Where's that girl who stood up to all the boys in Hogwarts? Where's that girl who chose to marry a man, not of her father's choice? Where's the woman that happily smiled on her wedding day, photogenic in every picture?

Rose Malfoy was the picture of perfection. A gorgeous face and body, a devoted family, a rich, handsome husband, high society status, a highly respected job and a beautiful home. That is what everybody saw.

She didn't see that though. Rose saw the scar that ran down her thigh from dueling in the field, she saw the cracks in her family – Molly's jealousy over Dom and Lysander, Fred's broken heart, Hugo's drinking problem, James' struggle with new fame and celebrity status. She saw the women alongside her in society, whispering things behind each other's back, especially hers. She saw people at work fear her because of her raw talent and ruthlessness in the field. She saw an empty house, the only comforts being her garden and Flipsy, the house elf. And last of all, she saw a husband, arriving home late every day, the scent of delicate perfume lingering in the air.

Yes, how much life had changed in just 10 years.

In leaving Hogwarts, she rose – upwards was the only direction she saw and the only direction she climbed. She climbed it with her best friend, Al, by her side and the 'love of her life', Scorpius. Fame, money, society, status…they came gradually, if not suddenly. Overwhelming was an understatement but she was Rose Weasley; courage was in her blood and challenge raced through her heart. She strived to do her best, be better, be the best, and eventually was rewarded as being one of the most talented Aurors in the force.

She was blind, if not completely senseless, to notice the cracks and holes appearing beside her. The majority of this was thanks to her family. First was Lucy, who eloped with a French man and ran away to France, only contacting her family once a year. Sometimes Rose felt envious of how exotic the idea of running away to a foreign land sounded. Sometimes, she wish she had enough courage to do that too.

Then came Fred, whose girlfriend of nearly 6 years, suddenly decided she loved another man more and became engaged within a week of breaking up with Fred.

Dom and Lysander, one of the few happy ones, were also a cause of others' unhappiness. Though Rose loved Dom and Molly both, she had always known the love Molly shared for her best friend and her cousin's now fiancé. In Rose's head, however, she was confident that the engagement wouldn't last, but then again, Rose wasn't always right in the love department.

James, like her, had rose to new heights with his unsurpassable talent as a Quidditch player bringing him fame, girls, money and magazine covers. But Rose wasn't too worried about James' problems. Atleast he had love in his life to get him through it.

Then came Lily. As the baby of the family, Rose couldn't help but feel protective. And with Lily being painfully gorgeous, there was just a line of guys in turn. The only problem she faced was staying out of trouble. Still, one of the lesser problems on Rose's family list.

Louis was the current cause of concern in the family. Whenever Rose spotted him, it was always with a drink in his hand. Rose didn't know for what reason he would turn to alcohol, but she supposed he didn't know himself. Roxy, his best friend and their cousin, had attempted to get him out of it, but that went nowhere. Rose was glad that despite her own problems, she didn't have a weakness like her cousin did.

So she managed with her broken family. Teddy and Victoire tried to help of course, but they were busy building a family. It seemed as if life had deserted Rose with these problems, when she was least expecting or wanting them. It was also times like these when she missed Al dearly; his bright smile and carefree attitude could simply solve half her problems, but with him working on a long-term international auror case, she had no one to depend on here.

Her train of thought was broken with the slam of the front door and footsteps of Flipsy bursting through the kitchen door.

"Master Scorpius, dinner is all ready for you." Flipsy squeaked, her tell-tale tone giving her excitement away.

"Thank you, Flipsy."

His deep velvety voice rung out through the manor, both making her shiver with dread and her stomach turn in knots. It was ironic that still hearing his voice did so many things to hear. Rose Malfoy wondered what new 'ornament' she would find on her husband today – would it be lipstick on his neck? Or would it be freshly swollen lips this time?

Instinctively she turned towards the kitchen, her eyes fixated upon his soft white-blonde hair, his grey eyes examining the paper has he read, his strong back arched over to eat his food. It was days like these when she saw him, and she wouldn't see the man who lied to her or broke his promise – no – she would she see the man, the boy she fell in love with. The boy she thought she would be in love with forever.

In a moment, his face turned, finally noticing her presence in the kitchen. She startled, but he didn't move an inch. He gazed at her, scrutinizing her (she was sure) and when he was done, he smirked at her and whispered huskily, "Honey…I'm home."

Yes, indeed. Scorpius Malfoy was finally home.