JK Rowling Owns Harry Potter!

ROSE

I don't know what to think anymore. My entire family is a group of individuals, especially Scorpius. School seems like a place to get away from everything, but it just makes me feel further apart from my brothers and Nina. It's hard. The only person I talk to anymore is Hugo, and even he seems preoccupied with quidditch, and his friends. Scorpius won't really talk to me, and he's kept Nina so close to himself I've only spoken to her a couple times since school began. And today, at the first Prefects' meeting, I'm not positive what will happen.

The Prefect's Room is silent, and we're all sitting round a table, separated by House. Scorpius stands on one end of the table, his jaw clenched tightly and seriously. His platinum blond hair is combed back in a severe way, showing off his eyes and permanent look of brooding and unhappiness. I guess he's supposed to be good-looking somehow, to other girls. Beside him sits Liliana, the Head Girl who should have been me. She has dark eyes, but they seem kind. She's in my House, although I haven't spoken to her much.

My boyfriend, Lorcan Scamander, sits beside me. He's in my House as well. His mother, Luna, and my mum were friends growing up, but I don't think they've spoken much since. Lorcan's parents travel too much, and they're rarely ever in England. He has a twin brother, Lysander, but he isn't exactly the intellectual kind. He's more of a free spirit.

"Excited for this, aren't you?" Lorcan mutters under his breath with a small smile, squeezing my hand.

"You know I'm not," I say quietly back. For the past month, Scorpius has been trying to figure out who my boyfriend was. I suppose he'll know now. Here's hoping all hell doesn't break loose.

Scorpius clears his throat, glancing down at a long list of parchment. Liliana looks at him as if she's annoyed already. I can only imagine how badly they butt heads trying to get the meeting planned.

"This meeting would be brief, or as brief as I can make it," Scorpius starts, looking all of us in the eye as if we're leagues below him. "First of all, as Prefects, your responsibility is to uphold the reputation of this school, and all its rules. You set the standard, keep that in mind."

Funny, Scorpius says all that as if he believes it. He can't preach to anyone about upholding rules.

"If you find yourself unable to do this, hand me your badge at once," Scorpius says plainly. "I don't have any time for those who won't take themselves seriously."

Liliana rolls her eyes, and then gives all of us a tight smile. She obviously isn't disillusioned by Scorpius' self-proclaimed charm. "What he means is that it's an honor to be a Prefect, therefore we should all work together and do our best to set an example for the school."

"I know what I meant," Scorpius says rudely, frowning at Liliana.

"I don't doubt you did, but you looked like you had a problem articulating it," she counters, raising an eyebrow. "There are two Heads for a reason."

Scorpius pinches the bridge of his nose. "A reason I don't know of."

"He's so agreeable," Lorcan mutters. I stifle a laugh and nudge his shoulder. Scorpius gives the both of us murderous glares.

"Because if everything were up to you, every Prefect will have quit by tomorrow," Liliana points out. She stands up too, although she's a near head shorter than Scorpius. She has a point.

"Well, then, it's a lucky thing you're here to save the day," Scorpius mutters venomously.

"Really, it is," Liliana agrees in a fake tone. She turns to address us once again, rifling through a few sheets of parchment in front of her. Her expression is strained. Even in the dim lighting, I can see the look of hatred Scorpius has for her already. He doesn't take too much of a liking to anyone who dares challenge him.

"We need to establish hallway duty," Scorpius continues, ignoring Liliana. "I should separate each of you-"

"It's quicker to do it by House, the way we've always done," Liliana interrupts, staring Scorpius down, daring him to object.

Scorpius rests his hand on the top of his chair, his knuckles whiter than his pale skin. "It's ineffective, I know that for a fact. If we were to divide duties by House, there'll be favoritism. And besides, some of us might be interested in other things-or people- and forget where our priorities lie. Am I correct, Scamander?" Scorpius tilts his head in Lorcan's direction, waiting for a response.

"One-hundred percent, Malfoy," Lorcan replies. Scorpius glares at me, seeing to notice for the first time I'm holding Lorcan's hand. He looks like he's tasted something awful.

"I'm not changing my mind," Scorpius informs Liliana tightly.

"Whatever," Liliana sighs. She turns back to us like the thought of Scorpius is making her sick. "I'm also supposed to remind you lot that grades are important as well. If your marks drop, then you'll have to forfeit your badge. But I don't believe I'll have to worry about that from such a bright lot." Her tone is encouraging, and she offers yet another smile.

Scorpius stares a hole into the side of Liliana's head, as if the sound of her voice is enough to get him worked up. I don't know why he's so bent on dictating everything. I think being so controlling is a defense mechanism of his.

"There are other matters we have to discuss for the next hour," Scorpius says coldly. He won't stop glaring at me, and I'm not so much intimidated as I am annoyed out. "We'll tackle the issue of curfew first."

Liliana nods her head, agreeing with Scorpius the first time since this meeting began. The first Prefect's meeting of the year is always the same, probably just so the new Prefects know what to expect. Poor them for having to deal with Scorpius their first year in.

If I was ever wary of Scorpius, I especially am now. I don't know what he thinks he's doing, being all kind to Nina when he couldn't care less about her at home. It confuses me, and I want to know what he's up to.

I glance at them from the other end of the library. Scorpius brings a book to the table, opening it in front of Nina and handing her one of his quills. He starts explaining something to her, and once she nods her head at him, he gives her a small smile and nod of approval.

"Why don't you just ask him?" Al whispers, pushing his glasses up on his nose and scrawling on a sheet of parchment. He's trying to take notes, and I'm sure my constant complaints are bothering him sort of, but I can't stop.

"Bloody brilliant," I say sarcastically. "Only you forgot Scorpius is the most unresponsive asshole on the planet."

Al shakes his head. "He's my best friend, I know how he is."

"I don't know why you choose to deal with him." It's beyond me how Scorpius has any friends. I would say that ever since he turned fourteen, he became a prat who forgot how to deal with people. Besides, he's hopelessly boring anyway. Nothing about Scorpius screams interesting.

Al shrugs, flipping a page in his Herbology textbook. "He's not that bad. You're just overreacting a little."

Sometimes I hate Al for always trying to be positive. It's annoying. "But what does he even want with Nina? He wasn't interested in her at home."

"Maybe he just wants her to be comfortable. She doesn't want to be in Slytherin any more than you want her to," Al reasons. "They're still siblings."

No one knows that isn't true other than my parents, Isobelle, and I. Nina has the same father as Hugo and me. I wonder how much Scorpius would think of her if he knew the truth, that Nina wasn't really a Malfoy.

"I still don't like it," I say. "Scorpius is a git. I don't want him to make Nina one, too."

Al clears his throat. "You guys are being ridiculous," he says quietly. Insults always sound odd in his soft voice.

"Who? Me and Scorpius?"

Al nods. "All you do is talk about the other without talking to each other. He swears he's going to kill Lorcan."

"I'd like to see him try," I mutter. Scorpius is all talk. He's been that way for years. I glance over at Scorpius and Nina again. Something can't be right. Scorpius is too selfish to actually care about Nina. It's upsetting me. "Fine, I won't worry about it. I'll help you instead. Al?"

Albus is staring a couple tables away, at a group of Ravenclaw girls. One of them rises on tiptoe to shelve a book, and I notice it's Liliana. She seems more at ease than she did earlier in the Prefects' meeting. Feeling like she's being watched, she turns our way, her ponytail swinging behind her. Liliana gives Albus a smile, and his face turns red. He gives her a small wave back. I snap my fingers under his nose.

"Since when do you fancy Liliana?" I question.

"She's nice," Al replies plainly. His eyes linger on her for a moment, and then he turns back to his homework, his ears pink. Al's such a puppy.

"How would you know?"

"Potions last year," Al says simply. He looks eager to change the subject. "The answer to this one is 'dragon dung fertilizer', right?"

I nod my head. "Yeah."

School started only about a week ago, and the weather's already dropping. It's chilly outside, but there's a nice fall breeze that makes me want to be outside. I rest my head on Lorcan's shoulder as we sit against one of the taller trees. A lot of students are outside today, since the weather is nice and the amount of assignments we have is still light.

I twine my fingers through Lorcan's distractedly. I really like him a lot, even though he's been my only boyfriend, so I wouldn't have anything to compare this to. I just don't want to mess things up. I don't want to end up like Scorpius and Daisy, being so bored of Lorcan I don't care what he has to say anymore. I don't want to end up like Isobelle either, who practically let Holden walk all over her and thought it was love. Merlin forbid I end up like Mum either, or Dad. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that no one in my family's really had a successful relationship as a teenager.

It wasn't like I was looking for a boyfriend, either. Lorcan and I had always sort of been friends, but at the end of Sixth Year, things just felt different. I don't regret it. Lorcan's brilliant, and friendly. If I had to choose, I wouldn't pick anyone else for me.

"Are you all right?" Lorcan asks, knitting his eyebrows. He has a textbook to the side of him, holding my hand. "You have this distant look on your face."

I nod my head slowly. "I'm fine." I move my body into his, and he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

"You are coming to the match Saturday, aren't you?" Lorcan questions. He plays quidditch for our House, and on Saturday, we play Gryffindor.

I nod. "I wouldn't miss it," I promise him.

Lorcan gives me a thankful smile. That's the thing about him. He doesn't expect me to come, just because we're together. He still gives me the decision.

"I'm honored, considering I know how barbaric and pointless you think quidditch is," Lorcan says with a laugh.

"Don't think you're going to change my mind about, it either," I tell him. "Whether or not you're on the team, that doesn't make me like quidditch."

Lorcan nods generously. "Well, I'm glad you're firm," he says jokingly.

"As if I'd change my opinions for a boy," I mumble, rolling my eyes with a smile. That's completely pointless.

"That's all I am to you?" Lorcan asks, faking a hurt expression.

I wrinkle my eyebrows. "What else would you be?"

Lorcan smiles and tilts my chin up. He kisses me, and it's slow at first. I'm still pretty new to the whole affection idea, but I quite like it. I don't know why other girls feel the need to completely lose who they are to have a boyfriend. With Lorcan, I don't feel that way at all.

Lorcan kisses me again. "I'm still just a boy?" he questions.

I shrug. "What else should I say you are?"

"'In love with Rose Weasley' would work," Lorcan suggests.

My facial expression goes serious and I shake my head. "Don't say that. We've barely been together two months."

"That's long enough to know I love you," Lorcan assures me, kissing my forehead. "We were friends years before that. But if you don't want me to say it, then I won't."

"Thank you," I tell Lorcan gratefully. "We're only seventeen."

Lorcan looks confused, which isn't common for him. "You don't have to be a certain age to love someone," he informs me slowly.

"I know that, but still. Just to be sure," I warm him. "I… I feel that way about you too, but I'm not saying it."

"You just did."

I sigh. The breeze ruffles my hair, blowing it into Lorcan's face. "Sorry," I apologize quickly. "But I mean I'm not saying that word," I explain.

"Love?" Lorcan says. "It's not a curse word."

I'm not sure about that. Men have told Isobelle they loved her, and she obviously hasn't come out any better for it.

"I'm just not saying that word," I tell Lorcan.

"It's just a word." If it's only a word, I don't understand why Lorcan cares so much.

I nod my head in agreement. "You know how I feel about you, whether or not I say it. You don't need me to stroke your ego with a stupid word, do you?" I question, giving Lorcan a look.

"It wouldn't hurt," Lorcan mutters, glancing down at me with a sarcastic grin. He smells like pine trees sort of, and I really like it.

"Idiot," I mutter playfully, nudging Lorcan with my elbow.

He gives me a smile and kisses me again. "So, are you not going to say it?" He questions.

"Maybe later," I relent. "But not now. Good lucky trying to change my mind."

Lorcan gives me a tired smile. "Don't you think I know by now that I can't your mind?"

I walk to Potions alone. It's a long walk from the Ravenclaw part of the tower, and I need the couple minutes to myself. I already know Lorcan's in my class, but we agreed to meet there, since he's coming from another class.

Seventh Year hasn't exactly been fun so far, and part of that is probably thanks to my family. Scorpius is doing whatever, and he's apparently dragging Nina with him. Hugo's too worried about his friends to really talk to me. I understand, I have friends too, but he's still my brother.

I don't want to think about Isobelle. She's more like a dark cloud than a member of my family. She's written me three times already, saying it's much harder to care for Elle when I'm away and that she asks for me. Of course, it's harder, since Mum and I practically raised Elle until she was old enough to somewhat do things on her own. I was thirteen when she was born, and I still had more of a maternal instinct than Isobelle ever will.

The only one in that family I care about is Elle, and I hope she'll be all right. It's not like her safety hasn't been threatened before, with Isobelle as her mother. She apparently thinks it's acceptable to be passed out drunk in her bed while her three-year-old takes a bath on her own and nearly drowns. As much as I dislike Simon, he isn't as careless, or at least I wouldn't know, since he's never around. Something about that equation isn't right to me.

"You shouldn't be walking on your own," I hear Scorpius' bored tone as he comes out of a corridor next to mine and joins me in my walk like we're currently on good terms. It's just my luck Slytherin and Ravenclaw have Potions together. His hair is slightly disheveled, and he smells like perfume.

"Three guesses what you were just doing," I mutter sarcastically. "Or who…"

Scorpius narrows his eyes at me. "Daisy's my fiancée," Scorpius reminds me in a bored tone, "unlike that silly boyfriend of yours. I don't want him near you."

I roll my eyes at Scorpius. Who does he think he is? "Good thing I don't need your permission to have a boyfriend, isn't it? Why do you care so much anyway? It's just Lorcan. I thought you weren't afraid of anyone."

"He's a boy," Scorpius says gruffly, as if this is all the argument he needs. "And, surprisingly enough, you aren't horribly hideous-"

"Was that supposed a compliment?"

Scorpius shakes his head, affronted that I cut him off. "And your figure isn't so terrible, either. Since you choose to be so blind, what I'm saying is that-"

"Me not being ugly means any guy that's interested in me is only interested in my looks?" I question, putting a hand on my hip.

Scorpius purses his lips. "You said it, not me," he mutters.

Scorpius walks with a long stride, and it takes some effort to keep up with him. I'm sort of offended he would think that way. Does he really think I'm that desperate to be with Lorcan? "Why is it important to you, anyway?"

"I'm not going to let my sister be mistreated," Scorpius says, albeit his tone sounds a bit wistful for him. He looks away.

"I can take care of myself, thanks," I say sharply, frowning at Scorpius. He clearly disagrees.

"I dearly hope he loves you, then," Scorpius says generously. "For your sake and mine. I'd hate to have to kill Scamander for breaking your heart."

I don't know what Scorpius is playing at, or why he cares about me. Or Nina, for that matter. "What's wrong with you?" I ask accusingly, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Nothing," Scorpius shrugs, taking a glance at his watch. A small group of students passes in front of us as the corridor opens up into another, full of classrooms and buzzing students. It's almost impossible to walk a centimeter without bumping into someone. Everything is loud from that constant hum that always seems to come from large groups of people. A few of the girls turn to look back at Scorpius and smile. He pretends to not notice.

"Yes, there is," I continue, clutching my schoolbag closer to myself to keep from hitting anyone. Since when do you talk to Nina?"

Scorpius gives me a look like I'm insane. "Merlin forgive me for talking to my sister, who's been sorted into my house," he says stiffly. "You're truly amazing, thinking you're the only one entitled to care about other people."

I'm confused. "But you don't care about other people," I remind Scorpius.

"You're absolutely correct," Scorpius says, although his tone is dark. He clenches his jaw. "Do whatever the fuck you want. I don't care." He takes off, pushing his way through the crowd of students until I can't see him anymore. I don't know why Scorpius would get offended by anything I'm saying, since he doesn't act any differently. I don't storm off like a child when he's mean to me.

Students are filing into the Potions classroom. Most of them I've had classes with at some point or another, some of them, I haven't. I don't really know too many of the Sixth Years. Scorpius is already seated beside Daisy, who has her legs crossed over his under the table. I wish he would have just gone to class with her instead. The only reason she's going to survive in an Advanced Potions class is because he's going to do all her work for her.

Behind Scorpius, Al is sitting at the table with his fist under his chin. He's sitting by himself, but he seems to be waiting for someone in particular. Some students look like they want to take the seat beside him, but know it's not for them. He makes small talk with Lorcan, who's at the table beside him. The way they're seated, I would guess either Lorcan or Albus was first, and Scorpius sat near them to irritate me. He'll probably claim it's because he wants to be close to Al. I roll my eyes.

Lorcan waves me over with a smile. "Saved you a seat," he says, as if we hadn't already agreed on it.

"Thanks," I reply gratefully. "Who's Al waiting for?" I ask, my voice low.

Lorcan tilts his head toward the door as Liliana walks in. She immediately locks eyes with Al and gives him a warm smile.

"Are you and Liliana together?" I ask, leaning over to Al.

He shakes his head, even though his face goes pink again. "No."

Liliana takes her seat beside Al. "Hi, Albus," she says kindly, tucking her hair behind her ear. That's all I need to hear to let me know Al likes her. He won't let anyone call him by his full name, except his parents, and that's only sometimes.

"Hey, Liliana…" Albus says quietly, and his voice sounds strained. He glances down at the table.

Scorpius turns around and raises an eyebrow once he notices Al is sitting beside Liliana. Daisy turns around too, giving Liliana an equally distasteful look, sizing her up. "I thought my ears were straining a bit too much."

"It's nice to see you too," Liliana says tightly, frowning at Scorpius. They seem to really dislike one another. "You're too kind."

"I'm obliged to be kind to you if you're Albus' girlfriend," Scorpius quips, giving Al an approving look.

"She's your girlfriend, Albus?" Daisy asks, her eyes going wide with interest and surprise. She turns around fully so that her elbows are resting on Al and Liliana's table. "What a lucky lady." If I didn't know any better, I'd say Daisy wanted Al for herself. She sure behaves like it.

Liliana shakes her head slightly, seemingly offended by Daisy. "Al and I are friends," she says plainly.

Al nods in agreement. "Yeah, we're only friends."

Daisy shrugs like she doesn't really care. "Pity." Her eyes focus on the golden badge on the front of Liliana's robes. "So you're the Head Girl, what an accomplishment… Why didn't you tell me, Scorpius?" She gives me a triumphant smirk. I could murder her.

"Thank you," Liliana replies. Scorpius looks as if he's going to be sick.

"You're welcome. I'm sure Al could have been a Prefect too, only he's too disorganized…" Daisy musses up Al's hair and gives him a look. Al immediately pulls away and busies himself with taking a quill and ink out of his bag, but he drops it and curses. Liliana tries to help him.

Looking satisfied enough, Daisy acts as if she notices Lorcan for the first time. "So, you're Rose's romantic interest?" she drawls, looking to Scorpius for confirmation. He nods distastefully. I glance at the clock at the front of the classroom, praying class will begin soon. The professor isn't even here yet. We've got another ten minutes.

Lorcan nods plainly. He's too good to sink to Daisy's level. "And you're Scorpius' fiancée'? Congratulations."

"Thank you," Daisy replies, raising her eyebrows playfully at Lorcan, making me hate her more with every breath she takes. "And your name is…?"

"Lorcan."

"Pleasure," Daisy mutters in a low voice, offering her ringed hand to Lorcan to shake. He seems to comply so as not to seem rude. I don't understand how Scorpius can watch her flirt with every bloke with a pulse and not be bothered by it. "Merlin, you're strong... Looking the way you do, I can't hardly understand why-"

"What a surprise," I interrupt. "I've yet to find anything you understand."

Daisy narrows her eyes at me. Al and Liliana are pretending to take interest in a picture in Al's textbook. "I'm sure Lorcan could help me out a bit, then," Daisy suggests, twirling her hair in her finger.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline," Lorcan says, trying to keep a polite tone. He gives me an apologetic look. It's not his fault Daisy's a horrible bitch and Scorpius encourages it.

"Fine," Daisy pouts. "Enjoy yourself with Weasley, then. I hope you like doing it on your own."

Albus looks up from his textbook. "Daisy, that's mean," he interrupts. Al always takes it upon himself to play referee, since he knows Scorpius won't. Liliana looks proud of him.

"I'm sorry," Daisy apologizes, paying attention to Al instead of me. She obviously doesn't mean it. "How rude of me." She turns around, not before glaring at me and muttering a badly disguised "bitch" under her breath so that only I can hear. I ignore her.

"Keep your hands off my sister," Scorpius adds threateningly, glowering at Lorcan before turning around.

Both Al and Liliana give me apologetic looks. I sigh. Only the rest of the school year to go.

(A/N: Poor Rose! At least she has Lorcan! I think it's kind of hard for Rose to have a boyfriend, because she isn't super affectionate and she's really independent. Maybe Lorcan will be good for her, though… Scorpius is also super hard to figure out… Leave a review!