A.N. So thanks for the alerts, and reviews, favorites, etc. I was going to wait until tomorrow, but now was as good a time as any so… here's the next chapter.

It took a rumor

"They so obviously are. They're just hiding it from their families." Rose heard a girl say. She froze where she was, still hidden from the gossipers. "I don't know about that. I think they're just friends." Another girl said. "You only say that because you fancy Malfoy." Rose put her hand over her mouth. "It's so Romeo and Juliet, a Malfoy and a Weasley." A third voice said. "Rose is so lucky." The second girl moaned clearly jealous that the boy she fancied was "involved."

Rose's breathing quickened. What? She turned and fled silently. Halfway back to the Hufflepuffs' dormitory she stopped and fell back against the stone wall. She put a shaking hand to her forehead. Those girls … they thought… She and Scorpius? No, it was, they were just friends. Anything more than that, it was, it was laughable. Right? Then why wasn't she laughing? Rose began walking again. Her and Scorpius?

"Rose?" The girl jumped and spun around, having been far too occupied to pay attention to her surroundings.

"James," James smiled at his cousin as she said his name.

"Hey girlie," James slung an arm around her. "What brings you out at this time of night?"

Rose shrugged. "Just walking."

"Cool." Silence fell as the cousins walked along. Once or twice Rose turned to look at James opening her mouth then closing it.

"James," she finally said.

"Yea?" he turned and looked, light reflecting off his brown hair.

"Scorpius," Rose stopped. James looked at her.

"Is this a name game?" he asked a smile playing around his lips. Rose sighed. "What do you think when you look at me and Scorpius?" James furrowed his brow as he thought about the question.

"I think bees," James said finally.

"Bees?" Rose asked bewildered.

"Yes. You know Hufflepuff colors? Yellow and black. Just like bees" James smiled at his own wit.

"James." Rose whined. "Be serious." James laughed.

"What is this Rosie-pose?"

"Can you just answer the question first?" Rose pleaded. James sighed.

"I don't know Rose. I mean you two are friends and you seem pretty close. I'm not quite sure what it is you want to hear," Rose was silent for a moment.

"I'm not quite sure what I want to hear either." She said finally. She then realized they were in the front of the Hufflepuff entrance.

"Have a good night and let me know when you figure out what you want to know about Mr. Scorpius Malfoy and you." James said teasingly. Rose smiled and hugged him. "Goodnight James," she turned to enter.

"Hey Rose?" she turned. She noted the strained look her cousin's face.

"When I see you and Scorpius together… I think of comfort." James said hesitantly, looking puzzled by his own answer .Rose looked at him.

"Thanks," she walked inside. A few of the older students were still in the room. Rose's focus settled on one of the black armchairs that held her blond friend. She smiled to see Scorpius' head lolled back, mouth wide opened as he slept. Rose walked over to the armchair stifling her giggles when she noticed a bit of drool at the corner of Scorpius' mouth.

"Scorpius," Rose gently shook the 17 year old. "Scorpius wake up darling." "Wassup?" Scorpius opened his eyes. Rose giggled at the confused look on his

face.

"You fell asleep in the common room," she explained. Scorpius sat up and frowned as he lifted his hand to wipe the drool from the corner of his mouth.

"How was your walk?" he asked.

"It was … okay." Rose said heart beating faster at the question. She looked at Scorpius and smiled. A forced smile. Scorpius looked at his best friend a feeling of something being off.

"Oh." He said unsure of how to respond.

"Well I'm going to bed. " Rose said smiling brightly.

"Good night Rose," Scorpius hugged her.

"Goodnight Scorpius," she turned and walked to the girls' dormitory. Scorpius watched Rose go a sick feeling in his gut. Something was wrong. He sat on the arm of the chair heavily. Why wouldn't Rose tell him what was wrong. He breathed in, trying to relax. Maybe she was in shock and would talk to him tomorrow. Right? They talked to each other about pretty much everything. If something was wrong she would tell him. He would just have to wait until tomorrow. Scorpius got up and walked toward the boys' dormitory bidding good night to a few of his peers.

Rose sighed as she shut the black curtains on her bed. Comfort. Rose lay down and pondered James' answer. Comfort? What did that mean? Rose shifted in her bed her pyjamas twisting around her body. Well she would seek Scorpius out to comfort her when she was upset. That was a friend thing though right? Rose stretched out her limbs and turned over in her bed. Right. That's what Scorpius was, a friend. Those girls didn't know what they were talking about. Just rumors….

A.N. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed!