‘Did Dom really hook up with her in Majorca?’ she asks and Roxy sighs.
‘For Head Girl, our cousin certainly can be as thick as a rock sometimes,’ she answers. ‘I told her it was a bad idea and but she wouldn’t listen. I blame it on the prolonged sunshine.’ She pauses. ‘Or the herb.’
‘Speaking of, you know they found nothing in Malfoy’s dorm.’ Roxy perks at Rose’s words. ‘The Heads barged in there with Slughorn and the 7th year prefects, and not one thing showed up under investigation.’
‘Good thing too,’ Roxy says, looking lighter. ‘I may not like the girl but I would have felt like total shit if she’d have gotten pinched.’
‘Well I voted against it, not entirely for your benefit because Merlin knows you would have deserved to be in trouble for taking such a risk in the first place,’ Rose says and she’s frowning, hoping Roxy will see that she’s serious. ‘But also because I think even Malfoy deserves a break. I don’t understand why everyone can’t just leave her alone, you know?’
‘Some people can’t be helped, Rosie. The entire 6th year loves to hate her and she eats it up. Just look how she treats James. She lives for the attention.’
‘So much for women empowerment,’ Rose grumbles and Roxy snickers at her side.
‘I did say I love to hate her. I think it’s kind of great that she doesn’t take anyone’s shit. I just think she takes it to a whole different level. I personally don’t see how Albus can stand being friends with her. She doesn’t seem particularly warm, or caring for that matter.’
‘You’re wrong, she cares about herself.’ The voice comes from behind her but she knows it’s Davy even before he wraps his arms around both of their shoulders and both she and Roxy groan. ‘You ladies ready for your First…First Friday?’ He stumbles on the word ‘first’ and it all sounds awkward but Rose tries to force a smile as she pries his arm off of her.
‘Go away Davy,’ Roxy says when Rose can’t muster it. ‘We don’t need a tour guide.’
‘Suit yourselves,’ he shrugs, pulling a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lighting it. Before he can place it to his lips Bas snatches it and take the first hit.
Rose hates smoking but she can’t help but watch every ring that escapes Bas’ lips as he exhales. Her eyes linger a little too long as she watches the way he licks his lips that curl up into a wild grin. He doesn’t notice Rose’s extended interest but Roxy does and she delivers a gentle elbow to Rose’s rib cage in response.
Bas is off limits, as are all of James’ friends. It’s a pact they made several years prior that Rose sometimes wishes she never made. James’ friends are notorious womanizers, though more often than they’d care to admit their reputation has caused many of the upperclassmen women to steer clear of them. She and Roxy agreed that any involvement would degrade them to additions to the boys’ trophy cases.
And anyways, Bas only has eyes for Dom.
‘Come on, Rosie. Let’s go before people think we’re associated with these idiots,’ Roxy says, pulling her off towards the opposite side of High Street as they make their way down to the Three Broomsticks.
She glances one last time over her shoulder at Bas who is lighting James’ cigarette without speaking the words for the magic that comes out of his wand. She’s only mildly put out when he doesn’t look back.
-19:45—
First Friday already feels like a bust and they’ve been at the Three Broomsticks for only about forty-five minutes. She has one butterbeer while Roxy downs three shots of Firewhiskey. Rose only pretends to drink hers but spells it away when Roxy closes her eyes to pour the liquid down her throat.
Lorcan is moping at the bar next to Sedgewick Li. Every few minutes she notices him glance over at Roxy hopefully but the girl is determined to ignore him. Several other sixth year girls are crowded together in various booths, some have already had too much to drink and she wonders why no one ever taught them how to pace themselves.
Roxy is completely engrossed in conversation with Valerie Thomas, or pretends to be, but Rose stops listening when the girl won’t shut up about James. It’s obvious the girl is having some issues moving on, despite her new relationship with Preston Corner. It’s an act of desperation, Rose can see that as can pretty much everyone else in Gryffindor who has eyes. James and Preston don’t get on and Valerie thinks it’s the best way to show that she doesn’t care about him ending things.
Only it’s that act in itself that shows she does care. Quite a bit.
She’s saved from excusing herself to the loo for a reason to get away when Albus sits down across from her.
‘Albus,’ she says, surprised. He’s alone, which is rare, because aside from family events and prefect meetings, he’s hardly without Thea at his side. Even then they rarely talk because Albus is usually content to keep to himself for the most part.
He notices when she looks around when he laughs quietly.
‘She’s at the bar,’ he explains and she doesn’t hide her curious glance to the bar where Thea worms her way gently in front of Bas and Davy.
‘I don’t think I expected to see either of you out tonight,’ Rose says, making conversation.
‘Why? Because Slytherins aren’t supposed to come out of the dungeons?’ he says and she opens her mouth slowly to respond or apologize but as she’s deciding which he lets out a laugh. ‘I’m only kidding,’ he says. ‘If you can believe it, I dragged Thea here.’
She laughs because he’s right. If anything Albus looks much more like the one dragged out.
‘She certainly doesn’t look to be miserable,’ she notes, glancing back over to where Thea stands, pulling a cigarette from Bas’ lips and takes a drag of her own. Rose feels something sink slightly in her stomach.
‘She adapts well,’ he says fondly, not taking his friend. As always Albus sounds mysterious and it’s part of what makes him interesting she supposes and she forces an obligatory laugh.
‘So you two, have you guys ever���’ she says, trailing off as Albus’ lips curl at the edges in amusement. ‘Nevermind. Not my business.’
‘No.’
‘No?’ she asks because she’s not entirely sure what he means.
‘No, it’s not your business, or anyone’s really.’ He’s not being mean, she realizes. He’s just agreeing with her in his very Albus manner and she nods. ‘But also, no, we haven’t ‘ever’,’ he adds and she let’s out a tense breath. ‘That’s not what we are, her and I.’
‘Oh?’ she asks because she can’t help but be curious. The entire family is curious because why else would he follow around someone like Theodora Malfoy. But this time he doesn’t give in to her curiosity as he shifts slightly in his seat so a body can sit down next to him.
‘Here you are, darling,’ Thea says, handing him a pint of something dark and foamy and she presses her red lips to Albus’ cheek.
Rose is surprised when a red lip mark appears on his skin. Most witches use glammar spells for such things but for some reason Thea’s lipstick must be muggle-made.
Albus doesn’t wipe it off.
‘Thank you,’ he replies and they toast to something in latin before bring their glasses to their lips and Rose feels suddenly very out of place.
She wants to believe her cousin, that there is nothing going on between them but their intimacy looks as natural and easy as breathing air. Thea’s kiss, Albus’ fingers that sometimes twist in the edges of her dark brown hair, the way they speak without speaking.
It’s only interrupted when Dom approaches slowly and stands, waiting for Thea to notice that she’s there. It’s several moments before she does and Thea lets out a single laugh.
‘Did you plan a Potter-Weasley family reunion while I was gone, Al?’ She asks and Rose realizes now that they are indeed surrounded by her family.
‘Can we talk?’ Dom asks and Thea sips her beer, waiting for something. Albus nudges her and she sighs, putting her beer on the table and stands.
‘I’ll only be a momen
t,’ Thea tells Albus and he nods, the expression in his face changing as he watches her leave out the front door. Dom follows.
‘So���.’ Rose speculates. ‘That…happened then?’
Albus only shrugs.
‘What about you, Rosie?’ he asks, changing the subject and she realizes when he says it she feels very much like a child again. ‘You ever going to talk to Bas?’
She’s flustered as she chokes mid-sip into her butterbeer and he grins at her sputtering. It’s no use trying to deny it, just like with Rose, but still she can’t resist shaking her head and an awkward laugh comes out that matches the heat in her cheeks.
‘You know what? I think I’m going to go get another drink,’ she says, rising too quickly and she leaves him grinning mischievously on the couch next to Roxy who is consoling a tearful Val.
She opts for the opposite side of where Bas is standing with James and Davy even though she’s pretty sure they’re too tipsy to really notice her if she did. She’s standing for several minutes behind a handful of Hufflepuff seventh years and the bartender doesn’t look up at her once. Why would he, she thinks, annoyed at her behavior with Albus only moments earlier. Though she doesn’t feel any fondness for Thea she secretly envies her confidence. She may not be the nicest girl she’s ever met, but she certainly would know how to respond better than spitting in her butterbeer and running away if someone asked her about a boy…or a girl for that matter.
‘Need some help?’ a voice says from next to her and she turns to see that several more people have crowded in front of her and at this rate she’s never going to get a drink. For some reason this is why Scorpius Malfoy takes notice.
Or pity.
‘Oh,’ is all she can say because what the hell is she supposed to say to someone like Scorpius Malfoy.
His brow furrows. ‘Sorry, it’s a bit loud in here, was that a no or���’
‘No…I mean���’ She hates that she has anxiety. Hates that she sounds like an idiot. ‘Shit, I just mean. Yes!’ she says finally. ‘Yes, help would be nice.’ She has no idea what she’s saying but for some reason he smiles and despite herself she smiles back as well.
‘What do you like?’ She isn’t sure how to answer. ‘To drink,’ he adds and realization washes over her.
‘I uh, I don’t know actually,’ she admits because she only ever drinks butterbeer and she doesn’t think she’ll being having another. She leans over to see what is in front of him. ‘What do you drink here.’
To her surprise, he seems flustered as well.
‘I uh, I don’t. Drink, that is. Not normally. It’s just tonic.’ He points to the clear liquid, bubbles dancing to the top.
‘Tonic,’ she repeats. ‘Okay, one…tonic for me too, please.’
His eyes linger on her for an extra moment, his lips twitching at the corners as he turns then and looks at the bartender. The bartender doesn’t ignore him because Scorpius Malfoy commands attention where Rose is hardly noticed. It’s impossible to ignore his imposing stance, the tall boy with the flaxen hair and blue eyes. No, not boy, she thinks. Scorpius is many things but he is certainly not a boy. He is very much a man and she wonders if that is why she suddenly feels very small under his gaze.
The wizard behind the bar waves his wand as Scorpius says the words that look like ‘tonic’ and ‘please’ and before she can count to five the pint glass filled with fizzing clear liquid appears in Scorpius’ hand. He turns, once again squeezing through the small group of Hufflepuff girls and Rose is certain the girls are making it more difficult this time upon seeing who it is their bodies are pressing up against.
‘One tonic water,’ he says when he’s finally free and Rose takes it with a gracious smile.
‘Thanks,’ she says quietly, clearing her throat when she realizes she sounds small and says it again. ‘Thanks, again. For this.’ Scorpius shifts slightly, grinning down at her as well and he nods. ‘I uh, I guess I should get back.’
‘Oh,’ he is the one saying this time and she pauses. ‘I just mean, I don’t think your friend needs looking after at the moment.’ He points to a place over Rose’s shoulder.
Rose turns to see Albus has abandoned his ale. It sits only half full next to Thea’s which is near the brim. Roxy is no longer preoccupied with taking care of Valerie. Her lips are attached to Lorcan’s, his hand buried in her thick curls and hers are clutching to his blue knit jumper like a woman starved.
She expected this and still the sight still annoys her slightly. Rose wants so badly to be independent of her cousin. Roxy is not just her family, she’s her best friend. But suddenly she feels very much the hypocrite for judging Albus and Thea’s attachment when all she does is depend on Roxy in social situations.
Once again she’s left alone alone.
No, not alone, she remembers. She’s standing with Scorpius and he’s being nice like always and still it surprises her. She wonders how it’s possible that he and his sister are related.
‘I supposed I’ll being waiting here a while,’ she mumbles, sighing as she turns back to the bar with her tonic water and she sips at it.
‘I’m happy to walk you back if you’d rather not stay,’ Scorpius offers quietly and she’s flattered by his response but immediately shakes her head.
‘No,’ she says. He looks disappointed. ‘I really should stay and wait. They’ll come up for air eventually.’
‘Well in that case,’ he offers. ‘Do you mind if I wait with you? I have a feeling you may need someone to order you another tonic shortly.’ He points to her glass, nearing half empty.
She’s not entirely sure why he’s offering to stay and she wonders briefly if it’s because he feels sorry for her. She’s alone on First Friday and there is still another two hours before curfew. His best friend his making out with hers and Sedge is nowhere to be seen. He’s just as alone as she is, she realizes, and despite her reservations she feels herself nodding.
‘Sure,’ she says. ‘That would be nice.’
She’s never seen someone look as happy as he does in that moment. And she thinks, perhaps, it might not be pity after all.
THEA
(FIRST FRIDAY)
-19:45-
‘Why did I let you drag me out again?’ she asks, looping her arm through Albus’ as they are escorted out of the Hog’s Head pub.
‘Well I didn’t think we’d get kicked out, for one,’ he explains and the man behind them grunts in amusement. ‘You do know it’s ‘First Friday,’ right?’ Albus is looking at the old man, tall and standing over them with his arms crossed.
‘Precisely why we don’t want any of your lot in here, making trouble for the rest of us who’d prefer some peace and quiet.’
‘For the record,’ Thea says, speaking up to the man. ‘Al and I are the quiet type. We don’t fall in with any of���’ she pauses, turning to point out a group of sixth years laughing loudly a few doors down. She’s embarrassed to be associated with them by default. ‘We’re mature.’
The man laughs.
‘Sure thing, sweetheart,‘the man chuckles. ‘Come back when you’ve matured a bit longer.’
With that they’re left outside, the door slamming behind them and she narrows her eyes at Albus.
‘This night can still be salvaged,’ he says, attempting to lift her spirits but she only frowns.
‘You could have told them you were Harry Potter’s kid,’ she says. ‘Maybe he would have let us stay.’
‘No,’ Albus says, shaking his head.
‘Always no,’ she grumbles.
‘Should we try your name next time, then?’ he asks. ‘See what kind of special treatment the name Malfoy gets us?’
‘Well there’s certainly a difference,’ she says.
They walk in silence until they reach mid High Street and Albus stops in front of the Three Broomsticks. There’s a large crowd, she can tell by the loud voices, the music is loud and she already feels the pull to continue up the road and back to the cas
tle. But Albus looks hopeful.
‘Really?’ she asks. Her frown deepens. ‘You can’t be serious.’
‘One drink,’ he pleads. ‘Then I swear we can go back up the castle and you can subject me to whatever form of entertainment you choose.’
‘Careful, Albus,’ she says. ‘You remember what happened last time you volunteered.’
‘Okay,’ he says, the word drawn out. ‘You can subject me to whatever form of entertainment you choose, except Transfiguration practice.’
She contemplates this because she knows she desperately does not want to be here. But she knows Albus does and saying no would be selfish. She toys with the idea for several moments but she can’t bring herself to say no when she nods.
‘One, drink. And then we’re out of here. I don’t want people to think I’m actually here to have fun.’
‘I doubt anyone would jump to that conclusion,’ he says and she slaps him lightly on the arm as they walk towards the pub.
It’s more crowded than she realizes and she immediately feels anxious as she sees the crowded booths and tables. People are jostling for the bartender’s attention and despite the ease magic provides, there are still several drunken teenagers vying for another drink.
‘I’ll get the drinks,’ she says because she can’t imagine trying to get someone to move without causing a scenel. Albus doesn’t mind and it’s probably for the best because when he’s wearing his black v-neck he looks decidedly less Slytherin. He looks vaguely like James. And girls treat Albus very differently when he looks like James.
They part ways and she can see, despite the difficulty some are having, that she should have no trouble getting the drinks. She finds a space and starts to squeeze easily between crowded bodies. She ignores their complaints because if they want a drink they should put in more effort. She places herself between two taller young men, not realizing until she’s slipped in front of one that said two men are Bas and Davy. Neither seem particularly interested in an argument without James there to instigate and so she takes the opportunity to flash them both her best smile.
She whispered Page 44