Assumed Fact #1: Rose Weasley hates Scorpius Malfoy

Oh, great. I was never good at riddles.

Rose was being herself. I had finally gotten her to break free of her shell, and thank Merlin she was finally off that high horse of hers.

"Rose?! Rose, are you all right?" No reply came, and I grew restless. "Rose, answer me!"

I got no response once again, and I backed away from the door. I demanded a response two more times before I stated loudly, "Rose, say something or I'm going to break down this door!"

If I didn't do my job, if I didn't wiggle the truth free from Rose, would he force it from her? Would he hurt her? Shove Veritaserum down her throat? The thoughts made me cringe. I was suddenly felt as if I were between a rock and a hard place.

That was when I remembered that the full moon was rising tonight.

If any of us were lucky, this would all blow over. Harmless. Rose and Malfoy wouldn't be sentenced to Azkaban. And if I were lucky, I could keep Rose in my life. If I were lucky, she wouldn't hate me for lying to her. But unfortunately, I just felt like her hate was an impending fate. I knew how she felt about deception like this.

"You and I...We've never been...Never mind. It doesn't matter. It's good to see you, Ted," she said, giving me a smile.

Oh, no. I think I just blew my cover. I had completely forgotten that I was still me.

I was not prepared for what she did next. I don't think I could have ever been prepared for this.

"Scorpius!" she gasped, appalled and turning in my lap to face me. "You know we couldn't get away with that."

"I don't know that! And neither do you!" I said quickly, panting, holding her tightly to my body, never wanting her to leave me, never wanting her to know who I truly am.

"You weren't supposed to come. You were supposed to be sleeping. I didn't want you to see this," Rose cried out.

"No! I'm not going to let you do that to me! To us! What are you even saying?!" I demanded

"I'm saying..." she began and faltered, not quite knowing how to articulate whatever it was going on in her head. "I'm saying that it's time for us to say goodbye...."

"Think about who you're dealing with, Lupin. You have miraculously figured out I was the one behind the murder. You may prove that you were hired as an Auror for more than just your metamorphmagus abilities, but you and I both know Rose wouldn't hurt anyone without a little push."

"This is beginning to seem impossible..." I muttered under my breath. I was still ever-hopeful, but I didn't like Ron's realism.

“Not impossible. We just have to give it everything we've got," said Ron. This time he met me in the eye with that look of reassurance, pumping the optimism back into me that had just left my veins.

"I'm willing to give it all I've got,” I said, choking on my anxiety. “If we fail, there will be no going back from this.”

10 AM rolled around, and we were all impatiently waiting for Rose on the edge of our seats.

10:05. I couldn't stop biting my nails in anticipation.

10:10. Hugo was beginning to pace the room.

10:15. Hermione could no longer hold back her tears.

Glass. We were all like glass. Not just Rose. Seeing Ron like that in his living room like I had physically wounded him, I realized he was glass as well. And so was I.

As soon as my feet touched down on the tile of the courtroom, I knew something was wrong. Really wrong. My right side was numb, and suddenly I was soaked. Soaked in what? I looked down.

Blood.

"I'm so sorry," she cried against my hand.

"Don't apologize," I breathed. "You know I would do anything for you."

"Yes, but Ted - "

"But nothing," I said again.