"What's wrong, Weasley? You constipated or something?" A small titter went around the class. There was only around eight people altogether, all from different years and houses.
"Did I say you can laugh?" snapped Scorpious. The laughing abruptly stopped. Rose felt like crying. This was so humiliating. Scorpious had to go and pick this day. She lowered her head to the table as she felt the waves of pain hit her again. And again. She forced herself not to make a noise as utter silence was heard around the classroom.
"Right, Sunnydale, Covent, Beckinsale, since you're silent you can leave." Rose heard three chairs scrape back simultaneously and footsteps walk away. "And don't let me catch you playing exploding snap or hanging out in the corridors after hours again!" called Scorpious out after them.
Oh please, please let me leave, Rose thought desperately. But she wasn't called out. After a couple more moments, there was a few more chairs scraping back, whispering voices, a banging door then silence once again. Rose didn't know whether she was the only one left, but hoped she wasn't. Her pains seemed to be worsening, so much that she wouldn't be surprised if she collapsed to the floor in agony. Her hands tightened into fists as she tried to inhale and exhale. Slowly. Concentrating.
"Rose?" said Scorpious slowly. Just ignore him, she thought to herself. Ignore him and concentrate on your breathing.
"Rose?" she heard him call again. Footsteps advanced and she heard him lean close to her, felt his warm breath against her hair.
"Rose, you okay?" he whispered. She didn't answer. Almost reluctantly, he let his hand trail in her soft hair. "Talk to me," he said. Rose felt the tears cascade down her face but permitted herself not to reveal that vulnerability.
"Are you in pain?" he asked, fingers still stroking her hair. She nodded wordlessly. And suddenly...
"It hurts," she said, voice cracking. "It hurts a lot." Oh. my. god. She did not practically tell Scorpious she was having period pains. How humiliating. The thought made her cry even more.
"Sssh, it's okay," he said softly, and to her utter astonishment, he pulled her slightly so that she was suddenly encircled in his arms. She stayed stiff in his arms as he held her tightly, but then returned his hug. She didn't think she had ever hugged him for this long. It felt so wierd, yet so...right. So different from Matt.
"You embarassed me," she said, still feeling the tear marks on her face. Scorpious wrapped his arms around her even harder.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"And you haven't talked to me for ages," she said, feeling the tears come up again.
"I know, I know. I just felt... angry."
"We could've talked. I still don't know what's going on." Scorpious pulled back and looked at her.
"You don't?" he whispered. Rose shook her head, wiping the tears off her face with the sleeve of her robe.
"I just know you've been angry with me because of something I said...or did."
"I have," he said.
"What was it?" she asked desperately. "Because whatever it is, I want to make it right. I miss you, we all do. And you're hanging out with the Slytherins- how could you? You hate them. And who's this person you're dating because I've-"
"Rose, calm down," said Scorpious, hugging her again.
"No, I will not," said Rose angrily, pulling away. "Not till I get an explanation."
Scorpious sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, it's complicated."
"Well, talk to me so I can uncomplicate it," said Rose.
"You won't understand-"
"Try me," replied Rose stubbornly. Scorpious sighed again, then looked up at her.
"Ok, well basically-" The door suddenly banged open and Matt strode in.
"Malfoy," he said coldly. He turned to Rose and his expression softened. "Hey, I've been looking for you everywhere. Albus told me you'd be here."
"Yeah, she's in detention," replied Scorpious equally coldly.
"Well, I'm taking her out of detention," snapped Matt. He pointed to a blue and yellow badge gleaming on his chest. "Looks like you're not the only one with authority round here, Malfoy." Rose's jaw dropped. Matt was a prefect? Why didn't he tell her? As if reading her thoughts, Matt flashed her an apologetic look.
"Sorry, Rose, didn't think it was that important." Rose cleared her throat.
"Oh. Okay."
"So let's get going then," he said, shooting an annoyed look at Scorpious then reaching forward to help Rose up. She winced.
"Actually, she isn't feeling too good at the moment," interrupted Scorpious, standing in between them. Matt stopped.
"You okay, Rose?" he asked, looking worried. Rose nodded.
"Yeah, it's just I have this stomach ache-"
"Well, believe me, being stuck here with Scorpious certianly won't make you feel better," he said, sneering at Scorpious. Suddenly, Rose believed everything Matt had said about being nasty before. Maybe she should just go with him to make sure a fight wouldn't break out. But she needed to hear what Scorpious had to say...
"You know what? I think Rose should decide," said Matt. They both looked at her. Rose opened her mouth.
"I...I think I should go with Matt," she said quickly, getting up, trying to ignore the pains that seemed to get worse with every movement she made. Matt shot a triumphant grin at Scorpious and moved forward to help Rose.
"Well, I'll guess we'll be seeing you around then, Malfoy," said Matt. Scorpious didn't answer, just stood back. But as they passed, he grabbed one of Rose's hands and stuffed a crumpled piece of paper in it. Winking at her, he let go and silently watched as they left the classroom.
"Thank god we've got rid of him. He freaks me out a bit," muttered Matt as they walked away. Rose forced a smile onto her face.
"You know you really don't look too well," said Matt, turning to look at her. "Do you want to go out and get some air?"
"That would be good," said Rose weakly. Matt took her arm and guided her up the stairs.
"It's freezing down in the dungeons. I hate it." Rose didn't reply. They carried on walking in silence till they finally reached outside. The calm breeze ruffled Rose's hair, carrying with it the scent of lilies and roses. She inhaled.
"That's better," she smiled. Matt smiled back and together they sat down on a bench. Looking around, Rose saw the grounds were quite deserted, apart from a couple of people here and there, lying on the grass, books and paper spread out in front of them and others walking around, enjoying the scenery.
"So what's going on with you and Scorpious?" Matt suddenly blurted out. Rose felt her good mood dissapear.
"Me and Scorpious?" she questioned, faking ignorance. "Nothing. Nothing at all." Matt looked carefully at her. Leaning down, he pulled out a bit of grass and started breaking it off with his fingers. "Because...some people seem to think there's something going on between you two."
"Well, that's just absurd," said Rose. "We're just good friends. Nothing more."
"Because if there is something going on, Rose I don't think I could..." Matt broke off, his interest in the grass in his hands growing by the minute.
"I care about you," he said, gathering his courage and looking her in the eyes'. "I care about you more than I've ever cared about anyone else." Rose wanted to look away, to say something but she couldn't remove her gaze from his. The colour of his eyes' were almost hypnotising. Coaxing her near... Even as she was thinking it, Matt's face was getting nearer and nearer as he leaned down. Rose instinctively closed her eyes, she could feel his warm breath fanning her face. He was so close she could almost hear his heartbeats- which seemed to be slightly more faster than usual. And any minute now she was going to kiss him...feel his lips against hers...
Smack.
Something seemed to have hit Matt in the chest because he suddenly jumped back. Rose looked down to see a tennis ball lying on the bench between them.
"Oi!" screamed Matt, looking furious. Grasping the tennis ball, he looked at Rose.
"I'll be right back. I'm just going to catch whoever did it." Rose nodded and watched as he quickly ran off. She sighed. So much for first kiss, she thought.She stretched. And then felt the paper still in her hand. Heart thumping, she opened the crumpled paper and read it.
Tonight, 10:00
Gryffindor Tower
Rose read it over again. Holding the paper up, she ripped it once, twice- till it was torn into tiny pieces. Pulling her wand out, she directed them into the nearest bin. She was definitely going to be meeting him tonight. She needed to know everything.