Chapter 6

Scorpius was casually dressed. He wore grey pants and a dark denim blazer. She noticed his hair was still damp as if he had just jumped out of the shower.

'Come on in, I'll give you the tour. You can leave your bag here.' He said.

'Do you guys have a house elf to pick things up?' she asked.

'Nah, this house is too small. We used to when I was a toddler live with my grand folks and had a maid to watch over my grandmother when she was ill. Here I'll start in the living room and introduce you to her.'

He led her through a set of French doors into a cozy sitting area. There was a lit fire on the opposite side of a bay window; the window had a bench with cushions perfect for reading.. Rocking chairs and a small love seat were placed strategically on the sides and on old fashion television sat on another side.

In one of the rocking chairs was an elderly witch flipping through a magazine. She had white hair that was no doubt blonde at one point, in a straight top bun. Her face was thin and sharp and her eyes an almost hazy grey.

'This is my grandmother Narcissa, Nan this is Rose Weasley.' Scorpius said.

'Hello.' Rose said. Narcissa focused her eyes on her and nodded before turning back to her magazine.

'Which daughter are you of?' she suddenly asked as they turned to leave.

'My father is Ron Weasley.' Rose said carefully.

Narcissa seemed suddenly more aware of her, 'How is your mother?'

Rose was startled, 'My, my mum is fine.'

Narcissa nodded and seemed to drift off into a dreamlike state. Scorpius took Rose's elbow gently and led her through a doorway into the kitchen. A hallway was to her left.

'That way is my parents room and my grandparents room. There's a bathroom too.' He said.

The kitchen was bright and yellow with many cupboards and the smell of gingerbread baking. A witch she presumed was his mother was humming and whisking away at batter. She looked up and smiled.

Astoria Malfoy was not a model type but she was one of the most elegant and motherly women Rose had ever laid her eyes on. She had a heart shaped face, with almond shaped amber eyes that matched her wavy golden brown hair. She was rather short but had a full figure and was wearing sweats.

'Sorry I'm such a drab, I went straight to baking mode once I finished my work out.' She said. her voice sounded musical and she seemed to sing her words rather then speak them.

'You must be Rose!' Draco said sauntering in. he was as tall as Scorpius with receding blonde hair and a rather pointed face. His eyes surveyed her not with contempt as she would have assumed but rather mild intrigue. He was wearing a dark robe he soon shed revealing a simple suit.

'Yes sir.' She answered.

Astoria laughed, 'No need to be so formal dear, you can call us by our first names.'

'I presume your own parents told you our names?' Draco asked. Rose nodded. He then added for Scorpius, 'Her bag is in her room. I grabbed it on the way in after nearly tripping on it.'

Scorpius flushed slightly, 'Sorry.'

'Well then let's dig into this batter, want to cut the cookies out?' Astoria said sweetly. Rose and Scorpius both helped her place ginger bread men and Christmas tree shaped cookies out onto several large trays.

'Why are there so many?' Rose asked.

'I work for a orphanage as a healer. I always make the kids something yummy for the holidays. I wont see them until tomorrow though.' Astoria answered.

Rose always loved children. She adored playing with her smallest cousin, Roxanne.

'That's so admirable.' She said.

Astoria smiled as Draco aided them by placing the trays into the oven. Once finished he casually flicked his wand so the dishes became clean again.

'So what are your plans for after Hogwarts?' he asked.

'I think everyone will assume I'll be the quidditch star as my cousin Albus had become to hero by saving another student last year.' She said unable to hide the sarcasm from her tone. It was quite true. When Albus saved his, now girlfriend, Amy from a nasty prank everyone felt he was truly a Potter. And she hadn't stepped up to that plate so they would assume she'd be like her aunt Ginny who had played professionally.

'But what do you want?' he pressed.

Rose thought, what did she want?

'I like helping people out. I thought when I was little I'd be a good teacher. Or maybe a healer.'

Astoria beamed as she and Draco began to start dinner. The two teens took seats at the aisle in the middle on stools.

'And Scorp?' his father now asked.

'I like puzzles and such I was thinking curse breaker.' He said.

'I have an uncle who is one! If you ever need any help getting in for a training and a job I can help you.' Rose said.

'And if you missy need any healer's books or such, come right to me.' Astoria said.

They chatted for another forty minutes while his parents made supper the muggle way (thought Draco would sometimes sneak spells in to make things go faster)

Finally they moved to a small dining area at one side of the kitchen. The table was not large and grand but would fit enough for six people.

Draco fetched Narcissa while Astoria and Scorpius set the table.

'Lucius wont be joining us tonight.' Narcissa said as she came in. she sat on one side of the table. Draco was on hr left while an empty chair was on her right. Astoria sat to Rose's left and Scorpius was on her right.

She ate easily chatting away again mostly with Astoria about music, who also taught piano to a few muggle girls down the lane. She also found out Draco had a muggle job, fixing piano's and cabinets as odd jobs.

'I had to fix one when I was younger and grew a knack for it.' He told her.

There was no mention of his other job with vampires so she took heed and did not bring it up.

'Do you play?' she asked Scorpius.

He shook his head, 'Not piano, but I can play the bass guitar.'

Her eyes widened, 'That's so cool! Albus would kill you to be in his band!'

He laughed, 'Albus has a band?'

'Yeah one year he got for Christmas or his birthday, I cant remember anyways, he got a guitar as well! He has been playing ever since.' She said.

Scorpius nodded and helped himself to more broccoli. She noticed he strayed from the meat. In fact she realized he never ate meat at school.

'Are you a vegetarian?' she asked suddenly. He nodded and a cold voice cut through any potential explanation.

'A realistic trait for a bird.'

Lucius Malfoy came striding into the kitchen taking his place beside Narcissa. She herself had barely spoken a word and continued her ignorance.

'So you're a Weasley.' He said. he had white hair drawn into a long ponytail, and his cold eyes glared down upon her.

'I'm Rose.' She said.

'I don't care.'

She flushed. Draco sighed while Scorpius looked ready to kill. Astoria rolled her eyes but it was Narcissa who broke the thick silence.

'Pass the salt or shut up husband.'

Lucius said nothing but continued to stare at Rose while easily passing the salt with his wand.

'No magic at the dinner table!' Astoria snarled.

'Normally there would be no half bloods either-'

'Enough.' Draco said. he stood, 'Leave Lucius. Eat in your room, now.'

Lucius merely smirked and took no food with him. He did not go to his room but left for outside.

Draco sighed and took his seat again. Narcissa stood muttering she would be finished and left for her rocking chair again.

'Sorry.' Scorpius said.

'It's okay.' Rose said.

'I assume your parents briefed you with what sort of history our family has?' Draco asked. He did not sound angry but his voice now had an edge to it.

'Sort of. My father told me to always watch out.' Rose said uneasily.

'Well he was right.'

'Draco!' Astoria scorned.

'Its true! I cant always protect my children and their friends but I can at least warn you. We have changed. Mother is fragile and no harm. Lucius however is neither changed nor fragile.' Draco said grimly.

Rose nodded.

'Are you hungry still?' Scorpius asked timidly.

'Nope.' Rose said dully.

'I'll show you to the rooms.' He said and they hurried off.

Scorpius had the larger of the two rooms. His had a long window on one side and a closet on the other. His walls were a pale blue and his bed had a deep green and silver bedding.

'Father didn't want it all to be Ravenclaw colours.' He said.

'It's okay.' She said, 'about your grandfather. What he said didn't bother me.'

He looked skeptical and he knew she was lying. Somehow he just knew.

He showed her the guest room where she would stay. It was a light beige room with two windows and a bed between. There was a wardrobe instead of a closet and the bedding was a caramel colour.

'The bathroom is the room between ours.' He told her. Her bag was already up there at the end of her bed.

'Thanks.' She said. he bid her goodnight and left the room. She sighed and took off her socks. She laid upon the comfy bed. It had a tasty cinnamon scent to it. She inhaled feeling tired, yet not at all relaxed. It seemed her project would come harder then she thought.