now what can I get you girls?"

"Butterbeer," they all answered unanimously.

Rosemerta gave a nod and went to prepare the order as a troop of Slytherin's walked in, with Scorpius amongst them. Scorpius glanced at the group coldly, his eyes landing on Rose briefly with a quick softness showing in them before he turned away.

"Argh," muttered Paige, "I feel for you Rose."

Rose glanced at Paige and down at her ring. She twisted it around on her finger before letting out a little sigh as the doors to the pub swung open again. This time Albus, Hugo and Chase came in with another person following them.

"James!" cried Lily jumping up onto her seat and running across the table into her brother's arms.

James laughed merrily, hugging his sister, "Gotten a tad taller I see!"

Lily grinned at him, "Well you can't expect me to be short forever."

"No matter how tall you get Lils, you will always be my little sister."

Lily rolled her eyes, still smiling though, "I thought you were in France playing Quidditch?"

"We get a week off leading to Halloween. Thought I'd come home and see everyone. Mum wouldn't stop hugging me when I turned up. Neither would Gran when I saw them earlier. She only did because I said I was coming to see you guys."

"It's good to see you James," said Rose smiling at him from beside Paige.

"How you going Rose?" he asked concerned with a back glance over his shoulder at Scorpius.

"I'm fine."

"Shove over then and let me sit."

Rose slid over a bit reluctantly. She preferred to sit on the edge so she would be able to make a hasty exit. Plus she was annoyed her cousins had the gall to bring Chase near her, when they perfectly knew of her silent feelings regarding him. James though, seemed oblivious to her uneasiness as Lily sat on his other side. Albus, Hugo and Chase dragged over three chairs and soon their table was full of chatter.

Rosemerta delivered their drinks and left to get the boys theirs, greeting them cheerfully and demanding James visit more often.

Occasionally Rose glanced over at the Slytherin's seeing Scorpius pretending to be half interested in whatever was being said by Eric in his loud, boasting voice. The glances never went unnoticed with Chase grinding his teeth and clenching his fists whenever Rose looked away from the half peeled off label from her Butterbeer.

"… and so I am shooting down, I swear the ground is just flying closer to my face by the second and the Italian Seeker screams out to me to pull back or I'll die. I glance at him and say, 'I'd rather die then lose this match!' And he yanks back… and I catch the snitch without a scratch to my face!"

"Oh James… that must have been scary," said Paige, leaning towards him.

Rose turned her face downwards and rolled her eyes. She knew James well enough that he didn't go for the silly girls.

"All part of the game," shrugged James before asking Albus a question.

Rose looked at Paige who leant back in a huff. She hid a smile before looking over to Scorpius who was watching her. He gave her a grin and wink before looking away as Chase turned his head to catch the wink. Rose looked to Chase who turned back, his face contorted in anger.

"James," muttered Rose, "Can you please move? I need to use the bathroom… now."

James frowned at Rose but elbowed Lily to move. When she was free to slide out, Rose did so quickly keeping her purse on her. She shot a look of warning to Chase before hurrying into the ladies room. Letting out a deep breath, Rose leaned forward on the sink and stared at her reflection intensely. The toilet door swung open with Paige walking in looking at Rose almost smugly.

"Can't handle the heat, huh?" said Paige.

"Sorry?" frowned Rose turning to face her.

"Oh Chase and I both know you are right into that Malfoy. You both try to hide this thing going on but everyone can see it clear as a bell."

"We are just civil. I don't know what you think you are seeing."

"Some would call it blossoming love. I call it being a traitor to everyone," snapped Paige, "You are giving into the Ministry's pressure to fall in love! If you give in, Rose, we all are going to be marrying someone we don't want!"

"I'm not falling in love with him! And no damn law can be decided upon one experiment!"

"Fine… but if you aren't falling for Malfoy then why does he watch you? Why does he wink at you? Why do you melt to the floor whenever you both lock eyes?"

"You're seeing things."

"Yeah, that's what they all say before the person is caught snogging them madly behind the Quidditch equipment shed. You had a good thing with Chase and now you've ruined it."

"A good thing?" laughed Rose bitterly, "Is bruising my arm a good thing? Is controlling me with threats a good thing? Is being on an emotional rollercoaster a good thing? Is it Paige? Tell me that!"

Paige shook her head, rolled her eyes and stormed out muttering curses under her breath. Rose turned back to the sink and washed her face with cold water. She dried it and left the bathroom, almost colliding into Scorpius on the way out.

"You okay?" he muttered to her with a glance around that no one was watching them.

"I'll be fine. That witch on the other hand… oh I could just slap that smug grin off her face!"

Scorpius grinned, "In your dreams tonight maybe? Or you could just send a letter slap. They're always good fun to watch."

Rose smiled, "I'd better go. I did promise Lily I would help her shop for the dance."

Scorpius nodded, "See you later then."

Rose nodded and went to step past Scorpius, but he grabbed her arm, leaning in to peck her on the cheek.

"Would you stop grinning? You look stupid!" hissed Lily as she and Rose walked across the main street of Hogsmeade to the dress shop.

"I can't," replied Rose with a little sigh at the end.

"Gosh, did you get hit with an overdone cheer spell?"

"No."

"Anyone would think you saw a young Orlando Bloom. And my Mum wasn't lying either. He was good looking back in the day."

Rose laughed, "My Mum says the same thing."

"Then why are you smiling like a lunatic?"

Rose glanced at Lily, wondering if she could let her in on the secret. Lily would eventually find out and probably over hear Paige saying something no doubt. Rose would prefer that whatever her cousin heard did come directly from her and not a second person with a warped view of things.

"Look, if I tell you, swear to be you won't be judgemental of me?"

Lily gave a small frown but nodded, "Okay. Spill."

"Well… things have progressed between Scorpius and I. Remember what I said ages ago, in the library?"

Lily nodded.

"Well… I do know about him now. And… so far he is a really decent guy. He cares for me Lily."

Lily cracked a grin, "I know. I think everyone knows he cares for you. Albus knows, so does Hugo and Malfoy's friends."

Rose laughed, "So there really was a Protect Rose Society happening?"

Lily nodded, "So, go on. I can tell there are more juicy details."

Rose sighed, "I think I am starting to like Scorpius. More then friendship… but it all seems so sudden and too good to be true. I mean… gosh, he keeps kissing me out of the blue!"

"WHAT?" cried Lily halting in her tracks outside a dress shop, "He has kissed you?"

Rose nodded, "Once on the lips after you guys confronted me about Chase, then after a date a week ago… and ten minutes ago in the hall to the toilets at the pub."

"Oh my Merlin! Rose Sofia Weasley! How dare you not tell me this!"

"Calm down Lily Luna Potter. You are drawing attention this way."

"Can you blame me? Here I am, your best cousin in the world and you deny me this information for gosh, two weeks now?"

"So… you don't disapprove?"

"Not anymore. I probably would have if I didn't know Scorpius was serious about you. But I trust you."

"You trust me even after Chase?"

Lily looked over at the joke shop the rest of their group had vanished into, "You do need to tell him. I think he can tell things aren't going his way Rose… you don't know what he will do if he is left in the dark."

"I know," sighed Rose, "But come on, lets get you that dress."

With a sigh, Rose stuck the covered dress in her wardrobe silently cursing her cousin for pushing her into purchasing it. One night all glamed up wouldn't hurt was Lily's reasoning. She placed the box of shoes at the bottom of her wardrobe and pulled out her light, knitted, long cardigan and walked over to shut her window. It was chilly outside, with clouds gathering in the distance with a promise of pelting rain. Students were moving indoors to escape the cool breeze and the Slytherin team were wrapping up their training.

Yes, the connection had weakened dramatically over the past three days and both knew it wouldn't be long until Lavender was informed. Rose looked around her cosy room dreading when she would have to move back to share with Paige, Alice and two other girls – Kirsty and Bethany. Privacy was always an issue in that dormitory. Nothing was sacred, not even bedside cupboards unless they had a secure locking charm on them, which was something Rose had perfected by her third year.

She left her room and was welcomed by an owl sitting on the back of one of the couches. Rose recognised it as a school owl and sighed. Probably another meeting date for Head and Prefect meetings. How hard was it for her cousin to discuss with her as to the time and date? Rose had the entire school club meeting times so they never interfered with peoples commitments. She took the letter, giving the owl a stroke on its soft head. Sitting down opposite the owl, Rose unrolled the letter and frowned when she saw it wasn't her cousins untidy scrawl.

We need to talk. You know what about. Meet me in twenty minutes at the owlery. – Chase.

Rose stared out the window at the darkening sky. A shiver ran down her spine - a mixture of cold and fear. Who knew what mood Chase was in after what he saw that day? Rose stood though and slipped her wand into her pocket and slipped on her black shoes. She found some parchment and left a note for Scorpius that something came up and she wouldn't be long.

Rose walked in silence smiling at people she passed and nodding in greeting to paintings who would shout a cheery hello to her. At the stairwell to the owlery Rose stood at the bottom, staring up at the disappearing steps. She didn't know what would be waiting for her at the top and that alone, sent a wave of shivers down her spine. Sucking in a deep breath she reprimanded her self for acting like a scared Hufflepuff. She trooped up the stairs, pausing at the last three. From here she wouldn't be seen, she could still go back down and pretend to have not gotten the letter… some how. Rose shook her head and forced her self up the stairs. Fires from the holders on the walls were lit, but not entirely bright enough to sooth Rose's nerves. She spotted Chase on the opposite side of the owlery staring out at the school grounds. He looked composed, as if he didn't have any worries.

"I got your note," said Rose announcing her arrival, "So here I am."

Chase turned around nodding at her slowly, "Here you are. Rose Weasley. Dressed demurely. Seemingly composed. But what lies underneath that look?"

Rose frowned, crossing her arms over her chest as Chase appraised her like a piece of meat. He walked over and circled around her chuckling.

"I know. A whore."

"What?" exclaimed Rose looking at him with glaring eyes, "I am far from a whore."

"Oh… so technically dating me while engaged isn't being a whore? Dating me while being forced into something, with whom you are actually messing around with isn't being a whore?"

"Haven't you picked up on what's happened Chase? You and me are over! I don't want to be your girlfriend! Deal with it!"

Chase remained silent giving Rose plenty of time to take a verbal swipe back at being called a whore.

"Besides, you are the one chatting up my friends on the sidelines. Gosh, wouldn't even surprise me if you've shagged Paige already."

Chase glared at Rose before smirking, "She was good."

Rose staggered back a step, feeling gutted despite everything else, "What?"

"Yeah. Surprised you didn't pick up on that. I mean aren't you just the ace person at reading into people?"

Rose let out an angry puff of air and turned away, heading for the steps, "Goodbye Chase."

She took a step down before rough hands grabbed her from behind and pulled her back up the stairs, "We aren't done yet!"

Rose gave a grunt of pain as she was slammed against the cold, stone castle wall. Owls fluttered about at the commotion, hooting in annoyance at being disturbed. Chase glared down at Rose menacingly, his hot breath spreading across her face constantly.

"You used me," he growled, "As a way to divert your feelings for Malfoy and the law."

"Not at first," said Rose refusing to tremble in fear at his body pressed against hers, "I swear I did like you. Until you showed your true colours."

"I wanted to please you Rose, as a man. But you refused to let me! Running away if things got to hot for you to handle! You pathetic, prude!"

"I'm not a prude! I just didn't want to have sex with you!" shot back Rose, her hand carefully creeping to the pocket where her wand was stowed, "Not every girl will bend over backwards to lay with the great Chase Thomas!"

Chase gave a growl of annoyance and yanked Rose forward and slammed her against the wall again. Rose's head smacked onto the stone, causing her to scream in pain. Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to bring her cry down to a whimper. The pain was blinding her, but her hand still found her wand. She pulled it out and poked it into Chase's stomach.

"Stupefy!" she cried.

Chase flew backwards, sliding across the ground and stopping in a heap near the opposite wall. Stumbling, Rose hurried from the owlery, unsure how long the spell would keep Chase at bay for. She made her way down the stairs, miscuing a few steps on her way. She ran along the corridor, colliding into walls, making paintings cry out in alarm begging Rose to tell them what happened.

Tears were running constantly down her cheeks and her head was throbbing like crazy, but still Rose had to escape from Chase. He could come after her in a matter of minutes, she needed to be safe. She needed to be with Scorpius.

But after ten minutes of reckless, stumbling running Rose had to stop. She slid down to the ground, drawing her legs up to her body as she sobbed. She couldn't comprehend what had happened. Had he really thrown her against a wall? Called her a whore? Slept with Paige? Scorpius may have kissed Rose, but she never kissed him back.

"Rosie?"

Rose jerked away from a hand touching her arm gently until she looked up to see her brother.

"Hugo," said Rose weakly as he knelt before her, "Hugo he hurt me."

Hugo stared at his sister stunned before wrapping his arms around her both comfortingly and protectively. As Rose cried she got out the story in between sobs. Hugo nodded and hugged her promising nothing more would happen.

"We should let Madam Pomfrey check out your head," he said after nearly half an hour, "Are you still dizzy?"

"A little. Probably another concussion. Hugo, this will ruin Dad's friendship with Mr Thomas!"

"I know Rose… but Chase hurt you. You don't know what else he could have done to you. The guy is pretty messed up."

Hugo helped Rose up and supported her as they walked to the hospital wing. Once there, Madam Pomfrey sent for McGonagall then inspected Rose's skull and brain.

"Hmm… still dizzy?" she asked.

"Not as bad as before."

"Right… well it's a nasty lump you've got. But not a concussion. It will be tender for a couple of hours until the medicine kicks in and swells it down. Take it easy and if you get dizzy or a headache come back to me instantly."

Rose nodded as McGonagall walked in with Hugo at her side talking to her in a hurried angry voice. Once at Rose, Hugo went silent.

"How you feeling Miss Weasley?"

"Shaken, Professor."

"From what your brother tells me, I can understand. But, I need to hear it from you now. Are you ready for that?"

Rose nodded and told Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey about the note, which she handed over to McGonagall. She then explained the entire owlery situation with every detail included.

"… I hit him with stupefy a-and left. I don't know if he is still there… I just r-ran."

"You did the smart thing. I'll have to inform your parents and Mr Thomas'. If you want, we can involve the Ministry. This will go on permanent record if you wish. If not, we can keep this as a severe school matter, however, if Mr Thomas tries anything physical in my presence or not, the Ministry will be involved regardless of your wishes," said McGonagall at the end.

"Keep it as a school matter, Professor," said Rose firmly despite Hugo making a noise of protest.

McGonagall nodded, "Very well. I'll have Hagrid find Chase and bring him to my office. You can return to your tower until your parents arrive."

Rose nodded and McGonagall left. Hugo looked at his sister and sighed.

"What?" said Rose, "It's my choice Hugo. I don't want this to become a big song and dance. It's big enough for my liking. I shouldn't have gone. I-I should have listened to my first instinct."

"Well," sighed Hugo, "I guess it's a good thing it's over and done with. You can close that part of your self and get started on a drama free one."

"That, I am entirely up for," smiled Rose.

Hugo left Rose at her doorway promising to come with her when their parents arrived. Rose entered the tower with a sigh. She walked over to the couches and flopped down, automatically leaning back. She sprang forward as her head throbbed where the lump was.

"Bugger!" hissed Rose before groaning.

"You okay?"

Rose looked up as Scorpius came from the bathroom freshly showered and fully dressed.

"No… something happened," admitted Rose unsure of how Scorpius was going to react, "Regarding Chase and I."

"Oh?" asked Scorpius lightly.

He sat opposite her as Rose fidgeted with her ring and tried to find the spot to begin at. She finally sucked in a deep breath and retold the evenings events for the third time in a matter of two hours. At the peak, Scorpius swore out loud and clenched his hands into fists. When Rose finished, he stood up pacing.

"He hurt you! He bloody hurt you! I didn't want him to hurt you!"

"Its not your fault," said Rose standing also looking calm, despite her inner emotions, "I stupidly went alone to see him. I should have taken someone, or waited for you to return."

"How bad is the knock?"

"Its tender, but in a few hours it'll be gone. Scorpius… it's being dealt with. In a matter of hours my parents and his will arrive. I'll deal with it, I promise."

Scorpius turned to Rose and let out a sigh, "After all he has done to Melena… I just wanted to make sure he didn't hurt what matters to me most."

Rose gave Scorpius a small smile. Regardless of whether things were too good to be true, she liked it a lot. Walking forward she pecked Scorpius in the lips, this time making sure it was him she left in shock for a change.

A/N: After all the drama, I wanted a sweet ending. And are things too good to be true? Review to find out.

Until next time…

Love yas!

Love Coz!