Rose and Hugo Weasley were home from Hogwarts for the Christmas holiday. Hugo had gone shopping with his father, both looking like they were up to something. Hermione suspected it had to do with Christmas presents. Leave it to her husband to wait until the last minute to buy gifts.

Hermione was in the kitchen trying to make dinner. Rose came and sat on a barstool behind the kitchen counter, absentmindedly twirling one of the curls in her fiery hair. Hermione continued her rush around the kitchen, paying no attention to her daughter.

After about five minutes, Rose finally spoke. "Hey mom, would you like some help?"

"That would be wonderful dear. Could you come over here and cut up the vegetables to go in this pot for me?"

"Sure," said Rose, while getting up and walking over to the counter, "but mom, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

Hermione had a knowing look in her eye, but her daughter couldn't see. "I thought you might. Is there something wrong at school? I know how tough fifth year can be, with your O.W.L.s and a million other little things on top of that."

"Actually, no. School hasn't been troubling me too terribly. This actually has more to do… with this guy."

Hermione stopped stirring her pot and turned to face her daughter. Rose had never before mentioned a boy. Other than a few boys, most of which were her cousins, Hermione was unaware of any boys that her daughter had been spending time with. Rose had a worried look in her eyes, so her mother knew not to be too questioning. Sixteen can be a rough age.

"Well tell me about him," Hermione said with an encouraging smile.

"Um, he's really sweet and kind, and he always sticks up for me when other people have something rude to say to me. He's a Gryffindor, but the rest of his family had always been in Slytherin. He doesn't have the best of relationships with his father anymore. He actually stayed at school for the holidays. But mom, I really like him and I think you would too. Dad would, also, but I know how stubborn he can be and I'm afraid he would judge him before even giving him a chance," Rose stopped and looked at her mother full of hope and fear.

In her head, Hermione had been trying to figure out who this boy could be. She never remembered Rose mentioning a boy like this before, but maybe she did that on purpose. Who could his parents be? Maybe they didn't even go to school when Hermione was there.

But despite all of this, Hermione was determined not to judge this boy too quickly. She was all too aware of having problems with a father. Her father had never been the most encouraging man, and was dead set against Ron marrying Hermione in the beginning. Hermione knew well that not everyone turns out to act like their parents.

Weary of the answer she might receive, Hermione asked, "And what exactly is his name, dear?"

"Scorpius Malfoy." Rose's eyes made a small dart toward the scar on her mother's arm, and Hermione knew that she was thinking about the story that she had been told that past summer.

"How long have you liked him?"

"A while now…" Rose looked petrified, thinking that her mother was about to become furious.

"And are you dating him?"

"Yes, but mom before you say anything I just want to say again that he's really not like his father and that you shouldn't judge him because of who his parents are because he's really an amazing guy and I really really care about him." Rose looked down at the floor, and then chanced a look at her mother's face, "Are you mad at me?"

Taking a deep breath, Hermione said "Of course not dear. More than anything, I'm hurt that you kept something like this from me. When have I ever been judgmental? Don't I give everyone a fair chance?"

"Yes, but dad-"

"Well, your father is another story. I think you might want to let me tell him about your boyfriend."

"So you don't hate me?"

"Love, I could never hate you. And especially not for liking a boy. I know very well that we don't choose who we like. They just have that something special that draws us in."

Hermione took a step forward and gave Rose a hug.

"Mom?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Will you really tell dad for me?"

With a small laugh, Hermione responded, "Sure darling, but I wouldn't expect him to be okay with the idea when you see him tomorrow. Not only is he going to want to judge Scorpius, but this is also going to make him realize that he's beginning to lose his little girl."

"Mom!"

"Sorry dear. Now, we need to get back to dinner so that we can have it done before the boys getting home from their not-so-secret Christmas shopping."

With that, the two ladies turned back to what they were doing, Rose with a huge burden off of her shoulders and Hermione trying to think of the best way to tell her husband about the news that she just learned.

I hope you liked it. Please review it! If I get enough reviews, then I will write about
Ron's reaction to the news! Thanks for reading!