"So, why didn't you tell me?"
Rose had changed out of her dress, into some very comfortable sweatpants and a way too big sweatshirt. It was nice, she felt good in it and she didn't have any intentions in going back to the Ball. Yes, she didn't say good-bye to Dimi, but she was sure that Al would explain why Rose had to leave and wouldn't come back. The red-head sat down next to Scorpius on the huge pillow landscape she had whished for.
"Why didn't you tell me that you already had your first time?"
"When was I supposed to tell you? Whenever I tried to approach you, whenever I tried to talk to you, you started babbling about Dimitri, about how awesome he is, about how glad you are that you are dating, officially dating. You know I cannot stand him. You know why. I am happy that you are happy, yes. I just cannot stand him. And he is never there for you. He still travels the world. He is here today, yes. And I bet you, he was expecting to get laid tonight. I cannot blame you. I would expect it, too, if I would travel from America to England for just one evening to be with my girlfriend. But apart from that... he is not here because he genuinely cares about you. He hardly writes you letters but you still talk about him all the time. What was I supposed to do? Yeah Rose, nice of you telling me all about your boyfriend's hair but I shagged Melina. You know me. I would not do it like that. And it really hurt that I could not talk to you about my first time. I talked to Albus about it. Even to James. Which was weird. Really weird. But it was nice, having a boys' chat. But they are not you. They are not my best friend."
"Tell me know. Please tell me. I'd love to know. I have been a bit busy with myself lately; you have been a bit busy with yourself lately. We both made mistakes, didn't we? So tell me. And then I'll tell you about my first time. Because... well, last time Dimi visited I slept with him. In the Shack. I am sorry I didn't tell you. Same reasons you didn't tell me."
The look on his face nearly broke her heart. Yes, she was disappointed that he didn't tell her about his first time. But clearly not as much as he was. She could always read him like a book. As he could read her. It was awful. The pain in his eyes, the light grey suddenly seeming to be darker.
"Scorp, I am sorry... I didn't even tell you he visited me. Last time we could go to Hogsmeade he was here. I am so so sorry... Please don't look at me like that..." Rose bit her lower lip and hugged Scorpius carefully. "Don't be mad at me. You know I love you, you know I am your best friend and you are mine."
"I do not think so." The blonde softly pushed her away from him. "We both made mistakes because we do not trust each other anymore. And if that is missing, there is no proper foundation for our friendship. It worked because all the time we were perfectly honest with each other. Somehow this is not the case anymore. I think we should just cut it off here. At this point, there is no return to what we have had before. I am going to miss you, Pumpkin Pie. But it will not work anymore. There is not enough trust. Not enough honesty."
Scorpius kissed her forehead lightly and stood up. "We just take a little pause. Holidays start in a week. I will be over at the Potters' house for Boxing Day, with my parents. As far as I know, your family will come, too. We try to figure out what we want, alright? You will see, everything is going to be fine, although your dad probably is going to kill me, because I do not make you happy anymore. It is not the end of our friendship. But we both have to deal with other stuff right now. Boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, the future, what our potential job will be, Quidditch, Christmas, New Year, family issues, essays... we have a lot on our minds."
Rose didn't know what was worse. That he left her or that it was the first time she cried about a boy. The second he closed the door she broke down completely. It was the first time she was about to lose a friend, the first time she curled up in a mountain of pillows and cry until she fell asleep. She didn't know if seeing him every morning at the breakfast table would help her to get over the non-talking fact. It was the first time she didn't eat in the mornings. She didn't eat the whole week until the Christmas Holidays started. She didn't sit with her cousins on the train because they were with Scorpius and she couldn't handle the pain. It was the first time she was with non-family-members on the train. It was the first time her dad was really worried about his little baby girl. But they had a good talk. Rose even told him and her mum about her first time, about Dimitri and why she didn't speak to her best friend anymore. It was a bit awkward. Of course she didn't tell them all the details. She just told them that she had have sex with Dimitri and that she didn't tell Scorpius. Nothing more. It was most awkward for Hugo, who had to sit with them at the dinner table. And bloody hell was Rose nervous about meeting the Malfoys on Boxing Day.
Scorpius was nearly as nervous as Rose was. He was scared, in fact. Ron tolerated him as long as Scorp made Rose happy. That is what Rose had told him. But now he did not make Rose happy anymore. He made her sad, he made her cry. But she also made him sad, she broke his heart. Still, he was very afraid of Mr. Weasley's reaction. Especially because the first thing Ron did – after greeting everyone – was leading Scorpius into Albus' bedroom to talk to him.
"No need to be nervous, Scorpius", Ron smiled at him as he sat down next to him on the bed. "I am not mad at you or something like that. You are a good boy and I want to tell you that I really hope you and Rose can talk it all out. You make her happy and you are good for her. We all know that. Even though it isn't perfect right now. You know, Hermione and me, we didn't talk for most of our third year in Hogwarts. And we always had huge fights. It's normal and it's going to be alright in a few weeks. You know that and Rose knows it, too. We are going to have a nice Christmas Dinner now. I am so hungry! Hermione wouldn't let me eat before we came here. As if I would eat less, if I had eaten at home! Oh and if you want to, you can come and stay with us after dinner."
"Mr. Weasly, I really have no idea what to say. I would love to come and stay with you and your family, but it is up to Rose. If she wants me to be there, I will be. If she is not comfortable with it, it is completely fine. I appreciate you talking to me. I absolutely do, because I know that you are a huge part of Rose's life and I appreciate that all of you, your whole family, can see past the feud and the past. I am glad my dad can do it. I am so glad I have your kids and your nephews and nieces as friends."
Ron had to laugh. "You are such a charmer, it is great! No wonder they all like you so much. Can we go and have dinner then?"
"Of course." Scorpius grinned and followed Ron back to the rest into the dining room. He would have never expected Ron to be so grateful and nice to him. Well, he knew he was a nice man and all but it was the first time Scorpius could really appreciate it.