I KNOW I said the next one would come faster and I KNOW I lied, but in my defense I was out of the country for two weeks. ENJOY!

Neville wasn't sure exactly why he was helping Rose and Scorpius, but he knew that he had to. Maybe it was because he could empathize with Rose. Maybe it was because she was like a daughter to him in a lot of ways, and he'd gotten into the habit over the years of helping her solve her problems. Or maybe it was because he saw a chance. He saw a chance that two families separated by a wall of hate and resentment could come together for love. He saw a chance that the world would be rid of the traces of the war. He saw a chance that the feud that had shook the wizarding world for decades would end. For the first time in a long time he saw the chance that two groups who had wronged and hurt and slandered eachother could find peace.

It was those thoughts that drove Neville as he walked towards Minerva McGonagall's office. He told the gargoyle the password and stepped onto the spiral staircase, letting it move him to the office door. He knocked and heard McGonagall's voice call, "Enter." He did so.

"Hello, Neville," she said as she flipped through some papers on her desk, "It's rather late for you to be up? Anything the matter?"

"Yes Minerva," he said, taking a seat in the chair in front of the desk, "I was just thinking about the Malfoy boy."

"Yes," said McGonagall, her eyes narrowing.

"Well," he said, "I think that he should be allowed to come to the school for one class every week. He has always had more trouble in Herbology, and I really think, considering that we start preparing for O.W.L.s at the end of this year, that he will miss the beginning of a very important phase that will lead him into fifth year."

"What are you playing at Neville?" she asked, looking extremely suspicious, "You and I both know that summer school would catch the boy up just fine, considering we've only got 4 months of school left, and 3 summer months of hard work, and believe me, he'll be working hard, will sort him out. What are you hoping to gain from having him here?"

"I guess nothing," he said, deciding this was a lost cause, "Sorry to bother you so late Minerva," and with that he stood up and left the office.


The next morning, Saturday, Neville went back to the Hospital Wing to talk to Rose.

"So?" asked Rose.

"Well," he said, sitting down by her bed, "I think you guys will have to survive on letters until next year."

"What?"

"I think that-"

"I heard what you said," she snapped, "So you had no luck with McGonagall?"

"No," he said.

She sighed, "Well, then, maybe that's God's way of telling me that this was a stupid idea..."

"Just wait it out until next year," said Neville, "It's only seven months."

"Yeah," she said, leaning back on her pillows, "I guess you're right."


The four months that finished Rose's fourth year passed uneventfully compared to how things had been going. Albus healed in St. Mungo's and returned to Hogwarts after two months. She moved through those months in a dream-like state that made everyone she knew nervous. She no longer seemed interested in anything she said or did, and by the time she boarded the Hogwarts Express with Albus and Clarice they'd been resigned to a train ride filled only with their own voices and Rose's continued silence. On that train ride Rose thought. Scorpius was still working at the auror office for two more days, and it was during those days that she planned to go see him. Neville had told her when Scorpius would return to Hogwarts the day before, and she planned to take action.

"Hi Rosie!" called Ron as she stepped off the train. Albus had sent him a letter a few weeks ago saying that he was worried about Rose, so he was anxious to see how she was.

"Hi Daddy!" she replied, hugging him, "I missed you guys."

"We missed you too sweetie," said Hermione, "How was your term? We haven't heard much from you since Christmas."

"Well, considering everything," said Rose, who knew her parents would take 'everything' to mean Albus' accident, "It's been okay."

"Good," said Hermione, "So, ready to head home?"

"Well, actually," said Rose, "It is a Wednesday, so the auror office is open. I wanted to go see it. I haven't been in a few years, and we have to do career selection next year. Uncle Neville told me that I should start thinking over the summer."

"Can't it wait?" asked Ron, "I took the day off, so-"

"So you probably are really behind on work," she finished, knowing full well that that wasn't what he'd intended to say.

"Well," said Ron, glancing at Hermione, "I do have a report I need to finish..."

"Great," said Rose with a smile. She was going to see Scorpius.

Again: I AM SO SORRY THAT TOOK SO LONG! I'm going on vacation this next week, but when I get back I'll start the next chapter, which I already have planned out in my head. Reviews are appreciated.

XOXO

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