A/N: Well I am home from work today. I should be studying but the weather is wet and rainy. You all know how rainy days make you feel – like lazing about just watching movies or sleeping the day away. I normally do work on my rainy days but my knees have been really sore for the past three days and today I woke up in horrible pain. Anyway, thanks for the reviews...

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot.

Chapter Twenty-four: A Forgotten Bender Mistake

Scorpius folded the letter up and sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Everything okay?" asked Melena, "You keep reading that letter over and over."

"I know I do... I just," Scorpius paused and let out another sigh, "I just wish she could have told me this to my face."

Scorpius rubbed his face and looked at Melena who peered at him with worry.

"You look exhausted," she said, "How much sleep have you had?"

"Not a lot... the tower is empty... practically lifeless."

"There is more to it, isn't there?" pressed Melena.

Scorpius sighed, "She left without a word and all I get is a bloody letter a week later. A WEEK!"

"Well... how does she sound in the letter?"

"Apologetic... explains what was and is going on with her," shrugged Scorpius.

"You know she wasn't her self."

"But did that give her the right to shove me away from her?" demanded Scorpius standing up, "Expecting me to still be here, waiting for her, when she comes back all chirpy and happy again? Acting like nothing happened when it did, everything happened!"

"The fact she left to get help isn't what's bothering you, is it?"

"No."

"Then what is?" said Melena leaning forward desperate to know what was bugging her best friend.

"In the letter she said she loves me," answered Scorpius holding up the folded letter, "I should be happy right? But she should have told me, to my face... not... not in a letter."

"But she says she loves you."

"On paper. It's one thing to write it... another to actually say it."

Melena sighed, "Well... Albus was saying... Rose is coming back... from what his brother told him in a letter."

Scorpius glanced at Melena, "Did he say anything about the case?"

"No... at least you'll be able to talk to her. And Scorpius don't be stubborn and give her the cold shoulder. I bet she feels awful for how things were left between you both."

"You are just saying that because you are a chick and dating her cousin," retorted Scorpius.

"That and I would know how the female brain works," shrugged Melena and walked away.

Scorpius gave a fidget and cleared his throat, "When is Rose coming back? Today?"

"This evening," replied Melena before heading up to her room.

Scorpius sighed and left the Slytherin Tower. He walked along the dungeon corridors lost in his thoughts. He had to admit most of his nights had become blurred with Eric offering to help him unwind and relax in the way of using alcohol to achieve the wanted result. But with Rose returning Scorpius silently hoped things would smooth out between, that they could finally enjoy just being together – like they did before all the returning to reality, and the Chase drama.

Rubbing his face tiredly again, Scorpius trudged up the steps and went through the Entrance Hall and made his way up to the lonely tower. He couldn't help but smile a little bit, it wouldn't be lonely much longer – Rose was returning.

"Wake up... hello? Anybody home?"

Scorpius frowned and pushed the hand away tapping him on the side of the face. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times to clear away the blurry vision.

"Rose?" he mumbled seeing her looking at him with a worried frown.

"It's me."

Pushing himself up to a sitting position, he looked at her in silence. She looked pulled back together. There were still dark circles under her eyes but nowhere near as bad as when he last saw her.

"When did you get back?" asked Scorpius as Rose looked around his messy room.

"Erm, about ten minutes ago," she replied, "Did you get the letter I sent?"

Scorpius nodded and pulled it out of his pocket. He saw Rose eye how tattered it looked but she just nodded.

"Good trip back?"

"I flooed to the Three Broomsticks and Hagrid walked with me back," answered Rose with a small nod, "You didn't write back."

Scorpius made no reaction to her statement. He could hear the confusion and hurt in her voice. It took him nearly a minute to finally nod slowly.

"Why?"

"Did you read what you wrote?"

"Yes... was it a problem?"

"I told you to your face that I loved you... but you wrote it to me," said Scorpius in frustration, "I get that you... were not yourself when you left... and yeah, leaving without even telling me did hurt a lot. But to write to me how you felt... I don't know, it felt like you just don't know how to speak to me in person."

Rose stepped back and sat on the chair at Scorpius desk. She fiddled with the engagement ring before looking at Scorpius in the face.

"I guess I felt you needed to know," said Rose, "I suppose I should have told you I was leaving and that I love you. But at the time... like I wrote to you, you were the last thing on my mind... I needed to find myself again and get myself back together and I've done that. I rediscovered my strength and who I am... and who I am is being with you."

Scorpius looked at Rose and saw the small hopeful smile on her face. He looked away feeling a bit bitter.

"You couldn't have... I don't know, contacted me through floo? Instead of just a letter."

"I couldn't. To see you would have made me come running back!"

"So?"

Rose stood up and looked at Scorpius with her eyes wide, "I didn't know who I was, I didn't think I was strong enough to do anything! I had to go away! I... I was a complete mess – I felt awful for leaving the way I did! For shutting you out when you wanted to help me the most! It hurt me as well Scorpius! Not just you!"

Rose turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. Scorpius couldn't help but flinch as the door slammed back into place shutting him away from Rose. He stared at the wooden door and stood up. It wasn't going to end with her storming away from their fight. It was going to finish one way or another.

He opened the door and saw her pacing back and forth across the room.

"I was a mess as well!" shot back Scorpius, "I've barely slept while you have been away! I've had to resort to getting drunk just to get some shut eye!"

Rose whirled around and looked at him in anger, "Oh that's really smart of you! What were you aiming for? Getting kicked out of school?"

"You would rather I go insane from insomnia and wondering if you were screaming in your sleep?"

"Why do you blame me for all your decisions?" demanded Rose, "Do you think I bloody want that pressure on me?"

"I'm not blaming you!"

"But everything I do causes you to react in some way or another! I messed up, I have admitted that to myself so you don't need to keep on making me feel guilty for it!" said Rose with such anger her eyes were nearly black in colour, "I want to forget what happened and be happy that he can't get me anymore for a long time! You need to let it go or we are just not going to be able to get back on track and I really want to make us work, Scorpius. Please let that happen."

Scorpius looked at Rose in silence and shrugged, "Fine... whatever."

"No. I need you to agree to let it go and move on."

Scorpius looked at Rose and saw the determination in her eyes. He could see the brown lightening a little as she stared back at him and that was all it took – she was happy, she was ready to move on and let them get back on track. And so was he... he just needed to see that she was fine also – that was all.

He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms, capturing her lips in a kiss. Her fruit like taste intoxicated him. He had missed her like crazy – to the point of insomnia. He pulled away and stared at her, his hands on either side of her face.

"Are you seriously fine?" he asked softly.

"I am, truly," nodded Rose, "But you aren't. You need to sleep."

"True," nodded Scorpius before smiling, "I can't believe you're back."

"I am."

"And Thomas is locked away?"

"In a Mental facility for five years and upon release he is not allowed near me for another five years after that."

"That all?"

"It's better than nothing," sighed Rose with a shrug holding Scorpius' hand and leading him to the lounge. They sat down with Rose leaning against Scorpius and holding onto his hand, "So... how much did you drink?"

"A bit," mumbled Scorpius resting his head on the back of the lounge and closing his eyes, "Don't think I did anything stupid... Eric doesn't say I did..."

Scorpius shifted and groaned. His back was killing him. He opened his eyes to see the sun peeking through the cracks of the common area curtains. Sitting up right he pushed the blanket off his and rubbed his face with his hands.

"Good morning sleepy head."

Scorpius swivelled around and saw Rose coming out of the bathroom dressed in her uniform.

"Morning already?" asked Scorpius.

"You fell asleep and I didn't want to wake you, so I left you," smiled Rose, "You needed to sleep anyway."

"But I wanted to spend the night talking with you."

Rose shrugged, "We have plenty of time for that. But I have to go see McGonagall now."

Rose hurried over to him and kissed him briefly on the lips, "See you in Potions. Love you."

"Love you too," smiled Scorpius before Rose hurried away.

"I got to say," said Eric, "Sleep does you good."

"It's all in the Rose," replied Scorpius before laughing with Eric and Melena.

"Good to have you and your corny comments back," chuckled Melena nudging him in the side.

Scorpius slung his arm around her shoulders smiling, "I was never really gone... just taking a break."

"If you say so... but is everything okay between you both?"

"Back on track," nodded Scorpius, "And she told me she loved me just before she left this morning."

Melena smiled, "That's great! Isn't it Eric?"

Eric looked at the pair and nodded, "Yeah... yeah... Scorpius... can I just talk to you? Please?"

"Errr... sure," frowned Scorpius following Eric to outside of the castle doors.

Eric paced back and forth, glancing at Scorpius every now and then.

"Mate, what is it?" said Scorpius.

"Dude... two nights ago when you had that big booze up... you were so out of it... cursing Rose and her family," said Eric with a sigh, "Ranting about the grudge Hugo has against you... you... you started chatting up someone."

"What? Who?"

"Nancy Logan."

"That fifth year skank?"

"Yeah, her," said Eric, "Now she is saying you were the best lay she ever had."

"WHAT?" exploded Scorpius, "NO WAY! I just remember falling asleep!"

"I wish I could vouch for that but you vanished and so did she!" cried Eric, "What if you did sleep with her, mate? What if Rose hears?"

"Fuck!" cursed Scorpius kicking the castle walls, "Where is Nancy?"

"Great Hall I assume."

"Damage control, now," said Scorpius before walking back into the castle with Eric trailing behind him looking distressed.

They headed into the Great Hall with Scorpius spotting Rose with her family and friends talking and laughing. With a look over to the Slytherin table he instantly spotted Nancy Logan. Her blonde hair, very noticeable bust made her stand out. Scorpius strode over, glad Melena had chosen to sit next to Nancy and her group of friends. Scorpius sat beside Nancy looking at her with a set in stone expression of seriousness.

"So I hear you are spreading rumours about me," said Scorpius keeping his eyes on her for any flicker of guilt.

"It's only the truth," shrugged Nancy with a flicker of a glance over at Rose, "I wonder what she will have to say."

"Can it Nancy. Cut the bull. You know I have many ways of getting the truth out of people and you are the biggest bullshit artist in Slytherin," snarled Scorpius, "You have till lunch to tell me the truth or I will force it out of you one way or another. And if Rose gets one word of your rumours – believe me I will see to it your life here is a living hell. That is something you can definitely count on."

Nancy had leant back from Scorpius with every harsh sentence he spat out at her. He raised his eyebrows making Nancy stand and leave hastily with her friends.

"I haven't seen you like that for a long time," said Melena softly, "You really brought out your Slytherin in you just then."

"Damage control," replied Scorpius.

"What damage control?"

"Nancy is spreading rumours that I slept with her," said Scorpius, "When I was drunk."

"Oh... I heard whispers of that," admitted Melena, "I didn't think it was true."

"I don't think it is," said Scorpius, "I might get myself blind drunk but any other time I have always remembered the women I have slept with."

"That's true," said Eric looking slightly more calmed, "And... I guess you love Rose..."

"And I would never in a thousand years do anything stupid to hurt her."

"I think you would know if you did something wrong," added Melena, "You would sense it about yourself and Nancy would have made sure Rose heard right away."

"That's a point," said Scorpius.

"What would you do to make her life hell?" asked Eric curiously.

"I have my ways," said Scorpius, "It might seem it but I haven't lost my touch in being a complete bastard."

"How'd it go with McGonagall?" asked Scorpius as Rose sat beside him in Potions.

"Oh she just wanted to make sure I was ready to come back and still keep my Head Girl duties," replied Rose with a shrug, "Nothing remotely serious. So... what were you talking to Nancy Logan about?"

"Nothing major," said Scorpius, "She was just bugging me with her giggling."

Rose frowned but nodded not saying anything as Professor Vane came in ordering them to turn to that days chapter. The double lesson went by rather quickly with Scorpius walking out of the dungeon corridors with Rose. She was laughing with Melena about something embarrassing Albus had done. As they exited the dungeon staircase Scorpius spotted Nancy milling about the Great Hall doorway looking through the crowd. When she spotted Scorpius Nancy looked at him with a sly expression.

"Hey Rose, I have to go see... someone. I'll meet you later," said Scorpius kissing her on the cheek before hurrying away. He looked over at Nancy and tilted his head for her to follow.

Without looking over his shoulder at Rose, Scorpius headed along a corridor and ducked around a corner waiting for Nancy.

When she appeared Scorpius glared at her.

"Well?" he demanded.

"Take a look at these," said Nancy handing him an envelope.

Scorpius took it and pulled out five photos. In them was him look plastered with Nancy sitting on his lap, one of her snuggling onto him while his eyes were shut, another of him still looking passed out with her almost straddling with the final two looking rather the same. All of them were taken in the tower he shared with Rose.

"I'm asleep and you staged these," snarled Scorpius.

"Yes but you invited me in," smirked Nancy before putting on a baby voice, "What will poor, fragile Rose think of these?"

"Leave Rose alone," snapped Scorpius clutching the photos tightly, "You have picked the wrong person to blackmail, Logan. I have more connections then you and your fucked up family have – do you realise that?"

"Perhaps but you have someone dear to lose in all of this," said Nancy, "So, let's make an agreement. You know my family's financial situation, right? How about you give me 10,000 galleons and we make these pictures vanish forever?"

"I'll get back to you," snapped Scorpius before storming away.

He glared at the photos before pulling his wand out and burning them one by one to nothing as he walked, with students backing out of his way. He marched along the corridor feeling the cold hatred return in him for the first time in a long time. Once again he was the cold hearted Slytherin everyone once knew him to be. Nancy had no clue what game she had just got herself into.

The night passed with Scorpius cooped up in his room with a sound muffler on the door. He had told Rose he had a massive headache and needed to sleep. He knew she was worried but dealing with Nancy was more prominent.

"I can't believe you got yourself into this mess," said his father's head bobbing in the fire, "You are lucky your mother and I know the circumstances of that time."

"I know," sighed Scorpius, "I shouldn't of let myself get so plastered."

"You think?" said Draco with a sigh, "Look, give me twenty minutes okay? I have files here on the Logan's... I'm sure there is something."

"Okay... hurry. I need something on her by morning," said Scorpius running a hand through his hair stressed, "We are the Malfoys... the fear factor still works for us, right?"

Draco's head bobbed in the fire in a nodding movement, "It does. No one knows we are selling up for financial reasons."

"Good."

"I'll be back."

Scorpius nodded and his father vanished. He slid back from the fireplace and leant against the end of his bed and stared at the ceiling. He looked under the crack of his door and saw the common area lights were off. He figured Rose would be in her room studying or reading. As much as he wanted to spend the night talking with her, he had to put a stop to Nancy's attempt at blackmail and ruining his relationship with Rose.

Pulling over a textbook Scorpius started flipping through it, reading random paragraphs here and there though he could hardly focus. He glanced at his watch every minute or so and then looked at the fireplace and let out a sigh before looking back at his book.

"Come on," muttered Scorpius snapping his book shut and leaning his head back on the bed frame, "How much bloody longer?"

Suddenly the fireplace came alive with Draco's head appearing in the flickering flames.

"What'd you find?"

"Something I'm not sure you want to blackmail Nancy with," said Draco seriously, "It affects Melena."

A/N: Dun, dun, dun! Review for more...

Until next time...

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