Chapter 8

I don't know when

I don't know how

But I know something's starting right now

Part of Your World (Reprise)- The Little Mermaid

As I anticipated, the castle was much more crowded then it normally would be on Hogsmeade days, when I returned.

I contemplated going to see Morgan, but I doubted she would be out and about. Instead I began making my way back to the common room.

When I walked in, I was greeted with the sight of only a handful of students milling around in the room.

Just as I suspected, most of the older students hadn't even gotten out of bed. It was before dinner, after all. I bet that most of them would emerge at that time.

I said hello to a few younger students, and then made my way up stairs to my dormitory.

When I walked into the room, I discovered that three of the five beds had their hangings drawn. Looks like Rose and I were the only two who managed to make it out of bed in the morning. I lay down on my bed, letting out a breath of air as I did.

It had been a little over a month since Morgan asked me to break Al and Claire up.

So far I hadn't accomplished anything other than getting to know Al better.

It intrigued me that he wanted to be a teacher. I mean I always thought he was going to play Quidditch like James. He's good enough to play pro.

It seemed like the more I found out about him the more interesting he became. I've always known that he's not interested in his family's fame, but he deals with it quite well. He hasn't let it go to his head, becoming arrogant. He's pretty normal and down to Earth. It seemed like the more time I spent with him; the less I thought that he and Claire fit together.

I rolled over on to my side. As I felt myself beginning to drift off to sleep, I resolved to put more effort into breaking Al and Claire up.

What felt like only minutes later, someone shook my shoulder, waking me up.

"Wake up Riley."

"What time is it?" I mumbled rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"It's a little after three. Now wake up sleepy head."

I rubbed my eyes one more time and rolled over. Rose was sitting crossed legged at the foot of my bed, her blue eyes bright.

"Good you're awake. I swear sometimes waking you up is like waking the dead."

"So what happened?" I asked, as I sat up.

"We talked."

"More like shouted. When I told you two to take it somewhere else, I meant somewhere private, not the middle of the street!"

"I guess we're just passionate that way. I know there's a time and place for everything, trust me, my mother has drilled that into my head. But have you ever seen my parents fight? It's like something just takes them over. They don't care who sees or where they're at. Something needs to be said, and they're going to say it. I guess I inherited that."

"Wait. You just said we're. Does this mean that you're together now?"

Rose blushed.

"Rose what happened?" I asked again.

"We argued for a bit in the street. Mainly talking about what happened last night. He told me he fancied me again. Then I just couldn't take it anymore." Rose paused, smiling to herself.

"And?"

"I kissed him, and then told him I fancied him as well. He seemed pretty happy about that. Anyway, he asked if this meant if we were together, and I said yes. Well, I told him that if we weren't, I would tell my male cousins. He's kind of frightened of them. Specifically James."

"Good for you Rosie. It's about time the two of you put aside everything else and got together."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rose asked.

"The two of you have been flirting since the end of last term. It was bound to happen sooner or later. As much as the two of you hate to admit it, you're both very stubborn. Neither of you wanted to be the one who gave in first."

"You're too observant for you own good," Rose said.

"So I've been told," I laughed.

After a few moments, in which Rose stared dreamily off into space, I spoke again.

"Did you just get back?

"Yes."

"I left you about three hours ago! What did the two of you do?"

"Well we walked around the village, went to the Three Broom Sticks, snogged for a bit."

"What was that last bit?" I interrupted.

Once again Rose blushed, the tips of her ears flushing a darker color then the rest of her face.

"We snogged."

I laughed.

"Just can't keep your hands off him, can you?

"You're one to talk. I seem to remember that when you dated Oliver Thomas in our fifth year, all the two of you did was snog."

It was my turn to blush.

"Oliver was fit as hell. You know that. Pity we broke up over that summer, I really liked him."

"Oh you did not!"

Rose laughed, "You just liked his snogs, not his personality. If I recall, you were quite relived when it ended. Besides, he graduated last year. I doubt you would still be together now."

"Speaking of snogs. How's Scorpius?"

Rose sighed, her face taking on a dreamy quality again.

"You know all those old Muggle romance movies you've forced me to watch when I come visit?"

"Yes."

"Well… it's like one of those. Time just seems to stand still, and all I can focus on is him. Scorpius is a brilliant snog."

"Of course he is. He's snogged half the girls in our year," a voice interjected from behind one of the closed set of hangings off to our right.

"Fuck off Karen," Rose called.

Rose and I have never really cared for Karen. She started off all right, and we were friendly with her, but as we've gone through school, she has become more and more annoying. Rose can't tolerate her very much anymore.

"It's the truth." Karen said sweetly back.

"Come on Riley lets go see if there's anyone about down in the common room. I thought I saw Al there when I came in."

My stomach gave a little swoop at the mention of Al's name.

I pushed the covers off myself and followed Rose out the door and down to the common room.

The common room was filled with many more people than it had been when I first came through a few hours ago.

It seemed that most of the people had returned from Hogsmeade. Others had finally begun emerging from bed. T

he atmosphere was very low key; many students were playing games, working on home work, talking about their trip into Hogsmeade (mainly the third and some forth year students) or chatting about how hung-over they were from the night before (everyone else).

Off in a corner chatting animatedly were Al and Liam.

Rose immediately made a bee-line over to them. I followed behind, pausing to say hello to my siblings. Both of whom had stayed in; rather then make the trek to Hogsmeade.

I must say that Patrick's blue eyes, so much like my own, looked tired but otherwise he looked ok. Bridget on the other hand only raised her hand up to acknowledge me. Her dark brown hair was disheveled. Bridget must be feeling really bad. She's not one to leave her dorm not looking her best under normal circumstances. Even when she goes to Quidditch practice she puts on makeup and does her hair in a sleek pony. Seeing that nether sibling was interested in conversation, I made my way over to Rose, Al, and Liam.

"So Rose, I heard you snogged Scorpius." Al said, just as I sat down.

Rose turned to me.

"You told him?" she hissed.

"Well, I figured he heard the two of you arguing. It's not like the two of you keep things private" I defended myself.

"It's true then?" Al asked razing one eyebrow.

Rose crossed her arms over her chest.

"Yes. And just so you know were together now. I don't want either of you two plotting against him."

"Oh Rosie, why would you think we ever plot against him?" Liam asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Peter Evans."

"Right, but he was a dick. He deserved it." Al said sounding genuine.

"No one deserves to have their clothes charmed off in the middle of the Great Hall!" Rose growled.

"If you're going to be a dick, might as well let everyone see" Al shot back.

I could sense a fight brewing between the two. Al and Rose rarely fought but when they did, it seemed to become an all out war. It lasted for days sometimes weeks. People ended up having to choose sides.

The last time they fought, not including when Al charmed Peter's clothes right before Christmas in our sixth year, was when Al and Claire first started going out. From what I remember Claire said something rude to Rose. Rose demanded that she apologize and she wouldn't. Claire didn't think what she said was rude and thought that Rose needed to let it go. I don't think Al and Rose talked for almost a month.

Anyway, I needed to defuse the tension that was growing in order to preserve their relationship.

"So Liam, how was your date with Emma?" I asked, talking over both Al and Rose.

"You had a date with Emma?" Rose questioned.

Good, she lost interest in her conversation with Al. Crisis averted.

"Yes." Liam said blushing slightly.

"You just met her last night, and you already went out with her?" Rose continued questioning him.

"Yes…" Liam's blush got deeper.

"Wow you work fast. You must really like this girl."

Rose could be kind of protective of Liam… and Al for that matter. She's said that she feels like she's grown up with him, and that he's become like a sibling to her. Because of this she doesn't take well to him hanging around new girls.

Especially when he's only known the girl for less than 24 hours. I have a feeling I'm going to see Rose over at the Hufflepuff table tonight trying to get to know as much as she can about Emma.

"Nicely done my man. How was it?" Al asked as he patted Liam on the back.

Liam took a deep breath.

"It was… wonderful. She's so nice and polite and just amazing. She's so positive. She never has a bad thing to say about anyone"

"Impossible. People hate people"

"Just you Rose" I interjected.

Al laughed.

"Riley does have a point there Rose. Your pretty negative about everything" Al said.

Rose glared at the both of us.

"Anyway" Liam continued, " She's absolutely wonderful. I can't wait to see her again. She's all I think about."

" Your so whipped man. You've gone on one date and you're already at this point. I don't want to see you three months into this relationship," Al said.

"Fuck off, Al. I believe you said some of the same stuff when you first started going out with Claire"

"Bro code man. Don't bring up stuff like that when it's happened in the past."

"Well I think it's cute" I said staring directly at Al " You guys are so much about being 'bros' and maintaining your 'bro' image that you forget that sometimes we like to hear things like that."

Al stared back, his green eyes intense

"Only some girls get to see behind the bro image. That's how we know their special."

Rose was looking between the two of us with interest.

"Well I'm off to meet Claire. She needs help with care of magical creatures"

"You don't even take care of magical creatures," Rose said.

"Exactly." Al said with a grin.

Before Al could leave, Rose grabbed his sleeve.

"When you get back come find me. I know you'll be back before dinner."

"How do you know I'll be back before dinner?" He asked

Rose gave him a hard look.

"Yeah, alright I'll find you when I get back. See the rest of you lot later." Al said. He then turned and made his way out of the portrait hole.

"I'm glad you had fun on your date Liam" I said smiling at him.

"Thanks Rye bread." Liam replied.

"As much as it sounds like the two of you are on the verge of an epic conversation I need to talk to Riley"

"About?" I honestly had no clue what she wanted to talk about. I mean we already talked up in our room.

Rose gave me the same hard look she gave Al. One that conveyed that I would do what she said with no questions asked.

Just like Al I caved

"Alright."

She stood up and I followed her. We left the common room and walked until we found an empty classroom.

I barely shut the door before she started talking.

"What's going on between you and Al?" she demanded.

I turned to face her. I'm surprised I kept my mouth closed.

"Nothing" I stammered.

"Don't lie to me Riley. I know the two of you better then anyone else. Now what's up with you guys?"

"I honestly don't know what you're talking about. There's nothing going on between us. We're friends." I sensed she was going to cut me off "If something does happen, which it won't since he's dating Claire, I'll let you know."

I was breathing hard. I didn't like being accused of something that I didn't do. Let alone something that was never going to happen.

Rose's face softened.

"Just so you know Rye, whatever that look the two of you shared back there was, I've rarely seen him look at anyone like that."

"Noted…" I said. "Are we done here?"

"Yes…"

I turned to leave, but Rose spoke again.

"Riley. Just be careful alright? Claire is one hell of a bitch and a fighter."

"I know," I replied.

And then I turned and made my way out into the hall.

Hello lovely readers!

I would like to start off by saying thank you for reading! You have no idea how much it means to me how many of you have made this story a favorite or are following it. The reviews you have been leaving are amazing as well! I love hearing what you think :)The song at the top is the Apart of Your World reprise from The Little Mermaid.