A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Keep them coming! I own nothing you may even remotely recognize…

The Life and Times of Scorpius Malfoy: Chapter Six

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Scorpius threw himself into his work after Rose left, but quickly found himself bored of his department and his 'lowly title'. He was the most knowledgeable of Muggle culture who wasn't Muggle-born Ministry employee and often consulted in various departments. But teaching stuffy conservatives and those too lazy to bother to make any efforts, was boring and dehumanizing. Scorpius needed a change. And it was Hermione Weasley and Harry Potter who helped him out.

Hermione, having seen Scorpius' work pass through her office, went out of her way to stop be his desk and after nearly two hours of chatting, suggested he looked into a position in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. "Your talents are being wasted here, Mr. Malfoy. You've nearly rewritten the procedures - there's not much else you can do." She smiled warmly, "And you could travel."

Scorpius immediately found a position within the Department although he kept his old title: he knew they'd need him. His new Department was exciting and demanding and Scorpius was thrilled, throwing himself into his work again and nearly forgetting about her.

And then Harry made an off-hand suggestion that Scorpius could not pass up: the worst team in the league, the Tutshill Tornadoes were for sale and no one wanted to buy them for fear of financial ruin. But Harry could think of nothing more exciting than to buy a team; he just wanted some help managing. So Scorpius and the one and only Harry Potter became co-owners of the Tutshill Tornadoes.

Scorpius was going to be too busy and successful to even think about her.

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It was their second Christmas as "big kids" as James had teased Albus and Scorpius: "How does it feel to still be a big kid?"

Albus rolled his eyes and Scorpius could only laugh, "Feels bloody fantastic, Jamie."

"Where's your date, Scorpie?" Lily teased, joining her brothers and winking playfully at him.

"Ah, Lily, love, you know you're the flower of my -"

"Watch it, Malfoy, that's my sister," James glared before striding off to find Avery.

Lily bit back a laugh as Scorpius slung his arm around her, "No one knows about Macintosh I take it?" He said out of the corner of his mouth.

"Albus, Gemma's looking for you," Lily waved a hand at him before turning back to Scorpius, "no and I'd like to keep it that way. Unless you want your star Keeper to end up murdered."

"You just like him because he's Australia," he teased her, grabbing a drink as a platter floated by.

"It's just a bit of fun, Scorp, something you should consider."

"Dating the players on the team I own? Bit of a conflict of interest, I think. And a bit immoral."

"You know what I mean," she looked at him briefly, concern crossing her features, "Roxy would always -" She rolled her eyes when he glared at her. "You deserve to have a bit of fun."

"Thanks, Lily, I'll be sure to consider that the next time I get a moment to myself, yea?" He loosened his tie, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a speech to make."

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Rose snuck in the back of the party, hoping to scope out her family before making her presence known. She had been invited to the Tutshill Tornadoes Christmas party but hadn't RSVPed, not wanting to face her mother's disappointment in case she couldn't show.

"So when the Mr. Harry Potter had playfully suggested purchasing the Tornadoes, how was I to refuse? He's the Boy-Who-Lived-Twice; does anyone ever say 'no'?" Everyone laughed and Rose's eyes were drawn to that voice, that voice she used to know so well.

And there he was, Scorpius Malfoy, the man who haunted her daydreams, the man she compared everyone else to. How could she not? The man was gorgeous - and seeing him in a suit now? She had never seen anything so perfect. His hair was the same and even at this distance she could see his eyes were still the same expressive grey they had always been. How could she not compare any man she met to this near-perfect specimen?

She listened to his speech, his voice smooth as he made everyone laugh and she couldn't help but smile. He was a natural in front of everyone, not that she had ever doubted he would be.

"Rose!" Her mother pulled her into a bone-crushing hug after Scorpius had finished his speech. "You didn't tell us you were coming."

"I wasn't certain I could get away, mum," she hugged her back, her eyes searching or a certain blonde but only finding redheads.

She was passed around to all her family members, nearly being suffocated by her Grandmum and was surprised to meet Dominique's new boyfriend, __=&*!__, one of the Tornadoes Beaters. Everyone seemed relatively pleased to see her disappointed that she was really only here on quick business. The only one who didn't give her a hug, who didn't seem thrilled to see her was Albus.

"I've been keeping up with your seasons, Al, you're doing wonderfully."

"Can't say I've read all of your articles," his voice was flat.

She colored slightly, "There are a lot and I'm sure they're hard to come across, especially since you're so busy."

"Rose!" Gemma hugged her friend, shooting her boyfriend a hard look, "So lovely to see you! How long can you stay?"

"Not long, I'm afraid," she frowned, "I wish I could stay longer, but work, you know."

"You should probably say goodbye now then since you'll be leaving in two hours -"

"Albus Severus Potter," Gemma hissed.

"No, he's right, Gemma," Rose frowned, her eyes shining, "I deserve it." She looked at her cousin and former best friend. "I am sorry, Albus. One day I hope to make it up to you."

He saw her as soon as he raised his glass for the toast, smiling, her own glass raised, her blue eyes clear and locked on him. Her hair was shorter than it had been during school, but it was still long and she was wearing a navy sheath dress that Scorpius assumed she'd wear to the office. He tore his eyes away determined to finish his toast without stuttering: these were his colleagues and his Quidditch-players. His eyes followed her, however, as she was passed among her family members and when he saw she was speaking with Albus, he braced himself for the potential blow out.

Albus had done little to hide his anger and disappointment at his closest cousin; he rarely spoke of her and when someone else did he quickly changed the subject. She had hurt him and nearly two years later it still stung.

Scorpius was relieved - and surprised - to see that there wasn't an outburst, that Albus hadn't openly chastised her. But when he saw her hurt face as Albus and Gemma walked away, he knew that his stoic, quiet anger was just as devastating.

What was he doing sympathizing with her? She was the one who moved away with no forewarning, she was the one who never visited and apparently rarely wrote, she was the one who alienated herself, who terminated their friendship and their potential relationship. It was all her doing and he knew that. But a part of him couldn't help feeling for her, pitying her; his heart ached.

Before he could think of an excuse to get away, a slightly sloshed Harry had put his arm around his shoulder and he found himself face-to-face with Rose and her father. She looked absolutely horrified.

"Rosie, Scorpius here has been extremely busy around here, completely revitalizing the Muggles department -"

"And he works with your mum sometimes, sweets," Ron nodded eagerly, "she's always going on about how smart he is and all that."

"And now he's doing international stuff," Harry continued, "I'm not even sure what it sounds so complicated -"

"It's not really -"

"And look at what he's done with the Tutshill . If I weren't so dedicated to my Canons," Ron shook his head, "I keep telling him to move to the Canons next, fix them up, but he says he can't yet," Ron raised his glass at Scorpius, "he's a good one, this one. Practically part of the family," he hiccuped.

"Introduced Dominique and __==!__ very suave, very perceptive."

"And his mum's great - really nice - Gin and Hermione and her get along great. And Draco's not so bad anymore -"

Scorpius could feel his face heating up and he chanced a glance at her. She looked equal parts impressed and sad.

Ron continued, "I'd say he's as good as married in," Ron nodded again his firewhiskey, sloshing dangerously in his glass,

Harry nodded in agreement, "Albus' best mate and my business partner, yes, I would say so," Harry grinned, "to Scorpius!"

Scorpius caught his father's bemused glance and inwardly groaned when his father raised his own glass from across the room.

Rose still looked sad. And it suddenly hit Scorpius: she felt replaced. And that made him angry. He had been a bigger part of the Potter-Weasley family these past two years than she had been, hadn't he? He hated to got so childish, but he didn't speak to her the rest of the night.

She avoided him anyway.

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The past two years of her life Rose had barely spent more than three weeks in one location: she was always traveling, always moving, always working. And she liked it, she enjoyed the constant changing of scenery, the different people, the new stories she heard. And she had never once had time to feel lonely. Until she returned to her family and realized that things had changed: they'd grown up and moved on without her, they'd continue to live their lives and she hadn't been there to share any of it.

Dominique had a new serious boyfriend; Evangeline had published a very successful Muggle book and was working on a follow-up; Albus and Gemma were dating and Gemma had left her Ministry job for Healing; James and Avery were recently engaged and were planning on a long engagement; Roxanne and Lily were being recruited by several Quidditch teams and were considering joining separate teams; and Scorpius had essentially replaced her. All of her cousins loved him, all of her aunts and uncles loved him, even her father loved him, he worked with her mother and Uncle Harry - everyone loved him.

It irritated her and made her slightly jealous and guilty, but how could she blame her family? How could they not love Scorpius?

She had been impressed too: after her father and Uncle Harry had embarrassed themselves, her mother told her all of Scorpius' accomplishments since he graduated. It was impossible to not be impressed.

She watched him chat with Lily and Roxanne and assumed the worst: they were flirting with him, the feather-light touches, the laughing, the whispering. And Lily and Roxanne were beautiful and smart and exciting and - well, they were in England. She was jealous and she hated it. They had said once that he was gorgeous, that they'd love to date him and now that they were nearly done with school and the family loved him...

Because even after all of her travels, all of the intelligent, successful, gorgeous and wonderful men she met, no one could seem to compare to bloody Scorpius Malfoy. And she had sunk that ship long ago.

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"Want to come out for drinks, Scorp? James and Fred want a boys night out -"

"Can't," Scorpius smirked, shrugging off his Muggle suit jacket, "the Swedish Ambassador wants a tour of our great city."

Albus looked at his best mate his eyebrows raised, "Won't that put our relations with Sweden -"

"If she hadn't seduced me in Stockholm last month, sure," he grinned at his friend, "she explained very clearly that it's a one time - two time," he corrected himself, "thing. She's going to be taking a permanent position in Russia soon."

Albus nodded, slightly concerned for his friend: Scorpius had not gone on a single date - well, a real date - since graduation and then, after Christmas, he was able to "squeeze in" several dates. There really weren't that many, but an obviously substantial increase...

And they were all boring. Terrible for conversation. None lasted more than one date. "They aren't supposed to," Gemma had said. "He wants just one night stands."

Albus worried for his friend.

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"Mr. Malfoy?" Scorpius looked up from his desk to see the Department's Secretary, "Mr. Potter wanted to remind you that tonight is the party -"

"And I should have a quick speech," he nodded, "thank you, Suzie."

"Also, Miss Potter sent an owl about your date."

He waved a hand, "Throw it out, please."

"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," the elderly woman smiled, "and did you hear the big news today?"

"Besides Roxanne Weasley being signed to the Tornadoes?" He smiled at her.

"No, the Daily Prophet's been purchased and shut down."

Scorpius' head shot up, "Really?"

She nodded, "That's what everyone's saying."

No daily newspaper? Granted, the Daily Prophet rarely published news, but, it just seemed odd to not have a consistent publication..."Thank you, Suzanne. That should be all. I'll be leaving a bit early, if you could remind Don?"

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"This is it, boys," Rose grinned at the three men sitting on top or at their desks, "phase one complete."

"The easy part," Tim Lightfoot agreed, his American accent sounding strange now that she was back in England.

"Once we get started, it will be easy," Rose nodded, "and once we establish ourselves -"

"Weasley, come on, just use your real name," Anders tried to reason, "it'll make things easier, no one will suspect -"

"They will, but -"

"Everyone's going to put two and two together, Weasley. They're going to buy the paper because it's good. Not because it's you."

She frowned, "All right, all right. I'll fix the Editor's note and cover the Tornadoes press conference, Lightfoot make sure you proofread Naveen's column, he always has a few spelling errors. Davenport -"

Jon Davenport leaned back in his chair, "Darling, we've got it under control. This time next week we'll have ten pages."

"And more employees," Anders laughed.

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"It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of the Tutshill Tornadoes welcome Roxanne Weasley as our newest Chaser and Benjy Millhouse as our new Keeper." The large room broke into applause as Roxanne and Benjy walked on to the stage and waved. "We hope that with these two new players the Tornadoes franchise can continue to grow."

Rose watched as Scorpius shook Benjy's hand and kissed Roxanne's cheek. Merlin did that hurt.

She knew that by starting a newspaper in England she'd see her family everyday and hoped that she could be reintegrated in. But she knew that also meant she'd be seeing a lot of Scorpius. And since he would probably be in the news a lot -

"Hey, Chief," Davenport smiled lazily, "you all right?"

Rose turned toward her colleague, plastering a smile on her face, "Course, course, you ready to interview some of my family?"

This newspaper was her baby, her pet project. She had wanted to do this for ages and now she family and their friends needed to be interviewed a lot? She was going to bring the news to the public and they happened to be very prominent in the news.

Rose watched Davenport approach her cousin and Scorpius; she knew he was a fantastic journalist and was lucky that she had "recruited" him for her paper. She was thankful he had a dead-end job stuck in the outback when she ran into him when she saw his writing. he was fantastic.

Rose, Davenport, Anders and Lightfoot were a great team; Rose was thrilled with how adventurous they were. When she had suggested to Lightfoot several months before that they buy out the Daily Prophet he was game. None of them had much money now, enough to publish a few weeks' worth of The Owl, but they knew that soon enough they'd be moving into bigger offices.

Or they'd be completely broke and without a job.

She was lucky that none of the men wanted to be Editor-in-Chief and insisted that she was.

She looked up again to watch Davenport interact easily with Roxanne and Scorpius until Scorpius looked away and out towards the crowd, searching for someone.

He hadn't figured it out, had he? She was hoping everyone would be to drunk or too happy to see her to put two-and-two together. She didn't want anyone to know until the next morning.

"Rosie!" Molly hugged her cousin, "What are you doing here?"

Rose smiled at the girl, "Just visiting, Mol," Molly had grown a lot in two years - she wasn't as gawky anymore and she seemed to have relaxed slightly. She found herself being passed around again, getting tidbits of what everyone was up to, of all the family news when she felt a pair of eyes on her.

She shivered slightly when she turned to see Scorpius' intense grey eyes watching her, his lips curved into a knowing smirk. She quirked an eyebrow in defiance before turning back to her father.

Some time later, Davenport found her, his hand on the small of her back and everyone watched as he whispered into her ear. "Could we all have dinner tomorrow, mum? Outside somewhere so we all fit?"

Hermione blinked in surprise, "Well, yes, yes of course."

Rose grinned, "Brilliant. I'll see you all tomorrow," she turned and followed Davenport out into the warm summer air.

"Let's go print a paper, Chief."

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They worked long into the night working on various articles, occasionally using pen names to give the illusion that they had more employers and they finally began to print, using the now-defunct Daily Prophet printers.

At 6 am, after several cups of tea (and coffee for Lightfoot), Davenport took several stacks to Diagon Alley, Anders to the Ministry, Lightfoot to St. Mungo's and Rose traveled to Hogsmeade and several other Wizarding villages in the United Kingdom. "All right, now they'll only be able to take a paper if they've been paid for -"

"We know how it works, Chief."

"And encourage owl delivery -"

"Got it, Chief."

She grinned as Davenport mock-saluted her, "Good luck."

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We are The Owl Post Review, your new newspaper. We, Anders Cook, Jon Davenport, Tim Lightfoot and Rose Weasley, alongside our international correspondents, promise to bring you the real news, no Quick Quills, no gossip, no lies. We only publish the truth, both sides of the story and the news you want to know. Local, Muggle and International. The Arts. Sports. Advice. Opinion. Education. Health. Policy. Only news and only the truth. We don't take donations and no one can "sell" us a story. This is your newspaper. For the news. No gossip. Ever.

Enjoy your first issue.

Sincerely,

The Owl Post Review

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He recognized her writing right away: he had read every one of hr articles that she had written these past two years. He told himself it was only because she happened to be writing about things he cared about. But he knew that wasn't true. So despite the different names and the attempts to disguise her writing, he knew it was her.

And the paper was good. They had sold out at the Ministry almost immediately.

Scorpius was reading the article about Tutshill and Roxanne when Albus strode through the door unannounced and began to pace. Suzanne scurried in after him, "Mr. Malfoy, I tried -"

"It's all right, Suzanne, thank you."

"She's back, she's bloody back."

"The paper's good," Scorpius watched his friend pacing.

"She apologized, very heartfelt, really apologetic, felt awful," he ran a hand through his messy hair, "wants to work on things, once the paper gets off the ground and all that."

"And what's the problem, Potter? I am very important and very busy," he said dryly.

"Do you think she's going to stay?"

Scorpius knew that Rose's abrupt departure had really bothered Albus and he knew that Albus would be severely affected if she left again. "I think she's your cousin and one of your best mates and you can't ignore her. You two should work things out and hope for the best. She won't hurt you again, Al. She's not evil."

Albus smiled, obviously relieved. "You really do defend her too much. She doesn't deserve it - not from you." He shook his head, "See you at dinner."

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Rose returned to the small office to find a small gathering of people hoping to be hired. She was surprised to find Greyson at the front of the line. She let out a disbelieving laugh, catching the attention of her colleagues.

"Says he used to work for the Daily Prophet."

Rose laughed, "This is the bloke that wrote that terrible nonsense about my family and I."

Davenport, Lightfoot and Anders glared at him, "Get out."

"If we had known -"

"Can I kick his ass, Boss?"

"I'd leave, if I were you," Rose said curtly, her voice icy.

Greyson could not have left quick enough.

They spent the rest of the day sifting through writing samples: they couldn't publish daily until they had enough employees. They were about to close up and head to the Burrow for dinner when a dozen owls began tapping at the window. "What in tarnation," Lightfoot muttered.

"Says they're a donation - they had been sold to the owlery from the Daily Prophet, but they don't need them," Anders grinned as he read the note attached to one of the owl's legs. "Says they can send another twenty next week."

Rose grinned, "We're in business, boys."

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Scorpius was more than thrilled when Roxanne signed with the Tornadoes: she (and Lily) provided endless entertainment and she was a great Chaser and would help to continue Tutshills slow progression to being a great team. And she was entertaining.

Like Lily she liked to tease Scorpius; but unlike her cousin she did flirt with him and had, on occasion, offered to snog him.

So when Rose, arriving with her three male friends, spotted Roxanne chatting with Scorpius, she was absolutely correct in her assumption that they were flirting. But she had no reason to be jealous.

"Godric, look at those men," Roxanne gushed, "I don't think I've ever seen such attractive men," she smiled coyly, "except you, of course, darling."

"Naturally." Merlin three men? He assumed they worked for the paper, but three? There tall - and apparently good-looking - men?

"But I see you still hold a candle for my cousin," she sighed dramatically, something she had picked up from her father and brother, "I guess it'll be all right to talk to that Australian -"

"Be careful, darling," Scorpius turned back quickly to her, "wouldn't want to scare someone who's new to our country."

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Rose called for everyone's attention before introducing her "esteemed colleagues" and explaining to her family how this "motley crew of journalists" came together for the same goal. To bring actual news to the United Kingdom. She explained that, yes, she would be staying in London indefinitely as Editor-in-Chief of The Owl Post Review. As soon as she was done speaking her mother and father enveloped her in a hug.

Scorpius watched as Albus grinned and hugged her: they were going to be all right.

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She watched him chat with her mother, watched him make her father laugh before being cornered by her cousins. She watched as Lily said something that caused him to laugh -

"That the guy you've been holding out for?"

Rose turned abruptly to find Lightfoot smirking behind her. "Excuse me?"

He chuckled, "Come off it, Chief. How many dates have you ben on since I've known you? How many guys have you slept with?"

"Timothy," she hissed, fearful that her brother or Fred or someone heard.

"Rose," he mocked brightly, "it's painfully obvious that you haven't shown interest in anyone because you're longing after him. I mean, shit, Davenport and Anders could even tell - after you indirectly turned them down."

She laughed, "They never wanted that with me, Tim." He gave her a look but she shook her head. "Anyway I'm not pining after Malfoy."

He smirked, "So why have you been watching him all night?"

Rose rolled her eyes, "I haven't been. Godric!" She hit his arm, "Stop being such a prat, Lightfoot! It's very unbecoming."

"I say go for it and stop being a wuss," he smirked again and walked away.

She sighed loudly and took a sip of her drink, thinking about the 10,000 things she needed to do the next day in time for their next issue.

"You did it." She turned at his voice and her breath hitched when she saw him standing right in front of her with that smile and those eyes.

"Did what?" she asked stupidly.

He chuckled, "Started your own paper," his smile was disarming, "it's fantastic, by the way."

She smiled, regaining her poise, "Thanks. I won't be getting any sleep the next few weeks but it'll be worth it."

"I had rather guessed last night at the press conference what with the Daily Prophet being brought out," he said nonchalantly.

"Could never get anything by you, Malfoy," she said dryly, glancing at him again. "So how is it, owning your own Quidditch team?"

He glanced sideways at her, "It's not all fun and games, Rose," he emphasized her name, "it is one of my jobs."

"Yes, you're moving right along in the Ministry, aren't you?" She quirked an eyebrow, "Impressive," she inclined her head toward him slightly, "good to see some young blood in there."

How did she do this to him? How could she affect him like this while any of the other gorgeous, intelligent women he tried to date couldn't? She wasn't as clinically beautiful as Lena, the Swedish Ambassador and yet he believed Rose was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. How could she be so bloody perfect and so bloody infuriating?

"If you ever want a guest writer, or an interview," he smirked slightly, as she rolled her eyes. "And if you need some owls -"

"We don't take -"

"They're too old to fly internationally," he continued, raising her eyebrows, "and are no longer of much use in our department. I think they'd like to fly again."

She nodded, "Thank you. You - or your secretary - can send them over tomorrow." She saw her grandmother wave at her and grimaced slightly, "Great. Time for interrogations," she nodded at Scorpius, "see you around, Malfoy, if I make it out alive."

His laughter followed her as she walked towards her grandmother.

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He didn't go out of his way to see her, he saw Albus and the other Potters and Weasleys as often as he always had, but now Rose seemed to always be there. She wasn't of course - she was extremely busy trying to get the paper to expand and run smoothly, but she was (obviously) around more often than she had been. And wherever she was, three men always seemed to be.

"Someone is wild with jealousy."

Scorpius turned to Gemma who sat next to him at the pub they had all recently been frequenting. "I don't know what you're talking about, Gem. I just don't understand why she always has a posse."

"One of which is currently chatting up with Roxy," she smirked, "and that gives you no excuse -"

"Hey, Scorp, whatever happened to Delilah?" James teased from across the table, "Or was it Chloe?"

"No, I think Katerina was in between them -"

"And that gorgeous Swede, Lena," James laughed into his pint.

Scorpius could feel her heated glare on him, "Just because I'm not in an extremely lengthy relationship, Potter."

James put his arm around Avery who rolled her eyes, "You're missing out, Malfoy."

"Oi," Lily laughed, "he's just having a bit of fun," she winked at him, "he deserves it. After all, he does have two jobs."

"Yes, thank you, Lily, what would I do without your permission?"

"But Malfoy, you're breaking all these hearts," Evangeline grinned, "how can you do it?"

"I haven't broken any hearts," he replied airily, "none of them - and Merlin there haven't been that many - expected a second or third date."

"Those girls were rather boring," Albus chimed in.

"But they served their purpose," James sniggered.

"It's nice to see you're so relaxed about this, Malfoy. Breaking hearts and using women with no concern for their feelings."

Everyone turned to stare at Rose who was tracing the rim of her pint.

"Rose, come on," Lily laughed nervously, "he didn't do it on purpose."

"No, no, of course not. Never a purpose."

"I'm terribly sorry to have offended you, Rose," Scorpius said smoothly.

Her face colored, "How could you do that to those girls? Dump them on their ass after one night?"

Everyone else in the pub seemed to fade away as they glared at each other, "You automatically assume they were the victim I see. Did it ever occur to you, Rose, that maybe they didn't want to date me because I rarely had time to go for coffee let alone dinner?" He shook his head, "Of course not. Because a Malfoy is always at fault." He stood up abruptly, putting some galleons on the table, "I have an early meeting, I'll see you lot soon," he nodded to his friends, completely ignoring Rose as he left the pub.

Silence fell over the table until Roxanne said, "Nice one, Rose."

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A/N: Thoughts? I think there will be one or two more chapters….