Thanks for the reviews guys! But this chapter has got some drama in it so I'm hoping for a few more! Enjoy!

"Alright! Everybody huddle up!"

Lily groaned, "You do realize this isn't what we meant when we asked for a party."

I nodded, "I realize. And you'll get one. Tonight." The mud splattered players cheered in excitement. "But first we have to run drills. We need to do better for our next match."

"Uh," Warrington piped in, "if you didn't notice we won our last match."

"We're aware of that Zelus." I looked over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of Scorpius striding in, late as usual. "But I wouldn't call winning by ten points honorable. Especially when playing a bunch of first years. In fact, I'd be embarrassed."

"I'm sorry!" Lily snapped bitterly. "I tried my bloody hardest out there and I failed. It's my fault!"

I sighed, "Lily, we're not bla—"

"Sorry Weasley… but Potter, shut up." Lily's mouth hung open in disgust and I eyed Malfoy skeptically. "We're not blaming you. But to say you were a contributing factor would be great understatement. I've seen you fly before and I know you could have grabbed that snitch right out from under his nose. You're a brilliant player. You just need to try harder. The same goes for the rest of you."

"Agreed. Now start warming up," I ushered, encouraging them to get a move on. Turning my feet towards Malfoy's, I cocked my head and rested my hands on my hips. "So, if this fashionably late routine of yours going to happen everyday? Or is it only for special occasions?"

Scorpius crossed his arms and stared down at me with his piercing grey eyes. "I don't think you should have to worry about that Weasley."

"Oh," I mocked, "so I shouldn't have to worry about you missing practice whilst you shag Crowley's brains out?"

Malfoy glared. "You don't know a thing about Alyssa. Besides, what I do in my free time is none of your business."

I stepped closer, straightening my back in an attempt to be more intimating. In all honesty, I don't think it worked. Unless I've got a wand or a broomstick in my hand, I'm about as intimating as a pygmy puff. "If you're missing the beginning of practice it is my business."

Scorpius lowered his face closer to mine. "Trust me, Red. You wouldn't want to know."

I smirked, "Wouldn't I?"

"What the hell was that?"

The two of us broke the staring competition and gave our attention to the action playing out on center field.

Lucy was standing on the grass, collecting a dropped quaffle off the ground. Warrington was climbing off his broom as the others flew down to join them. "I can't believe you didn't catch that!"

"I'm sorry, Zelus! I messed up! Excuse me for not being perfect!"

"Trust me," Warrington bit, "I know."

"Excuse me?" Lucy yelled, her dark mahogany hair flying wildly around her head as she took a step towards him. "Are you saying you're better than me?"

"Well, I sure as hell wasn't the one who got cheated on!"

"You! Are! A! Self-righteous! Little! Prick!" Lucy spat, prodding him in the chest with her finger to accentuate every word. "And you can bet that if I had cheated on you that I wouldn't have done it with a tart like Atalia!"

"You shagged my sister?" Chryson yelled, tugging Warrington by the robes.

Warrington slapped his hand away, his attention still on my cousin. "Al least she wasn't such a bloody prude!"

I rushed forward, "Guys, could we please settle this later? I mean—"

"No!" Lucy yelled at me before glaring at Zelus again. "Excuse me for keeping my morals! Sorry I didn't want to loose my virginity to a sloppy kisser!"

"You going to go there?"

"Yeah, I am!"

"Enough!" Scorpius yelled, storming over towards the pack.

"Seriously," I jumped in, putting some distance between the bickering ex-couple, "could we just work this out later?"

Warrington scowled. "This doesn't concern you, Mudblood!"

Malfoy strode in next to me, his jaw clenched and his hands looked ready to snatch up his wand. "Don't call her that!"

"What?" Warrington shrugged, "You going to hex me?"

In the blink of an eye Scorpius had swung at the sandy-haired boy. His right hand connected with his cheekbone, knocking him to the dewy ground. "Fuck off, Warrington. And make sure to hand in your uniform by morning."

Turning on his heel, Scorpius seized his broom off the ground and whisked himself away from the pitch. The crowd of us stood around the hurt boy in awe. I couldn't tell if we were shocked by the words that had come out of his mouth or the actions performed by our co-captain.

"Rough day?" Lia smiled at me over the cover of the latest Teen Witch Weekly. She laid down the magazine as I threw myself onto the bed in a grumble. "Yeah, rough day."

"Rough doesn't even begin to cover it!"

"Did Malfoy talk about your bum again?" I shook my head. Amelia gasped, "Did he grab it?"

Stunned, I shot upright and sent my roommate a disgusted look.

"Oh my Godric! He did!"

"Lia! Don't be stupid! Like I'd ever let Malfoy within a meter of my bum."

"Oh," she sighed, relief spread across her face.

"I don't understand you two," Lily stated, dragging her feet across the cold floor and into our room. "Even if Malfoy insulted me during practice today—"

"He insulted you? Why?"

"I'll explain later," Lily shrugged before continuing her little speech. "Even if he insulted me, I definitely would not have minded if he grabbed my bum. He's fit and after his little escapade today I'd say he's a decent bloke."

"Punching a kid in the face doesn't make him a nice guy, Lily."

"Wait! What?"

Lily shook her head. "It does when he sticks up for you. Warrington was way out of line calling you that!"

"Calling you what?" Lia asked, her icy eyes wide in confusion.

"Yes… but I could have dealt with it myself!" I protested not willing to spill out the truth.

"Don't lie to me, Rose. I know you."

"Okay. What in Merlin's name is going on here?"

"Fine!" I huffed throwing myself back down onto my fluffy comforter. "I am thankful for what Malfoy did. It was very chivalrous and out of character for him. It surprised me… in a good way."

Lily took a seat at the foot of my bed and smiled down at me. A few strands of hair fell onto her freckled cheeks. "In a good way?"

My face grew red in realization on what I had let slip out. "I- I meant that… that I was just glad he did it. And that he wasn't as much of a tosser as he usually is."

"Wait!" Lia yelped, finally able to catch out attention. She held her hands up in a stop position and spoke slowly, "Does Rose have a crush on Scorpius now?"

"WHAT!" I yelled as Lily nodded her head yes. "I do not have feelings for Malfoy! The thought makes me want to throw up. Merlin, no!"

My best friend furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "So, he likes you?"

Again Lily nodded her head as I protested. "No! I'm pretty sure that ship is never going to sail!"

Lily smirked.

"Not that I want it to!" I defended. "If anything Scorpius and I are learning to get along, or at least we're not going to rip at each other's throats."

"Really?" Lily grinned slyly. "Just wondering, umm… since when are you and Scorpius, on a first name basis?"

"Sorry for calling him by his given name. It's not like the whole world has come to a stand still because I called him Scorpius."

Lia gasped. "She did it again!"

"Oh shut it!" I grumbled, picking up my pillow and aiming it at her large head. To my dismay she caught it with ease.

"Hey," she admonished, pointing her finger at me, "don't get violent just because you're falling for a snake."

"That's it!"

"Oh come on, Rose," Lily sighed as I stumbled out of bed. "You know we're only joking."

I shook my head as I reached down to pick up my white trainers, "Doesn't matter. I'm really not in the mood for your teasing."

"We'll stop."

I shrugged. "Whatever. I just need to clear my head. Plus, I've got loads to do before the party tonight."

"Party?" Lia perked up.

Lily shook her head. "Sorry, Puddlemere United players only."

"Okay. From this point on I am officially your mascot!"

I laughed, "Not going to cut. Sorry." Quickly I took hold of my scarf wrapped around the bed post. "I'll catch you later then, yeah?"

Before my lovely friends could stop me from leaving I rushed out the door and flew down the staircase. Reaching the bottom I froze. James was perched in his usual chair, the one that sat next to mine.

Slowly I walked towards the backside of the Fat Lady hoping not to distract my cousin's gazing into the fireplace. "Rose?"

I flinched. Turning back, I offered a weak smile. "Yeah?"

"Good game."

"Thanks," I replied, stunned that he was even gracing me with his presence. "Good luck… for your game."

James frowned, "Save your compliments, Weasley. They're not going to undo what you did to the team."

I chocked back a lump in my throat before letting the portrait swing open. I hopped off the top step and let my shoes make a clunk as I landed on the stone floor. Each step followed with a soft click. The corridor was empty at the moment seeing as most students had already congregated in the Great Hall for dinner.

As a second year I used to take this trip maybe once every two months. Back then the castle still seemed a bit haunted and eerie the further down I went, which made me thankful the dusty old Sorting Hat didn't bother thinking about putting me in the dungeons. By now I've gotten over that fear and have trekked down these stairs and halls multiple times a month. The chaos that occurred the moment I stepped through the pear painting was nothing new to me.

"Miss Weasley!"

"Vurney would be honored to grab you a hot coco, Miss Weasley!"

"No, Miss must try Bippy's lemon pie!"

"A seat, Miss Weasley?"

I smiled and allowed a handful of giddy house elves to usher me towards a seat in the corner. "Really guys, thank you. But I'm only here to pick up a few things."

Vurney deflated. His ears, once pricked up in attention, fell. "Miss doesn't want the hot chocolate?"

"Sorry, Vurney," I frowned, "but I promised my team. Next time. I guarantee."

Vurney nodded and another elf stepped forward with a big grin. "Woozy is here to help Miss get what she needs."

I bit my lip. "Would you mind looking for a few bottles of firewhiskey for me? And some butterbeer as well?" I held my breath hoping I wouldn't be denied due to my age.

"Woozy knows just where those are, Miss Weasley. Woozy will get them for Miss Weasley."

I took a swig from my half empty bottle. The firewhiskey sizzled as it slid down my throat. Normally I'd limit myself to one glass but after this term I couldn't help but think, "What the hell! Live a little!" The firewhiskey was beginning to loosen me up and I could feel my IQ slipping with each gulp. It was impossible but I hoped by fuzzing my brain a bit the memories of the past few months would leave. And my encounter with James earlier. That could leave as well.
Lifting the bottle to my mouth I let the fiery liquid pour into my mouth. I tilted my head back against the wall to allow the drink to flow easier down my throat.

"Letting loose there Weasley?"

I lowered my bottle and rolled my head to the side. I peered through a few red curls and gave Malfoy a sloppy glare. "You're going to judge me now when I'm trying to let loose?"

Scorpius snatched my bottle to polish it off. He wiped his soft lips with the back of his sleeve. "Believe it or not, Weasley, I'm proud of your little fun. Actually, I'd be happy to assist you. Now," he pointed at the bottles beside me, "let me have some butterbeer."

I obliged. "This is quite unlike you, Malfoy," I slurred. "Since when do you enjoy my company?"

"Since you're the only sane one here." He gestured towards the other side of the room. Currently, Lucy was dangling upside down on the sofa yelling the lyrics along to the Weird Sister's song blasting. Nott was babbling to someone on his right, someone who wasn't there. And Lily and Rennison were dancing atop the table, bottles in hand. Lily was giggling as she tripped over her own feet and Michael was shaking his butt, his arms flung up in the air and his Ravenclaw tie wrapped around his head. "Understand now?"

"I didn't know Rennison could shimmy life that," I blurted.

"I didn't realize you fancied him, Red."

"Merlin! Don't be silly," I snorted, giving Malfoy a shove.

"Oh, right! You fancy Longbottom these days, don't you?"

I groaned, "Will no one shut up about that? I don't fancy anyone!"

"Peculiar."

"What? Am I not allowed to be independent? Can't I just have fun without the strings of a boyfriend attached?"

Scorpius smirked, "Rose Weasley! Shagging in broom cupboards, snogging in the corridors, breaking hearts! Someone better stop you before you go wild."

"Quit joking."

"I'm not joking, Weasley," Malfoy shrugged before taking a sip out of the brown bottle. "Just the idea of you being the least bit…loose…sounds morally wrong. Very unlike you."

I challenged him with a smirk of my own. "Who's to say you know me?" And with those six words I managed to stump the ferret. He sat beside me staring blankly at the bottom of his bottle, quiet.

"Why'd you stop Warrington?"

"Doesn't matter," he grumbled, not bothering to give my any sort of eye contact.

In my drunken state my body must have disconnected from my mind because I gracefully laid my hand upon his forearm, begging him to pay attention. "It matters to me."

Scorpius licked his lips as if preparing them for the words he was about to let slip. He took a gulp before diving into his story. "When I was twelve, I went to Xander Pucey's house. He had gotten a new broom for his birthday and we were both so excited to try it out. I still remember what he said to me. He started on about Quidditch season, saying he couldn't afford to lose to Gryffindor again. Especially since you had a 'mudblood' captain." He ran his fingers through his hair, pushing his platinum locks back that managed to flop in front of his face. "Sure, I'd heard the word before, what with my grandfather being who he is. But I figured since my friends were saying it, it wasn't entirely bad. I went home that afternoon and walked into my father's office. And I said it. I thought I was so cool, so proper. Merlin, I still remember his face. The last thing he expected me to say was that bloody word."

"What'd he do?" I asked, mesmerized by his story.

Scorpius turned to face me. His stone colored eyes connected with mine. "He yelled at me. Said I had no right talking like that. I've never seen him so upset with me. He wouldn't even look at me."

"And?" I asked softly.

"I vowed never to disappoint him like that again. So, I haven't said that word since."

"Scorpius," I whispered, letting my hand capture his to give him a reassuring squeeze.

The boy beside me glanced down and stiffened.

I snapped my hand back and refused to give him even a glance. "Uh… right, sorry. I'm… I'm just going to go, uh, pick Lily off the floor now." And with that I pushed myself off the ground, abandoning a drunk and confused ferret.

So it wasn't a lot of drama but it was still drama. Good? Bad? Thoughts? Review!

I'm hoping to make the next chapter pretty long. Well, planning... but my plans never work out. Should be out within a month at the most. A week at the earliest.

Next chapter- talk, broom closets, and broken friendships.