Chapter 3

After classes Rowena walked into the common room, most of the school were at dinner so it was still quite empty. Apart from her the only people in the room were Percy and a couple of highly embarrassed looking third years, both of whom were desperately trying to put the right button in the right hole of their shirts.

"You may go to dinner now; I don't expect such behaviour in here again!

"Yes Percy!" They said in unison, sarcasm lacing their every word.

As they walked past her they gave her the same disgusted look the twins had earlier, in fact she had elicited that same reaction from a few people that afternoon.

"Bet he doesn't say anything about her behaviour!" the boy muttered to the girl as they walked away.

"Hello, Rowena."

She turned to her cousin. "Hey Perce, can I talk to you about something?" she questioned hesitantly.

Percy looked nervous suddenly. "Umm, well yes. I suppose so. Let's go to my dorm, people will be coming back from dinner soon and this could take a while," he replied.

"So you know what's going on then?"

"Let's do this upstairs, hmm?"

Following him up to his dorm she instinctively sat on the end of Oliver's bed, waiting as patiently as she could for some kind of explanation. Percy paced the floor umm-ing and aah-ing for a while until Rowena couldn't take anymore.

"Merlin Percy. will you just tell me what's going on? And sit down, you're making me nervous."

Percy sat on the side of his own bed leaning towards her. "You really don't know do you?" He looked surprised.

Rowena got worried her voice was hard and raised slightly above her normal level. "What's happening, Percy?" she asked.

"Well you know that Wood spent today in the hospital wing."

Rowena's heart sank. "What? Why didn't anyone tell me?" She stood to leave and Percy put a hand on her shoulder stopping her.

"He didn't want to see you. He forbid Fred and George from even telling you."

She was bewildered. "Why?"

Percy took her hands in his, a gentle gesture to try and reassure his cousin. "Well, there has been this rumour." he began.

He told her everything that Fred and George had told him, from the two of them carrying Oliver to the hospital wing to Oliver's explanation of how and why he was beaten up.

A tear fell freely down Rowena's face. "And they believe it.? All of them.? Fred? George?"

Percy looked at her with pity. "Yes," he answered solemnly.

She dreaded the answer to her next question but she had to know. Taking a deep steadying breath she swallowed hard before asking, "And Oliver?"

Percy dropped his gaze to their hands and simply nodded.

Rowena cried openly now. Her cousin, and apparently her only friend, held her to him allowing her to mess up his immaculate robes.

"It'll be alright, Row. I'm sure he's just upset; he's probably had a bit of a shock hearing people saying those things. I'll talk to him, he'll realise he's made a mistake."

Rowena began to compose herself and Percy handed her a handkerchief to dry her face. "Thanks, Perce," she sniffled.

"Don't mention it."

The door swung open; it was Oliver!

A/N: Love it? Review! Hate it? Review! Just hate us? (We hope not!) Review anyway! I think you get the idea. and if not. REVIEW! Cheers.
I know this one's really short but what can I say? I love a cliff- hanger. More soon!