A/N: I want to thank Oscar Le Carlin for reading and reviewing every chapter I've put up. It means a lot to me. Merci Oscar!
This long chapter is my token of appreciation. I hope you like it.
The Great Hall was abuzz with the usual activity, but Rose's appetite had waned after the tumultuous events of the day. She picked at her food, lost in thought.
A gentle touch on her shoulder snapped her back to reality. It was Albus, concern etched across his face. He took a seat beside her, wanting to ensure his cousin was doing alright.
"Rosie, are you okay?" Albus inquired, his voice soft but sincere. "I wanted to talk about what happened earlier.."
Rose gave him a small smile, grateful for his concern. "I'm fine, Al. Thanks for checking in."
He nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'm here for you, you know that. And hey, would you like to join me for a trip to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
Rose's gaze softened. "Logan already mentioned going together, actually. But I'll meet you at the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer, alright?"
Albus smiled, pleased that Rose had plans for the weekend. "Sounds like a plan, Rosie. Just take care, okay?"
As if on cue, Logan joined Rose at the table, acknowledging Albus with a nod. They exchanged civil words, and Albus took a moment to express his gratitude.
"Thanks for looking out for Rose, Logan. I appreciate it," Albus said sincerely.
Logan gave a small smile in return, understanding the importance of looking after those you care about.
Rose glanced over at the Slytherin table and locked eyes with Scorpius. She held his gaze for a moment, a silent exchange of unspoken words. When she looked further down the table, she saw Adelinde, her expression stormy, following Scorpius' gaze to Rose. It was clear that something had transpired between them after the altercation.
As Albus returned to the Slytherin table, Scorpius took the opportunity to ask about Rose. "Is she okay?" Scorpius inquired.
Albus glanced back at Rose, who was engaged in conversation with Logan, and then turned to Scorpius with a knowing look. "She'll be alright, mate. Just give her some time."
As dinner concluded, Scorpius and Albus made their way back to the Slytherin dungeons, the torchlight casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. They discussed the upcoming Third Year Party that was set to take place on Friday. Albus looked at Scorpius, his curiosity piqued.
"So, are you going to the party with Adelinde?" Albus inquired.
Scorpius glanced over at his friend, contemplating the question. Just then, he heard cackling behind them. He turned to see Adelinde and her friends, their laughter echoing through the corridor. He signaled for her to come over. They met in the middle, next to a statue, hidden from prying eyes. Scorpius took a deep breath, knowing he needed to be honest with Adelinde.
"I've been thinking, and I've decided to go to the party with Albus." Scorpius confessed.
Adelinde's eyes flashed with frustration, her voice sharp. "So, this is still about this afternoon, then?"
Scorpius hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, it is."
With a dismissive gesture, Adelinde turned and left with her friends, the echoes of their footsteps fading into the distance.
When Scorpius rejoined Albus, his friend raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Well, that was quite the conversation."
Scorpius rolled his eyes, trying to play off the weight of his decision. Albus patted him on the shoulder, a silent show of support.
Friday night arrived, bringing with it a buzz of excitement and anticipation.
In Gryffindor Tower, Rose was getting ready with the help of her roommate, Holly. They chatted and laughed as Holly helped Rose with her makeup and picked out an outfit for her.
"Hold still, Rose," Holly instructed, carefully applying a touch of eyeshadow. "You're going to look absolutely stunning."
Rose couldn't help but smile, grateful for Holly's help. They had become fast friends since the start of the first school year, and Rose appreciated her keen eye for fashion and makeup.
As Holly worked her magic, she couldn't help but ask, "So, is your cousin Albus still single?"
Rose met Holly's eyes in the mirror, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I think so," she replied. "He hasn't mentioned anything about dating lately. Why do you ask?"
Holly shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Just curious, is all."
Once the finishing touches were complete, Rose stood up and admired herself in the mirror. She was wearing a deep green dress that complemented her auburn hair, and her makeup highlighted her features beautifully.
She had promised Logan she'd meet him at the party, and now the moment had arrived.
The Room of Requirement had transformed itself into a lively party venue, filled with the chatter and laughter of third-year students from various houses. Rose entered with Holly by her side. Holly asked if it was alright for her to go find their other friends. Rose nodded, a smile on her lips. "Of course, Holly. I'll catch up with you later."
As Holly disappeared into the crowd, Lulu, a Ravenclaw student, approached Rose with a shot of firewhiskey. Rose politely declined, opting for a butterbeer instead.
As she scanned the room, her gaze landed on Logan, surrounded by a diverse group of students. He waved her over, inviting her to join in a game of truth or dare. With a hint of hesitation, Rose took a seat beside him, his arm wrapping around her in a friendly gesture. She caught a whiff of alcohol on him, evidence of the firewhiskey he'd indulged in earlier.
Cassandra, a Slytherin student known for her sharp wit, kicked off the game. The rounds passed quickly, with laughter and daring challenges exchanged between the players.
Meanwhile, Albus and Scorpius stood a bit further away, engrossed in conversation. Scorpius couldn't help but notice Rose sitting beside Logan. She looked stunning tonight, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for the way things had unfolded between them.
Then came a dare that would change the course of the evening. Cassandra, with a sly grin, dared Logan to kiss Rose. He leaned in, unaware of Rose's discomfort, and in that moment, Rose's instincts kicked in. She jumped up, stammering an excuse, and hurried away from the group. Cassandra's mocking laughter echoed behind her, joining in with the amusement of the others. Rose felt a mixture of embarrassment and frustration wash over her as she navigated through the crowd.
In her haste, she accidentally bumped into Scorpius. She blurted out an apology, and he saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes before she hurried away. He excused himself from his conversation with Albus and followed after her. Scorpius navigated through the bustling crowd, searching for Rose. He knew he needed to find her, to offer her some comfort after the embarrassing moment with Logan. As he rounded a corner, he spotted her.
Rose sat in a quiet, dimly lit corner of the room, her back turned to him. Her head rested on her hands, her posture reflecting the weight of the emotions she must be feeling. He approached her with gentle steps, careful not to startle her. "Rose," he called out softly, his voice carrying concern.
She turned slightly at the sound of her name, but she didn't look up. Her eyes were hidden behind a curtain of hair, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly.
Scorpius took a tentative step closer, his heart aching for her. He wanted to reach out, to offer her some form of solace, but he held back, unsure if she would welcome his touch.
He cleared his throat, finding his voice again. "Are you okay, Rose?" he asked, his tone gentle and full of genuine concern.
Scorpius knelt down before Rose, a tender gesture as he gently brushed her hair from her face. Her eyes, filled with a mixture of surprise and vulnerability, met his.
"Why are you here?" Rose's voice was soft, tinged with confusion. "Shouldn't you be with Adelinde?"
Scorpius paused for a moment, his gaze never leaving hers. He could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the questions that lingered. He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.
"I wanted to make sure you're okay," he admitted, his voice sincere. "I saw you leave, and I... I just wanted to check on you."
Rose's gaze held his, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the room faded away.
"Scorpius," she began, her voice steady, "I need to know what happened between you and Logan. Your behavior lately... it's been so unlike you. What did he do to make you lash out like that?"
Scorpius hesitated, his gaze dropping for a moment. He could see the resolve in her eyes, the need for honesty.
"It's not about what he did," Scorpius finally spoke, his voice quiet. "It's about what I... what I've been feeling." Rose's brow furrowed, confusion settling in. "What do you mean?"
Scorpius took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He knew he needed to be honest with Rose, to let her in on the turmoil that had been consuming him.
"It's about you, Rosie," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've... I've had feelings for you for a long time now. And seeing you with Lockwood, it... it was just too much."
The weight of Scorpius's confession hung heavy in the air, leaving Rose stunned. Everything suddenly clicked into place, the pieces of her own feelings falling into alignment. She understood now why her heart had been in turmoil, why she had felt pulled in different directions.
She reached out, her hand tenderly cupping Scorpius's cheek. Their eyes met, a silent exchange of understanding and shared vulnerability. In that moment, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared, leaving only the two of them.
As Scorpius leaned in to kiss her, their lips almost meeting, she felt a surge of conflicting emotions. It was a moment that held the potential to change everything, to tip the balance of their relationships irreversibly.
But then, the sharp crash of a bottle breaking in the background shattered the fragile moment. Rose jerked back, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't do this, not like this. It wouldn't be fair to Adelinde, to anyone involved.
"This isn't fair to Adelinde," Rose murmured, her voice filled with regret. She stood up, leaving Scorpius with a heavy heart.
She made her way through the crowd, determined to find her friends and gather her thoughts. She spotted Albus and Holly, who were thoroughly engrossed in their own world, oblivious to everything around them. She approached them and gently tugged Holly away, a silent plea for some semblance of normalcy.
They moved through the room together, leaving behind a crestfallen Scorpius.
For Rose, it was a moment of reflection and decision. She needed to sort through her feelings, to understand the implications of what had just transpired. The room buzzed with activity around her, but she felt detached, lost in her own thoughts.
Scorpius watched her go, his head hung low in defeat. He knew Rose was right, and the weight of his own actions pressed down on him. He needed to sort things out, to find a way to navigate the tangled web of emotions he had unwittingly created.