The Plan

It had been almost a year to the day since they had graduated from Hogwarts. Al had warned his friends that if they did not make plans for after graduation they would be stuck at their parents' places. Low and behold, Rose was once again complaining about her pestering father.

"I know he means well but can't he just understand that not all of us have it figured out after school. I mean he had Uncle Harry and the Auror stuff after the war, but just because I have you, Al, doesn't mean I've got my life figured out. I know you're interning at St. Mungo's and all but I don't really want to do that," Rose let out a little huff at the end, and as she was taking in another breath Al spoke up.

"Didn't you get all O's for your NEWT's or something crazy like that,"" Al questioned in disbelief. "You could do anything you wanted and yet you decided to be stuck at your parent's place. You know it's your fault having to listen to Uncle Ron go on about you not making a decision.""

"Uhrr don't remind me," Rose responded picking up her glass of water. "So what's with the meet up here? It's not like we haven't seen each other at our family's places."

They were currently sitting outside at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor enjoying the sun streaming through the floating umbrellas above as Al was gulping down yet another frosty shake. His knee was bouncing and his eyes were darting back and forth along the walkway beside them.

Rose got a disgusted look on her face and her nose wrinkled, "Don't tell me HE is coming too," She sighed. "Al you know what I told you earlier. I absolutely don't want to see him especially the way he treated me at the end of school."

"Oh come on, Rosie, that was ancient history. He's loads better now. He just didn't know how to talk to you, and it took him a while to grow up," Al gave her a pleading look. She sighed again and crossed her arms.

"Whatever crazy plan you have come up with my answer is NO." Her eyes staring resolutely back at Al's. "I will sit here peacefully but after that I will take my leave!"

"Oh come on just hear me out. Trust me on this one. I've got it figured out," As he said that Rose's eyes caught the shine of sun beaming off of none other than Al's best friend's blonde head. She had to admit to herself that he had grown, but as tall as he was she was sure none of that growth translated into actual maturity.

Sure enough Scorpius meandered his way toward their table, pulled out a seat, and sent a sparkling smirk towards Rose. She stared at him through cool eyes, arms still crossed. Letting out yet another sigh, she focused her attention back on Al who was watching the two of them. She raised her eyebrows at him refusing to say anything.

"Well," Al cleared his throat as if trying to clear out the tense atmosphere between the two as Rose reached for her glass of water. "I''m glad to see you could make it Scorp."

"Well I'm glad I could make it Al," His deep voice startling Rose so much she dribbled some of her water down her front. It was his turn to raise his eyebrows in her direction, effectively making her ears red. "I didn't really know what to expect since you see me every day anyways." His eyes were still trained on Rose as she was trying to hide her blush with her bushy red hair.

"Yes, yes, I didn't tell either of you what I was planning, because if I had neither of you would have shown up," He said emphatically, his hands helping his point.

"No surprise there Al," Rose finally said her head still not looking in Scorpius' direction. He smirked at her again and then gave Al a squinty eyed smile.

"So what did you have in mind Al?" His voice causing Rose's blush to creep its way onto her face. Al was in the middle of responding when Rose blurted out as she raised a hand to her eyes.

"Oh this is ridiculous," Her head in her hands, voice muffled.

"What?" Scorpius questioned lightly. "The fact the you keep blushing every time I talk or…"

"Oh you still are a git aren't you?" Rose scolded Scorpius, her blush all but disappearing behind her anger. "I am NOT blushing because of you. I''ll have you know any kind of color is a Weasley trait. Whether or not it's you or the fact that we're sitting here like fools listening, once again, to one of Al's plans." She let out a huff again and Al was beginning to notice a trend.

"Okay, okay let me just get what I want to say out then you guys can make a decision," Al spoke up sparing his cousin the response he could tell Scorpius was dying to give.

"I got a flat."

"You what?" Rose exclaimed dropping her glass to the table. "When did this happen?"

"Isn't that what he just said he was going to do? Tell us, then let us make a decision," Scorpius glanced over her crossed arms again before his eyes made their way to hers. Her blush had returned along with the glare. He turned his attention back to his friend who clearly was trying to keep a straight face.

"Hmmm yes I got a flat. I asked dad about it awhile back after graduation and he said it was all good. He just didn't want me going too far into Muggle London alone. That's where you guys come in," He said dramatically. "I'm here to solve your problems, both of you."

Al looked at Rose, "I know you can't stand one more minute of your father let alone your brother, and you, Scorpius, you don't want to be cooped up in the Manor for the rest of forever. So, the plan is you guys can live with me!"

Al looked at both pleadingly, "Come on. I've already got the place and it took me awhile to find it. I just don't want my dad to find out I''m in the middle of muggle London by myself. He'd go bonkers."

Rose stiffened, her arms still refusing to leave their crossed place in front of her. Scorpius was looking over Al's shoulder as if calculating something in his head.

"Ok." He spoke up. Rose finally turned to look at him, her gaze full of incredulity. "Just as long as my parents know it's you, Al," He continued as he looked at Rose. "I don''t think they would be too happy if they knew a girl was there." Her mouth had dropped open and her eyes were wide. "What, took your breath away did I?" He joked with her.

She shook her head, glare returning, "Absolutely not! I refuse. How big is this place anyways? And where is it for your father to be concerned so much? AND how much will it all cost you? You haven't gotten any muggle money, and you most certainly don't work a muggle job to pay for it."" Rose continued her barrage of questions pelting her cousin one after another. "Has it got enough rooms for all of us, Al? If you're talking about a flat, those tend to run small here. I don't fancy myself being squished with you lot. And for another thing, my father would not allow it. You know how he feels."

She ended her tirade with a swift sigh again. Scorpius looked her over again and laughed, "Jeez woman you are starting to sound a lot like your mother. Calm down would you give the man a second to answer a least one of those questions before springing on more."

Al held up his hand, "Don't worry wonderful cousin of mine. I've got it figured out. It's a three-bedroom flat that's got a living room and kitchen. I've got the money figured out. It's owned by an old muggleborn who has several of the flats in the area which he rents out to wizards who want a chance to really integrate and study muggle the lifestyle. He lets us pay him with wizard money and everything." He paused for a second gaging Rose's reaction. She watched him closely as he continued. "I've already spoken to your father and mother. She''s all for it, says 'it will be a great learning experience for us'. Your dad doesn't need to know much more other than your rooming with me. I'm not dumb enough to mention Scorp, no offense there bud," Al nodded his head to Scorpius.

"None taken. I don't want to be on his bad side is all," Scorpius said with weary eyes. "I'll just say I'm visiting if he catches me there."

The boys turned their gaze to Rose as she fiddled with the tablecloth until she looked resolute about something.

"I want the largest room," She declared sending both boys rolling their eyes. "And if you've got money covered I don't have to get a job right away, right?"

"You still haven't got a job have you, Weasley? I thought you were the smartest witch in our grade," Scorpius looked at her with disbelieving eyes.

"I don't want to hear that from you! Either of you really," She said with a lack of power. "Anyways, if we're going to do this who's going to be moving all our stuff?"

"Ahh you ask too many questions Rosie," Al countered. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it all." He finished his shake with a smirk worthy of one of Scorpius's, set down his cup, clapped his hands and jumped up. ""Off to make plans. Don't eat each other once I'm gone."

He sent a lazy wink towards Scorpius and waved to Rose as he sauntered off towards the Leaky Cauldron.

"Don't you dare say anything in response to that," Rose said in a low voice, eyes trained on her glass. "If you want to be able to get along in the near future."

"I hadn't planned on saying anything m'dear," Scorpius said with a smirk. "What gave you the impression?"

She looked up at his eyes and regretted the second she did so as yet another blush crept its way forward, "Git."

With that she stood, left some money on the table, and gathered her items. She turned to leave but felt a strong hand pull on her wrist.

"Rose," His deep voice reverberating through her chest. She turned to glare at him, tugging her arm back but he refused to let go. "I''m sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"Well you've done enough. Now please let go," She whispered back at not trusting her voice. Her eyes hiding behind her vibrant curls, blush on her ears. He released her arm as she turned away a second time to leave. He clenched his hand as he watched her go. He was startled by the serving man come to clear away the table.

"Are you all done sir?"

"Uh, yes I am. Thank you," Scorpius said as he got up from his seat. He watched the way Rose went and turned in the other direction thinking to himself that this living together thing was most likely going to give him a heart attack.