AN - Trigger warning continued from the last chapter. Please read with caution xx

"Stop!" She tried to speak but he didn't seem to register it, simply continuing to move his hand. Rose struggled, her movements impossible to mistake, but he didn't alter his actions, except to be even more insistent.

Rose panicked, biting his lip hard and pushing him away with all her strength. He recoiled slightly, his tongue snaking out to taste the blood on his lip, and she took the chance to scoot backwards, away from him. Her eyes were welling as she remembered Scorpius' words.

Nick sat up slightly, his own pants around his knees, and a dazed look on his face. Rose pulled her pants up, fastening them quickly and standing before Nick could move towards her. Nick followed, pulling his own pants up, and moving slightly towards Rose. She turned tail and ran back towards the house. When she was almost back she stopped short, her hair and face were both a mess. She couldn't go inside looking like this, if anyone saw her they would ask questions, and Scorpius would find out. He didn't need to know just how right he had been.

Rose walked quickly around the house, knowing she couldn't go home without telling someone. She sat on the front steps, wiping off her face and waiting for someone to come out so she could let them know she was leaving.

Scorpius wandered through the door into the backyard. He didn't want to skulk but he had seen Rose and Nick go outside and it had been at least twenty minutes. Scorpius justified his actions; he was just making sure she was okay. He moved further into the backyard, until he saw a dark shape standing by the trees.

Outside the house it was quiet enough that he could hear a zipper being done up. He looked around for the smaller form of Rose but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she?" His voice caused Nick to turn around.

"Where's who?" Nick feigned dumb, enjoyed the way Scorpius' face was contorting in the half-light.

"Rose, you idiot. If you hurt her, I swear you will suffer." Scorpius clenched his fist in an effort to remain calm.

"How should I know? Ran off as soon as I was done with her. She's all yours now." Nick sniggered as he lied, trying to hide the regret and embarrassment he was feeling. Within moments, his jaw ached as much as his ego, and he was sprawled on the ground.

Scorpius was already walking away, running through the list of places Rose could be. He moved around to the front of the house, planning to check Albus' room first. But there she was on the front steps, her hair bushy and with a small twig embedded in it.

There was a streak of mascara on the side of her face, and her eyes were still faintly red from what he could only assume were tears.

"Rose?" Despite his gentle tone, she turned like a startled cat, running her hand over her face, effectively removing the mascara streak.

"If anyone asks, I went home." She stood abruptly, her legs shaking slightly. There was no point in asking if she was okay when it was obvious she was nowhere near to it.

"You shouldn't be alone, Rose. Let come with you?" Scorpius tried not to let any pity into his voice; that was the last thing she needed now.

Rose's vision was getting blurry again, tears leaking out uncontrollably. She nodded slowly. Unlike Carmen, Scorpius wouldn't ask her to explain anything.

"I'll just go tell Al I'm taking you home." He turned towards the door but was stopped by her soft voice.

"Don't tell him about Nick, please?" She leaned weakly against the railing as Scorpius went inside.

A slight noise from the bushes made Rose jump, a squeak escaping her when she saw who it was.

Nick's jaw was red, and his shirt was stained with dirt, but otherwise he looked completely composed. He approached slowly.

"Rose, let me explain." She backed further away from him, "I didn't mean to hurt you. You have to listen-" he advanced too quickly, grabbing her arm to keep her from backing away more.

"What the hell?" The door slammed behind Scorpius as he advanced on the scene.

"Just can't stay out of my business, can you?" Nick's demeanour changed, his grip tightening on Rose's arm as he rounded on Scorpius.

"Get away from her." Scorpius' voice was cold with rage, and Rose realized she'd never seen him truly angry before. Nick must have realized the threat because he dropped Rose's arm and laughed harshly.

"She's all yours now that I'm done with her."

Scorpius made no move to respond until Nick had turned and walked away. Rose clenched her jaw, forcing herself not to cry, at least for now. She moved slowly towards Scorpius, head bowed.

By the time they reached her house Rose was shaking. The walk had allowed her to regain some control, but she felt weak, unclean. She was trying not to think about any of it, especially Nick, but his words haunted her. She couldn't make sense of it.

They arrived home and Scorpius turned on the kitchen light. Rose stood in the doorway, unable to move, as he wandered about, readying the kettle.

"I need to shower." Her voice was weak but she forced one shaking foot in front of the other towards the stairs. Rose clung to the bannister, but by the time she was halfway up she found herself collapsed on the floor, her face buried in her hands. She felt Scorpius sit down beside her a moment later, tentatively placing his arm around her shoulder.

She leaned into him, her head slumping against his shoulder, and tears streaking down his shirt. He stroked her arm gently, giving her enough room to move if she wanted to. But Rose stayed close as she sobbed, his warmth making her feel safe.

"You… you were right." She muttered through the slowing tears, her cheeks flaming in embarrassment. Scorpius didn't respond, there was no way to answer that. Another wave came on as she spoke so her last words were barely discernable. "I should have listened to you."

"No, Rose, I went about it all wrong. It's not your fault."

She shook her head angrily, "I should have listened. I shouldn't have left the house with him."

His other hand moved to her chin, tilting her face up towards his. "Don't you ever dare think this was your fault. He was an absolute prick." Rose took a deep breath and looked at Scorpius properly. She felt her heart slowing as she calmed slightly. His silver eyes were open, friendly and not judging. She sat for a few more moments before slowly rising.

Rose sat curled on the couch, covered from head to toe in sweat pants and a baggy shirt. Scorpius sat beside her, holding her cup of tea while she adjusted herself. He had made her favourite kind, and the warmth of the liquid against her lips was as refreshing as the shower she had just taken.

She was determined not to sleep yet. Even just walking into her bedroom had brought back images of her and Nick on her bed, his hand groping. How could she not have noticed his persistence before? She forced the images from her mind, but they kept returning.

The pained look on Rose's face concerned Scorpius, he didn't want to imagine what she was thinking. "You should report this."

Rose turned to look at him, her face a mask of disbelief, "What, and let my whole family know what happened? They would go ballistic, I'd never be alone again."

"You can do it discretely, but he shouldn't get away with what he did."

"So what, I just go to the ministry and say 'my boyfriend snogged me' ? That's not a very convincing story."

"You mean ex-boyfriend right? And if you didn't want him to then it's wrong."

"Yes, that's what I meant." Rose shook her head, sipping her tea as she turned away from Scorpius.

He winced slightly; regret surged up as he realized how stupid it was to talk to her about it when she was still so vulnerable.

"I'm here for you, Rose, whatever you decide to do." She smiled weakly, placing her mostly empty cup on the table. She moved over to lean gently on his shoulder, unable to respond for a few moments.

"Nothing tonight." She mumbled as she found a comfortable position, her eyes flickering closed from exhaustion.

Scorpius looked down at her, silently wishing he could erase the lines that were etched on her forehead. When he was sure she was asleep he moved his arm slightly, covering her with the blanket before resuming his position as look out.

AN - Well... that was that. I'm sure many of you will be very pleased with Rose getting out of that situation. Although it definitely isn't clear to Scorpious what happened - but more on that later.

How do you think Rose will feel in the morning?

Quick response to the people who wondered why Scorpius didn't show Rose the letter in the chapter 10: He really didn't want to hurt Rose and he thought he could convince her nicely/find a polite way to say it but then he got all confused because of Rose and put his foot in his mouth and it came out all wrong. But he thought the letter was way too harsh to show her. Maybe underestimating what she can deal with but people don't always make rational decisions. Does that make more sense?

I've been told I have a very action focused writing style. If you want more description, do let me know and I will try to include some! That will also help with lengthening the chapters, as I know this one in particular was a bit short.

Any other comments - compliments, criticism, feedback - let me know! I love reviews and try to adapt my writing if I think you have a point :)

- FTLOS

PS. Quick celebration after having just finished my first term at one of the most intense universities! And a huge congratulations to anyone else in the midst of their first term of University! (Also congrats to anyone in high school - you're nearly there!)