Rose figured that without Melinda Webb's help she never would have found Scorpius's lifeless body in the Forbidden Forest. So she refrained from indicating Melinda in her own capture.

Both girls let the blame fall solely on Jonathan Vayne, who as it turned out had a step-uncle whom had killed himself as the result of the Rebirth Cult's investigation the year before. Vayne himself was trying to resurrect the Rebirth Cult all on his own, by doing what the previous members had not. Kill Scorpius Malfoy. Melinda, who had been completely unaware of her boyfriends intentions and wrong doings, promptly slapped him and broke up with him before watching him get dragged away to Azkaban.

Rose didn't even mind that Melinda used the story of Jonathan Webb being the undercover cultist (who initiated the magic between Rose and Scorpius last year) to regain her place at the Prophet.

Rose's mother had always suspected a closer source of the dreams magical power but after assuming a long distance magic to be in play, or even a magical anchor (like hair samples), ignored the notion. Hermione Weasley felt guilty. She was usually more thorough and it had cost Scorpius dearly.

Scorpius hadn't died. He had a few broken ribs and a punctured lung, a broken jaw and many, many lacerations. The suspension spell that had kept Scorpius awake during the pain had done a number on him though and the medi-witches found it hard to wake him up from his coma-like state.

It'd been two weeks and Rose still hadn't left his side. She didn't care about school or about her grades. She should care but she didn't.

"Rose honey," Her mother appeared behind her suddenly, stroking her back, handing her a cup of coffee. "Here take this."

Rose sat on the chair beside his bed, waiting, leaning her face into her palm. She held the coffee cup but didn't drink it, finally resting it on his bedside table.

"Rose," another voice called. It was sweet and feminine and at once Rose realized it was Astoria Malfoy, who at times she felt was the only other person that worried about Scorpius as much as she did, if not more.

"Good evening Mrs. Malfoy," Rose sighed. "Mr. Malfoy."

"I take it there's been no change?" Astoria Malfoy sat on the chair opposite her, her husband standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder, almost mirroring Rose's mother's stance.

"No…" she croaked. Her voice had gone, her tears had run dry. Finding him the way she did had made sure of that…

-She'd hovered his body in the air, sent a Patronus to the Headmistress for Jonathan's stunned body. Guiding Scorpius up the stairs to the Hospital Wing had been the hardest thing she'd ever had to do. She let the tears stream down her face as she tried as hard as she could to focus her magic through her wand and to the spell. It's no use breaking down now, she'd save him like he saved her. She had to.

As soon as Madam Pomfrey took over she fell to the floor in a crouch and cried her eyes out, letting her voice go hoarse. He had to be transferred to 's quickly and they almost didn't let her side-along aparate with them, but no one was standing in her way now.

He looked dead when she'd found him, he was covered in dirt, blood and spew. She wanted to kill Vayne thinking about it later at 's. She didn't know why she hadn't at the time. Maybe she would later. Scorpius had mattered more, she reminded herself as they guided his body away for treatment.-

"Don't worry dear, Scorpius is a strong boy. He'll come back to you," Astoria winked. Her husband coughed, clearing his throat. "Draco!" She warned.

"Thank you Astoria," Hermione smiled.

Rose didn't pay attention, she just stared at Scorpius's face, wondering if the cuts there would scar him. Would he come through this with scars like she had?

"Come on Rose, let's go eat some lunch or something," Rose's mother called to her.

"I'm not hungry," Rose mumbled.

"Then let's go for a walk dear, the Malfoy's would probably like some time alone with Scorpius." Hermione explained and only then did Rose take the hint and wander away from her seat.

"Are you okay Mum? You haven't said anything this whole time." Rose was picking at a chicken salad sandwich negligently, she was serious when she said she wasn't hungry. Her mother nibbled at her tuna one deep in thought. "You haven't found anything have you?"

"No, it's not that I…" She began looking guilty. "I visited Jonathan in Azkaban actually. He told me exactly what he did to Scorpius. Long story short, the problem isn't magical." Her mother explained.

"But what does that mean?" Rose snapped.

"It's up to Scorpius from here. The spell… recovery differs with each patient," Hermione sighed, putting down the sandwich. "What I really want to know is how you are Rose. You seem…"

"Off?" Rose finished her sentence, feigning a laugh. "I'm fine. I just feel exhausted that's all. I feel like no matter what happens, us being together is a problem for people. People targeting either of us for who we are. I'm just so worried for him. I dunno maybe I'm just… tired." She exhaled. "I feel like the weight of the world is crashing over me. I just… I really need for him to wake up Mum. You know?"

"I know what you mean." Her mother sighed. Struggling to find the words to say next, "Rose, I think it's time you came home. I think you need to go back to school too. Your education, It's-"

"Important, I know. Just wish I knew what to do with it when I'm finished with it." Rose smirked, flopping her head onto the table, letting the noise of the cafeteria bustle around her. She may have fallen asleep she couldn't say but before long, her mother was stroking her hair, just like she used to when she was a child.

When they returned to the room, Scorpius was awake and sitting up. Rose was so shocked she froze mid way from the door. Hadn't she been daydreaming about this moment?

"Hey," he croaked smiling at her softly. Adjusting his position in his bed with obvious pain, "My saviour!" He teased.

"Oh Merlin!" She rushed to him, going in for a hug.

"Rose, please, I'm still a little sore." He winced and she backed away obediently. "Hey can I speak to Rose alone for a second?" He asked.

Nodding in agreement all three of their parents left, Astoria the most reluctant to leave. Then they were alone .

"Rose-"

"I'm so sorry Scorpius, this is my fault, all my fault!" She broke down, crying again, into her hands. "Jonny was a crazy prick!"

"I know Rose, I know, my parents filled me in." Scorpius tried to calm her down, failing miserably from the spot on his bed. "Rose, please listen. This is important. I need to talk to you."

Rose's gut dropped. She couldn't say exactly why except for the fact that nothing good comes from someone telling you they needed to talk to you mid conversation.

"Rose…" he braced himself, running his hands over his blanketed knees. "Rose, you and I... It always ends in blood doesn't it?"

She couldn't speak, she just stared at him in silence, her mind screaming with possibilities.

"Rose, it's not even about what's happened. I just think that we need…" Scorpius looked like he couldn't finish his own sentence. She didn't catch the tear welling in his eye, as she buried her face in her hands again. "School ends this year and from there we're going off in different directions. It'll be best if we end things now. It's going to hurt either way, best get over and done with." He couldn't watch her cry, he couldn't look at her directly and he didn't need to turn away from her for long.

She just nodded and mumbled a soft, "I see. Okay." And ran out the door.

She ran out the door, shooting daggers at the Malfoys, ignoring her mother's offers of assistance and as soon as she reached the designated area, aparated.