A Pain-Filled Day- Part Two
Hailey cried in a blind panic. "Rose is in the hospital wing..."
"What?" Scorpius and Debby Shouted. Hailey who had been making her way to cry in the arms of her friend in worry for her other friend; stopped in her tracks and stared at Scorpius.
The stare was for a split second that seemed to stretch into an eternity. They were locked in an unblinkingly glazing at each other. Not knowing what to say or do. His mind raced flooded by his questioning heart; it took him a while to process what he wanted to ask first. When he did; he tired to open his mouth to ask her how it had happened and he found he couldn't… She had frozen him.
Hailey for a little while seemed a bit demented. Her lobe and loyalty to her beloved friend overcame her normal level headed nature. Hailey's worry for her friend morphed into anger at the cause of her friends despair.
She began to shout at him.
"YOU'VE DONE THIS TO HER." Hailey said pointing her wand at Skip's nose. "SHE WAS SO UPSET SHE'S COLLAPSED. FOR WEEKS YOU'VE TORGUED HER EMOTIONALLY. EVEN THOUGH YOU PLAYED WITH HER EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL STATE LIKE SHE WAS NOTHING; LIKE IT WAS SOME SICK ENTERTAINMENT." Red sparks started to slowly fountain out of the tip her wand missing his nose by an ant's breath.
"AND IF THAT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH SHE WOULDN'T HEAR A WORD AGAINEST YOU. SHE'S THE STRONGEST MOST LOVING PERSON I'VE EVER MET AND YOU'VE DESTROYED HER MALFOY." She couldn't look at him anymore; her stomach ached as the emotions swelled within her. Her fierce anger was melting by the tears she was holding back, giving way to the need to pace out the situation.
"I DIDN'T WANT TO DOUBT ROSE; GO AGAINST WHAT I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN IN MY HEART OF HEARTS ABOUT YOU. YOU'RE NO GOOD MALFOY SO YOU EITHER LEAVE ROSE ALONE OR MAKE THIS RIGHT WITH HER. OR I SWEAR I WILL TELL EVERYONE; YOUR FAMILY, HER FATHER, HUGO AND THE POTTER'S AND ANYONE ELSE WHO COULD MAKE YOUR LIFE MISERABLE. AS MIS…ER…ABLE AS YOU…'VE MADE…" At this the floodgates of tears that she had been battling broke and she openly wept.
Both Scorpius and Debby were surprised by the outburst. Scorpius felt like the bottom had fallen out of his world. Debby, on the other hand, the only one capable of movement hurried over and embraced her emotionally exhausted friend.
The sun began to sink into the horizon as everyone silently struggled to calm down. Debby whispered endearments and comforting words to Hailey while Skip let the weight and meaning of Hailey's words sink in.
His emotions started to churn as his thoughts turned to his best friend. Rose was there. He didn't know how it had happened but he knew that he was the cause.
The weeks, since the kiss, had been an emotional rollercoaster for him; and for the first time he realized that it had been one for her too. But the emotional rollercoaster she was on was without knowing why; she was in the dark. And so in her friends had banded round her and tried to help.
If Hailey, the ever logical yet free spirited one of there group was weeping so openly; what did that say about Rose.
He looked over to Hailey he saw not only her pain but the quiet and unreserved pain that sprang from her love of Rose. He could hear Hailey mumble to Debby and they looked out of the window.
But not the window that stretched to the beautiful scenery of the grounds but the window that framed the hospital wing.
Then, Hailey suddenly hugged Debby and left; but not before shooting Scorpius a death glare.
"Now listen here Skippy." Debby said standing over him with her hands on her hips. "I don't care what you want. What you need to do is make this right with Rose. You here, are miserable. She is so miserable she collapsed and is in the Hospital Wing." She smiled sweetly.
Their eyes locked intensely until he had to look away; conceding her point; silently agreeing.
"So nice to see that we agree." Debby smiled again. "So first of all you are going to see Rose in the hospital wing. You are going to apologies."
"She's not going to want to hear it…" Scorpius started.
"I know that!" she explained gleefully. "That's why you are going to grovel and apologies until she does forgive you. Her heart is bigger than her ability to be unforgiving. So you will apologies until she forgives; it might take until the end of the year or beyond that. But you will fix that ok…"
"What about the mixed up feelings I've been… er feeling" he finished lamely wringing his hands; not looking at her.
"You will get over it! That's not me being over logical or uncaring. That's me being realistic. You will either get over it or do something about it if that's right."
He nodded sombrely while looking out of the window to the Hospital Wing.
"Good see you up there then Skippy!" Debby said as she turned on her heels and walked quickly to catch up to Hailey. "See you soon Skip!"
"I told you we should have come earlier."
"What? And watch her just lay there,"
"You can be so selfish, Brittany"
"Chill Ash,"
"Don't tell me to chill!"
"I can-"
"Shut up, the both of you" The disembodied voice of Gregory Duhurst could be heard as Rose's eyes hesitantly opened. Her eyes felt sore but she could just make out her cousin Al, Brother Hugo, Neal Andrews, Gregory, Anita, Debby, Hailey, Summer and, to her faint surprise, Ashley Wood and Brittany Anders.
Ashley Wood was the daughter of Oliver Wood. It was common knowledge that her mother died when she was very young, thus leaving her father to raise her alone. Rose and Ashley had become very good friends; she had known her perhaps her entire life. They had lived down the same road for many of years until Ashley moved away, leaving Rose in Longbourne without anyone her age. She had strawberry blonde hair that was in a small bob, tucked neatly above her shoulders and her eyes were a deep hazel. She was a real tomboy that enjoyed dancing to the many songs Brittany would usually sing.
Brittany Anders was Ashley's best friend. They had met in the train on their first year. Brittany being a muggle born was taught about the Wizarding World first by Ashley. They'd argue constantly but never broke up- it was those two that had provided Rose with a lot of entertainment over the years. Brittany would sing and Ashley would dance. Brittany had blue eyes, dull dishwater blonde hair that always got in the way of her eyes. She was fairly rounded, from all the cooking and food she received from home; she was a muggle born and her parent's owned a famous restaurant in Brighton- she could tell the difference between any food just by smell. The two Hufflepuffs had always made it a priority to get mixed up in Roses love life and to this day they'd still annoy her about getting a boyfriend.
"Keep out of it Duhurst, it's nothing to do with you," Rose smiled at Brittany's typical response, it was then when Al turned and was first to notice a conscious Rose.
"You're awake!" Al cheered, grabbing the attention of the others around her, all looking relived.
"What happened," Rose croaked, trying to sit up.
"You just collapsed," Summer answered. "Lucky Violet was there, Anita had went to get some food and you just collapsed,"
"Madam Pomfrey and Madam Longbottom think it may have been caused by stress, lack of sleep, lack of nutrients," Hailey continued of Summer, ticking everything of with her fingers. "And perhaps the pain from any headache you got from crying all flipping night,"
"Sorry guys," Rose muttered, still feeling low as she scrunched her face in pain from the headache which made her head feel as though it would explode.
"You don't have to apologise," it was then when Rose realised that Callum Young had been standing beside her, when did he get there? This never seemed to surprise her; he was always too quiet to be noticed half the time. He'd always disappear and reappear, knowing things that no one else even knew. There was this air of mystery about him that seemed to draw others around him in. No one knew much about him but he knew everything about them. Over the years Rose had grown quite close to Callum, as Al always had him over the house during the summer. But Gregory was the person she'd grown most fond of, a relationship like one of a brother.
"When the bloody hell did you get here?" Hugo asked standing the other side of his sister. "Merlin you scare me when you just appear like that."
"He's been there the whole time," Al yelled back, but even he looked unsure. It was then when Violet appeared, talking to Madam Pomfrey and Madam Longbottom. She was wearing a short black mini skirt and a tight white blouse with the "Gryffindor" crest imprinted on it. She guessed that this was for Al's benefit. Only Violet would re-dress to impress when her friend had just collapsed. Rose rolled her eyes at the thought but her lips twitched into a smile.
"So anyway, Libby sent me a letter telling me that her sister Linda overheard, John tell Mindy. That Gavin told Miles that he heard from Rubilius that Sarah told him that my sister Anastasia said that her boyfriend Fred was told by the other Fred that James Potter is getting really serious with that redhead Katie. I mean I'm talking about marriage serious. I reckon I should go red, Potter guys seem to go for the redheads, don't they." She said nervously, fingering her hair, as Madam Pomfrey looked on in delight. It was common knowledge that she had a soft spot for Violet Finnigan; she always clued her up on all the gossip- in and out of the school. "But don't tell anyone that- confidential- and you know I always mind my own business." A small snigger spread around the room- not only had Violet told her not to tell anyone, with a whole group of people listening in anyway, but she said that she "minds" her own business, which was the most untrue thing- that Rose was sure Violet believed one hundred percent.
"Oh hey Rose," Violet smiled, before grabbing Summer by the shoulder and dragging her out of the room. "I have something to tell you," Were the last words Rose heard before turning to the others.
"Well we better make a move," Brittany admitted. "Ash and I have got some serious Slytherin butt whipping to attend to," She curled her hair around her ear carefully before turning to Neal.
"Sounds like fun, who's in trouble and why?" He questioned. It was always Neal who caused the trouble. In fact he once heard her Uncle Harry comment on how Neal reminded him of a young Sirius Black. In fact because of this bad influence of trouble that Neal had on Al, Greg and Callum They were almost like second Marauders, whom had discovered even more Hogwarts secrets than even Al's brother had.
"Miller and Flint," Ashley said in an unusual bitterness for her. "Called Brittany a you-know-what again"
"I'll kill him," Neal said, his face flooding with anger getting to his feet, only to be held back by his three best friends.
"I can look after myself Andrews- they don't know what's coming to them- makes you almost feel sorry for them," Brittany sneered.
"Almost but not quite." Ashley laughed. "What prats- if they weren't so thick I'd have killed them by now but because they're so think you can almost excuse their narrow-mindedness." Ashley sighed angrily. "Well see you later, twerp," She said ruffling Roses red curls.
"Yeah see you later, hope you get better!" Brittany chirped up and together they left the room, Madam Pomfrey following closely.
It was then when Madam Longbottom, or as Rose called her Aunt Hannah, advanced towards her, waving her wand at a bandage over her head, that she hadn't noticed were there until the evidence was in her "Aunt's" hands.
"Just as I though," She said kindly. Rose loved her Aunt Hannah; she was one of her relatives she felt closest to, save Al, Uncle Harry and Victoire. When she married her Uncle Neville she was ever so please- she had been seven then, how time had flown, she thought to herself. "You're still burning up and am I right in thinking you've still got a headache?" Rose nodded. "Well there's not a lot we can do I'm afraid. We can't heal head injuries unless it's serious because of fear of causing more damage and you're temperature is high but we can only cool it down temporally." She said, offering a smile of sympathy.
"Will she be ok?" Hugo said, his voice in deepest concern, more than even Al. It was really adorable when Rose saw her brother so worried about her.
"Off course, I don't see why not," Hannah told him. "She'll have to be kept in here over night and maybe tomorrow but come morning she should be as right as rain." Hugo broke into a huge grin. "Yeah she'll be fine- just has to slow herself down a bit- I dare say stress is what got her into this in the first place." She offered another reassuring smile, walking over to the door. "Oh and Rose," She said tuning again once more. "Uncle Neville has just contacted your parents- they'll be down in about two hours to come see you." And with that she left.
Rose didn't feel like seeing her parents. In fact she really didn't want to see anyone. After yesterday the only thing she wanted to do was shut out the entire world- life without Scorpius proved worst than she had first comprehended. She still felt sick thinking about it- it was all she could do not to start crying again but she had cried so much last night and today that she couldn't shed a tear even if she wanted to. Her parents would only ask questions about what stress she was under- especially her mother- and she wasn't ready to have those questions asked.
"Did you hear that," Hugo said, still beaming at her widely, sitting at the end of her bed, cross-legged. "You're going to be fine!"
"Oh my god, I came as soon as I heard," Lily Potter had just entered, holding the hand of Axel Gland with Tom Duhurst by her side. "Rosie are you ok?" She said running over to her and giving her a hug; not releasing the hand of Axel as, both, Tom and Al eyed the entwined hands murderously.
"Yes she's going to be fine," Debby laughed.
"Just a fever and a headache," Anita continued.
"She'll live," Hailey finished with a giggle.
"Oh thank Merlin!" Lily said in what looked like relief. "Hey Hue," She said turning to Hugo. "Carrie is looking for you and so is Professor Chang- I need to go as well- we have two minutes."
Hugo groaned.
"She wants us to do that detention doesn't she?" Lily nodded. "But it wasn't even our fault."
"I know but don't worry- I'll make sure Daniels gets his comeuppance." She said, her face grinning evilly, a look that mirrored her Uncle George's.
Again Al eyed his sister and Axel's entwined hands.
"Keep you're slimy hands to yourself, Gland,"
"It's none of your business Al," Lily said, shooting her brother a death glare.
"You're my sister!"
"And I'm old enough to make my own decisions- you don't have to hex every guy that looks in my direction anymore!"
"Yes I do, anyway I only hex the guys that aren't good enough for you," Al defended.
"To you NO ONES good enough," Lily retorted dangerously, it was times like these that Harry would describe Lily like her mother.
"Do you want me to tell Dad and James?"
"James is worst than you and so is Dad- but go ahead tell them- see if I care," And with that she stormed out, as Hugo kissed his sister's forehead and stalked out after Lily. Tom, however, looked at where Lily stood, with such sadness in his eyes.
"Don't worry Tom," Anita muttered, placing a hand of reassurance on his shoulder. "I'm sure she'll come round,"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Tom said hollowly, looking at his older brother.
"Guys like Axel never get the girl in the end," Hailey explained. "He's a jerk- she'll see that soon."
"Like I care what Potter gets up too!" He shot back bitterly, taking Al and Greg by surprise, while Neal seemed oblivious and the girls and Callum exchanged looks knowingly. "It's not like I fancy her or anything, Gland is welcome to her."
Rose gave him a look of understanding, curling a cascade of her hair out of her face, and sitting up a little more.
"Anyway better be off or Lily will kill me for 'abandoning' her like I'm even visible with Axel around." Tom mumbled to everyone, looking at the ground and then turning his heel to leave.
"Yeah we better go and all, before Madam Pomfrey comes back and tells us there's to many of us," Greg said getting to his feet, until now he had sat on the chair beside Rose's bed. "And I need to catch up on some work in the library."
"The library?" Neal said in astonishment. He then turned to look at Al and continued. "Should I handle this or should you."
"You can mate," Al responded, a smirk worthy of James Potter curling on his face. Neal then advanced towards Gregory and put a manly arm around him.
"Look mate, I know you mean well but the library, honestly! We have reputation to up hold and where as I know the library is you're thing and girls go for that because you're the 'sensitive' and 'kind' one or whatever," Rose smiled at this. It was true- girls usually drooled over them all. Al was the charming one, Callum was the mysterious stranger that attracted girls to no end, Greg was the clever and kind one. And since Neal had lost a lot of weight during the summer, he had become extremely hot; if Rose was being entirely honest and besides he definitely had the 'bad boy' image about him. "But you can't stay in the Library- there's pranks to pull, secrets to unfold, chaos to create- how can you think of books at a time like this?"
"A time like what, Andrews?" Gregory asked, it was Common for the 'Al Gang' to use each other's last names.
"He's a hopeless cause," Neal said burying his face in his hands for dramatic effect the three boys laughed at their best friend's genuine bewilderment, before Al turned to Callum.
"Fancy a prank-storm for Christmas in the Whomping Willow?"
"Sure," Callum said, glancing at Greg and Neal questioningly.
"Yeah ok I'll come," Greg said giving in, deciding that his homework could wait until tomorrow.
"Knew we could count on you," Neal smiled patting Greg on the back.
"You lot are a bad influence on Greg," Rose interrupted.
"Nah," Neal protested. "He's just easily lead! But what fun would it be if I could lead you astray Rosie," Neal said, looking at Rose Suggestively, Rose smiling at the very thought of Neal (of all people) leading her astray, the idea was laughable.
"Oi, that's my cousin you're flirting with," Al warned. "Put your eyes back in your head and move it!"
"Ok calm down, Potter, only joking- like I'd give her the satisfaction."
"You really think you're Merlin's gift, don't you?" Rose giggled.
"Oh but I am, Miss Weasley," He smirked, receiving another warning glare from Al as he left.
"Get better Rosie and bye 'Nita" Al bayed goodbye, winking at Anita as he left with Callum and Gregory.
"Bye," the girls chorused.
"Notice how Al, ignores the rest of us and not you?" Hailey pointed out, directing the question to Anita who looked completely clueless on what had just happened.
"Nah, I'm sure he didn't mean to," Anita said tying her hair into a messy bun, before taking Hugo's vacant seat at the end of Rose's bed.
"Come of it," Debby said incredulously, taking the seat where Gregory had sat as Hailey summoned a second chair, using her wand. "He's like in love with you or something."
"No he's not," Anita protested. "We're just friends…"
"Then what was that date about?" Hailey asked, raising an eyebrow and smirking.
"And the wedding," Rose added, sitting up straight now.
"And the ball," Debby laughed.
"And that kiss this morning," They all said in unison.
"It wasn't a date we were just Christmas shopping- he needed help with Roses present and the Wedding was just because I was going anyway and Al had no one and asked me because we're FRIENDS. The kiss was because he was worried and the ball is just returning the favour from the wedding. Stop reading into it!"
"Whatever you say, Mon petit Amis," Debby said, French being only a small part of her vocabulary.
"We believe you, don't we girls," Hailey asked, though her tone suggested that she didn't believe a word that Anita had just said. Anita's face was red now with anger, she flicked a cascade of black curls out of her eyes and grabbed a book out of her bag.
"Look Rose," Anita said, trying to regain composer. "I got you a book from the library, the one you wanted to read last week- it's the muggle novel." She handed to her friend but though Rose smiled the twinkle in her eye showed sorrow. They new she was still cut up about Scorpius but as always she decided to hide it.
At least it's not so bad that she's crying in public, Anita thought.
"Thanks," Rose said smiling, putting it onto her beside table. "I'll enjoy a good read, it was a nice thought," She was genuine this time, she was really truly thankful to have three great friends.
She was about to talk once more when the door creaked open. A young man slouched in carefully his platinum hair not as tidy as usual.
After an uncomfortable silence that seemed to stretch.
"Err" Debby said very loudly. "Well, it's nice to know that you're feeling better Rosie Rose. Now everyone I'm hungry. Let's leave Rose to her recovery. I'm sure Mr and Mrs W will be here momentary."
"No," Rose seemed to snap, the most definite tone she had used all day. "Stay, I don't want to be left alone with him!" She uttered the last word as though it was a particularly bad taste in her mouth, she didn't even turn to look at Scorpius, and it was as though she couldn't bare to look at him.
"I only want to be here for a minute, Weasley" He snarled in the usual way he did when they were interacting in public. "It's business."
"Forgive me if I don't want to see you," She yelled in a sour tone, she glanced at him for only a second before her eyes wondered in the opposite direction. "But whatever you have to say you can say in front of my FRIENDS, something you're not!"
"No!" he said crossing the room; acting at least 1000 more brave than he felt. "These 'friends' of yours need to go to dinner then there dorms before curfew. No exceptions!" he said crossing his arms smirking at her.
"No actually, they're allowed to stay and wait for my parents!" Rose said getting to her feet for the first time in hours. "If you've come to gloat, then leave!" Her voice trembled and everyone realised that her eyes were becoming tearful again. And even though she didn't cry, they could all see the extent of her sorrow, even now, twenty four hours later.
"Alright Malfoy we'll go..." Debby piped up sensing the tense emotions on within the room. "But if you're not in the Dinner hall within say... an hour... I'll beat you up myself." she said, itching her fingers towards her wand.
"Please stay," Rose said, her voice almost begging. Debby reluctantly agreed silently. However, she vowed to herself not to say anything or do anything until it was all over. Scorpius deserved a chance, or so she thought.
"I'd prefer to say this to you privately but... I'm sorry Min." he said shakily looking at the floor. Then he looked her in the eye when she didn't reply. "I said I'm sorry Min. Put it down to the male time of the month you always comment on. I'm just sorry and Min..." he said starting to panic. "I said I'm sorry can we move on please?"
"You're sorry?" Rose said through gritted teeth, her fists clenched into a small balls by her side. "You're sorry? Well you're NOT forgiven."
"But Min please. I truly am and I'll do anything to prove it to you." he said as he edged forward; looking at her forgetting the others.
"Well sorry isn't good enough, not this time," She yelled bitterly, her whole body seemed to shake in fury. "The things you said to me, the promises you broke- all the lies and you expect me to forgive you- you know, I always thought you had a screw loose but I didn't realise you were of your rocker too!" And as a tear flickered down the side of her face, she turned to look in the opposite direction. "Just get out; I don't want to see you!"
"Please Min," He hurried to her side straight away, spinning her on the spot so their eyes met for a brief moment until she looked away, shrugging his hands from her shoulders. Rose just walked away slightly. "Please I'll do anything- I beg you- I didn't mean anything I said,"
"Well you shouldn't have said them then!" She turned to look at him when she said that, she looked into his eyes and saw guilt but she refused to believe him anymore.
"I know, I was stupid but can't we just let it go and move on, please," He was begging now, there was no way mistaken it but it didn't matter not to Rose because it didn't matter whether he meant those things or not, he still betrayed her.
"No, we can't, now go away!" Rose screamed.
"Not until you forgive me, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"I don't care, I don't care if you're sorry or not, whether you meant what you said or not, whether pigs can fly or not, you betrayed me, you lied, one way or another, you broke promises you hurt me- so I don't care if it was a moment of madness I cant forget it!" She yelled, she wasn't looking at him but she could feel him inch closer.
"Min, please just let me explain,"
"No I want you to leave," She said blatantly.
"Please just-"
"GO!"
"Min listen to me for one minute-" He touched her shoulder but she spun around, a look of anger dancing in her eyes, in such passion Scorpius had never witnessed.
"Leave me alone," Rose said through gritted teeth.
"No, I need to-" But no one ever found out what he needed to do because Rose had punched him in the eye so hard, that he silenced and tumbled back wards onto the floor, clutching his eye that seared in pain. "I guess I disserved that,"
"You guess you deserved, you guess?" She was absolutely thunderous now. "Do you know what, get out of my sight unless you want another black eye to match- it makes me feel sick just looking at you, right now."
Scorpius got up, with no question, he looked guilty and sorrowful. His eyes swum in such an emotion that Rose couldn't place. But as she panted heavily and climbed back into bed, she couldn't help but watch Scorpius leave, regret squirming within her insides.
And only moments after Scorpius left was there a small tap on the large oak, arched door and it then slowly opened to show her two, very worried looking, parents, bounding in and running over to her side, as Anita, Hailey and Debby got up to give them room.
It was Hermione's arms that wrapped around her daughters neck in relief that she was ok.
"Hi mum and dad- nice to see you." Ron smiled to see Rose giving him a look that said get-mum-of-she's-strangling-me.
"'Mione" Ron beckoned carefully.
"What is it, Ronald!" Hermione's voice snapped, still hugging Rose as though her life depended on it.
"Let the girl breathe, Hermione," Ron said grinning, taking a seat next to his daughter's bed. Hermione let go smiling at her and then took the on the other side of the bed. Hailey, Debby and Anita stood up gathering around the bed in a semi-circle. "I saw Malfoy's son out there, did he cause any trouble because I'll kill him for you,"
Ron had said the wrong thing the girls knew.
"Hi, Mr and Mrs W," Debby greeted attempting to redirect the conversation, Hermione and Ron turned to look at the girls.
"Yeah, hi Mr and Mrs Weasley," The remaining two said on cue, politely.
"How are you three?" Hermione asked as Ron looked on in agreement.
"Fine, trying to sort out this one," Debby smirked, pointing over to Rose. Hermione smiled again and then let her gaze rest on Rose for a moment, her eyes softened but then looked frantic.
"You've been crying," She turned frantically to her husband. "Ron, she's been crying!"
Ron then looked at Rose and scanned her, a little, as if trying to see what Hermione saw. His face seemed to scrunch up in confusion.
"How can you tell?" He asked, still looking at her blankly.
"She's our daughter; the question is Ronald, why can't you tell?"
"But she looks fine," Ron said in his own defence.
"Boys are so unperceptive," Rose watched on as she saw her mother roll her eyes and her father look offended, a small smile curled on her lips- perhaps the only genuine one that day, she really did love her family, she had missed them a lot. She remembered the words of her Uncle Harry 'they'll never change, they'll always bicker," the six wisest words that ever found there way out of his mouth, well that and the fact that 'Never get involved in their rows'.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the worried questioning look on her mothers face.
"What?" Rose said, sounding somewhat defensive, she sat up straight on her bed and turned her gaze to look at the door to which Scorpius had left mere minutes ago.
"Why have you been crying, and what stress put you into this state in the first place?" Hermione took a deep breathe but when Rose refused to answer her question, still looking at the door, Hermione continued. "Your Aunt Hannah said that you collapsed from stressed, lack of sleep, lack of rest, overworking yourself, your not eating properly, you look a state, you're basically refusing to talk to anyone and to top it all of Al told me you were crying this morning and had been all night, so what's up?"
"I've just been studying hard, that's all"
"See 'Mione she takes after you- Merlin knows you never gave it a rest." Ron said as if he were recalling a particular time.
"Ron, I only ever over studied when I had argued with you or you did something insensitive to upset me," Hermione said tartly, folding her arms and turning back to her daughter.
"But you always over studied,"
"So what does that tell you," She raised her brows as if she was applying something but the she spoke again. "Please tell us what's wrong," Hermione's voice seemed rather hollow and hurt something that Rose had never her heard. Her voice sounded as though it verged on desperation and this scared Rose a little, because her mother had always been the one to be strong and firm.
"Nothing, mum, I just got a bit carried away with NEWT revision. Ask the girls, they know how stressed and wound up I get when I know exams are close, heck the other day I would have hexed Debs if she hadn't ducked," Rose attempted to smile in an assuring way but she could tell that her mother didn't buy it. She guessed that she would be interrogated further later.
"Look, Rosie," it was her dad to speak this time. "It's only a few more days until you break up for Christmas, why don't you just come home early with us,"
"No, dad, it's a nice thought but I need to stay here."
"But you can't over work yourself again,"
"I won't I promise, I'll get Sco- I mean Hailey, Anita and Debby to take notes for once." The other three groaned on cue at this. Rose had almost said Scorpius; it was true that they usually shared note taking. He'd take it one day and then she the next, they shared the same lessons as well, but a lump began to form again when she recalled that sharing notes was a factor she'd have to get rid of and forget about.
"Well, as long as you're sure," Hermione said, still looking worried.
"I'm positive, mum," She said as she bounced, trying to look as happy as humanly possible.
"Don't worry Mrs W, we'll take good care of her," Debby smiled. "Anita you go get the rope and Hailey you get the blindfold, we'll start with where we left of," Everyone laughed at this, even Rose, she loved her friends but she couldn't help but question whether they'd ever leave her like Scorpius did. She never thought Scorpius would turn his back, never; he had always been more trusted than her other friends so what if the same thing happened with them?
"Bye Rose and rest!" Her mother said sternly, getting to her feet and kissing her forehead. "And don't get into any trouble,"
"See you, Rosie, and get into as much trouble as you can," Ron said evilly, his face mirroring her Uncle George's expression when he had gotten an idea for a new product.
"Ron!"
"What?" He replied in false innocence, he too kissed Roses forehead and gave her a short hug "Look after your self." He whispered in ear.
And with one small wave and a wink which Rose returned, her father followed her mother out of the room, knowing that he'd have to calm down his panicking wife, when they got home.
The days passed quickly that week, and sure enough Rose found herself in a compartment with Al and their friends, looking in her trunk for a book. As she folded up the clothes her hands brushed over a scrapbook she had made for Scorpius's Christmas present.
It was a book that she had created through a pensieve; she had revisited every memory and taken a picture, something that was hard to do since the argument. She didn't know why she had even continued to make it, she had started in September but even now she carried on until it was finished. She wasn't even planning on giving it to him.
She frowned and placed it into the trunk along with everything else. She grabbed a book, closed the trunk and then sat back onto a seat beside Hailey.
Ever since that day in the hospital, Scorpius had tried to get her forgiveness. He had covered her whole room in rose petals the previous morning, spelling out the words "Rose, please forgive me." He had tried sorry cards, sweets, presents, he'd written "Sorry" in the stars, given her his notes everyday. Everything he tried, he had even asked her to go ice skating with him, something she knew that he hated, but when she had said no she would look out of her window and onto the frozen lake only to see him gliding on it alone. Her heart went out to him.
She cared about him; she hadn't wanted it to end like this. It would be easy to just forgive him but she couldn't not after that night. And despite many efforts from her three best friends she still couldn't do it.
Rose could handle the things that had been said my Scorpius, the horrible things he's done or claimed to feel, she could handle the ignoring and all the avoidance but she couldn't handle all the promises he broke.
He promised her to never let anything come between them and he held her in his arms, while she was crying, screaming, petrified and looked her in the eye and promised he'd never leave her. And even if it was only for a while, he had still gone against it- and that was why she couldn't forgive him.
She looked up at her watch, 4:00pm; they'd be arriving home soon. Rose took a deep breathe and glanced around the room, careful not to draw attention to herself. She then noticed something she had never seen before.
It sat on the windowsill, absorbing the light and letting it reflect of off its gold surface. When she walked closer, she was able to pick it up and hold it in her hands. She saw that it was a golden locket, decorated with rubies in the shape of roses. She held it in the palm of her hand and opened it to reveal two separate photographs.
The first was of her self and a young boy with blonde hair and silver eyes making funny faces and mutely laughing at each other. Rose smiled at the memory of this. It was the picture that matched the one that sat down stairs in the common room, as well as the one that sat in her floorboards at home. It was easily her favourite memory of Scorpius. It was, perhaps, the only time they could act completely themselves, not worrying if anybody would catch them.
The second picture revealed a bossy little girl, with loose red curls, instructing a friend on how to produce the Accio charm. The girl seemed to be slightly annoyed, while her fair-haired male friend sighed in pure frustration. She said something and he shouted something back. She then reached for his hand, which held a wand and together they flicked the wand and it had worked, before they fell into to giggles and the image replayed. The bossy young girl was her eleven-year-old self and the boy she had taught was Scorpius Malfoy.
She closed the locket again and flipped it onto its back, engraved on the back were the words 'I'm sorry'. He didn't give up; she'd give him that- he was defiantly persistent. Rose felt a single tear fall as she adjusted it around her neck and clutched it into the fist of her hand. She'd keep it forever and she knew it- something to remind her of the strong friendship they used to have, before seventh year messed it up.
If you had asked her in the summer holidays 'How will this year affect you and Scorpius?' she would have said that they'd grow stronger that they might start telling people about them. But no it hadn't worked the way she planned in her mind. She remembered the day before, when she went to visit Hagrid.
He told her that Scorpius had been there also and that he was terribly upset. It didn't matter, he bought it on himself. Or at least that's what she said to Hagrid. Inside she was hoping he'd be alright.
"What's that?" Albus Potter intervened, eyeing the locket suspiciously. It was then when she realised she was still at her feet, in the centre of the compartment, all eyes on her.
"Nothing," She mumbled, and she sat down- Al didn't push for an answer. Ever since the day she fainted, everyone didn't want to upset her again, they trod carefully around her for fear that anything little would tip her of the edge.
The train came to a halt and almost instantly she jumped up. She said goodbye to her friends, save Debby- and her and Debby walked out onto the platform.
The smoke danced through the air and eventually cleared, so her mother and father came into view, Hugo, she noticed had already found them.
"Mum, dad," She called, running into Ron's arms. She had only seen them three days ago but it felt like eternity- it was times when you were upset that you just wanted a hug from your parents.
"Hi Rosie, ready to go home," Her dad asked, she nodded into his chest like a small child, solemnly, forgetting that Debby was even there.
"Hello Debby, are you ok? Have you had a nice year so far?" Hermione said after greeting Rose herself.
"Yeah, it's been alright,"
"Have you been studying?"
"Hermione, its only December, NEWTs aren't for ages- its only crazy people like you and Rosie here, who study about six months ahead of time!" Ron said incredulously.
"NEWTs happen to be very important, Ronald," Hermione said in a bossy voice.
"Aren't you cute when you get all angry," He smiled, the same face Scorpius used every time he said the same thing to her, normally guaranteed to get her even more angry.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, now grab Rose and Debby's trunks so we can go home," She briefly kissed him on the cheek, when a small girl with fiery red eyes and lemon coloured hair, clearly belonging to an eleven-year-old Metamorphmagus, tugged at Rose's clothes.
"Hewo, are you Wose Weasley, the head girw?" She asked, looking slightly scared.
"Yes sweetie, I am," Rose smiled down at her trying to seem a little less intimidating my kneeling down to her level.
"Well, was told to give wou these… He was a wovley boy; he gave me chocolate fwogs and said that I had to give these Woses to the pwetty girw with red hair," She handed her a bouquet of seven long stemmed roses and walked of with out a word.
In them was a note, it read,
'Rose,
Seven Roses for ever year I've known and been friends with you,
Forgive me,
Skip…'
Rose couldn't help smile at this.
"Who are they from?" Her mum asked, Ron looked too angry and shocked to even function properly at this point and Debby grinned knowingly.
"No one, it doesn't say, must be a joke or something," Rose lied.
"Or an admirer," Hermione suggested, but Ron didn't looked too pleased with this suggestion.
"I'm sure it isn't," Rose assured them both, but they didn't seem to be convinced. As she gazed down the Roses again, she took a deep breathe when she thought of something. "Dad can I talk to you about something, when we get home,"
"Sure Princess," He agreed.
And as she watched her parents, Hugo and Debby walk over to the blue Ford, a smile played on her lips.
It might not be a lost cause after all.