Scorpius POV

I didn't mean it to happen. But it did, and I can't change it back.

I didn't mean to become as awful as Travis Nott. But I did, and I can't change it back.

And I certainly didn't mean to save Rose Weasley's life, but I did, and that's the one thing I don't want to change.

Since Nott is officially my sort-of friend now, I suppose I'll be stuck hanging out with him until Rose forgives me. If she ever does, which I doubt.

It's a Saturday in late March, maybe a week or two before Easter. I'm sitting with Nott, Warren, and Goyle, who are laughing about the prank we're about to pull. Only it isn't a prank.

It's a death trap.

"Everyone ready?" Nott whispers. We all nod-even though I totally am not.

Bam. Here they come, walking out of the castle. Al, Frank, Rose, and Alice.

Al, Frank, Rose, and Alice. My old friends-was it good I split off from them?

Or am I acting like my father, my grandfather?

Whoosh. The plan is in action as soon as Rose sets her wand down. Nott's up and running, by now he's done the Levicorpus spell Rose used on him so long ago. I advised him to get over it. He didn't listen.

"What are you doing?" she shrieks. Al jumps up immediately, followed by Frank and Alice. Nott waves his wand and she starts floating-floating to the Whomping Willow.

Immediately Goyle and Warren disarm Al and Frank-and I'm supposed to disarm Alice, which I do reluctantly as Rose floats closer to the Whomping Willow, screaming some choice words at Nott. And me.

Goyle and Warren now have struggling Al and Frank captive, and I lightly grab Alice's arms.

"Don't say anything," I whisper quietly. "I'm going to let go of you. Grab the three wands, disarm Goyle and Warren, help Al and Frank. Shake if you understand." Alice shakes slightly. Rose floats closer and closer to the Whomping Willow-

And I let Alice go.

Rose POV

"Put me down, you insolent baboon of a wizard!" I shriek at Nott. I glance at my friends-currently struggling with Malfoy, Goyle, and Warren, all three of them disarmed.

I look back to where Nott seems to be moving me-dear God. It's the Whomping Willow. Its branches are already moving in a mesmerizing pattern, waiting, waiting for it's next victim. Me.

I glance back over at my friends-Malfoy has lost control of Alice, and she has the three wands. Mine is lost in the grass somewhere. But Al and Frank have broken free and are now dueling with Goyle and Warren. The latter two are on the ground within a matter of seconds.

Alice is frantically searching for my wand, maybe hoping to pass it up to me. Malfoy is running at Nott, probably to assist him-I'm getting closer and closer to the Whomping Willow. I can feel the wind of the branches' movements whipping my hair-so when Malfoy tackles Nott, I almost miss it. I'm within inches of the Whomping Willow's first branches when Nott goes down, losing control of his wand. Of course, I'm nearly thirty feet in the air by now-and I go crashing to the ground.

Falling through the air. This is how I'm going to die. I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to-

Bam. Someone has caught me. I find myself breathless in-of all people-Scorpius Malfoy's arms.

"You're welcome," he says, smirking. His nerve! After everything he's done! Granted, he did just save my life twice-but he's made it awful for the past three months.

I scramble out of Malfoy's arms while my friends stand by, speechless at his change of heart. Saving me not once but twice in the past five minutes.

But it still doesn't account for all the pain he's caused me-all the pain he's caused all of us.

"You're welcome," he repeats. I don't smile, I don't thank him. I grab his tie and pull his face close.

"Don't think this changes anything," I snarl. "I can't account for the others-but I still haven't forgiven you."

I let go and turn on my heel. Alice is shaking and wraps me in a giant hug. Albus marches straight past me to Malfoy.

"Thank you," Al says, stiffly and politely. Malfoy nods carefully, and glances at where Alice, Frank, and I are standing.

Al sighs. "I suppose." Malfoy breaks out into a huge grin and follows Al over. I stand stiffly, my arms crossed, but Frank shakes his hand, smiling, and Alice gives him a huge hug, squealing, "SCORPY!" I sigh. I guess Malfoy is back.

I can't avoid him forever-I suppose I'll have to be his friend again-but things are never the same between us. Always extremely polite conversation when there is any. Alice and Frank respect my opinion, but Al is trying to get us to be friends again.

I just can't imagine we can be. Not after what he did.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy with school and sports and stuff. I have the next few chapters ready, there will only be two or three more. Thanks for reading!