I ran all the way back to the dormitory, not stopping until I was in front of the fat lady.

"Lizard legs," I croaked out.

"Are you alright dear?" she asked, peering down at me.

"Yes. Lizard legs."

The fat lady reluctantly swung open. I ran up the stairs and threw myself on my bed.

The door swung open seconds later. Sarah, who as always, was there right when I needed her.

I cried into my pillow for a little bit, unable to get a word out. Sarah sat beside me, silently waiting for me to catch my breath.

Finally I sat up, and looked at her, tears streaming down my face.

"Did you hear wha-what he said?"

She nodded. "Yes I heard."

"How could he do that? He-He knows how much my family means to me."

Sarah sighed. "I don't know. He was drunk."

"Yeah well that's no an excuse," I snapped.

"I'm not saying that it is. It does make people angrier though. But you are 100% right. It's a vulgar name, it shouldn't be used on anyone let alone Perry. I should know, I'm muggle-born."

I started to cry again, and Sarah pulled me into a hug.

There was another knock on the door and Albus came in.

"Rosie? You ok?"

I didn't try to wipe away my tears. He came over and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"The whole family wanted to come up here. I finally convinced them you probably just want to be with Sarah and possibly me for a little bit. You do want me here right? I can leave."

I choked out a little laugh, "Of course I want you here with me."

I laid there for a little while between my two best friends, and buried my head in my knees. The boy who I had grown up with and the girl who had been there every time I needed her.

"James almost punched Scorp in the face," Albus suddenly said.

"What?" I shot up. "He did?"

"Yeah. I stopped him of course. You know our family; you insult one of us you insult all of us."

"Is Perry alright?" I asked.

"Yeah, I made sure everything calmed down before I left. Walked Scorpius down to the dormitory. He wanted to come after you, but I knew that wasn't the best idea."

I shook my head and put my head down again. "I don't want to talk to him."

Tears started to form in my eyes again, and Sarah pulled me to her again.

"It's alright Rosie. It's going to be ok."

...

I didn't go down to breakfast the next morning. I wasn't hungry.

I did go and see Perry though. He smiled and gave me a hug when I arrived in the Hufflepuff common room.

"Are you alright Rosie?" he asked, as we sat down in the big comfy chairs by the fire.

I knew my eyes were still red from crying, even though I had tried my best to conceal it.

"Me? I should be asking you Per, you were the one who he...who he-"

"I'm fine. It's not the first time I've been called that Rose."

I was shocked. "What? That's terrible Per, who has called you that?"

Perry shrugged. "Oh a couple people, I don't remember. A lot of people got mad when I made the team last year over all the kids who have been playing Quidditch their entire lives..."

"Why didn't you tell us? We could of done something about it!"

Perry grinned, "Like you guys did with Dom's ex boyfriend?"

I couldn't help but crack a tiny smile. "Maybe not to that extent."

"It does hurt when they call me it. But only for a minute, then I remember that it doesn't matter what they call me. I am proud to be a muggle-born, and I love playing Quidditch. Why would I let the bullies use something I'm proud of be an insult?"

Perry was an amazing kid. I leaned over and ruffled his hair. "I think you could teach the world I thing or two Per."

...

At lunch the entire family sat at the same table. Usually that didn't happen unless it was family dinner night. But here they were, all sitting together just to protect me.

Sarah said that Scorpius was hoping to approach me at lunch. He had been looking for me all morning. He didn't dare come near with the family around though.

We all remember what happened to Dom's last boyfriend that broke her heart and gave me a concussion.

I avoided him for three days. I tried to stay out of the library. Lil told me that he seemed to lurk there, hoping I would come.

In potions, Sarah and I sat across the room from where Scorp sat with Albus. Al had forgiven Scorp. Albus told me the first day after the incident.

"I've forgiven him Rosie. But I don't blame you for not. Take your time, forgive him when you're ready. And if you want me to keep him away from you I will do that."

"Thanks Al," I said, "and I would appreciate if you would. I don't want to face him yet."

I didn't speak to him. Until Thursday night, when he came and found me.

...

I had been sitting up in the owlery, finishing writing a letter to Aunt Ginny. She had helped me when I had first started dating Scorpius, I was hoping she would be able to help me now.

I was so intent on my letter that I did not hear him approaching behind me.

"Rose."

I shut my eyes and took a shaky breath.

"Go away."

"I can't. I have to talk to you."

I shook my head. "I don't want to talk to you. Not now, not ever."

"Rose please." He reached out and touched my shoulder. I yanked away from him and stood up and turned around.

"I said go away Malfoy. I don't want to speak with you."

Now I could see him, anger boiled up. He was standing there, with his stupid grey eyes pleading. I wasn't going to fall for that. Never again.

"Rosie, please I'm sorry." He took a step towards me.

"I don't need your apologies Malfoy, you know that my family comes first every time. You should of known that I would choose Perry over you."

"Rose I had been drinking, and the game-"

"That's no excuse," I interrupted. "The words came out of your mouth. He's only thirteen Malfoy. THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. And he's being called horrid things just because he has some talent? What kind of world do we live in when a thirteen year old is bullied by people who are almost four years older than him just because they are jealous."

Scorpius stood there and didn't say anything.

"I don't want to be with someone who thinks that is ok."

"I don't think that-"

"But you did it anyways. I should of known. I should of known that you hadn't changed. You are still the eleven year old that hated me because I was better at you then something. I can't be with someone like that."

Scorpius was silent. I stood there shaking, my head spinning from what had just happened. I turned around and grabbed my letter stuffing it in the envelope.

When I turned around Scorpius was gone.

I sat down on the bench. Artemis flew from above down to right beside me. I reached out and ran my fingers along her silvery wings.

Flashbacks filled my head. All the times that Scorpius had hurt me. All the times he had called me names, had made fun of me, had me kicking him in the shin and then both of us getting a detention because of it.

But then the good memories came. As much as I tried to suppress them, I couldn't help but think of how happy I was.

Him carrying me to infirmary.

Dancing at the ball.

When we were bound together and Scorpius kissed me.

Playing King of the Raft at the lake

The way he held me on the way home because I was scared.

When he ate the heart's desire at the party and told me he wanted to kiss me.

The flour fight we had in potions.

When he stood up for me at Hogsmeade, and called me his girlfriend.

Christmas, when he gave me Artemis.

Sleeping under the stars with him.

I tied the letter to Artemis's leg, holding back the tears. As soon as I got back to my dormitory, I let out all the feelings I was keeping bottled up and started to cry.

...

...

...

Dear Rose,

I've spent a lot time thinking about your letter. You can ask your Uncle Harry, I've been pacing the house trying to figure out what I am going to say to you.

First I want to tell you that I am so proud of you. If there is one thing that I have found is the most important thing to have is love. Family should always be a priority before anything else. Perry is incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful cousin like you. I fully believe that Perry is the way he is because of the love you guys have gave him and Jack when they were introduced to the wizard world. Without love, a person can become a shell of a human being.

Second I'm afraid to say that I can't help you in the way you want me to. I know it would be great if I could just tell you that the pain will stop within 10 days, and then you will be able to move on with your life and be happy. The fact is that I don't know. I don't know if you will move on from Scorpius and if you will be happy without him. That all depends on you. Maybe you don't need him. Maybe you do. The only way you'll be able to find out is to keep on moving forward. If in six months, you decide to forgive him, then that's what happens. If you decide to not forgive him for another decade, well then that's ok too.

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. My advice to you is listen to your heart. I know that sounds like a line you'd hear on one of those TV movies but it's true. Listen to your heart, and do what it says is best.

I love you lots. Be strong my beautiful girl.

-Aunt Ginny

Only three chapters left of this story! Thanks for reading, please review your thoughts and I promise to update as soon as I can. Love you all, -Macey.