Chapter 29: Letdown
Rose's POV
"Lily, I need you here with me," I said, "I need a friend, more than ever. I need my cousin. I need to know that everything will be ok."
"Torn"
It was entirely peaceful. Every now and then the breeze would pick up and toss my hair like it was nothing put a feather. It was nothing, but like a feather. I was lying face up on the Quidditch pitch enjoying the fall before it would be overturned by cold and harsh winds of winter. A hand reached over and covered mine, resting on my stomach. I squeezed it tight and rolled my head lazily to the side to see Scorpius almost doing the same exact thing I was doing.
"Imagine spending all day out here," I said. Scorpius smiled.
"I do, every evening we practice," he said. I hit him playfully.
"I didn't mean it literally, but I mean like right now," I said.
"I know what you meant," he said, "It sure gets your mind off things." I turned over on my side and propping myself on one elbow.
"Get your mind off on what kind of things?" I asked.
"Oh, you know, school, the future, parents, and whatever else that stresses me out," he said.
"Do I stress you out?" I asked. Scorpius looked at me, leaned up and kissed me on the forehead.
"Never." He laid back down, putting his arms behind his head. I had a feeling there was something he wasn't telling me again, but I held myself back from asking. We were supposed to be relaxing.
I looked at the sky as a bird lifted itself across the sky. I smiled.
"Ok, I'm ready. Let's do it!" I said springing to my feet. Scorpius' eyes went wide open. I stuck out my hand to help him up.
"Do what, Rose?" Scorpius asked, wearily.
"Fly," I said, using my arms in imitation of a bird.
"Fly? You hate flying," Scorpius stated.
"Yeah, but I want to try it. You always make it sound so easy and maybe it is, so let's go. Come on, when do I ever ask you to fly with me?" I asked. Scorpius gave me a lopsided smile and accepted my hand as I pulled him to his feet.
"Well, all right," he said. He didn't show it, but I can tell he was just excited as I was. "Accio Broom," he said raising his hand as a broom came speeding out of the Slytherin locker room. Scorpius caught it lazily and twirled it in his hands like it was as light as tissue paper.
Scorpius got on the broom and patted behind him, "Come on, brave one." And just in a matter of minutes my worries came back. How do I know whether I will be secured on the back of a broomstick. Falling a thousand feet in the air didn't seem like such a great idea anymore. I started to get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Rose?"
Breathe. Breathe. You can do this. You will do this. I hesitantly sat behind Scorpius. "Ok, wrap your arms around my stomach," he instructed. I wrapped my arms around him tightly thinking we were going to go right up in the air at that moment. "Not that tight," Scorpius gasped out.
"Sorry," I squeaked.
"It's ok," he said, trying to stay calm, "You ready?" How can I not be? I was on the broom with my arms wrapped around my boyfriend and how can I not be ready? We were about to go up in the air whether I was or not. Me and my stupid ideas. I nodded against his back. "All right, here we go." He kicked off the ground. I screamed. Oh my God, oh God, please don't let me die today.
"Rose, I won't drop you, I promise," Scorpius said soothingly. I did, however, relaxed a bit after all I did trust him that he wouldn't drop me or at least catch me if I did fall off.
After a few minutes have gone by, I decided to open my eyes. Trees were flying past us. I looked around and it wasn't that bad after all. Actually in a way it felt great. I snuggled into Scorpius' back.
"See? It isn't so bad," Scorpius said.
"You're right as always," I said, "It's actually kind of…peaceful especially since we're going fast as well."
"Fast? You call this fast?" Scorpius said surprised at my response.
"This isn't the fastest it goes?" I asked surprised.
"No, but do you want to see?" He asked. Before I could reply with a 'no,' he leaned forward, bringing me forward, and we sped faster through the forest. I shut my eyes tightly again praying this would all be over.
"Ok," I managed to yell, "Ok, you proved your point, SLOW DOWN." With that he slowed to the speed we were going.
"Sorry, did I frighten you?" Scorpius asked. Yes, I thought I was going to die! But, how can I get mad at him? I can tell he felt bad for going too fast.
"Yes," I admitted, "But, it's ok. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I just like this speed so much better."
"I couldn't agree more, it helps me relax," Scorpius said, "And Rose I haven't been quite honest with you." I waited in silence for him to continue, "I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid how you would react. When I told you I had told my parents about us, I told you they were angry with me, but it's much more than that. They, uh, disowned me."
"They did?" I asked, surprised. Scorpius didn't respond. "Scorpius, I'm so sorry. Oh, I knew this was a bad idea coming out in public."
"This was what I didn't want you doing. You're blaming yourself for something that is hardly your fault."
"But it is, I insisted we tell our families," I said.
"But, you see, Rose? It wasn't your decision to kick me out of the house." We were silent as we flew closer to the Quidditch Pitch.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, softly.
"It's my business, I didn't want you to worry," he said.
"Scorpius, this is something big. This is important. You need to talk about this," I said. Scorpius sighed.
"Careful, we're going to touch ground. Lift your feet up so it doesn't get caught," he said. I did as he said and he carefully brought the broom parallel to the ground so we can get off.
He slung the broom over his shoulder while we walked back to the castle together.
"So, are you coming to the party?" I asked. I was throwing Gia a party for her 17th birthday.
"Yeah, I'll be there. I just got to take care of some stuff before I get there so I might miss the surprise," he said.
"Oh great, you're probably going to arrive at the same time as Gia and ruin the surprise," I teased. Scorpius grinned.
"Nah, I wouldn't do that to you, Rose," he said and leaned down and kissed me.
"Get a room," someone yelled out the window. We pulled apart and I smiled.
"Stupid first years," Scorpius muttered and we continued walking into Hogwarts. Hogwarts, boy I was going to miss this place once I'm gone.
After my last class, I thought I'd hunt down a few more people to see if they got my invitations. The first person I saw was my dear cousin, Lily.
"Lily!" I called out to her and ran as fast I could toward her. Lily was walking alone, surprise, surprise.
"Hey," I said out of breath.
"Uh, hi," she said.
"I just got a quick question for you," I said.
"I can see that," Lily said.
"I just wanted to know whether you are still coming."
"Coming to what?" She asked.
"Gia's 17th Birthday," I said.
"Oh, can't. I've got detention. I got caught sneaking around past hours," Lily said, frowning, "And I've never been much of a party person. Party equals people, people equal disease. I think I suffer enough around here." I shook my head at her.
"Well, thanks for telling the truth," I sighed.
"Oh, you're welcome, have fun though," Lily said, giving me a tight smile, and walked away.
I found Dominique, Jamie, Cecilia, Roxanne, Lucy, Molly, Mariska, Albus, Hugo, and a bunch others and they all said they would attend. The only people I decided on not inviting were the Slytherins except for Scorpius and…oh there's Vi!
"Hey, Vi!" I called out to her.
"Uh, hey Rose," she said giving me a smile, "What's up?"
"I just wanted ask you whether you're going to Gia's party. You and Scorpius might be the only Slytherins, but your friends with Irisa and Hugo, right?" I asked.
"Oh, you invited me?" Vi asked, surprised. I don't know what I'm doing asking Vi. She wouldn't show up. She was just like Lily. She'll bail.
"Yes, of course, you're invited. We're friends and any friend of mine is a friend of Gia's," I said.
"Oh, so you're speaking on Gia's behalf," Vi said.
I frowned, "It's a surprise party."
"Sure, I'll come, what time?" Vi asked.
I shook my head. Did I just hear right? Did Vi just say she was coming? "Um, Lily's not going to be there."
"I know, she has detention, she told me. So, what time? I'm actually in the mood for a party," Vi said.
"Oh, be there at nine. I'll see you then," I said.
"Ok, see you," Vi said, giving me a true smile. Maybe I was wrong about Vi. She's actually a really nice girl. I was about to climb the stairs when I saw Irisa making her way down.
"Hey, Riss, you coming? To, uh, Gia's party. Hugo will be there," I said. Irisa looked up at me.
"Oh," She let out.
"I mean you don't have to. I understand whether or not you want to come because of um…" I didn't want to quite say Gunther's name out loud to her because what happened was still fresh in everybody's mind. It's been three days, but three days haven't been enough time for someone who had lost a friend to want to anything, but blame themselves for what happened. Of course, none of it was Irisa's fault, but it's natural for people to blame themselves in time of despair.
"Yeah, I'll be there," Irisa said.
"Oh ok, I understand…wait, you're going to come?" I asked, surprised again that she was going to make it.
"Yeah, I, uh, need to get out of my room for awhile and a party seems like a good chance," she said.
"Ok, great, I'll see you there, then," I gave her a small wave and walked on. Ok, I think I've found everyone I needed to find.
"A party, huh?" Came a voice behind me. I turned around and there was Brandon Longbottom. I felt my throat clench. "Is Jacie and I invited?" he asked.
"As much I wish this wasn't true, but yes, you're both are invited because you're a friend of Gia's." I remembered my promise to Scorpius. I was going to try like I said.
"And we're friends," he added.
"No, we're not, at least not anymore," I said and walked away. I never knew how easy it was to walk away.
I waited in the library for Scorpius to show up. He came in just on time, twirling his muggle camera on his finger.
"Careful," I said when he pulled out a chair, "You might break it." He gave me smile and sat down.
"Ugh, I cannot wait until this project is over and down with," I cried out. I pulled out my wand.
"Where's your camera?" Scorpius asked.
I frowned. "Brandon has it, but thanks for helping me out. I knew he would slack off on this project and I really need to get a good mark on this project," I said.
"Why? You're brilliant in every class," Scorpius said. I gave a small laugh.
"Why thank you, but no, I'm not. I actually got an A in Transfiguration at the moment," I said.
"Really?" Scorpius said, surprised, "What happened?"
"Eh, I'm not very interested in it. I get bad marks sometimes, but it's all right with me. I can't always be like my mother, can I?" I said.
"No, you can't," Scorpius said, agreeing. He opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by:
"Well, look who we have here," Brandon Longbottom came up behind Scorpius, "Hogwart's finest couple."
Scorpius gritted his teeth. "I swear I didn't know he was here," I whispered to him to clear that I had no idea he was here because truth was, I didn't.
"Say, you wouldn't be-" Brandon began to say when he saw Scorpius' camera on the table.
"Are you done talking?" Scorpius asked coldly.
"No," Brandon said smirking at him, "I'm just getting started."
"Good grief, I've heard your uncle talk better than you do," Scorpius said.
"And I've heard-"
"All right, enough!" I said angrily looking between Scorpius and Brandon.
"Why are you even here? Rose and I are working on our Transfiguration projects," Scorpius said.
"Yes, and Rose is my partner, not yours."
"But nobody expected you to actually do the work," Scorpius retorted.
"I'm turning a new leaf this year," Brandon said. "Besides, if we're supposed to work with our partners? Where's Peony? Is she invisible? Man, I can't see her."
"Peony's your partner?" I asked Scorpius.
"Yes," Scorpius muttered.
"And you didn't tell me?" I asked. Scorpius turned his attention away from Brandon to look at me.
"It doesn't matter," he said. Doesn't matter? Peony has the biggest crush on Scorpius and everybody knows it besides Scorpius at least that is what Gia told me.
"Of course, nothing ever matters," I snapped.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Scorpius challenged me.
"Oh please do tell," Brandon said in a light girlish tone. We both ignored him.
"Peony is trying to get with you, Scorpius," I said.
"That's rubbish," Scorpius said.
"You know it might not just be Peony…" Brandon tried to interfere. We continued to ignore him.
"You're always hanging around her," I pointed out.
"Only for the stupid project," he said.
"Or to get with her behind your back," Brandon said. Scorpius and I both turned to stare at him and we both said "Shut up," at the same time. Scorpius returned his focus on me.
"I'm not seeing Peony, nor am I planning to. How could you think I would do such a thing?" Scorpius asked me.
"I don't know. I just heard things," I said.
"Well, stop believing everything you hear," he said and got up out of his chair.
"Scorpius!" I shouted at him.
"Be back, I'm going to use the loo," he said without looking back. I stared after him with my mouth wide open.
"That went well," Brandon said smirking. I glared at him. "What?"
"Nothing," I said, putting my head in my hands.
I waited outside Scorpius' Transfiguration class since mine got out early. I haven't seen him since yesterday, but when he came back from the loo, we both apologized. I know we've been arguing lately, but that only makes us better, right? We're starting to get more honest with each other and trust each other, right? Well, I sure hope so, because Scorpius has been the best thing that has happened to me.
The door opened and people were scrambling out of the class, relieved it was over. Scorpius came out and saw me. He gave me a smile and kissed me on the forehead. We were about to walk away when we heard a "hem, hem."
I looked behind us and there was Peony Wenters. She was giving me a small smile.
"Hey, Rose," she said. I stared at her.
"Uh, hi, Peony," I said. She gave me a small smile and walked closer to us. She gave a soft sigh.
"Look, Rose, I don't want any tension between us," Peony said with her arms folded.
"But there is," I noted. I didn't even want to look at Scorpius.
"I know, but I don't want there to be any more than has to be," she said. She hastily put out her hand, "So, um, what do you say, friends?" Is she being for real? This time, I looked over at Scorpius and he was silent. He was just as speechless as I was. I looked back at Peony and her extended hand. I've known Peony for seven years and she's done things that seem wrong to me, but if this is what it takes for Houses to get together…well.
I shook her hand, "We can try," I said. She gave me a warm smile, which I couldn't help returning. She actually seemed kind of sweet. Like Vi, maybe I was wrong about her.
"Thanks, this really means a lot," she said. I nodded. "Well, I've got to go, see you around Rose, Scorpius." With that she left. I smiled and looked at Scorpius.
"Well, she doesn't seem bad like I thought she was," I said.
"I guess not," Scorpius said.
"Turn around," I said.
Scorpius snorted, "Why?"
"I want a piggy back ride," I said. He laughed and turned around. I jumped up on his back and hugged him around the shoulders.
"Where to?" He asked.
"The Ravenclaw House!" I ordered, pointing my hand straight ahead.
"As you wish," and he ran down the corridor as I screamed with delight.
It was a quarter to nine and hardly anybody was here. It was just me, my family (except Lily), Irisa, Cecilia, and Jamie. Great, just great. I'm the worst person to throw parties. More of a pity party than a party at all.
The door flung open and Brandon came in with an arm slung around Jacie's shoulders. And why, oh why did I invite him?
"What a great party," he said, smiling. Jacie punched him. "This party could use a bit more people."
"No kidding," Al said. Brandon sniggered.
"I guess that's why I found all these people, waiting to get in," he said and pulled the door open wider. About fifty people came barging.
"Not everyone is as smart as you Ravenclaws," Brandon said over the crowd. I was about to yell at him, but then Gia came through the door with a drink already in her hand.
"Wow, a party," she said.
"Gia!" I cried out. She looked at me.
"Hey," she said, "I overheard someone talking about a party and I just had to be here and how dare you not tell me. So whose party is this?" she asked looking over the crowd.
"It's yours," I said, "Uh, surprise!" I waved my hands in air.
"Oh my God, Rose, you didn't," she cried out, happily. "You're the best friend ever." She gave me a one arm hug while holding onto her drink with the other. I smiled. It might not have been much of a surprise, but at least she was happy.
I looked over her shoulder and saw Peony come in.
"What's she doing here?" I asked. Gia looked behind her and saw Peony. She shrugged and sipped more of her drink. "Gia? Did you invite her?"
"No, but I don't care if she's here, it's my birthday. If she brings lots of people then I don't get a frick," she said then she chugged down the rest of her drink, pumped her arm in the air, and cried out: "Whooo!" She ran into the middle where people had started to dance. It's confirmed. Gia was already so wasted.
I looked around and saw Peony had brought two friends: Shelly and Jane. They went off into the party like they were already part of it, but Peony hung back a bit. It took the opportunity.
"Peony, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"I thought we were friends," she began.
"We are, but you and Gia are not," I said.
"Well, that's funny, I thought this was your party, but if you want me to go, I'll go," she said. She was challenging me. Gee, what a friend. Arghhh!!! I wanted to scream out loud with frustration. But, I surprised myself by controlled myself from doing so.
"Fine, hope you have fun," I said.
"Oh, I will," she smiled. I don't if I should be worried.
Midnight was five minutes away and I thought it would be a good time to bring out the cake I baked really early this morning.
I found Roxanne who was lounging on the couch with some guy, much younger than her.
"Rox," I indicated to her to come over. She looked relieved.
"Ok, Rox, bring out the cake," I said to her. She went to back and started wheeling out a huge cake with 'Happy 17th Birthday, Gia!'
I put my wand to throat and mutter the spell to magnify my voice. "All right, where are you Birthday Girl, get your arse up here, you old fart." I cried out across the crowd. I scanned the crowd for my best friend. "Gia! Come on, I promise I won't embarrass, but you better get your sorry arse up here." The crowd looked around for her. "Gia?" I asked. I whispered the spell to de-magnify my voice and jumped off the small stage.
I walked up to Dominique.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"How would I know?" She asked. I walked away to find someone else. I tapped a few people on the shoulders asking them whether they've seen Gia. Some of them didn't even know who she was. Someone came pounding down the stairs with what I knew to be high heels. I turned thinking it was Gia and she just went to the bathroom, but it was only Irisa.
"Hey Riss, have you seen Gia?" I asked. She bit her lip.
"Um, Rose, you might not see Gia…for awhile," she said innocently.
"What do you mean?" I asked urgently. She pressed her lips together and made a thumbs up behind her, indicating she was up in our room. I practically ran up the stairs and whispered: "Thanks," to Irisa as I did so.
I opened the door to a darkened room, but what I came into wasn't Gia sitting away from the party as I expected, but Gia and Corey in her bed together.
I was such in a state of shock that I didn't know what I was to do next. They didn't even see me come barging in. They too busy, well getting busy. I immediately closed the door as quietly as possible.
I was furious. She blew off her party I threw for her to have sex with Corey. How could she! As I reentered the room, people looked back up at me thinking I was going to give another speech.
"Go on, dig in," I said, indicating to the cake. I heard people rush to get a good piece from the big cake I baked for Gia.
I sat by myself, drinking Firewhiskey to get over what happened. It was working. Kind of. A few guys had staggered into me. They even tried to hit on me when they knew I was upset.
Scorpius had came after the whole birthday cake incident. He tried talking to me to forget about because she was drunk and not herself, but I was still pissed. I told Scorpius to just enjoy the party.
"Um, Rose?" Irisa said tapping me on the shoulder as she was looking behind me.
"What?" I snapped. She pointed ahead of me and her face had gone serious. I looked where she was pointing. It was Scorpius, my boyfriend. My smile faded away. Scorpius and Peony seemed to be like they were having a quarrel. She was trying to flirt with him; I can tell from a mile away. I heard her hyena laugh from something Scorpius said. That bitch! And Scorpius was trying to shove her away. I saw him look in my direction and then back to her. Peony had looked too and gave me a slight smile.
"Should you-" Irisa started to say, but right then and there: Peony leaned up and kissed him. A sharp throb went to my heart as heat started to collect within my throat. I watched as Scorpius hesitantly pulled away. I watch him mutter something to her. She smiled at him and then pranced away to take on the next boy she saw at least that is what I thought.
Scorpius turned and scanned the crowd and his eye landed on mine. I stared at him with disappointment written all across my face and walked away.
"Um, I'll just...go," Irisa said. I didn't say anything as she left. I put down my drink and got out of my seat and started walking away from this stupid party.
"Rose! Rose!" I turned to the new voice calling my name. Of course. Scorpius. I shook my head and kept walking. I felt him stretch out and grab my arm. I yanked it out of his reach.
"Rose, what you saw wasn't…" Oh, please. Like I haven't heard that before.
"Scorpius, can you just please leave me alone!" I said angrily. I pulled away and slammed the door in his face. I walked out into the dark corridor and started down toward the Room of Requirement where a place I can be by myself. However, as much as I wished that happened, Scorpius came rushing out of the Eagle entrance just as I had done.
"Rose, can I please explain what just happened in there?" Scorpius yelled across the corridor.
"No, go away."
"Look, I've practically grown up with Peony. My father wishes her mother would restrain herself from him, but I suppose it got better when Peony's step-father moved in. Father and I never understood the friendship between mother and Peony's mother, but when your friend moves in next to you then I guess they're pretty close."
"Peony lives next to you?" I asked. Oh my God.
"Oh?...I didn't tell you that?" He asked his face flushed.
"No, you didn't," I said. What was this explanation supposed to prove?
"Well, like I said we grew up together and we've been friends for the longest time and Peony has always been a…"
"Forget it Scorpius, I don't care about yours and Peony's history. Just leave me alone!" I started to walk away, but a door opened revealing Filch and Lily. Uh oh.
"Well, well, well, look what we've got here. More students out of bed," Filch said in the most annoying voice possible.
"Detention, Weasley, Malfoy, tomorrow at eight," He said with a sneer. Filch left after, leaving Lily behind.
"Welcome to my world," Lily said and gave each a small smile then walked toward the Gryffindor Tower. I snorted and kept walking toward the Room of Requirement.
"Rose…" I looked back at him while still walking, but didn't say a thing. A shuffle of feet and I knew Scorpius was going to let me be.
Preview for the next chapter:
"And who'll take care of that?" I asked.
"I will," a voice said behind me. I whipped my head around. (2) was smiling; not in that ha-ha or charming way, but in that creepy scary way. I almost didn't recognize (2). (2) practically floated in the room.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Really (1), I practically run this show," (2) said. It was like I didn't know him anymore. I knew from this point on everything would be different.
A/N: Things are just getting interesting.
