Purdy Round II! Vic's POV. :)

"Scorpius; what are you doing?"

I tried to keep my voice light; but there was an unmistakable edge to it. His eyes flashed dangerously; glinting in the dim lighting of the party. I didn't know what had gotten into him tonight, but if he made one more snide comment I was going to slap him. In front of all these people, giggling and twirling around the floor around us; I would draw to a complete standstill, push him back slightly so that I could get a good clear shot at him, work up a bit of momentum so to speak, and then etch my handprint permanently across his cheek. The idea was so enticing that I could almost visualise the red imprint, distinctly Victoire shaped, glaring angrily on his pale cheek. I could almost hear the resounding crack (in my imagination, the jazzy background music draws to a dramatic halt; so the slap is totally audible. Even over the shocked gasps and screams). He seemed to be on a one man mission to piss off everyone around him as much as he possibly could. And it made zero sense to me. I couldn't think of one thing I had done to piss him off.

He sneered down at me; a slight unfocused glaze in his eyes telling me he was pissed out of his skull. Now, how the heck did that happen? He'd been out of my sight for literally ten minutes. And in those ten minutes he was under Rose's supervision. Somehow I didn't picture her as some form of binge drinker.

"Why? What's wrong? I'm single; you're single. The whole school thinks we're hooking up anyways." He shrugged; as though it made sense. His thumb would not stop running up my back. My hand twitched dangerously by my side.

I gritted my teeth to keep from screaming at him. He's drunk. He doesn't know what he's saying. You know this isn't him.

"Except that you're not so single remember? And I-"

He smirked as he interrupted me. "Have been very naughty. I know."

Sweet Merlin divine; had someone slipped him some kind of potion?

"What?"

He leaned closer; twirling me into a new direction as we glided across the floor. "Lupin, Victoire. I know all about him. Sleeping with the enemy much?"

My mouth fell open as I snapped back to look at him; gauging if he was serious. The deadly glint in his eye told me he was. His smirk was back in place too; only not the teasing, smug smirk I'd come to get used to but a much colder one. I swallowed subconsciously, momentarily blank.

There was point in denying it anymore. I might have been able to convince Rose; but not Scorpius. He wouldn't relent; couldn't be moulded.

"How?" My voice was hoarse; my eyes frantically searching the room behind him for a familiar messy head of gold.

He shrugged. "Does it matter? I worked it out. And now I know why you didn't tell on us."

I looked up at him cautiously. "Yeah. You do. And you said you owed me. It's your turn now."

He shook his head; that frosty smirk still in place. Something had happened tonight. It had to have. He wasn't himself. Intuition was screaming at me to get away from this conversation before one of us said something we regretted. But I couldn't. I was powerless and he was holding all the cards.

.

.

.

"Mind if I cut in?"

.

.

.

A familiar deep voice asked to our left. We both looked up at the new comer quickly; our heads spinning at the shock of interruption. My blood pounding ferociously in my head, I breathed in relief as Cass didn't wait for a response from Scorpius; grinning and wheeling me away in one fluid motion. I chanced a glance back at Scorpius; still swaying slightly in the spot and looking murderous.

"What the fuck was that?" Cass whispered; smiling slightly at the look of sheer annoyance on Scorpius's face.

Feeling slightly sick; I shrugged. "I don't know." I lied smoothly. "He just started freaking out. Too much to drink I think."

Guilt coiled in my stomach as he shrugged back; still eyeing Scorpius curiously, but trusting my assessment of his behaviour completely. There wasn't the slightest hint of uncertainty or confusion at my words, even though they were ridiculously vague.

He had no idea.

None whatsoever.

Should I tell him? Was now the moment? As much as my gut was screaming that this was not the right moment; I couldn't trust myself to be honest. Was it better for Cass if I didn't tell him? Or me? I would much rather he heard it here, from me, than from Scorpius or someone else. And I owed him that much at least. I swallowed; my tongue slightly heavy as I glanced around for Teddy. He should be given some warning that he was about to be hit with Hurricane Cass.

"I'm sorry you're date didn't work out." He smiled at me cheerfully; not looking one bit sorry at all. I laughed despite myself.

"Shut up. It wasn't a date."

He nodded wisely. "Yeah. It's not a date until you take her to Madame Pudifoots and choke on the pink lemonade and have to be revived by an emergency Healer."

Snorting at the memory; I smiled up at him. "I forgot how smooth you used to be. Remember you didn't speak to me for a week afterwards? You were so embarrassed."

He rolled his eyes. "I wasn't embarrassed. I was fearful for my life. You just had to bat your eyelashes and I was one step away from falling into the Black Lake."

Smiling ruefully; I cast my thoughts around for another subject matter. This wasn't going to lead nicely into; hey Cass, funny story; I'm kind of with your mortal enemy now. Haha!

"Where's your date?" I jabbed an accusing finger into his chest as he looked away awkwardly.

"She's around." Mumbling evasively; he avoided my gaze carefully. I narrowed my eyes.

"Cass. What are you hiding?"

He sighed. "Look; just don't freak out. You… She's… Just give her a chance yeah?"

Oh my God. Oh my God.

Oh my FUCKING God.

If he had brought her.

If he had brought Bursnell I was going to seriously punch someone-

"You remember Mathilde right? The seventh year?"

He watched my reaction anxiously, as I froze. Relief was my first reaction. Thank God it wasn't her. Thank Merlin!

But then unease. Mathilde… Wasn't that..?

"Cass…" I began wearily. "Mathilde Mercier? I thought you said-"

"Yeah, yeah I know what I said. But I was wrong okay?"

I stopped dancing and he followed suit awkwardly, both us pointedly ignoring the other people on the floor who were turning to complain that we were blocking the dance floor; before realising who they had just jostled into and hurriedly spinning away. Crossing my arms across my chest, I frowned up at him. "So… she isn't in with the Shafiqs?"

He ran a frazzled hand through his dark hair; looking around him uneasily. "She is; but it's not like what we thought. They're not what we thought. They aren't Death Eaters or anything like that."

I raised incredulous eyebrows. He could hear himself right? He could hear what he was saying? "What a relief." I intoned sarcastically as he winced.

"Vic; it isn't like that. She… just looks at things differently. It isn't right or wrong; just… different."

I stared at him; trying to see if he was serious; trying to find some crack in his face; something that would tell me he was joking or at least under some form of spell.

But nothing.

He was actually serious.

What was in the punch tonight that was turning everyone insane? I just wanted one night where everyone dressed up and looked pretty and I was a princess! A princess! Princesses don't have to put up with touchie-feelie dates and exes that may or may not be involved in criminal gangs.

Another thought occurred to me that knocked the air from my lungs.

"Cass… Slughorn said you'd been missing meetings."

He rolled his eyes. "So? Who cares what that old toad thinks?"

I grabbed at his arm impatiently; trying to make him see how serious everything he was saying really was.

"I don't care that you've missed them. I care about what you've missed them for."

His eyes widened. "You think I've joined some Death Eater society?"

I bit my lip. "I hope you haven't. Because you are so much better than that. But with everything you're saying about her- I don't know what to think!"

Frowning down at me; he took his time before answering, his words slow and deliberate. "I haven't joined anything Vic. But yeah, I missed those meetings because of her."

Momentarily puzzled; I stared up at him, trying to work out what he was saying. He was missing those meetings because of her, but not because of her group? Was she ill? Was she-?

Oh.

I am so dim.

Feeling heat spread to my cheeks at the realisation of what he meant; I was momentarily lost for words. I knew what his implication was, but I just couldn't believe it. It didn't make sense; the idea of Cass being with anyone else. It was too alien; too bizarre-.

"Cassius. Andrew wants to talk to you about something; he said to come find you."

The girl had silky brown hair and dark eyes; with a voice just as smooth and clipped. Her small hand slipped possessively into his and I recognised the new addition to our conversation with a start. This was not the Mercier I had pictured when Cass had mentioned her. The girl I remembered was… not fat by any means; but certainly plumper. And she didn't make a habit of wearing backless red dresses and pouting like this Mercier did. Smiling serenely up at Cass as he nodded distractedly down at her; her dark eyes slid in my direction, empty and unimpressed.

"It's Victoire right? You're in the year below me?" Her drawl was almost as pronounced as Scorpius's; a dead giveaway that she was old money. The kind of money that only comes from pure-blood families that have lineages Salazar Slytherin would be proud of. I wondered absently how her Aunt had come to be murdered by You-Know-Who if they were so obviously pro his ideals. I also didn't miss her subtle implication that if she didn't really know who I was and I was in the year below and younger and insignificant; then why was I standing here talking to her boyfriend?

Or maybe I'd spent too much time with Bursnell and was reading too much into it..? Best err on the side of caution.

"That's right, the same year as Cass." I smiled quickly up at Cass, who smiled back, seemingly relieved that no one had made a move to claw the other yet.

"That's cute. Same year as Scorpius too right? He's your date isn't he? I don't see him around anywhere." Her tone grew more pointed, her drawl slower and more deliberate as her free hand traced circles on Cass's shoulder.

"You know Scorpius too? How is it that I've never heard of you? You seem to be so in with our year." I shot a cheery smile her way. No fucking way was I returning to Scorpius the loony toon anytime soon. I'd rather enter a life-time imprisonment in Azkaban with only Bursnell and the dementors for company.

She smirked. "Not all your year. Just… a select few."

My smile faded slightly. Was she recruiting from our year? Is that why she was implying that she knew Scorpius? Because he's pureblood and has a… family history? Is that why she was still fucking smirking at me like I was the dirt on her shoe? Because I'm a Weasley?

Bitch.

Narrowing my eyes; I took a step forward only to have my words drowned by the return of my platinum haired pain in the ass. He shot a strained smile around the group.

"Zabini; Mercier. Victoire."

"Malfoy." I replied, my voice equally strained. We glared at each other, silently communicating our displeasure at the other; and outrage that our counterparts thought they had any grounds to be angry. Cass looked between us in bafflement and as Mercier snorted.

"Cass, I think we should leave them to deal with their lovers tiff."

Cass's eyes narrowed at the word lover; shooting to me to check for any hint of reluctance for him to depart.

I didn't give him any.

Taking my silence as cue; Scorpius leaned into my ear as we both watched Mathilde and Cass press through the crowds.

"Booth and Greenwood. What's the story there?"

I blinked in surprise; frowning over at my friend as the couple in question whirled past us in a flurry of laughter and smiles.

"I don't know. They like each other sure, but…"

"He likes her? Properly likes her?"

Frowning, it was my turn to roll my eyes. "Are you serious? Are you twelve years old?" Seeing he was still waiting for an answer, I shrugged indifferently.

"I think so? I don't know him all that well."

He smirked. "You could always ask Lupin?"

Instead of deigning to reply, I shot him a withering look; crossing my arms in defiance. He rolled his eyes before speaking again.

"Tell Booth not to go anywhere near him; and we're even. I won't breathe your secret to a soul."

I spluttered in shock and confusion; whirling to face him in indignation. "What? Why would you want that? You have Rose? Why would you care who Alyssa-"

Scorpius's shoulders broadened as he smirked down at me. "It isn't about Alyssa. It's about him."

"Aelius?" I repeated dumbly. Why on earth would he have anything against Aelius? Sure he could be irritating but enough to garner a personal vendetta? From Scorpius? I wasn't aware they even spoke.

"What does Rose have to say about this?" My arms crossed even more tightly.

"I should think she'd have a million things to say. Doesn't she always? It doesn't matter though because I am done listening. I am through jumping through hoops for her and it never being enough."

Silence met his outburst; neither of us quite sure what to say. But from the way his grip was deathly tight on me and how taught his jawline was; I'd hazard a guess that I had stumbled upon the cause of change in Scorpius. Nodding sagely; I smiled innocently up at him.

"So Alyssa stays away from Greenwood? Done. I'll go take care of it now."

He smiled sheepishly; loosening his grip just a tad. "Thanks. I know I'm being…. Well thanks."

Peeling myself away from Scorpius as he headed in search of yet another drink; I found myself looking for someone else entirely. There was no way Alyssa was going to suffer to hide a secret of mine that was going to come out in a week or two eventually. Hopefully. If everything went to plan. Which it clearly never fucking did or I'd be in Princess mode now and not Maleficent mode. Scorpius had evidently slipped on his head and forgotten who he was dealing with. My eyes lit up as soon as they fell on an animated Slughorn by the food table; regaling some poor creatures with stories of his youth at Hogwarts.

"Professor! I found you!" I gushed, beaming up at him in over-exaggerated relief.

He frowned at me for a moment in confusion before lighting up similarly. "Victoire! Yes, yes what is it my dear?"

I bit my lip; so very anxious that my brow knotted fretfully.

"It's Scorpius, Sir. I do fear that he maybe has drank too much; and I have to sort out some Prefect duties for a short while and, well there's no one else with enough discretion that I would trust to take care of him; so-"

He waved a hand over my words; smiling indulgently. "Say no more; say no more. Where is the poor chap?"

I pointed him over to where an unsuspecting Scorpius was chatting with Clayworth across the room; smiling devilishly as he nodded obliviously to something Clayworth was saying. That should take care of Scorpius long enough for me to find Rose. It was no mean feat to pry yourself free of Slughorn without help; and with how much of a dick he'd been tonight, I doubted he had much of that rolling in.

But Rose wasn't on the dance floor. And Rose wasn't by the drinks. Where the fuck was she?

And why did she always have to ruin my plans.

Humiliating as it was to have to stop and ask people where she was; I had no other alternative. Spotting James by the door; I walked over, hesitantly tapping his shoulder as he leapt of a familiar dark haired girl. Wasn't that..?

He blushed furiously at me. "Seriously Vic? Do you have to be a Prefect all the time? There are plenty of other people who are standing less than the required 2-"

I interrupted quickly. "It's not that James. I'm… God. I'm actually looking for Rose?"

He blinked at me blankly.

"Our cousin?" I clarified.

Crossing his arms; he turned to face me, suspicion across his face. Poor Gwen didn't have a clue where to look, decidedly embarrassed to have been caught kissing James when she knew, that I knew, she'd arrived with his brother of sorts. Merlin James was a dick, wasn't he?

"What do you want with Rose? I thought you two hated each other?"

It was my turn to stare blankly at him. "I don't hate her. She can be annoying but- I really don't know her."

He raised an unaffected brow. "Well she sure hates you. And I don't think she would want you to know where she was."

Wow. That was sugar-coated. And I really didn't have time to play games with him.

"Look, James; you tell me where she is or I swear I'll have you both in detention for the rest of the year."

His face morphed in outrage. "You can't do that. Not for kissing."

"Do you really believe this is going to be your only indiscretion for the rest of your Hogwarts career? Every single time you put a toe out of line; I will be there. Good luck trying to get on the Quidditch team when your mother discovers the pile of detentions I'll burry you under. You won't see a whisper of that pitch until you're at least 56."

His jaw worked furiously as he tried to see a way out that didn't involve him giving up Rose. I sighed internally. This wasn't going to work. Curse fucking Gryfindor nobility!

"James. I promise it's for her own good. This time? She's going to want me to find her."

Defeated, he sank against the wall.

"She's with Teddy. They were over at the tables last I saw them. By the back."

I nodded, already storming away. There was only so long Slughorn could hold Scorpius and I needed a little chat with Ms Weasley before he was released. Eventually a familiar mess of red curls fell under my gaze, being soothed awkwardly by a very sombre Teddy. So something had happened. I approached cautiously; not wanting Teddy to get surprised and blurt out something ridiculous. It was an unfortunate tendency of his that he just couldn't correct no matter how hard I tried.

"Rose. Could I have a word please?"

Rose's eyes shot up at me in resignation. They were puffy and red and her nose was runny. She was a ridiculous mess. But there had been a moment only a few months ago where I was just as disgusting and Teddy had been nice to me. Maybe even more than one; if I was feeling generous.

Teddy looked up at me with an indescribable emotion in his eyes. It looked like he was desperately trying to communicate something but I didn't have a clue what. I squinted at him; trying to express my confusion. He threw his head into his hands as Rose got up slowly and turned to face me, straightening her shoulders with as much dignity as she could muster.

"Do you want to… talk outside?" I asked her; eyeing Teddy subtly.

She shook her head sadly. "He practically knows anyways Victoire. So do your worst."

Unsure of what to say to that; I gestured to her to sit back down and slipped into the seat beside her; all too conscious of her weary eyes on me, waiting.

"Rose. Has something happened with Malfoy?"

Teddy made a retching noise; coughing his drink all over the table and over his own robes; clutching his sides as he choked dramatically. I noted dismally that he had soaked all down the front of his robes. He really was such a child. He should have tucked in his little Gryffindor handkerchief like a bib, instead of leaving it in his pocket. When I thought of how we had chuckled at his Grandmother posting it to him; laughing at her warning that she wouldn't wash another set of stained robes. Rose and I both watched him in surprise, as he wheezed and tried to recover normal breathing.

"Malfoy?" He breathed; his eyes tearing up and darkening dangerously. "Really Rose? There was no one else?"

"I thought you said he knew?" I whispered to Rose; watching in concern as Teddy's face turned putrid.

"I thought he did. I all but spelled it out for him." She watched him in bafflement and fascination, before we both turned away; deciding we had more important issues.

"Well there's your mistake. You literally have to spell it out for him. With diagrams if you can." I smiled wanly as she rolled her eyes; a slight smile on her face.

"Sounds like you're informed in the ways of dealing with Teddy." Her sly dig was delivered from the corner of her eyes; watching my reaction carefully.

I laughed easily. "I just had a most illuminative conversation with Scorpius that tells me you know exactly just how informed I am. So let's just lay everything out there?"

She nodded her assent; breathing deeply.

"I've been seeing Teddy for over a month now. You've been seeing Malfoy for thereabouts too. Only tonight; you did something with Greenwood? And now he's pissed off. He's trying to blackmail me into separating Alyssa and Aelius."

Her eyes shot to me; wide and shocked. I could practically hear the increase in her heart rate as she raised a shaky hand to her forehead.

"He isn't? Why would he do that? It wasn't Aelius's fault- it was all me! God, I am so stupid!"

Teddy rose quickly. "I'm going to find Aelius and... I dunno; shepherd him home or something. This… you're probably more suited to this anyways. I was doing an awful job."

He shot me a reassuring grin; still looking very shaken. Rose snatched out a hand, gripping him arm.

"You promised you wouldn't tell." She reminded him forcibly.

He winced. "Yeah. I know. I won't tell. But you should."

Rose released him tiredly, staring down at the table cloth. "Says you." She mumbled accusingly as he strode purposefully away.

I glanced at Rose. "Want to tell me what happened?"

She sighed. "Not particularly. It's not a conversation I've dreamed about having with you of all people."

I swallowed. Guess I deserved that. But in all honesty; I hadn't done anything tonight. I didn't cause whatever problems she was having. All I wanted was one fairy-tale night and her and her beau were ruining it.

"Why? What did I do this time?" I hedged quietly.

She scoffed. "Nothing. You did nothing. You just turned up. That's the beauty of it."

"You didn't want me going with Scorpius?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Though I didn't really get why. Anyone could see we were just friends. And she obviously already knew about Teddy. No offence, I mean, obviously she saw something in Scorpius, and yeah, he's good looking; but you would have to be beyond remedial to choose Scorpius if you had Teddy. Which; I thought rather smugly; I did.

"No. I didn't." She stated firmly.

I glanced around; unsure of how to proceed. "Okay. Is that… is that why you went with Aelius? Because he's such a… well, a slut?"

She snorted despite herself; meeting my gaze with a wearily amused expression. "Yeah. That's exactly why. I wanted Scorp to feel like I felt whenever you two were together. Only he didn't."

I blinked. "You think I'm a slut?" A hard edge entered my voice, though I did try to quell it.

Her mouth fell open. "No- no, I didn't mean that. I meant; I wanted him to feel jealous; the way I did…"

Well this was awkward.

"I don't think you're a slut. I have a few other choice words; but slut isn't among them." She clarified.

I laughed. "I don't know why you would think poorly of me. Seems to me that we're pretty alike."

She scoffed. "I don't think so."

Glancing across at her shrewdly, I allowed a small smirk play on my lips. "Well… you can't stop yourself from choosing a boy that complicated your life tenfold. Uh, hello? I don't think I need to expand on that one. You're pretty vocal about it when you don't like someone; I can personally vouch for that trait in both of us. You thought you were going to lose someone you cared about and you did whatever you had to do to prevent that from happening. You also used rather underhanded means, if I do say so myself, and I think you'd agree that's not an entirely foreign concept to me."

She slowly raised her eyes to mine; tears threatening to overspill.

I continued. "But you made a mistake and you went too far and now you don't know how to fix it. I've been there."

She sniffed; fully listening now. "You have?"

I nodded in earnest; leaning closer to her. "Everyone has Rose. Absolutely everyone in love at some point or other; goes too far."

She ran a hand over her dress front; anxious. "What do I do Victoire? I… I kissed Aelius. It was so, so dumb. But I just wanted some kind of reaction! Something to just- to just-"

"Show you he cares?" I pressed gently.

She nodded; tears flowing freely now. "I've totally fucked it up. I should have just trusted him. He did care; I know he did. He just trusted me ten times more than I trusted him and I was the one to…. Merlin…"

I gripped her hand, staring her dead between the eyes. "First of all; you are going to get up and come with me to the bathrooms. We are going to fix you up and you are going to stop crying. He won't appreciate it when he was the one wronged. You have more respect for him than that."

She nodded; her lip wobbling dangerously. But she hung on my every word; desperate to be told how to fix things.

"Secondly; you will remember that there are two people in this relationship; not just you. Your actions were completely wrong, but also completely out of character. He knows you; he has to know that. You were insecure and afraid. He could have been a hell of a lot more understanding of that. It takes more than just telling someone you love them to prove that you do. And seeing as he has spent the last three years saying the exact same thing to every skirt in this school; it makes sense that you would need something more."

She nodded; slightly more assertive. "Yeah… yeah that's true."

I smiled a little. "It is. Believe me. Teddy had to give up Quidditch before I believed him."

As her face lit up with an idea; mine fell dramatically. "No. No, Rose you can't ask him to give up Quidditch. If he forgives this; then it's proof enough that he loves you. And besides; it's nearly impossible to undo. You would not believe how difficult it is."

As I flicked a strand of hair out of my face; she smiled over at me. "The same level of difficulty as blackmailing every Quidditch player in the school?"

My mouth fell open. How on earth..? I didn't dwell on it though; matching smirks spreading across both of our faces.

"Not every player. Just some of the Slytherin ones."

She laughed; looking considerably more cheered.

"Come on Rose. Bathrooms."

As she stood up wobbly; she grabbed at my hand.

"What then?" Her tone was fearful; but I knew she'd agree to whatever I said if it meant getting Scorpius back.

"Then you're going to come with me to my dorm. I'll bring him to you."

I turned to lead her out; but she stood firm, her hand pulling me back.

"Thank you, Victoire."

"Not a fucking chance."

"Scorpius. Don't be ridic-"

"No fucking way Weasley. I am not going near those fucking Gryffindor-"

"You love her. I know you do! Just talk to her; hear her out!"

"No! I said no! I am going back to my dorm before you can set Slughorn or another one of your minions on me again! Now get out of-"

"Fine! Fine! I'll come too. I'm sick of this party. Congratulations Scorpius; you have officially ruined my night!"

"Don't be melodramatic Weasley. It suits you just about as much as playing Good Samaritan for your cousin. You only want us to make up so that you and Lupin can ride off into the sunset."

I glared at him as we stormed down the corridor to the dungeons; practically racing each other, striding as fast and furiously as we could without actually breaking into a run.

"Don't flatter yourself Malfoy. Regardless of whether you and Rose live happily ever after; Teddy and I will be fine. We couldn't really give a shit about-."

He gripped my elbow; jerking me back slightly as he froze; looking down at me intently. All traces of humour; however mocking; had vanished.

"Vic. End it. End it now before it becomes too big to take back."

I stared up at him sombrely. "I don't want to take it back. I shouldn't have to; and neither should you."

He laughed; his eyes hollow and unfeeling; the sound hoarse and rough. "I used to think that. But you know what? There reaches a point when you realise who is doing all the giving and who is doing all the taking. And funnily enough; it isn't the greedy little Slytherins that are taking and taking and taking."

I listened impassively; reminding myself that this is not me and Teddy. This is Scorpius and Rose.

This is Scorpius and Rose.

He continued on, becoming more animated and fervent with each word.

"I used to think it made sense. I was the one with the reputation. I was Scorpius Malfoy and she was Rose Weasley for fucks sake. Of course I was the one who needed to prove that I was serious; prove that I was good enough for her. I was the one who needed to better myself; I was the one who needed to change; but look at tonight!"

His arms flailed; emphasising the words he was all but spitting at me now; scorn and self-disgust colouring his voice. I backed away slightly; not anticipating this new, more aggressive side of Scorpius.

"Scorpius-" I began cautiously.

"Look at what she's fucking done! All those hours I spent listening to her go on and on about how she didn't want me going with you; and did I once question her coming with Greenwood? Did I once doubt her? So fucking stupid!"

He punched the wall behind me dramatically, his eyes shut heavily as he kept rambling on.

"Because we're the ones risking everything! I used to think it was her but it's not. If I messed her around then the school wouldn't even blink. That's how things should be. Her friends would rally around her and comfort her and mine would slap me on the back and everyone would move on. It never even occurred to me that she could mess me around. At worst I thought I'd be slagged for being whipped by a Weasley but- but this is so much worse! That she cheated on me? With fucking Greenwood?"

Striding forward confidently; I slapped him.

There was a beat of silence as he froze and I stared him down.

"Calm the fuck down Malfoy." I ordered brusquely. "Yes, she made a mistake, yes, she's in the wrong and you have every right to be angry. But throwing a tantrum in the corridor won't fix anything and it certainly won't do anything to fix your reputation if that's what you're so worried about."

His breathing slowed slightly as I ploughed on.

"Now here's what's going to happen. You are going to remember that A) although you listened for hours to Rose complain about me, you did still bring me to this dance and you did still hang around with me a lot. I'm not complaining; just stating the facts. B) You are Scorpius fucking Malfoy and you do not throw hissy fits like a little bitch. You are not a child, and I am not your mother, so get yourself in order. C) If you are this angry and this upset about a kiss; that I think we both know means nothing to either parties, but a lot to you, evidently; then you love Rose. And I know she loves you."

Taking a deep breath, I went in for the kill.

"So all that really matters is; how much do you love her? Do you love her enough that you can forgive this and move past it? Or are you so angry that you're willing to throw everything away? You'll walk past her in the halls and pretend like you don't know her; she won't speak to you and you won't acknowledge her; and soon, you won't have to pretend that you don't know her."

He blinked.

"I'm not saying forgive her tonight. I'm just saying don't shut her out completely. Give her a chance to earn forgiveness. Everyone fucks up Scorpius."

He looked down at his shoes, mumbling under his breath. "Merlin. I don't know what Lupin sees in you. Fucking know it all."

Smiling indulgently; I linked an arm with his; pulling softly. "Come on."

He sighed. "No. You're right. I should probably find Rose. Hopefully she's still at the party. I won't get any sleep till I do."

I nodded; pleased at my own brilliance. "I know. She's waiting in my dorm."

He stilled; turning incredulous eyes on me as we walked through the common room door. "You knew I would refuse to see her." He accused quietly, as we slid past the rest of our house and up the steps. I smirked in response.

"I had a hunch. Teddy smuggled her in and they've been waiting up there since."

He rolled his eyes. "Of course you have a way to smuggle Lupin in. No offence; I know he's… whatever to you; but I don't fancy having this conversation with him present. Any chance you could smuggle him out?"

I pushed open my dormitory door; smiling briefly at a bewildered Teddy and an anxious Rose; before turning to Scorpius and picking up the soft cloak that Teddy had left on my bed. I pressed it into his hands; ignoring how tense he had become in Rose's presence.

"No way to smuggle him out I'm afraid; but you and Rose can head to your dorm if you don't mind. Clayworth is occupied with Nessa so you should have the room to yourself."

Silently, Rose stood up from the bed, unsure where to look or what to say. She followed a wordless Scorpius out of the room; both of them vanishing under the cloak just before their footsteps had faded around the corner of the stairs.

I turned back to Teddy; grinning wickedly.

"You were saying how beautiful I look?"

"Merlin Vic."

I grinned smugly as Teddy breathed against me; his dress robes discarded somewhere on the floor and my dress lying as a crumpled silk stain by the trunk. As he ran his fingers through my hair, his lips working slowly down my neck, I swear I could hear fireworks in my head. Explosions and bangs and-

Holy fuck.

Leaping off Teddy as he froze underneath me; we both shared a look of panic.

The banging persisted.

"Malfoy! I know you're fucking in there! You fucking swore- you fucking-"

"Hide." I hissed; tossing clothes at a dishevelled looking Teddy; looking slightly sick at the prospect of being found half naked in my bed by Cass, in a house full of Slytherins with not a Gryffindor for miles.

"Malfoy!"

"I thought you two broke up?" Teddy hissed back; pulling clothes other his head and looking about for somewhere to hide.

Shoving stuff out from under the bed; I ushered him underneath it. "We did! I don't know what-"

The door flew open as Cass seemingly grew tired of waiting for me to unlock it and used his wand to blast it open; just as Teddy's foot disappeared under the emerald throws. I froze; suddenly remembering I was half naked as I stared in shock at my furious ex boyfriend. Clearing my throat; I collected myself; trying to assume the confidence I was lacking.

"What the fuck do you think-"
"Where is he Vic? Clemence saw Malfoy come up with you; and no one has seen him come down. Don't even try to-"

I glared at him. "To what? To what Cass? What exactly do you think you're doing? Who do you think you are that you can come bursting into my dorm; accusing me of bullshit and then- what are you doing!?"

He completely ignored me; pushing past me and opening trunks; peering behind curtains with purpose. I strode angrily after him; yelling abuse.

"Get out Cass! Even if Malfoy was here- this is fucking ridiculous! I am not your girlfriend! You can't-"

He whirled around; still angry but less sure of himself. "This isn't about you. It isn't you I'm angry with- it's him. He promised when I let him take you that he wouldn't-"

"When you let him take me?! You deluded bastard!"

In some dark recess of my mind I remembered that Teddy was watching from underneath my bed; and wondered vaguely on a scale of one to ten how much I was terrifying him with my craziness. As if on cue; a muffled snigger erupted from underneath the bed and the entire room froze; both mine and Cass's eyes drifting unwillingly to the bed; where almost certainly a half-naked Teddy was cursing himself.

Cass lifted deadly eyes to me; his wand drawn. "Tell him to get the fuck out of there."

I raised calming hands; beseeching, as my heart rate soared. "Cass. Think of Mercier. What would she say if-"

"Vic. Don't. Malfoy, I swear-"

There was muffled movement from under the bed; and I swear I died. My whole body went into shock, my limbs feeling heavy and slow as I turned in muted horror to see-

Malfoy.

Malfoy staring back at me.

Looking unsure and weirdly perplexed and very un-Malfoyish. He ran an awkward hand through his hair and grinned crookedly.

"Hey, mate. You caught me."

I cringed. How did Teddy not know that that was so clearly not the right thing to say? Was he raised by monkeys?! Cass obviously felt similarly; staring at Teddy/Malfoy with a mixture of disbelief and fury.

"Cass- it isn't what it looks like-" I cringed even as I said it. I had nothing to back it up with. It was exactly what it looked like. Only Malfoy was Teddy and sharing that wasn't going to help anyone.

He shrugged out of the soothing hands that were advancing towards him; pushing me aside slightly as he walked to the edge of the bed; picking up a small piece of scarlet cloth and staring at it in confusion. As he ran it through his fingers; I bit my lip, praying he wouldn't piece it together. Teddy visibly blanched; looking as if he would actually be sick all over the bed.

"Why would Malfoy have a Gryffindor handkerchief?"

As his dark eyes rose accusing to glower at Teddy; I felt my heart sink.

He knew.