The Second Outing

Eve's POV

I was hiding, and not proud of it. If I wasn't in class, I was hiding in the library, or asleep in my bed. I took my meals and left with them before anyone could say anything. My escorts didn't really have much to do, and often slept off during their "drug duty" or whatever.

People had stopped talking about it completely, which was a relief. But I was too ashamed that my story had gotten around to venture out and see if it had. But one day, James cornered me in the library.

"You have got to stop hiding in here," he insisted.

"You have got to stop using that fucking map to stalk me," I snapped at him.

"Look, you can be mad at me all you want, but Rose wants to speak with you. Pretty urgently. And as I'm on the outs with Rose, I offered to get you to her somehow in exchange for my cousin back."

"Thanks for caring, James," I said sarcastically. He looked angry.

"You won't let me care about you."

That shut me up. I gathered up my books and followed him out of the library, making sure to stay close to his side. It was a Sunday evening though, and most of the students were outside on the grounds, so I didn't really have anything to worry about.

"So I expect you're really far ahead with all your schoolwork from being locked up in the library for weeks?"

"You thought right."

"Well Rose's Slytherin friend," James coughed a bit resentfully after he said this, "wants to come up a plan to prove that someone framed you."

"And how would Scorpius—yes he has a name—know that?"

"Apparently it's foolproof. But as we're here, you can hear for yourself."

"Explain," I said, not looking at anyone but Scorpius. He looked so out of place amidst Al, James, Fred, Hugo, Lily, and Roxanne.

"There's no one in this castle dealing drugs, nor was there ever."

"How do you know that? There must be someone if there's all this fuss."

"I'm a Slytherin, and I'm something of awesomeness in that house. I asked around, and no one knew anything about a dealer. And don't you think that if there were drugs floating around, Slytherin house would be a focal point?"

"You're only something of awesomeness in that slimy house, Malfoy," Fred growled.

"Be nice, Fred," Rose warned.

"Yeah, be nice, Weasel," Scorpius drawled.

"Will you all shut up and tell me what you're all doing discussing my fucking business?" I said, before wands could be fully drawn.

"Look Eve, we like you, and it's Rose's fault that you're in this mess—" James began, but got a huge cough of disapproval from Rose, "alright fine, our fault, and we want to fix it. We've all been sworn to secrecy, the Weasley way, and won't say a word. All anyone knows is that someone framed you for being a drug dealer." James gave me a look and I immediately understood that no one besides James, Scorpius, and Rose knew about my family situation. I allowed myself to put down some of my guards and start to listen.

"Christmas is coming up next week. Will you come to the Burrow with us?" Rose asked. "You can stay at my house."

"Um…" I began, "I don't know if I can."

"We've already settled everything with the school and they said no problem. We explained the situation of how you were falsely accused of drug dealing to mum and dad and they offered to be your 'holiday escorts,'" James said.

I was slightly overwhelmed. Why did they want me in their house? I didn't think anyone wanted me in their house; especially the Golden Trio. This thought then further closed my throat up.

"Alright," I said, trying to hide my shaky palms in between the folds of my skirt. I saw Al smile at me from behind James.

"Don't worry, Eve. We don't bite."

"I can't make promises," Fred joked.

"Don't be a git," Lily shot at him. "I'm glad she's coming over and everything, but on with the plan. I love plans." There was silence while everyone stared at each other. "Oh my god, don't tell me no one came up with a plan?" Lily asked, looking annoyed. "I came here under false pretenses. So excuse me, I'm going to go find Ralph."

"Who is Ralph?" Al and James both asked at the same time. Lily narrowed her eyes at them and walked out.

"Ah well, there's time for plans during Christmas time," James said dismissively. Rose shook her head.

"No there isn't. I'm going to go find out who did this," Rose said.

"And how's that?" Fred asked.

"I'm a prefect, remember? I'll just ask the headmistress. Scorpius can come with me. He's a prefect too."

"No, he won't," James said fiercely.

"James, give it a rest." Everyone turned to gape at Al, who was looking a bit weary. "Scorpius has been here with us for a good while, and he doesn't seem all that bad. Just defensive, but that's because our family is a bunch of gits. We're no better than the prejudiced Slytherins if we go around hating everyone because they're from Slytherin or because their last name is Malfoy."

I shot Al a smile, which he returned with a wink. Rose hugged him.

"I like this guy," Scorpius said, walking over to stand next to Al. They shook hands and it was all very picturesque.

"Oh Merlin," James said. "Fine, whatever. Ok Rose, you and Malfoy will go up and see if she tells you anything. If not, we'll regroup when you get back."

"You want us to go right now?" Scorpius asked.

"When then Malfoy? Waiting for Voldemort to come back?" James snapped.

"Oh shut up," Scorpius said irritably.

"Can we just get a move on?" Fred asked.

Rose's POV

Scorpius and I made our way to the gargoyle that stood in front of the Headmistress's office.

"So, are we okay again?" I asked nervously. Scorpius didn't respond and so I snuck a look at him. He wasn't frowning, but he wasn't smiling either. He looked like he was thinking hard about something.

"You know, your cousin Al, he's really sensible."

"Yes," I agreed, not knowing where he was going with this. I felt him reach over and take my hand.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"For what?" I asked, surprised.

"Just, that it got like this between us," he said.

"Me too. And I'm sorry for being such a bad friend," I responded, feeling my heart grow lighter. He squeezed my hand lightly, and we found ourselves in front of the gargoyle.

"Felino," I said. The gargoyle moved aside and a staircase unwound itself and presented itself to Scorpius and me. We climbed up and found ourselves at the door. He took the knocker and knocked twice. It swung open to show the Headmistress, scribbling upon a parchment on her desk, her nose almost touching the paper.

"Headmistress?" I asked. She looked up suddenly and nodded at us. We came forward and sat in the two seats in front of her desk.

"Hello Weasley, Malfoy," she said, folding her hands together in front of her. "What troubles you?"

"Evelyn Martin," I said. She looked pensive.

"Is this something drug related?"

"No," Scorpius said. "Well, sort of, but not what you think. We need to know who tipped you off about Eve."

"I'm afraid, Mr. Malfoy, that information like that is very anonymous. Now, if you will excuse me—"

"She's being framed, Headmistress," Scorpius said.

"And how would you know that, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Because no one's even heard of anyone selling drugs in the castle, Headmistress," I piped in.

"You two are prefects; no one will let you know about it."

"No offense, Headmistress, but I'm in Slytherin. I would have heard about it."

"Look it's not fair to have her followed on a hunch by some crazy person who wants to hurt her in some way," Scorpius said.

"The person who informed me is not crazy, I assure you."

"Professor, with all due respect, no one thought that Tom Riddle was crazy either," Scorpius said, completely seriously. I almost laughed, but I had enough sense not to. She stared at him, her mouth in a thin line.

"Fine, I shall investigate this further. You both are like your parents: nosy and butting in where you do not belong. But very well, I shall call my informant in and find out for myself."

"But that person might lie again!" I protested.

"I assure you, Weasley, I know how to make her tell the truth. And I don't need violence or veritiserum to do it," she said. She looked weary and looked pointedly at the door. We mumbled apologies and hurried out of the room.

James didn't look convinced. "She's going to forget."

"Oh give her some credit," I snapped at him.

"Whatever. But if by after Christmas, this isn't wrapped up and I don't kill the fucker who made this rumor up, I'm going to find out for myself."

"Whatever, James."

"No need for killing," Eve said nervously.

"Rose, can I talk to you?" I saw Riley standing at the door to the common room, his eyes flickering between Scorpius and me. I nodded and followed him up to his room. "What is going on?" he asked.

"I can't tell you," I said.

"That's not fair. Malfoy knows."

"So?"

"So, why the hell am I in the dark?"

"Riley, don't be a hypocrite. It's not like you don't have your secrets."

"Like what?"

"Why the hell you got beat up and left in a broom closet for almost dead?" I demanded. He flinched away from me.

"I can't tell you that, Rose."

"Then what happened this summer?"

"Can't tell you that either."

"Then why should I tell you anything?"

"Fine I get your point. I'm just frustrated because James and Fred are in it too."

"It's just… a more family thing."

"Fine. I miss you though," he murmured, leaning toward me and taking my face in his hands. I smiled and leaned into him and began to kiss him. Things began to heat up, as usual, and I began to pull away. But he pulled on me harder.

"Riley, what—" I murmured and tried to pull away harder. But his hands were already up my blouse and under my bra. I pushed against him frantically. "Stop Riley, just think—" And then I kicked him right in the nuts because he had just put a hand up my skirt.

"Rose, I'm gay," he burst out, while cowering down on the bed beside me.