A/N: This is a story about Rose and Scorpius, partly based on the storyline of Pride and Prejudice. And no, I do not own either Harry Potter or Pride and Prejudice.

Today my mascara didn't smudge on the first go and my eyeliner was applied like it was for someone going to work in an office, not someone going to work as a drag queen.

Each curly tendril of my distinctive Weasley red hair was tamed back by a Holding charm, and tamed into a fashionable cut. And even the red lipstick didn't clash too heavily with my hair.

I was wearing a newly ironed ivory blouse, and with feminine ruffles down the middle. My skirt was down to a respectable knee-length, and the floaty sea foam fabric managed to subtly highlight my form and hide the imperfections gathered through years of inactivity while pigging out on Honeydukes chocolate. And for once, I managed to winch my thick brown leather belt over my waist and still be capable of human respiration.

Life was good, in short.

I had already walked half a mile in those killer black high heels that Lily somehow convinced me to buy with half of last fortnight's salary. I could have been diagnosed clinically insane for buying such a ludicrous pair of shoes, but the fact of the matter was that I had not yet fallen over. Lily's raptures about it being made by some Muggle brand 'Gucci' or something didn't really help justify the purchase.

In fact those shoes weren't bought by last fornight's paycheck, but the previous month and a half's paycheck, as I had had a (paid) month off work.

I suspected the month off work had something to do with a Ministry reshuffle, and I sincerely hoped that I would not be put with that freak staring at me from three cubicles across. Or any other freak like that.

My destination was approaching, and nonchalantly I looked around for any prying Muggles and entered an inconspicuous red telephone box, disordered and glass panes missing. I took my black satin robes out, wrestled myself into it, and shrunk my bag to fit into the pocket in my set of robes.

Dad often wondered why I didn't apparate to the main entrance but instead use the Visitor entrance. Obviously, he didn't take into consideration that my flat was in the Muggle area of London and Apparation wouldn't exactly be easy. And nor did he really understand that my exercise comprised of my daily walk to the telephone booth. And even then I didn't exercise anywhere near the requisite half hour.

I dialled in six-two-four-four-two.

The box boomed with sound.

'Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.'

I was already accustomed to this daily announcement and I replied in a bored tone of voice.

'Rose Weasley, Improper Use of Magic.'

The telephone box sunk underground just like the Muggle elevator Mum dragged me in when we went to a Muggle mall.

'The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day.'

Usually, I would feel the need to curse the woman and her stupid and aggravatingly pleasant tone of voice, but today, I didn't feel the usual surge of hate rise up inside me.

For once, I thought I might actually have a pleasant day inside the Ministry. I breezed easily through security and into the grand foyer.

My shoes clacked noisily against the hard floor.

And then the pointy heel of my shiny new shoes jabbed straight into the flesh of a poor foot.

Since I was earlier than usual, there were not many people to witness the commotion and I was glad for it.

I heard a yelp from the owner of the said foot and I looked up to meet teary eyes.

It must have hurt quite a bit.

Aside from the tears forming in her eyes, they were quite pretty and a shiny azure blue. Her blonde ringlets hung around her shoulder and her posture betrayed anxiety. Her robes looked quite pressed, not dishevelled like mine. And to cap it all off, I noticed a silver badge pinned neatly to her robes, clearly stating that it was her (Jana Bettison) first day in the International Magical Cooperation. She was quite an ingénue.

Poor her. First day here and she'd already got her foot squashed. And she was working for the International Magical Cooperation Department. Possibly the most boring department. Ever. It didn't really help that Uncle Percy worked there and he was quite possibly the biggest bore ever, to put it kindly.

I quickly rounded up all the papers she had dropped. And then I realised my apologies were long overdue.

'I'm so sorry!' I said, so enthusiastically I might have sounded insincere, which I definitely wasn't.

'I'm okay," Jana said while desperately rubbing her foot.

'I can tell you're not. Your foot's turning purple. Here –

I pointed my wand at her foot, careful to aim it properly, and did a quick healing spell.

'Thankyou.'

'It's nothing. I'm the one who stepped on your foot, and on your first day no less.'

She looked quite shocked at my knowing it was her first day here.

'Ah Jana, it says it on your badge. I got one on my first day here as well.'

It was interesting to gauge the reaction on her face. At first it was shock at hearing her name and then it morphed into realisation. Even her cheeks had a small schoolgirl blush in them.

'I guess I forgot about that.'

'Hey, you could meet me outside my office. For drinks you know, cause I've got nothing better to do than rent out a soppy Muggle DVD and I have a feeling I'm going to like you. It's the least I can do for making you hobble for a fair few days.'

She laughed and I helped haul her up onto her feet again. She looked at me hesitantly and decided to go ahead with her question.

'I was just wondering, um, where your office is?'

'Oh, Improper Use of Magic on level two. First glass cubicle one on the right and it has my name Rose Weasley printed on a shiny silver plaque. You won't miss it.'

Awe was written all over her face.

'You're a Weasley! Unbelievable! And Harry Potter must be your uncle!'

I was used to people commenting like that since I was three and Mum and Dad took me to Diagon Alley. And in the nineteen years since I've just gotten used to it.

'Well, yeah. I like to think that I know my surname.'

'Cool!'

We both walked (albeit Jana was awkwardly) towards the lift and I had already taken quite a liking to her kind heart and obvious innocence.

It was just the two of us in the elevator and we made pleasant small talk.

Level Five, Department of International Magical Co-operation, incorporating the International Magical Trading Standards Body, the International Magical Office of law and the International Confederation of Wizards, British Seats.

'Well, I think this is your level now! Nice meeting you.' I said this cheerily and extended my hand out for a formal handshake.

'Nice meeting you too," she said shaking my hand, and she walked out of the lift and gave me a shy wave and a brilliant smile.

A few memos flew in as she left the lift.

Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters and Wizengamot Administration Services.

I hummed happily as I strode out of the lift. I opened the mahogany doors and walked straight through into my accustomed office.

I missed the plaque outside my office. It no longer said just Rose Weasley, but Rose Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy.

I walked in, engorged my bag and sat down in my favoured chair before I noticed the second desk and the second armchair and the platinum blonde head poking out from the Magical typewriter.

'Da –

I composed myself at the sight of another person in my precious office space.

I had no trouble recognising the hair or the greyish-cobalt eyes, but the unmistakable feature was the omnipresent smirk.

'What the hell are you doing here, Scorpius?'

I had learnt from Albus (yes, I still cannot believe that Albus befriended) that a sure way to annoy Malfoy was to call him by his given name.

But I guess he deserved what he got for being born into the Malfoy clan. After all his father was named after a tyrannical Athenian leader. His surname does mean 'bad faith' in French as well.

'I might ask you why you didn't notice the sign outside the door? Or the newly enlarged cubicle? I didn't know you were that unperceptive Weasley.'

It was clear that he intended it as a joke, but I interpreted it as a personal insult. After all, in our Hogwarts days he was quite unsociable and only talked as much as convention required. He had manners enough, sure, but seemed distant to the point of rude.

'Oh, are we back to last name terms Malfoy?'

'We were never on first name terms Weasley.' He replied.

'Have it your way Malfoy.'

I shrugged off my cloak and set off to work on my list of files to be stored. I unlocked my drawer, retrieved the Magical typewriter and started typing away.

John Perks. One violation of the International Statute of Secrecy (minor: non-damaging curse in Muggle area of London).

Christina Phillips. Two violations of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery (minor: colour-changing charm on inkbottle and levitation charm on said inkbottle).

By noon I had dug through an admirable quarter of my assigned paperwork. The four hours since I had entered the room transpired in a tense silence. He only looked up at me with a critical eye, staring me up and down. It was more than slightly unnerving.

'Malfoy. Quit the staring. It's slightly scary.'

He hunkered down to start typing and replied.

'I am not.'

'You do know all our past four hours of conversation have consisted wholly of argument?'

'You do seem to have a fondness for talking and perpetuating useless conversation. After all, we are complaining about nothing.'

'Really? Then I will retaliate and say that I am merely trying to be cordial by encouraging some talking. I guess my company is not appreciated.'

I put on my cloak and sashayed right out of the room for a quick bite. A cheese, lettuce and mayonnaise sandwich later, I returned to the office, to begin work yet again.

'That took you a while, Weasley.'

'Oh. I thought I was entitled to at least half an hour to eat my sandwich and catch-up with assorted friends.'

He stared blankly at me as though the concept of talking to one's friends during a period of precious spare time was completely alien.

'Some of us do socialize you know.'

I could tell by then that he simply didn't want to take the trouble of formulating a reply when I was simply going to rebuff him with yet another of my witty responses.

The sun went down gradually through the artificial windows ingeniously charmed by Magical Maintenance.

The miniature grandfather clock in the corner struck five and I knew I was free to leave. But I was compelled to stay behind because if I left poor Jana would probably go around the whole Ministry building looking for me. I was sure she would, even though I had known her less than a quarter of an hour.

'Malfoy. I thought you would take the first opportunity to leave and return to a place of complete silence and solitude.'

'You're wrong. I'm waiting for Al so we can eat out somewhere.'

'That is coincidental! I'm going out somewhere tonight as well.'

I thought he would take the hint and suggest a combined dinner, but apparently he was completely ignorant or being deliberately unsocial.

I ordered all the papers lying on my desk and proceeded to the door. I wasn't even halfway through when a black-haired figure bowled me over and straight into a hug.

'Al!'

I was pleased to see him.

'Scorp! I didn't know you two shared an office!' Albus said.

'You weren't the only one to miss the sign outside the door' I replied.

'I'm surprised that Scorp came to the office later than you. After all, you would have had to come earlier than him to see the shocked look on his face when he saw an extra figure in a supposedly empty office.' Albus questioned.

Scorpius had finished his work and packed everything away.

'You're misunderstanding her. The person who missed the sign was Wea – Rose.'

Al patted me affectionately on the back.

'Ah, Rose, you'll spin everything to your advantage!'

Al decided pretty soon after that that he would prefer to talk to Malfoy instead of me. I spied a nervous rushing figure coming towards me through the frosted glass.

I stood up, basically knowing it was to be Jana. I opened the door and pulled her into a tight hug.

She cautiously put her arms around me, obviously not used to so much exuberance.

Al and Malfoy obviously noticed the commotion we were creating. Al looked up at Jana and I could tell he was quite a fan of Jana's classic good looks, blonde curls and clear and innocent blue eyes.

Malfoy spotted Albus' admiration for Jana as well. I swear I detected an eye roll from him. He was no stranger to Albus' many infatuations and his subsequent proclamations of unfounded love.

Jana and Albus' conversation continued well, with many blushes on her side and awkward pauses on his side. I decided it would be good for Albus to keep talking with Jana. He did seem happy beyond usual.

I took action and interjected.

'Al. I know that you and Malfoy were planning to go out for dinner and Jana and I were going to go out for dinner too! You should come with us.'

Albus was looking at Jana while he replied.

'Sure! I'll definitely have good company,' Albus replied.

Albus gallantly offered his arm to Jane, and after much blushing they walked into the lift, talking animatedly. Malfoy and I were left to trail behind on what I suspected would be a date.

'Well Malfoy, I'm real sure that we're going to have heaps of fun when Jana and Albus talk during dinner. After all, we couldn't get enough of each other's company in the office.'

I was fairly certain he noticed the sarcasm in my voice.

'I have a family friend whose coming along for dinner. Cassiopeia Burke.' He replied.

'Well, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet.'

I wasn't sure that it would be a pleasure to meet Cassiopeia Burke. She was just out of Hogwarts and I had heard some of my younger cousins refer to her as an 'ice queen'. I had sort of assumed that she was pureblood already; after all the name Cassiopeia had a rather distinctive snobbish sound to it.

After this little snippet of conversation, we had already arrived at the entrance. And yet I still didn't know where we were to have dinner.

'Al!'

He was still busy talking happily to Jana about Grandma Molly's great cooking. He was rather more open to Jana than any other girl he had met: he wasn't really the type to overflow with emotion.

I raised my voice higher.

'Al!'

He finished his sentence and rather irritably turned around to me.

'What was your question Rosie?'

I flinched a little as I heard Al refer to me by the nickname I had adopted when I was ten but had dropped soon after.

'Well it's glad to know your back on Earth. But anyway, where are we going for dinner?'

'We're going to the Leaky Cauldron.'

Al gave Malfoy a stare as though Malfoy could have told me where we were having dinner without interrupting his precious time with Jana.

I smiled. Jana and Al would be perfect together and they would probably have sweet, perfect, docile yet intelligent green-eyed (from Uncle Harry's side) blonde haired children.

'What are you smiling at Weasley?' he said.

'What, is smiling a crime now? I'm happy, which seems to be a foreign concept to you.'

He had probably suspected that I was supportive about Jana and Al together and I gathered that he considered Al with all his fame, connections and money would be associating beneath him.

Jana, who professed that she wasn't quite confident when apparating after splinching herself a month ago, side-along apparated with Albus, who seemed glad to help her. Scorpius and I however just apparated by ourselves.

We walked inside and the ever-amiable Hannah greeted us. Albus confessed that he needed to go the bathroom, and managed to drag Scorpius along with him. I also needed to go and freshen myself up, and Jana, reluctant to stay by herself came along with me.

We walked to the respective bathrooms, side by side. I took my lipstick out from my bag and touched up everything.

'So Scorp, what do you think of Rosie then?' Al said.

Jana was still inside her cubicle so I took the liberty of pressing my ear against the wall to hear what my cousin and new colleague were saying about me.

Al was greeted by silence.

'Do you want to take her out to the Potter Yuletide Ball that I'm sure your father will wangle you tickets to? After all, Rose will probably be able to go and so will I, with the help of a Mr. Harry Potter.'

More silence followed.

'Come on Scorp! Rosie is pretty enough!'

'Jana happens to be the one blessed with all the beauty.'

'I'll agree there, my Jana is wonderful but Rosie isn't bad either. It's better than taking that Burke girl to the Ball. She'll just fawn over you all night and you won't have a place to be sick at the Ball.'

'She's barely pretty, with that wild red hair flying about in her face.'

'You'll see Scorp the difference between Rosie and Burke tonight and then you'll know who you prefer.'

I heard the door slam shut.

A light bulb had connected in my head and I realized that Burke girl was Al's ex. That was sure to be awkward, but I was rather eager to meet her face to face.

I went back to my drama queen mode and was making up all manner of comebacks against Malfoy.

Jana came out of the bathroom and I related to her everything.

'Ah, but Rose, maybe Malfoy said what he said about you by accident.'

I snorted. Leave it to Jana to believe the best in everybody.

'Well,' I replied, 'I won't be hurt by it. I'll just ignore and humiliate him the best I can.'

We resumed our seats and I happily took a seat next to Al, who was also next to Jana. Malfoy and Burke took the bench opposite us, and I could tell she was sitting way too close to Malfoy for him to be comfortable.

Burke thoroughly ignored Al and he was much too involved with Jana to notice. I was left as an almost-silent observer.

Along with her reputation for being the supreme Ice Queen, I had also heard those wishing for a union between Malfoy and her (this rumour I suspected had been planted by her). It seemed that she was rather desperate for him to notice her, and yet she was failing spectacularly to capture her interest.

'Rose. I don't feel so well. I might go to the bathroom for a bit. Make my excuses to Al okay? He won't notice me being gone for a while when he's talking to Scorpius.'

'Alright Jana. You'll be fine.'

I turned back to the conversation and apparently had not missed much.

The Ice Queen addressed me.

'So Rose, I hear from Scorpius here that your uncle is known other than the famous Harry Potter.'

The way she emphasized the name Harry Potter with disdain didn't exactly give me a favourable opinion of her.

'Yes, but unlike some people I chose not to live upon my connections.'

She pursed her lips tightly and returned to her eyelash-battering with Malfoy.

I sat squashed near the window, occasionally interjecting an unnoticeable sarcastic comment or two.

The Ice Queen addressed me again.

'I presume you will be going to the Potter Yuletide Ball? After all Mr. Potter is most influential and –

'Yes I will be attending, thank you very much.'

'Oh. I just thought that given the prolific nature of the Weasley-Potter clan, some may miss out.'

I bit my cheek hard to prevent myself from responding with the first insult that popped into my head.

'Oh Cassiopeia, I assure you I will be attending. After all, I love a good ball and a chance to meet new people.'

Malfoy stopped staring out of the window and decided to interject into what appeared would be a cat-fight between Burke and I.

'I don't like dancing.' He said without room for contradiction.

Such an abrupt and opposing statement to mine had bruised me, both ego and intellect.

'Well, I do recommend it sir for it is a great opportunity to get to know your partner better. Even if they are only barely pretty.' I replied.

He coloured slightly and resumed his staring competition with an intensely interesting rose bed just outside the window.

Jana returned back and consulting my watch, looked very green and rather worse for wear in the thirty minutes she had been gone.

I walked straight out and sought an explanation.

'Jana. What's wrong?'

'Rosie.'

She coughed and I noticed she looked slightly green.

'Do you mind if I stay at your apartment tonight? Sorry if I'm intruding on your privacy, but I'm quite far from home so it would be easier to bunk at your home.'

I almost wanted to tell her that she could stay over, but on a lumpy and barely comfortable sofa with a threadbare sheet in autumn.

'Sorry Jana. I'm a bit scarce on space but I would recommend you ask Al whether you can sleep with him.'

She blushed deeply and sought to explain herself. I managed to cut her off and spare her the embarrassment.

'Sorry! I was meant to phrase that you should ask Al to sleep in his spare room. He has plenty in his penthouse apartment and its barely a few minutes away from here. Come Jana. Take my shoulder and we'll hobble back together. And don't worry, I'll ask Al whether you can stay over. You look done for, honestly.'

Arm in arm, we walked back.

Al enthusiastically agreed and eagerly helped Jane walk back to his apartment. I was sandwiched in the middle, with Malfoy and Burke bringing up the rear. I felt like the awkward third wheel on a date.

Or technically the fifth wheel on a double date.

I sighed, trundling to Al's apartment and very willing to collapse into one of Al's sofas fully clothed.

A/N: Comments? Suggestions? Reviews?