Heyy!
Just had a really shitty day but then I thought let me write a little. I've had the majority of this written for a while but it wasn't quite right. I'm still not 100% about it but I've been wanting to update for a while so here goes. Hope it's okay.

BIG BIG BIG Thank yous to give out today:

Thanks for the follow, TheUnderscore3024, glad you're liking it! x
And to Guest (wish I had a name) who left 5 reviews!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave them! They put a smile on my face for the whole day after I read them. I sat down and started writing that evening but it just wasn't right and then I had work so sorry for the delay. Glad you liked it and your feedback really made me think all this was worthwhile. I could say thank you for every comment but we'd be here a while, so just thanks in general. :Dxxx

Thank you to everyone who keeps reading and is sticking with me, much appreciated!
Love Cookie xx

Chapter 12- A Hanging Blonde and a Spinning Bottle

Florence reached Scorpius and stood above him, practically shaking with rage. The girls failed to repress their snigger and she spun on her heels to face them.
"Shut up you slut!" She shouted pointing at Roxanne. Roxanne opened her mouth to retaliate but Liv held a hand over her mouth, not wanting her to interrupt her rage at Scorpius. Roxanne bit Liv's hand as usual, but nodded in agreement and laughed lightly, sitting back to watch as Florence already had her attention back on her boyfriend.

"Scorpius Malfoy" she repeated glaring down at him. He stood, aware of the other Ravenclaws who had stopped to watch.
Roxanne quietly whispered to Liv and the girls, "Actually, it's Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy" they laughed again and Roxanne could see Florence about to turn but Scorpius reached out before she could.
"Babe, maybe we should do this elsewhere?" he suggested in a low voice gently holding her wrist.
She violently tugged her wrist from his grasp. "Don't babe me when you're obviously fucking her!"
Again Florence whirled around and pointed at Roxanne. She gasped, as did the majority of the Ravenclaw common room.
"I am not sleeping with Rox!"
"Oh really?!"
"Yes! For Merlin's sake why are you so obsessed with her?"
"Obsessed with that bitch?! You've got to be joking"
Roxanne sat back shocked but level-headed, she'd need to time her interjection. She didn't want to have to curse Florence. She didn't want to fight over a guy, especially a guy she didn't want. She could feel half the eyes of the common room staring at her. She turned to the faces and mimed that Florence was crazy. Hopefully they'd get the message. She didn't want people to actually think she was sleeping with Scorpius, not that he was repulsive or anything but she'd never sleep with a guy who was already in a relationship, even if the relationship was meaningless. Roxanne had morals after all. Never mind the fact that Scorpius was one of her best friends, or that she'd never slept with anyone.
Unfortunately, Florence had stopped glaring at Scorpius in time to see Roxanne's miming.
"I'm not crazy you bitch!"
Roxy turned to the now slightly red-faced Florence, "Alright." She held her hands up "Listen Florence, I am not sleeping with your boyfriend, I don't know why you think I am bu-"
"I SAW YOU!"
"Saw me what?!"
"I saw that necklace he gave you; I saw his face when he put it on you. I saw the way you jumped at him. There's no way you're just friends!"
"But we are! Merlin, that was my birthday present! I hugged him to say thank you, as I did all my friends!"
Florence just glared at her silently seething as if trying to come up with an argument.
"Look, Florence. If you're upset about the neckla-"
"It's not the necklace! You're having sex with my boyfriend!"
"I AM NOT! Merlin. Florence jus-" Roxanne could see her open her mouth to interrupt so she shot a quick Langlock at Florence before she could. Roxanne watched her look around confusedly before glaring at her. Roxanne took the absence of physical attack as an opportunity to speak.

"Listen to me. I have known Scorpius for four years now. You have known him for barely four weeks. Do not come over here and accuse me of sleeping with a guy who is like family to me, just because you saw us hug. Merlin, I don't know what look it is that you think you saw either, maybe you are crazy. As for the necklace, it clearly bothers you that he bought it for me, so maybe you should ask him. Or if you don't like it that much. Just dump him! I don't care either way, but I'd prefer it if you just left me out of your pathetic little scandal stories" Roxanne sighed and frowned at Scorpius who had been watching her the entire time, she wished she could hug him and tell her she was sorry for getting involved in his relationship but that probably wouldn't help her argument. Roxanne was about to sit down when she remembered something. She'd already told Scorp so why not confront Florence?

"Oh, and if you love Scorp like you say you do, why were you all over Logan today?" Roxanne released the Langlock silently as if to end her point. Instead of receiving a verbal assault as she had expected, Florence's perfectly manicured hand cracked across her left cheek. Hard. The noise seemed to echo in the tower and Roxanne felt the weight of the entire room's collective stare zero in on her, waiting in anticipation for her next move. She touched her hand gently to her cheek where Florence had just slapped her. It throbbed slightly beneath her fingertips. Roxanne knew it would be red. She thought about throwing a punch into her nose and seeing how much she liked the look of her face after that. She thought about punching her in the mouth and seeing how long it'd take her to kiss another boy. But again, Roxanne really didn't want to get into a fight seemingly over a guy who she wasn't even competing for.

Instead, Roxanne stepped closer to Florence, she was actually annoyed now. Her initial amusement and calm demeanour had left her face. She looked serious. She noticed a flicker of anxiety in the blonde's eyes and felt herself smirk slightly. She must've looked quite evil.
"Do anything like that again, and you will regret it" Roxanne turned her back dismissively. She began to walk away and fell forwards slightly as Florence pushed her shoulders with her back turned. That did it. Roxanne spun on her heel and disarmed her. She used a non-verbal Levicorpus and within seconds, Florence was hanging upside down from her ankles. Roxanne watched as her hands shot up to keep her skirt from falling down. Though that meant her jumper came to just above her bra, revealing her tanned and toned stomach. Roxanne heard a few wolf whistles. She shook her head and waved her wand again. Partly to preserve the girl's dignity, and partly to deny her the satisfaction of showing her (undeniably great) body off. She had placed a sticking charm and Florence's jumper and skirt flew back up to their positions and stayed there. There was a slight groan from the common room and a few laughs at the fact there was a groan. They all thought Roxanne was being far too nice. She probably was, most other Weasleys would have been in a full out fight by now. The boys probably resented the modesty too.

Roxanne turned and looked Liv in the eyes shaking her head, Liv came over and hugged her, knowing Roxanne usually hated being involved in conflict but, after the family incident especially, she didn't want to roll over ever again. The common room went back to whatever it was they had been doing before, mostly ignoring the pleads of Florence to be released.

She turned as much as she could, restricted as she was, to Scorpius, who approaching Roxanne and Liv.
"Scorpius! Don't you talk to her! "
He ignored her and kept walking.
"Scorpius, if you take one more step towards her, we're over." Scorpius stopped and Florence smirked at Roxanne over his shoulder. "It's me or her Scorpie. Decide."
He turned towards her and stared into her eyes, "Well, that's easy then. Her"
Florence looked shocked to say the least, the common room sniggered. "But Scorpie, what about us?"
He laughed, a short, bored, patronising laugh. "What about us?"
"Scorpie, I love you"
"No you don't." he answered simply.
She looked annoyed now, he waited for her next argument. "You're going to throw everything we have away for her?!"
"Florence. We. Have. Nothing." He punctuated every word, as if explaining to a child "And yes because Roxanne, my friend, means more to me than you do, than you ever have."
He turned and walked to the sofa now, not stopping when she shouted his name.
"WE ARE SO OVER! You're never going to find someone like me again!"
"Thank Merlin." he tossed back over his shoulder, not even bothering to look her in the face fully. ~

The group had retired to Lorcan's room, tired of being stared at in the common room. Arianna, Lena and Scarlett had declined the offer but promised to let Florence down before bed. At some point a Ravenclaw had silenced her so she dangled fuming silently until she was released.

The boys sat on the floor around the bed, facing the girls who had been given the luxury of a mattress. They sat in relative silence as both Scorpius and Roxanne were brooding. Lysander spoke, making the room jump slightly.
"Can we liven up a bit? It's still your birthday Rox"
Lysander looked to Lorcan for help when Roxanne said nothing. He in turn looked across to Liv, who was sat back against the wall with Roxy's head on her shoulder. She shrugged at him, then suddenly getting an idea, pulled her wand out and conjured a glass bottle.

She placed the glass bottle in the in the middle of the floor.

Lorcan looked up at Liv and grinned. "You're Brilliant Liv" she blushed slightly under his attention but of course he failed to notice.
Lysander didn't though, with the upper hand in experience and awareness when it came to girls, and relationships in general; Lysander noticed Liv's reaction to Lorcan's smile. He made a mental note to watch his brother's interactions with her more closely from now on and see if they supported his already forming hypothesis. ~

"Rox, do you want to spin?" Lorcan questioned.
Roxanne still sat with her head against Liv's shoulder, leaned forwards and spun the bottle unenthusiastically, it moved very slightly to the left and pointed at Scorpius, Rox sank back to her original position and waited. Scor looked up, and muttered truth.
Lysander turned to Lorcan, "Your area of expertise little bro".
Lorcan thought for a moment. He was usually the one good at asking truth questions while Ly dealt with the dares. He didn't think Scorpius would be in the mood for a deep personal question so he tried to keep it light.
"Hottest cousin of Rox's?" Ly snickered in approval. Roxanne's interest peaked slightly but she didn't show it.
"Dom" Scorpius answered simply as if there weren't a contest. For some reason, his quick fire answer made Roxanne a little disappointed but she didn't know why so ignored the little metaphorical pinprick to her heart.
Lorcan had hoped the question would get Rox's interest and she'd join the discussion. She looked mildly bothered but not much else.
"I disagree. It's Rose" Lysander joined in, sensing his brother's attempt to start a discussion.
Liv sat forwards, joining in also, "Definitely Vic"
"I'm thinking Vic too" Lorcan added.
"Aw, you guys have the same taste in women! How sweet." Lysander laughed, receiving a cushion in his face from Liv who also laughed but blushed slightly underneath. Roxanne smiled inwardly.
"What about you Rox?" Lorcan pressed.
"You want me to judge my own female cousins?" She deadpanned, not surprised in the slightest.
"Yes" Lorcan, Ly and Liv chorused.
"You've probably seen 'em naked too, so who's actually the hottest?" Rox gave Lysander a small kick but in his eyes, it was worth it as an actual smile followed.
"Rose is a bitch Ly so that rules her out. Thought you had better taste. Anyway, Lily is too but she's prettier, has a better body and she's fitter in general. Molly is actually quite hot but she'd hate to hear it. Lucy's quite similar to me and Lil body wise because she does muggle workouts. Vic's got an amazing body but Dom's is slightly better, especially since she stared training. Though if we're going most beautiful it'd be Vic, Dom, Lily, Lucy, Molly, Rose. Hotness the same but Dom first."
Scorpius looked up at Rox's conclusion, "Told you"
The group laughed lightly and with the next spin they were all involved. The girls joined the boys on the floor and prepared to play seriously. ~

"You know what would make this better?" Rox asked as Lorcan pondered a question for Scor.
"What?" Lysander asked, always eager to improve on a game of truth or dare.
"Veritaserum" she answered plainly.
"You planning to raid the Slug cupboard?"
"'Course not. I'm a witch with a knack for potions who likes experimenting. It's up in the dorm. Not very potent and not much of it, but it should last long enough"
Lysander practically jumped up and down with excitement and even summoned the potion from her room himself. He took a drop, and passed it to Lorcan. The vial went around the circle and Roxanne suddenly realised Liv might let slip about Lorc. It was too late by the time it reached her though, Liv had drunk it already. She saw Liv's eyes widen when she too came to the same conclusion. Hopefully, one drop out of the recommended three would allow her to keep her secrets secret.
"First guaranteed truthful question, have you ever had gay thoughts?" Lorcan asked Scorpius hoping to embarrass him.
Roxanne and Liv burst out laughing and laughed harder when Lorc looked disappointed at Scopius' truthful 'no'.
"What's wrong bro, hoping he'd feel the same?" Ly patted him on the back, earning a 'well worth it' punch.
The bottle span and Lorc picked dare, clearly not trusting himself with an unedited truth.
Lysander dared him to pick truth next and Lorcan glared, more menacingly than anyone had ever seen him look.
"That's not a proper dare!"
"We didn't set rules for dare's. Or do you forfeit?"
Lorcan pondered this for a moment. Actually pondered it. Lysander's forfeits were even worse than his dares. Scorpius had to eat breakfast in nothing but his robe once. He was mostly undetected but there were a few first years who have never been able to look at him again. No one wanted that, not again.
Roxanne was dared to have red hair for a day, Liv avoided truth questions but was dared to jump out the window and circle the Ravenclaw tower on Lorc's broom. Ly had expected her to forfeit, not wanting to jump out of the window into the dark and cold, but Liv grinned at the dare as she had perfected the art of jumping out the window on a broom years before. Scorpius picked truth each time, not trusting Lysander's dares. Especially since hair colour had come up.
Scorpius stirred by daring Lysander to kiss Liv. (Though she insisted the cheek) finally, Lorcan's truth question came, Lysander, having watched Lorcan and Liv's interactions all evening was certain he had feelings for her and she for him.
"If you had your pick of any girl at Hogwarts right now, who would it be?"
Lorcan pondered this for a moment and seemed to be holding his tongue. Rox was reminded of the time her uncle Harry told her Veritaserum could be resisted for a while. Roxanne could tell he was trying to resisting it. But why? Unless, he did like Liv? He'd only avoid the question if the girl were in the room. As long as the next name out of his mouth wasn't her own.
"One of the girls in Rox's dorm" Lorcan spoke truthfully, the serum wasn't for specificity after all. The questions needed to be more direct, but she wasn't going to tell Ly that. He knew it already, Rox realised he was playing with Lorc.
"Ooh. You like younger girls eh, Ly?"
"Not usually, but there's an exception" he answered again biting his tongue quickly. The potion compelled him to spill everything but he'd taken only a little of it a while ago and Roxanne's weak solution was beginning to wear off.
Lysander decided to let it drop. He had all he needed, it was either Roxanne or Liv and considering he and his twin had been discussing interactions between Rox and Scor recently, he made a pretty good guess it was the latter. He'd have no other reason to hold back. Lysander had a mischievous glint in his eye. Scorpius noticed and looked at Rox who had also noticed. She shook her head, this wouldn't be good.

Roxanne knew there was a reason Lorcan wouldn't usually tell Ly about girls he fancied. As close as the boys were, Ly would always try to get involved and try to get his brother a date. Lorcan would then not live up to what Ly had suggested to the girl about his brother and Lorc would be hated; accused of leading the girl on. For a guy who knew quite a bit about girls and who had his fair share of relationships, Ly was dense when it came to Lorcan's prospective girlfriends. He meant well but sometimes he'd forget they weren't identical in every way and would expect Lorcan to act one way when it just wasn't him. The boys were different. Roxanne hoped Ly would learn eventually to leave his brother's love life alone. Eventually.
" I don't think two years is that much younger" Roxanne added, hoping to reassure Liv about Ly's age gap comment.
"It's not!" She added when Ly looked at her questioningly.
"Wouldn't you date your dream girl if she was a fourth year?"
"Yeah I guess so, but isn't that a bit too young?"
"I don't think so, I'd go out with a guy in fifth or sixth. Scor went out with a girl in fifth, what's one more year?"
Liv nodded in agreement, keeping silent.
At the mention of his name, he joined the conversation. "Ly I think you're the only one here who has an issue with it. I'd definitely go out with a girl in fourth provided she was 15, but then I'm one of the youngest in the year and the age gap would only be a year for me."
"Yeah, same for me Ly I'm one of the oldest so there's a smaller gap. If I was still 14 till August it'd be different."
"Hmm, I guess so" the circle visibly relaxed when he agreed. For some reason their conversation had almost turned into a mission to convince Ly a two year gap in a relationship would be okay. Subconsciously, the group wanted him to be on board with the idea, just in case anything should happen. Roxanne wondered if everyone had the same coupling in their heads as she did. ~

The game lasted about an hour but the group veered off topic when an interesting question came up. At one point, discussing whether they'd rather not wear a bra or knickers for a day. The boys did a surprisingly good job of weighing out the pros and cons as if they were female. At another, discussing the hottest Professors, a discussion they'd all had before, but a great debate to have.

Rox thanked her friends for making her birthday special despite the series of less than desirable events that had taken place. She hugged the boys as she and Liv left because apparently, Scor and Ly were staying a little while longer for some 'guy talk'. Rox had a feeling it would involve Liv, as they would usually censor nothing 'guyish' around them.
The twins told her happy birthday and while Liv hugged Lorcan, Ly jumped in, hugging both his brother and Liv together, not letting go.
She turned to Scor, "Don't forget next Hogsmead weekend. I've got plans to get us to a muggle piercing studio"
"I won't" Rox beamed at his forethought on what was apparently a last minute extra gift. She smiled at his effort and hugged him goodnight.
"Happy birthday Rox" he said again as he held her to his chest, chin on her head. He moved his chin slightly, pressing the lightest of kisses into her honey scented hair. It was so light she couldn't be sure if she had imagined it and when the hug was over, Scorpius' face showed no sign of anything out of the ordinary. He simply smiled at her. She left the room telling herself that she'd imagined it.~

Once the door was closed on the girls, Lysander whirled around to his brother almost immediately. He cast a wordless silencing charm on the door, "Spill"
Lorcan knew his brother well enough to know what he was thinking. He knew Ly would be angry if he ever found out about his crush on Liv, not that he'd disapprove, he'd just be angry he hadn't told him. It's not like Liv was any the girl.
Though, that was the reason Lorc hadn't told him. Liv wasn't just any other girl. He'd basically said as much under the Veritaserum.
He didn't really mind all that much when Ly usually meddled because it'd help him to realise how much the girl wasn't for him. With Liv, though she knew what Ly was like, he still didn't want to risk spoiling a possible relationship or worse ruining their friendship and the group dynamics, it'd affect them all.
"What?" Lorcan answered automatically. All three guys in the room knew neither twin was fooled by the other's fake ignorance.
"You know what Lor" Lorcan said nothing.
"Olivia. You like her don't you?"
Lorcan sat down and sighed. "Yes" it was the first time he had admitted it aloud to anyone. He'd barely admitted it to himself.
"It sucks. I feel like such a pervert. And I know she probably sees me as a big brother... if that. I'm just a friend to her, I don't want her to feel awkward around me. I can't tell her guys, I'll ruin everything"
Lorcan looked up at his brother and best friend. They both said nothing. He assumed it was because they agreed and didn't want to say it aloud.
Little did Lorcan know that Scorpius remained silent because he felt conflicted. He knew for sure Lorc was wrong but didn't want to betray Liv's trust. At the same time, he felt bad for letting Lorc believe all that about himself. He'd have to talk to Rox, if he told Ly he'd spill, get involved and probably would make things awkward for them both. Unintentionally, but still.
Just as Lorcan resigned himself to slowly, painfully get over Liv, Ly spoke.
"I think Liv likes you too bro."
"No she doesn't Ly. Just stop okay. I know she doesn't." Lorc looked even more put out than before and Scorpius quelled the urge to tell him. Liv would be so angry.
"She does! I'm sure of it!"
"Ly. Just stop"
Lysander turned desperately to Scorpius, "Don't you think Scor? Don't you think she does?"
"I don't know Ly, I hadn't thought about it. Maybe" this was partly true. Scorpius hadn't thought about it till Rox had told him. Oh who was he kidding? He was lying to his best friends for another close friend. He hated it.
Ly took his response as a positive, "See, Scor thinks so too!"
"That's not what he said Ly! Look, I appreciate it but just stop. This is why I didn't tell you. There's nothing you can do okay? Just drop it."
Lorcan stood up to leave the room, then realising it was his, he held the door open for his brother and friend to leave. Once the door was closed Lorcan sighed and fell into his bed face down.
On the other side of the oak, Lysander glared at Scorpius, "Thanks for your help in there mate" he almost spat.
"Sorry, I didn't want to lie to him"
Lysander took this as Scorpius thinking Liv wasn't interested and him not wanting to tell him she was, while Scor meant it literally. He was sorry that he lied to them. Lysander calmed quickly, his face softening.
"Yeah I guess so, you're probably right, I'm not much of a help am I?"
"He knows you mean well. It'll be okay Ly"
"Thanks Scor" ~

A/N:

So, what did you think?
Florence is gone (for now) and Lorcan likes Liv! *cheers*
Hope you liked it, I'll update when I can.
DFTR!
Love Cookie xx