Better Late Than Never

Rose's POV

"Scorpius!" I exclaimed, poking my head into a compartment of Slytherins. Zabini just gave me a very shocked look but Scorpius stood up and left the compartment.

"Hey Rose, how are you?" he asked. It was so formal, and I was a bit taken aback.

"Good. Listen, thanks for the charm. I put it on a chain," I pointed to my neck and I saw his eyes travel there, "and I'm wearing it as a necklace."

"Good," he said, smiling. He brought his hand up to touch the little charm, "I'm glad you like it."

"Why are you being so—I don't know, weird—" I said, staring at him strangely. He shrugged.

"I'm not being weird."

"You're usually all jokey and what not, you're so… somber. Are you okay? Did something happen over break? Parents?"

"No, no nothing like that. Like I said, I had a lot of Muggle book reading time. Parents were out—the usual. How are you though? After the whole Riley thing?"

"I'm over it," I said, truthfully. I saw him earlier today and didn't even have the inclination to run out of the train compartment. I even gave him a small smile, which he looked grateful for.

"Good because you have another disappointment coming your way soon," he said.

"What?"

"Gryffindor's huge loss."

I shoved him. "James is captain and keeper. Al is seeker. We're going to win dumbass."

"Yeah, well I'm seeker, and I can beat Potter," he said, rolling his eyes. "Although, I must say, if I was at wand point and had to choose one of your family members to tolerate, it would probably be Albus."

"Oh Merlin, they're not that bad," I said.

"They beat me up and left me on top of the astronomy tower."

"I thought we were past all that!"

"We are," he said, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "I just have to guilt trip you every now and then. Had a nice Christmas?"

"Not really. There was so much drama. And I spent a lot of it avoiding Riley."

"Drama of what sort?"

"Someone kissed me, Scorp. On the lips during the Boxing Day ball and I have no idea who."

His brow furrowed and he seemed worried. "Did you like it?"

I stared at him, not expecting this question what so ever. "I… yeah I guess. It was kind of nice, but I just wish who I knew who it was…"

"Well, I'm sure it was some drunk guy."

"Mmm… well you better get back to your Slytherin friends. By the way, tell Zabini to pick his jaw up off the ground next time I come to say hi to you."

Eve's POV

I was sitting in the Weasley compartment listening to everyone talk about the first (and late, thanks to me) Quidditch game. It was against Slytherin, so it was apparently a very big deal. James had not spoken to me after New Year's night, but he seemed comfortable enough to be around me. Unfortunately, I could not say the same.

I looked up as Rose came in, looking confused but happier after visiting Scorpius. I wanted to smile to myself, but there was too much on my mind to be able to muster enough caring for her and Scorpius's star-crossed lover spiel. Instead, I tried to focus on the conversation in the compartment.

"No, Montague has been training since October illegally," Al was saying.

"He still won't have the advantage, we're so much better at them. That extra practice couldn't have caught them up so much," Fred continued.

"Al, I would be worried about Malfoy if I were you. He's got skills and we all saw them last year," James said. "I hate to say it though, dumb git."

"Hey, lay off," I heard Rose say, to the general snickers of everyone except Al, who was too polite to do so.

I'm trying out for Chaser next year," Lily said suddenly. Everyone seemed surprised at this statement.

"We'll see how you do then," Al said, trying to suppress a smirk. She glared at him.

"I'll be so good you'll have to take me," she said gruffly.

"Okay then," James said. Lily stood up, gave her brothers a very obscene and un-lady like gesture (but hey who the heck am I to judge?) and left the compartment, slamming the door behind her. It opened just about a second later and in walked Laney, Dona, Reed, and Liz.

"Hello Gryffindors!" they said happily. Everyone gave them a cheery hello back, except for Rose, who seemed to be lost in thought. I, meanwhile, was craning my neck to make sure Renee didn't walk in behind them. Although I have no idea why she would even dare do that. Most of the compartment would probably hex her into next week if the opportunity arrived. The compartment was bursting with people now, and I noticed Hugo, Rox, Molly, Lucy, and Louis squeeze out, freeing it up considerably.

Laney took a seat next to me, and Liz and Dona took a seat on the compartment floor. Reed made straight for Fred and sat in the empty seat next to him, something that I saw James and Riley notice and elbow each other. The rest of the train ride went on to include more Quidditch hype, bickering, witty comments, and the occasional sexual remark. Getting back to Hogwarts was almost regretful.

There was an owl for me during breakfast. Hedwig II to be more specific I guess. I reached out and untied the letter, pushed a piece of toast toward the preening owl, and unrolled the letter.

Eve,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I'm doing very well here and I thought I'd let you know. I miss you very much. Write back soon, ok? There's really nothing much to do here but read. I've read a lot of books too!

Love,

Your mother

I sighed, folded the letter up, and stuck it in my pocket for later. I would respond, but I was not in the mood currently. Reed, looking sleepy, entered the Great Hall and made a beeline for me. She yawned and grabbed the nearest plate of sausages.

"So," I started, "Fred?" She dropped the fork she was holding and looked at me in surprise.

"How'd you know?"

"It was so obvious on the train. I think the only one who didn't see it all laid out in front of them was well… Fred, unfortunately. I think he'd like you too though, if you let him know," I say, smiling slightly.

"Shut it, Eve. You and James are more ridiculous. The sexual tension in that compartment was off the charts."

"James is a git," I stated simply. I think she caught on that I was serious and shrugged before going back to her sausages.

Rose's POV

The weirdest thing happened. Al's friend, Mark Walker just asked me to the Hogsmeade trip coming up. I stared at him for a few seconds. He was handsome and tall and pretty much everything you'd want in a guy. But then my brain wandered to Riley and how I thought he was too… and he turned out to not even like girls.

So forgive me for asking the question I asked next.

"You're not gay are you?"

He stared at me in complete surprise. "No, I am not gay," he stated. I narrowed my eyes at him and he widened his own. I was probably completely creeping him out. I shrugged. I had hung out and spoken with Mark plenty enough, considering he was with Al often. He was a good Quidditch player and a damn good Potions maker. So I nodded my yes.

"Okay… good," he said, turning to leave. But he stopped and turned to me. "Do I come off as gay?" he asked, sounding worried. I grinned and shook my head no.

"I'm just cautious. I've heard of weird things happening lately."

"Oh… okay good," he said, before turning and walking away.

I had rounds tonight. On the Friday night before the game. Which sucked because I had to miss the before-party that James was throwing in the common room. But at least I had Scorpius to keep me company.

He was tapping his foot impatiently when I found him waiting in the usual corridor. "Oh please, I'm on time. Just because you're early for everything doesn't mean you can expect it from everyone," I snapped. He just grunted and we began walking. There was no lack of anything to do. It was past 11 and there were underclassman everywhere. It was always like this before a Quidditch game I suppose.

Scorpius was getting angrier after each person he told off, and at one point, he actually gave a detention slip. Finally, I pulled him aside.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he said, not looking at me.

"Yeah right," I said, rolling my eyes. "You're being broody."

"I am not being broody Weasley," he said harshly.

"Right, and James and Eve are making out in that next broom closet," I said sarcastically. He didn't even crack a smile. "Is it the game? Is it making you nervous knowing that Al will catch the snitch before you do?

"Oh yes that's it. I'm scared of Potter," he said, rolling his eyes.

"Then what is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Weasley. Don't worry about it." And then just like that, his irritated face was gone and he seemed calm again.

Scorpius's POV

Merlin, I was being stupid. It wasn't like she was going with that Walker bloke to make me jealous. She didn't know how I felt for her. I had to pull myself together or she was going to see right through me. Either that or she'll just pull away from me. And Rose as a taken friend was a damn sight better than no Rose at all.

Or was it. Could I do this? Could I be around her like this for any longer? Just her friend and always longing for more? Could I look into those beautiful brown eyes and know that I could never be the one who makes them spark with lust and love?

I was turning into a sap.

"Look," I said, turning to Rose, "I'm sorry. I'm just on edge. With the whole Quidditch match coming up and I'm a bit out of practice." She looked suspicious and I wanted to hit myself.

"James said that all of you were practicing illegally since October."

"Whatever. Still nervous." How did that git know that anyway? She laughed and relief settled over me.

"You're scared of Al. As you should be. We are going to kick your asses," she said in a sing-song voice. Merlin, it was endearing.

"Listen, when we win will you come to the Slytherin after party?" I asked.

She glared at me. "Oh please. As if there will even be one."

Eve's POV

The normally empty Quidditch stadium (as far as I've seen) was swarming with people. I've never seen it like this. Laney and I fought through the crowds to try and sit by Dona. We made it just as the first round of announcements began.

"Hello, I'm Mickey Dawkins, and welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season! It's a bit late, but better late than never!" I looked around and saw a Ravenclaw seventh year sitting in the commentator box.. "And here comes the Slytherins! Scorpius Malfoy, seeker! Cara Parkinson, chaser! Devin Zabini, chaser! The two twin beaters, Derrick and Rebecca Rogge! Keeper, Samantha Matthews! And finally, Slytherin captain and chaser, Nicholas Montague!" There was a whole lot of cheering coming from the Slytherin side and I think I even saw Rose clapping discretely when Malfoy flew in.

"And now the Lions, favored to win today's game! Albus Potter, seeker! Aga—oh sorry Reed—Price, chaser! Elizabeth, or Liz, Jennings, chaser! Mark Walker, chaser! Our beaters, Fred Weasley and Riley White! And finally, Gryffindor captain and keeper, newly stated James Potter! What great teams, and what a wonderful game we have to look forward to!"

There was an enormous cheer for the Gryffindors, with support pouring in from the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs as well. I clapped along with them, and figured I might as well enjoy it. I had never been to a Quidditch match before. Salem had their share of Quidditch, but I was always too busy with my own mom to go to any of the matches.

"Jennings is the first with the Quaffle—" Laney grabbed my hand and we both watched tensely as Liz flew toward the Slytherin goals—"passes it to Walker, back to Jennings, oh there to Price, and back to Walker and back to Jennings and—RIGHT PAST ROGGE!" The crowd went wild, and I watched as Scorpius stopped still in midair to look back at the game, a scowl on his features. "10-0 Gryffindor!"

"Montague has the Quaffle, passes it to Zabini, looks like he's just going to go for—oh can't get it past Potter! Bad luck, Zabini! The Quaffle is now with Jennings again and—has AL POTTER SEEN THE SNITCH?" Everyone whipped around to watch as Al did a nose dive. I saw Scorpius dive as soon as Mickey brought attention to Al and they were neck and neck. I squinted and saw the tiny golden fleck they were chasing. But one blink, and it was gone.

"And the snitch has disappeared folks, that was close!" "Damn," I heard Dona swear. "Back to Jennings—ooh look at her go. I love watching that girl!" Laney turns to smirk at the rest of us. "Montague steals it and he's going for it—maybe you should try for a bit more teamwork there, Montague—oh see what I told you? PRICE WITH ANOTHER GOAL FOR GRYFFINDOR!"

The game went on this way, with no sign of the snitch. It had already been an hour and a half and Slytherin hadn't scored even once. They were trailing so far behind with 140-0 it was ridiculous. Now all Al had to do was catch the snitch and the game would be over. Everyone was watching the seekers now, because the pressure was on them. If Scorpius caught the snitch, then Slytherin could still win.

"Another goal for Gryffindor!" Mickey's voice boomed out. "140-0! AND SCORPIUS MALFOY HAS SEEN THE SNITCH!" My heart plummeted. I saw Rose stand up for a better view, biting her fingernails. I wasn't sure who she was supporting…

Al and Scorpius were neck and neck, and I couldn't help but see the death glares passing between them. I could almost feel the air whistling in my own ears. And Scorpius caught the snitch. I even heard James's loud curse, which earned him a very loud whistle from Chang, the referee. "AND SLYTHERIN WINS THE GAME! THIS IS ASTOUND—"

"WAIT!" I heard a chirpy voice echo through the crowd. A hush fell over the stadium and everyone looked over at the commentator box. Professor Flitwick, the charms professor, was craning to be seen (which was hard, considering he's so tiny). "Slytherin has not won the game! Price, Jennings, and Walker all scored while Malfoy was catching the snitch! This game is Gryffindor's with 170-150!"

There was a ringing silence while everyone tried to comprehend what just happened. Then, James could be seen hollering like an idiot and flying full speed toward his three shocked chasers, before enveloping them in a huge hug.

The crowd went wild.

A/N: Fluffy chapter, but who doesn't like a good Quidditch game, amiright? :)