Trans, Part 4
Author: silverguivre
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ally is introduced to the extended family and the social scene.
AN: I’m not sure if the Ocean’s 11 quote counts, because I only used a small part of it. Also, I have a specific reason for Fleur’s reaction. And I picture Rose to be the kind of person who’s proud of her Muggle heritage and puts references into her daily conversations to make her feel superior. I think that’ll get more obvious later on. I put the question marks next to TBC because I can never promise inspiration will come at next week’s prompts. Though it’s very likely. Thanks for reading!
Strangely enough, it is her Aunt Fleur that is the most spiteful.
Al had worshipped Fleur when he was little, in a platonic crush sort of way. He had stared up at her with adoring eyes and followed her everywhere, fetching small objects and random fruit for her. The adults had joked about the “little man” and “veela magic” and “charmer with the ladies”. But they had all completely missed out on the point of young Al’s devotion.
Fleur was the height of womanly perfection to Al. Even as she had aged and bore children, she had retained her willowy beauty. Her eyes still sparkled, though with a subdued fire. Her pale blonde hair now shown with silver and her delicately lined face spoke of grace and refinement.
Al had never loved Fleur, not as a boy loves a girl. He had wanted to be Fleur.
Fleur had been the singer of the band, the brilliant scientist, and the coolest guy in school. Fleur had been the epitome of everything Al wanted to be.
Now Al is Ally, or at least that’s how she now thinks of herself. Lily has begun calling her that consistently. James only calls her “girl” now, because he seems to think it’s the best joke ever. And their parents try. They truly do. But Ally has always been Al to them, their youngest son, little Albus Severus. Calling him Ally doesn’t come naturally to their tongues. The fumbled, awkward sounding “Al…ly,” is frequently heard.
But her entire immediate family has been hesitantly open. True, they have been confused, conflicted. But they love her and support her and they haven’t yet turned their backs on her. For this Ally is intensely grateful. And somehow this openness has made her expect the rest of the family to fall in line. But she’s mistaken.
It starts easily enough. The Potter family decides to hold a family gathering when they return from Paris, inviting the whole extended Weasley clan.
Ally dresses ambiguously for it. She wants to be able to tell them, not have them know something’s up when they look at her. But she doesn’t want to hide inside Al anymore. So she wears her hair shoulder length with simple black robes. Grandma Weasley tuts at the hair length and tells Al he should cut it. Ally smiles indulgently.
After dinner they are sitting in the family room, chatting amiably. Uncle George, Hugo and Teddy are playing a very intense card game, which keeps devolving into throwing cards at each other in annoyance. Hermione, Percy and Harry are discussing Ministry politics over smoking blue cocktails. Uncles Bill and Charlie are entertaining the younger cousins with exciting stories about their jobs. Various other cousins, aunts, uncles and assorted are engaged around the room.
Ally is sitting on the couch. Lily is sitting next to her, encouragingly squeezing her hand. James is standing behind the couch, almost protectively. He refuses to make eye contact or even openly acknowledge Ally’s presence. Ally has never loved her brother more.
Every once in a while her mom or dad will glance over, as though asking “now?” But to Ally, it’s any time but now. An hour from now, a week from now, but not now. Please not now.
Eventually Lily takes matters into her own hands. She stands on the couch and hollers until everyone shuts up. It’s truly the only way to silence the Weasley clan.
“Thank you for your attention. Al has some news.”
“Thanks Lily,” Ally mutters as she stands as well.
She looks out at the faces of her family. She knows she’s very lucky to have them all. The Malfoy’s, for example, have very little close family. She thinks it must get lonely, having only one aunt and two cousins. She’s very grateful to have this warm clan at her back.
She doesn’t know what losing them would do to her. She hopes she doesn’t have to find out.
She clears her throat awkwardly.
“This is probably going to come as a surprise to many of you. But I have recently discovered that I am… different. We just returned from Paris to see a specialist on this, and he was very helpful. He’s going to help me be the person I need to be. The person I’ve always been inside.”
Aunt Hermione is frowning thoughtfully at her. “What, exactly, is wrong Al?”
“Nothing’s wrong exactly,” Ally hedges. She looks around desperately.
“Ally is trying to tell you that she is transgendered,” her father puts in gently, coming to save her.
After that all hell breaks loose.
Most of the family is completely confused, and talk together in stressed tones. Aunt Hermione and Uncle Percy try to get the facts and Lily goes to fetch the paperwork for them. James is now standing right behind Ally, still not saying a word, but glaring ominously at the rest of the family. Cousin Hugo keeps asking if Ally is going to get all girly on him now. He sounds quite disgusted at the concept (though he’s already 15 he still suspects that girls have cooties). Rose and Al have always been close, and she seems mildly hurt at first that Ally didn’t confide in her earlier, but now she is holding tightly to one of her arms and murmuring supportively. Uncle Ron is bright red in the face, as though he’s holding in whatever he wants to say. Harry is talking softly and urgently to him, attempting to stave off the explosion. Grandpa and Grandma are listening in confusion to Ginny’s explanation. Uncle Charlie appears to explaining things to Uncle Bill (Ally makes a mental note to ask him where his knowledge comes from later). Aunts Angelina and Audrey have left the room with the youngest cousins, who are upset and confused at the commotion. Victoire is looking haughty and superior, and a little bit disdainful. Teddy is standing next to her, uncertain.
In this chaos, Aunt Fleur is standing silent. Her face is mostly pale, with a tinge of pink on her cheekbones. Ally’s eye is drawn to her simply because of her deathly stillness. As they make eye contact, Fleur sneers slightly.
“Despicable.”
Somehow the one, soft word is heard throughout the room. It causes almost immediate silence as everyone turns to look at the blonde.
“You are disgusting. I cannot believe your parents would put up with this.”
“Now see here…” Harry begins.
“No. I will have nothing to do with this abomination. Come Bill, we are leaving.”
Bill stares at her and doesn’t move.
“I said come, Bill.” Her glare is deadly but he doesn’t flinch.
“I’m not leaving,” he finally replies. “This is my family.”
Victoire leaves with her mother, but Dominique clings to her father and Louis is already with the other children.
After they leave the energy of the family seems depleted. Ally blinks back tears desperately.
The matriarch finally stands and surveys the room imperiously.
“Well dear, I’m still a bit confused about the whole thing, but I’m sure you can explain later. As long as you’re happy, your family will be happy for you.” She adds a glare for good measure, as though daring anyone to disagree.
“Thank you, grandmum,” Ally murmurs through tears.
She goes to her room as soon as she can, leaving her parents and siblings to answer the questions. She’s not sure quite what she expected, but the way Aunt Fleur looked at her, the hate and disgust in her eyes, has imprinted itself in Ally.
And Ally is feeling that hate and disgust for herself in a way she never has before.
* * * *
Ally is pale but firm. She will not back down. She will not avoid this any longer.
Emeric Nott is standing in front of his country home, graciously inviting the guests inside. He looks vaguely bored, but, like any well bred wizard, he will not shirk his duty.
He looks confused when Ally, Lily, Rose and Hugo approach. He glances between them quickly, as though trying to figure out who Ally is.
“Thank you for inviting us,” Ally finally says.
Nott stares at her, his manners gone.
“I’m sure you remember my cousin, Al,” Rose inserts gracefully. “You may have heard that she’s recently been diagnosed with transgenderism. She’s seeing a specialist in Paris, to help her adjust.”
“She?” Nott squeaks.
Rose nods solemnly. “Yes. She’ll be living as a woman from now on. It’s all very difficult. I do hope that won’t be a problem.”
It’s well known that Emeric Nott, though good friends with Scorpius Malfoy and generally a pompous pureblood, is desperately infatuated with Rose. Therefore, he falls all over himself to reassure her and become the perfect host once again.
They are ushered inside, where teens are milling in a large ballroom. They are all dressed in their best robes. It seems as though the Notts have invited all of Hogwarts, and then some, to Emeric’s birthday party. It wouldn’t do to insult anyone, after all.
Floating trays of hors d’oeuvrs and crudités are meandering through the room. Delicate glasses refill themselves as they dangle from careless fingers. A few students, mostly those coming from much poorer or Muggle families, have clung together in an awkward circle in the corner. They look terrified that at any second someone may see them and kick them out. One young boy is even clutching his invitation in a sweaty hand.
But the majority of the young attendees are comfortable or acting as though they are. Some even appear to be having fun. Emeric’s true friends are standing in the middle of the room, laughing brightly and looking down their noses at the rest of the pity invites. And there, in the center of that group, is Scorpius Malfoy.
The sight of him is a physical blow to Ally, leaving her trembling in the doorway. He seems to gather all of the light in the room into himself, leaving everyone else in shadow.
Lily sees her reaction and gives her hand a comforting squeeze.
“Just forget about him,” she says softly. “We’re here to have fun.”
But people are looking at Ally now and whispering. The knowledge that this is Albus Potter the son of Harry Potter dressed like a girl seems to hit the room like a wave, washing into every corner and making tremendous noise in the process.
Ally reaches for a shrimp puff, trying to ignore the commotion, as her cheeks turn pink.
‘This is going to be a long night,’ she thinks.
* * * *
It isn’t until the sun sets that the party trickles outside, in order to watch the fireworks show. In the few minutes before it begins, Ally catches sight of Scorpius, separated from his friends for once. He looks gentle and soft in the moonlight, his expression contemplative as he looks up at the stars.
Ally is overcome with the desire to be near him.
Before she can think about what she is doing she is striding towards him. He doesn’t see her until she’s close, and when he does notice a panicked expression comes over his face. And then he does a remarkable thing - he turns and hurries away.
Ally follows and overcomes him at the edge of the rose garden. Her hand descends on his shoulder and he freezes. It’s as though a bubble closes around them as he turns to face her. The night goes deathly quiet and his face loses all expression.
“What do you want Potter?” he says flatly.
“Please don’t run. I can explain,” Ally pleads. “I won’t tell you that I love you, or kiss you or hug you or anything. Just let me explain.”
He says nothing, just stares at her, and she takes this as permission.
She tells him everything, puts all her chips on the table. She tells him about a little boy who never felt like a boy. She tells him about how it feels to never fit in, to always feel like a stranger, even when alone. She tells him about finding the girl she always was, of exploring what that means, of finding attraction for the very first time. She tells him of hope, of a future she hopes she can find.
Finally, the words are spent and she waits for a response.
Scorpius continues to stare, blank faced.
“Say something,” she pleads.
“I don’t know what to say,” Scorpius replies flatly.
“Do… do you accept that I’m a girl?”
Scorpius shrugs. “You’ve still got a dick, haven’t you?”
Ally blushes. “Right now, but after I’m done with the therapy, my body will be a woman too.”
A strange expression comes over Scorpius’s face. He leans forward until their lips are a mere centimeter away.
“Come talk to me afterwards,” he says softly, his breath whispering over Ally’s face. Then he turns on his heel and strolls back to the party, just as the first fireworks light up the sky.
Ally’s heart stutters in her chest. It’s a ridiculous offer, she knows. Anyone who really loved her would love her as she is, not just after she’s transitioned. And there was no true promise there, just an implied offer. But she can’t stop grinning like a maniac, and she can’t shake the feeling that she just hit the jackpot of her life.
* * * *
Ally wakes the next morning to Lily and Rose sitting on her. Their expressions are stern. Ally groans and hides under her sheets.
“You didn’t think we missed that little meeting with Malfoy, did you?” Rose asks sweetly. “Not after we were keeping an eye on you all night.”
Ally grumbles unintelligibly into her mattress.
“You are an idiot,” Lily tells him, not quite as nicely. “It’s not enough that you’ve got everyone that’s important on your side. You feel the need to convert Malfoy as well.”
“That’s just plain greedy,” Rose puts in.
Ally sits up, outraged, dumping Lily on the floor.
“What? I didn’t choose to like him. I just do.”
“Life isn’t a game of slot machines. You can’t just blame chance,” Rose informs him.
“Slot machines?”
Rose rolls her eyes. She often thinks she’s superior because her grandparents are Muggles. “The things at Muggle casinos?” Ally shakes her head. “Nevermind.”
“The point, Allison Potter,” Lily says from the floor. “Is you have to give up on Scorpius Malfoy.”
Ally thinks of the night before, of the almost kiss, and tingling spreads throughout her.
“I can’t,” she says softly, her eyes down turned.
Rose sighs and helps Lily up. The two girls exchange a significant look.
“I know we won’t be able to convince you if your mind is made up,” Rose tells her. “You’ve always been a stubborn little thing. I bet you argued with that Sorting Hat until it put you into Gryffindor to make you shut up.” Ally blushes slightly, as this isn’t far from the truth. “But you need to be safe. You know how he is and he can be very cruel. Your life is difficult enough as is; don’t let him make things worse.”
“And for Merlin’s sake, whatever you do, don’t, under any circumstances tell him you love him. He could kill you with that.”
Ally bristles. “I’m not stupid. But I don’t think he’s that bad. He… he said to come talk to him after I’m physically a woman. I think he’s attracted to me, but he doesn’t want people to think he’s gay.”
Rose sighs once again and pats him on the head. “Whatever helps you get through the day. As long as you’re not expecting anything.”
“What about you and Nott? You were hanging around him quite a bit last night,” Ally quickly changes the subject.
Rose blushes. “He’s an arrogant sod and I can’t stand him. I was just being polite. It was his birthday after all.”
Lily and Ally exchange bemused glances.
“Oh shut up,” Rose snaps.
TBC?.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ally is introduced to the extended family and the social scene.
AN: I’m not sure if the Ocean’s 11 quote counts, because I only used a small part of it. Also, I have a specific reason for Fleur’s reaction. And I picture Rose to be the kind of person who’s proud of her Muggle heritage and puts references into her daily conversations to make her feel superior. I think that’ll get more obvious later on. I put the question marks next to TBC because I can never promise inspiration will come at next week’s prompts. Though it’s very likely. Thanks for reading!
Strangely enough, it is her Aunt Fleur that is the most spiteful.
Al had worshipped Fleur when he was little, in a platonic crush sort of way. He had stared up at her with adoring eyes and followed her everywhere, fetching small objects and random fruit for her. The adults had joked about the “little man” and “veela magic” and “charmer with the ladies”. But they had all completely missed out on the point of young Al’s devotion.
Fleur was the height of womanly perfection to Al. Even as she had aged and bore children, she had retained her willowy beauty. Her eyes still sparkled, though with a subdued fire. Her pale blonde hair now shown with silver and her delicately lined face spoke of grace and refinement.
Al had never loved Fleur, not as a boy loves a girl. He had wanted to be Fleur.
Fleur had been the singer of the band, the brilliant scientist, and the coolest guy in school. Fleur had been the epitome of everything Al wanted to be.
Now Al is Ally, or at least that’s how she now thinks of herself. Lily has begun calling her that consistently. James only calls her “girl” now, because he seems to think it’s the best joke ever. And their parents try. They truly do. But Ally has always been Al to them, their youngest son, little Albus Severus. Calling him Ally doesn’t come naturally to their tongues. The fumbled, awkward sounding “Al…ly,” is frequently heard.
But her entire immediate family has been hesitantly open. True, they have been confused, conflicted. But they love her and support her and they haven’t yet turned their backs on her. For this Ally is intensely grateful. And somehow this openness has made her expect the rest of the family to fall in line. But she’s mistaken.
It starts easily enough. The Potter family decides to hold a family gathering when they return from Paris, inviting the whole extended Weasley clan.
Ally dresses ambiguously for it. She wants to be able to tell them, not have them know something’s up when they look at her. But she doesn’t want to hide inside Al anymore. So she wears her hair shoulder length with simple black robes. Grandma Weasley tuts at the hair length and tells Al he should cut it. Ally smiles indulgently.
After dinner they are sitting in the family room, chatting amiably. Uncle George, Hugo and Teddy are playing a very intense card game, which keeps devolving into throwing cards at each other in annoyance. Hermione, Percy and Harry are discussing Ministry politics over smoking blue cocktails. Uncles Bill and Charlie are entertaining the younger cousins with exciting stories about their jobs. Various other cousins, aunts, uncles and assorted are engaged around the room.
Ally is sitting on the couch. Lily is sitting next to her, encouragingly squeezing her hand. James is standing behind the couch, almost protectively. He refuses to make eye contact or even openly acknowledge Ally’s presence. Ally has never loved her brother more.
Every once in a while her mom or dad will glance over, as though asking “now?” But to Ally, it’s any time but now. An hour from now, a week from now, but not now. Please not now.
Eventually Lily takes matters into her own hands. She stands on the couch and hollers until everyone shuts up. It’s truly the only way to silence the Weasley clan.
“Thank you for your attention. Al has some news.”
“Thanks Lily,” Ally mutters as she stands as well.
She looks out at the faces of her family. She knows she’s very lucky to have them all. The Malfoy’s, for example, have very little close family. She thinks it must get lonely, having only one aunt and two cousins. She’s very grateful to have this warm clan at her back.
She doesn’t know what losing them would do to her. She hopes she doesn’t have to find out.
She clears her throat awkwardly.
“This is probably going to come as a surprise to many of you. But I have recently discovered that I am… different. We just returned from Paris to see a specialist on this, and he was very helpful. He’s going to help me be the person I need to be. The person I’ve always been inside.”
Aunt Hermione is frowning thoughtfully at her. “What, exactly, is wrong Al?”
“Nothing’s wrong exactly,” Ally hedges. She looks around desperately.
“Ally is trying to tell you that she is transgendered,” her father puts in gently, coming to save her.
After that all hell breaks loose.
Most of the family is completely confused, and talk together in stressed tones. Aunt Hermione and Uncle Percy try to get the facts and Lily goes to fetch the paperwork for them. James is now standing right behind Ally, still not saying a word, but glaring ominously at the rest of the family. Cousin Hugo keeps asking if Ally is going to get all girly on him now. He sounds quite disgusted at the concept (though he’s already 15 he still suspects that girls have cooties). Rose and Al have always been close, and she seems mildly hurt at first that Ally didn’t confide in her earlier, but now she is holding tightly to one of her arms and murmuring supportively. Uncle Ron is bright red in the face, as though he’s holding in whatever he wants to say. Harry is talking softly and urgently to him, attempting to stave off the explosion. Grandpa and Grandma are listening in confusion to Ginny’s explanation. Uncle Charlie appears to explaining things to Uncle Bill (Ally makes a mental note to ask him where his knowledge comes from later). Aunts Angelina and Audrey have left the room with the youngest cousins, who are upset and confused at the commotion. Victoire is looking haughty and superior, and a little bit disdainful. Teddy is standing next to her, uncertain.
In this chaos, Aunt Fleur is standing silent. Her face is mostly pale, with a tinge of pink on her cheekbones. Ally’s eye is drawn to her simply because of her deathly stillness. As they make eye contact, Fleur sneers slightly.
“Despicable.”
Somehow the one, soft word is heard throughout the room. It causes almost immediate silence as everyone turns to look at the blonde.
“You are disgusting. I cannot believe your parents would put up with this.”
“Now see here…” Harry begins.
“No. I will have nothing to do with this abomination. Come Bill, we are leaving.”
Bill stares at her and doesn’t move.
“I said come, Bill.” Her glare is deadly but he doesn’t flinch.
“I’m not leaving,” he finally replies. “This is my family.”
Victoire leaves with her mother, but Dominique clings to her father and Louis is already with the other children.
After they leave the energy of the family seems depleted. Ally blinks back tears desperately.
The matriarch finally stands and surveys the room imperiously.
“Well dear, I’m still a bit confused about the whole thing, but I’m sure you can explain later. As long as you’re happy, your family will be happy for you.” She adds a glare for good measure, as though daring anyone to disagree.
“Thank you, grandmum,” Ally murmurs through tears.
She goes to her room as soon as she can, leaving her parents and siblings to answer the questions. She’s not sure quite what she expected, but the way Aunt Fleur looked at her, the hate and disgust in her eyes, has imprinted itself in Ally.
And Ally is feeling that hate and disgust for herself in a way she never has before.
* * * *
Ally is pale but firm. She will not back down. She will not avoid this any longer.
Emeric Nott is standing in front of his country home, graciously inviting the guests inside. He looks vaguely bored, but, like any well bred wizard, he will not shirk his duty.
He looks confused when Ally, Lily, Rose and Hugo approach. He glances between them quickly, as though trying to figure out who Ally is.
“Thank you for inviting us,” Ally finally says.
Nott stares at her, his manners gone.
“I’m sure you remember my cousin, Al,” Rose inserts gracefully. “You may have heard that she’s recently been diagnosed with transgenderism. She’s seeing a specialist in Paris, to help her adjust.”
“She?” Nott squeaks.
Rose nods solemnly. “Yes. She’ll be living as a woman from now on. It’s all very difficult. I do hope that won’t be a problem.”
It’s well known that Emeric Nott, though good friends with Scorpius Malfoy and generally a pompous pureblood, is desperately infatuated with Rose. Therefore, he falls all over himself to reassure her and become the perfect host once again.
They are ushered inside, where teens are milling in a large ballroom. They are all dressed in their best robes. It seems as though the Notts have invited all of Hogwarts, and then some, to Emeric’s birthday party. It wouldn’t do to insult anyone, after all.
Floating trays of hors d’oeuvrs and crudités are meandering through the room. Delicate glasses refill themselves as they dangle from careless fingers. A few students, mostly those coming from much poorer or Muggle families, have clung together in an awkward circle in the corner. They look terrified that at any second someone may see them and kick them out. One young boy is even clutching his invitation in a sweaty hand.
But the majority of the young attendees are comfortable or acting as though they are. Some even appear to be having fun. Emeric’s true friends are standing in the middle of the room, laughing brightly and looking down their noses at the rest of the pity invites. And there, in the center of that group, is Scorpius Malfoy.
The sight of him is a physical blow to Ally, leaving her trembling in the doorway. He seems to gather all of the light in the room into himself, leaving everyone else in shadow.
Lily sees her reaction and gives her hand a comforting squeeze.
“Just forget about him,” she says softly. “We’re here to have fun.”
But people are looking at Ally now and whispering. The knowledge that this is Albus Potter the son of Harry Potter dressed like a girl seems to hit the room like a wave, washing into every corner and making tremendous noise in the process.
Ally reaches for a shrimp puff, trying to ignore the commotion, as her cheeks turn pink.
‘This is going to be a long night,’ she thinks.
* * * *
It isn’t until the sun sets that the party trickles outside, in order to watch the fireworks show. In the few minutes before it begins, Ally catches sight of Scorpius, separated from his friends for once. He looks gentle and soft in the moonlight, his expression contemplative as he looks up at the stars.
Ally is overcome with the desire to be near him.
Before she can think about what she is doing she is striding towards him. He doesn’t see her until she’s close, and when he does notice a panicked expression comes over his face. And then he does a remarkable thing - he turns and hurries away.
Ally follows and overcomes him at the edge of the rose garden. Her hand descends on his shoulder and he freezes. It’s as though a bubble closes around them as he turns to face her. The night goes deathly quiet and his face loses all expression.
“What do you want Potter?” he says flatly.
“Please don’t run. I can explain,” Ally pleads. “I won’t tell you that I love you, or kiss you or hug you or anything. Just let me explain.”
He says nothing, just stares at her, and she takes this as permission.
She tells him everything, puts all her chips on the table. She tells him about a little boy who never felt like a boy. She tells him about how it feels to never fit in, to always feel like a stranger, even when alone. She tells him about finding the girl she always was, of exploring what that means, of finding attraction for the very first time. She tells him of hope, of a future she hopes she can find.
Finally, the words are spent and she waits for a response.
Scorpius continues to stare, blank faced.
“Say something,” she pleads.
“I don’t know what to say,” Scorpius replies flatly.
“Do… do you accept that I’m a girl?”
Scorpius shrugs. “You’ve still got a dick, haven’t you?”
Ally blushes. “Right now, but after I’m done with the therapy, my body will be a woman too.”
A strange expression comes over Scorpius’s face. He leans forward until their lips are a mere centimeter away.
“Come talk to me afterwards,” he says softly, his breath whispering over Ally’s face. Then he turns on his heel and strolls back to the party, just as the first fireworks light up the sky.
Ally’s heart stutters in her chest. It’s a ridiculous offer, she knows. Anyone who really loved her would love her as she is, not just after she’s transitioned. And there was no true promise there, just an implied offer. But she can’t stop grinning like a maniac, and she can’t shake the feeling that she just hit the jackpot of her life.
* * * *
Ally wakes the next morning to Lily and Rose sitting on her. Their expressions are stern. Ally groans and hides under her sheets.
“You didn’t think we missed that little meeting with Malfoy, did you?” Rose asks sweetly. “Not after we were keeping an eye on you all night.”
Ally grumbles unintelligibly into her mattress.
“You are an idiot,” Lily tells him, not quite as nicely. “It’s not enough that you’ve got everyone that’s important on your side. You feel the need to convert Malfoy as well.”
“That’s just plain greedy,” Rose puts in.
Ally sits up, outraged, dumping Lily on the floor.
“What? I didn’t choose to like him. I just do.”
“Life isn’t a game of slot machines. You can’t just blame chance,” Rose informs him.
“Slot machines?”
Rose rolls her eyes. She often thinks she’s superior because her grandparents are Muggles. “The things at Muggle casinos?” Ally shakes her head. “Nevermind.”
“The point, Allison Potter,” Lily says from the floor. “Is you have to give up on Scorpius Malfoy.”
Ally thinks of the night before, of the almost kiss, and tingling spreads throughout her.
“I can’t,” she says softly, her eyes down turned.
Rose sighs and helps Lily up. The two girls exchange a significant look.
“I know we won’t be able to convince you if your mind is made up,” Rose tells her. “You’ve always been a stubborn little thing. I bet you argued with that Sorting Hat until it put you into Gryffindor to make you shut up.” Ally blushes slightly, as this isn’t far from the truth. “But you need to be safe. You know how he is and he can be very cruel. Your life is difficult enough as is; don’t let him make things worse.”
“And for Merlin’s sake, whatever you do, don’t, under any circumstances tell him you love him. He could kill you with that.”
Ally bristles. “I’m not stupid. But I don’t think he’s that bad. He… he said to come talk to him after I’m physically a woman. I think he’s attracted to me, but he doesn’t want people to think he’s gay.”
Rose sighs once again and pats him on the head. “Whatever helps you get through the day. As long as you’re not expecting anything.”
“What about you and Nott? You were hanging around him quite a bit last night,” Ally quickly changes the subject.
Rose blushes. “He’s an arrogant sod and I can’t stand him. I was just being polite. It was his birthday after all.”
Lily and Ally exchange bemused glances.
“Oh shut up,” Rose snaps.
TBC?.