Chapter 6: NOTICED PITY

The next Saturday Rose was in the Great Hall was trying to eat breakfast, but had trouble doing so. Students from all the Houses, except Slytherin, were coming up to her asking her about the duel between her and Scorpius. It was nice to be noticed by the other student for something she did for once, rather than what her parents, aunts and uncles, and even her prank loving cousins did; somehow though it was an empty fulfillment. Once most of the students had come up to her this morning she was finally able to enjoy her breakfast. As she was eating her food Alice Longbottom and her cousin Albus came to sit next to her. Albus seemed to give Alice an elbow to her side. It looked like he wanted Alice to say something to Rose.

"So, how are you doing Rose?"

"Fine"

Rose wasn't sure where this was going. Alice never seemed to have much interest in talking to her. Only time Alice ever did, was when they were both having a conversation with Albus. Any other time Rose talked to Alice, Alice didn't seem interested. So, Rose kept looking at her food and eating it. Alice looked back behind her at Albus and sighed.

"So, the other girls and I are going to Hogsmeade to do some shopping and maybe get some butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks. Would you like to join us?"

Rose wasn't expecting to hear that from Alice. Other than her brother and cousins Rose was never invited to join a trip to Hogsmeade and she could tell Alice seemed out of the ordinary asking her to come. As Rose put her head up to look at Alice and saw the face to Albus. He was up to this. She knew it.

"Alice, thank you for the offer, but I can't go to Hogsmeade today. I have to do detention for casting that Silencio on that Slytherin."

"Oh yeah that was truly splendid! The other girls and I never thought you could do something so cool."

Just as Alice said that you could tell that she was sorry to say that. Rose glowered at Alice and then at Albus.

"I have to go now."

Rose got up and left the Great Hall before she could hear a goodbye. As she left he heard the sound of someone walking behind her. Rose turned around fast to find that it was her brother Hugo behind her. He had a worried look on his face that worried Rose.

"Rosie, is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine Hugo"

Rose wondered when her baby brother became the one to help take care of her. She was the elder one; he didn't need to worry about her. Rose kept on walking to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class where she had her detention for the day, hoping that Hugo would leave their conversation at that, but Hugo followed.

"Rose, listen I know that whole thing with Scorpius is probably getting to you. I mean, he did try to kill you."

"He didn't try to kill me Hugo and you know what that wasn't even what I am upset about."

"What do you mean he didn't try to kill you? Albus saw what happened! I think that fire would kill you!"

"I just don't think he meant to hurt me. That's all."

"Scorpius Malfoy, didn't mean to hurt you? How do you know this?"

"It was just something in his eyes. That's all."

Hugo stopped in his tracks. He really wasn't sure how to act in response. He kept staring at Rose and she turned to look at him. She gave him the big sister "leave it alone" look that she would give him and when he would try to fight back at mom and dad. Hugo swallowed his pride and tried to trust her and gave her a half smile. Rose turned back around was walking way.

"You know! You should go to Hogsmeade with Alice today!"

Rose turned back around, and walked back to her brother. She looked up at him to look at his face. It always displeased her to see that he was so much taller than her now.

"It was you who was up to that?"

"Well, a few nights ago Lil noticed that you were a bit depressed when you reading by yourself in the common room and so Al, Lil, and I got to talking and thought that you might be lonely so…."

"So you three thought you would take pity on me and get Alice to pretend to have an interest in me."

"Rose, it's not like that at all! Let me just finish! Alice…"

"I'm going to be late."

She didn't need to hear anymore. How pathetic she felt, that her family had to feel sorry for her. And with that Rose walked as fast as she could to the classroom. She flew open the door and heard her name being called behind her. As she walked into the room she looked over her shoulder and, before she knew it she ran into someone and fell to the floor. As she looked up she saw that she had run into, and fallen on Scorpius Malfoy.