Little Things

Chapter Twelve

Rose Weasley

It was a drizzly Monday morning and after all of the drama of the last few days, Rose was happy to get back to her school work. She was sat at the Ravenclaw table eating her breakfast and enjoying a good book, when Jo came and sat right next her.

"Rose!" she exclaimed, out of breath as if she had run all the way there. "Is it true that you broke up with Christian?"

"Yes," Rose said tentatively, she had no idea what Jo was up too.

"Oh thank Merlin!" Jo gushed, "because guess what?"

Oh dear, Rose thought. "What?"

"He's apparently dating Melanie Vain!"

What? Rose thought, I just broke up with him.

"So, how'd he take it?" continued Jo.

"Take what?" said Rose, confused.

"The break up!"

"Oh, that. Well, it went fine." Rose recalled yesterday's events to Jo, specifically the part where he thanked her. "And now I see why he thanked me, but you'd think he'd at least have the common decency to wait a few days."

"Well, at least you're a free agent! Now, you can go after Scorpius!" Jo squealed.

"Shh! Will you keep your voice down," Rose glanced down the Ravenclaw table to check to make sure Scorpius didn't overhear Jo. She was surprised to see that he wasn't at the breakfast table. "Where is Scorpius anyway?" she asked Jo.

"Don't know. Anyway, just wanted to make sure you weren't heart broken. See you around." Jo kissed Rose on the cheek, then almost seemed to skip away.

She was acting strange, Rose thought to herself. Rose gathered her things and scanned the Great Hall, looking for her favorite cousin. She spotted Albus at the Slytherin table, hanging with a group of his Slytherin buddies. Rose walked up to them. "Hey Albus, have you seen Scorpius anywhere?"

Albus's face went from a smile to a sympathetic expression. He stood up and beckoned for her to follow him. They exited the Great Hall and wandered up a corridor and a few staircases until they found an empty classroom. Albus pushed her inside, then looked out the door, scanning for people and then shut the door.

"Al," Rose asked cautiously, "What's going on?"

Albus turned to Rose. "Scorpius, isn't acting like himself recently and I'm really worried." Albus started pacing the empty classroom and ringing his hands, things he only did when he was nervous or worried.

"What do you mean not acting like himself?" Rose questioned, she herself beginning to become worried.

"I don't know, he's just not Scorpius. He's moody, he's snappy, and horrible looking. I don't know if he's sick, but he sure does look it. And then there's the drinking-"

"Drinking?" Rose interrupted. "What do you mean by that?"

"Rose, he's drinking way too much. I've helped him through numerous hangovers, but he doesn't seem to get the message. He keeps going to parties and drinking his bloody arse off. But at the end of the day, he's not himself. And I'm afraid he's going to get worse." Tears were beginning to well in Albus's eyes, and Rose knew he never cried unless he was terrified.

Rose gulped. This was bad. And if what Albus was saying was true and Scorpius was getting worse... "Have you told anyone else?"

"I tried to tell Louis, but I chickened out. You're the first person I've told." said Albus, whipping a tear from his eye.

Rose reached out and wrapped her arms around Albus. "Shh," she cooed, "It's going to be fine."

Albus hugged her back, his tears falling on Rose's shoulder. Albus was definitely one of the emotional ones in the family and Rose was often there to help him through his episodes.

He pulled away and whipped at his eyes one more time. "Will you look out for him?" Albus pleaded, "Please? I don't want to loose my best friend."

Rose smiled sadly. "Of course Albie," she said, using his nickname from when they were little. "Of course I will."

~

"Alright students, today we're going to be-" Professor Wilkinson was interrupted by the door opening. Scorpius Malfoy entered looking absolutely awful.

"Sorry I'm late professor, I had to get something," mumbled Scorpius, not making eye contact with their teacher.

"Oh, that's okay my boy. Just take that empty seat next to Miss. Weasley," Professor Wilkinson said, pointing to where Rose sat.

Scorpius shuffled over and grudgingly took a seat next to Rose. "Hi," Rose whispered, "Long time no see,"

"Yep," Scorpius grumbled, not facing Rose. He just stared blankly at the front of the classroom.

"How have you been?" Rose asked, trying to get something out of him. She hated seeing him this way.

"Fine," was his one word reply.

Frustrated, Rose tried again. "Anything new?"

"No,"

"Scorpius, will you look at me?"

Scorpius turned to face her. "What do you want Rose?" he whispered, glaring at her.

"I want you to talk to me!" Rose said, loudly, reserving a glare from their professor. "We can't talk here, will you meet me after class?" she lowered her voice back to a whisper.

Scorpius shrugged. "Whatever,"

It was better than nothing, Rose thought. They sat in an awkward silence for the rest of the class.