"Abby, wait, I have to tell you something."

It was the next morning and Abby was about to walk out the dorm door to go to breakfast without even waiting for me. I couldn't sleep that night. My head was throbbing and I knew I looked worse than usual. I had been up for hours thinking over my options:

A) Tell Abby about Scorpius

B) Sneak around with Scorpius until she finds out

C) Call it quits with Scorpius

I had been such a bitch to her. I thought Scorpius was the only thing in the world that mattered. I had forgotten about poor Abby, who had been there for me longer than Scorpius had. She was my best friend and I behaved like a brat to her without even knowing it.

My head was no longer spinning from Scorpius' kiss instead it was searching desperately for a solution. I had to tell Abby, I had kept it from her for too long like she didn't even matter. If I kept my act going she was bound to find out and hate me even more than she would if I told her to her face right that second. Calling it quits with Scorpius I couldn't imagine. I couldn't picture him not being in my life, not after our friendship, and new-found relationship. I couldn't picture a happy life without Abby either.

Abby squinted her eyes at me like she was trying to see through me and demanded,

"Out with it, Rose."

I did a quick glance around the dorm. Everyone had left for breakfast it was just me and Abby. My throat constricted tightly. The consequences of telling could be extremely bad but I had to try it. It was the only good idea I had. I had to redeem myself. Abby was right I wasn't acting like myself.

"What I'm about to tell you is big and a little insane but bear with me. It's not something I can picture you liking or encouraging-"

"Say it! Or I'll cast the tickling charm on you." Abby said taking out her wand and waving it at me as a threat.

"Don't scream or cast an unforgivable," I said standing back from the tip of her wand. Merlin, this was hard to say. The words felt like they were clogging in the back of my throat. I had to spit them out. "I like Scorpius Malfoy."

Abby froze for a minute, even her blinking stopped as she tried to process the information.

"Oh, my God," Abby said clapping her hand over her mouth. Her knees started wobbling. "I need to sit down, this is faint-worthy news."

Abby shuffled over to the closest bed and sat down all while keeping her eyes firmly on me.

"How do you feel?" I asked unsure of what else to say. What do you said to a person when they suddenly find out their best friend likes someone she thinks is a dick?

"Hungry," she replied with a frown. "Why are you telling me this before breakfast? Are you joking? Is this one of those prank tv show setups? Is a forty-year-old man dressed as Malfoy about to jump out from behind those curtains?"

"No, Abby, pranks are supposed to be funny. This isn't, this is serious." I said taking a seat next to her on the bed.

I had expected her to scream, rant, or kick something, so far none of those things has happened. I hadn't expected her to react like that. Her tone was quieter and calmer than normal.

"He'll never like you back. He hates you." Abby stated.

"Abby," I said. "We both like each other."

Abby's mouth gaped open into a wide 'O',

"But he's such a... mini Voldemort. How the hippogriff… You haven't been drugged, have you?"

"No!"

"That's what you would say if you were."

"What would I say if I wasn't, 'yes'?"

Abby stood up abruptly, "Where's Malfoy? I need to confront him!"

"Why? You're getting your answers from me?"

"Rose, I have to see this to believe it. Forget first period and breakfast. I can't eat wheat and sausages at a time like this. I need to know if Malfoy has been replaced by a clone. Or several clones."

"I think I should tell Scorpius-"

"Scorpius is such a weird name. I prefer 'Malfoy'. Especially because of the way you say it 'SCORPi- us'." Abby said in a loud high sing-song voice. "Emphasising the 'us'."

"I don't sound like that." I crossed my arms.

"What does 'Scorpius' even mean? Is it like an abstract spiritual name or a made up name?" Abby wondered aloud. "I suppose I'll ask him. If he's not a clone or a creep. Okay, I'm getting off topic. I must find him and get this sorted."

Abby charged to the door and I hurried after her.

"Abby, we can do this after breakfast, later, or not do this at all," I said desperately.

"And give Malfoy time to prepare or hide in a broom cupboard? Not a chance!"

Abby stern expression fell for a second and she burst out laughing.

"And you asked if I was drugged," I said.

"I was just thinking of Scorpius and you in a broom cupboard."

"Hilarious, Abby," I said sarcastically. I could feel my cheeks reddening.

"It is," Abby replied. "You want to kiss Malfoy."

"Be quiet!" I shushed her as a loud gang of first years came up the dorm steps. "I already did and it was great, romantic-"

Abby gagged and choked for breath.

"NOOOOO!" Abby shrieked.

I shut my eyes and tried to keep the colour of my skin under control.

"Scorpius Malfoy's Slytherin tongue was slithering in your mouth?" Abby hissed and ran to a nearby wall in the common room and proceeded to bang her head against it. "I think you need to go to the Hospital Wing immediately."

"What's wrong with, Sliver?" Someone in the common room yelled out.

"She's fine," I said trying to sound casual as I led Abby away from the wall and out of the common room.

Once I had dragged Abby outside I said,

"For the record, there was no slithering tongue. And can you SPEAK any LOUDER?"

"YES!" Abby screamed.

I clapped my hands over my ears. Abby had quite a voice, one that made my eardrums rattle painfully when it was at its loudest.

"I am starting to really regret telling you."

Abby moaned, "How didn't I know in the first place? Malfoy started getting distant from the death eater scene and high-profile fights and you were being weird around the same time."

"I didn't tell you before because I thought you were going to have a meltdown."

"Really? That doesn't sound like me at all."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"No." Abby frowned. "Have you done anything else gross as hell with Malfoy? Tell me now, I will bitch slap Malfoy if I have to hear it from him."

I raised an eyebrow, "I've hugged him and held his hand if that's what you mean."

"Ew, I lent you my quill."

"Abby, he's different now. Can you just be a supportive friend for five seconds?"

"I'm being supportive," Abby said defensively. "Do I need to remind you I went into shock less than 10 minutes ago? And I'm going to meet him."

Abby marched forwards again.

"Meet? More like attack."

"I'm being a good friend. I haven't told anyone or sent a howler to your dad which I want to do for entertainment reasons."

"And you think Scorpius is an evil Slytherin."

"Okay, in an alternate universe I would like to do it," Abby said before jumping onto the next set of changing stairs like a pro while I struggled to keep up.

"Hold on!" Abby stopped dead almost whacking me in the face with her raised hand. She sprang to the stair bannister and leaned over it at a dangerous angle.

"HEEEYYY, MALFOY!" she yelled out.

I stood next to her and looked down. Several flights below us was Scorpius tagging behind Albus' group. I gave Abby a hard kick in the shin.

"Not here!" I hissed trying to clamp my hand over her mouth. "We're not having this conversation here."

The Slytherin group stopped to look up at Abby and me. Even from several flights up I could see Scorpius' face crumble.

"Not in front of Albus, they don't know," I whispered urgently trying to pull Abby back from the bannister but she clung to it with the strength of a centaur.

"POTTER AND SLIMY SLYTHERINS GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE," Abby yelled down at the group. "WE WANT MALFOY!"

I almost sank to the floor behind her in cringe, "This is so-"

"MALFOY, STAY THERE OR I WILL COME FIND YOU AND HUNT YOU DOWN!"

Then a random Slytherin guy yelled up at Abby, "SHUT UP YOU STUPID-"

"YOUR MOTHER IS A FAT BAT AND I KNOW MORE CURSES THAN YOU, SO SHUT UP!" was Abby's reply and then she started sprinting down the stairs.

"Where are the teachers when you actually need them?!" I facepalmed.

I stared down at Scorpius who was looking up at me. I could make out his expression of helpless confusion. I looked back at him with the same expression. I couldn't think of anything, besides several killing curses, that could stop Abby. I ran after Abby, jumping nearly all of the steps.

Abby was about to take some Slytherins down.

"Oh look who it is," Albus cried his voice full of spite as I finally caught up with Abby on the last step. "The mudblood and my stupid cou-"

"Cut it out, Potter." Scorpius snarled at Albus pushing his way through the group and in front of Albus.

Albus snapped, "Do you want to end up in the Hospital Wing, Malfoy? You know I can put you there with the rest of the pathetic of Hogwarts. I hear the leg breaking jinx is popular or a beater's bat-"

"Shut up, Albus!" I suddenly found myself saying. Without even thinking about it I was next to Scorpius and had my wand raised. The bat bogey hex came to mind.

The group of Slytherins cackled madly.

"Or what?" Albus menacingly jeered at me spreading his arms wide.

I stood as tall as I could, "Or I'll do worse and write to your parents about you."

This only made the Slytherins laugh harder.

I gripped my wand tighter.

"Oh, I'm sure Ginny and Harry Potter will react nicely to their son being a prick to everyone and a bully!" I called above the laughter.

Albus' expression sunk a tiny bit but not enough to be noticed by his followers. He quickly recovered and spat,

"Getting a girl to stand up for you, Malfoy, I didn't think you were that useless."

Scorpius swallowed hard, "She can do what she wants, Potter."

"God you're so annoying, Potter!" Abby rolled her eyes at Albus. "Will you please shut up and get your PMS under control? Your presence is giving me physical pain. I want to talk to Malfoy, not you, so please bitch to someone who cares."

"Malfoy?"

"Are you deaf? Yeah, we're doing a Transfiguration essay." Scorpius said grabbing my wand hand and pulling my pointed wand down. "I'll see you in Defence."

"Malfoy-"

"Shut up, Potter! Take your boy crush somewhere else!" Abby snapped and led the way straight through the Slytherin group making sure to bump nearly everyone hard in the shoulder.

Scorpius pulled his hand away from mine and followed Abby. Albus glared at him and me as we passed.

Abby turned to us wide-eyed once we were safely out of sight and earshot around the corner.

"This feels so wrong!" she said shaking her head vigorously. "You shouldn't be on our side."

"Well, you're stuck with me." he replied quickly and turned to me and asked, "What did you say?"

"I had to tell her," I said. "I couldn't keep lying to her."

"It's girl code. Sisters before misters." Abby said. "Don't bother trying to understand. The important question is do you love Rose?"

Abby pointed an accusing finger towards him.

Scorpius looked confused and stumped for an answer,

"Love?" he repeated.

"You're hesitating!" Abby jumped in his face.

"It's a personal question!" he protested. "I don't even know you!"

"I'm Rose's best friend! We're basically the same person."

"I can really object to that."

I stepped between Scorpius and Abby. I could feel the tension building.

"Rose, what does it say if he doesn't love you?"

"I do." Scorpius butted in quickly. Colour filled his face and he suddenly became very interested in the wall behind Abby.

I grinned up at him and slipped my hand into his.

Abby's eyes widened, "Awwww! It's so cute. He's all boyish about his feelings."

"Do you have a filter?" Scorpius snapped defensively.

"Will you two stop at each other," I said. "Abby, you wanted to talk to him, see he's great."

Abby raised an eyebrow, "Why the sudden change, though, Malfoy? From absolute Slytherin prick to kind of a Slytherin prick?"

"I grew up. Maybe you should try that."

"Scorpius, be nice to Abby and she'll be slightly less outrageous to you," I said. "You changed because of me. because you like me."

Scorpius gave me a teasing smirk, "Might have."

"I hate to interrupt the flirt fest," Abby said. "But I think I'll get this question out of the way."

"What now?" Scorpius said his voice mixed with dread.

"Please don't ask something offensive," I groaned.

Abby clapped her hands together. "What is up with your first name? Does it have a meaning? Is it made up?"

"Is this a joke?" Scorpius asked bewildered.

"I'm afraid she's 100% serious."

"What's wrong with asking that? I'm surprised Rose doesn't know the answer. She can't help but get her nose into everyone's business."

"I don't." I protested.

"Honestly, you do. My name is weird, but I didn't pick it so stop looking at me like that, Sliver-"

"Abby, you can call me Abby."

"Right, Abby, Scorpius is a constellation-"

"Where?" Abby looked up at the ceiling.

"You never told me that," I said. "I should've read ahead in the Astronomy textbook."

"Rosie," Scorpius said. "I don't like to boast about it. It kind of relates to the Black family and pureblood traditions."

"So like the 'K' at the start of every female Kardashian's first name?" Abby asked.

"What?"

"Muggle reference." I inputted. "I like your name, it's not bad because it's linked to pureblood."

"Are you really pureblood?" Abby jumped in.

"Abby! You can't ask him that!" I protested.

"God, Rose, stop making such a drama. I'm curious."

"I am but there's nothing to it," Scorpius said quieter than before. "So don't ask me if my magic is stronger or-"

Abby snorted, "I'm not stupid. I was wondering if you, how do I say this politely? I suppose there's no polite way to say this, are you filthy rich?"

"I could think of at least five ways of saying that politely."

"Go on, Rose, then. You have ten seconds." Abby challenged.

"What's your income?"

"That is not polite." Scorpius disagreed while Abby speed counted down to zero.

"Okay, that may have sounded better in my head," I said. "But you're supposed to be on my side."

"The boy has spoken," Abby said raising her hands. "So, Scorpius, do you have a pile of money in your dorm and if so, can I roll around in it?"

Scorpius frowned.

"He doesn't," I said trying not to laugh at Abby's phrasing.

"Have you been into his dorm?" Abby asked then she pulled a face. "Oh, Rose, you didn't-"

Scorpius cut across her. "I don't know if I'm rich, Abby."

"What!? How can you not know?" Abby exclaimed.

"To be fair, it's my parent's money, not mine."

"But aren't the Malfoy's like this monarchy wizarding royalty powerhouse."

Scorpius laughed at this.

"I think the Potters and the Weasleys took that place a long time ago. While the purebloods were getting thrown in Azkaban."

"Where are you getting your information?" I sighed.

"Rose, have you been rich all this time? And to think of it I gave you a galleon when you said you were broke." Abby shook her head and made a tutting noise.

"No one is rich." I rolled my eyes.

"Clearly you and Scorpius will live happily ever after on your huge pile of combined inheritance," Abby said bitterly. "Why do the rich girls take all the rich boys?"

"You really don't listen." Scorpius stated.

"Can we please talk about something else? Preferably something that isn't going to offend anyone."

"I have to go to class," Scorpius said giving a fed up sigh.

"God, I'm starving after that," Abby said rubbing her stomach.

"I'll see you later, Rose," Scorpius said giving me an awkward pat on the back.

"Hey! What about me?" Abby said in her usual dramatic fashion. "We're friends by association now."

I grinned at her words. Abby was very picky about who she called her friends and that meant she had more than accepted Scorpius.

Scorpius almost smiled, "I'll see you then, Abby."

"Thank, Merlin!" I said beaming brighter than I had all morning. I pulled Scorpius into a hug.

Abby coughed loudly, "Still here- cough- still ewing- cough- out."

"Shut your eyes then," Scorpius said releasing me.

"I'll find you later."

"Alone?" Scorpius said gesturing to Abby who was shielding her eyes.

"Yes, alone."

"If you two are going to kiss-" Abby started moaning.

"We're not!" Scorpius and I yelled in sync.

"Just checking!"

"You promised to help me with the essay. Meet me in the Library afterwards. Are you going to be okay with Albus?"

"Don't worry," Scorpius said finally taking off.

I watched him round the corner then I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding in.

"Is he gone?" Abby asked her hand still firmly clamped over her eyes.

"Yes, Abby, now you can stop being a nosy boggart."

"Nosy boggart?" Abby exclaimed dropping her hand. "I was just asking the important questions."

"Are you 'filthy rich'? Are you really 'pureblood'? I'm surprised you didn't ask him for his timetable."

"I was going to. So I could sneak after him and his pig friends but he turned out boring."

"Boring?"

"Well, I was expecting, if I'm being honest, a criminal mastermind, with maybe a stick-on death eater tattoo, and a lot of drama. But I got a lovesick teenage boy."

"Scorpius, is not lovesick, Abby. I wonder what he thought of you."

"He thought I was amazing because I'm in your halo of hot light, Rose," Abby said walking backwards out of the corridor. "Let's see if we can get some breakfast. This corridor smells like damp and death."

"Hot light. Yeah, I totally agree with that." I smiled following a backwards walking Abby out of the corridor. I was happy to be away from the stone confining walls of the corridor. It was freezing, I couldn't wait to get back into the warm, vast Great Hall.