Ice and Emeralds (A Scorbus Story)

- Chapter Nine -

Scorpius followed his friends through the busy corridors. He seized Albus's arm as they turned a corner and passed the Potions classroom.

"Should I break up with Rose after dinner?" he whispered anxiously in Albus's ear.

Albus shrugged. "If it were up to me, you'd break up with her as soon as possible. But it's not up to me."

Scorpius nodded. "I think I'm going to do it. Before Heiress beats me to it."

"You don't think she was bluffing?" Albus asked as they skirted around a group of seventh years.

"I don't know," Scorpius said. "But Rose should hear it from me."

They had reached the Great Hall. Students poured into the room as the floating candles hovered above their heads.

The Slytherins sat together. Scorpius took a seat next to Albus and held his hand under the table. He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Without meaning to, he made eye contact with Rose, sitting at the Gryffindor table. She winked at him and smiled. The knot in his gut tightened.

Scorpius didn't eat with much enthusiasm. He was too fearful to indulge in the spectacular feast. In his mind, he tried to work out a gentle way of breaking up with Rose. He hoped she wouldn't be too angry with him. He hoped she wouldn't take her anger out on Albus.

Dessert didn't appeal to him much either. All the while, he sat as close to Albus as he could, resisting the urge to rest his head on his shoulder. Albus's warmth seemed to provide him with some comfort.

Professor McGonagall dismissed them for bed. Scorpius felt a thrill of terror. Albus gave his hand a tight squeeze.

"You can do this," he whispered. "It'll be okay."

Scorpius looked at him, wanting to kiss him very much. Instead, he mouthed the words thank you. He experienced a small boost in confidence, smiled warmly at his boyfriend, and went to find Rose in the immense crowd.

He pushed his way past countless students. He kept seeing Rose's bright red hair bobbing along just in front of him, but he struggled to reach her. Finally, he caught up to her just as she was about to enter the Gryffindor common room.

"ROSE!" he called over all the noise.

She turned, her smile widening when she saw him. Next to her stood Hugo, James, and Lily.

"You lot go on," she told them. "I'll catch up with you later."

James said something that made Lily and Hugo giggle as they continued to the Gryffindor tower, glancing back over their shoulders as they did.

Rose rushed up to him, pulling him into a tight hug.

"I missed you," she murmured, kissing him softly on the lips.

"Yeah," said Scorpius numbly. "Why don't we go for a walk?"

Rose nodded. "Good idea," she said, cheerful as ever. "I have to patrol the halls, anyway. We could do it together!"

Scorpius had forgotten Rose was a school prefect, like both her parents had been. She wore her gleaming badge on the front of her robes.

They walked down the corridors together. Rose wrapped her arm around Scorpius's waist. He was too afraid to wriggle out of her hold.

He listened to her chatter merrily as they wandered about the school, looking for trouble-makers. Rose talked about how she was preparing for her O.W.L.s and how Gryffindor would most likely lose to Slytherin in the match for the Quidditch Cup.