Hey! It's a little over my week target but not doing too bad!

But guess what? I've been told it's been over a year since I started this story! How crazy is that? Wow, that just feels so strange, super grateful to you all for sticking with me and continuing to read what I write. xx

Again special thanks to dish out:

Plucie~ Haha! Silly boy right? Don't worry, Rox shrinks the tee and shorts so they look fitted and like they could be hers. I just didn't put it in the chap haha. And glad you liked it :)

Blue Eyelashes~ Thank you! Glad you're a fan of them. Here's what happens next...

Ella~ Hey again, your reviews make me so happy! Thank you, I'm so glad you like it! :D

Sassy Slytherin~ Hey again! Thanks for the reminder, I can't believe it's been that long! Also...I KNOW RIGHT? I've been waiting so long to write that, sorry it wasn't any sooner :P
Still a Logan fan are you? Dammit. I love him too, but I'm still committed to my Scorpianne, hey you never know, maybe you'll jump ships eventually ;)

Hope you all like the chapter guys,

Cookie xx

Chapter 20- Denial, A Letter And Becoming Official

Over the coming weeks, Scorpius tried to ignore his feelings.

In a state of adamant denial, he tried not to think about Roxanne in a more than friendly way. He tried not to imagine her cuddled up with him by the fire. He tried not to imagine her whispering in his ear. He tried not to imagine her lips pressed against his.

He tried.

Every so often he would find himself staring for too long; or smiling too much but he couldn't help himself. It felt like whenever she was around, the world was brighter and he had no idea where this was all coming from. He had tried to trace back his feelings for her and determine when he started looking at her differently, as if he could diagnose himself and fix the cause. Logical right? He couldn't.

When he had initially admitted his feelings to himself he had thought the situation couldn't get any worse. He liked his female best friend, who was two years younger, nothing like any of the girls he had dated before, and who had no interest in him romantically. He was wrong.

It got worse.

Scorpius had to watch as Roxanne spent more time with Logan Williams, in the month leading to December, Scorpius had to hear conversations about their dates, about their conversations and their time together. They weren't officially dating yet, Logan, the arse, was doing everything right: taking it slow; respecting her, treating her like a princess. Everything Scorpius wished he could do. Roxanne thought him perfect and much to his disdain, Scorpius couldn't find a reason to disagree. Like he remembered Ly saying, it was 'inevitable', soon Mr Perfect himself would ask her out and they would be official, and then things would definitely get worse.

Scorpius thought about dating another girl, going out with someone else to take his mind off of Roxanne. It was tempting and he knew it would work for a while at least but Scorpius dismissed the idea. He had vowed he was looking for a proper relationship, back then not really thinking that he was looking for something more specific than that, but he had told his friends anyway. How would he look to her if he suddenly went back on that?

He shook his head, it didn't matter how he looked to her. She wasn't interested and soon, she would be taken. ~

Dear Dom,

There's so much I have to tell you!

I am so sorry I haven't updated you in so long but every time I try to sit down and write you a letter, something gets in the way.

Right now I'm sitting in the Kitchens alone to get it done. I skipped dinner so no one would be here and the Elves just brought me a whole plate of food. I only asked for some water!

Okay, so where to begin?

When was my last letter? Oh yes, I remember telling you about my date, Logan. Remember?
So, the Ball… Not quite as I'd planned, Freddie and Elliott may have spiked the punch and I may have, in full knowledge of this fact, drunk a fair bit of it.

Needless to say, I might have been a bit all over the place. But don't worry! I know I danced with my date before I was too drunk… I think I kissed him on the cheek too.

Anyway, that night ended up with Liv throwing up; Lorcan taking her back to the common room, me passing out on a sofa and Scor having to take me back to his dorm to sleep it off and a hangover till Scor made me some sobering solution. But, from what I remember of it, it was great. Anyway, I only told you that, one, so you knew your favourite little cousin had been hungover- albeit momentarily. And two, because the next day Logan came to find me to say he'd had a great time, that he was sorry he couldn't have taken me back and made sure I was safe, and that he wanted to see me again!

Oh by the way, another result of that night, Lorcan and Olivia are finally officially dating! I'm so happy for them; thankfully Lorcan's not big on PDA so we're good. As much as Ly complains about them, I know he's happy too. We all are, it's been a long time coming, hasn't it?

Not to steal the limelight or anything but… back to me!

So, yes. The next Hogsmead weekend, he took me to Honeyduke's and then we just strolled around the Village for a bit, thank Merlin he didn't take me to Pudifoot's. Anyway so at the end of the day he walked me to the Tower and kissed me goodbye- just the cheek Dom calm down.

Since then we've been out to Hogsmead again and I hang out with him about once a week. Nothing big, just maybe an evening in the library or one weekend we sat by the Lake for a few hours, just talking. He's so sweet Dom, I really like him. I mean we were talking about past relationships (he's had so many!) and I told him that I'd never had a boyfriend before and he didn't laugh. He told me he didn't care. He said he hoped to be the first but that he didn't want to go any faster than I was comfortable with. I love that about him, he's so caring. Anyway, Liv thinks he's waiting for the holiday's to ask me out officially, and while that's cute and all... I really want him to ask me now!

Anyway, I'm happy at the moment, very happy, other than Logan, my OWLs are going well, I still see Freddie every week and sometimes he brings James along for a while. I have lessons with Hugo and Lucy and then we study together every so often. Al always offers to tutor me if I need it. I can't believe I spent so long away from them at school. I was so stupid, I thought they didn't care- but they do Dom. I haven't spoken to Lily in a while; I don't think I've even seen Molly and I usually avoid Rose anyway.

Speaking of Rose; I don't know why she hates me so much- I've seen her have a few conversations with the rest of the family and she's fine with them! It is weird how little they all speak together though, I'd always imagined one large family unit...it's strange. I also would have thought Rose would spend more time with Al at least- they'd always seemed so close to me.

But other than that…I'm so glad, Domi. I still miss my favourite cousin, of course, but I really feel like I'm a part of the family again. Like, I can talk to them and laugh with them at school- not just during the holidays.

My little Iridis is so cute and Quidditch is tiring but great as it always is, we're gearing up for a Hufflepuff match soon so that's taking up quite a bit of time but I don't mind.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is, I'm happy. You know? Just generally happy.

How are you?

I hope all your training's going well and I'll see you at Christmas,

Say hi to all the family at home,

Lots of love,

Roxanne xx

Rox smiled down at the parchment, satisfied with her letter. It had taken her so long to get to write it but hopefully it had enough information in it for Dom to forgive its delay. She folded the sheet in half, sliding it into an envelope and sealing it with her wand.~

Halfway through her meal, Roxanne heard the entrance to the Kitchens open, she turned from the little table she was sat at and looked around as she was met with Scorpius. He seemed to pause when he locked eyes with her and she frowned at his hesitation. Didn't he want to sit with her? She waved him over and he came obediently. The house elves rushed over to him standing by the table, wondering what he wanted to eat.

"What would Mr Malfoy like, sir?" one of the house elves asked. Her name was Poppet and she always wore a bright red dress. She had gotten used to Roxanne and had finally stopped calling her Miss Weasley but was more wary around Scor.

"Nothing. Just call me Scorpius, please" he sighed. The elves had taken to him least out of the group because of his last name and Rox could tell it bothered him that they always kept that little bit more distance. He didn't usually come down here alone because of it, only if he were with friends. She wondered why he was here tonight. As far as she knew, dinner was still on upstairs.

"Okay, Mr Scorpius sir" Poppet nodded, clasping her hands together, "What would yous like to drink?"

"Just a water please" he replied with a slight shake of his head.

"They're going to bring you a meal you know that?" Rox smiled at him.

He smiled back but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "Yeah I know. So, what brings you down here?"
Roxanne frowned, what was wrong with him?

"I needed to write to Dom. You?" she said, waving her letter in the air.

"Didn't fancy the Hall tonight. But, how's Dom?" he evaded.

"Not sure, it's been a while since I sent her anything. Last I knew she was busy with Auror training. I think she works harder than necessary because she doesn't want people to think it's favouritism"

"Understandable" he concluded, picking up the cutlery that had appeared in front of him.

As he began to eat, Rox lost interest in her own food and watched him. His shoulders were slumped. Scorpius had always had great posture. And he looked… sad. It was an emotion she rarely saw on him and seeing it, made her sad too.

"You know" she began, grabbing his attention. He placed his silverware down. "You're a great friend to me Scor, and you're always there whenever I need someone, even if I don't think I do. And well, that goes both ways, so you know... If you need me, or even if you don't think you do, I'm here for you."

She reached across and held both his hands with both of hers, he looked at her for a moment and the most curious look came across his face- she couldn't decipher it, then it was gone.
He smiled, more fully than before, "Thanks Rox, but I'm fine. I really am"

"Well good. Because we've got practice tonight and we can't have you slacking on Saturday. I'd hate to have to catch the snitch early because you can't score, Scor" she grinned at the little running joke they had, she'd first made in first year, thinking it was funny then. He chuckled back, having not heard it in a while.

She noticed they were still holding hands and she squeezed them before letting go, aware of the coldness she felt when she did.

She stood, vanished the scraps of food left and sent her plate to the sink, the House Elves wouldn't let her wash up but she could at least move it closer.

"I'll leave you to it then, see you at practice"

"Bye Rox"~

He stared at his hands for a while after and wished she was back there holding them. He had come to the kitchens to avoid seeing her giggle at the table when Logan made faces at her from across the Hall. Then when he saw her here he had just been angry at himself for ever wanting to avoid her. They were friends- you don't do that to friends. Then annoyed that he couldn't even enjoy a meal with her because all he could think about was how hopeless his situation was.

Merlin, he was such an idiot. He had just been alone with her and instead of making the most of it, he'd make her think there was something wrong with him. Well, there is, he thought, just not something she could help with. Unless by some twist of fate she actually liked him and not Logan but that definitely wouldn't happen.

He sighed, Get over it Malfoy.

Making himself eat quickly and leave, copying Roxanne's ritual with the plate, he vowed not to try to avoid her again. He didn't want her thinking there was something wrong, she'd just get suspicious and then somehow find out he liked her. He had to pull himself together, he only had a few weeks left at school before the holidays and he didn't want to waste any more time with her. Like she had said, he was a 'great friend'.~

Roxanne descended the owlery steps slowly, taking care not to slip on the snow covering them. It was the beginning of December and Roxanne loved this time of year, it was almost Christmas after all, what was not to love? Despite her care, her foot slid and she squealed loudly, grabbing the handrail to stop her from falling all the way down. She recovered and moved more slowly, smiling when Logan walked around the corner, up towards her.

"I thought I heard your high pitched tones" he greeted her with a smirk, moving to stand a step below her and in front, their heads now level.

"Hello to you too" she managed, her breath had caught in her throat, their faces were so close. He smirked at her and she couldn't help but compare it to Scor's smirk. It was the opposite side of his mouth that tugged upwards, Logan's moved a little higher, his smirk more sure and confident than Scor's usually was.

"I missed you at dinner" he said softly, leaning closer. She could smell him now, he smelled woody and masculine, and it drew her to him. She wanted to lean in and kiss him but she wasn't confident enough. She thought she would make a fool of herself. No matter how many times Logan told her he liked her, she still waited for him to turn around one day and tell her it was a mistake, that he didn't really want a girl with no experience, with nothing to show other than being average looking and overly smart fro her age. She was paranoid, and self-conscious, especially with him. Why would someone so good-looking and popular want her?

What did she have that was so special?
Her eyebrows furrowed and she felt him reach up and stroke her face with his thumb.

"What are you thinking Rox?"

"Nothing" she looked down and tried to side step.

"Tell me" he looked into her eyes with such intensity, she felt a little uncomfortable with the stare.

"Just that, well, why are you here?"

"I have a letter" he held it up to her and grinned.

"No I mean here" she gestured to the space between them and he looked confused. "With me"

"You mean, why do I like you?"

"Yeah I guess." She admitted feeling foolish and shrugging.

"You're gorgeous. Why can't you see that? And you're a great person, Rox. I love talking to you. You make me smile more than any other girl has. I really like you, and I was waiting till it was nearer to Christmas to ask but I don't want you to think I don't want you. So here goes, Roxanne, will you be my girlfriend?"

She smiled, not being able to control herself as she grinned stupidly.

"Well?" he prompted when she didn't say anything.

"Yes!" she grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him quickly and soundly on the lips. She pulled back, eyes wide, realising she had kissed him but he just smiled at her.

He brought his hand up to her cheek and guided her face towards his slowly, giving her a chance to change her mind. She closed her eyes like she'd seen the girls do in the movies and their lips connected. He kissed her slowly, and softly, moving his hand to the back of her neck, pulling her closer, she kissed him back, still unsure of what to do, her hands resting on his shoulders. It was short, barely lasting a few seconds but when she opened her eyes again he smiled at her so she figured she hadn't messed it up too badly.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while now" he admitted, moving his hands down to rest on her waist, he hugged her close before stepping out of the way, "Well, I've got to post this, and I believe you have practice" he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"Oh yeah" she blushed; she had forgotten she was on her way to the pitch for a late night practice.

"I better get going then. See you Logan"

"Bye Rox, don't fall" he smiled at her and ascended the stairs, while she practically floated down them, grinning dreamily.~

A/N:

Well, what did you think?

Hope to get another chapter up soonish... maybe within the next two weeks or sooner.

Keep telling me what you think!

Much Love

Cookie xx