Chapter Twenty-Four

                                    

                                          
Rose Weasley 
                          
As the weeks went on, Rose spent a lot of time with Scorpius but also a lot of time thinking about Jo and Christian. She had tried to avoid both for a few days after the incident, but a few weeks later and she needed to know what was going on. 
                          
On a Wednesday, at the end of January, Rose went in search of Jo. Needless to say, after the whole affair and stuff that had happened previously between Rose and Jo, Rose found it rather hard to consider her and Jo friends. Especially since had been spending an awful lot of time with Flora, who was one of the only people who knew about the secret, besides Scorpius. It was nice for Rose to vent to someone about the subject and Flora was a good listener. 
                          
Now Rose was looking for Jo, who she ended up finding in the library, quietly reading a book in the corner. This was very unlike Jo, so Rose thought she was trying to stay under the radar. Perfect, she thought. 
                          
"Can we talk?" Rose asked abruptly, approaching the table Jo was at and taking a seat. 
                          
Jo looked around, a little nervous. "I guess," she said finally. 
                          
Rose sighed. "Can you please explain to me what the hell is going on? I hate having to keep this secret because I am waiting for you two to make the first move, but it seems that neither of you have done that." 
                          
"Look, Rose. I feel awful because of what I did. And I was kind of hoping that it would all just blow over and I wouldn't have to tell Louis," Jo said, picking at her fingernails. 
                          
"Do you really think Louis deserves that? He needs to know the truth. Besides, you've been avoiding Louis for the past few weeks. He knows something is up." 
                          
Jo gulped. "I know, I feel awful. I hate lying to him, but I don't want to tell him because then he'll break up with me! I don't want to lose him. I love him Rose." 
                          
"Jo, if you really truly loved him, I don't think you would have cheated on him." 
                          
Jo looked down at her fingers and Rose tried not to notice the small tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. "I know, I know." 
                          
"Can I ask something? Why did you cheat on him? I thought everything was going really well with you two?" 
                          
"It was! I just messed it up! Christian is just.... I never wanted to admit this to you, but while you were dating him I had the worst crush on him. It was pretty bad. But then you two started dating, then I got with Louis and all was fine. But then you and Christian broke up and Louis and I had this stupid fight and I just... It was really stupid of me. It was a heat of the moment impulse and I regret it every single day. Rosie, I can't tell you how grateful I am that you came in and stopped it when you did. It could have gone on to something worse." 
                          
Rose smiled a little. "I'm glad I could help. But Jo, you need to tell Louis. You also need to tell Christian to tell Meliane, because this isn't fair to her either. Got it? This has to be done, sooner rather than later." 
                          
"Alright Rose. Thank you." Jo stood up and bent down to give Rose a hug. She then grabbed her things and left the library. 
                          
Let's hope that's the end of that, Rose thought, as she left the library in search of Scorpius. 
                          
~ 
                          
Rose was dismayed to found out later that day, that it was in fact, not the end of that. 
                          
"What the hell Rose!" shouted Louis, coming up to Rose in the Ravenclaw tower later the night. 
                          
"Louis?" Rose questioned, looking up from her book. 
                          
"You knew, didn't you? And you didn't tell me?" Louis looked awful. His usually blonde, glossy hair was disheveled and greasy. His blue eyes were bloodshot and his clothes were all wrinkly. 
                          
Rose sighed. "Yes, I did but I didn't want to tell you because I didn't feel like it was my place. Jo needed to tell you for herself." 
                          
Louis sat down next to Rose on the couch and put his head in his hands. "How could she do this to me? I thought things were going so well." 
                          
Rose draped her arm around her cousin and rubbed his back gently, something she did to all her cousins when they were upset. "I know Louis. I know." 
                          
"I loved her, Rose," Louis voice cracked, as a sob broke through. 
                          
"I know, I know," Rose whispered gently. 
                          
Louis's tears got louder as he cried. He cried for a long time, before he got too physically and emotionally exhausted that he passed out in Rose's lap. 
                          
Now, Rose thought, Let's hope that's the last of it.
                          
Sadly, Rose saw that is was indeed not the last of it either. For the very next day, she was cornered by her ex, Christian. 
                          
"Why do you always have to get mixed up in everyone's business? Why can't you just let things be!" Christian said, angrily. 
                          
Rose was taken aback, first off by being corner by Christian and second on how angry he looked. He had gone red in the face and he nostrils were flared. 
                          
"Excuse me?" Rose said. 
                          
"You know exactly what I mean Weasley. You always feel like you have to fix everyone, make everything right! But you don't! People can solve their own problems, without Miss. Rose Weasley coming in." 
                          
"Well obviously you can't, because why did it take you so long to tell your girlfriend you cheated on her? If I hadn't stepped in, you probably wouldn't have even told her. She would have kept following you on her little leash till you dumped her for the next girl." 
                          
Christian looked even madder now. "Little bitter, our we Weasley? I will have you know, I was going to tell Melanie and explain the whole situation, but thanks to you and your big mouth she already knew. And now she won't talk to me!" 
                          
Rose was confused. "I didn't tell anyone about any of this. Only you, Jo and I know. And Flor-" 
                          
She stopped. Flora! Of course, Flora must have told someone about what happened and the rumor flew all over school. 
                          
"Flora? Flora Brown? Rose, oh no you didn't. She's one of the biggest gossips in school! Now, because of you Melanie hates me!" Christian threw his hands up in the air. 
                          
"Don't blame this on me! You cheated on her! She was going to hate you one way or another. Although, I am sorry she found out the way she did, I'll talk to Flora." 
                          
"Good," Christian said, glaring her down. "And next time, Weasley, stay out of other people's business." And with that, he turned on his heel and walked away. 
                          
This time, Rose realized, That isn't the end.