Rose apparated to the Malfoy Mansion, standing just off the property line, looking at the house. She had always loved it, despite the terrible things some of her family members had to say about it. It was majestic and it had history; character. Her father seemed to have overlooked the fact that half the purebloods out there had contributed a lot of money in rebuilding the Wizarding community. Probably out of desperation for better social standing, but they had helped none the less.
She continued to stare at the Mansion, her hands trembling slightly. Merlin, she was nervous. His parents probably hated her now, and she hoped to every god she had ever heard of that it was only Astoria home right now. Draco might be a bit too much to deal with. After all, it had technically been her and her family that had driven their only son from the country. She took a deep breath, drawing deep on her Gryffindor courage.
She knocked on the large onyx door tentatively, watching the ring trembling with her hand. Merlin, she loved the way it looked there, and she desperately wished she could be with Scorpius again. The door opened and there stood a surprised looking Astoria Malfoy.
"Rose?" she asked, as if that was the last thing she expected. Of course, it probably was. Her face hardened slightly, and Rose winced a little in response. She had screwed up. Royally.
"I'm looking for Scorpius," she said quietly, barely able to meet the ice blue eyes of the woman standing in front of her.
"I haven't seen him in almost a year now," Astoria informed Rose frostily, making no move to invite the young woman in.
"Mrs. Malfoy, this is very important. I need to find him," Rose implored beseechingly, her sapphire eyes blazing. Astoria nodded, waving Rose into the home finally.
"Explain," she said briskly, seating herself on an armchair, indicating for Rose to take a seat in the matching one.
"A year ago, Scorpius came to meet my family, and my father didn't have a very good reaction. He ordered Scorpius out of our house. As I'm sure you know, Scorpius also has a fairly short temper-" Astoria interrupted with a small laugh, as if remembering something pleasantly amusing. "And he left," Rose's voice cracked. "And today, I found this," she held up her left hand, displaying the ring.
"Oh," Astoria said, comprehension dawning on her face, "that's one of the family rings," she added.
"And Scorpius left it in my parents' lawn, out of anger, I suppose. And I've tried to let him live his life, really I have," she assured Astoria. "But-but I still love him, and I need to try and set things right. So if there's anything you know, or anything you can do to help. I know he left with one of his close friends-"
"Stephan Zabini," a girl interrupted, about Rose's age, walking into the room. "I'm Scorpius' cousin," she supplied, looking Rose over carefully.
"Camille Nott, correct?" Rose ascertained.
"Yes," the girl, Camille, agreed, sitting down on the nearest couch. "So you're the girl that drove him off?" she asked skeptically, as if the thought amused her, and Rose bridled slightly.
"I suppose so," she ground out between clenched teeth. "I'm also the girl that's going to go find him."
"And you're bringing me with you," Camille decided. "I'll help you look. Stephan was my best friend before they disappeared. And Scorpius is my cousin,' she shrugged. Rose assessed her for several seconds, while Astoria looked on with a vague sort of interest.
"I'm not giving you a choice," Camille added with a smirk.
"I won't have you slowing me down," Rose finally said. "I need to find him as soon as possible, and I don't like the idea of you tagging along anyway."
"Oh, come on," Camille sighed in response. "I'm not that bad," she muttered. "You don't even know me."
"Which is why I don't want you along," Rose mumbled under her breath. "Now do either of you know anything?" she demanded, all business now.
"He's in Europe," Astoria assured her. "He told me that much."
"And I would hazard a guess in-" Rose began, gritting her teeth when she was cut off by Camille. Merlin, this was going to be a long trip if she really did come along.
"France," Camille supplied, as if reading Rose's mind.
"Yeah," Rose sighed. She rubbed her forehead, already exasperated, "he told me it was his favorite place," she added.
"So when are we leaving?" Camille asked. "Because I'm going to need to pack."
"I'm leaving in the morning, so you should be ready by then," Rose said. Camille nodded, smiled slightly at Astoria, and left, going to the room she was currently staying in.
"Rose, I don't mean to be rude," Astoria began, "but what if Scorpius has moved on? Please don't..." she trailed off, not sure how best to continue.
"If Scorpius is happy, then I will leave him alone," Rose promised, though she knew it wasn't true. She would fight forever if necessary.
"Alright, then," Astoria sighed. If she was being honest, she really hoped that Rose brought her son back. "Well, you might as well stay here for the night."
"I-uh, I don't want to intrude," Rose stuttered, turning maroon. "I can stay at my apartment for the night." Honestly, she was scared of seeing Draco. His son was his pride and joy, and she had been the reason he left.
"You can stay in Scorpius' old room," Astoria shrugged. Rose nodded mutely and followed her up the stairs.
"Are you sad that he's gone?" Rose asked suddenly, unable to help asking.
"He was an adult when he left, I knew he'd have his own life," Astoria shrugged. "I wish I could see him more often, but he sends the occasional owl." Astoria opened the door to Scorpius' room and Rose couldn't help smiling. It hadn't changed at all since seventh year.
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," Rose said, setting down her bags and walking around the room slowly, opening the curtains of the window.
"You're welcome," Astoria responded, closing the door and leaving. Rose sat down on the bed, playing with a loose thread in the sheets. Merlin, she was overwhelmed. And tomorrow she was going to France? With a girl she hardly knew? To look for Scorpius Malfoy? She was in way over her head, but she knew she had to do it. Rose opened the drawer of his bedside table, taking out one of the many books he kept there, the pages dog-eared and worn.
Actually, upon further inspection, this was her book. A Muggle classic that Scorpius had probably hidden from his parents. Huh, so Scorpius Malfoy liked Romeo and Juliet? She couldn't help giggling to herself as she flipped it open. She began skimming through it. If Scorpius had been here she would have teased him mercilessly for his underlying romantic side.
Of course, if he was here, she was entirely positive that she would be sobbing apologies into his shoulder. She leaned back onto his bed, throwing the book back where she found it and trying to catch some sleep.
She took comfort in the idea that tomorrow she would actually be doing something to find Scorpius and that, albeit uncouth, she would have help doing it.
Cunning and Ambition
Two things:
Happy now, Ali? Lol
And, I know this isn't a great chapter, but i'm just working on basis right now! Send any ideas my way, if you'd like.
