CHAPTER 14

Disclaimer: No, I really don't own Harry Potter. We've been through this before.

Wow... This chapter is UP! And I'm kinda sad, because it's getting quite close to the end. I'm thinking about 2 or 3 more chapters. Scary, huh? But it'll be exciting. I don't exactly know how everything's going to go down; I'm letting Rose lead the way. Review, please.

Rose snapped her eyes shut, hoping that the terrifying scene around her would disappear and that she would wake up. Wake up, she screamed to herself. This is just a horrible nightmare. Wake up!

She tentatively opened her eyes and nearly passed out.

Lily was still there, eyes wide as she slowly looked from Scorpius to Rose, then back again. "I heard the rumors," she said, looking defeated. "I didn't believe them."

"Lily. I can explain. It was because of-"

"No!" Lily's voice rose an octave. "I didn't believe you when you told me he was cheating on me. I should have. He was cheating on me... with you!"

Rose shook her head. "But he wasn't, not with me! With a Hufflepuff! And, well... now with me."

"I thought you'd respect the fact that I wanted to be with him. I thought... I thought we could still be friends."

"We can, Lily! It's all a big misunderstanding!" Rose pleaded. "But you have to believe me."

Lily looked straight at Rose. "I want to, Rose. I really do. I want to go back to being best friends. But I can't trust you anymore."

Rose bit her lip but said nothing, knowing Lily was right. She watched as Lily walked out of the room, and felt a pang as she realized that this time, she might be gone for good.

Rose took a deep breath. "What do I do now?"

Scorpius seemed to be at a loss for words. "I don't know, Rose."

"I can't just let her walk away!" Rose began to cry. "She's my best friend!"

Scorpius squeezed Rose's hand. "Let her calm down. She's just upset. You guys will sort it out, I know you will."

Rose nodded feebly, tears streaming down her face.

"But right now, you need to sleep, Rose. It's getting late." Scorpius led her out of the kitchen where a crowd seemed to be forming, waiting to see if the rumors were true.

"Get out of the way," sobbed Rose. "Leave me alone."

The group of people parted and let Rose and Scorpius pass, whispering among themselves.

"Rose!"

Rose turned to see a tall boy racing towards her. She began to cry harder. "Brent..."

Scorpius stepped in front of her. "Williams," he said coldly. "She doesn't want to talk to you. Not after you broke her heart."

Brent laughed, the sound harsh and unamused. "Ha! I never did anything to hurt her. I never broke her heart."

"I broke his," Rose said quietly.

Scorpius blinked. "Oh."

"I can't believe you led me on, Rose. If you liked Scorpius, you could have just told me."

Rose sniffled. "I didn't want to hurt you, Brent. I wanted us to just stay friends."

"Friends? You think I want to be friends with you, Rose, after you crushed me?"

"Brent, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you..."

The Gryffindor glared at Rose. "What can you do? Here's an idea. Stay away from me." He trudged off, his expression defeated.

"Rose, I'm so sorry," Scorpius said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder.

The small girl grimaced. "I'd like to be alone, Scorpius. I need some time to think."

Feeling more miserable than ever, she padded up to the Prefect bathroom, ready for a long, tearful soak.

I feel so bad for the poor girl, and I wish I wasn't putting her through so much stress. It's not getting any better for her in the next chapter, either. More drama is on it's way. Is anyone else sensing what's coming? What's your guess, dear readers? Review and tell me.