Sparks

Chapter 9

Rose pelted back into the shop pushing passed the clients to get over to the till.

"Hey Rosie! The Malfoy kid was just in here looking for you he said he'd come back later." Said George bagging up purchases and passing them to an irate little witch, Rose ignored his comment on Scorpius, tipped the change bag upside down into the open till and turned to her uncle. Her face was flushed from the run back and she tapped her foot impatiently waiting for her uncle to finish serving. "Whats wrong Rosie?"

"Ok I've just had an amazing idea, and I would like to offer you a business proposition."

"You had an amazing idea at Gringotts, 'cause if you're thinking of robbing it, talk to your parents they have experience." George laughed at the impatient look on his nieces face, "Go on then, let's go upstairs it's quieter. Bev' I'm going upstairs for a minute – You're in charge!" he told a young witch in purple robes.

"There's this tiny little street off Diagon Alley and there's a shop all boarded up and for sale!" Rose had to get this right but she couldn't stop herself talking so fast, she took a deep calming breath and carried on "…and I think it's just perfect for a Café, but a nice one not like the rubbish those other places in Diagon Alley sell. I think I could do it, I mean I'd have to look at numbers and stuff but I think it could work. So what do you think?"

"Well it's a great idea Rosie, but how will you afford it, you haven't got much money left."

"Well Weasley Wizard Wheezes could invest in me, I'll pay you back with interest, we could sell merchandise in it, or offer deals or something to help each other out get more business at both places." Rose looked into her uncles face, as his expression turned from serious to smiling, Rose didn't know what to think and he was taking a life time to tell her his answer.

"Well you'll need to get some numbers together, find out how much that place is selling for and I'll consider it." Rosie leaped forward and hugged her uncle "I'm not promising anything though. You have to do all the work."

"Oh I will, I promise! Thank you." Rose nodded vigorously as they made their way back to the shop.

"Right well I've got to get home. You alright to close up?" George gathered his things together, "Oh yeah, I hope you remembered that your father is silent partner in this business, so any decisions to invest have to go through him too. Good luck!" George threw some powder into the fireplace at the back of the shop and jumped in, leaving Rosie mortified at the task ahead.

Scorpius looked around his little flat, it wasn't much but it was his, characteristically messy with paper strewn around on every possible surface, the walls covered with posters, photos, newspaper clippings and shelves full of books. All of the things he liked about his flat were gone, packed away and sent for storage at his parents house. Scorpius Malfoy now sat alone on the floor; the last month had flown by and now he was packed up and ready to go on his first job with the International Review. He would be traveling out with a journalist and they would be going around Africa together staying with various tribes and reporting on their findings. To say he was nervous would be an understatement he was yet to meet the journalist he had to spend the next year with and the idea of a year away from his comforts at times made him want to reconsider. His parents were shocked but supported him in his decision to see the world. However Scorpius had held off telling Al until a week ago, he had kept his new job quiet, one because he kept changing his mind on whether or not to actually go for it and two, because if he said out loud it would be true and he still, even now in his empty flat, couldn't believe he was leaving.

Albus was angry. Angry that his best friend hadn't told him that he had a new job, angry that Scorpius had packed up his house in secret, but mostly he was upset. Upset that he had one week left with his best friend. Now it was here, his last night in his favorite place, he had been said goodbye to his parents and work colleagues and had a very sad leaving drink with Al. He had Packed his small suitcase and it was waiting by the front door along with his photography equipment, he had settled everything with the bank and seen Rose. Or nearly seen Rose she had run away from him and he couldn't blame her, but he had to see her once more before he went away, he had to explain her about the scene that had taken place just a few months previous right where he was standing at that very moment. He looked down at his watch it was nearly six o'clock and Rose would about to close the shop up, he hastily tidied his hair and apparated back to Diagon Alley.

Rose tidied the last shelf with a wave of her wand, her mind was full the days events and she was going over to her parents house for dinner and to talk to her father about the little building she stumbled across this morning. She picked up her bag and opened the front door of the shop only find herself face to face with Scorpius Malfoy.

"Rose." Scorpius breathed "Can I speak to you for a moment, there are things I need to say."

"Oh! I'm sorry…I'm late-" Rose stuttered and shook her head

"Five minutes, please." He shook the hair out of his face to reveal a pair of grey eyes that burned into Roses with such fire that she found impossible to refuse. She mutely moved aside to let him in and stood awkwardly in the middle of shop waiting for him to begin.

"I just need to say, I'm sorry if I seem like a stalker-" Scorpius began

"I didn't think you were a stalker." Rose interrupted before she could stop herself.

"-Oh, well good. You see I remember the first time I saw you, and whether you realized it or not you have been a massive part of my life. A large part of my happiest memories involve time I've spent with you and your family, and I think I need to just come out and say it, as I'm not going to have another chance for a long time. Rose, I love you. I have loved you for a very long time, and to me you are absolutely perfect." He took a second to scan her face for reaction, her face was completely blank, "I'm leaving in the morning I don't know whether you've heard, I'm going to Africa for a year. It all happened so quickly I hardly know what to think about it, but I thought since its my last night here I had to see you and explain."

"You're leaving." Was all Rose could muster as a response, she dared herself to look him in the eye again, they were boring into her but she couldn't look away.

"Yeah, in the morning." He took a step towards her and she didn't move away, he placed a pale hand on her cheek, Rose closed her eyes the warmth of his hand so comforting. He leaned in tenderly kissed her on the lips she didn't pull away, so he kissed her again and again. He was intoxicated. He couldn't believe it had taken him so long he never wanted it to end. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her in closer, she responded by flinging her arms around his neck. Rose was kissing Scorpius; Scorpius was kissing Rose back. Then suddenly Scorpius felt Rose pull away he looked down at her confused face.

"I have to go." Rose said her voice trembling, "I'm late as it is." And with shaking hands she tidied her mussed hair, picked up her bag, opened the door and paused pushing away the lump in her throat. "Enjoy Africa." She forced out.

Then she was gone.