"Merlin, look at her face. No wonder they kept her locked up."
Audrey Piston's shrill laugh carried down the main staircase into the entry hall, and Rose was positive it was intentional.
Her wounds became infected the Sunday after the incident, leaving her in the hospital wing five days longer than expected. Instead of returning to class on Monday, she was quarantined to the only private room in the entire wing. No visitors, no moving about the castle, just lots of acrid smelling ointments and hourly bandage changes. Her books were her only comfort.
It was once again Saturday, the last Hogsmeade trip of the year, and Madame Stuart had given Rose clearance to go. Her scars would heal in another week's time, her neck and shoulder still bandaged, but her cheek was in the open air, and it was now turning twelve shades of pink.
Rose pulled her scarf up even higher as she, Albus Severus, and Alice moved through the corridors toward the courtyard.
"It looks fine," Alice said softly, linking her arm with Rose.
Laughing half-heartedly, Rose threw her friend a look. "You're a rotten liar. But thanks."
Even over the hustle and bustle of eager third years and mischievous sixth years, Audrey's voice continued to float in their direction.
"I mean, for Godric's sake, why does he have her tutoring you if she can't even keep from blowing herself up? It's ridiculous."
Rose dared a glance over her shoulder, and instantly her eyes connected with those of Scorpius Malfoy.
His companion had her arm draped loosely around his waist and had forced his arm around her shoulders, clinging to his hand so tight Rose was sure her nails would pierce his skin. In this moment, Rose did not recognize the boy sauntering among the rest of the Slytherins.
The boy who had carried her to safety after the explosion was wearing a smirk of disgust that made her want to sink into the floor.
The boy who had checked on her in the hospital wing was standing idly by as her appearance was torn to shreds for all to hear.
The boy who, she suspected, had brought a new book to Madame Stuart every night of her confinement to help her pass the time was looking right through her, as if she didn't exist.
Rose turned to face forward again and held even tighter to Alice, tuning back into Albus's attempt to drown out the taunting. He was regaling them with tales of James's latest discoveries in Romania with their Uncle Charlie, but she heard none of it.
All she could hear was the laughter of a young man she had grown to like a surprising amount.
All she could feel was each laugh pointed directly at her, shooting daggers through her already riddled skin.
All she could think about was how immensely thankful she was that she no longer had to tutor Scorpius Malfoy.
All she could do was keep moving forward, blaming the water in her eyes on the crisp winter wind.
And it was all she could do to keep from seeking his gaze one more time.