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ROSE

I love going school shopping, almost as much as I love being in Diagon Alley. There are so many different shops and people that it's an absolute sensory overload, better than anything in the muggle world. I like it much better than being in the dark Manor all the time. It's a pretty depressing place to live.

Hugo and Nina have gone off with Mum to have their robes fitted, leaving Scorpius, Elle, and I. We've got most of our shopping done, so we're wandering around for the most part, going into shops that Elle wants, much to Scorpius' chagrin. It annoys me how mean he is to her. It isn't Elle's fault who her parents are, and she's actually really sweet and adorable.

"Auntie Rose," Elle questions, looking up at me with wide brown eyes the same as Isobelle's and mine. "Can we get ice cream?"

"No," Scorpius says under his breath, shaking his head. I elbow him.

"Sure, we can," I say. "We don't have to meet Mum for another hour."

Elle grins at me, and she doesn't say anything else. As we walk, she reaches up to take my hand. She doesn't say anything else, but I know that Elle likes to have me close, and I don't mind it. I'm sure Isobelle doesn't do everything she should with her at home, and I don't exactly know how Simon factors into the equation. He seems pretty disinterested in Elle for the most part. I'm not sure how or why that is.

Elle absentmindedly reaches for Scorpius with her other hand. He glares at her, but lets her do it. I'm not sure who Scorpius is trying to kid. He's pretty mean, but he does have a soft spot for Elle, no matter how much he tries to get everyone to think he hates her. I think he pities her because he knows what sort of person Isobelle's become, and how it's affected him. He doesn't want that for Elle. None of us do. Mum and Dad tried to tell her that she didn't have to raise Elle on her own, but she only got mad and didn't talk to any of us for two weeks. I just wish Belle would admit she has a problem. But she won't.

Scorpius pulls out Elle's chair for her. She sits down with her ice cream with a smile on her face. I can't help but realize she looks like a little doll with her perfect blonde curls and stupid pink robes. I shouldn't be surprised, though, because Isobelle sees her as something to show off and put clothes on instead of her child. Thinking about her puts me in a terrible mood.

Elle picks up her spoon with her left hand, and then frowns to herself. She sets it down and picks it up again with her right hand.

"What was that for?" Scorpius questions, studying Elle closely.

She shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "That's my wrong hand," she says, raising her left hand. "Mummy and Daddy says I have to use the other one cause it's normal."

Scorpius rolls his eyes. "That's bullshit," he mutters under his breath. I kick him under the table, although I couldn't agree more.

"It doesn't matter which hand you use," I assure her. "Both are normal."

Elle looks at me like I couldn't possibly be telling the truth. She doesn't say anything. Scorpius and I share a look. He shakes his head slowly.

I look up as the door opens. Nothing could have possibly made my day worse. At the same time, though, I'm sure Scorpius' day has just gotten infinitely better. He raises his eyebrows and leans forward in his chair as the devil herself approaches our table. She sits down beside Scorpius and drapes an arm around him. I could vomit.

"I've missed you," Daisy purrs, scooting closer to Scorpius. "It's been two weeks." She flips her dark, curly hair over her shoulder and bats her golden eyes. Even though she's the definition of a pureblooded girl, Daisy insists on dressing like a muggle whenever she can. It's only so she can wear her low cut, tight dresses. It isn't like Scorpius complains.

"I've missed you too," Scorpius replies blankly. Honestly, I'm not sure what Daisy can see in Scorpius beyond his looks. He seriously lacks a personality.

Daisy grins and places her hand on Scorpius' cheek, giving him a totally inappropriate kiss. Elle giggles.

"Can you not do that here?" I ask. "We're in public."

Daisy pulls away from Scorpius and pouts. She trains her eyes on me. "I'm sorry, Rosie," she apologizes with fake sympathy. "Did you want a kiss, too?"

"I do!" Elle smiles. For some reason, she actually likes Daisy. I'm sure she's become accustomed to toxic people by now.

Daisy grins at Elle and gives her a small kiss on the cheek. "You're much more agreeable than your aunt," she says, cutting her eyes at me. Elle doesn't notice.

"So, Daisy," I start casually. "How does it feel to be repeating Seventh Year?"

Daisy's a year older than Scorpius and I, but she's also incredibly stupid. For Scorpius, that works out perfectly. He does her homework, and then they go sleep together. That's pretty much the entire term for them in a nutshell. If only Daisy could pass her exams.

Daisy rubs Scorpius' chest lovingly. "Great," she says. "It's not as if my school marks are actually going to matter in life. Ask your sister, won't you?"

Daisy hates Isobelle almost as much as she hates me. I'm not sure why. "Oh, please," I mutter.

"Besides, I'm glad," Daisy assures me. "Now that Scorpius is Head Boy, we'll have a room all to ourselves."

"It's Scorpius' room," I correct Daisy. "But I'm sure you'll frequent it like it was your own."

Daisy smirks, and then looks at Scorpius. He opens his mouth to say something. She puts a finger over his lips. "You don't have to defend yourself against her. She's just upset she didn't get Head Girl," Daisy whispers in a loud enough voice for us all to hear. Elle isn't paying attention. She's too busy wiping her fingers with a napkin.

"It was your fault," I remind Daisy begrudgingly. Last year, I received a pretty horrible grade in Potions. Ravenclaw and Slytherin have class together, and we're allowed to choose our partners. Daisy, only for sabotage, chose me. I don't think we got a good grade on anything. Because of that, I came in second for Head Girl. I've never wanted to murder anyone more in my life.

Daisy shrugs with a stupid smile. "What can I say? I'm bad at Potions."

"It's not just potions."

Daisy purses her lips and stands up. She urges Scorpius to stand, and links her arm in his. "Let's get a room at the Leaky Cauldron," she suggests. "I want to show you just how much I've missed you."

I frown at Scorpius. Mum would have a fit if she knew he just left us here.

"But, Mum said-"

"We'll be back within the hour," Scorpius tells me. "Don't say anything. Fifty galleons."

"Yeah, whatever," I mutter. It's not worth it to fight him.

Elle waves goodbye to Scorpius and Daisy. Daisy grins and waves back, and they're gone.

I sigh and look at Elle. She's sitting patiently, waiting for me to tell her what to do. "Looks like it's just you and me."

I have to be the one to take Elle home. If it were up to me, she would just live with us. It would probably be better for her that way. Elle pouts a little, and it breaks my heart. I wish Scorpius did this instead of me, because he doesn't get as worked up about as I do. It's one of the upside of having an annoyingly-stoic personality.

"Is your mummy at home?" I ask Elle. It wouldn't be unlike Belle to forget Elle's coming home and just leave. But maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing. Then she could stay with us a little longer.

Elle nods. "She says she's gonna be home all day waiting for me," she informs me proudly.

"Do you think she's in her bedroom?" I ask.

Elle shrugs. "I'm never allowed in there," she tells me.

"Why not?"

Elle shrugs again. Something isn't right.

"Well, we're going to go look."

Elle frowns and opens her mouth to protest. It's scary how easy she gets worked up if the thinks she's disobeying one of her parents. "But… I will be in trouble," she whines.

"No you won't," I promise her. "I'm coming with you."

I lead Elle upstairs. She follows me slowly, as if she's scared for her life. I knock on Belle's door. For some reason, she and Simon don't sleep in the same room. I wouldn't like to share a room with Belle either, but still. They're married.

There's no answer.

"Let's go away," Elle suggests quietly, tugging my hand. I try the door. It's locked.

"Alohomora," I whisper under my breath. The doorknob clicks, and I open the door.

Isobelle is sitting at her windows with a far-off expression on her face. She has a long letter in her hand, and she glances at it occasionally. I don't know who it's from, or what it says.

"Mummy!" Elle says, her face suddenly breaking into a smile. Isobelle glances upward, not quite positive where the sound's come from. Then she turns to see Elle and me.

"Delphine," Isobelle says quietly, a pained look on her face. She doesn't say anything else to her. Delphine crosses the room, sitting beside her mum on the window seat. I stay by the door.

"Where's Daddy?" Elle questions.

"He went back to work," Belle says quietly. "Don't you want him to make a lot of money for us?"

Elle looks conflicted. She's too young to understand what money has to do with anything. And Isobelle's far too old.

"But I only sawed him at breakfast," Elle says sadly. "I miss him."

Belle kisses the top of Elle's head absentmindedly. "So do I." She looks up at me and gives me a small smile. "Did she behave herself?"

I nod stiffly. "How couldn't she?" I ask. I don't think Belle understands that Elle doesn't try to be bad, and that half the things she does is because she's a child without any kind of parental guidance.

"I was good," Elle tells Belle.

"I'm glad," Isobelle says slowly. She turns back to me. "Where's Scorpius?"

"With Daisy," Elle answers with a smile. "We saw her at the ice cream place!"

Isobelle frowns. "You know I don't like her around Delphine," she tells me disapprovingly.

"It's not my fault. She just sort of walked in," I explain. "Whether we like it or not, she's going to be Elle's aunt soon."

Since Scorpius was twelve, Dad and Mr. Zabini have arranged for Daisy and Scorpius to get married. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. But then again, it's not like Daisy can marry herself.

"I don't care," Isobelle says firmly. "I told you-"

"Then maybe you should watch your own kid for once!" I snap. "You want us all to do everything your way, but you get mad when we offer to help you."

Isobelle clenches her jaw. "Delphine, go to your room and play," she orders.

Delphine pokes out her lip. "Mummy-"

"Please."

Delphine doesn't say anything else. She hops down from the window seat and leaves the room, not before giving me a hug. "Bye Auntie Rose," she says quietly.

"Bye, Elle," I say, just to annoy Isobelle.

She rolls her eyes. "Shut the door after yourself, Delphine."

Elle shuts the door, leaving Belle and I. "What do you want to say to me?" I ask. "I hope it's important enough for it to make sense for you to kick your daughter out."

Isobelle tilts her chin upward, as if she's better than me. "I only didn't want her to hear you speak disrespectfully to me and then believe it was okay to do the same," she informs me.

I roll my eyes. She can't be bloody serious. "You're one of the most disrespectful people I've ever known! And you've been that way ever since I met you!"

Luckily, I haven't known Isobelle all my life. Too bad I'm too young to really remember that though. Isobelle hasn't really given my life anything good. Because of her, I don't speak to my Dad- my real Dad's- side of the family at school. I haven't even seen my Dad since I was twelve. He doesn't want anything to do with me or my family. It's all thanks to Isobelle. No one wanted any of this to happen except for her. We were all content with our lives before she ruined everything.

"You're seventeen," Belle reminds me. "You don't know as much as you think."

I scoff at Belle. She can't be serious. "Oh, please. When you were seventeen you quit school and followed Holden around like a little puppy because you thought you were in love with him! I'm the one who doesn't know anything?"

Isobelle glowers at me. "You don't know what being in love with someone is!" She tells me angrily.

"Neither do you! You can't pick a decent guy to save your life, and you married Simon after knowing him for a month! Who the hell does that?"

Isobelle purses her lips. "Go home," she says finally.

Honestly, I don't care. I don't have to put up with her. "Fine," I say, opening the door to walk out. "Don't let Delphine drown in the bathtub this time."

"What did you just say to me?" Isobelle asks in a deathly quiet voice.

I roll my eyes. "I didn't stutter."

"You don't know how difficult being a mother is!" Isobelle says indignantly.

"Neither do you," I remind her. "Having a kid you didn't even want doesn't make you a mother."

Isobelle points angrily to the door. "Get out!" She shouts.

"Whatever." I shut the door behind me, and it doesn't take three seconds for me to hear Isobelle start crying. I don't feel bad for her at all, and I'm sure no one else does either.

"Come in," I say when someone knocks on my door. Hugo comes in with a stack of textbooks and puts them on my bed. It's kind of weird how manly Hugo looks now. Year of playing quidditch have made him really tan and buff, which is way out of place with his teddy-bear personality. He's also a lot taller than me now, and I think he even has a centimeter or two on Scorpius. They're both stupidly tall, though.

"Mum said don't forget these," he tells me quietly, giving me an uncomfortable smile. He knows I've been in a bad mood since I've come home from dropping Elle off.

"Thanks. You should start packing too."

Hugo shakes his head. "Can't. Dad's taking me and Nina to the match today. I don't have time."

I frown. "What about Scorpius?" He never misses quidditch matches, unless he's so sick he's almost dying. Something must be wrong with him.

"He said he didn't want to go," Hugo says plainly, shrugging.

"Did he and Dad get into an argument?" I ask. It happens pretty often.

Hugo shakes his head. "Not that I know of. No one argues as much as you think they do, Rose," he tells me mindfully.

"I was just asking," I say flatly.

Hugo puts his arm around my shoulder. "You know Dad loves us too," he reminds me. Hugo's always been better about accepting Scorpius' dad as his own than I have. I mean, he hasn't ever given me a reason not to like him, but I just don't exactly like being reminded that my own dad would rather forget about me. It's not a fun thing to think about.

"Yeah, I know he does," I tell Hugo.

"Thanks."

Scorpius comes into my room, with Nina at his heels. "Mum wants your laundry," Scorpius informs me.

"Dad says we're going to be late!" Nina says at the same time, trying to push around Scorpius. "Come on, Hugo!"

Hugo stands up from my bed and gives me a meaningful look. "See you guys later," he says to Scorpius and me.

I look up at Scorpius. "Tell Mum I'm coming."

Scorpius looks at me like I'm insane. "I'm not going back downstairs. I'm already up here now," he tells me. Have I mentioned Scorpius is a lazy git?

"Whatever. Why aren't you going to the match?" I ask.

Scorpius shrugs plainly. "I'm just not in the mood to go," he tells me.

"Bollocks, "I say, narrowing my eyes at him. "You always go to quidditch matches. You're doing something stupid aren't you?"

Scorpius shakes his head. "I'm packing for school," he tells me. "And then I'm going to have a long talk with Mum about how embarrassing it is that she writes me letters during term, and lastly I'm going to pay you the fifty galleons I owe you."

I study Scorpius a moment longer, but he doesn't seem to be lying to me. After living with him for twelve years, it's become pretty easy for me to tell. He turns to walk out, not before raising his eyebrows at me.

"Don't forget your laundry."

*(A/N: I actually kind of like Rose's P.O.V.! She's not as angsty as Scorpius, or as distressed as Isobelle. But I think it was pretty obvious from Receive that they would grow up not to get along with each other. Poor little Elle! Leave a review!