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Chapter 16

Rose and Scorpius avoided Albus like the plague. Scorpius had taken to sleeping in the common room to avoid any altercations, as suggested by Rose. He had changed partners in the classes they shared, and wouldn't even look at him.

Scorpius started to sit at the Ravenclaw table with Rose rather than the Gryffindor table. Especially since Jessica had started sitting with Albus, and would then send looks Scorpius' way.

Like Rose had said, the plan was working. Albus was looking more and more dejected at having only Hugo to talk to, since Louis was not interested in the complex life of Albus Severus Potter. Albus had not realised that because James was no longer at Hogwarts, he only had Scorpius as good company. And he would definitely not sink so low as to speak to his sister for more than 15 minutes a day.

However the situation with Jessica was further perplexing not only Scorpius and Rose, but a huge portion of the Gryffindors. As Albus was Quidditch captain and Jessica was definitely not a good influence, they were all worried that this newly formed 'relationship' would mess with the season and their desired win.

Lily and Louis had even tried to talk Albus into letting Jessica go. They weren't the most subtle of people, so their attempts ended with an angry Albus who had decided to cancel Quidditch practice to 'hang out' with Jessica Smith.

As Scorpius had not spoken to Albus, he was no help either. So all fingers pointed to Jessica, there were even suggestions that she had put a spell on him, or drugged his morning Pumpkin juice. However the rumours had no foundation, Albus had truly chosen to punish himself with her poisonous company.

Friday 5th December. 7 days before the Winter Ball. 13 days before the end of term.

Albus was in the common room, Jessica in a somewhat compromising position on his lap on an arm chair by the fireplace. The Gryffindor common room were in whispers and they eagerly waited for some sort of altercation as Scorpius walked into the common room.

Scorpius looked over to the arm chair and speeded his walk towards the dorms.

"Scorpius," he heard his name being called and sighed, slowly turning towards Albus and the arm chair again.

"What?" he asked, a shrewd look on his face as he strangled the strap of his bag.

"No need to be so abrupt," Albus said casually, as if the conversation on Saturday had not happened between them.

Scorpius didn't reply, just giving Albus a sharp look.

"Come on then," Albus said ushering him over with the hand that wasn't around Jessica's waist. Scorpius sighed again as he walked closer to them, now only a metre away from the chair, Jessica staring at him intently.

"What do you want Albus?" Scorpius said tiredly, leaning on one leg, his hand in his pocket.

"Well I just wanted to talk, I haven't seen you in a week." He replied, as if he was hard done by.

Scorpius unconsciously sneered and balanced onto his other foot, "you seemed to make it pretty clear on Saturday that you didn't want to talk to me anymore. You even went out of your way to openly insult me."

"Oh come on, you know I was only joking." Albus said laughing, though his eyes betrayed him, they looked fearful.

"You said you weren't trying to be funny, as far as I'm concerned Albus, you don't want to be my friend anymore." Scorpius said, his arms now crossed in discomfort.

"Oh come on Scorpius," Scorpius' eyes snapped up to Jessica who had just begun speaking. Her lips in a suspicious smile, "I'm sure Albie didn't mean anything," she said slightly leaning forward and winking at Scorpius.

He stepped back slightly and frowned, "look Albus, you can't just treat me like a piece of rubbish. I do not like being insulted, and I hate that you think you can have whatever you want."

"Sorry, is that good enough?" Albus said finally, rolling his eyes.

Scorpius looked at him sceptically, "only this once," he finally answered, "I don't know how we'll stand if this happens again Albus. I won't be so forgiving next time."

Albus smiled, "great," Scorpius was about to walk away but Albus spoke again, "and it was only a joke Scorpius."

Scorpius nodded though still unconvinced and he continued his way to the dormitory. Once he had reached the corridor he heard laughter and when he turned again, he saw Jessica laughing at Albus tickling her, but Jessica staring straight at Scorpius.

XxX Rose XxX

Rose was sitting on a chaise longue in the Ravenclaw Common Room, Marianne and Carina sitting around her and chatting animatedly about the Ball.

"I didn't expect it really," Marianne said grinning, "I mean, I was in Herbology struggling with a Venomous Tentacula, not the most fun situation to be in, and then Eoin McLaggen came over and while he was helping me, he just went out and asked me."

Rose smiled, "well lucky you Marianne, and Carina?"

"Llywelyn asked me during Lunch," she replied, "but what we are most interested in Rose, is who has asked you?"

Rose rolled her eyes and leaned back onto the seat, and pulled her legs up. "No one, just let it go, both of you."

Marianne was pouting, "oh Rose, why are you such a spoilsport?"

She laughed in reply and looked up to see Lorcan standing by the seat.

"Look what I found," he said grinning and holding out a package for Rose. She grabbed at it and quickly opened it.

Rose took the letter first and quickly read through it, before completely opening the package to reveal a pair of silver heels and silver hair slides.

Marianne grabbed for the heels admiring them, "these are nice, your mother has some style." She said smiling, Rose rolled her eyes and took the heels back.

"It's this I am more interested in," Rose said, showing them the small note at the bottom of the letter.

"A spell?" Carina questioned.

Rose smiled, "more than a spell, it's an extension charm, and it can also a few other spells, although it should stay in safe hands." Rose folded the letter up and put it in her pocket and picked up the heels and hair slides.

"So you aren't going to share?" Lorcan said, frowning.

"Maybe when you're older," she replied smiling and getting up, making her way to the dormitory.

Sunday

Rose and Scorpius were walking out of the Slytherin Common Room after finalizing details with Violet, it had been a long day but everything had been paid for and the Ball looked like it was going to go on without a hitch.

"I told you Albus would come running back," Rose said smiling, "he is very predictable."

"I know, but I still don't understand the whole Jessica Smith situation. He's been messing with Quidditch practices and the team isn't very happy with his behaviour."

"And I suppose they wouldn't want an uprising, even if that would be better for Ravenclaw," Rose said sadly.

Scorpius looked at her and laughed, "you aren't exactly one for Quidditch though Rose."

She shrugged, "if you like it, I like it," she replied smiling, "it's not too bad when you get used to it, it has its moments, but when people fall off their brooms it becomes a problem."

Scorpius smiled, "you should have seen Jessica on Friday though, she was giving me these really strange looks."

"What? Like looks saying that she liked you?" Rose asked.

"I suppose so, but she's with Albus, or whatever you would call what they have."

Rose nodded and frowned, "I know it's horrible to say, especially about my own cousin, but maybe she's just playing him. I mean to get to you. I hate saying it, but you know how she just wants a bit of everyone, and she already had Albus, so she could want you." She shook her head and began to walk up the stairs. "Do you think that's possible?" she continued, turning back.

Scorpius thought for a second, "I'd hope it isn't, but I can't just ignore that completely."

She shrugged and stuffed her hands in her pockets, "lucky you, you've got Jessica Smith falling all over you."

Scorpius laughed, "It leaves much to be desired, Rose."

Rose smiled and they continued to the Great Hall.

2 Hours Later

"Hey Scorpius."

Scorpius turned at his name to see Jessica standing in the middle of the hallway, with a very low cut top and a smile on her face.

"Uh hi Jessica," he replied, a slight smile on his face. Scorpius looked around him, noticing he was currently in a deserted corridor on the fourth floor.

An unfortunate occurrence.

"I was just wondering if you knew the homework for Muggle Studies?" she asked, walking forward slowly.

"Oh, it's write an essay on the various uses of the Internet." He replied quickly, his eyebrows rising as Jessica got closer to him. He smiled sincerely and began backing away to leave before Jessica halted him with a hand wrapped around his wrist.

"I was wondering, well, whether you could help me?" Jessica removed her hand from his wrist and it slowly traced up his arm. "I've always had trouble with understanding the various Muggle terms. What is it... connection," she cocked an eyebrow as her hand reached Scorpius' bicep.

Scorpius was frowning and sifting through his brain for an efficient way out of this situation. Wishing that he hadn't decided to leave dinner early to pick a book up from the library. Or that he had at least dragged someone with him.

"Explore... interlaced," she continued up his arm, squeezing his bicep before reaching his shoulder and resting her hand there. "Bytes" she added, pretending to bite at him before winking.

"I think you've got it down fine," Scorpius muttered, desperately trying to hide the disgust he was feeling at Jessica's touch. "I should go Jessica," he said quickly, looking down at his bare wrist where his watch should have been.

"I was thinking we could do something together," Jessica whispered, her other arm reaching up and connecting with the other around Scorpius' neck, his arms were frozen by his sides. "It could be... educational you know, how about it Scorp?"

Scorpius breathed, a frown playing on his lips, "what about Albus?" he asked, getting increasingly more worried at Jessica's encompassing body. She licked at her lips, and smiled again. He looked into her eyes quickly and they had a mischievous resonance about them.

"There's nothing between us," she replied, Scorpius felt the hair at the base of his neck being twisted, and he could feel Jessica's hot breath on his face.

"Are you sure he agrees with that?" Scorpius asked, forgetting ever so slightly the compromising position they were in and more concerned about the welfare of his best friend.

"I told him when we entered into this... agreement, that it was nothing, anyway, it's you I want Scorpius. I can give you what you want, what Weasley can't give you." She said getting closer to Scorpius, he moved his neck further away, now frowning.

She slowly disconnected her arms and her hands slid from his neck to his shoulders, and then down his chest, a very alluring smile on her face, staring into Scorpius' eyes.

He was feeling more than a sense of confusion, specifically disbelief and the feeling like there was a definite miscommunication between himself and Jessica Smith.

"Now Jessica, Albus is my best friend and I would never just stand by and watch as he gets hurt, especially by you." He finally said exasperated, a hand running through the front of his hair, allowing Jessica full view of his eyes, eyebrows and forehead.

"Perfect," she muttered, Scorpius gave her a questioning look as his arms fell down to his sides again.

"Look Jessica, I can't say I know you very well, but well you're –" Scorpius was completely cut off by Jessica pulling her body up towards him, and forcing her lips against his. He held his arms up defensively, and began pulling at Jessica who was holding him in a vice like grip, almost python-like.

Unfortunately Scorpius felt wetness form on his lips as Jessica added her tongue into the equation.

He finally managed to pry the pariah off his face and she was grinning, her lips slightly red, even from the lack of contribution by Scorpius.

Scorpius' voice was stuck in his throat, unable to string together a coherent sentence, he just stared in shock as Jessica grinned, her hands which were again resting on Scorpius' chest slid lower, and just as she touched the skin between the bottom of his jumper and his trousers he swiftly stepped back.

"Oh don't play hard to get Scorpius," Jessica said winking, "we should do this."

While Scorpius had had various girlfriends over the years, Jessica wasn't one of them. It had been the one thing that he had continually chosen to avoid – any romantic contact with her. She was a social pariah, those unfortunate enough to understand that, for example Albus, were used and abused. A good way to described Jessica would be as a leech, taking what she needed from whoever she came upon. But she wouldn't ever repeat, she had to have fresh blood, a new taste.

Scorpius shook his head, "there is no chance Jessica, and you need to stop using Albus. Because this." Scorpius pointed from Jessica to himself, "will never happen."

Jessica pouted and stepped forward, "I can easily change that," she replied.

Scorpius shook his head again, and put his hands up defensively, "no, actually you can't. There is a reason this has never happened before, I don't like you. Not even a little," he replied, not afraid to show his emotions on his face. He was now sneering.

She looked slightly taken aback, but shaking her head and brown curls out, she pushed her shoulders back and turning on her heel stalked away.

"You'll come begging," she shouted from half way down the corridor.

"No chance," Scorpius shouted back, continuing to walk to the Library's door shaking his head.

XxX

"You need to stop 'seeing' Jessica," Scorpius said, entering the dorm and seeing that Albus was sifting through his messy trunk.

"And why should I do that now? Jealous?" Scorpius couldn't help letting out a laugh, and Albus grimaced.

"She attacked me outside the Prefects bathroom," he replied, giving Albus a questioning look.

"Did she get in a couple good jinxes? I would have loved to see that," Albus said grinning from behind his trunk.

"No Al, she practically molested me in the corridor." Scorpius said, his voice faltering.

"Oh great, just fan-fucking-tastic," he replied sarcastically , allowing his trunk to close and jumping onto his bed.

Albus hadn't meant anything by Jessica, but he found it definitely infuriating that she was using him to get to Scorpius. A definite travesty in Albus' opinion. Losing again.

"It's not like I didn't expect it," he said after a deep breath, "she isn't exactly take-home-to-your-parents material, now is she?"

Scorpius looked at Albus carefully, "I suppose so."

"How was it? Traumatic I can guess from your face," Albus said looking at Scorpius.

He nodded in reply, and took off his shoes.

Scorpius was readily expecting something more from Albus, not a joke and a suggestion that they should laugh it off. Scorpius was still deeply confused about the fact that Albus was changing his mood continuously, and far too often.

"Told Rosie?" Albus asked carelessly, sifting through the various rubbish on his bedside table, picking at half a chocolate frog that had been there for a while.

"Well no, she'd probably laugh in my face," Scorpius replied frowning and messing with the hem of his trousers.

"You sure she wouldn't get all jealous and angry at you?" Albus said hopefully, also implying that Scorpius and Rose had some sort of relationship other than friendship.

"She's not my girlfriend Albus, I doubt that she would react like that," he said quickly, looking up from his trouser leg.

"Oh are you sure about that?" Albus replied, cocking an eyebrow at Scorpius, "she is my cousin, I think I know when she–."

Scorpius abruptly got up, "stop stirring things Potter," he said accusingly. Albus laughed at the sound of his own surname. "You keep on doing that, what's wrong with you? Rose and I are friends."

"Stop being such a baby," Albus said rolling his eyes and grabbing a magazine from his bed side table opened it up, missing the look of incredulity that Scorpius had aimed at him.

Albus was again causing confusion in Scorpius, he acted as if Rose & Scorpius shouldn't ever be said and they shouldn't be friends, yet he'd go out and hint that they were already something more. The complete contradiction made Scorpius wary of opening up completely to his best friend, which he usually did in these kind of situations. Well Albus had been pretty helpful up until Saturday the 8th of November.

Scorpius had never known Albus to be much of a family-life talker, and Albus despised talking about the various things Rose got up to. Scorpius had always found it quite confusing, Albus was a boaster, but he never boasted about his status as Harry Potter's son. He never boasted about anything revolving around his family. Scorpius had a slight inkling that there might be something wrong with his family, but the numerous times he had met them, he found they were a completely normal and happy family.

While Scorpius had thought about what actually made Albus tick numerous times, he had not yet come upon the Rose situation. He, like everyone else was completely unaware of Albus' pure jealously when Rose Weasley came into play.

It was probably the most obvious thing, well at least Albus thought it was obvious. He didn't play down his hate when Rose was praised in his company, especially over him. Though everyone was too distracted by Rose to notice the expression written on Albus' face.

If people had noticed, or at least noticed the strange change from 11 year old Albus, just starting Hogwarts, compared to 12 year old Albus, just finishing his first year at Hogwarts, they would have got it. And it would have been likely that Albus wouldn't be the Albus that everyone knew him as in his sixth year. Scorpius wasn't even aware that the Albus he had become best friends with in first year was long gone. The Albus who worked hard for recognition and trying to best his cousin, had given up trying to be the good Albus.

XxX Rose & Scorpius XxX

Rose & Scorpius were walking down the first floor corridor on their Tuesday patrol. The first time they had spoken alone since Sunday. Scorpius knowing it was the perfect opportunity to tell Rose about Jessica, knowing full well she would probably verbally abuse him over it.

"You are mighty quiet tonight Scorpius," Rose stated, peering into a classroom and then continuing down the hallway.

"I'm thinking about the best way to say this without you laughing in my face." Scorpius said, frowning slightly.

Rose smiled and as they reached a staircase, she sat down and patted the space beside her, "sit down and tell me dear." She said, offering her best McGonagall accent.

He grinned and sat down, leaning his back against the stair and sighing. He sifted through the pocket of his robe and revealed an unopened box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. He opened the top and offered one to Rose, who grinning poured 5 into her hand.

"Oh, how you know how to pull at a girls heartstrings Scorpius Malfoy," she said with a wide grin.

Scorpius smiled and put the box between them, and popped a pink one into his mouth.

"Hmm, salmon, not too bad," he said with a slight grimace.

Rose frowned and put a yellow one into her mouth and grinned, "lemon, so tell me Mr Malfoy, what has got your knickers in a twist?"

"You know the whole Jessica situation?" he said quietly, and taking another bean, "gross dirty sock."

She giggled and nodded, "still giving you the smoulder?" Rose asked, trying to reproduce Jessica's trademark look, quite successfully as Scorpius was slightly distracted. "Grass, how lovely."

Scorpius blinked, "yes actually, and more" he said dejectedly, taking another bean which was purple, "grape jelly."

Rose's eyebrows rose, "oh really now, and what exactly was this 'more'?" she questioned.

"She kissed me," he said looking down, after no reply for a couple of seconds he looked at Rose's face, she had her mouth clasped shut and had gone red.

"Rose?" She suddenly broke into laughter, holding onto her sides and resting her head on her knees to slow down the laughs.

"So... how... was...it," she managed out between giggles, her hair completely covering her face.

Scorpius was frowning, "I knew you would just laugh at me, it was traumatic, she has a grip like a boa constrictor."

This led Rose to even more laughter, and she leaned her head against the steps, holding her stomach and going red. "So... you wouldn't... want to... repeat it?" she asked, tears freely flowing down her face.

"No!" he shouted defensively and then quietened his tone noting that it was 11 o'clock at night. "Next time, don't let me go the library by myself, hopefully I scared her off though."

Rose quietened down, nodding but still having slight bursts of laughter, and softly nudging Scorpius with her shoulder, "at least you know you're not missing out on anything."

Scorpius looked at her, and laughed, "are you seriously implying that I should be glad that I experienced a kiss from Jessica Smith, like too many other people?"

She shrugged absentmindedly and gave him a sly smile and picked out another bean.

Her face grew into a grimace as she swallowed, "earwax," she frowned and leaned her head against the banister, her hair falling to the side, revealing the side of her neck.

"I suppose that means she won't be going to the Ball with you?" Rose said smiling, though looking at the tips of her hair, and playing with them.

"That was never the plan," he replied smirking and taking a bean, "broccoli."

"Shame really, you would have been the perfect pair," Rose said with a serious expression on her face.

Scorpius rolled his eyes, "I know what you are trying to do Rose," he said smiling.

"Me? I'm not trying to do anything," she replied, slightly abashed, though making a cross by her heart.

He smiled, "you're trying to avoid the question I've been attempting to ask you for the last week, in your own complicated way."

Rose's eyebrows went up and she began to get up, "shall we continue rounds?"

Scorpius grabbed her hand and pulled her back down onto the staircase.

"Can't run today I'm afraid, have another bean," he said holding out the box and Rose reluctantly took another multi-coloured bean.

"I knew you tricked me with your Every Flavour Beans, what did Chi say to you?" Rose said sceptically, but again changing the subject.

Scorpius smiled, "come to the Ball with me," he said easily.

Rose frowned, and looked at the bean still in her hand.

Scorpius began pouting and fluttering his eyelashes causing Rose to let out a laugh. "Rose?"

She looked casually down the corridor, stopping laughing and she breathed out.

"Rose," she continued to not reply, even as Scorpius nudged her. "Rosie."

Her head snapped his way and she was glaring, "watch it Malfoy," she snapped, though he was smiling.

"How about it then Rose?" he asked, a worried look in his eye.

Rose was in thought, still looking at the bean in her hand. "It's a difficult decision to make, like what would Albus think?"

"I don't think he'd care," Rose looked up a confused look on her face.

Rose knew full well that Albus would care, and she also knew that Scorpius knew that too.

"I know he would," she said, looking at him confused, "plus, how do you know I want to go with you?"

Scorpius smiled, "if that Bean in your hand is tutti-frutti and not vomit, you have to go with me."

Rose rolled her eyes, "I could just not eat it," she suggested, turning the bean between her fingers. "I do like tutti-frutti though, and I hate vomit. Decisions, decisions." She mused.

"Go with me, Rose," he asked softly, a smile on his face and his grey eyes sparkling with sincerity.

She couldn't help smiling, and popped the bean into her mouth. Scorpius waited for her reaction as she chewed, her face not revealing any emotions.

"So?" he asked, trying to read her face.

"Tutti-frutti," she said simply, and Scorpius broke into a grin.

"Good, I'll pick you up at 6," he said winking.

Rose sighed and got up, "fine" she said, "now let's finish up" she continued, and started down the corridor again. Scorpius speeded up after her and slyly took Rose's hand. She looked down, a look of confusion on her face but didn't let go. Just allowing them to have this moment tonight, without anyone there watching.

A/N: I bet you can guess what's happening in the next chapter.

I actually updated like I said! :D