Summary: There are some lines that should never be crossed. Rose Weasley never believed in "never". And as for Scorpius Malfoy, the apple never falls far from the tree… RoseXScorpius, R&R :D
Authors' Note:
Justin: Look! A Harry Potter creation from me this time!
Tequila: but it's not a one-shot justin! BLASPHEMY!
Justin: Hey, fanfic is fanfic.
Tequila: HERESY I SAY! HERESY! –leaves and comes back with a tub of holy water-
Justin: meep.
Disclaimer: Even 19 years after the first publication of Harry Potter, we still don't own the rights…
Crossed Lines
Chapter One: Family
RPOV
Rose Helena Weasley was panicking. She showed all the classic signs—hair in knots from where she tore at it, bitten nails, quicker than normal breath. Next to her, her brother Hugo Weasley, two years her junior, was laughing evilly with her cousin Fred. Both were enjoying her pain far too much, she reckoned, as she threw them an angry glare, eerily reminiscent of her mother's. They just kept laughing, though, so maybe she needed a bit more practice.
Her eleventh birthday had come and gone, and with it no Hogwarts letters had arrived. Her parents had assured her then it was alright, her birthday was in February and the letters were only mailed out in the summer. But first June, then July had come and gone and Rose could no longer deny that her parent's reassurances were more forced than before, and that whenever the subject of Hogwarts was mentioned, they shared an indiscernible look. It was fairly distressing. Her parents were beginning to doubt her, and she was past doubting herself. What if she, Rose Weasley, was a Squib?
She'd never hear the end of it.
So she had taken to sitting by the windows in the mornings, and mornings turned into afternoons, and soon she was living by the windows, anxiously waiting for an owl that never seemed to come. It was the third day of August (and the first day of the deliciously chaotic family reunion) and Rose Weasley could be found at her usual spot, only now her brother and delinquent cousin were enjoying her pain. She sighed and turned away from them, looking back out the window. She should've suspected it, really. Fred and Hugo weren't too much trouble separately, but together they were worse than her uncle and his old twin, or so she was told.
Her cousin Albus Severus Potter came through the fireplace, the first arrival of the Weasley-Potter chain of the family. He had inherited the messy black Potter hair that ran in the family, but he had his grandmother's fiery eyesand his uncle's long and lanky build. Although fun, he was more considerate than most of the males in her family, so Rose granted him a smile before turning her attention back to the window.
"It'll come, Rose." He said smiling, and placed a calloused hand on her shoulder. "It's probably just late."
Rose smiled up at her cousin. "Thanks, Al. Did you get your letter yet?" She asked. The last time she had seen him, two weeks ago, he had been suffering like her.
His guilty expression told her that this time it was different. "Yeah, three days ago," he said, his eyes dropping to the floor and his hand fiddling with his robe sleeve.
"Congrats Al," Rose replied, trying to keep her bitterness from her voice. She must not have succeeded, since Al still looked guilty.
"Listen," he whispered, as Hugo and Fred went to greet the next arrival, Lily. "You have to get your letter, Rose, you have to! I can't go to Hogwarts to face James and Victoire alone! You know how they are!"
Rose grinned, feeling marginally more cheerful. "You'll just have to make do without me, Al." She said gently. "They won't embarrass you too much, surely?"
The look he gave informed her that she was severely mistaken.
"But they're both— " suddenly, Al gasped and pointed to the window. "Rose, look! An owl!"
His shout attracted the rest of the family's attention, and Rose found herself a bit overcrowded as everyone gathered around her. But the slight claustrophobia was overwhelmed by her intense hopeful happiness as the owl swooped straight towards her. She almost forgot to open the window, but managed to open it just in time with Aunt Ginny's help.
The owl flew in, landed on the much used table in the middle of the room, and stuck out its leg. Rose stopped herself from running towards the solemn bird, but only just. With shaking hands, she untied the letter attached to its leg. The instant it was freed, the owl hooted and shot back out the open letter. All her family crowded around her again, trying to peer over her shoulder.
On the front of the letter was the Hogwarts crest, and the words Rose Weasley, By the Window, The Burrow written on it in an official-looking script. Rose beamed, as she slit open the letter. In the background she could hear her brother whooping with joy, her father and mother offering their congratulations, and Al laughing with relief.
"Pay up," Lily's voice was distinct from the others, smug emanating from every syllable. Rose turned her head to look at her even as she unraveled the parchment. Lily had her hand out, palm up to James, who grumbled and rooted around his pockets for a few Knuts, which he deposited in her hand.
"You bet against me?" Rose asked, scandalized. James at least had the decency to look abashed as he replied.
"I didn't mean anything by it, it was just a bit of fun…" Rose rolled her eyes and refocused on her Hogwarts letter, admiring the fine print.
Dear Miss Weasley,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary supplies and equipment.
Term begins September 1. We await your owl by no later than August 17.
Yours Sincerely
Septima Euclid Vector
Deputy Headmistress
"So she 'az finally gotten et," came the throaty and melodic voice of Fleur, who was stepping gracefully out of the fireplace."About time too."
Rose, Hermione, and Ginny turned to glare. Even though they had had their own doubts, it seemed worse coming from Fleur's beautiful mouth. Bill stepped in next, along with Victoire (a seventh year at Hogwarts), Dominique (a second year), and baby Louis.
"C'mon," her father said, after embracing his brother roughly along with his many nieces and nephews. "Let's move this outside, the rest of the lot could join us there."
Rose shared a triumphant grin with Albus, and ran outside with the rest of her cousins. Today was going to be a very good day.
SPOV
Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy flicked through his Quidditch Monthly magazine, bored almost out of his mind. His brand new robes and wand were carelessly thrown on the mahogany desk in his room, but aside from that the room was immaculate—thanks to the house elves and an overbearing mother. His room was surprisingly tasteful for a preteen boy's, all clean cuts and neutral colors; the only thing served to ruin this illusion was the stack of Quidditch magazines on his bedside table.
"Hey son," his mother said lovingly as she swept into the room. Astoria's long blonde hair was swept up into a bun on the top of her head, her green eyes lively yet always muted, somehow. "How are you doing?"
Scorpius scowled. "I'm fine," he replied tartly, flipping the page a little harder than necessary.
"Your father's home," Astoria informed him. His response was a small shrug and noncommittal mutter. He heard his mother sigh before revealing "He's brought you your birthday present."
Immediately the magazine was forgotten. "Really?" He asked "I thought you forgot."
Astoria laughed, more pleasantly than the birds singing at dawn. "Yeah well, it wasn't as fun pretending as I thought it would be. You really are quite a grouch."
Scorpius glowered, but acknowledged the hidden reprimand. "Sorry," he apologized, and smiled. "So you didn't forget?"
"How could I forget your birthday, Scorpius?" Astoria mused. "I gave birth to you, that's pretty hard to forget."
Scorpius closed his eyes and shuddered that the mental image. Gross.
Astoria looked amused. "So, here's your present."
As if on cue, an old house elf materialized with a crack. Clutched in its wrinkled (and slightly shaking) hands was an owl cage—equip with eagle owl inside.
"He's awesome!" Scorpius exclaimed as the owl preened.
"She," Astoria corrected tritely, but her stern expression was softened by a gentleness about her eyes. "You can name her yourself, later. Right now your father wants to see you."
She glided out of the room, and Draco Malfoy strode in a few minutes later, his usual imperial image shattered on this special day. That was the reason why Scorpius loved his birthday. It wasn't because of the presents, or the cakes and sweets, it was because his father broke his charade and actually cared about him for a few hours.
"Hey Dad," he said shyly, moving away from petting his new eagle owl.
"Hey Scorp," Draco said fondly, with something akin to a smile on his lips. "I got you something."
He pull out an arm from around his back, and in his hand was a racing broom. But Scorpius (as an avid fan of Quidditich) knew that this wasn't just any other broom. It was perfectly balanced, remarkably beautiful, and something he knew for a fact only came out in stores in two weeks.
"The Stormchaser?" Scorpius squeaked. "You got me the Stormchaser? It doesn't come out 'til two weeks!"
Draco smirked. "I know, and the manager was most persistent about that, but I managed to wrestle it out of him in the end."
Scorpius grinned. "It's amazing Da, thanks."
"Malfoys," Draco reminded him. "Never say thanks. But you're welcome, I suspect you'd like to go outside and give it a test run?"
Scorpius was halfway out the door before Draco even finished speaking. "Thanks, Dad," he repeated distractedly "Ta!"
Draco watched as his son raced to the grounds, his new broom clutched in his hands, and smiled.
A/N (19 years later):
Justin: Read—
Tequila: there's the nonbeliever!
Justin: and review please!!
Tequila: ATTACK!