I decided I might as well update, the chapter is doing no good sitting in my file. Got some feedback about the sequel, and I've decided to go ahead with it! So once Life the Rose Way wraps up, watch out for Looking for Rose. At least, that's the name in mind! x

Ch 10.

Christmas

A single tear rolled down my cheek as I held a Christmas present in each hand. One was for Scorpius, one was for Grandad. Two people who I may very well never speak to again.

"No, you will speak with Scorpius," I told myself, as I shoved both the presents under my bed, and went down stairs, dressed up nice and warm for the day.

It was Christmas at The Burrow, the first without Grandad, but a happy event nevertheless. We were having our traditional morning of giving presents, then a massive Christmas lunch, then an afternoon just to spend time with family. That night, all the Weasleys were going to their other halves' family for dinner. Dad, Mum, Hugo and I, for example, were going to Nan and Grandad Granger's house for dinner, and so on. Dom and her family, including Teddy, were leaving by portkey for France, to return in a few days. Uncle Harry, Aunt Ginny, Albus, James and Lily were going to Andromeda Tonks' (or Aunt Dromeda, as we called her) house for dinner.

But for now, I was wandering down the stairs into the living room, greeted with a chorus of 'Merry Christmas!' where most of the family were already waiting. There were piles of presents everywhere, magically charmed to be the favourite colour of the person who they were for. As I was the only person in the family with the favourite colour of lilac, I went straight over to my presents and sat down, between Mum and Al.

As I went to make a move to open my presents, Mum turned around, from talking to Dad.

"Rosie, wait for everyone else!" she scolded.

"Merry Christmas though," she added lovingly, kissing my forehead.

"Merry Christmas Mum," I told her, smiling.

The remainder of the gradually assembled, Grandma handing around cups of hot cocoa.

Victoire was the last to walk in, as she was notorious for sleeping in.

"Quick, Victoire!" groaned Louis.

"I'm coming, I'm coming. God you're all up to early!" she mumbled, taking a cup of cocoa from Grandma, before taking her place, muttering in fluent French.

With this, we all began to open our presents.

I ended up receiving endless books, endless chocolates and candy, endless contraptions from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, and just basically little magic contraptions. Of course, I also got my yearly fill of muggle fashion books, and clothing, sent by owl from Valentine and Charity. Also, I had gotten some of this from Dom, but she had given it to me earlier.

Everyone was laughing and joking and comparing presents, and it was an all round happy occasion. There were pieces of wrapping paper all over the ground, which Victoire and Dom were charming to turn into paper aeroplanes, and fly around the room. There was our giant Christmas tree, set with millions of little colourful lights, and complete with real snow and enchanted ornaments, that glittered and twirled. And there was just the happiness all around us.

xxx

The adults had all moved into the kitchen, to help with lunch, Lily and James were comparing new practical jokes with Fred and Roxanne, Hugo was curled up on the couch, reading, Albus and I were playing with his new Wizard's chess set. Every one of us kids was going about various activities with our presents.

Then we saw white flecks outside, and realized it had started to snow.

The ground was already carpeted with snow, and the males had magically cleared an area of ground, and put a heating bubble around it, and a marquee up, so we could eat outside.

Now though, eating outside would be more fun, but we couldn't all wait for lunch to go outside.

Everyone grabbed their snow gear and ran outside. Almost instantaneously teams were being organised for The Annual Weasley Christmas Holiday Snowball War, which was held every year. This was the first daytime snow of the holidays though, and the fact that it was Christmas made it even better.

The teams ended up as follows.

Hippogriffs

- Rose

- Albus

- James

- Roxanne

- Dominique

- Lucy

Thestrals

- Hugo

- Lily

- Fred

- Victoire

- Louis

- Molly

And so a massive snowball war ensued.

Everyone basically had their own partner that they duelled for the whole war, but there were random snowballs being thrown around nevertheless. I mostly threw snowballs at Albus and Hugo, though I couldn't resist chucking a few at Lily when her back was turned. She turned around and I smiled good-naturedly at her, and she grinned back.

So the snowball war continued until Aunt Fleur came out of the house, smiling.

"Eet iz nearly time for ze lunch!" she said, "Everyone ez to get ready and clean!"

We all rushed into our rooms, hurrying and changing into dry clothes for lunch. After everyone was ready, we all took our time going down the stairs, chatting and laughing, making our way outside.

I was heading downstairs with Victoire when she started up a conversation, in her funny British-French accent.

"So, Rosie, Domeenique told me you and Scorpeeuz had an argument?" she started.

"Yeah," I replied, not really wanting to talk about it.

"I understand," Victoire said, "you know, Rosie, my Teddeey and I had a mazzive argument once."

"Really? I wouldn't have thought?" I said, intrigued, her and Teddy did seem very happy.

"Yes, eet was last year, we argued about where wee where going to bee leeving. It ended in us not talking for about two weeks," she said solemly.

"And?" I asked, wanting to know how they fixed it.

"Well, I had always wanted to leeve by ze beach, but Teddeey had wanted to leeve in ze city. In the end he came to me at Shell Cottage, and told me he'd leeve by ze beach with me. I said zat wee should compromise, so wee got a house zat is in a small city near ze beach!" she said triumphantly, like she was glad things had worked out the way they are.

"I'm glad you two were okay then," I said, half hoping that Scorpius was going to show up at any second.

"Ze point eez," she continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "everything will be okay."

"I hope so," I said as we reached where the table was outside, "thanks Victoire."

xxx

Lunch was fabulous as always. Lunch that Grandma cooks is always the best. And I had soon forgotten about my talk with Victoire, as we all chatted away happily at our giant table, all warm and cosy.

Everyone felt at peace, and there was an extra place at the head of the table set for Grandad. Even with this burden, everyone felt at peace, and was laughing and talking and eating. And it was just lovely. It was the best day I had had since Grandad had died.

xxx

Afterwards everyone went off into little groups, mostly with their families, to spend the afternoon together.

I was sitting in the living room with Mum, Dad and Hugo, poring over a book Mum had brought Dad for Christmas, about Quidditch.

The conversation with Victoire had sprung to mind again, and while we were all reading, I thought of an idea to clear my mind.

"Mum," I began, and she turned to face me.

"Yes, Rosie?"

"Is it okay if I take a quick ride on my broom, I wont go far, and I'll be perfectly safe!"

I think she understood that I needed to clear my mind, because she agreed.

"Sure, sweetie, but at the most be an hour."

"Thanks Mum," I said warmly, as I walked to get my broom.

xxx

The open air was lovely, and I could feel the wind in my hair.

It was a bit chilly, but I didn't mind. This broom ride was definitely helping me clear my mind, and it was quite refreshing.

It was also helpful for thinking about what I was going to say to Scorpius.

Suddenly, I saw a flash of light.

I felt myself drop off my broom and slowly fall, until I hit something hard and blacked out.

A/N: mynameiscolour064 sent me a review regarding Lily's feelings for Scorpius. Basically Lily does like Scor a tiny bit, which is why she kissed him. But she only really thinks of him as a friend, so would never dream of trying anything with him. Just to clear that up!

I promise dear Scorpius will come back in the next chapter! x