Aria: Hey everyone sorry this chapter got delayed quite a bit. But my plan is still to update regularly so the next chapter will be up sooner! thank you for waiting and reviewing and reading this story.

I don't own HP

Enjoy!

Chapter 21 – Valentine's day Part 3

- 14th of February 2022 -

Rose's POV:

The whole common room was overflowing with tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. There were small groups of people that were studying or playing chess around the room only minutes ago. But now all the attention was on James, Albus, Louis, Fred (basically the WBBC) and Mark. Even the paintings had stopped to see what would happen. I walked over to Al and Mya. Al had a disgusted frown on his face. Mya was chewing her lip and patting Al on the back as an attempt of dealing with the tension in the room. James was creating so many waves of tension he could create another ocean. I gave Mya a reassuring rub on her back. She smiled back at me.

"How did this happen?" I whispered to Mya.

"I'm not sure yet, Lily just came up and yelled at Mark and went upstairs. Fie went to go check on her," Mya replied in the same whispered tone.

If Fie is with Lily, she'll be ok to wait till we deal with this mess before I go up to see her. I looked over at where James was. He stood with a puffed-up chest and his hands balled into fists. "What the fuck did you do?" James yelled at Mark. Mark looked off to the left out the window with his arms just hanging at his sides like they were lifeless.

"Mark, what da fuck did you do?" James repeated through gritted teeth.

I was holding my breath for Mark's answer and it seemed like everyone else was too.

"I confessed my love to Lily….and…I tried to kiss her," Mark stated and flinched at his own words let alone James'.

"You bastard, she's only thirteen! Thirteen! You're bloody seventeen! How could you pull moves on my sister?" James growled.

Mark kept his head down and pursed his lips. James ran his fingers through his hair and spat, "Well?"

"I love her," Mark said more confidently as he looked at James.

"I don't want you anywhere near my sister. Don't even glance in her direction. This will be your only warning. You got that?" James was right in Mark's face now.

"Sure, got it." Mark was now standing his ground.

"Good." James then walked straight out of the common room. No one stood in his path either.

After James left, most of us let out a sigh of relief. Of course, didn't stop the whole room erupting into hushed whispers and glares towards Mark.

Then the Lioness of Gryffindor stepped on the scene. "What are you all staring at? Don't you have exams to study for?"

Instantly people made themselves busy as Dominique shooed them away. She then walked up to Mark who sat down.

"What did you want Dominique?" Mark groaned like he had been punched in the gut.

"I just wanted to say for you to heed James' warning because it won't just be the WBBC who will be there but us girls too. To mess with one of us is to mess with all of us. But I would have thought you'd already known that. Have a good day." Dominique then went back to…well whatever she was doing before.

I finally noticed Lysander who looked frozen as a statue off to the side of the room. I walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey Lysander, what are you doing up here?"

It took him a minute to register that I was talking to him but then he said, "Rose? Well, I was just about to ask Lily out but Mark jumped in and tried to insist that they were fated." Lysander glared at Mark from where we were standing.

I was surprised. Lysander looked very serious about asking Lily out. He's not ever been that serious about dating a girl before.

"I would suggest leaving it for a couple of days, to give Lily a bit of space. Why don't you go back to your common room now?" I suggested with a smile.

"That's probably the best thing to do right now." Lysander sighed and left.

The fight between Mark and Lysander prevented, thankfully. I went back to Mya and Al, "Al we'll go check on her, she'll be fine. She's a strong girl." I pat Al on the shoulder and he relaxed a bit.

"Thanks, Rosie."

After some joking around and insulting a certain person Lily was cheery again. We made our way back to the common room. Albus was sitting in front of the fireplace. Mya hopped into the space beside him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled back at her. Aww, those two are so cute.

Suddenly Scorpius stepped into the common room with his ear covered by what looked like a giant cotton ball.

Everyone seemed quite surprised at his injury. All except me of course.

"Dude, what's wrong with your ear?" Al inquired.

"Long story I'll tell you later," Scorpius smiled and let the subject pass. Unfortunately, it gets harder to help enforce the rules if you're caught fighting or disturbing the peace. "But what's going on here?"

"Yeah long story here too," Al said with crossed arms.

Yep. "Anyway, let's celebrate a birthday," I turned to Fie and pulled a present out from a bag behind the couch. I gave the present to Fie and she was beaming with that shy and modest smile. Then the rest of us pulled out our presents for her.

"Awwww thank you, you guys are the best." she hugged every one of us – literally…in a sort of twister fashion – giving her thanks.

Needless to say, we chatted a long time and in the end probably got less sleep then I needed for tomorrow.

- the Next Day -

I had been called to the Head Mistress' office. I had a feeling it had something to do with my cousins and all the stuff that has been happening…particularly with James. Bloody Hell James, you can't sit still for two seconds without pranking someone, can you? Hmm. Maybe he's not the only weird one in our family. After all, here I am, glaring at a wall.

"Are you going to go up?" one of the paintings nearby asked me. I came sharply back to why I had come here again.

"Yes, sorry," I blurted out and knocked on the door.

"Come in," I heard the Head Mistress' voice beckon from the other side of the door.

As instructed I opened the door and walked in. The Head Mistress was in her usual emerald green attire with her grey hair up in a bun and her little glasses balancing on her nose. She also went by the name of Professor McGonagall.

"I heard you asked for me, Professor?" I felt I ort to state why I was there even though she already knew considering she was the one to call for me.

"Yes, Miss Weasley, I sent for you to discuss a couple of topics with you. Please take a seat."

It was her comment that made me realise I was just standing there when there was obviously a seat. I took the offer and sat down, that way at least I wouldn't fidget.

"How are you, Miss Weasley?" Professor McGonagall smiled.

"I'm alright, pretty good in fact," I replied in a cheery tone that I just wasn't feeling.

"Are absolutely sure?" the Professor tilted her head down and looked at me with a sort of knowing gloss in her eyes from her years of experience.

It was like all my thinking was a train that just had the emergency break pulled. My mind drew a blank on how the Head Mistress was expecting me to answer that. Is she looking for honesty or resilience?

"Y-es?" I managed to piece together but unfortunately, I couldn't quite hide the uncertainty in my voice.

"That's good news to hear, considering what has been happening lately," Professor McGonagall commenting with a perceptive smile as she marked the paper with the ink from her quill.

I was quite surprised that the Professor knew about the gossip. Then again, she is the Head Mistress, I guess it's her job to know sometimes.

"Yes, lots of things have happened recently," I agreed trying not to reference anything directly.

"Things such as, Miss Potter's outburst and followed by Mr Potter's argument that followed? And Mr Wilern's trip to the Hospital Wing?" Professor McGonagall's expression turned more serious and she listed the events of today. She had looked up from her scribbling and put away her quill.

Yep. Good old Valentine's Day. Another reason to dislike the celebrated day. I was a bit nervous to discuss the topics because as a prefect it made me look bad and it might put me out of the running for Head Girl. I knew it was a purely selfish reason but if Professor McGonagall already knew then what was the point in trying to hide it.

I sighed and stated, "Yes there have been tense moments."

"You seem to be involved in quite a few of these tense moments as of recent, so I thought I'd ask you if you are doing well." The Head Mistress inquired.

"Well Professor, it's my family who has been through a bit of a rough patch recently and we seem to have found a temporary solution to the problem." I felt relieved to finally actually say it in words. As if saying somehow was the final confirmation that it had been somewhat dealt with.

"I see. Well please try to keep the trouble to a minimum Miss Weasley or else there will be detentions rostered." Professor McGonagall gave a nod.

"Yes Professor," I replied and smiled. I was grateful that it had all seemed to have smoothed out.

I proceed to stand and to exit when the Professor said, "Oh and Miss Weasley any time you find yourself troubled your welcome to consult me if you wish."

"Thank you, Professor." I left the room closing the door behind me.

I took a deep breath and let it out. My nerves still felt as if they were a tangled knot of wool that had been shoved together. Now it was time to get back to studying for the OWLS exams at the end of the year and do other studies. I hummed a tune that popped into my head as I followed the usual path to the Gryffindor Common Room when an idea hit me.

Maybe Scorpius would like to study for a bit too!...Uh but what if he doesn't? I'd feel much better if I studied with someone. Both Fie and Mya are in classes so it'll have to be Scorpius!

I smile a huge grin. In my mind, it was decided. No matter his opinion he will be studying with me. Hehehe. I let myself imagine his possible reactions to my suggestion. I started walking towards the Slytherin Common Room. The question is, where were we going to study? Hmmm, I'd prefer to be next to the fire in the common room. So, I guess that's where we'll go.

Hmm hm hmm hmmm.

I was close to the Slytherin Common Room now. Not long to go.

- Just minutes prior -

Scorpius' POV:

I was just leaving the common room to do some studying in the library when I felt a tap on my shoulder. At first, I thought it was a trick from one of the other guys but I turned to see Tremaine. This was a surprise because she had never really talked to me when Al isn't around.

"Hi Scorpius," she greeted with her hands on her hips.

"Hey Tremaine, how are you?" I politely inquired. It seemed like a good question to ask.

"Oh, I'm fine, just a little lonely," Tremaine stated moving in front of me. I wonder why she's lonely. Did her friends ditch her or something?

"Where are you off to?"

"The library to do some study."

Tremaine pouted and looked disappointed. She stepped closer and I stepped back to keep some personal space. "That's no fun, Scorpius. You know what, I rarely see you having fun." Tremaine touched my arm and moved closer again. I moved back again for some space. What is up with this girl? I could be wrong but she seems to be hitting on me.

My instinct told me to get the hell out of there so I followed that.

"Anyway, I have to get to the library so I hope you find someone to spend time with." I tried moving passed her but she was persistent in blocking my way. I was starting to get annoyed.

"Hey, can you please get out of my way?" I said raising my voice slightly.

"No, I think we should do something fun together." Tremaine her voice quiet and smooth. I then found myself up against the wall with Tremaine in front of me.

"Don't you see you could have more fun when you're with me," Tremaine smirked.

Now I was frustrated. I didn't want to have to physically push her away but I didn't seem to have much choice. I grabbed her by the upper arms. I was just about to tell Tremaine I wasn't interested when I heard a humming and then there was silence. I turned to see Rose. Her blue eyes were wide and her face was pale.

Oh no.