A/N: Now I'm not going to put in a six months after thing. Lets just get right to what is happening! Thanks for the reviews!
DISCLAIMER: Does J.K Rowling live in Australia? I think not… so that should give you your answer, right?
Chapter Seven: Family Dinner Night
Five Months and Two Weeks Ago
Rose stood up as Scorpius reached her. He looked at her silently for a long time, causing Rose to think something was wrong with her. She glanced to Matilda and Hilda who shrugged. Jason and Adam swapped odd looks and asked Hilda and Matilda to dance. When the four left Rose sat down, as if that would make her feel all the more comfortable at what was coming.
Scorpius looked away, breaking his trance like state. Around them, people were looking at him and whispering hurriedly then moving away with quick movements.
"So," he said, sitting down across from her, "Australia, huh?"
"Yes," nodded Rose, her mind shifting to a brief thought of Bobby.
"A long way to go to get away. France would have been fine."
"No it wouldn't have been," snapped Rose suddenly with a sharp glare to Scorpius, "You would have found me and then getting away would have been pointless."
"Don't you think I want to get away?"
"Oh for the sake of Merlin's family!" cried Rose, "This isn't all about you! I am involved in this! I believed you bashed an innocent person… I was having doubts about… about everything! I needed to get away from you, my family and friends! I needed some space, some me time! Was that so wrong of me?"
"You were having doubts?"
Rose gave a sigh and nodded, "Yeah, I was. I'm only human Scorpius. I can't control all thoughts in my brain. I can only argue with them and push excuses onto them."
"How do you feel now?" he asked almost silently.
Rose met his eyes and had to look away. He was looking at her as if his world were crashing down around him and in a sense, it was. Would Rose, possibly ditching him, bring it down completely?
"I know you didn't hit the beggar first. I went to see him today with Hugo. He says someone else did and that you were standing back, completely out of it but telling your… so called mates to stop."
Scorpius looked at Rose in amazement, "Do you believe him?"
"He seems not the type of man to twist any story whether he has been paid off for silence or not."
"What… what about the murder? Do you still believe I am innocent?"
Rose looked at Scorpius, who stared back at her as if her answer were his life sentence, "I do. I believe you one hundred percent."
Four Months and Two Weeks Ago
"It's ready," said Hilda heading into the kitchen where Rose and Matilda were studying, "Where is he?"
"Shower," said Rose.
"So, you aren't going to move back in, any time soon, despite things being okay between you and Scorpius?" asked Matilda.
"No… I'm not ready for that again. Its too much with everything going on," replied Rose, "Besides, Dad has resigned himself to the fact that I am with Scorpius. So he isn't on my case any more, which is great."
"Well the polyjuice potion is ready," said Hilda, "And I have plucked hairs from three people. There is Amanda Hinkley. She is engaged to my Uncle. Some young tart making her way up the social ladder. Now because of the fact she is engaged to my uncle, everyone is clamouring around to make friends with her… to do that they are telling her absolutely everything."
"Who else?" asked Rose scribbling down notes, as was Matilda.
"Digby Bunten. In with all the aristocratic families of the pureblood world. The Malfoy's, my family, anyone important really. Therefore he knows a lot more and gets told plenty."
"And number three?"
"This one… it was hard but it will be important," said Hilda looking at Rose, "Astoria Malfoy."
"What?" said Rose and Matilda in unison.
"She is the key. She… look she is extremely sly and very cunning. More so then most former members of Slytherin. Her family has connections that the Malfoy's dream of having. We can use her to get people to work for us without knowing."
"Its risky… have you thought of a way to make sure these three aren't at any parties we will crash?" asked Rose looking at the three phials with hair.
"Yes. Sleeping draught inhaler in the perfume of Amanda and Astoria. And Digby can never resist having a whiskey before attending a party. He will be having special ones for a while," said Hilda smugly, "Now… here are character profiles of the three. Mattie will be Amanda, I'll do Digby seeing as I am the most… manly I suppose and Astoria for you Rose."
Rose took the three-page profile with a little reluctance. Acting as Draco Malfoy's wife wasn't exactly thrilling. Matilda gave a quick clearing of the cough and hid her profile as Scorpius entered the kitchen. Rose slid hers to the back of her folder and returned the small kiss from Scorpius.
"Studying been fun, ladies?"
"If reading a twenty page summery of notes is fun, then I guess so," said Hilda feigning a yawn.
"Actually," said Rose with a glance to her watch, "I should be getting home. Mum wants me home in time for dinner tonight."
Rose packed her books and folder away into her shoulder bag and stood up. With a hug and kiss goodbye to Scorpius she left.
Astoria Malfoy.
Forty-three years old.
Astoria has a posture of utmost grace. Dislikes anyone with blood lower then half-pure. Only likes half-bloods due to her sister marrying one. Astoria eats only low fat, low carb foods… deeply affectionate towards her husband… well connected… spends her days socializing… shopping…
Rose rubbed her forehead in frustration and slumped back against her pillows, "What a shallow witch."
She hid the profile under her pillow and grabbed a book of her father's and flipped to the section of collecting evidence legally if the collector was not a licensed Auror, Hit Wizard, general Wizard Law Force or anyone within that field range. She became consumed with reading and jotting products and their use down that she didn't notice her mother knock and enter.
"Rosie? Rose? Rosie Rose?"
Rose looked up and shut the book hastily, "Mum… I didn't hear you knock."
"I did. Twice. Everything okay?"
Rose nodded, "Oh yeah… just researching something."
"With your father's book?"
Rose gave a shrug, "Curious. Did you want something?"
Hermione walked over and sat on the bed in front of Rose, "Evidence lifter. Curious indeed. Did a patient swallow some?"
"Yeah… silly old goose of a lady."
"Well there are auto cure potions for this stuff."
"Yes, but research is always good to be completely sure."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and Rose gave a sigh.
"You absolutely cannot say a word to Dad or Uncle Harry… anyone for that matter about this, Mum," said Rose earnestly, "Promise me."
Hermione looked at Rose who stared back at her with wide eyes.
"Fine. I promise."
Rose pulled the profile description out and handed it to Hermione who read it silently.
"What a shallow witch," murmured Hermione, "How do you know all this?"
"I didn't, but Hilda has known her a long time."
"What do you need it for?"
"No one can get close enough to get real answers. Insiders can… with the proper connections. Polyjuice and DNA… boom. Inside I get."
"Rose! No! That is dangerous, not to mention illegal."
"Not if no one knows the truth. If it is going to save an innocent human… then what is so wrong about it?"
"A lot! If you are found out you could be sent to Azkaban. Your career would be destroyed along with your life!"
"Only I can save him, Mum. Matilda, Hilda and I are the only ones willing to do it. No one else will. They are all ready to sentence him now. How is that fair?"
"Oh Rose… you'll need to know about Draco then."
"I can research him."
"No need to. I know him… I know him very well," said Hermione heavily, "Come with me."
Curious, Rose followed Hermione into the master bedroom. Hermione shut the door and locked it behind her. She knelt beside the bed and pulled out her old trunk. Rose sat on the ground, opposite Hermione and helped lift the lid.
Hermione lifted a few bits of parchment and pulled out her sixth year journal. She quickly used her wand to muffle sounds from exiting the room before looking at Rose.
"What I am about to tell you, you cannot tell anyone else. Understood?"
Rose nodded.
"This… read this."
Hermione handed Rose a folded bit of parchment from the journal and watched her silently.
Rose read the small writing and frowned, "Why didn't you come? I need you, like you need me. You said so, remember… Mum, this isn't Dad's writing."
Hermione nodded slowly, "Your Dad wasn't my first love. He believes he is and I wish he were. In my holidays before sixth year and during most of it… I was dating someone I never should have."
Rose's mouth fell open in surprise, "Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione nodded, "Completely wrong for a person like me… but at the time… oh it was so dangerous and that made it all the more thrilling! There was a lot of passion… heat… and ultimately love. That I guess is what made it seem so perfect and right. But it wasn't… he… he had secrets. Dark ones. They all led right to You-Know-Who."
Rose looked down at the letter, "You left him… obviously."
Hermione nodded and pulled out the parchment folder. She pulled out the rose and gold chain, "It broke my hard to do so… but he made his choice. Back then I saw no sense in it. Why stand by someone so dark and terrible? Then I learnt he was trying to kill Dumbledore. That rekindled by deep resentment for him… but at the end of the war I saw why he made that choice. He did it for his family."
"But now he has left Scorpius out to take the blame."
Hermione nodded, "Which now has me thinking that perhaps Draco is once again protecting his parents and sees that Scorpius is doing the same for him. Draco's mind works oddly at times Rose… deep down, he always means well."
"So this is what you meant by loving someone you shouldn't."
Hermione nodded, "This is my deep dark secret."
"But love isn't wrong," said Rose looking at the pink rose, "It's innocent in all ways. Something no one can truly control."
Hermione smiled, "My love for your father is true, Rose. I love him very much. He is my soul mate but he just wasn't my first love."
"So then, you won't tell anyone what the plan is?"
"I won't but if you get into danger… I'll have no choice but to tell the truth."
Rose nodded and handed the letter back to her mother, "Your secret will be safe with me Mum. I promise."
"Tuesday night," said Hilda, "A dinner party at the Zabini's. Now everything should work out fine. But we need a place to meet. We can tell Scorpius we just have to study at the hospital library."
"My place," said Rose, "My Mum knows the secret… trust me, it's safe with her."
"You told her?" asked Matilda as she stretched out on the bench in the locker room.
"We can trust her."
"What makes you so sure?" asked Hilda closing her locker.
"I just am. Anyway, I have to go. Big family dinner on at my grandparents," said Rose grabbing her brown bag and pink cardigan, "See you both tomorrow!"
Rose left quickly, almost colliding into her cousin Fred at the lift.
"Evening Rose."
"Hey Fred. Off to Gran and Pop's as well?" asked Rose.
"Family dinners are always a laugh. I wanted to take Mattie but she has something on with her own family."
Rose smiled, "I'm glad you two are back together. You both are perfect together."
Fred smiled at Rose, "Thanks."
They entered the lift and left the hospital in unison, both arriving at the Burrow together. The sounds of voices and smells of food cooking wafted from the house to them as they entered the gate. Through the brightly lit windows they could see their family moving about. Ron and Hermione were standing by the fireplace talking with George and Angelina. Charlie was displaying a new burn from one of his dragons to Bill and a slightly disgusted Fleur. Teddy Lupin was dancing slowly with his fiancée, Victoire.
"About time!" exclaimed Lily as she swung the front door open, "I thought you two had been held back!"
"Calm down Lily. Rosie and I would never miss the family dinner night," said Fred greeting her with a hug.
"Fred!" said George weaving his way over to his son, "We have to go to Kings Cross. Roxanne is arriving in half an hour."
"Oh, Roxy is coming!" cried Lily, "For Christmas break?"
George nodded and beamed at Rose, "How are you Rosie?"
"Good thanks Uncle George. It'll be great to see Roxy again."
"She is thrilled the family dinner is on when she can be here. Lets get going Fred. Your Mum is staying here to help Gran with dinner."
Fred gave a wave of farewell and headed out of the house with his father. Rose and Lily walked into the living room and sat by the fire with James, Albus and Hugo.
"So… how are things going Rose?" asked James.
"Fine if you must know," said Rose, "So are the rumours true?"
"What rumours?"
"The ones about you romancing Liana Jones? You know, the famous singer from France."
The slight pink tinge to James cheeks gave the answer away causing Rose to laugh with Lily, Albus and Hugo.
"Is it serious?" asked Lily, her eyes dancing with glee, "Or another fling to add to the pile?"
"I don't know," shrugged James, "Its early days. It could be serious."
"Do you guys have anything in common?" asked Hugo.
"Yeah… why do we have to discuss my love life? What about Hugo's or Albus'? They never get mentioned!"
"Well," said Albus, "I am seeing nobody. Hugo?"
"I have a date tomorrow night. A girl from my class."
"Oh! Who is she?"
"Payton Cresswell. The granddaughter of Dirk Cresswell."
The group nodded.
"She is really smart," said Hugo, "And funny."
"As long as you have a good time, is what matters… and you know, if this is it," said Rose, "You can bring her to the next family dinner night."
"I think I'll wait a year before doing that," said Hugo with a smile, "You know how crazy it gets… generally when Aunt Fleur starts to sing like Celeste Warbeck."
"That, I am not looking forward to," said James looking over at Fleur as she poured another glass of wine.
"Rose!"
Rose looked up and smiled at Victoire and Teddy. She stood up and gave Victoire a hug and one to Teddy, "How are you both?"
"Oh we are fine!" smiled Victoire with a swish of her long, silky, near white like hair, "I was wondering if I could have a word with you, in private?"
Rose gave a nod and headed upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms. Rose seated herself on the bed as Victoire examined her reflection in the dresser's mirror.
"Lovely dear," commented the mirror.
"I know," she smiled before turning to Rose, "I hear you are a dating that Malfoy boy, Scorpius."
"I am," said Rose keeping neutral expression on her face.
"I am concerned for you Rose," said Victoire, "He is in a lot of trouble, as you well know. Charged for the murder of an innocent man."
"What are you not saying Victoire?" asked Rose doing her best to keep the bitterness from her tone.
Her older cousin by seven years sat on the stool by the dressing table and looked at Rose with sincere concern, "I think you are making a mistake. Even if they find Scorpius innocent… I believe he will still go to Azkaban for some charge so the Ministry doesn't look stupid. He will forever live with a tarnished record. You will be tarnished as well."
Rose looked at Victoire in shock, "Are you more worried that you will be known as the cousin of the Weasley girl who was involved with a man charged for murder?"
"Rose! I am thinking of you!"
"You never think of anyone but yourself! I don't know what Teddy sees in you! You are shallow! Victoire, if you really cared about my well being you would be offering to help! Instead you are pointing out facts I already know!"
Rose stood up and pulled open the bedroom door, running downstairs and leaving her cousin sitting on the stool in shock. Rose quickly composed her self as she entered the living room. Around her, everyone pretended they had not heard her every yelled word travel down the staircase, although Fleur turned her back to Rose as she walked past.
"You okay?" whispered Hugo as Rose sat beside him.
"Fine."
Rose sat silently as everyone fell back into proper conversation. It was another ten minutes before Victoire came downstairs. She sat far across the room from Rose with Teddy in silence. As Molly called out that dinner was ready, George, Fred and Roxanne arrived.
"Roxy!" cried Angelina embracing her daughter tightly.
"Hi Mum," laughed Roxanne before greeting everyone else.
Fred made his way over to James, Rose, Albus, Hugo and Lily with a glance to his quiet cousin.
"Did someone slap Victoire?"
"Ask Rose," said Lily.
Fred looked at Rose who shook her head.
"I just spoke my mind."
"Everyone heard it," added James, "She called her shallow."
"Said she thinks of no one but her self," continued Albus.
"And she doesn't know what Ted sees in her," finished Hugo.
"Basically what everyone thinks but never says," said Lily, "Roxy!"
Roxanne gave a squeal and hugged Lily then the others before they moved into the dining room. The table had been extended and extra chairs brought in from around the house. Rose was forced to sit beside Victoire by everyone in a silent agreement. Lily shot Rose a sympathetic look while Fleur gave Rose a look, expecting her to apologise. Rose simply turned away from her Aunt and ate in silence. The conversation at the table was awkward and poor Roxanne was confused.
"Did everyone take a vow of silence?" whispered Roxanne to Lily.
Lily whispered back what had happened quickly with Roxanne's mouth dropping open. She looked up at Rose with the same sympathetic look before asking Ron to pass her the pork chops.
Come dessert Rose was ready to tear her hair out at having to listen to Victoire's pathetic, fake little sobs.
She pushed her plate away and looked at her cousin in near outrage, "I didn't ask you to meddle in my life."
"I am concerned for you!" cried back Victoire as everyone looked on with opened mouths.
"I'm not in any danger and he is innocent!"
"So you say!"
"Yes, so I say!" said Rose standing up, "I don't care what you think, or anyone else for that matter! This is my belief and Merlin dammit, I love him! Just like you love Teddy! None of you know him the way I do. My love for him is real. Deal with it!"
Rose pushed back her chair and left the kitchen. She grabbed her bag and cardigan and left to the sound of her grandmother's voice.
"Why couldn't we leave that area alone tonight?"
"I thought you had your family dinner on?" asked Scorpius as he let Rose in.
"I did," she said irritably, "Bloody Victoire and her philosophy on my life!"
"Ah, the Priss strikes again, I see?"
"She… and her mother! They are not Weasley material, I swear!"
Scorpius pulled Rose towards him and slid his arms around her waist, "Don't let her get to you, babe. She isn't worth it and you know it."
"I know. I was having a really good night. Roxanne is home for the Christmas break… it was just relaxing."
Scorpius kissed Rose on the forehead, "It'll all work out."
Rose nodded, letting out a deep breath, silently praying that Tuesday night would bring about some new bits of evidence to help prove Scorpius' innocence.
A/N: So Rose had a tough night thanks to her cousin. Hermione opened her trunk of secrets to Rose and is supporting her plan to get some secrets out in the open to help Scorpius… will it all work out? Review to find out!
Until next time…
Love yas!
Love Coz!
