I woke up Sunday morning in my childhood room, sunlight streaming through my window onto my face. I glared at the owl, tapping insistently on the glass pane. It reminded me too much of yesterday.
I opened the window and pulled the letter off the magnificant eagle owl's foot. I didn't recognize the neat, almost elegant handwriting on the outside as it spelled out 'Rose Weasley'.
I cautiously opened it.
Dear Miss Weasley,
I would like to invite you for tea this afternoon, say three o'clock? It would be very generous of you to come. I wish to personally thank you for your sacrifice on my family's behalf. My owl will wait for your reply. If you come, apparate to the gates of Malfoy Manor. I look forward to seeing you once again.
Scorpius Malfoy
I glared suspiciously at the parchment. The Malfoy I knew would never have been this kind, even in letter form.
And of course I couldn't say no. If we were going public with our engagement, I had to at least be able to talk to the man without glaring.
I told my mum over breakfast about the letter, and she agreed it was best that I go. I noted the stiffness in her voice as I mentioned Malfoy Manor. My mind flashed to the old war stories they'd told us, and I felt guilty. I was marrying the enemy.
I mentally shook myself. That was the whole point of this, to prove we weren't enemies. I couldn't think of the Malfoys like that anymore. Soon, I would be one of them.
And with that thought my stomach turned and I felt nauseous. Oh Merlin, why me?
I popped back to my small flat. Choosing a book, I lay it open on my counter. I repeated several cleaning spells, resulting in a shining, spotless apartment. I then drew myself a bath and soaked in the bubbles with a glass of wine. I tried not to think about what the next hour would bring as I finally stepped out of the water. I waved my wand around my body and the water vanished.
I selected simple yet elegant robes to wear; no way would any of my muggle clothing be acceptable, and it wasn't dressy enough of an occasion to wear a dress. I put on a little makeup, just to make my eyes pop and help hide my scarlet cheeks if I blushed.
'Malfoy Manor', I thought to myself as I disappeared into the space between worlds. My stomach uneasy, I straightened up and was surprised as the gates opened before me.
I heard the place was dreary and dark, but aside from the cast iron gates it was quite the opposite. There were a wide variety of flowers in full bloom, as well as a small pond. Birds and butterflies flitted about, and the stone path I was following to the house had quite the character to it.
The manor itself was light coloured stone, almost built like a castle, even with a tower off to the side. I hesitated as I reached the grand door, only to watch it open for me. I looked down and saw a house elf smiling up at me. "Mistress Rose," she squeaked happily. "We has been waiting. Come, please."
I nodded and followed her through a series of corridors and sitting rooms. At last we arrived, and my nervousness returned in full force. There, sitting in an armchair, was Scorpius Malfoy. He looked just as I remembered: tall, pale, and handsome. Though, I'd never admit the handsome part to anyone.
"Thanks for coming," he said politely in his deep voice.
I resisted the urge to pull a face as I said, "Your welcome," to him, mimicking the polite tone.
"Why don't you take a seat?" Malfoy suggested. He gestured towards the armchair opposite the one he occupied.
I sat down, and the house elf gave me a cup of tea. "Thank you," I said to her, and she beamed at me.
"That will be all, Shady." The elf bowed and disappeared with a crack. Leaving Malfoy and I alone in a room. I shivered, for some unknown reason.
I sipped my tea and looked around. It was obvious the family had money, between the lavish decorations and expensive furniture. A portrait was snoozing on the wall, some elderly lady in very old-fashioned robes.
"Biscuit?"
I looked up to see Malfoy holding a tin. "Thank you," I said, nodding. He waved his wand and three made their way over to the side table next to me, along with a small plate. I nibbled into one, and found it to be delicious. I softly cleared my throat. "These are delicious," I said.
"Yeah, they're my favorites. Mum makes them for my birthday every year."
"It's your birthday?" I found myself vaguely interested.
"Tomorrow," he replied.
"Oh." We still didn't look at each other.
"Yeah." There was another uncomfortable silence, until we heard voices. "That must be my parents," Malfoy informed me. I simply nodded.
"I wonder how tall she is?" I heard a woman's voice say. "I was looking through a magazine at work, and there was an article on different dresses that complement certain heights. Of course, that's all relevant to her body mass-"
"Mum," Malfoy called out, his pale cheeks getting pink.
A beautiful woman stuck her head in the room. "Oh, my, Draco she's here!" Malfoy's mum rushed into the room, followed by her husband at a walking pace. "Rose, sweetie, thank you so much!" she exclaimed.
I got up, feeling uncomfortable at her standing over me. She immediately wrapped me in a hug. "Your welcome," I said softly.
She pulled back and looked into my eyes. "You're about to do what nobody else could do for us, Rose." I saw her eyes start to get teary, and I felt uncomfortable once again. "You have no idea what we've gone through. You're like our angel."
I didn't know what to say, so I simply nodded and gave a small smile. Not even that lifted my mood on the whole ordeal. "Rose, this is my mum, Astoria." I smiled at his mum again, trying to make it sincere. I could feel it didn't reach my eyes, though. "And that's my dad, Draco." My eyes moved toward the man who Scorpius bore so much resemblance to.
Draco's hard gray eyes pierced into mine. I froze, somewhat scared, until he smiled at me. Actually smiled. "I'm sure you get the idea from my wife, but we are very grateful. Nobody could have expected you to make this sacrifice for a family you cared so little about." He stuck his hand out, and I shook it. Very awkward, I decided.
"Rose, when the minister told you about all this, did he say anything about the engagement?" Astoria asked.
I shook my head. "No, he just said it could be long."
Astoria smiled, a bit sadly. "Well, tomorrow is Scorp's nineteenth birthday." I nodded and she continued. "I was thinking maybe you two could go out, and he could propose in a restaurant or something. It would look very romantic, and if you went to the right place there could be some very influential people there."
"I suppose I could do that," I said.
Her smile turned to a full out grin. "That would be excellent. I'll make reservations for you. Do you have anything to wear?" I blinked. I hadn't really thought about it. Astoria gauged my expression. "Don't worry about it. I'll stop by your house before tomorrow and we'll figure it out."
"Thank you," I said, because I didn't really know what else to say. She was a complete stranger. They all were. And sooner than later they'd be my family.
Still standing up, I finished the last of my cool tea and set down the cup. "Well, it was nice of you to come over," Scorpius said, finding his way past his parents.
I smiled sincerely for the first time that day. He obviously knew how I felt. "Yes, thank you for inviting me," I said. My tone this whole time had been quieter than normal, and it really contrasted with his deep voice.
"Would you like me to show you out?" Malfoy had cut off his mother's protest before she even spoke.
"That would be nice," I replied smoothly. "I'll see you tomorrow then?" I said to Astoria. "I get off work at four." I told her my address and followed Malfoy out the door and through the maze of a house they had.
We reached the door. "Thank you again," he said to me. I simply nodded and looked away, anywhere but at him. Malfoy reached out and caught my arm. I automatically flinched away. "We'll have to work on that." He slowly grabbed on to my arm, above the elbow, once again. I resisted the urge to kick him. "You see, as we're a happy couple, we have to act like it."
I nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. I'll see you tomorrow, Malfoy," I said as I turned to the door.
"And don't call me Malfoy in public, Rose." It felt foreign, him saying my first name. Like a taboo. "After all, that will soon be your name."
I froze with my hand outstretched towards the doorknob. I looked back and couldn't decipher his expression for the life of me. Gray. His eyes were gray. "Goodbye, Scorpius." I practically ran from the house, hurrying out towards the gate. I disapparated straight to my flat and cried myself to sleep. What had I gotten myself into?
Author's Note: Does anyone like it? Just an idea I had and thought could go somewhere.
