The Truth Behind the Sparkle
Ron was lying beside her in her teacher's bed in a room not big enough for two people. It was the room provided by the school and meant for just her during the school year. Ron had come early to see her and the kids and a day had passed since he had arrived. He hugged her, kissed her on the nose and acted as if it were normal to see her, despite the fact that they had not seen each other for two months.
With Christmas holidays approaching they would have seen each other soon. Another two days and Rose, Hugo, and Hermione would be on a train back to King's Cross for break. Hermione had been dreading it.
Their marriage was not a sexual one anymore. Well, not as nearly as much as it should be. It was a special occasion's affair, as in the mandatory holidays and key moments that could only be celebrated with nudity. But here in her professor bed Ron was laying beside her, blankets half on and off his body, lying naked.
Scorpius had been lying there only a few nights before.
"Why are you scared to touch me?" he had asked.
In a twisted way, Hermione felt like she was betraying Scorpius.
Hermione was coming out of her room when she nearly collided into the boy waiting outside.
"Hermione." It was Scorpius. "I just wanted to talk to you before-"
He was interrupted as the door to her bedroom opened for a second time and Ron walked out. She had barely moved from the doors opening and there the three of them were caught in a very small space.
"Whoa, traffic jam" Ron said cheerily as he grabbed Hermione's waist to steady himself. Scorpius' eyes flew directly there. Ron began to eye the 17 year old. "Who are you?" he said, none too kindly.
Scorpius began to answer but Hermione cut him off. "Ron, this is the headboy." She hesitated before saying his name. "Scorpius. Malfoy."
Ron's eyebrows rose. "What are you doing outside my wife's bedroom?" He said it harshly, but his voice gave a hint of amusement. Hermione could tell he was picturing his sweet, innocent wife having an affair with a school boy and the thought was preposterous. Hilarious to even propose.
"Nothing." Scorpius said, his eyes opening in shock. "Just… just looking for Rose." His voice seemed to say 'oh shes not here? Oh well then, ill just be leaving!'. And he did, turning away as fast as he could.
"Rose?" Ron asked, turning to stare at his wife as he placed his arm around her shoulders. "What does a Malfoy want with our daughter?"
"They are head boy and girl after all."
Ron thought about her answer for a pause, mulling it over in his head. "If a Malfoy ever touchéd a Weasley I would break his neck."
"Seriously. Just touch me!" Scorpius demanded with a laugh. He grabbed Hermione's hand but he refused to let go this time. She wiggled her hand but it didn't break free. He was so much younger, so how could he be stronger than her?
"Stop being so prepubescent."
He gave her a look. "I'm not twelve." He held his head high with Malfoy pride.
"You're not?" Hermione faked a shocked look. It pleased her that she was able to make some sort of joke about his age. Except she was cringing on the inside.
Scorpius' eyes were the colour of crystals when he smiled at her. "I've had my fair share of sex."
For some reason this surprised Hermione. I mean, he was incredibly sexy there was no denying this. He was beautiful and mature. But he was 17. "You're not a virgin?"
The skin around his eyes crinkled as much as possible for his smooth skin and he burst out laughing. "Really Hermione?"
Scorpius had a rep around school. Not that Hermione would know any of this, but Scorpius had once been proud of what he had accomplished. He had lost his virginity to a 7th year when he was still in his 4th. And he had many one night stands and occasional girlfriends, such as Dominique Weasley, in his years at Hogwarts. However, he didn't feel the need to brag about this to Hermione, despite her being most likely just as experienced as him, if not more.
Hermione blushed. "Well. I don't know… you're only 17…"
He gave her a pointed look. "You didn't have sex when you were 17?" he said, as if to prove his point.
She said nothing.
Hermione, Ron, Rose and Hugo all sat together at breakfast in the great hall, having what could be seen as a normal family breakfast. Except they were in Hogwarts.
"So, how's N.E.W.T. studying going Rose?" Ron asked, in an uncomfortable father way. Ron was never good at the standard father talk.
"Fine I guess," Rose replied, and went back to eating her eggs.
Ron tried again. "How's school for you Hugo?"
"Good, thanks Dad."
Hermione forced a smile. "Everything is lovely here. Isn't it kids? Hugo had a lovely patronous in charms last week. And Rose has settled in nicely in her new accommodation."
"New…. Accommodation?" Ron scrunched his nose and Rose visibly flinched. It took a moment for him to realize what Hermione was referring to. "You mean head's accommodation. As in you are sharing a room with a… boy."
Another flinch. Except this time it was Hermione and Rose simultaneously.
"Ron dear, you remember I told you who head boy was…"
Rose and Hugo's father slammed his fork down onto the china. "Malfoy!"
"Daddy, please. Calm down."
"If his penis comes anywhere near you-!"
Rose looked horrified.
Last night- for once- Scorpious had been in their dorm room and not out with whatever girl he was seeing. If it was only one girl that is. Perhaps he had a string of them.
However, Rose wanted to be the girl. The one he looked at with those blue eyes. The truth behind the sparkle.
He came in, the door closing behind him and he gave a small nod to her before making his way to his bedroom. But she didn't want him to go. She wanted to stay curled up on their couch and dream of a future with him and their babies.
"Wait!"
He turned, looking at her with a bemused smile. "What is it Weasley?"
Rose couldn't manage anything else. Her mouth felt so dry as she flung herself to him, throwing her arms around him and pressing her lips together. She tried her best to replicate the kisses she saw on muggle TV- the ones that blew someone away.
Rose pulled away from Scorpius and saw that look she had wanted. Shock and slight confusion. He looked simply curious too. But not revulsion. She smiled and hurried away.
