Chapter 8- Rose
I awoke from the potion-induced slumber confused as ever to see Hugo, Albus, and Lauren surrounding my bedside. "Rosie!" Hugo exclaimed embracing me tightly. I attempted to hug him back but I found my arms too weak to lift around him. This was an alarming discovery and I soon began to panic.
"Hug why can't I lift my arm?" My voice quavered in worry.
"Your body is still fighting off the potion so you're going to have to do a lot of physical therapy and drink a lot of potions to gain back the strength you've lost fighting the poison," It was Albus who answered me. Albus was normally very bubbly but I could see that my condition was concerning him.
Hugo's face had fallen when he realized that I wasn't entirely better the moment I opened my eyes, however, he soon lit up again, "I'm so happy you're awake. As soon as Malfoy told us you had woken up I was so relieved. You looked so much like last time!" Hugo seemed to be riding an emotional rollercoaster between concern, relief, and guilt about my ice-skating accident. I wish he would let it go but I knew that wouldn't happen for a long, long time.
"Oh Hugo, you know us Weasley's were fighters. No matter what situation we get put in we'll be fine. You see I'm living proof," I gave him my best smile.
"You just looked so pale," He explained his voice lowering. "I was so scared for you Rosie,"
"Hug I always look pale I'm ginger!" I laughed easing the tension. Hugo rolled his eyes at me and I took this as my sign to turn back to Albus who seemed most informed, "Be honest how far behind am I in school?"
"I don't think you will ever catch up," Albus replied with such a straight face I almost believed him- almost.
"Don't forget Potter I'm also a Granger I could run circles around your little brain,"
Albus gasped, "Just for that comment I won't help on any of your essays,"
"You will or you will face the wrath of Aunt Ginny," I giggled as Al shuttered.
"Thank merlin James takes the brunt of that or I would be dead by now," We all laughed.
"Your teachers are allowing us, as in Albus, Scorpius, and myself, to physically write your essays due to your physical condition but it obviously has to be your thoughts," Lauren interjected with the terms that the professors had given me for my work.
Just then a silver-eyed boy pulled open the doors to the hospital wing, "Rose you have woken from your slumber. I was curious if I was going to have to wake you with a kiss for I am your true love but alas you woken on your own," I laughed at him.
"My prince came several moments too late," I shrugged.
"Or just on time we can simply skip all of that now!" Scorpius exclaimed.
I used Scorpius, Lauren, and Albus to catch up on all of my classes and a week later I only head two essays to finish. "I don't know what I would do without you guys!" I exclaimed.
"It comes in the job description of favorite cousin." We looked at Albus quizzically, "Not being able to live without them,"
"To keep up your favorite cousin status, Al, can you help Rose finish those two over break," Scorpius suggested. There was only a day left before everybody headed home so we had given up on doing the rest of our homework before we left.
Albus gave a firm nod before standing; "I have to get a book from the library I'll see you lot later,"
"Oh wait!" Lauren called. "I need something too," Then it was just Scorpius and I.
"So Rose, I know that you received an invitation to my families Christmas Eve Ball but if it's too much for you I completely understand," Scorpius began.
I quickly shook my head, "No way, I definitely still want to go. Madame Patil said by then I should be able to do normal things with just a few breaks. I'll be fine. I just need a dress since I couldn't go to Hogsmeade with your mum. I hope she understood," I instantly began fretting that Mrs. Malfoy was upset with me for missing our Hogsmeade visit.
"Of course she understood! If anything she was mad at me for letting this happen to you," At that I chuckled, "And because of that she bought you a dress. I hope you don't mind. She was very firm on the idea. I tried to talk her out of it, I really-"
I laughed at him cutting him off, "Scorpius, it's fine really, probably better actually. Now I know I'll fit in. How did she know my size?"
"She just bought it in several sizes," I nodded, "But um that's not all my mums very nosy about you because of the whole situation and she has taken it upon herself to also invite you to come the 23rd and stay the night so the family could get to know you but also to make alterations to the dress. You don't have to, don't feel obliged, it's just an offer," I smiled at the rare awkwardness Scorpius was showing.
"I would love to,"
"Really?" His silver eyes lightened.
"Now I just have to convince my father," I shook my head. "I'll talk to him when I get home and send you an owl confirming my stay,"
Scorpius nodded, "I should probably head back to the dorm before curfew starts," I sighed, another lonely night in the hospital wing. Scorpius leaned forward and kissed me goodbye.
I woke up the next day to find two surprise visitors talking to Madame Patil. A red haired man and a frizzy haired women, my mum and dad.
"Mum? Dad?" I questioned rubbing my eyes.
"Rosie!" Dad ran over embracing me. I hugged him back. I had gained a lot of strength over the past week due to the physical therapy Madame Patil had me doing.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Paravati wanted to teach us how to care for you over break. You are taking quite a lot of potions to fight this poison," Mum answered before turning back to Madame Patil.
Dad clearly expected mum to handle this especially since him and Madame Patil had some history so I talked to him. "Well I'm almost all caught up on school work just two more essays to go, which Albus has volunteered to help me finish,"
"That's great darling you always did inherit your mothers brains," Dad smiled at me, "You know Rose I'm really proud of you. You have handled this whole situation really well,"
"Thanks dad," It meant a lot from him since he had been through quite a bit.
"Rose," Mum called to me, "is it true that Hugo can do most of your physical therapy?" Mum sounded skeptical.
"He's seen it done a dozen or so times plus I can always tell him what to do if he forgets it's not that hard," I sighed at her. She's doubted Hugo's ability ever since he set the kitchen on fire baking cookies with Grandmum.
"So dad I have something to ask you," I began. Now's as good as time as any to ask him, right? "Do you mind if I spend the night at the Malfoy's? I'll be in a different room from Scorpius," I added before he could process what I had said.
Ron Weasley was silent for a moment, which was shocking in itself, but what was more shocking was his answer, "There will be adult supervision?" I nodded vigorously, "I suppose so,"
"Really dad?" I needed confirmation. My ears could have always deceived me.
"Yeah, I think it would be good for you to get to know the Malfoy's seeing as their your future in-laws and everything," I nodded in agreement surprised by how well he was taking this.
"Ron are you ready to go? Sorry we can't stay longer Rose we both have work," I sighed it was always work with my mum.
"I understand," I smiled tightly but not before I hugged my dad holding him close. "Bye dad, bye mum love you!"
"Love you too Rosie I'll see you in a few days," Dad beamed before heading out of the hospital wing.
"I love you Rose," Mum waved walking firmly out her heels clacking on the hard floors.
I laid in bed that day thinking about what staying at the Malfoy's would be like. Would they like me? What if they didn't? What if Mr. Malfoy was as terrifying as everyone said he was? That can't be; he's Scorpius' dad and Scorpius is a great person. What if Mrs. Malfoy picked out a frilly hot pink dress? Not only would that clash with my hair but ugh! Constant what if's played in my head all afternoon until my friend's classes were done.
"Rose!" Hugo barged in. He was furious. Hugo had never been good at hiding his emotions especially not from me.
My head shot up and found the freckled boy, "Yes Hug?"
"Is it true that Mum and Dad were here?" He was definitely outraged.
"Yes Madame Patil had to teach them when to give me potions I think the physical therapy went over their head so you're just going to do that," I realized he wasn't listening anymore. "Hugo?"
"How long were they here for?" His voice was lethal.
"Thirty minutes or so why?" I began to use caution. I knew when he was going to throw a Hugo sized fit.
"Did you talk to them?"
"I only spoke with dad while mum talked to Madame Patil. Hugo why do you care so much?" I sat up a little bit straighter waiting for the scream that never came.
Hugo collapsed into a chair by my bedside, "A lot happened while you were unconscious Rosie I wish you had been with me." I waited for him to continue at his own pace, "This boy in my year got a picture of me kissing someone while I was on prefect duty." At first I didn't see what the huge deal was. Hugo would have been embarrassed, yes, but traumatized, no.
"Rose the person I was kissing," He seemed to choke on his words, "Please don't judge me,"
"Hugo I don't care who you were kissing as long as they don't hurt you. Then I would have to hurt them," I earned a small grin from him.
"It was Frank Longbottom." It took me a moment to register what this meant. Hugo was gay. I was ok with this of course but I now understood why it would matter so much, "He sent the picture to mum. I've owled her countless times to see if she is ok with my," He searched for a word, "preferences but I haven't gotten a letter from her since that boy sent her the picture. Well that isn't including the one where she asked me if I was gay that is," Hugo gave a dark chuckle, "I stopped owling her after awhile because I thought she was just waiting to discuss the matter face to face, you know, but then she didn't take the opportunity to talk to me today because she had to go to bloody work! Life isn't about how much work you accomplish it's about how many people love you and I don't know if I love her at the moment," Hugo's voice had fluctuated throughout his speech. I scooted over on the bed and held out my arms so that he could get on the bed and I could hold him.
"I still love you Hugo," I murmured into his fiery hair. After Hugo collected himself I asked him if Professor Longbottom knew.
Hugo shook his head, "Frank didn't want to tell him while school was in session. He claimed it would create a scene,"
"I agree with Frank but you and Frank are perfect for each other!" I squealed while Hugo laughed at me.
"Thanks, I'm glad you're on board my whole change,"
"It wasn't a change it's who've been this whole time," I smiled at him. "Does dad know?"
"Not yet," Hugo shook his head slowly, "How do you think he'll take it?"
"He's been surprising me lately and I think he might surprise you too,"
Winter break finally arrived. I was let out of the hospital wing two hours before the train was going to leave- just enough time to pack my things. It felt odd having the ability to walk the halls again after a month of being cooped up in the hospital wing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My first stop was to the heads dorm I hurried up to the portrait hole of the Englishmen. I quickly said the password Scorpius had told me the day before, "Transfiguration," and stepped through.
"Scorpius," I called. I received no reply and nobody appeared to be in the dorm so I decided that no one was in the dorm.
I headed up the gold stairs into my bedroom, which was covered in a thin layer of dust. No one had been in here except to retrieve things that I had asked for. It looked exactly as it had the day of the incident. I brushed the weirdness of it aside before beginning to pack. Near the end I heard the portrait door open. I listened to see who had come in. There were two voices. "Scorpy, Rose is probably still in the hospital this our last chance before break. You know you want it," I recognized that voice from my past six years at Hogwarts- Jane Brown.
"I really need to pack so I think I'm going to pass," I heard Scorpius shuffle around the room. Had he fallen for Jane while I was in ill?
"Scorpy do I really need to say it again this is your last time before Rose gets back to full health and before you leave for break you better take it," Jane's best attempt at a seductive voice was pitiful.
I heard Scorpius move again this time, most likely closer, "Jane I need to pack please-" He was cut off. I didn't even want to imagine what was going on down there so instead I slowly sat down on bed and let several tears fall.
I thought since we had no option but each other that I was safe from the heartbreak that seemed to follow me like a disease. Most boyfriends had wanted me for fame, Lysander I was banned from, and now Scorpius was cheating on me. I couldn't even break up with the bloke because then the whole wizarding world would be in chaos. Some life I had.
I heard the portrait door slam and so I gently made my way towards the top of the stairs. When I got there I peered down into the common room noticing a disheveled looking Scorpius who was running his pale hands through his blonde hair. He must have noticed me move because he looked up.
"How much did you hear or see?" He asked glancing back at the ground.
"Enough," My reply came out strangled.
"Rose, she followed me in here. I've been having to change the password every few days to get her to leave me alone, but since you were coming back, I left it the same. This gave her an opportunity to come in and-" He trailed off.
"Did you kiss her back?" I had to know.
"No," He shook his head vigorously, "Rose," He stood up and began walking towards me, "I would never cheat on you. I need you to believe me."
Several tears fell on the ground as I replied, "I'm scared. I'm so scared,"
Scorpius led me off of the steps and into his arms, "I will never hurt you,"
"You don't have much of a choice," I gave a small laugh.
"I wouldn't if I did," He kissed the top of my head before letting go, "Come on we need to pack," Scorpius left me contemplating his words as I used magic to orderly fill my trunk. Does that mean he likes me? Even though he is forced into the situation?
I sighed in frustration boys are so confusing.
I levitated my trunk down to the main hall. I still had half an hour to spare before it was necessary to get on the carriages to the train therefore I headed up to Gryffindor Tower. Ever since Hugo confessed to me that he was gay he and I had been closer than usual. We were usually alone together during breaks while our parents were working. Hugo and I entertained each other in weird ways during breaks. We were just weird kids.
I headed up to the tower where I would, wait for Hugo to finish, than ride with him to King's Cross. He was going to need a lot emotional support when he saw mum and dad.
"Dumbledore," I announced to the fat lady.
She nodded at me opening wide. I stepped inside the common room. I hadn't been in here in ages. People called out goodbyes as they began to make their way down to the front hall with their trunks. I didn't spot my younger brother anywhere. However, I did see someone who would most likely know where he was.
"Hello Frank," I greeted. The sixth year Gryffindor began blushing when he saw me talking to him. He must realize that I know, well, this will only make this better, "Do you know where my brother is? I was hoping to walk down to the train with him,"
I was correct. Frank's blush deepened, "He was packing in his room last time I checked. He keeps doubting whether he should go home," I rolled my eyes at the fool that I had for my brother. Of course mum and dad would be ok with it. Mum was probably just shocked that's all. They were ok with me having an arranged marriage with a Malfoy granted they were the ones who arranged but still.
"Thanks loads," I smiled gratefully at him before heading up the boy's staircase.
I knocked on the fifth year door waiting for a response after I waited for a few minutes I opened it anyway. There was Hugo, the only boy in the room, unpacking.
"HUGO BRIAN WEASLEY!" I shouted making Hugo jump, "Why are you unpacking?"
"I've been disowned. Mum's disowned me. That's how disowning works isn't it? You're not going to tell someone you've disowned them its just one big guessing game," Hugo moaned. I stared at the boy in front of me before I whipped out my wand and began repacking his things, "Rose! What are you doing?"
"You haven't bloody been disowned. Do you want to know how I know this?" I stared coolly at his fiery head.
"Mum asked if you could do my physical therapy over break. She's counting on you coming home and being part of the family just as much as I am," He began to protest, "Hugo I need you to come home not just so I don't have to rely on that incompetent cousin of ours, Albus, helping me but because you keep our family on track! You keep dad busy while mum and I are too tired of him to do anything but stare. You help me from dying of boredom while mum and dad are at work. You keep mum focused on the family when she's desperate to be focused on house elf rights. Hugo we need you! If mum disowned you I would run away with you," Hugo cracked a grin.
"Thanks Rose,"
"Anytime shortstop,"
Sorry it's been so long I had a bit of a stressful few weeks but now I'm ok and can begin updating again! YAY! R&R please:)