Chapter 4

Rose managed to make it all the way to the library, and to the table in the farthest corner of the large room before she broke down in silent sobs. She placed her head on her hands on top of the table, and passersby would have thought she was asleep had it not been for the shaking of her shoulders. She could not believe everything that had just happened.

Al knew. How horrible of a situation that is! He had to want to kill her, no question, but why had he not said anything to her yet? How could he hold it in? Stupid Gryffindor, probably didn't want to hurt his sister by bursting out at Rose in front of everyone. Ha. That thought made Rose feel even worse, what kind of Gryffindor was she, that she had put herself in this position anyway? 'Bold and daring' the voice in her head responded. Yeah right. So damn daring to get your own heart as well as that of your cousin smashed! Argh!

Then of course, there was the fact that Scorpius had said he'd stay with her, Rose, instead of his actual girlfriend. She couldn't believe it. He constantly said he'd never leave Lily for her, and now he was willing to do it. But of course it had only been because of the fact that she'd do what Lily wouldn't. More like what Lily couldn't. She was only thirteen after all! Then again, Rose herself was only fifteen, and what kind of fifteen year old gives it up as easily as she had to some stupid boy. Especially some stupid boy who could probably care less for her.

Merlin. The final thing she couldn't believe was that she had actually said out loud that she loved him. And if that wasn't bad enough she had told him! She had said it to him! To Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy. He knew now that she loved him, that the time they spent together wasn't as careless and fun for her as it was for him. What did he think? Did that surprise him? Did it scare him? Impress him? Mean nothing to him?

She didn't have much time to think about it, because someone had placed a hand on her shaking shoulder, and was speaking her name in a very concerned voice. She couldn't quite place the voice, but whoever it was wasn't giving up because she could feel their breath on her arm as that person continued to try to get her attention. She slowly lifted her head, and what she saw only made her cry harder. Lily's beautiful flowing red hair framed her very concerned and young face as she tried to ask her cousin what was wrong. Rose threw her head back down onto her arms, and Lily took a seat in the chair next to her before pulling her toward her and cradling her in her arms. She tried to calm her, running circles along the fifth year's back, but Rose was so upset she almost didn't feel them doing so.

She didn't know how long they sat there like that, before she finally calmed down and the sobs were reduced to small sniffles. She wiped her face, and Lily just watched. Once she was done, Lily smiled hesitantly at her cousin.

"Rose, what's happened?" she asked in a calm, sympathetic voice.

"It- it's nothing." She sniffled, rubbing her nose along the back of her hand.

"O.W.L.'s?" Her cousin asked in a knowing voice.

Glad of the excuse, Rose only nodded and looked away. "It's hard."

"It's ok, Rose. You'll do brilliantly! I know they're only about two weeks away, and of course you're nervous. But you've been studying so hard, I just know you'll do well."

Rose was convinced that Lily should have been sorted into Hufflepuff, she was so caring and kind, but then sometimes the Slytherin in her did show through. Right now, however it was the kind words which were eating away at her. She betrayed this kind, loving girl's heart when she did what she did with Scorpius. And here she was, comforting her. She didn't deserve this. She deserved to be hit! Numerous times with the most horrid of hexes and curses imaginable. She deserved to be yelled at, to receive the most intense tongue lashing in history. She deserved to be ignored, cast aside as a traitor. She deserved to be outed, to her friends, family and of course Lily herself. She deserved to know what had been going on behind her back for nearly three months. But then again, did she really? Did she really deserve to be hurt like that? No. Lily didn't deserve any of that. But Rose did. She deserved to be punished, to be hurt. She didn't deserve Lily's reassuring words, and her comforting arms.

It seemed that Fate agreed with Rose, because at that moment, she turned to see no one but the very last person she wanted to see at that moment. Albus Severus Potter was walking toward the two girls with some determination in his steps. He approached the table, and looked at the two girls, Rose with her red red eyes, it was apparent she had been crying. He turned to his little sister, who had a concerned look on her face.

"Lily, you have a class you should get to." He said, uncharacteristically missing emotion in his voice.

"So do you two-"

"Yeah, but I need to talk with Rose." He hadn't taken his eyes off of Rose, staring intently at her and she felt as though he could see through to her soul. She knew what Scorpius was talking about when he said those green eyes held an 'evil glint'.

Lily, however, must have missed it. "Alright. You take care of her, Al."

"Oh, I will."

Rose and Albus continued to stare at each other as Lily grabbed her bag from the floor beneath the table, and left. They stayed that way for a few more moments before he pulled out the chair across from her and took a seat.

"So, what does the sneaky traitor have to be crying about?"

A/N: wow... i was so quick between updates! haha... i just couldn't wait to write more this time. :) so what do you think albus is gonna say to our dear, poor rose? think she deserves it? or is she just a victim of love? haha... let me know what u thinK!