Chapter 27
Rose's POV
We boarded the train that day, stuffed with Nana Molly's giant chocolate Easter eggs and a sense of merriment. I actually hurried off to the prefect carriage to find Scorpius. He wasn't there yet. I sat through the entire revised schedule and Scorpius didn't show up. We were dispersed to roam the corridors and I went off looking for him everywhere.
I searched up and down, even tolerating Zabini's idiocy to see if Scorpius had been there. Everyone had said they hadn't seen him. Maybe he was traveling by via floo powder. Disappointed, I began to walk back to my own compartment, before I was stopped by Riley, who had a huge smile on my face.
"Riley," I said, surprised. "what are you so happy about?"
"I just wanted to thank you Rose. I've decided to come out."
"And you're thanking me because..."
"Because you're the first person who made me realize this is real. That I am a homosexual."
Well doesn't that just make a girl feel good.
"Well I'm happy for you Riles. And so will James and Fred. They've been dying to know what's wrong with you too. Did you tell your mum?"
"No, I haven't, but, I was kind of going to save that."
"Coming out means telling everyone, Riley," I said, grinning.
"Well I'm just going to come out to my best friends. Can I get a hug?" I looked at him and realized that I was no longer angry with him. Scorpius was too much on my mind to even care. In fact, I was happy for him. I was happy that he was finally accepting himself for who he was. I open my arms and he grabbed me, pulling me close to him, and almost lifting me off of my feet. I walked back to the compartment with him and smiled to myself when he asked Fred and James for a word. But I really wished Scorpius was on the train.
/
Eve's POV
"-so he's gay. Can you believe that? I had no idea," he said. I marked another star on my astronomy chart.
"I didn't either, but it's not a big deal James," I said, for maybe the millionth time. "Oh gosh, JJ just kicks away as he pleases, doesn't he?"
"I know it's not a big deal, but I wish he told us instead of being so-wait, who's JJ?" he asked, looking toward my stomach suspiciously. I tried to not answer and was cursing myself for slipping. But he was watching me for too long, so I answered.
"What I call the baby," I said, blushing. "I didn't want to call it, it anymore."
"I see," he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "and what, may I ask, does JJ stand for exactly? I blushed harder and mumbled it out. "What was that, didn't quite catch it?"
"James Jr.," I said, slightly defiantly. His amused twinkle didn't disappear, but he was grinning hugely and leaped over to give me a passionate kiss, making my blush grow deeper.
/
Rose's POV
"James!" I called, running up to him. He was snogging Eve, as usual, and I had to yell at them to break them apart. "Get a room," I snapped. "Listen, I need your map."
"For what, little cousin?" James asked, looking back down at his homework. "Because if it's to do your prefect rounds, no can do Toots. I'm not aiding and abetting in such terrible things."
"No," I said, irritated. "I have to find someone and kick their ass." James reached into his bag, pulled it out, and handed it over.
"Be my guest," he said happily, before going back to Eve. "Wait," he said, pulling away. "You and Riley went out. Did you know he's gay?" he asked me.
I nodded, still searching the map. "That's the real reason we broke-aha!" I said, excited when I found Scorpius-and Helen-I frowned-sitting together at the library.
"What's wrong?" James asked, watching me.
"Nothing, I've just, here's your map back," I said, wiping it blank. He obviously didn't believe me, but shrugged and took it back. I reached the library and saw Scorpius and Helen sitting at a table, holding hands, leaning close to one another and whispering. I didn't go any farther, not wanting him to see me, and felt like throwing up. How could he? He just sent me that letter. I fought the tears that had been stinging my eyes. I should've written him sooner. Or I should I have? If this was how easy it was to get over me? Anger soon replaced sadness and I stormed away from the pair of them, determined to put an end to all of this nonsense. He was a Malfoy after all. Dad would disown me. I climbed up the astronomy tower, pulled my notes toward me, and began to study, trying not to think of the blond-haired git I fancied. If only I didn't have rounds tonight.
/
He didn't show up. He wasn't at rounds. I think that might have been when my heart actually broke. Forget relationships, we were best friends first and foremost. How dare he turn his back on that? I began rounds halfheartedly, not even bothering to yell at anyone out past midnight. I just walked around aimlessly, thinking about how Scorpius was probably shagging Helen.
"Rose, Rose!" I turned and saw Rufus, a sixth year Ravenclaw prefect running toward me.
"Are you coming to tell me where Malfoy is?" I asked. He shook his head.
"I don't know where he is, but I'm supposed to parole with you from now on."
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah, there was a switch in partners. I think Malfoy wanted earlier hours, but I'm cool with-" and he went on, but I didn't really hear him. I was too busy feeling terrible. He actually switched partners? What was his problem? I groaned, and put my head in my hands. "Oh, I'm sorry, did you not want to work with me?" Rufus asked, looking bewildered at my interruption.
"No, no, I'm fine, Rufus. We're good," I said. He grinned and we walked together, with him being chatty and me hating my life.
/
Weeks had passed, and Scorpius had been avoiding me. We had a few classes together, but I wasn't talking to him after what he did, and he didn't make the effort either. As a result, all interaction ceased between the two of us. Meanwhile, O.W.L.s kept drawing closer, which was something I looked forward to-all the studying I had to do kept me from brooding. I began to maintain a happy face again, wary of my incredible amounts of family-imperceptive as they were.
"Rose, what the bullocks is wrong with you?" Al asked one day, cornering me in the library. Okay, maybe they weren't so imperceptive. I looked at Al, who looked completely out of it, with eyes sunken in and hair messy (more than usual). He also reeked. I pulled out my wand and started performing refreshing and oder repelling spells, to which he backed away from me.
"What the bullocks is wrong with you?" I shot back.
"O.W.L.s," he said darkly. "I'm dying Rose, and I need you to help me. But first, I need you to tell me what is with the bloody sad look in your eyes."
"Nothing, O.W.L.s," I tried to lie.
"Oh please," he pretty much growled at me. "Do not make me laugh." He didn't look like he was going to do something like that any time soon. "It's Malfoy isn't it? I've noticed you haven't been hanging out. I can kick his arse if you'd like."
"No, Al!" I said, slightly flustered that it was so easy for him to figure it out. "I... yes it's him, but I don't feel like talking about it."
"Are you sure?" he asked. That's the thing about Al. He didn't press you further unless you needed to be pressed.
"I'm sure Al. We can just drop it," I said. "Now, what help do you need?"
"Oh Merlin, everything. I'm so royally fucked." If Al was using such strong language, you knew he was serious.
/
Eve's POV
I was walking around when it happened. Just walking around on the grounds, talking to JJ about everything on my mind when Tom Yeller approached me, smelling of Firewhiskey. Granted, I probably shouldn't have been outside so late at night, but neither should he have done what he did.
"Evelyn Martin, the American girl. Pregnant, are we?" he asked, leaning in close to me, his breath ridiculously potent. I nearly puked. JJ took this incredibly appropriate time to kick me hard in the gut. I took a step back, trying to gather my bearings. But Yeller's hand was on my arm. He was surprisingly strong for a drunk guy.
"Yeller, go away," I said, pulling my arm away.
"You've told me to go away before. Rejected me in front of everyone. I'm not sure I liked that," he said, his mouth too close to mine. "You're a pretty girl."
"Let me go," I said angrily. I couldn't get out of his grip. His other hand caught my hair and pulled my body against his.
"Let her go," I heard a voice growl. I looked around and saw Scorpius with his wand out. His face was murderous. Relief fled through me. "Right now, or you'll never fucking see the light of day again, you slimy, drunk, wanker of a person." Yeller laughed, not releasing his grip.
"What's a widdle fifth year perfect prefect going to do?" he slurred. "The Slytherin who's too much of a goody goody to even deserve being in Slytherin. Run away like the Malfoy you are," Yeller said. I tried to kick him in those man parts, but I couldn't move. He had one hand on his wand and I just realized he had petrified me. He and Scorpius were pointing their wands at each other and I felt completely useless.
"I'm not going to say it again," Scorpius said, and even I felt like shivering. Not that I could, because I was completely petrified. Yeller, wand still pointed at Scorpius, leaned over to me and grabbed me by the hair. It hurt, but I couldn't yell out or say anything. And suddenly, he was off of me and I could move again. I fell to the ground, scared out of my mind. I turned and saw James and Al standing next to Scorpius, who looked surprised at their arrival. Yeller was passed out on the ground a few feet away from me.
"Saw on the map," James panted, his wand ablaze. "Thanks Malfoy, for not doing anything," James said, turning to him angrily. Al walked over to me and helped me up.
"I didn't want to hex and get Eve by accident, which you could've done," he seethed back. James rolled his eyes.
"I've got this," he said, walking toward me.
"Scorpius, thank you," I said, pushing past both the Potters to grab Scorpius's arm. He smiled.
"Are you okay, though?"
"Yeah, just a bit shaken up."
"Maybe you should drop by Pomfrey or something. Meanwhile, I'm going to bring this pile of shit to the Headmistress's office," Scorpius said, walking over to Yeller and raising him with his wand. He floated next to him eerily.
"Let's go check on the baby," James said, taking my hand. I nodded and we went over to the nurse.
/
Tom Yeller was expelled from Hogwarts-something long time coming apparently. JJ was okay inside there and I was given some calming draught, which I happily took. People somehow refrained from speaking about it or even gossiping about it in the hallways, something I was grateful for.
/
Evelyn,
Hello. We were just checking on you and if you've made a decision about when you want to meet us and what kind of process you want. Your lawyer, Hermione Weasley, has contacted us and said that we'll be in touch soon. Hope to hear from you as well dear. Stay safe and try not to eat red things or apparate too frequently.
Hope for a letter,
Jim and Carly Collins
Ugh, they signed their names together. I rolled my eyes before opening the next letter.
Eve, dear
It's Hermione! Hope everything is going well for you sweetheart.
This letter is just a formality, since I will be dropping by around three anyway to speak with you. The Headmistress has let us use an empty classroom. I'd like you to bring James as well.
By the way, do not write to Jim and Carly Collins. We'll communicate with them through me or we'll talk about it when we meet.
See you soon honey,
Hermione
P.S. Tell Rose and Hugo to drop by and say hi!
/
"Hello James," Hermione said, kissing her godson on the head, before turning and giving me a hug. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. The morning sickness has gone down, but I'm so sore everywhere, and the baby is always kicking," I said, bringing a hand to my bump.
"That's the Weasley, I think," Hermione said with a grin. "Rose and Hugo kicked so much, it was unbelievable."
"Mum, please," Rose said. "Okay, I'm off to study some more. Have fun lawyering."
"Bye kids. Be good!" Hermione called after her two kids, who had just spent an hour with their mom, catching up. "Okay, down to business." She pulled out her wand and a briefcase showed up on the desk between us. It popped open to reveal lots of papers. "Eve, James, do you like these people as parents? I've actually spoken with them earlier."
James and I exchanged a look. "I... thought I did. I mean, they're sort of perfect," I said.
"But Eve," James said. "They're too perfect."
"They're the opposite of my parents," I shot back. "So obviously, they'll be good parents."
"Sometimes, more often than not, one extreme is just as bad as the other," Hermione said softly.
"So you don't like them?" I asked, looking at the two of them. James shook his head.
"They seem like okay people, and really I don't have much of a say in who you pick. My job is to make sure everything is fair and smooth. Especially because this is a Potter kid we're dealing with. And with that name comes a lot of problems of fame and money and what not. There might be a lot of people out there who would love getting their hands on a Potter baby, as morbid as it sounds. For fame reasons. But may I suggest that you not sign any papers or make any commitments until after the baby is born?" she asked. I nodded.
"That's actually what I wanted to ask. Can I do that? So I get to know other adoptive parents and understand more of what's going on?" I asked.
"Yes, let's do that," James said. "Because if Eve changes her mind and keeps the-"
"James," I snapped. "You need to stop pressuring me to keep this baby. I've told you what I wanted, respect it."
"What about what I want?"
"Well it takes two to raise a baby," I said, angrily. "You can't really compromise with something like this."
"I know," he grumbled.
"God, I thought you said you understood!" I said, not able to drop the subject. It was making me so angry. "You told me that day!"
"I do understand, Eve," he said. "But I thought you might've changed your mind after your dad came back and your mom started talking to you-" but he trailed off at the look on my face. I saw Hermione put her head in her hands at his statement.
"I've said it once," I said slowly, "and I'll say it again. It's not your job to save me."
"I'm not trying to save you, Eve. Stop making this about you," he said, and he seemed legitimately angry with me. "Fuck, this is my baby too! But you're so wrapped up in everything, you couldn't take a minute to talk to me about anything. Like over there in those people's house, you didn't even really fucking consult me about how creepy how I found those people. And you were so ready to fucking sign away something that is my blood-your blood-OUR blood away without even caring that those people might be crazy and after their fifteen minutes having a Potter baby fame." I just stared at him, feeling like a more and more terrible person the more he spoke. I really was fucked up. "And yes, I know your life is twisted and terrible and it's just one thing after the other, but that doesn't mean you can just disregard what I want. I know you think you'll make a terrible mom because you might turn out like your mom, but all I'm trying to do is show you that you'll be a wonderful mom, but I'm too fucking scared to even broach the topic because you accuse me of wanting to save you. Well fuck this, I'm done. Do whatever the hell you want. It's not like you wouldn't anyway," he said, before getting up and walking out of the door, leaving Hermione and me sitting in shocked silence.
AN: SORRY SORRY SORRY, please still love me! 3