Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Author's Note: The best part about going back through your old work and revising is that it's almost as if you're reading someone else's work. I forgot half of what I had written the first time.
It was the week before fall term started, and Rose couldn't be happier. She was on her way to Malfoy Manor with her cousin Albus, her best friend Mei, and Hadrian, her boyfriend of three months. This was the first time that the group was seeing their mutual best friend Scorpius since the term had ended.
Apparently Draco and Astoria had decided that the Malfoy family would be going on an exclusive, "All-Wizarding Around the World" cruise that would last basically all of the summer holidays. The cruise was old-fashioned, in that all outside contact, including letters, was forbidden. So Rose and her friends hadn't heard from Scorpius all summer, and vice versa, and they needed to do some serious catching up.
"It was so nice of the Malfoy's to invite us to stay at their place for the rest of summer!" Rose said excitedly. The last time she had been to Scorpius's house was during her second year.
"I know! I can't wait to see Scorp!" Albus said with a grin.
After walking through the gate and the front gardens, they arrived at an impressive set of double doors. Before anyone could knock, they were flung open by an excited Scorpius who launched himself at all of them.
"Thank God you're here! I was going crazy all summer, with just my parents and no outside contact!" Scorpius said rather dramatically.
This caused Rose to giggle. It was such typical Scorpius behavior. "How was your summer?" Rose asked him once hugs had been exchanged.
"It was good, but let's go inside first!" Scorpius said as he led the way through the maze of hallways towards his room. "Alright, girls, you'll be staying in these two rooms, and you two guys will be right next to my room," Scorpius said as he gestured to the respective rooms.
After everyone had settled into their rooms, they met in Scorpius's bedroom to go over how their summers had been. Scorpius explained how although he liked the cruise and being with his parents, it could be kind of lonesome with no other people his age. It had either been elderly couples, or wizarding families with younger children.
When it was their turn to explain how their summers had been, Albus acted as spokesperson for the lot. The four of them had hung out together all summer, going to movies, the beach, and just hanging out in general. They were best friends, but they were also new couples. They took the summer as a trial time to see how they would work together.
When Albus got to the part about them all being couples, Scorpius held up his hand to stop him. "Whoa buddy. What do you mean by new couples? I know you and Mei got together at the end of last year, but who else are you talking about?" Scorpius asked genuinely puzzled.
"He's talking about me and Hadrian," Rose said as Hadrian slipped his arm around Rose's waist and gave it a comforting squeeze. "We also got together at the end of last year, we just didn't tell everyone right away. I wanted to tell you Scorpius, but I couldn't because of the stupid cruise rules," Rose explained.
Many emotions crossed Scorpius's face while Rose was talking, among which were confusion, disappointment, and a hint of jealousy. Scorpius didn't know what to think. Hearing that Rose and Hadrian were together was a bit of a surprise. It's not that he thought Rose wasn't pretty or datable, it was just that he had never really given it more than a fleeting thought. But now, Rose had a boyfriend, and he really didn't know how he felt about it.
"Uh, Scorp? You there buddy?" Albus asked as he waved his hand in front of Scorpius's face.
"Uh, huh?" Scorpius asked a bit confused. He had sort of spaced out of the conversation. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"I didn't say anything mate!" Albus said. "But Rose asked if you were mad at her because you were scowling and not saying anything."
Scorpius refocused on Rose, who had a nervous look etched across her pretty face. Scorpius smiled reassuringly at her. "Sorry Rose. I'm not mad. You just caught me by surprise! I was just thinking was all," Scorpius said appealingly.
Rose breathed an audible sigh of release, and went over to hug Scorpius. "Thank you for understanding and not getting mad," she said as she leaned into his chest.
Scorpius hugged her back, tightly. Merlin he had missed her! He just didn't realize how much until Rose had wrapped her arms around him. Scorpius inhaled and was met with the smell of raspberries and tulips.
Rose pulled away all too soon in Scorpius's opinion. Since it was late in the day, and they all needed to get to bed. He scowled again as he watched Hadrian wrap his arm around her as they exited his room. He wanted to be the one to have his arm around her! Wait—where did that thought come from?
Scorpius shook his head in bewilderment as he began to get ready for bed. He didn't have feelings for Rose, did he? No, they must just be best friend feelings. Any best friend wouldn't want his best girl friend to be going out with some other guy. Scorpius nodded to himself as he attempted to rationalize the strange feelings and thoughts that were suddenly assaulting him as he attempted to sleep.
Scorpius was woken up when someone unceremoniously belly flopped onto him. Scorpius flailed his arms at his attacker and prepared to scream. Before he could, a small hand was stuffed into his mouth.
Choking, Scorpius's eyes snapped open only to look into the beautiful eyes of one Rose Nymphadora Weasley, who, unlike him was fully clothed and ready for the day.
"Shit Rose!" Scorpius said as he yanked his blankets up to his chest. This caused Rose to tumble off his bed and land in an adorable heap on the floor. Scorpius didn't know why, but having Rose on top of him suddenly took on a whole new meaning. It wasn't just a funny way to wake him up anymore. And besides, Rose had woken him up from a very vivid and erotic dream that had actually involved her. Scorpius didn't want her to feel the evidence of that dream as he was embarrassed enough for having dreamt of her instead of his girlfriend in the first place.
"Ow, Scorpius!" Rose said as she sat up and rubbed the back of her head. "Could you have been more gentle? That bloody hurt!"
Scorpius tried to speak, but found that he couldn't. Scorpius cleared his throat before saying, "I don't think you should wake me up like that anymore."
"Why?" Rose asked puzzled. "I've woken you up like that since the second year! It's the only way I can get you and Albus up half the time!"
"Yea, but now you have a boyfriend!" Scorpius said.
"Oh Scorpius," Rose said. "This doesn't mean anything! I know I told you that I love you, but I've decided to give up and move on! I'm with Hadrian now!" Rose explained. Well, it was mostly true anyways. She was with Hadrian, and she did genuinely like him a lot (she could easily see herself falling in love with him eventually), but at the same time part of her still loved Scorpius. She doubted if that part of her would ever stop loving him.
Scorpius managed a weak attempt at a smile. He figured it was actually more of a grimace. Scorpius couldn't help but feel a pang of longing and regret pass through him as Rose said that she was giving up and moving on. It was unsettling to say the least.
Rose sighed and stood up. "Well, you're up now… I should go and wake Hadrian as Mei and Albus are already up and getting ready," she said as she left his room.
Scorpius just flopped back down on his bed. As he rubbed his hands over his eyes, he couldn't help but wonder just what the hell was happening to him.
Before they knew it, school had arrived. After saying goodbye to the Malfoys, they all boarded the train. Hadrian had been made Head Boy. Rose couldn't be happier for him. He was truly a good guy, and if any 7th year deserved it, it was Hadrian. The Head Girl's name was Betty Meyers, a nice girl from Hufflepuff.
Rose, Scorpius, and Hadrian separated from Albus and Mei as they all walked to the prefect cart for the meeting, where both the Head Boy and Head Girl went over the rounds and details of each prefect's job.
After the meeting, the trio went back to their compartment where Albus and Mei were interlocked in a furious snog. Hadrian cleared his throat pointedly, and Albus and Mei sprung apart with identical blushes.
"Hey guys! Didn't realize you'd be back so soon!" Albus said with a nervous chuckle.
Before anyone could say anything, they were interrupted by the arrival of an irate Melissa. "Scorpy! How dare you not say hi to me the moment you got back!" Melissa said accusingly.
Sensing the oncoming tantrum, Rose and Hadrian made their escape into the compartment. Better to be as far away as possible because Melissa tended to get loud when she was mad.
"Melissa, I sent you a letter explaining that I would be spending the week catching up with my friends, and that we could sit together at the feast tonight," Scorpius said in an impressively calm manner.
"So! I'm your GIRLFRIEND. You should have wanted to see me before you saw HER!" Melissa said as she pointed accusingly at Rose.
"Melissa, I didn't just see Rose. I saw Mei, Albus, and Hadrian too! And please stop yelling and making untrue accusations. You're just embarrassing yourself," Scorpius said wearily.
Melissa's mouth dropped open in surprise. Embarrassing herself! What nerve! He should be begging for forgiveness for wronging her, not accusing her of being an embarrassment!
"Let's talk later, when you've calmed down a bit," Scorpius said as he planted a kiss on her cheek before he went into his compartment and closed the door.
Melissa just stood there stunned. This was all her fault! Rose Weasley. She had changed herself so that Scorpius would notice her, and it was working! Scorpius seemed to be glancing her way more and more. Melissa had noticed this last year too, even if Scorpius hadn't realized it himself. Rose Weasley would pay, and Melissa would use both Scorpius, and Hadrian (Rose's rumored boyfriend) to get her way.