AN: Longest chapter yet!

Rose POV

After patrol that night McLaggen and I walked back to Gryffindor tower together, holding hands. I found it kind of disgusting, actually. Not holding hands with him in particular, just the way he was so protective and clingy. It reminded me of how Aunt Ginny described how Mina's father had treated her when they were dating. Very sweet, but a little too protective, like she couldn't do anything for herself. That's exactly what it was like with Ernie. Oh well, I'll just have to deal with it. I guess it's cute, in a way, that he cares this much. Yes, that's the attitude I need.

After we entered the common room, Ernie walked with me over to the stairs up to the girls' dormitory. He bent over and kissed my hand. Wow, dramatic much? I put on a smile and told him goodnight before heading upstairs. Once I was sure he couldn't hear me, I let out a sigh of relief. I don't know why I decided to do this, he was so annoying! But it is a distraction. I entered the 6th year girls dorm and found Paula and Mina waiting up for me.

"Girls, you should be in bed. I can give you detention." I smiled at them, they knew I was joking.

"Oh, we know you wouldn't, and you can't anyway. The rules say we have to be in our dorm after curfew, which as you can see, we are," Paula replied. She was right, but I was just teasing anyway.

"So, what took you so long tonight? Last week you were back an hour earlier. Did something happen?" Oh Mina. Ever so perceptive.

"No, not really…" I knew it was no use, and I really had no reason to hide it.

"Come on, Rose. You know you can't lie to me. Out with it," said Paula.

"Oh alright. I'm dating Ernie McLaggen." I prepared myself for whatever reaction was coming.

"WHAT? When did this happen?" Paula nearly shrieked.

"Just tonight, we were talking and, I don't know, we just clicked." Okay, now I was lying through my teeth. But I couldn't tell them that I was only dating him so that I could get my mind off of Malfoy. Then they would get too many ideas, and then tell me off for using the poor boy. I already felt bad enough as it was, I didn't need a scolding.

"But, I though you didn't like him? You were always saying how annoying he was, and that his eyes were creepy. Why the sudden change? You're dating him?" Okay, now the interrogation was getting a little annoying.

"Yes, Paula. I'm dating Ernie McLaggen. And I'm happy. I really like him, and I'm tired. Goodnight girls." Okay, that was a little rude. But she was questioning my entirely made up feelings! Okay, I guess the fact that they're "entirely made up" makes them questionable. But whatever, I was tired. I quickly changed into my pajamas and went to bed.

The next morning, I woke up and took a shower to clear my head. After my shower, everything that happened yesterday seemed to hit me. I was dating Ernie McLaggen. The idea sounded funny in my head. I got dressed and walked down the stairs to find my… boyfriend waiting for me. I've got to get used to that.

He greeted me and took my hand, and we walked down to the Great Hall together. As we entered, I could see several people's eyes widen, the most obvious of which were my cousins. Ernie and I went to sit by Al, who immediately began interrogating me, much as Paula had done the night before.

"Rose? You have a boyfriend? When did that happen? Why didn't you tell me?" Wow, he was weird. At least I was dating a Gryffindor Quidditch star. He was a great keeper, and James and Al were already friends with him. Once they got over the initial shock and protective cousin act, they would approve and we'd be fine. As opposed to how they'd act if I dated someone they didn't like, like Malfoy. Wait. Why was I thinking about him? I did this whole dating thing to get my mind off him.

"Yes, I have a boyfriend. And we just got together last night, during rounds, which is why I couldn't tell you, smart one." I sent him a mock glare, hoping that would shut him up. It did, and he moved to convey the message to the rest of my gaping cousins. Honestly, don't they have anything better to stare at?

After breakfast, Ernie walked me to Potions. I entered the classroom and took my seat by Paula. I glanced over to where Malfoy sat staring intently at his notes. What was with him? I hadn't seen him speak a word all day. And over the past week I'd caught him staring at me out of the corner of my eye. I guess he was just wondering why I wasn't talking to him. Why the sudden change? I guess he just lost interest, or he figured it out. I had told him I didn't want to fight when we were on the train, so maybe he remembered that. Well, kudos to him. He finally figured something out.

But strangely, the fact that he was avoiding me didn't really make me happy. I thought it would, but it was actually kind of lonely. I mean, I wasn't really lonely. I had friends, and a boyfriend. But, I don't know. I guess, when someone has been a part of your life for a long time, regardless of the reason, if they suddenly stop caring it can be a blow, even if you don't like them. Okay, that sounded weird. What I mean is, okay, it's like if a supervillain was always causing trouble and annoying the hell out of the superhero, their nemesis. But then one day, the superhero stopped caring, and he didn't come foil the villain's plans anymore. The villain would be able to get away with more stuff, but he would feel lonely after a while because there was no confrontation. That's the kind of loneliness I had. My school rival had stopped caring and it surprisingly bothered me. Maybe he was just tired. I decided to watch him and see if he continued ignoring me. Not in a creepy stalker way! Just because I wanted to make sure he was ok. Yeah. That's it. Ok.

Through all the classes I had with him, he ignored me. I decided he was probably just not feeling well. Good. But he acted the same way the next day. And for the next two weeks it got progressively worse. After two weeks had gone by, I had noticed that it was even worse when I was with Ernie. Whenever we were walking together and he saw us, he would immediately look away and start walking fast, and it looked like he was angry. What was his problem? I decided I would confront him that night.

At dinner that evening, I was getting really annoyed with Ernie. He was so protective! He barely let me go to the bathroom alone! He even asked if he could walk me there once! I didn't know how long I could keep this up. I had started dating him for the sake of my sanity, but I was pretty sure I was worse off than before! I noticed that Malfoy had just gotten up and was leaving the hall. I was sure I needed to confront him alone, and this was my chance.

"Ernie, I have a lot of homework and I really need to go to the library and work on it." I really hoped he would just let me leave.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he said with a grin. I guess not.

"No, I promised Kayla I would help her since she's behind in DADA, and besides, if you came I would be distracted, and I really need to concentrate." Okay I made up the part about my dormmate Kayla, she was actually doing great in DADA and she didn't need my help at all, but I needed an excuse to leave and I knew if I stayed here much longer I wouldn't be able to catch up to Scorpius.

Ernie's face fell. "Okay, I guess. See you later?" He looked really uncertain, like me going one place without him was going to tear up our relationship. It was pathetic. I could easily start an argument, but I had more important things to do.

I turned and walked out of the hall, and as soon as I was out of their sight range I started running towards the dungeons. I was pretty sure he was headed towards his common room. I finally turned a corner and found him walking down an empty corridor. I stopped running.

"Hey Malfoy!"

He turned around, noticed it was me, and was about to turn back and keep walking, when I suddenly got really pissed. I didn't know where it came from, but I couldn't just let him walk away again. I ran over to him and grabbed his shoulder, turning him around to face me.

"Why have you been ignoring me? Did I do anything?" He looked at me angrily.

"What? Why have I been ignoring you? You're being a total hypocrite! You've been avoiding me for the past two weeks! And now it's suddenly a problem if I ignore you? I thought that's what you would have wanted? Less time wasted with me and more to spend with your precious boyfriend! Honestly, I really thought you could do better than McLaggen."

"Of course I don't want to waste my time with you! And don't you say anything about Ernie! Why do you care about my boyfriend anyway?"

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" What?

***************************************Scorpius POV***********************************

"Because I love you!" What? Why did I just say that? Love? I never said I loved her! I fancied her! And you never tell a girl you like her, it makes you look like an idiot! (AN: AVPM/S reference :D) I'm screwed. Totally screwed. I cautiously looked up at her. She was staring at me like I had just grown a second head. Now I've done it. She looked completely baffled. But what was that? I stared deep into her eyes, and deep down, below all the shock, I saw slight… relief? Could she possibly like me back? Even just a little bit. With this in mind, I did the only thing I could do in this situation.

I kissed her.

AN: Don't worry! It's not all happy from here, still lots of confusion and drama to come!

Review please!