Majority of reviews said they would like something more…so here it is. This chapter is a little bit longer and I kind of let it run until I found the right place to stop. Reviews would be welcomed and there will be at least one more chapter to follow this one.
I own none of these characters. Everything Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling.
Chapter 2: Homecoming
The second week of the Easter holidays had flown by and as much as Hermione and Ron loved having the children around, they were both happy to have their weekly routine back. Hugo was at a school nearby and Hermione would drop him off on her way to work and Ron would pick him up on his way back home from his Auror duties at the office. With Rose back at school now, no doubt worrying about what to do with Scorpius, Hermione made sure she kept in contact with her more than ever. Although she didn't like to admit it, she didn't have many female friends at Hogwarts and spent most of her time with James and Albus. The image of the three of them often reminded the teachers of Ron, Harry and Hermione in their days at Hogwarts.
Rose and Hermione had grown closer since the talk they shared in her bedroom and had promised to write more over the term keeping their letter confidential so the boys couldn't see them. As much as Hermione disliked keeping secrets from Rom, she knew that he would find out in his own time. Hugo was oblivious to everything going on around him as he was so focussed on getting top grades in his last year of school before starting Hogwarts.
As she sat at her desk at the ministry, Hermione's mind focussed on her daughter and she picked up a quill close to her and began writing.
Dear Rose,
Just checking in to see how you are. How is everything with Scorpius? Don't worry I haven't told your dad; I'll let you do that when you are ready. Remember I'm only an owl away if you need me. I'll speak to you soon.
I love you, be safe,
Mum x
Ps: Auntie Ginny asked if you could keep an eye on your cousins, apparently James has been getting in to a little bit of trouble with some pranks. Speak to you soon.
With a charm to keep it only for Rose's eyes and ears, Hermione sent the letter and continued with her work.
Rose had had a difficult day in classes after focussing all her attention on Scorpius who happened to be with her for the majority of her lessons. As she lay back on her bed after changing out of her robes, she was elated to see a letter from her mum lying on her pillow in the dorm room. She opened it straight away and it brought a smile to her face knowing that her mum had kept the secret of her boy troubles from her father. Using the writing kit that George and Angelina had bought her for her birthday, she quickly got on to her reply.
Dear Mum,
Albus told me about James and his detention with his charms professor and I promise to keep an eye out for any more trouble. Classes are tough this term but I'm working hard and trying to get through them all. Scorpius has been helping me with my potions work; he really has a talent for it! We did talk when we got back and I took your advice and told him we should maybe get to know each other a bit more. FYI, his favourite colour is the same as mine…purple! I know, strange isn't it? Anyway I hope you and dad are okay. I miss you so much. Say hi to Hugo for me and give dad a hug from me too!
Love Rosie x
Ps. Thanks for not telling Dad about all of this. I promise I will tell him if anything happens, but for now I think it's best to keep it between us.
She put away her writing kit and began her studying for the night, imagining that Hermione would also be doing her work at home on the sofa; and she was.
Hermione was sitting with her legs underneath her on the sofa in the lounge after doing her early finish at the ministry and took advantage of a quiet house to get a bit of extra work in. The clock struck 4pm and she heard the familiar voices of her husband and son coming through the door.
"Hello? 'Mione we're back!" Ron shouted as he helped Hugo with his bag and jacket in the hallway. She was already up off the sofa, leaving her work next to the empty space she had just occupied and greeted them as Ron took off his boots.
"There are my two favourite guys. How's your day been Hun?" She asked as she pulled her son in for a hug.
"It was good, I've got to go and revise some of my notes though, I've got a test in two weeks and I don't want Hogwarts to think I'm not good enough."
"Oh sweetie," She laughed as she ruffled his hair, "Your letter is gonna be here any day now, and there's no doubt that you're good enough. If your dad got in then you've got nothing to worry about." She smiled up at Ron and he stuck his tongue out at her, slipping off his jacket and hanging it up. She loved how childish he could still be even though he was fully grown with two children.
"Okay, Mum. I'm still going to study. I'll be back down in an hour." With confidence in every step up the stairs, their youngest son disappeared into his room.
"He's definitely your son when it comes to schoolwork." Ron smiled as he kissed his wife on the lips and pulled her close to him.
"Yeah but he's got all your handsome looks. He is going to be a real catch when he's older." She held his hand and led him into the living room.
"Yeah, I take it you were doing work when we got back then. How much have you got on at the moment?" Ron asked as Hermione picked up all of her files and put them on the coffee table in the middle of the room, slouching back onto the sofa.
"Too much; it's alright though, I've got a few people at the office helping me out with it so it should be finished by next week. Hearing from Rose made me smile today though."
Ron sat down next to her wrapping his arm around her so she could rest her head on him. "Oh right, how's she doing?"
"She's fine, finding her classes a bit tough but she's got friends helping her out so we're very much in the same position." She chuckled and wrapped her arms around him. "She said to give you a hug so here you go."
"Ha, thanks baby." He kissed the top of her head.
After discussing Ron's day and Hugo going to Hogwarts, the topic of conversation whilst eating dinner was Rose's mystery 'friend' as Ron had named them. Hermione did her best to remain calm and not give anything away, especially since Hugo was there and listening in on every word as he ate his pasta. They cleaned up and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief after being able to keep her secret.
Later on, after seeing Hugo off to sleep, the couple found themselves in bed unusually early after a long day. They lay there in their pyjamas as Ron finished ready his Quidditch magazine he turned over to look at Hermione who was finishing her latest book, her hair tied in a messy bun that she had become so fond of whilst reading.
"You look so beautiful." Ron said turning to face his wife.
"Okay, what do you want? I'm too tired to do that."
"What makes you think I want something? Am I not allowed to compliment my wife?"
"Not when you've got that look in your eyes. Now what's going on?" She was forced to put her book down after reading the same sentence six times and turned so she was face to face with Ron.
"It's Rose. I know you know something. So spill it."
"Ron, I made her a promise not to say anything. I'm not going to back out of it. She won't trust me with anything again. She'll talk when she wants to."
"Pleeeeaaassseeee?" He said as looked up at her the way a puppy would.
"No Ron. I can't."
"Okay, I won't mention it again."
"Until tomorrow." Hermione smiled to herself and then kissed Ron goodnight, turning off the lamp on her bedside table. "Goodnight Ronald." She lay down with her back to him waiting for his arms to wrap around her as they had done for many years now. Even after all the years they had been together, she still got tingles when his hands made contact with her skin.
"Goodnight, beautiful." He said as he pulled her closer to his bare chest.
The weeks passed and with her last letter sent to her parents, Rose gathered up her belongings ready to board the Hogwarts Express to take her back to her parents for the summer. They would meet her along with Hugo, Harry, Ginny and Lily on platform 9 ¾.
Sure enough, they arrived at the same time as Harry and Ginny and followed the couple through the train station and then through the wall between platforms 9 and 10, landing on the platform they had become so used to visiting.
James and Albus were the first ones to be seen with their luggage walking through the army of students who were running to their parents and siblings. Lily ran straight to Albus; being only a few years apart she had spent the most time with Albus at home when James had first gone to Hogwarts and she missed him dearly. Ginny pulled James towards her as Harry gathered their luggage. Ron was pleased to see his nephews and his sister and Harry but he wondered what was keeping Rose. Hermione, however, had seen her daughter a few minutes ago chatting to a blonde haired boy, who was slightly taller than her at the other end of the platform. She knew she had to keep Ron distracted and pointed out that Neville was about 100 yards in front of him, coming home from Hogwarts to visit his now very elderly grandmother. Telling him she would wait for Rose, she touched his arm lightly and watched him go with Hugo to greet their old friend, with Harry, Ginny and their children following close behind.
She made her move through the crowds of parents and students until she was only a few yards away from her daughter.
"So, Scorpius, are we going to write this summer?" Rose asked with a shy tone.
"Sure, I'd love to, if it's okay with your parents? I know they have a history with my dad and I don't want your mum and dad to…"
"Rose!" Hermione shouted in an excited tone as she saw that Ron was now returning to the spot they had been in only minutes ago.
"Oh, hi Mum." She looked embarrassed to be caught talking to Scorpius on the platform like this but before she could say anything else, she was pleasantly surprised to see that her friend had his hand out in front of him.
"Mrs Weasley? Scorpius Malfoy," He said with a smile on his face. "I'm pleased to meet you. Rose talks about you and Mr Weasley all the time." Hermione could hand it to the kid; he obviously was a charmer, just like Draco had been in his early teenage years before everything kicked off. 'Polite and confident' she thought as she ticked them off an imaginary list she had in her head. She shook his hand and placed her other on her daughters shoulder.
"Where are dad and Hugo?" Rose asked looking around her.
"They've just gone to speak to Neville." Then moving down to whisper in her ear she spoke quieter saying "I thought it would be easier with just me for now." She received a warm and thankful smile from her daughter as she was told to say her goodbye's and bring her luggage over to where she would be waiting for her.
"It was nice to meet you Scorpius. I hope your parents are well."
"Yes, thank you. They should be here any moment now."
"Ah yes, well I better go and find the boys. Take care Scorpius."
She gave him one last smile and nodded to Rose.
"Well I better get going. Don't think it would be a good idea for my dad to see me talking to you until I've spoken to him."
"That's fair enough Rose. So, I guess we are taking things slow?" He said as he ran his fingers through his bleach blond hair.
"Yeah, maybe once I've spoken to my dad, you can come over for dinner?"
"That'd be great. I'll text you tomorrow, I'll most likely fall asleep when I get home so don't want to leave you waiting for any replies." He gave her the same smile he had greeted Hermione with and after an awkward hug and a shout from his parents, the couple parted ways, turning to smile once more at each other.
"Harry and Gin have just left; she said she would call us later." Ron said as he found his wife amongst all the mothers on the platform, "There she is! Where've you been?" Ron asked as he hugged his daughter close to him, bringing her luggage behind him.
"I was just saying goodbye to a friend and waiting with them until their parents got here." She said as she ruffled her little brother's hair.
"Ah, you're so caring aren't you? Just like your Mum. Right then let's get home ay?" Hermione held onto Hugo and Rose as Ron took control of the luggage and they were home within half an hour.
Hugo was playing in the garden with Ron as it was a beautiful day in England and Hermione took the opportunity to talk to Rose about her 'friend', she also couldn't resist helping her daughter sort things out in her room.
She knocked Rose's half open bedroom door a couple of times before opening it further.
"Hello? How is the unpacking going darling?"
"Oh, I've nearly finished. I have just got to put my trunk away and those shoes and I'll be done." She smiled as she moved the last of her belongings off her bed, putting her trunk underneath it and then taking a seat on her bed. "Are you okay mum?"
"Yes, sweetie, I'm fine. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. I used to come home and cry sometimes after leaving Ron and Harry on the platform. I know it must be hard for you sometimes when you get back and it's just us." She gestured towards Rose's desk chair and after a nod of approval from her daughter; she sat down placing her arms on the rest either side of her. "So, how are things with Scorpius? Have you decided what to do?"
"I really like him Mum, and the last few weeks have been so good! I'm so glad I took your advice and got to know him. We have so much in common and he's so sweet and kind, but he can be brave and protective too." She thought about the traits she had found so attractive in Ron in their first few years and couldn't help but smile knowing they were the same things that her daughter was drawn to. "He's one of my best friends now and…well I guess we are taking things slowly. Is that okay mum? I know how you feel about him."
"Hey", she said leaning forwards, "He won't be judged on his father's actions from nearly twenty years ago, not by me anyway. He was very polite at the train station and I saw the way he looked at you after you left. He respects you and that's the best thing I could hope for. You don't have to worry about me Rose. Now, your dad might have something to say about it but I think you should be the one to talk to him about it. I'm taking Hugo shopping now for some new shoes so you will have plenty of time to talk it over with him."
"Hermione?! Rose?! Where are you?" Ron shouted from the bottom of the stairs. Hermione patted her daughter's knee and followed the sound of her husband's voice out of the room.
"We're up here darling. Can you get Hugo's shoes on so we can go straight out?"
"Yeah, sure." He turned round to see his son was already getting his shoes and jacket on. "Good lad, make sure you don't let your mum go near the female shoes though, she's got enough shoes to last her a lifetime."
"Alright, dad. Are you cooking tonight?" He said as he saw the ingredients to Ron's signature dish on the kitchen counter.
"Yeah mate, it'll be ready by the time you get back."
Upstairs, Hermione was giving Rose a few last words of advice before leaving.
"Right just remember your dad loves you and he wants you to be happy, but he is very protective so just make sure you let him know that you feel safe with Scorpius and he's a good friend to you. We won't be too long and if he starts shouting then let him get it out of his system and then wait an hour. It normally takes him that long to realise that he was wrong and he will come and apologise." She smiled and kissed Rose on the forehead. "Won't be long and if I was you I would get it over and done with sooner rather than later."
She kissed Ron on the cheek and grabbed her handbag. "You ready then Hun?" She ushered her son out of the door shouting a final 'bye' to Rose and then left.
The house was quiet for a few minutes before Rose came down the steps and into the kitchen, sitting down at the table watching Ron as he cut and chopped the vegetable they would later be eating. She breathed in and put her hands on the table intertwining her fingers.
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"I kinda need to talk to you about something."
"Okay. Fire away." He said turning his head slightly in her direction.
"You might want to put the knife down." She said. He took a hint and left the food as it was and sat on the chair opposite her.
"What's going on Rosie? It's not like you to be like this."
Remembering her mother's advice, she chose an opening line she knew would grab his attention.
"You love me right dad?"
"Of course I do. Now what's going on? Are you hurt? Are you being bullied?"
"No, no, nothing like that. It's kind of the opposite."
"You're bullying other people?" He was not going to make this easy was he? The only way she knew how to get something like this out was to just say it.
"I'm kind of dating someone and I wanted to tell you before but I was scared how you would react but Mum told me I should just tell you." She sat and waited for a response. Unlike her mother, Ron was straight to the point and firing out questions one after the other.
"Who? Since when? What's his name? Is he from school?"
"Woah dad, you are going too fast. He is from school; we started talking at the start of the year when we were seated next to each other in most of our classes. I don't really know why because his last name is M and mine is W." Rose knew she just had to keep going and ignore whatever facial expressions Ron was displaying. "He's a really good guy dad and I spoke to mum about it at Easter but we were just friends then and she promised she would keep it a secret so don't be mad at her because it wasn't her fault, it just sort of happened, and I've got to know him and he's one of my best friends now and I know that you will like him when you get to know him and mum likes him so I just wanted to tell you about it."
She let out a deep breath and waited.
"M?" Ron finally spoke after what seemed like an eternity. "He's not in Gryffindor is he Rose?" He said with small sigh. She simply shook her head in reply. "M as in Malfoy?" Again, all she could do was nod. "I don't like this Rose. You know how I feel about the Malfoy's. They have a long history of hurting people and I won't have you in the firing line of...what's his name again…Corpus?" His voice was getting louder and his face brighter.
"Scorpius." Rose corrected quietly.
"Right well whatever his name is, I won't have it. There are plenty more boys at Hogwarts that would be better suited to you. Good Gryffindor boys. Even Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw but I will not have you dating a Slytherin. No chance." He shouted his voice firm and full of passion.
"But dad –"
"No Rose. I don't want to hear anything else about this. I won't allow it." Rose shifted from her chair quickly and ran up the stairs slamming her door behind her as Ron went back to chopping the vegetables, trying to wrap his head around everything. After about an hour, Hermione and Hugo entered the house with a couple of bags in each of their hands.
"Okay Hugo, why don't you go and put away those and I'll be up in a minute."
"Alright, thanks for the shoes mum. You're the best." She kissed him on the forehead and sent him upstairs getting him out of the way before she spoke to Ron. She had felt the tension as soon as she opened the front door and could cut it with the knife that Ron had just put down.
She crept into the kitchen and placed the remaining bags of shopping next to the dining table.
"I take it she spoke to you then?" She asked as Ron turned round, acknowledging her presence.
"You knew? At Easter when you spoke to her about it; our little girl and that Slytherin boy?"
"That 'Slytherin boy' has a name Ronald and yes I knew. You wonder why she wouldn't tell you when you react like this. He's a good kid Ron, he was so polite at the train station and they really are fond of each other."
"Fond of each other? Fond of each other!"
"Yes Ronald, and if you looked past the fact that Scorpius' father is Draco then you might notice that this is Rose's first boyfriend. She was terrified about talking to you because she thought you would react like – well, how you've reacted. She came down to tell you about it because she wanted your approval before she said anything to him about moving forward." She could read Ron like a book and she knew that the sight of his shoulders going up and then back down meant that he had realised what had happened, that his daughter had spoken to him about a boy and instead of trying to understand and respect her maturity, he had shouted her out of the room and up the stairs.
"I've gone and done it this time haven't I?" He balanced himself on his elbows as he leant on the work surface of the kitchen. Hermione, as gentle as always, placed her hand on his shoulder and rubbed it slightly.
"It doesn't matter what happened between us and Draco at Hogwarts, it was almost twenty years ago. It's her life to live and we can't decide who she falls in love with."
"They're in love?" He lifted himself up and turned so he was now facing his wife.
"No, but one day they could be and Rose needs to know that we are going to be there for her, regardless of who it is. You never know, you might actually like the kid." She smiled up at him and stroked his arm. "Go and apologise."
"I can't; I'm no good at this stuff. Can you go up first and make sure she's okay. I promise I will come up in a bit. I just need to plan what I'm going to say." He spoke nervously, like he was preparing a speech for his bosses at work.
"Just tell her you're sorry and are only being protective. Face it, even if it was a Gryffindor you still wouldn't be happy she was dating. The fact that it's Scorpius just makes it easier for you to be wound up." He knew she had a point but still, he pleaded with her until she agreed to break the ice and go and talk to her daughter before. He finished off the cooking and plated up the meals, placing them in the oven to keep them warm. Ron wiped down the counters as he mumbled to himself different words of comfort, no doubt to say to Rose.
Hermione felt like she had won a battle that was only just beginning. Sure, it would take Ron a lot of time to get used to the idea that his little girl had a boyfriend, Hermione was still processing it as well, but she knew that Rose needed her to be the one, as always, acting rationally.
She knocked on Rose's door and was shocked at the harsh tone that replied.
"Go away Dad! I don't want to talk to you!" Hermione pushed the door slightly and quietly entering the room and leaving the door open just enough so that Ron could see he wasn't interrupting.
"It's me sweetie." Hermione pulled the desk chair round next to her daughter's bedside.
"I take it that you've heard what happened." Rose said as she hugged her pillow.
"Well, not exactly. I know your Dad is having a bit of a freak out but we knew that was going to happen darling."
"He was shouting at me mom, like really shouting at me, like he did that one time when I was ten minutes late home. I didn't know what to do. He just lost it and then I ran up here and everything went quiet and the next thing I heard you and Hugo were home. He hates me mom." She held the pillow closer to her chest as a few tears fell from her eyes onto the cotton pillow cases. It broke Hermione's heart to see her daughter crying. She extended her hand out to her and pulled a few pieces of stray hair out of Rose's eyes.
"Rosie, listen to me." She did as she was told and soon had eye contact with her mother. "Your Dad loves you more than anything in the world, do you understand? He's just scared. You're our baby girl and even when you are married with children of your own, you will still be his baby. He's trying to protect you; he's just got an odd way of showing it." Rose chuckled and nodded. Sensing her daughter still wasn't convinced Hermione continued.
"You know Rose, not long after your dad and I got engaged, I went out for a night with your aunt Ginny and when we weren't back by half 10, he rang up all of his brothers and his parents asking if they'd seen us. Then he rang Neville and Seamus and Luna and then when we walked through the door at 11, he went mad at us. We were in a taxi the whole time, Ginny's request, and got stuck in late night traffic. It's because he loves us so much that he gets worked up."
"I know. I just can't help thinking that it's because it's Scorpius that he's going mad. He's gonna kill him if he ever sees him with me."
Hermione giggled and held her daughter's hand. "Honey, he would kill any guy that laid a hand on you. Your granddad was the same, but once he saw how much respect your dad had for me and how he couldn't take his eyes off me, how happy he made me, he had no choice but to accept it." Rose nodded and smiled, moving the pillow away from her and back behind her head. "Now, your dad is gonna come in and grovel in a bit so go easy on him, you know what men are like with pride."
"Yeah, a few weeks ago Scorpius was stuck on some divination work and when I offered to help he was all 'no, it's okay, I can do it.'" The two laughed together.
Ron made his way up the stairs, passing Hugo's room and giving him a smile as he was shown his son's new pairs of shoes and a few other items of clothing Hermione had bought him. He was growing so fast that trips to get new clothes were becoming more frequent now; they only hoped that his uniform would last him a full year at Hogwarts. He reached his destination, opposite the bedroom he shared with Hermione was Rose's room. He knocked lightly at the door.
"That's my cue to go, I love you okay? Oh and if you want to make him try harder, just don't answer him at first, it'll drive him mad." Hermione whispered and then giggled. She kissed the top of her daughter's head and brushed past Ron giving him a subtle nod. She stroked his arms softly, giving him the moral support he needed and stood outside her daughter's room waiting for the conversation to start.
"So, I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have shouted at you like that." Ron spoke so softly and occupied the chair that was still beside the bed. Rose, taking her mother's advice and being a little cheeky, didn't answer and decided she would make him work for it.
"I'm just…I'm just protective over you I guess. I don't want anyone mistreating you, and with his family history and all…"
"But dad, you know nothing about him." She interrupted. "He's not the same as Mr Malfoy was when he was our age. Scorp is sweet and kind and clever and he looks after me. He respects me, dad."
Ron simply leant forward placing his elbows on his knees and rubbing his hands together. Hermione, who was still listening outside the door was smiling; she knew Ron was about to give in.
"So you really like him then?" Rose nodded and smiled slightly. "Maybe if…" Hermione held her breath, "Maybe if we invited him over for dinner so we could meet him properly. We can even get take-away. What do you think?" Hermione couldn't bear it anymore, she peeped around the door and watched as her daughter climbed off the bed and leapt onto Ron.
"Thanks Dad; that would be perfect." She smiled and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead. He got up and left Rose with a smile on her face.
"Why don't you ask him round this Friday?"
"We're at your parents this Friday darling!" Hermione called.
"Okay, how about Saturday night. We can rent a movie and get a Chinese." Rose looked like she was about to cry but this time it was out of pure relief and joy.
"Okay. I'll call him now. Thanks dad, you're the best!" Ron shut the door behind him and Hermione found her arms resting on his shoulders, and then kissing his lips lightly.
"See, it wasn't that bad, was it?" He smiled down at her and kissed her back.
"What have I just done?" She looked through the small gap to see into her daughter's room. She was smiling on the phone and lying back looking a lot more relaxed.
"You've made your daughter the happiest girl in the world." She kissed him again and patted his upper arms, raising an eyebrow as she felt his muscles.
"Mom? Dad? When are we having dinner, I'm starving." Hugo asked from his doorway.
They smiled and Ron chuckled, realising that the only thing that could make him forget about his food is his children. He called to Rose to come down when she was done. Hermione placed her hand on Hugo's shoulder and followed ushered her boys downstairs.
Half an hour later, the Weasley family were laughing and joking around the dining table and all tense atmosphere from earlier had vanished and was replaced with the sound of joy and the smell of food.
