~ Begin Again ~
"...who wonder whether Ron would have really been able to make her happy." - E.C.D.W
It's been a week now since Draco or Hermione have seen each other.
They'd parted with uncertainty. He'd squeeze her fingers before apparating away. He'd left her with an apology and a single name. His wife.
While Hermione was no longer married, Draco was.
Or he had been.
...
"You're in love with Granger," Astoria said, her voice steady as she stood in front of her husband.
Draco's jaw clenched as he fisted his fingers into his slacks. She had found him only when she had finally gotten one of the house elves to talk (the poor creature was in tears after revealing the secret and only stopped when Astoria reassured him that the master would not punish Gibby).
The black haired woman was elegantly beautiful, her haunting eyes eerily stoic as she stared at her husband. The muggle hotel was once a very sophisticated and well kept room, but after a week with a distraught Malfoy, the room was in much need of new remodeling.
Draco unclenched his fingers and ran them through his already ruffled pearl hair. His jaw was shaded with a five o'clock shadow, the light blonde hair barely visible. There were shadows under his suddenly distant gray eyes, the color standing out more than usual as he breathed out deeply. He finally looked his age at 43. He continued to study Astoria, their eyes holding a steady gaze before she took in his attire.
His white button shirt was raggedy, the first few buttons loose. His sleeves were rolled up, unkempt and as bedraggled as the rest of him. The dilapidated shirt was barely tucked in and his room was worse for wear. In all her years of marriage with Draco Malfoy, she has never seen him in such a state of disarray. Neither has she seen him so torn and haggard with blood shot eyes.
"Astoria," Draco breathed out, his chest falling.
He ran his left hand, a certain silver band absent, over his jaw line as he fought for words to say. She noticed the absence of their wedding ring, but she had come today knowing what was going to happen. It's been a week since they've seen each other. When she showed up, knocking on his hotel door, he knew that she knew. She knew what was killing him, what kept him from their marriage bed, and what kept him from being the loving husband he once was.
"Answer me this, Draco," Astoria asked, breaking the silence between them. Draco flinched at the tone of her voice, the calm being broken by something else: doubt. "Did you sleep with her?"
Draco turned his suddenly storming gray eyes to her. Astoria was taken aback by the anger, accusing her of something she was unsure of. She held her ground though even as Draco stood up to his full height, his face suddenly determined. She was shorter than him by more than five inches, Draco towering over her. Waves of swathed rage fumed off of him, his fingers clenching and unclenching.
Draco could not believe his ears, but then again, he should have seen this coming.
He loves Astoria.
He may have never been in love with her, but he still loved her. She was the mother of his son, his wife for all these years, and even more, his best friend. He was sorry for feeling the way he did for Granger, for breaking what was once a great marriage, but he'll be damn if she doubted him and his respect to her. He loved her too much to have crossed that physical infidelity.
He was not Ron Weasley.
"Astoria," Draco began; his voice husky and deceptively calm despite his anger even as his eyes turned into apologetic pleading, "I may have screwed up our marriage by distancing myself from you. I may have mislead you of my feelings for Hermione," Astoria flinched at how comfortable Granger's name caressed Draco's lips, "But I have never, ever, slept with her. We've never even kissed."
Yes, they've never even kissed. He was tempted to that night on the bus, but even then, everything had stood between them.
Their marriages and their children.
Astoria blinked at him, her eyes suddenly watery even as she fought off the tears. Draco gently wiped a tear from her cheek, his fingers softly catching her face. Astoria stared up into the face of the decrepit man before her. Their eyes met and she cried some more as she recalled the memories that filled the sudden divine between them.
Memories of their first times: first kiss, first laugh, first tears. Memories of raising a son, of living together. Memories of a marriage. Of a lifetime.
Her soft hands came up to cover his on her face and she kissed the palms gently. Astoria pulled away gently from him, her eyes turning away from his too understanding gaze. She could not hate him, even though a part of her wanted to scream at him. Draco understood fully and he said his next words with kindness and care.
"You're not happy with me Astoria," his voice was husky and soothing, "and you deserve better than this."
Astoria turned her head up and looked pass him out the window. Her eyes were far away from him as she replied. "I always thought, how lucky I was to be married to my best friend...we were happy though, weren't we Draco?"
"We were," Draco whispered, his voice suddenly chocking. Draco studied her with eyes drowned in memories, promises, and secrets. She could see the sudden suffering and division within his face, gray eyes suddenly watering. "I am so sorry, Astoria."
Astoria smiled sadly, eyes defeated. "I know."
Draco was caught between embracing her and crying. He's spent a week thinking over everything, unable to even contact Hermione who was only a few blocks away from the hotel, living back with her parents. Draco closed his eyes and lowered his head. He wished more than anything to never have fallen for Hermione, but he knew in his heart that he has probably always held her somewhere within his heart, even back at Hogwarts. He could not lie to himself anymore.
She could see the battle within him, his eyes squeezing shut. She knew he was blaming himself and would probably make a self-sacrificing decision to make her and his son happy. Astoria Malfoy, formerly Greengrass, made a decision then. She moved forward, leaning up and placing a soft kiss on her soon to be ex-husband's cheek. His whole body tensed as he felt unexpectedly warm lips against his skin. She leaned away as she stared up at the man that would always be her best friend.
"I don't want anything of yours," she said softly as she stepped back. "I want Scorpius to chose who he will stay with during the summer and the holidays. I will not take your son away from you, Draco."
She did not wait for his reply and instead walked out, her robe following in a whirl after her. Draco watched her go out, surprise on his face. Astoria felt as more tears fell from her eyes, but she knew her decision was the best.
She smiled through the tears, her hand coming up to cover her mouth as she leaned against the wall next to the elevator. Her body slumped against the concrete, both hands covering her mouth now as she tried to silence the sounds breaking through her mask. She could not stop the sobs though as they came pouring out, her chest heavy even as each breath seem to hurt her.
Astoria Greengrass, formerly Malfoy, was alone.
Astoria Greengrass…was free.
...
It took another week for Draco to finally leave, repairing the hotel room and attempting to repair himself. Whatever was left of him.
Divorced. Free. From what though? His marriage had been good. Hermione's had been, before Ron's foolish actions. The two had married the person everyone believed they should have been with. They had children they loved. They had a life.
He shouldn't be feeling free, as if no longer chained by a burden unwanted. Astoria had been his best friend. The mother of his son.
How did one let that go? How could one feel relief at breaking the heart of someone they loved?
Broken and lost within his thoughts, this was how Hermione found him when she met him again outside of her parents' home.
...
A lone figure stood reticently cloaked in sorrow and troubled thoughts. One feet in front of the other, the man seemed unsure of himself. His expression changed and flickered with every second, lost somewhere she could only watch from a long way off.
Hermione could understand though. Yet she found that she did not want to know this man, taciturn and still, clothed with only his anguish. She never wanted to see him like this ever again.
"Draco," she began, unsure and quiet.
"Hermione," he whispered back, voice hoarse. "How—I mean, I'm sorry for my long absence. I..." He was unable to finish, grey haggard eyes closing briefly before reopening.
"I'm alright. Are we," she paused. "Are we alright?"
There is a long intimate moment of breathing, the two simply staring at each other. Slowly, his face dividing between hesitance and an unknown fear, he walked towards her. Hermione's eyes never left his even as he spoke, hands fumbling at his sides.
"Astoria and I are no longer married." She watched his words from afar, drowning in emotions that couldn't find a place within the suddenly desolate sea within her. "I...Hermione..."
She knew this was coming. But it still had not prepared her. She liked Astoria. She liked Draco's wife—ex-wife—and this...this was what the two of them had been avoiding all these years.
The guilt. The panic. The hurt.
The pain that their relationship will bring.
The sudden realization of what this all meant. For them. For their families. Their children.
It has only begun.
She met his eyes, a darker shade of his usual gray, bloodshot with shadows that have seen longer nights than days. Her heart clenched as she saw his sudden movement, long calloused fingers rubbing over the leftover scar on his left wrist. Her own scars from the war burned, a slow ache creeping into her skin. Gently, she reached for his hand. Without hesitance, he returned the gesture, their fingers interlacing and the burn, the singe of old scars, muted against their combined warmth.
Their eyes met once more. Hermione heard as her heart pounded against her ears. She never thought she would be with anyone but Ron.
She blinked back dried tears.
Ron.
Her best friend.
The boy she grew up with.
A man she grew to love. A man she still loved, behind the phantom bruises he left.
They had built up a home nestled in love and laughter, shaken by her feelings for the man in front of her. But within minutes, it had been Ron who had laid to waste all of the memories that they had built with a fire that left nothing behind for either of them. Consumed by the aftermath, she'd been lost within the unrecognizable ruins of the life she had led with Ron.
But as she stood staring into grey eyes, she saw new buds of life breaking free from the ashes.
"We'll be alright," Hermione answered for Draco, eyes smiling gently. "I love you."
Her words washed over him, lulling him into a sea that he knew held only her. Leaning in, he laid his forehead against hers. His whole body fell in on itself as a breath he didn't realize he was holding, left him.
They'll make it.
Together.
...
What they couldn't possibly realize though, was that within those charred remains, another life was blooming into play. While Hermione and Draco found each other amidst the aftermath of their divorces, their children were still unaware of the changes.
And how these changes will then affect them.
As Draco finally reunited with Hermione, their children bid farewell to each other.
...
Scorpius Malfoy looked on solemnly as everyone ascended into the train, preparing to greet their families and a new summer. He watched as they filed their luggage up into the train and waited as they filed into the compartments. He stood hidden in the shadows, knowing that no one would see him...see them.
Rose Weasley walked from behind him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Scorpius turned to her, his eyes softening. They were both in their fifth year already, about to enter their sixth the upcoming fall. Both were prefects and fighting to become Head Boy and Girl for their seventh year.
It was sad really, how long it took for them to finally confess to one another. Scorpius quickly kissed her, his lips warm against hers as she smiled at him when he pulled away. The blonde haired teen reached for her hand and Rose felt as his callused fingers (roughened up from Qudditch) curled around hers.
She took comfort in his silence, knowing that he was trying to figure out what was wrong in his own home while worrying about her. Hugo was somewhere in the train looking for her, she knew. Scorpius sighed softly when Rose embraced him and kissed his jaw.
This may be the last time Scorpius see her before next fall. Scorpius wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her once before letting her go. "You better go before your brother and cousins murder me."
Rose looked at him, eyes furrowed together, lips tipped downward. Her eyes studied him just as much as his studied her in return.
With slow movements, she nodded. "I'll send you an owl soon, Scorp."
"I'll be waiting," he replied and then shared one quick last kiss before he watched her walk away from him.
...
Rose and Scorpius has agreed to keep their new relationship a secret, having had no time to share with anyone when the horrible news of her parent's separation tore the school apart. He had wanted nothing more than to scoop her into his arms and take her away when the news and whispers filled the Great Hall.
Their silence, within the chaos, was the best decision for now. Only one person from Rose's large family would be happy for them. Harry Potter's godson and Scorpius shared an odd relationship of respect and mentorship. Of cousinhood.
There first meeting had been one of the few moments of his life that Scorpius will forever remember.
...
He felt the sudden pain that shot through his face. He stayed down; knowing that if he stood up, the beating will only get worse. It always got worse. The boys who stood over him were a bit bigger than him, fifth years. Their red robes and the symbol of Gryffindor worn proudly on their shirts even as they spat on the small Slytherin first year.
"That'll teach you, you bloody death eater," one of the boys said as he kicked Scorpius on the ground, his shoe digging into the boy's stomach.
"Hey," someone shouted. The boys suddenly scattered, running in different directions. "Cowards, all of them!"
The voice was filled with anger and disgust as Scorpius felt warm arms picking him up. He clutched at his stomach as he slowly stood up with the help of the older boy. He looked up and was surprised to meet dark eyes.
Edward Lupin stared down at him. Scorpius knew what the metamorphmagus must be thinking. It's what everyone tells him. A spitting image of his father, Malfoy to the core. Deatheater. He grimaced when he felt the already forming bruise on his face. He flinched, wincing as Lupin's fingers suddenly reached out, touching the sore cheeks. Scorpius quickly covered it along with his bleeding nose. But as he tried to get away, agonizing pain shot through his body and he grabbed his rib cage.
"Come on," Lupin whispered as he suddenly hefted Scorpius by the shoulder. "I'll take you to the infirmary."
Scorpius shook his head. "Please don't."
Lupin stopped and looked down at him with unreadable and too observant eyes. "And why not? That looks quite a bit like broken rib from the way they kicked you."
Scorpius shook his head even as he winced once more. "If she heals me, they'll only come back. Please, if I let these bruises stay, they'll leave me alone until they heal again."
Lupin continued staring down at him, his eyes softening. He sighed before helping Scorpius towards the infirmary, despite the boy's objection.
"Don't let them scare you like that," he muttered softly as they slowly made their way to the infirmary.
Scorpius was quiet for a long time before finally asking, "Why are you helping me?"
Lupin looked down at the first year with surprise. "Why wouldn't I?"
"You're Edward Lupin," Scorpius said quietly, his eyes casted downwards. "Don't you blame my family for what happened to your parents?"
There was a moment of silence. Scorpius looked back up.
Lupin had pursed his lips, his dark eyes silent. He stared at Scorpius even as they continued walking. A moment later, Lupin made his reply, his eyes softening. The color of the irises changed, coming to resemble those of the first year.
"We are family Scorpius," Lupin whispered, his voice firm and allowed no room for protest.
Scorpius' breath hitched, chest suddenly aching more than his ribs, his eyes blurred as they began to tear up. Sniffling, he nodded. He made no more objections as Lupin continued to help him to the infirmary. The two explained Scorpius' injuries away as a trip down the stairs. It didn't matter if she believed them.
When they were down, Lupin, before he dropped Scorpius off, said, "Oh, before I forget. Call me Teddy. Everyone does."
Scorpius nodded. And that was how Edward Lupin became Teddy.
...
Teddy had made life at Hogwarts easier for Scorpius. While the older boy spent most of his time with the Weasleys and the Potters, the other students who wanted to settle the score with a Deatheater's son, quickly stopped beating Scorpius when they realized that Teddy Lupin was his defender.
Scorpius kept their interaction from his parents, not sure how his father would feel if he knew that the son of his deceased blood traitor cousin and a werewolf taught Scorpius muggle and magical defense. But what Teddy couldn't teach Scorpius to defend from...were the Potter boys.
Scorpius knew that James didn't like him much and the same could be said for Scorpius. Much of the pranks led against Slytherins were monitored by James Potter and many times, James turned a blind eye to the bullying of Slytherins, including Scorpius himself. Scorpius was glad that James Potter's was leaving Hogwarts, that his last two years will be James-Potter-Less.
So yes, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy held no love for James Sirius Potter. Albus Severus Potter though, he held a bit more of respect even if begrudgingly so.
Albus and Scorpius were rivals in everything; academics and Quidditch (they even shared the first crush on a Ravenclaw beauty their second year). Scorpius never got into trouble, unless Albus was around. The two, as Draco pointed out, shared a relationship that echoed their father's back before the war started...before Voldemort returned.
And because a dark lord would not be returning soon, Scorpius and Albus passed their fourth year without the resurrection of a dead mad man. And so their rivalry stayed just that: a rivalry.
Despite the trouble both Potter boys have given him throughout his time in Hogwarts though, Scorpius would never trade it. After all, those confrontation with Albus and James had led to his small, but memorable interactions with Rose Weasley. There was no way either of them will tell that to Rose's cousins though.
Rose.
Scorpius can't quite remember when his heart started fluttering just at sound of her name or when his stomach had started clenching at just being near her. Sweaty palms, quickened breaths, and the insane inability to not think about her... he knew he had been a goner as soon as he saw her again during their first prefect meeting on the Hogwarts express.
To think, she was now his girlfriend. Girlfriend. He never thought he'd ever see the day that he would be able to say that.
While his father had been building up a relationship with Harry Potter, Scorpius could never truly breach into the Weasley-Potter clan at school.
Hugo was in his own world and never paid Scorpius much attention so Scorpius did not know how Rose's younger brother felt about him. The only ones who were polite to him were the younger generations: Lilly, Lucy, and Louis.
Next fall, Louis was going into his fifth year, hoping for a prefect badge, and Lucy was right next to him, but less caring of a prefect badge (might have to do something with her father). Hugo and Lilly were entering their fourth year. Lilly, however, was always with Rose so Scorpius knew that the youngest Potter knew something was up between her cousin and the Malfoy boy.
He wondered if the youngest Potter would like him more than her brothers did. He sure hoped so.
Rose, unlike Scorpius, could care less what her cousins thought about her choice in whoever she snogged—he was a good snogger—and dated. She'd liked Scorpius for a while now. She wasn't sure when it had started.
Maybe after their third year?
It wasn't until their fifth year though, when she'd seen him again during their first prefects meeting that she'd realize what the pounding in her heart and the rush of blood meant.
At first, she'd denied it.
He was a Malfoy. Her father never hid his dislike for the Malfoys, even when Scorpius' father started showing up for family gatherings. Her mother though...Rose knew that her mother was actually good friends with Scorpius' father, unlike her father.
...
Rose hugged her father, smiling exasperatedly when her father reminded her to beat Scorpius. He's never failed to tell her to do so the past few times they've sent her and her cousins off, why would her fourth year be any different?
"Yes, dad," Rose nodded, feigning to listen even as she searched for Albus' familiar black hair within the crowd.
Instead, something platinum did. She blinked. She turned her eyes away, about to return to her search for Albus when her mother's voice distracted her.
"Malfoy," Rose turning back when she heard the teasing tone in her mom's voice, "here to see your son off to another year? You know, with your brains, I'm not sure if Hogwarts is going to help him."
Rose gave her mom a sidelong glance, noticing the smile her mother was giving Mr. Malfoy. Whatever remark was returned, she didn't hear as the whistle blew and with it, her mother's laughter at whatever Mr. Malfoy had said. She met Scorpius' eyes, the two sharing a small smile as their parents bantered. Mr. Malfoy's smile, Rose couldn't help notice, fell slightly as Rose's dad stepped between Mr. Malfoy and her mom.
"Malfoy, Rosie's going to beat your boy this year too. Just you see," he smiled proudly, eyes flashing.
Mr. Malfoy chuckled, eyes looking down at Scorpius before turning to study Rose. She felt as her cheeks warmed at the sudden attention. She nodded at him, whispering a hello. Mr. Malfoy bowed his head at her with a smile that turned into a smirk as he glanced back at her father.
"Well, Weasley, I'm sure somewhere someone's looking out for you. After all, she certainly didn't get her brains or her looks from you."
Rose couldn't help but smother her laughter because she knew that's what everyone, even Uncle Harry, said to her dad. She watched as her mom laid a hand on her dad's shoulder though, calming him.
...
Despite her mother and Uncle Harry's good relationship with the Malfoys, Rose knew better. She used to break up the fight between her cousins and the Slytherins, specifically between Scorpius and Albus. She hadn't realize how badly the Slytherins were being treated until she'd heard about a particular prank during her fourth year that had resulted in an unconscious Scorpius.
She'd heard of it only after she had noticed Scorpius' absence from Transfiguration the next day. When she found out it had been Albus and James who had done so, she'd given the two the silent treatment for a month. She'd vowed, when Scorpius had finally awoken, that she'd never allow for that to happen again.
So when she'd heard about a prank during her fifth year, she'd done what she could. But what she couldn't have known was that, that day would change everything between them.
...
Rose's breathing was labored, her side protesting, as she ran down the hall. She'd just overheard Roxy talking about one of her dad's new invention, now in the hands of James.
Roxy's older brother, Fred II, was working with his dad now at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. He finished Hogwarts last year, but that hadn't stop his continued pranks on school ground. Whenever he could, he would drop by during Hogsmeade weekend and sneak new—non-lethal?—products to James as what Freddie calls, "experiments of the youth." Roxy would always reply right afterwards, "more like experiments on the youth."
Rose's concern had grown when James' girlfriend, Jennifer Cooper (daughter of an American Wizard, John Cooper. Her mom was a good classmate of their parents, formerly known as Susan Bones) said she'd overheard that James and a couple of other Gryffindors were heading to the dungeon. Fearing the worst, Rose had made her way down. During the walk, she'd been arguing with herself.
While being a prefect meant she had to stop these pranks, she also felt conflicted about turning in her own cousins. But those thoughts had been interrupted by an explosion...and she was running now, praying it wasn't James.
Rounding the corner, she stopped dead. The hallway was filled with confetti and paint, all colors of the rainbow splattered across the hall, windows, and walls. She could hear the outcry of the paintings that had been hit.
But most importantly, lying on the ground was Scorpius Malfoy, his hair and body an assorted collage of colors. Running past her, James grabbed her arm. Bright brown eyes met hers, panic lacing his usually cocky gaze.
"Rosie, what are you doing here?" He breathed out hurriedly before he began to drag her.
Scorpius' unmoving body flashed across her face. She snatched her arm away and James cursed. He made to grab her again, but was pulled away by another boy. Rose ignored them as she ran to Scorpius, not catching the betrayed look James threw her before he disappeared.
Heart pounding, Rose quickly checked Scorpius' breathing and let out her own breath as he moaned when she'd laid a hand over his chest. Biting her lips, she quickly casted a levitation spell and slowly walked through the mess.
After a ways walk to the hospital wing, a frantic lecture from Madam Pomfrey and a quick check over of her own person, Rose was seated next to Scorpius. Yawning, she glanced at the time. It was quickly passing nine. She turned back to Scorpius and for once, took the time to study him.
He looked just like his father. She cocked her head a little. She guess he was good looking, pointed face and all. More pretty though, she thought, acknowledging hints of his mother on parts of his face. She closed her eyes, yawning again...to only reopen them when rough calloused fingers touched her hand.
Blinking, she straightened from where she had fallen asleep. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at the clock. Strange. It was midnight now. Madam Pomfrey hadn't awoken her? She turned to see who had. Stiffening, she scooted back into her chair when she realized she'd fallen asleep by Scorpius' bedside. Blood rushed to her cheeks when she saw the drool by his side.
He glanced to where she was looking. There was a moment of silence before he started laughing. It was a rough laugh though, his voice hoarse from the medicine that had been forced down his throat due to his unconscious state. Watching as he laughed, despite the fact that it had been her cousin who put him there, Rose felt herself smile.
"How are you feeling? Okay?"
At her question, he stopped laughing. Rose watched as surprise cross his face. Then as something she couldn't quite understand replace the surprise. He smiled at her, but she felt her heart clench.
His smile.
Something wasn't right about it.
"Thanks to you, yes." He glanced around them at the hospital wing. "I'll take a wild guess and say you carried me here?"
"Levitated," she corrected before she could stop herself. Realizing what she'd said, she cleared her throat before speaking again, "I couldn't just leave you there, Malfoy."
He turned back to her, lips twisted upwards. His smile. Something about it was still so wrong.
"You could have," the words was barely even a whisper when it left his lips. She stiffened, wanting to protest, but it died a quick death at his next words. "Your cousin did."
Fingers clenched onto her knees, digging into her robes. She looked away, suddenly ashamed. Yes. James did just leave. She took a deep breath before turning back to him.
"Well, I'm not my cousin, am I?"
Something sparked in his eyes then. She fought her sudden urge to squirm beneath his unreadable gaze. The twist of his lips was gone. He was staring at her like he's never seen her before.
"No, I guess you're not." He blinked, thick eyelashes framing his gaze briefly. "No one could mistake you for a boy, Rose."
The feeling, from when she'd seen him again on the Hogwarts Express, came back. Heart pounding, she wished she could stop the warmth suddenly spreading across her neck. She knew that it would be creeping up her face soon. Fingers clenching into her knees, she got up quickly.
She bit her lips, his eyes following the movement. When something she couldn't quite understand—but oh so wanted to—crossed his face, his eyes darkening into a melted silver, she knew she had to leave.
"I should go."
And before he could stop her, she was gone.
...
That had been the start. Or had it just been the tipping point of the accumulated tension that had been building up since, well, since she could remember. Whatever it was, it happened. And it changed things.
She studied him more, watched his interaction with the rest of his housemates and the other houses. She realized now what had been wrong with his smile. Defeat. Resignation.
To his treatment, to being left for dead, to being kicked down.
His smile, so strained yet so genuine that it was heartbreaking because she realized now, that he had always been resigned to his fate as a Deatheater's son. It explained why he's never actually assaulted or even tried to get back at his bullies. It explained why he always told Madam Pomfrey that he either fell down the stairs or that practice had been rough...excuses after excuses.
He was willingly paying for the crimes of his family.
When she had confronted him about this, he'd only smiled at her. That bloody resigned smile.
...
Rose opened her mouth, anger bubbling at the edge of her lips, about to tell him to stop bloody smiling at her, when his words stole the very breath from her lips.
"My father was our age when he was tasked to kill Albus Dumbledore," his voice suddenly soft, smile twisted upwards even as his eyes studied hers with only a pained expression, "he was our age when he received the Dark Mark. He was our age when he killed people...peers really, allowing a mad man into Hogwarts."
He looked away, staring at something beyond her. She recognized that look. It appeared on Teddy's face whenever he thought about his parents. She wanted to take that look away from Scorpius though. It didn't belong there. It shouldn't be on anyone's face.
"When they tell me that my father killed their father...their aunt or uncle, their loves ones...I accept their punishment. Not because," his words came out in a rush when she stepped towards him to protest, "I deserve it. But because I'm my father's son." His smile fell, lips twisted downwards, suddenly haggard and tired, "My father shouldered his father's burden, no matter if he deserved it or not. My father loved his father," he paused, blinking, "and I love mine."
...
It was then that Rose knew that she was gone, stolen away by melancholy grey eyes that knew too much and saw more than he's ever wanted to see. She had realized then, that her parents had hidden much from her about the war. The same went for the rest of her cousins. Albus and she hadn't even known how famous their family were until they entered Hogwarts. Her parents and her aunts and uncles had been able to hide the scars of war from their children.
But not everyone could be protected from the war, before or after.
Not a Malfoy.
Not a Deatheater's son.
She saw that it hadn't just been him. It's been most of the Slytherins. The other houses avoided them, ignored them, and/or bullied them. Her family has never really interacted with any Slytherins, except for that one time that Roxy wanted to be rebellious and make her mom mad.
She wondered why she'd allowed this to influence her. Why she'd allowed her only interaction with Slytherins involve pranks (rather she participated in them or not), why she allowed herself to only interact with Scorpius when it involved her cousins.
...
Rose caught up to Scorpius, one hand reaching for his sleeve to stop him. She frowned when he flinched, relaxing only when he realized who she was.
"Rose," he acknowledged before nodding to Nott, the other boy walking away. Scorpius turned fully to her, grey eyes narrowed with confusion. "Is something wrong?"
She quickly shook her head, watching him carefully to make sure he didn't smile that smile. "I was wondering if you would like to study Flitwick's new spell together."
He stared at her, clearly shocked. After a few moments of silence, she crossed her arms. "You don't have to study with me if you don't wish to Scorpius."
"No," he spoke quickly and she was surprise to see the sudden reddening of his cheeks, "I do. I just—I didn't think you would—"
"Well, I do," she interrupted when he only continued to stumble. "Seven o'clock at the library tonight."
When he nodded, she gave him a smile. Her heart skipped a beat when he prized her with one of his own.
She liked when he smiled that smile.
...
They had continued studying together. But something was building and Rose hadn't been sure what it had been. Quick touches, accidental brushes, and many awkward blushing or flushing filled their time together.
But it got frustrating after a while...and it appeared that it wasn't just Rose who had been frustrated with whatever it was that was happening between them. Less than a month later, he'd run into her during one of their rounds and without a word, dragged her to the nearest dark corner. She had not protested much when he'd backed her against the wall, but she had froze when he asked if she wanted him.
Wanted?
Desire, he'd explained when she had been unable to answer him. She'd pushed him away, thoughts of everything, the memories of their past five years, her cousins, her family, running amok in her mind. She'd escaped without giving him an answer, being saved by some wayward second-years.
That had been the night she had confided to Lilly about her feelings for Scorpius when she couldn't actually deny it anymore. Love. As in, in love. With a Malfoy. Her father would be rolling in his grave had he a grave, but since he was clearly still alive, Rose knew that her father would just burst a blood vessel.
It didn't take long after that, Lilly's encouragement in the back of her mind, that Rose finally asked to meet Scorpius at the Astronomy Tower. And this time, she backed him against the wall and asked if he desired her.
And that had been when she learned that Scorpius Malfoy gave good snogs. Soon afterwards, she had learned about her parents' separation. It brought her down from whatever high she had been on after a night with Scorpius Malfoy...and his fingers...his lips...his tongue—
It was Louis who told her the truth about her parents' divorce. On the ride home from Hogwarts, after promising to owl Scorpius, she had learned the truth.
...
Rose stiffened as she saw James leave the compartment Lysander and Lorcan had pointed her towards.
Noticing Rose, James' skin reddened as he paused by Jennifer Cooper. Usually, Rose would be happy to see her cousin and Jennifer, but not today. Maybe not for a while.
Scorpius' unconscious body, left for dead, still haunted Rose's nightmares.
In the back of her mind, she knew she should be congratulating him on his acceptance into auror training. But she kept her lips sealed, face expressionless. Jennifer, glancing once at Rose with apologetic eyes, quickly tugged James with her through the corridor as they passed Rose.
Taking a deep breath, Rose fought down the emotions and words that wished to escape. She didn't know how long it'll be until she could forgive James.
Scorpius. Remember Scorpius, she told herself. Taking another breath and breathing it out slowly, Rose entered the compartment and froze in shock. She stared at her cousins and brother, all scrunched up into the train compartment.
"Rose," Lilly exclaimed softly as she patted the spot (can it be considered a spot?) between her and Molly II.
Molly's blue eyes smiled up at Rose as she tried to make room. Molly was finished with Hogwarts now also. Rose reminded herself to congratulate Molly later about her recent offering from to St. Mungos' Medical Apprenticeship at the Magical Center for Diseases.
With Molly and James gone, it made Roxy the oldest of the Weasley-Potter clan as the school has dubbed them. Rose knew that Roxy was already planning her pranks (bless Headmistress McGonagall's heart) for her last year, claiming it'll be even better than her older brother's year of terror before he left Hogwarts.
After Roxy, it'll be be Rose and Albus. She turned to her cousin. Albus was the spitting image of his father with the green eyes and black hair. He looked solemn and tired, his eyes haggard.
Albus looked over at Rose, a scowl on his face, but he continued speaking, "Dad told me that uncle Ron has moved to the states."
Hugo was sitting on the floor between the two seats. "Mom is staying with gramps and gram until she's settled down in the apartment she bought in muggle London."
Rose squished between her two cousins, feeling Roxy's warm hand patting her knee. Lilly and Hugo sat back, squeezing in as they watched everyone else.
"I think dad is mad at Uncle Ron," Lucy said, the red head looking between them all. "He didn't sound so happy when we spoke to each other through floo powder."
"What have Freddie and Dominique said about what was happening as home," Molly asked, turning to Roxy.
Everyone perked up.
Freddie, Dominique, and Tori were the only ones of their generation that have left Hogwarts into the adult world, but Freddie and Dominique were the only ones still here.
Fred II worked at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Teddy, after hearing of his father's single year as the DADA professor, has been apprenticing as a teaching assistant for Professor Isles (the longest surviving DADA professor; it was will be eleventh year the upcoming fall) at Hogwarts. The older wizard hadn't expected to actually stay for long and was more than willing to give his star pupil his position with the approval of headmistress McGonagall.
While Teddy was doing this, he was also waiting for Tori.
Tori was traveling the world, her passion for fashion taking her far from home. Teddy proposed to her when Tori finished seventh year and Tori had accepted, but said that they would get married only after she has traveled the world and spread her new fashion statement to the wizardry and muggle world.
Despite their busy schedule, everyone knew that the two were still in close contact. Or had been.
Teddy usually spent his weekends with her, apparating and flooing where she was and at times, Tori would come back in secret to stay with Teddy for long spouts of time, but for the past year, nothing in their relationship has advanced. In fact, Teddy hasn't left to visit Tori in months and Tori was hadn't been caught sneaking out of Teddy's hut on school grounds this year.
The younger generation were concerned for their relationship, but Lilly was the only one not worried, claiming that Tori and Teddy were just going over a rough patch. Dominique had echoed Lilly when she was asked during Christmas about Tori's sudden absence from their traditional family holiday gatherings. Dominique was quite busy though since she left Hogwarts last year, having taken up apprenticeship under a Curse Breaker from Egypt, some witch friend of her father's.
All in all though, Dom and Freddie have been busy, but they've been home. Teddy has kept his lips sealed about anything between Ron and Hermione, claiming that they were to be told when they went home. So their best hopes were the other two. It was Roxy who spoke first.
The light caramel skinned girl pouted. "Freddie is with Teddy on this boat. He won't say anything until I get home."
Louis, who had been eerily silent the whole time, shifted uncomfortably in his seat when everyone turned to him. He looked away from them before turning back to look at Rose and Hugo.
"Dom is unsure of what is happening, but…she said that uncle Ron had," Louis paused again, licking his lips, "an affair and that, he may have...um, beaten aunt Hermione. Uncle Ron left the country after the press tore him apart," Louis clenched his fists. "Dom visited aunt Hermione and she said that your mum is still pretty torn over everything."
Everyone froze.
Molly and Roxy shared a look, before meeting Louis' eyes. James scowled as Albus shifted uneasily in his seat.
They (Molly, Roxy, James, and Albus) were the only older cousins whose parents weren't actually involved in the situation. They had calmed the rumors and kept things from being heard by Rose and Hugo as ordered by their parents and grandparents. James and Albus had been the enforcers behind this project, threatening anyone who dared mouthed anything about the Golden Couple within the ear range of Rose or Hugo.
But they hadn't expected it to be this bad.
It explained all the pitied looks from the students who did know.
Rose and Hugo stared at Louis in shock, disbelief crossing their faces. Their dad…hurting their mom? Cheating?
Rose blinked back tears as Hugo shook with sudden anger and disbelief.
"D-dad would never," Hugo stopped though as he clamped a hand over his mouth.
Rose slipped onto the floor and hugged her younger brother, her arms going around him as Hugo cried. Albus scrubbed at his tears without success as Lucy and Lilly sobbed, falling down onto their knees with Rose and Hugo. Louis looked away, eyes lost in his thoughts as they stared unseeingly into the window. Molly and Roxy hugged all the younger ones, their eyes unable to hide their own tears.
There was no way this could happen, but Dominique would never lie about something like this.
The crying in the compartment continued throughout the ride, the cousins and siblings taking comfort in each other. They prepared themselves for what was going to happen at home.
Rose and Hugo holding each other the whole way, knowing that their lives would never be the same again.
...
And it wouldn't be. Because after much sleepless night, after all these years, Draco knew what he wanted from Hermione.
There would be no point in waiting. Not after everything that has happened. And Hermione knew it as much as he did.
Marriage. Love. Family.
What held them apart was also what made them want to be together.
So when he asked her, that very night when they had reunited in front of her parents' home, she'd replied with a yes.
Some would argue that they were moving too fast. Some would say they were being reckless.
But only they knew the truth behind years of silence. Of picture perfect families. Of love.
A/N - I personally think saying, "I do" to someone is more powerful than "I love you." Sometimes. Maybe.
Thanks for the favoriting and following along with the much loved reviews.
