Disclaimer: None of this story is mine and I'm making no profit from it.

Alright! Chapter 4 already. It feels like I posted the first Chapter about yesterday. I have some pretty big exams coming up and my lack of free time is catching up to me. I'll try and stick to my uploading schedule, but I'm really sorry because I can't promise anything.

Chapter 4

Six names were in polished brass on the door in front of me. There was my name next to his- both of them gleaming bronze in the early sunlight.

Under that were two more names, side-by-side, and under those were two more.

'Scorpius Malfoy & Rose Weasley'

'Tyler Zabini & Parvati Chowdbury'

'Lysander Scamander & Jodie Glenister'

All of the names polished immaculately and gleaming calmly. I wanted to smack them off the door for being so calm and had to take a deep breath to keep my anger in check. I had been told I had a fiery temper. And it was true my emotions easily got out of control.

I pushed through the door and walked into the room beyond. It was a common room, that much was clear on first glance. It was circular, had a roaring fireplace, and armchairs and sofas. I felt instantly calmed- it reminded me of the Gryffindor common room.

There was a different though. The Gryffindor common room's decor was dominated my deep reds and golds, with Gryffindor banners adorning the walls. This room had walls that were... well I couldn't say they had any particular colour they were just sort of... beige. And an array of banners hung from the ceiling; supporting each house.

I looked around to find three doors leading off from this room. I moved towards the first one to get a better look at the metal words adorning it.

'Lysander Scamander & Jodie Glenister.'

I turned away from the door and headed to the next one. Letting my mind now wonder to the people who would be sharing this common room with me. Lysander, Lorcan's twin brother. I did get on with him, but I knew it would mean Lorcan would be coming around here more often.

I supposed the thought should have lifted my spirits. It didn't.

The next door I came to read Parvati and Tyler Zambini. I was friendly with Parvati, she was a Ravenclaw who I had lessons with sometimes. Apparently her mum, Padma, had been in the same year as my parents at school.

Tyler, well, my feelings for Tyler were very similar to my feelings for Malfoy, though perhaps not as potent. I had never had a proper conversation with him, but I had heard things about him, and he was part of Malfoy's group.

I moved onto the final door, lumbering across the common room with my bag in an attempt to stretch out the time. I dreaded going into that room, what if he was in there already? I didn't want to face that.

I stood in front of the door with my eyes squeezed shut and my door on the handle. Until eventually I gathered my courage, sucked in a breath, and pushed through the door with my chin held high.

He wasn't there and neither, it seemed, was his bed. I looked, I really did, I looked in the cupboards; in the bathroom; under the desk; I even searched the single armchair in the room for a button that would magically turn it into his bed.

Nope, it seemed they had only given us one, double bed and had placed it directly in the middle of the cramped room.

Maybe I should have been mad, but instead I just found it incredibly funny, the lengths the ministry would go to force us to like each other were extreme. And, what? They didn't think we could figure out a way to not sleep in the same bed?

I scoffed and picked up a pillow from the bed and tossed it onto the ground, before dropping a blanket I had found in the cupboard over it. He could sleep there.

I fell onto the bed and closed my eyes, sighing. Everything that had happened in the last week, it had created a sort of weight on my shoulders; I suppose it was the same for everyone else. I couldn't even bring myself to study- now I wasn't some sort of freak of nature who found school work fun. But that didn't stop me loving the satisfied feeling I got from having a good revision session, or the kick I got out of acing a test and knowing that all my work had paid off.

The door opened then, and I sat up as Malfoy came in, carrying his trunk along with him. He stopped when he got a few paces in and dropped his bag. There were a few moments of silence, and I wasn't sure how we would go from here. Hate? Civility?

He spoke before I could decide, "What's this?" He asked, pointing at the floor where I had flung his bedding.

"Oh," I replied, mocking a sweet voice, "that's your bed."

He pulled a face, "sod that, I'm sleeping here," he tossed his bag onto the bed next to me and lay down. I jumped up immediately, as if sitting anywhere near him would cause me to catch some sort of horrible disease. It only caused him to look up at me with taunting amusement.

"No, you're not. We can't share it."

"We can."

"No, we can't!"

"Fine, you sleep down there."

"No!"

"Shotgun. There, you see, I called shotgun so now I sleep here."

"You're being childish."

"I'm being childish"

"Yes!"

"I'm not the one acting like such a prude that I can't even sleep in the same bed as a boy." He shot back at me, I took a step back, stung by his comment and frustrated at myself for it. "Or is it because of that Ravenclaw prick?" He asked, malice in his gaze.

I willed myself to be the mature one, I was seventeen now- an adult. I would not let his teasing get to me... if he wanted to act like a toddler causing a fight for no reason then so be it, but I would not succumb to his- "He's not a prick." I replied hotly, then cursed myself for it. I should have kept my mouth shut, or at least just walked out.

I had promised Al I would try- it didn't look like that was going to work out much.

"Ok," he scoffed, rolling his eyes.

I narrowed my eyes in exasperation and threw my hands in the air. He didn't say anything else, and I didn't respond, so I stood there for a moment, stewing silently, before walking out and back into the common room.

Lysander was sitting on an armchair in the middle of the room, and I stopped short. I had half a mind to walk straight back into my room before he turned to see me. I couldn't decide who I would least like to face: Malfoy or Lysander?

Malfoy or Lysander...?

He looked around then, making my decision for me as his gaze locked onto mine. I didn't move for a few moments, stuck like a deer in the head-lights. Eventually, he offered me a lop-sided smile and relaxed further into his chair.

"Alright, Rose?" He asked as I composed myself and made my way over to sit on the sofa across from him.

"Yeah," I exhaled, the lack of meaning in my voice not going unnoticed by him as he smiled and raised an inquisitive eyebrow. I waved his question away.

"So..." He began. I groaned internally, dreading what he was about to say. "Lorcan tells me you haven't talked to him since last Saturday." He kept a note of nonchalance in his voice, but I had a creeping suspicion that the undertone was almost harsh.

"Yeah," I shut my eyes, "I'm sorry... I was going to talk to him today right after breakfast, I really was, but then this happened." I took a breath, pausing. "And I know I should have talked to him earlier... and I suppose I have been sort of avoiding him, but you've got to understand; things are... complicated." I stopped talking and opened my eyes when I felt him sit next to me.

Then his arm was around me, comforting me and I let my head fall onto his shoulder. "It's ok, I get it Rose... and I'm sure he will too." Perhaps it should have been weird; being comforted by my boyfriend's brother. But before he was that, he was my friend.

The door from the corridor flew open then, and two people burst into the room, arms flailing and voices raised at each other.

I recognised them both, Tyler Zabini and Parvati Chowdbury, it seemed their engagement hadn't gotten off to the best start. They were practically screaming at each other as they walked through the common room towards their private dorm.

Neither of them cast a single glance our way, too invested in their argument. They didn't even stop yelling as they pushed through the door and let it swing shut behind them.

I sat up straight and looked to Lysander, stifling a laugh as the shouts continued, slightly muffled now. He replied with an amused laugh and got to his feet. "Well, I suppose I should go settle into my room." He turned to go, before pausing and looking over his shoulder. "I know it's a difficult situation... but please talk to my brother."

I watched as the door swung closed behind him and continued letting my eyes gaze in that general direction long after he had disappeared inside. Eventually, I clambered to my feet. He was right, I couldn't put it off any longer... I mean, I had even ignored his letters over the holidays. I had to explain things.

As I hurried off through the castle, I wracked my brains for a justifiable excuse. I didn't want to use the whole, 'it's a complicated situation,' on him, I wanted to give him a proper answer. Not that it wasn't true- it was a complicated situation- it just wasn't quite sufficient.

I was half-way across the castle towards the Ravenclaw common room before I realised he wouldn't be there. I turned on heel, paused, and furrowed my brow- suddenly confused. How was I supposed to find him? Surely I wouldn't have to look at every door to these new rooms?

I exhaled in frustration and dejection, before setting off back the way I came- I would find him; if I had to search every room in this bloody castle I would find him.

It turns out his name was emblazoned on the front of the fifth door I looked at. I tried to go straight in, I really did, but curiosity got the better of me, and I felt myself glance at the name beside his.

'Annette Balewa.'

I recognised the name vaguely... she was probably in a few of my classes, I just couldn't place a face to her yet. I was sure I would recognise her when I saw her. I'm ashamed to say my curiosity only grew as I pushed through the door and walked across the common room to the door with only their names on it.

I knocked... receiving no reply at first, and for a moment I worried that he wasn't even here, that I'd have to trek around the whole castle, searching for him.

Then I heard footsteps, and seconds later the door opened to reveal Annette Balewa.

Wait, that was Annette Balewa? She was stunning, possibly the most stunning girl in our year, boys and girls alike watched her as she went passed, whispers followed her wherever she went. He dark skin make her light eyes look like diamonds. Her hair was braided so perfectly and-

I felt a pang of jealousy and breathed out, shaking my head internally. It was stupid, they had been forced together, I couldn't be jealous and I couldn't let myself grow to resent her.

"Rose?" She asked, and smiled when I nodded, "I'm Annette, nice to meet you," she leant in closer to me, "Lorcan won't shut up about you." Annette told me in an undertone, grinning as she leant back into her original position. I smiled back, but it was only half-hearted. Not because I didn't like her or appreciate what she said, but because...

Well, I'm not quite sure.

"Rose?" Lorcan asked, right before he rounded the corner and came into view. His face lit up and it broke my heart a tiny bit.

I smiled back though and followed him as he walked past Annette and into the common room. We sat down on one of the sofas together.

It was a while before either of us spoke, but I did first, knowing I owed it to him. "I'm sorry-"

"It's fine Rose," he cut me off, turning my way with intense understanding in his eyes. "I understand. We're all going through a strange situation, you more than most since you've been paired with... him." His eyes turned darker at the thought of Malfoy, and he turned his face away.

I reached up and turned it back, staring for a moment in wonderment at how a person could ever be so compassionate and just- well- perfect.

I leant up to kiss him and let his mouth meet mine softly. It wasn't the first time we'd kissed, of course, but it almost felt as if it was. It was sweet and gentle a-

"EURGH! GROSS!" We jerked apart at the sudden yell and turned to look at the door, where two people had come in whilst we were... distracted.

"Hugo, Lil?" I began, blushing at Hugo's obvious disgust and the grin that sat on Lily's face. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to visit Al," Hugo explained, revulsion still obvious in his tone as he rubbed his eyes like he was having an allergic reaction to seeing Lorcan and I kissing.

"Well don't you ever knock?" I replied hotly and crossed my arms at the distress in his voice.

"This is a common room, sis, not your private make-out parlour. Forgive me if we don't always know which room you and your boyfriend will be sucking the life out of each other in." Lily hit him on the arm for that, eliciting an 'ow' from Hugo that suggested it was harder than it seemed.

I turned apologetic eyes on Lorcan as Lil and Hugo headed across the room to what I suppose must have been Al's door- I really should have checked who else was in these rooms before I came in.

Lorcan was grinning sheepishly and I couldn't help but smile at his expression. I leant up and pecked him gently on the mouth, before leaning back into the sofa.

We talked for what felt like hours- and probably was. People came and went out of the common room, I saw Al leave once, out of the corner of my eye, but he came back maybe half an hour later. I almost didn't notice him, he was obviously making an attempt to not disturb us.

I was grateful and made a mental note to go see him and Alice later.

Alice walking out of their room and telling us it was lunchtime was what finally broke off our long-winded conversation, my voice felt almost hoarse from talking as I followed my best friend out of the common room, hand-in-hand with Lorcan.

Al ran up to join us about half-way to the great hall, muttering something and still pulling on a jumper. I grinned at him, a warm feeling settling in my stomach now I was surrounded my best friend, my favourite cousin and Lorcan.

He didn't want to leave me when we reached the great hall, but I insisted he should go sit with his brother and the rest of the Ravenclaws, we could talk more later.

"Ok, Rosie." He relented, before leaning down and kissing me on the forehead, I leant into it and had to steady myself as he turned to go to his table. I caught Lysander watching us as I began to turn; he winked.

I grinned back at him, starting over to the Gryffindor table.

I'm not sure why I did it, but as I walked I felt my eyes wander over to the Slytherin table; they were searching for something- I just wasn't quite sure what until I found them. Two liquid silver eyes, watching me like hawks as I moved through the hall.

I returned to my new common room as late as I could- 8:59 was what my clock read. And I only went back then because I was tired out of my mind. I had retrieved my books after lunch and then studied in the library with Al and Alice since. But now I needed to sleep; I know I know, 9 O clock is not very late, I get it.

But revision is hard and a girl needs her sleep.

The noises started when I was in the hall, faint and discernible, but definitely some sort of noise. They grew instantly louder when I opened the door to the common room, it was the sound of a girl, screaming? Not quite screaming, I suppose. She didn't sound scared.

It was coming from mine and Malfoy's room, I figured out, already marching across the room and stretching my arm out for the handle, determined to find out what was going on.

"I wouldn't go in there if I was you," a voice behind me spoke, I turned around, angered by Zabini's smug tone and ready to shove a retort right back at him when it clicked and I figured out what was going on in there- what Malfoy and some girl were doing.

I jumped away from the door as if it had just burst into flames, almost dropping my books in shock. Zabini chuckled at me and stretched his legs out onto the coffee table in front of him. I turned to narrow my eyes at him, but instead my eyes met with another girl's.

Jodie's eyes were wide and unblinking in a sort of traumatised state at the noises coming from behind the door, her face perfectly reflected the sort of shock I felt inside.

That feeling quickly disintegrated into disgust though, and I went to sit on the sofa next to Jodie and across from Tyler, plopping my books down on the table in front of me.

"She's been like that since they started," Tyler explained tauntingly, referring to Jodie. "I thought she'd been petrified for a moment there, got me a bit worried." The smirk on his face and relaxed note in his voice told me he had definitely not been worried.

"Funny," I replied dryly, opening one of my books and leaning over it, desperately trying to block out the horrendous sounds that were still going strong.

I felt rather than saw him roll his eyes at my sarcasm.

Now before you start thinking I'm a horrible person for being rude, this was Tyler Zabini- one of Malfoy's group and an absolute prat. He had been since first year, we'd never gotten on. Never spoken much, to be fair, but whenever we did it never ended well.

I tried to study, I really did, but ancient runes was near impossible when that racket was going on.

Tyler got up at one point, and banged on the door vehemently, "pipe down would you Scorp?" He yelled over the din, smirking at me when I looked to see if he'd get a response.

"Fuck off," was the shouted reply, but nothing else changed, in fact I think it just got louder.

It was, it was definitely getting louder, and quicker and- "Scorp!" The girl screamed, sending a wave of nausea over me where I sat in my armchair. Then the noises stopped, thank Merlin, and all that could be heard was muffled, yet exaggerated, panting.

Jodie had cleared off by then thankfully, or she might have been scarred for life at the sounds.

I felt resentment boil under my skin, he could have done this somewhere else, he could have done this earlier in the day, or better still, he could have not done it at all. He was mocking me, I could feel it.

I mean, I'm sure there were other reasons too. I'm not going to pretend he was doing it solely to piss me off, that would be placing too high a value on how badly he wanted to annoy me. But I'm sure the intention was there.

A girl came stumbling out of the room a few moments later- Daphne Casterfoote, Slytherin. It was the perfect cliche, her hair tussled and messy and her shirt was buttoned up wrong.

I rolled my eyes in disgust as she hurried out of the common room, giggling, her lipstick smeared and uneven.

I picked up my books and marched straight into my room, refusing to knock and give him the luxury of privacy.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I went in though, I wouldn't suffer seeing anything I didn't want to just because I was too stubborn to give any warning before bursting in.

I heard him snort as I came in, "I'm not naked, Weasley," he drawled. I didn't entirely trust him, but I didn't want to have to stumble around the room blind if there was, indeed, no reason to. So I uncovered my eyes, defiantly.

Thank Merlin, he did have boxers on. I felt relief dart over my face momentarily, before I replaced it with a scowl at his position. He was sprawled lazily across the bed and didn't look likely or willing to move anytime soon.

"That's where I'm sleeping," I told him firmly, dropping my books onto the desk at the far side of the room.

"Okay," he replied, unperturbed as he began sliding off the mattress. "Just a reminder though, I just had very wild sex right here on this very spo-"

"Stop!" I held up a hand to silence him and stared, enraged, at the insufferable smirk on his face. I fumed silently for a few moments, contemplating how bad the punishment would be if I hexed the crap out of him and whether or not it was worth it.

I snatched a pillow and a blanket out of the cupboard, eventually deciding I didn't want a month's worth of detentions for this prat and heading back into the common room.

It was empty, I suppose Tyler had gone now the show was over. I was glad, I didn't want anyone seeing Scorpius Malfoy get the better of me.

I threw the pillow aggressively onto the biggest sofa in the room and lay down on it, curling up under my blanket for warmth.

The material of the sofa underneath me was scratchy and- despite my short stature- my feet hung off the end if I straightened out.

I slept terribly that night, which meant I would be the moodiest version of myself in the morning and there would be one person everyone could thank for that: Scorpius fucking Malfoy.

I had been right- when morning finally rolled around and I woke up, I was cranky. There was a painful crick in my neck and my feet were freezing. I was still tired too, apparently my sleeping arrangements had barred me from getting any proper sleep.

Even worse, today was our first day back with lessons- that was enough to dampen anyone's spirits.

Reluctantly, I clambered out of my make-shift bed, starting at the chilly morning air and pulling my blanket back around me to shield me from the cold. It was only then that I realised I had slept in my school uniform from the night before.

A groan of frustration escaped me as I began to make my way toward our room. I had taken off my robes the day before and had a spare shirt, but I would have to wear the same jumper and skirt.

I slipped through the door and shut it carefully behind me, anxious not to wake Malfoy. Not because I particularly cared about his sleep, but I really wasn't in the mood for dealing with him right now.

I scooped up robes and dug around in my bag for a fresh shirt and clean underwear. Then I crept silently into our bathroom.

As per usual, I showered quickly, revelling in the warm water and the way it washed away that horrible feeling I always got if I didn't change before I went to sleep.

When I got out, I dressed hurriedly, eager to get far away from the room before Malfoy started to wake up. I scooped my books up from the desk and all but ran out of the room, rushing through the common room too.

I was happy to be one of the first people in the Great Hall that day, I had been planning to do some studying down here and I worked best when I wasn't surrounded by people or noise. I slipped into my usual spot on the Gryffindor table and propped my book up against the water jug whilst pouring myself a bowl of cereal.

That's how I stayed, pouring intently over my book and occasionally spooning mouthfuls of cereal into my mouth. The hall filled up gradually- eventually my family began to trickle in amongst the crowds of students.

"C'mon Rose, you're studying?" Dom asked, exasperation evident in her voice as she slid in across from me. "You can take a break you know, no-one's going to blame you with everything that's going on."

"Rose, stop studying?" Hugo joined in, his voice loaded with mock dismay. "She'd rather die!" My book got suddenly snatched from under my nose and I whirled around to face my brother as he sat next to me. I snatched the book back, my fatigue meaning that I had no tolerance for his game.

Alice chose that moment to appear, walking up to the table and stifling a yawn.

"You look tired," I told her as she sat down, referring to her zombie-like movements and the bags under her eyes.

"Yeah," she replied, reaching for the plate of bacon and knocking over a cup of pumpkin juice in the process. "Al kept me up all night."

I choked on my drink and made a sort of spluttering noise, before catching my breath and letting my face slacken into shock as she turned round to look at me.

"Wha-" She began, but cut herself off as something clicked in her brain. "Not like that!" She exclaimed, blushing furiously, "he just... he snores."

I closed my mouth and let myself calm down, shocked at my own reaction to what she had insinuated. I had wanted them together for the longest time, but now the idea was strange to me. I suppose I should have been happy if they had done what I first assumed, at least it would mean they were getting on.

My mind was running wild now, too distracted to study. So instead I talked more with Alice. I told her about what Malfoy had done the night before and somewhere in the middle of the story Dom started to listen to. Suddenly interested by the arrival of gossip.

They tutted and gasped in disapproval in all the right places and I'm not going to lie, it was nice to know there were people on my side, who thought he was just as out of line as I did.

When I got to the bit about me sleeping in the common room on a sofa, Alice jumped in without hesitation.

"If that happens again come and sleep in our bed, I'm sure Al wouldn't mind swapping with you." She told me, sincerity written all across her face.

"Thanks," I smiled gladly at the offer, locking it away in the back of my mind for future reference.

"I would say you could come and sleep in my bed, but you probably wouldn't enjoy that. Besides," Dom began as she flicked her sleek, strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder and winked at us, "me and Byron might be getting up to some... activities."

"Eurgh," I exclaimed as Alice giggled. "Right, well on that note I'm off to charms." I shot Dom a jokingly disgusted look and she laughed wildly, standing to join Alice and I as we started making our way to charms.

I pretended to be disgusted, but in reality- whilst I really didn't need the details- I was glad Dom and Byron were getting on. Even if it was purely physical, it was at least something. I was especially glad because hers was a strange situation- Byron had left Hogwarts last year, but had been forced to come back so he could live with her. It still meant he wouldn't be around much, what with having a full-time job and all.

And Al and Alice were getting along better too, I could tell already.

And then there was Scorpius and I.

Our first lesson was with Hufflepuffs, and our second was with Ravenclaws, so I sat next to Lorcan.

It was Defense against the Dark arts, which were always practical lessons and so it was easy to have a conversation without being shouted at by a batty old professor.

I was glad to be back talking to Lorcan, he could always make me laugh and easily took my mind off of the crick in my neck and the insufferable blonde who had practically caused it.

That was all torn to shreds though as soon as I walked into the next lesson. It was with the Slytherins and my eyes locked with his as soon as I came in the room.

I looked away immediately, my mood now decidedly foul and the pain in my back from the unfortunate sleeping arrangements feeling my anger towards him.

The dungeons were cold, and Potions was one of my least favourite lessons due to it being with the Slytherins and Alice and Dom having already dropped it.

I sat down, eager to get the lesson over and done with, before setting to work by gathering the ingredients indicated on the board and following the method, all the while ignoring the blonde two rows behind me.

The rest of the day lagged on and I got moodier and moodier every lesson. By the time dinner rolled around, my fatigue and irritability far overwhelmed my hunger, so I decided to go to bed early and skip the meal.

I knew I would probably regret the lack of food in the morning, but right now I was just glad to be returning to our room before Malfoy and therefore getting to sleep in a proper bed.

A/N: I know this was a pretty abrupt ending, but the Chapter was jus getting too long. Also, sorry for the lack of Scorose again, there should be more in the next chapter, which will carry straight on from this one.