A/N: Ok, here we go! I am so sorry it's taking so long to update but school has invaded my life so they're going to be coming slower for at least the next couple of months. Over Christmas I'll have more time to write and get ahead again when I'm not drowning in papers and midterms. I have a plan and it will probably take me at least five to ten more chapters to get to the point where His Only Daughter picks up.

Chapter 18

I stood frozen long enough for Al to get three quarters of the way down the corridor before I chased after him.

"Albus! Al, wait!" I called after him, breaking into a run when he showed no signs of stopping. "Al!"

I heard his huff of exasperation as he turned around. "What? Not done yelling? Or would you like to have a fresh go at me? Merlin knows I deserve it," he muttered, running his hands through his hair. "My brother's girlfriend. My brother's bloody girlfriend. Granted she wasn't… but then I couldn't make it disappear…" He'd dissolved into nonsensical ramblings now.

"How long?" I asked softly. I remained a few paces away from him, as though he were a wounded Hippogriff. You didn't push a wounded Hippogriff.

"Since the summer before fifth year," he told me, hanging his head, "I remember sitting with Scor in my bedroom at some family thing, watching you guys out the window. She threw her head back, laughing about something, and I just blurted it out to him. He didn't even look surprised."

"That long? And you never…?"

"I was too afraid. I'd thought she was pretty the first time I saw her, but I was far too young to understand what it meant. Once I did, I was too afraid of rejection to say anything, so I just stood by and let the years pass. Once I realized how deep my feelings really were, well… you remember what fifth year was like."

I nodded. That was the year he'd started to realize exactly how many girls thought he was attractive. They were all over him.

"I didn't know what to do, so I asked James. He told me that I should just forget about this girl I liked; I had plenty of time to settle down and get serious later. So I listened to him and tried to forget about her. Not that it worked, but I gave it my all. I shouldn't have listened to him. I became exactly the type of person who doesn't deserve her. Not that it matters now anyways," he went on bitterly. "As soon as I heard James asking you about her I knew. James gets everything he wants, and all I could do was sit back and watch it happen. I couldn't very well fight against my brother for her, now could I?"

"But… How can you say that and then turn around and try to convince James to break it off?"

Al sighed, running a hand over his face. "Because I'm an awful person, that's how."

"Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true. I told myself it was fine, them being together. I told myself she was happy, and that was all that mattered, but it was a lie. I didn't understand what it meant, her being with him. I didn't realize that letting James have her meant I never could. I can't date my brother's ex-girlfriend, but I also can't take watching the girl I love in love with my brother. I was too afraid to pursue her myself, but I can't stand by and watch her with James. I can't stand her loving someone who doesn't even come close to good enough for her."

"Al…" I had no idea what to say. There was an ache in my gut for my best friend. A month ago I'd thought my love life sucked. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

He laughed humourlessly. "What was I meant to say, Rose? I couldn't very well tell you I was in love with one of your best friends; that would put you in too awkward a position. Besides, I told myself the feelings would disappear in time, but they never have."

"I'm sorry, Al."

He half-shrugged, trying for a smile and failing. "No matter. What's another loss to my brother in the grand scheme of things?"

I had no ready reply to that. Instead, I reached out and grabbed his hand tightly, leaning back against the wall. He stared down the deserted corridor a moment longer before shifting to lean beside me. We stood together in silence until the final curfew bell rang.

I walked slowly back to the dormitory, trying to wrap my head around it all. How in the name of Merlin had this gotten so convoluted? I'd been happy when James and Emily had finally gotten together, but now I looked back on it all with a bitter taste. I understood why he hadn't told me. I couldn't be completely happy for Emily now that I knew it was killing Al, but I couldn't be unhappy for her either. I was torn in two, and I couldn't help but harbor the smallest of resentments toward my cousin for putting this all on me, even though I knew he didn't have a choice. I'd confronted him and gotten far more than I'd bargained for. This was my own fault.

"Rose? You ok?" Scorpius asked as I climbed through the portrait hole. Obviously I wasn't as good at hiding my emotions as I thought if he could read me that quickly. I supposed I'd have to get better at that around James.

"I-er- I just came from talking to Al…" I told him, unsure how exactly to put what I'd just learned into words.

I didn't have to. He nodded in understanding. "He told you about Emily, didn't he?"

"How could I not have known?" I sighed, sitting beside him on the couch and leaning against his side. He slid his arm around me and my head dropped onto his shoulder. "Am I that self-absorbed that I couldn't see it?"

I felt his chest constrict in a soft laugh. "Al was good at hiding it, and you usually weren't around the two of them anyways. You were too busy trying to avoid me, remember?"

I laughed along with him this time. "That turned out really well."

"Seems that way," he replied, "Not that I'm complaining."

"I just don't know what to do now. How do I act around them? James?"

He shrugged, running his fingers lightly up and down my arm. "The same way you do now. Nothing has to change. Nothing has changed."

"I don't like change," I said bluntly.

He laughed again. "No one does."

I sighed before changing the subject by grabbing his hand. I extended his fingers in mine, studying them. "How is it?"

"The Healer said the bones are mended but it's still weak. I've been coaching practices but I haven't been actively participating so I don't know how I can be ready for next week."

I threaded my fingers through his. "Squeeze my hand."

His grip wasn't as strong as I was sure it had once been, but it was a start.

"Again," I instructed when his grip relaxed.

"What is the point of this, exactly?" He asked.

I grinned up at him. "Physical therapy."

He laughed. "I suppose it's better than the stupid ball they gave me."

Dom heaved a huge sigh as she dropped down next to me on the couch in Gryffindor Tower a few days later.

"Please tell me that was an 'I hate school' sigh and nothing more. I don't think I can take anymore relationship drama right now," I told her wearily, flipping a page in my Alchemy book. It was a lot easier to do my homework in Gryffindor Tower now that I didn't have to hide the class. Scorpius had been right about me worrying too much. I was trying to ignore the knot of uneasiness in my stomach at the thought that perhaps my parents wouldn't ever support this choice. Scorpius would be right about that, too. Besides, once they found out we were dating, my pursuit of Alchemy wouldn't be that big of a deal anymore.

"No danger of that here," she replied, staring into the fire.

"How's he doing?" I asked, referring to James. It was Dom's turn on the visitor wheel, for which I was thankful. I wasn't sure I could handle seeing James after everything Al had confessed.

"The same. I don't know why he's being so stubborn. I left him when Emily showed up."

"Good, maybe they'll sort it all out."

When Emily returned, there was a fire in her eyes I hadn't seen in a while.

"I told him I'm going for the interview in France. I supported his dream. It's his turn to support mine. I'd only be gone for a minimum of two years anyways. I can come back to London for my practical years. I should have told him about it, but what's done is done. I won't have him trying to guilt me into staying here."

We both stared at her, dumbfounded.

"What exactly…?" Dom started, trailing off as she tried to comprehend Emily's sudden change of attitude. I was having trouble catching up myself.

"I realized I used to fight for what I want. I used to challenge James, not just tip-toe around him. I said I wouldn't sacrifice my dreams for him, and wouldn't ask him to do the same for me, but I didn't realize that we've sacrificed who we are when we're together instead. James and I used to be so good together, but all this distance has turned us into people we don't recognize anymore. We're so focused on making it work that we've been trying our best not to fight. It's not healthy, all this trying to keep each other happy nonsense. Couples fight," she told us with a confidence in her voice that was missing the past couple of weeks.

Dom blinked. "Ok then."

It was a rare occasion to see her so speechless. I, on the other hand, was more concerned with what brought about this sudden revelation.

"Albus," Emily confessed when I questioned her on it. "He told me that I was doing exactly what I said I wouldn't, and he was right."

"I know what you're about to say, but I couldn't just let her give in," Al said as I approached his table in the library. "You know I'm right. She used to stand up to James when he was being ridiculous, but this time she was actually considering giving up France for him. She told me she didn't want to be her mother, giving up her dreams for a guy and then regretting it, but he actually had her considering it. I couldn't let her do that to herself, Rose. I just couldn't."

"You're right," I finally replied, sitting across from him and trying not to wonder when they'd started having the types of conversations that led to subjects like that. Emily rarely spoke of her mother. The surprise on his face was evident.

"I am?"

"Well don't sound so shocked. It was bound to happen at some point," I teased, leaning back in my chair.

He smiled slightly, running a hand through his hair.

"I don't think you're a terrible person, Al. You can't help who you fall in love with," I told him seriously, "But you can't keep interfering. It isn't fair to any of you and it won't end well."

He sighed. "I know. It was easier when James was here. I could remind myself she wasn't mine and I had no place trying to be anything more than her boyfriend's brother. But with James gone, you and Scor in your own little bubble, and Dom off doing whoever she does," I scowled at him, but he ignored my look and kept going, "we just sort of fell together, you know? It was natural, and it felt right, and I just couldn't help myself. No one was there to tell me it was wrong or I should be the good guy and back away. I convinced myself I could be her friend. I told myself it was better than nothing."

I smiled sadly at my cousin. "It sucks, loving someone you're not supposed to, doesn't it?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Bit soon for love, isn't it?"

I flushed deeply as I realized what he was talking about. "That's not what I meant. I, er, I didn't- It's only been a month, of course it's too early. Please don't repeat that."

A wicked grin spread across his face. "What are you willing to offer me in return for my silence?"

Before I had a chance to reply, Scorpius dropped into the seat beside me, his arm falling casually across the back of my seat in a rare show of coupledom. I watched as Al successfully managed not to cringe and smiled brightly. He was getting better every day.

"What are we talking about?" Scorpius asked, sending me into a fresh blush. He quirked an eyebrow as he looked at me, intrigued, and then turned to look at Al.

To his credit, Al managed to shrug casually. "Nothing too exciting."

I could tell he didn't believe it, but he let it go.

"You going to be ready for the match next week?" My cousin asked.

"Not sure yet. Rose is going to come out to the pitch with me after supper to see how my hand is doing."

"You actually talked her into getting onto a Quidditch pitch?"

"I'm sitting right here, guys," I pointed out, crossing my arms.

Heedless of my comment, they continued to talk as though I wasn't there. It seemed to happen this way every time Quidditch was brought up, so eventually I just resigned myself to the fact that neither of them was going to notice me and stood up to leave. That got their attention.

"Where are you going?" They asked simultaneously.

I shrugged, "To do some actual work. As fun as it is listening to you go on about Quidditch… I'll see you later."

I looked back at the door to see them already engrossed in conversation again. Just before I looked away, Scorpius's eyes rose to meet mine and he grinned briefly. I returned the smile before heading off to the dormitory to do some revision before I sacrificed my night to Quidditch. Wow, never thought I'd say that…

I re-entered the dormitory after supper with just enough time to change before we were set to meet. I stopped short when I saw Scorpius turn quickly toward me, shoving a piece of parchment under the cover of his Magical Law book as he stood up.

"Hey, I thought you'd already be down there," he said, running a hand through his hair.

I frowned slightly, trying to figure out what I'd just interrupted. "I just have to change and I'll be right down. Everything ok?"

He smiled, but it seemed forced. "Yeah, why wouldn't it be?"

I shrugged, figuring he was probably just nervous about getting back to Quidditch. "Just wondering. I'll be right back."

Upstairs in my room, I summoned an old sweater and jeans from the closet before making my way to the small vanity in the corner. I sat down, waving my wand to have my hair pull itself into a ponytail. Initially, I'd scoffed when Dom had dumped a pile of beauty spellbooks onto my bed in the summer before sixth year, but they definitely saved time. I studied myself in the mirror for a moment longer before shaking my head. It was just Quidditch. I didn't have to be so concerned with how I looked, did I?

A part of me went with that thought, but the girl inside knew that it did matter, however illogical it may be. I'd had a similar feeling when I'd first started dating Adrian. I wanted to look my absolute best at all times, regardless of how many times I hadn't in the past. The delusional part of me wiped the slate clean and started again last month, pretending Scorpius had never seen me at anything other than my best. Yes, it was completely stupid, but I couldn't help it.

"Ok, let's go," I said brightly, jumping off the last two stairs to land lightly on the ground.

"You seem pretty eager for someone who detests Quidditch so much."

"Yes, but this isn't actual Quidditch. There's no formal rules, no chaotic team selection."

His hand rested lightly on the small of my back to guide me out of the portrait hole before him as he chuckled. "For someone who loves rules so much I thought you'd love the structure offered by actual Quidditch."

I rolled my eyes good naturedly, not replying as we descended the first staircase.

We'd been in the air for about two hours, the serious practicing long over. Instead, we'd descended into the childish game of broomstick tag. I was losing miserably.

"Ok, ok, I give up!" I shouted, laughing. "Let's play something I actually have a chance at!"

"Like what?" He asked, grinning as he came to a stop beside me.

"Point for point."

He raised an eyebrow. "Point for point? You think I'm looking to fail? I remember what Al told me about your Keeping skills."

I shrugged. "I'm not that good, especially with a Quaffle. Besides, you're the captain of the Slytherin team. I think my fair Keeping skills put me on at least the same level as you."

He sighed. "I'm going to regret this."

"Nah," I laughed, waving my hand in dismissal.

Half an hour later, he regretted it. I was up by five, but only because I got lucky and he was a miserable keeper. All in all, his hand seemed to be doing pretty well.

"Please, put me out of my misery," he complained.

"You're the one who asked me to do this," I replied cheerfully.

"A mistake on my part, I see that now. You are an awful victor."

I laughed loudly again, swerving to meet the Quaffle he launched at me and catching it with ease. "Tell you what, you make this next one, and we'll call it a tie."

"What's the catch?" He asked suspiciously as I tossed the ball back to him, catching it more easily than I had.

"Who said there was a catch?" I asked innocently.

"I've listened to Al complain about your conditions for years. There's always a catch."

"Ok, so you're right. If you make it, I'll call it even on the condition that you tell Al about the whole Law thing."

"And if I don't?"

"Well, then the Slytherin captain will be forever shamed because he was beat at Quidditch by Rose Weasley. Your choice."

"You are an awful person. Remind me why I like you, again?" He asked jokingly.

"Because I'm- Hey! That was not fair!" I exclaimed as the Quaffle zoomed past my left arm while I was distracted.

"You didn't set conditions on how I had to make the shot. Game over, Weasley."

I directed my broom toward the ground after a second more of staring open-mouthed at his sinking form.

"You know, you don't have to tell Al if you aren't ready. I don't want to push you into anything," I hedged, landing lightly.

He turned to glance at me as he locked up the chest containing the balls. "I needed a push. I wouldn't have scored if I hadn't thought you were right."

"You would have taken the shame?" I asked, grinning.

"There's nothing shameful about letting your girlfriend beat you at Quidditch," he replied, "Some would even call it sweet."

My jaw dropped in indignation. "You did not let me win!"

"How can you really be sure of that?" He asked, flicking his wand to levitate the chest in front of us.

"Because you're too competitive to let me win, just like I'm too competitive to let you win."

He didn't reply, which I took to be a concession. My smile widened as we made our way into the castle. I could almost pretend that this wasn't all going to come crashing down around us the second our parents caught word of any of it.

A/N: Ok, so it's shorter again, but I wanted to get something up at least! The next chapter will hopefully be more exciting than the conversation and filler and fluff going on in this one. There will be some temporary resolution to the Emily-James-Al drama, though that definitely won't be over, and we'll start a little bit of Scorpius conflict too, just for fun!