Leaving was not quite how she expected it to be. For one, it was hard to look into his eyes and see a surprising balance of despair and curiosity linger there.
Her portkey wasn't difficult to arrange. She would be in France soon, where she could hopefully take her mind off the disaster slowly unfolding in front of her own eyes.
It was hard to say goodbye, even to those who knew she was going; her parents, of course begged her to reconsider, James – ever the protective cousin – offered to knock some sense into Scorpius, and Lily reminded her that she was only a portkey away if Rose needed a fun night out.
She hadn't told them exactly what went down with her and Scorpius. The details didn't matter anymore; nothing was holding her back.
She landed right outside Al's house and rang the doorbell. The door opened and the familiar mop of black hair came into sight along with the startling green eyes she had missed over the past year. Rose wrapped her arms around him tightly, soaking in the warmth and wash of familiarity around her cousin.
"Hello to you, Rosie," he chuckled, before letting go and grabbing her bags to take them upstairs.
He was the only person she had told, as to why she was leaving home. If it was still home anymore. He understood, having been Scorpius' best friend for years before that, and he didn't utter a word in protest when she asked if she could stay with him.
Al's house was just as she had imagined – classy with a sense of quirkiness. She looked at the photos that adorned his walls, and smiled at a particular one of them sitting near the Black Lake, goofing around. She spotted a boy with familiar white-blonde hair move around in the background, and immediately scowled. The last thing she needed reminding of was her failed marriage.
"I remember the day that was taken. James had just broken up with his recent girlfriend of the week – she was a real bitch, that one. And we all decided to hang out at the lake. Ofcourse, you brought your books but I think James took care of that one." Al's voice rang out behind her, as he came and stood beside me, staring at the photo with fondness.
He turned to her, his green eyes knowing and familiar. "So I guess Malfoy Manor got to you after all?"
She laughed, and it felt good after all this time. It had been a long time, since she had truly laughed, Rose realized. "Careful, I'm still a Malfoy after all."
"Not for long, I'm guessing?" Al looked at her knowingly, searching her for the truth.
"Not for long. You're right. You've always been right. I should have listened to you in the beginning; it was never a good idea."
And how she regretted it. How she wished to go back in time to their Hogwarts days, and just wish away the memories of her falling for Scorpius. It was much easier when she loathed him.
"Rosie, you learn from these mistakes."
But she knew Al wasn't just talking about her marriage, but his friendship. Apparently, Scorpius Malfoy had turned out to be a man they couldn't even recognize any more. Al was just lucky he got out earlier.
"Do you want to tell me what else has been going on in England? I mean, James and Lil pop by of course. And Louis will always be my partner in crime. But how's the rest of our clan doing? I've been trying to get Dom and 'Sander here for ages."
"Everyone's fine. Fred's still cut up but James has got him under control. Haven't seen Molly in a bit but she's strong. Hugo's Hugo. Roxy's still mad at you for ditching her with that awful partner of hers."
Al chuckled at this. It was common knowledge that Roxy couldn't stand her training partner- well to be fair, he was a right prat. Before Al had been summoned from the French quarters, he and Roxy would constantly moan about the death wish that Noah Finnegan seemed to have.
Rose turned to him, a sly smile dancing upon her lips.
"What about you, Mr. Secretive. Which French woman have you got hiding under your sleeve, hmm?"
Al smiled, but said no more. He beckoned his cousin out to the back of the house, where it opened out into a garden, stretching to a lake and woods area.
To put it lightly, it was beautiful. In every possibly way. She could see why Al could call it home so easily. The serenity of it all reminded her of Hogwarts, of the quiet hum of the grounds at night, the bristle of the trees whilst she and Scorpius hid out in the Quidditch pitch; innocent, bold teenagers.
"When I walk out here Rose, I remember Addie. I remember how she would have loved the way the sun reflected off the lake waters, how she would have carved our initials on that oak tree over there, how when autumn comes, she would have collected the leaves and made some form of painting out of them. This place...it is filled with her, Rose. So no, no French woman."
So maybe, she had lied. Maybe the whole fantastic auror case wasn't the only reason Al had moved out here. Like her, his heart too had been broken. But in slightly less knowing circumstances. Addie was in Hogwarts with them, friends with Rose and Molly and Lily. She had dated Al throughout their seventh year and Rose had reckoned they were just one of those - you know those, meant to be and all.
But then when Al and Rose were busy in training, and Scorpius was busy with his new investments, Addie was working away to become a Healer when they figured something was wrong with her. She had headaches, forgot stuff, was disillusioned at times. It came to a point where Rose had to write post-it notes to keep reminders of all her chores.
They told Al first. He was devastated. Couldn't handle himself for days, kept clutching at his family for support. And Addie, well, she was completely at loss for words.
When they started her recovery, Al had been strong; he had promised her he wasn't going anywhere, that he'd stand by her through anything. But Addie didn't need to worry. She deserted him.
The sickness changed her. She emerged from the treatment, harder, yet fazed. She tried to adjust to her old life with Al, in Healer training, but it was like making a growing child fit into an old pair of shoes. She couldn't relate to the bubbly, carefree Addie that skipped down St. Mungo' hallways and faithfully made waffles on Saturdays.
And poor, loving Al had stuck by her till the end, trying. When she packed up her things and left, he begged her to stay, pleaded with her but nothing could change her mind. And like that, what had occupied nearly 3 years of his life left a huge gaping hole in his heart.
"Sickle for your thoughts, Rosie?"
"Na, they're not worth that much, I'm afraid, Albie." She grinned cheekily, fully knowing the response this nickname would illicit from her cousin.
And true to her word, he groaned. "Aww man, Rose, how many times have I told you! That word is strictly forbidden. Bloody 2 year old Lily couldn't say Albus properly."
"Well, unfortunately for you, it has stuck and I quite like it so there. Now, are you going to show me the rest of your house or should I tell Aunt Ginny you've learnt nothing after 17 years under her roof?"
Al stuck his tongue out at her, before leading her inside again and up the stairs. Just before he could, however, the doorbell sounded.
"I swear to god, if it's those stupid girls from the neighborhood asking for James, I will kill someone," Al muttered darkly, before storming off to open the door.
Rose only had a couple of seconds before she whirled around and was greeted with the hesitant face of her husband - well soon to be ex-husband.
His blonde hair hair stuck up in places, only she had left them in, his shirt now new and fresh - no lipstick stains- and she noticed he was carrying a black bag with him too. No doubt, for a stay. He quirked a smile at Al, who didn't return it, and slowly shifted his eyes to her, stormy grey meeting brown.
He looked conflicted, as if wanting to say something, and she was almost about to snap at him - why, why, why did he bother coming here when there was absolutely no hope, not after his treacherous backstabbing betrayals - when his voice floated over the entrance.
"Hey Red."
Author's note: Aah it's been too long but i already had chapter 3 half written and just need a flash of inspiration. Feel free to review!