A/N: This is the original version of this story, as written before my other works.

"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy! Get your arse out here before I hex it off!"

There was a gasp, a muttered curse, and a few moments of shuffling noises before the blonde head of a teenage boy popped out from between the heavy red bedcurtains and peered, wide-eyed, at his best friend.

"Al, mate, this really isn't a good time. Maybe I could meet up with you in the common room a bit later?"

"I'm not daft, arsehole." Albus Potter replied, pointing his wand threateningly at the other boy. "You've got a girl in that bed with you, and because you're rubbish at silencing charms, it's bloody obvious what the two of you are doing. Now that means that you're either shagging my cousin or you're cheating on her. Either way, I owe you a world of pain."

Scorpius gulped and tried to think of a response that wouldn't get him jinxed into oblivion. Beneath the horror and embarrassment of being caught with his trousers down (quite literally) and the fear of what his friend might do, Scorpius felt a rush of anger that Al would even consider the idea that he might cheat on Rose.

"Oi! Now wait a minute. What kind of bloke d'you think I am?" Scorpius hurriedly fastened his trousers and stepped out from behind the curtain, careful to keep the partially undressed redhead within concealed from view.

"Right now I think you're a filthy wanker who can't keep his hands to himself."

"That's out of order, mate. It's not like you've never brought a date up here on a Hogsmeade weekend to spend some time alone. Why is it suddenly so horrible that I've done it?"

"Because Rose isn't a date! She's my goddamned cousin, man! I've grown up with her and she's as close to me as my sister! I thought I made it clear when you started dating her that you cannot treat her like any other girl. She is not just any girl!"

"I know that, mate. You should know that I know that." Scorpius' voice was low and quiet, in contrast with Albus' barely controlled yelling.

"So what do you think you're doing?" Al continued to yell. "It's Rose! You can't just - "

"ENOUGH!"

The two boys froze as the young woman's voice tore through the dormitory. Slowly, the bedcurtain was pulled aside and a slim figure emerged wearing a man's shirt, her curly red hair wild and mussed. She stood in front of her boyfriend, fixing her stern gaze on her dark-haired cousin as she spoke.

"Albus Severus Potter, stop being an overprotective git. I am seventeen years old and what I choose to do with my free time is none of your business. You need to stop yelling at Scorpius because he hasn't done anything to me that I didn't want him to do."

Al frowned deeply but remained silent and slowly lowered his wand.

"That's better. Now what are you even doing here? I had it on good authority that you were supposed to be spending the day in Hogsmeade with Alice. Where is she?"

The words had barely left Rose's lips when they were interrupted by a soft knock on the door, followed by a nervous giggle as a petite, round-faced, blonde girl stepped into the room. She stopped short as she took in the scene before her and her eyes grew round as realisation set in.

As Rose looked at Alice then back at Al, whose face had turned a vibrant shade of pink, she raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. She heard Scorpius stifle a snicker behind her and discreetly shifted her weight so she could stand on his foot to quiet him. Returning her focus to her cousin, who was now staring resolutely at the floor, she broke the awkward silence.

"Really, Al?"

Albus turned his attention from the floor to the ceiling, shifting his weight nervously.

"Alright! Fine!" he burst out suddenly. "I'm a bloody hypocrite! I admit it. Are you happy?!"

"No, not particularly," Rose replied.

Alice, also blushing deeply, stepped forward and placed her hand gently on her boyfriend's arm. "Al, honey, why don't we, err... go for a walk?"

"Yeah, alright," he muttered in reply. He turned back to the other couple as he stepped through the doorway. "Scor, I'm sorry, mate. I just..." he broke off and scowled again.

"Don't worry about it," Scorpius replied lightly. Rose only raised her eyebrows again, communicating silently that she was not about to forgive him so easily. Al shook his head and disappeared into the hall, closing the door behind him.

Once they were alone again, Scorpius slid his arms around Rose's waist and pulled her body close against his as he leaned his head down and spoke softly in her ear.

"Have I mentioned how much I can't wait to leave school with you?"

She smiled in response. "Once or twice. Until that time, however, I think should be the one casting the 'muffliato'."