The Dursley Girl

C.22 The Party

"Admit it- it's a hard course," Scorpius says over dinner.

"No, it's challenging yes, but it's interesting-"

"Lannah, come on. You regret taking Arithmancy," Albus says, grabbing a page of my homework from Rose's hands. "This looks like another language."

I sigh. It was a hard course, but I genuinely enjoyed the challenge. It kept my mind off of other things.

"Let's talk about something else- I hear Gryffindor is hosting a party this Saturday," Scorpius says, raising his eyebrows at Rose. 

"How did you hear about that?" She asks, narrowing her eyes.

"I have my ways," he smirks. "Now tell us, are we invited?"

She sighs deeply. "This party is bound to lose us house points, I don't want any part in it-"

"Rose- I love you, I do," I say, putting an arm around Rose. "But please  for the love of Merlin, stop talking about the stupid house cup," I say. "You're house has won it three out of your five years here. It's time to loosen up."

She looks around at all of us staring at her when she rolls her eyes, giving in."Fine!" She says, earning cheers from me and the boys. "It's Saturday at nine. Fred is the one who planned it, so I'm sure it will be more than a quiet house party."

Me and Albus high five in excitement.

"Thank you dear cousin," Albus says grinning at Rose. "It's about time you loosened up a little bit."

"Shove off, Albus," Rose says standing up. "I have to go to the bathroom- Lannah come with me?"

I get up from my seat and walk off with Rose as Albus mutters something about girls always going to the bathroom together.

Once we're out of the great hall Rose stops walking and looks at me with a concerned face.

"Lannah- you don't have to go to the party."

"What?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "Why wouldn't I?" 

"Well, I just figured...after what happened at the last party? You're not at all worried?"

My mind has a momentary flashback of the party last June. Loud music, drinking, Cian, dancing, me and Cian alone in his dormitory-

"I'll be fine," I say, shaking the memory out of my head. "It wasn't a big deal anyways."

"Lannah," Rose says sternly. "I don't know what Cian said to you the other day, but promise me you haven't let go of this. What he did was wrong-"

"He didn't even end up-"

"But he tried. He is a piece of scum and you shouldn't undermine the situation because he says you're overreacting. Just promise me that on Saturday, if anything makes you uncomfortable, come tell me. We'll leave."

I nod.
"Of course."

Rose smiles at me and we make our way back to the table. I internally thank Rose for always looking out for me. 

***
That evening me and Scorpius go to help organize the Quidditch equipment for extra credit. We had nothing better to do, and honestly didn't mind it. Madam Hooch appreciated our help so much that she didn't mind when we'd spend a while longer on the pitch practicing past dark.

"Ok, so tell me- Quidditch in America? Better or worse?" I ask as I take out my wand to unlock the equipment room. "Alohomora!" The rusted luck clicks open and I pull open the wooden doors, revealing the school supplied brooms and boxes of jersey's and game equipment.

Scorpius chuckles as he enters the shed.
"Honestly, they were more competitive but less aggressive- only three major injuries the whole seasons."

"Three?" I ask in astonishment. I lost track of how many we had last season.

"Three," Scorpius confirms as he begins sifting through the jersey's. "And two were caused by me."

"No surprise there."

"Hey- I'm not that aggressive," he says defensively.

"Oh really? Let's reminisce about my injury in third year, shall we?" I raise my eyebrows at him.

His face gets red.
"That was an accident-"

"I know, Scorpius," I say quickly, not meaning to upset him. "I'm just joking."

He doesn't reply. We sat in silence for a few minutes, folding the Hufflepuff jersey's. Outside the shed, I hear the patterning of light rain falling.

"I was so worried about you," Scorpius says finally.

I look up at him. He avoids contact as he continues folding.