Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling. I will never be as talented or successful as Rowling. None of these characters or places are mine, nor will they ever be.

Fools Rush In

Chapter 10

"Summertime Sadness"

SCORPIUS POV

"Mr. Weasley"

"Scorpius."

"Hello, Scrop." Mr. Potter said warmly. "It appears you have had an interesting day." He jokes lightly.

"You have no idea." I swallow, keeping my eyes on the man who is planning to murder me in my sleep.

"Er, Dad, Scorp was just telling us about how he left his parent's house, and has nowhere to go."

"You once said that I was always welcome, and wanted to know if I could spend the night here."

"What's wrong with your house?" Mr. Weasley snapped.

"I left. My parents and I fought over Rose, and I left. I am not going back there, Mr. Weasley-"

"Of course, Scorpius. You are always welcome, you know that. I'll set up a cot for you in Albus' room. Sorry I can't offer you James' old room for tonight, we are having another guest stay as well." Mrs. Potter smiles.

"Thanks, Mrs. P." She started towards the stairs.

"Lily, I need your help." Mrs. Potter called as she walked to the stairs.

"Mum, I want to visit with- "

"Lily Luna, this isn't up for debate. Come, grab Scorpius' bag." She nodded, and Lily huffed. She mumbled the entire way, and I just stood there with my best friend, his father, and the defendant at my murder trial.

"How long are you staying?" Mr. Potter asked.

"Just for the night and then I'll figure out where to go for Christmas holidays-"

"You will spend Christmas here, with us." Albus smiled.

"What! You can't allow that! Harry, he's-"

"I can and I will allow it, Ron. This is my house. Whatever problems you have with each other are between you two. But here, Scorpius is welcome in my home whenever he wishes and can stay as long as he needs." Mr. Potter patted my shoulder.

Mr. Weasley shook his head in disgust, and went up the stairs.

Mr. Potter watched him. "I am sorry you and your parents had a fight. If you need anything let me know." I nod. I look at Albus, and still feel the presence of Mr. Potter's gaze.

"Scorpius, do you want to talk about it? I know of the situation. Ron has, Er, already informed me of the... situation you are currently going through."

I realize now, since I am staying with the Potter's tonight, that I am going to have to encounter Mr. Weasley. But I have nowhere else to go and need a ride to king's cross station, tomorrow. Time to be a man and face my problem. "I don't know Mr. Potter." I admit. "But I might need a mediator, or someone to ensure he doesn't kill me tonight in my sleep." I slightly joke and he gives me a slight smile.

"Alright." He then nodded and left me and Al standing there.

I let out a sigh of relief when he left. I looked to Albus.

"Let's go to the garden." He suggested, and I appreciated his gesture.

"Lets." I agree.

I follow him through the house, and into the kitchen, which houses the back door. We walk though, and follow Albus to the very back, where there is a two person swing. I take a seat and close my eyes. I am incredibly tired, considering I haven't done any physically excruciation today.

"I knew that one day you would run away home. I just never thought you fathering my cousin's child would be the reason why." Albus says staring at the tree above us. I appreciate the way the leaves have turned, and the red and gold they now color the sky.

"Me either. So you uncle is, uh, staying here?" I asked.

"Yea, I think my Aunt Mione threw him out, or he left. It was hard to decipher the screaming between my Mum and Uncle Ron."

"Were you able to catch why?" I asked, and the way Albus turned away answered my question.

"Er, yes."

We sat there, the tension rising.

"Apparently, they had a huge fight over what to do with Rose. He mentioned something about Hermione not being the woman he remembered marrying, and he is blaming himself for this situation, claiming that he should've stopped it two years ago…" A cold breeze came though, picking up some of the leaves already on the ground, and carried them away. I watch them fly in the sky as chill bumps rise on my arms. I watch them fly in the sky, a sign that summer is over, and what's left is sadness in my heart; my summertime sadness.

Ron blames himself for Rose. I blame myself for knocking up Rose; actually, I blame the condom company, and have half a nerve to send a strongly worded leader to the complaint department of the condom company! But that is beside the point.

"So, do you know happened with Rose?" I asked

"No, Uncle Ron didn't get a chance to say too much. He only arrived shortly before you. So, tell me what happened at home?"

"Well, I finally stood up to my father. I was just tired of my father beating up on the Weasley's, Rose, and my choice to be with her. They just weren't going to understand that what's done is done, and there isn't anything that I can do. I just didn't want to live in a house where I would never be understood, forgiven, and torn down. I am a grown ass man now, and I need to figure my shit out. I don't need people who don't support me telling me what a fuck up I am while I am trying to do it."

Albus just nodded, and we listened to the wind. "You know, we are always here for you. You can stay as long as you need."

"Thanks, Al. I'm not going home, Al. I can't."

"Then like I said earlier, you will spend Christmas with us." He gave me a half smile.

I smiled. Then groaned back. "What am I going to do!? I have lost my house, family, and more importantly, Rose today. Not to mention our trip to Italy. We head back to school tomorrow, and I don't have a plan, or even know if Rose is coming too. I need to see her, talk to her, hold her…" I trail off.

"I say we talk to my dad about this. He and Mum will know how to help."

"I want to, but your uncle is here…and nothing is going to be able to stop us from having a conversation…it's just impossible, especially if he is staying the room next to yours…" I feel this cold was over my veins when I have to think about facing Mr. Weasley.

"Dad and Mum will keep him at bay, or at least calm. But you should really have your shit together first before having any talk to him regarding his only daughter…" he offers friendly advice.

"Hey! What are you to doing!?" I glance up to see Lily coming to us from the house. The wind whips her scarf and hair into her face. She uses both hands to move it and the little piece that flew in to her mouth.

"Just gossiping." Albus said in his best girl voice.

"Um, yea, we are like totally gushing on that ever so yummy Scorpius Malfoy that everyone just loves." I mock, in the same time.

"Fuck you." She smiles, and then makes her way to sit in between me and Albus.

"So, I'm surprised to see you living." She pats my leg as she lays her head on Albus shoulder.

"Awe, Lily. It's going to take more than your Uncle to kill me." I hope.

"I was refereeing to Rose. According to Hugo, you are the world biggest asshole." She says nonchalantly.

"This is true." I comment.

"You have to do something to fix it." She states.

"We are working on a solution, Lils." Albus answers.

"Just saying. Oh, and I'd lock your door tonight. Uncle Ron is planning your slow and painful death in there, and I don't think he's kidding."

I groan.

"Thanks for the heads up."

I spent most of the evening in Albus' room, contemplating how I can talk to Rose, without being noticed and seen. I have to know she's alright and grovel. I was grateful that Mrs. and Mr. Potter separated me and Mr. Weasley at dinner. But it didn't help that he kept glaring at me the entire time. It was way too uncomfortable and quiet for my liking.

"Please make sure you three are packed for King's Cross tomorrow." Mrs. Potter said to her children, looking at myself too. As she took a bite of the potatoes she was eating.

"Yes Ma'am" I replied with the Al and Lily.

"If you need laundry done, you get it for me now otherwise; you are on your own. I am not having another fiasco of September. Remember Lily? When you failed to laundry and fold your clothes until the morning of?" She glared at Lily, and she blushed.

"Yeah, I get it Mum."

"You're going back Hogwarts?" Mr. Weasley glared at me.

"Yes, I am." I glanced back to him.

"And just pretend that nothing has changed, while my daughter is stuck at home, dealing with the problem you created-"

"Ron! Enough! We are not having this talk at my dinner table!" Mrs. Potter yelled.

"It's alright Mrs. Potter, I deserve it. You're right Mr. Weasley. I get to go back to school, and no one has to know, because it's not my body that is walking evidence to what Rose and I in August. It would be so easy. But what you don't know is why I am here tonight instead at my own home. How I really feel about the situation and your daughter."

"I heard you pretty clear earlier today. You said that she wasn't yours to defend you piece of filthy."

"Ron-" Harry warned.

"And I regret my words! I don't mean them! I was scared and a coward of my father, and his reaction to the situation. But I have made my choice and you know what I choose, Mr. Weasley?"

Everyone was looking at me.

"Rose. I choose her. And nothing you or my parents can do anything about it, or keep me from her and that baby." Lily dropped her fork.

"Al, Lily. I think it's time to go upstairs and get ready for bed."

"It's only, 9-"

"Al, listen to your mother." Mr. Potter said.

I continued my staring contest with Mr. Weasley. Albus and Lily got up, and cleared their plates.

"I'll be up in a moment to say goodnight." Mrs. Potter smiled to them.

"You think me and Mrs. Weasley want to keep you from Rose?" Mr. Weasley scoffed.

I gulped. "Yes."

He then closed his eyes and laughed. "Oh, Malfoy. What good would it do now? You have a child coming! If anything, I will be forcing you to be there! If you think you can just run out on her and your responsibilities then you are sadly mistaken-"

"That was never my intention! From the moment Rose told me she was going to have the baby, I wanted nothing more than to be in that child's life anyway I could. Even if it meant fighting her for custody-"

"You were going to talk that baby from my daughter!"

"You really don't know your own daughter at all, do you Mr. Weasley?" That was the wrong thing to say.

He pounded his fist on the table. "I know my daughter better than you!"

"I don't think you do! You see, Rose wanted to abort it, but decided to have it. Then she wanted to place it for adoption, fearing how your reactions, and mine! But I was the one who talked to her into keeping the baby, because I am not like my father! I am going to accept responsibility for my actions!"

Mr. Potter was looking at me, while Mrs. Potter was watching Mr. Weasley, who said nothing.

"The only thing that is stopping me from my father duties is Rose, and that is my fault because of the way I have handled this whole parent-telling situation. She is in complete control, in my eyes sir, and my involvement now depends on her, now." I broke eye contact to sip my water.

"So if you think I am going to deny this baby and take off, you have nothing to worry about. Unless Rose decided that she want's nothing to do with me."

"How can I believe you? I trusted you to take care of my daughter, and now look what happened! You have hurt her! I saw the look on her face, I heard about the argument you had at King's Cross, and your break up! You were supposed to look after her, and you have not lived up to those promises! You have made everything worse!"

His words washed over me, and I felt tears coking me. It's the truth, the god honest truth.

"You are right. It eats me alive every day. But I promise that I will take care of her and the baby."

"Actions speak louder than words, Malfoy."

"Then give me a chance to show you and Rose, that I can be there for her!" I plead.

"Harry, I think I need your help with something upstairs." Mrs. Potter said, during the silence between me and Mr. Weasley.

"Scorpius?" Mr. Potter asked. I turned to him.

"I'll be okay." I don't think he will kill me here…to many witnesses…

"Alright. Come along Gin." Mr. Potter got up motioning for his wife to follow, their dinner plates forgotten on the table.

They left, and Mr. Weasley continued to look at me, although his glare isn't as intense.

"I already gave you a chance." He said quieter, now that we were the only ones in the room.

"I have made many mistakes in my life. I didn't like who I was, but then when your daughter gave me the time of day, I started to change. I liked who I was with her. She showed me that I am not just a pretty face, and that maybe I do have a soul." I looked at my hands. "But I am still learning. I am still messing up. But I am growing."

"Do you even know what it takes to even be a father?!" he shouted at me. "I don't think you do! It's the most terrifying experience of my life! I am constantly worried about my children, and their well being. I can't read horror stories in the papers anymore because all I can picture my kids being the victim! You suddenly have this tiny, fragile person depending on you for everything! And not to mention your wife! Who suddenly having these expectations on how to act, protect, and provide for them. It's not just being there financially, you also need to be there emotionally. Be there for the midnight feedings, scrapes, first words, achievements, and broken hearts. It's so much more than signing a birth certificate and making sure they have galleons for nappies, Scorpius." This is the first time I have heard Mr. Weasley use my first my name.

I stared at him. "It's so much more. Being a father is so much more. Suddenly your world isn't about you, and it's completely about your child. It's not gravity that is holding you to the earth; it's the child that you created that make your life worth living. And you can mess up so easily. If you get a bad mark or lose a quidditch game, not too many get hurt. You mess up being a father? You have just ruined your child's life. Trust me I know." When he looked up again, his eyes were soft.

"You don't think that I'll be able to do it-"

"No. I believe you will try, but realize how hard it actually is, and you will leave. Leave my daughter with this child, and completely tear apart her world. Even worse than some stupid break up."

"Sir, I didn't have much a relationship with my father. He was only there for the financial support. He spent most of his life depressed or drunk, and my mother was constantly focused on him. If I wanted support for anything, I came here to get it from the Potter's. I know that I can do this father thing, because I refuse to be mine."

"I am sorry you had a terrible relationship with your father, but man to man, I am still not okay with my child becoming a mother so young, unwed, and alone. You two are way too vulnerable, still children your selves! How could you too possibly offer that child the support and stability it needs to strive?"

"Rose and I will figure it out. With the support of her family, we can." I glance at my hands folded in my lap. "I don't get much support on anything at home. So I am asking you, Mr. Weasley, for a little faith. Give me one more chance to prove to you, to Rose, that I can be the man she needs to help her through the pregnancy, and to be a father to this baby."

"My blessing?"

"It doesn't even have to be your blessing. Just go easy on Rose, and try to be open-minded to what we decide…" I ask.

He laughs, and relaxes in his chair. He crosses his arms, and assesses me. "Do you know why I am here, Malfoy?"

I shake my head

"Because being a parent is hard. Being a husband his hard. Even when married to your best friend, being a parent makes all reason leave your thoughts, where your children are concerned. And I and my wife disagreed on what to do with our daughter, who is in a lot of trouble. We had one of the worst fights in our marriage, because we were trying to fix something that couldn't undo. So when you ask me to be more 'open minded' on decisions that involve two 17 years old children are having a baby, you have got to be out of your freaking mind! Letting my child make decisions about her own baby is preposterous, and I think that her father should help in those decisions." He nods and takes a sip of water.

I am stunned in silence. It will never end. I shake my head in defeat.

"But,-" I look up. "I have calmed down, and I realize that my baby is old enough now to have her own mind and thoughts on things. And if I force her to do things she doesn't want to do, I will lose her, and my wife in the process. So for my sake, I will attempt to not kill you in your sleep tonight, and let you and Rose figure this out."

I spit out the water I was drinking.

"What?"

"You get one chance, Malfoy. One. I trusted my daughter in your care, and you two messed up. So if you so much as hurt her again, so help me there isn't a corner on this earth that will keep you safe. Not even Rumbleroar on Pigfarts can save you."

I almost laugh at his joke, but I know that this isn't the time. "Yes, Sir."

"I am glad we have an understanding." He gets up.

I nod at him.

He gives me a curt nod back, and leaves the room.

I left out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding.

ROSE POV

I am incredibly hot. I can't move. The sun is directly in my eyes, and I'm suck. I open my eyes to stare in the sleeping face of my brother. I twist my head to the person behind me, and my mother this snuggled into back, arm over me, holding Hugo's hand. I have to pee. I don't want to get up, but since becoming pregnant, my ability to 'hold it' has been diminishing daily. Plus I am hot. And hungry. There is no way out, that doesn't involve in waking up my family. Sigh. I can always shimmy down the bed…

It works. I walk out of the loo to my family, undisturbed.

Alone time. Something I haven't had in this house in a while. I am slightly excited. I bounce down stairs to make some tea, and start some breakfast. I want to do something nice for my Mum. I grab my muggle music player; turn on the music, to distract me from the reality that I will soon face. For now, I can pretend that nothing has changed.

My dad hasn't left. Scorpius and I are just dating, I am not head girl. I am still close to my friends, and school is the last thing on my mind. Most of all, I am not pregnant, and have my whole life in front of me. Everything in fine and normal for the half hour it takes to prepare breakfast before I pack my bag up, and leave for Hogwarts this afternoon.

"Rosie, this is great. Thank you." My other smiled to me.

I smile back, taking another bite of my toast and jam.

"No bacon?" Hugo asks, smirk on his face.

"No bacon." I affirm.

My mother looked between us. "Why no bacon?"

Really Mum? "Well, the smell of bacon-"

"-Triggers your morning sickness." My mother pieced it together. "It was pumpkin for me, when I was pregnant with you, and it was ham and pork when I was pregnant with Hugo." My mother smiled, sipping her tea.

My mother being friendly and relatable? Huh.

"Does it ever stop?" I ask

"The morning sickness? Yes, eventually. But everyone is different. I only had it for three weeks with Hugo. With you, almost five months with you."

I groan. It's been over three weeks…

"But those foods will trigger it, no matter how far along you are." She smirked obviously remembering. "When we first found out I was having you, your father decided to bring me pumpkin juice and cinnamon biscuit for breakfast. I spent most of the morning in the bathroom puking, and he spent the rest of the day apologizing, wondering what he did wrong." She laughed.

I glanced at Hugo, but laughed back.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. It startled us. It was not too early for visitors, but having people visit by door was unusual.

"Stay here and finish, I'll see who's here." My mother wiped her mouth, placed her towel on the table, and got up. She walked to the foyer, and we heard the door open.

"What are you doing here?" Curiosity got the best of Hugo and I and we got up to check. We peaked our heads and saw my father, ashen, standing in the door way.

My father walked in, placed both of his hands on my mother face and kissed her. Mum seamed startled at first, but the placed her hands around his waist and stepped in to the kiss. Hugo and I looked away. I have never seen my father kiss my mother like that. They looked like two teenagers again, completely smitten and in love.

When they broke apart, my father kept my mother close. "I am sorry. You are right, you always have been, Hermione. I love you. Please forgive me, and let me come home."

"Oh, Ronald" My mother hugged him.

"I am so, so sorry. We can do this, work though this together. I will be open minded, and can compromise. I swear. I just can't lose you or our family." My father choked out.

MY mother sobbed. "Of course."

"Merlin, I love you." And he kissed Mum again.

I smiled to Hugo, and smiled back at me. When they broke away, my father turned to look at me.

"Rose, I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday."

"I understand Dad-"

"-But this does not get you off the hook. You are 17, technically of age. So you and Scorpius need to figure out what you are going to do." He looked to my mother, as he told me this.

My jaw dropped. Is my father, finally, letting me made adult decisions?!

"All I ask is that your mother and I be consulted, and informed the entire way though."

"And you take our advice into consideration." My mother adds.

"Okay" I say carefully. I don't want to make promises I can't keep, but I'll work with them.

"Just because I am being calm about this, does not mean in any way shape or form that I am okay with it. That I approve, and condone your behavior and stupidity. It will take a lot for you and me to be 'alright' again, Rose. But just know, that you are my daughter, I love you more than the air I breathe, and I will always be here for you, any way you need me." He opened the other arm that wasn't around my mother, and I walked into it.

"I love you too, Dad."

"So, you promise to talk to Scorpius?"

I sigh. "Dad, he has been awful to me this entire week. And after the way he's treated me, I deserve better. So, right now I want nothing to do with him." I look at my hands.

"He mentioned that last night."

"What, what? When did you talk to Scorpius?"

He shakes his head dismissing my questions. "So, I brought him with me." And then he turns me towards the door, where Scorpius was outside, leaning against the wall.

My heart starts to pound. He heard this entire conversation…and dad brought him.

"Hello."

"Hi." I respond.

"So, did everyone forget about me?" Hugo calls, and we all turn to look at him.

"I'm sorry, honey." Mother called.

"You know Dad, leaving is never the answer." Hugo snapped. He didn't get to hear Mum's expiation and reasoning as I had.

"You're right."

"So, it's pretty bold to come back here the next morning, expecting everything to be the same." Hugo crossed his harms.

"Let's, go talk." My mother says moving to head up stairs.

Hugo rolls his eyes, and follows Mum and Dad up the stairs, leaving me alone with Scorpius.

"May I come in?"

I nod, letting him through.

"We were having breakfast, would you like some tea?" I asked, not knowing what to say to him.

"Sure."

I sit down at the island in the kitchen, after making his cup.

"So, my father brought you here?" He nodded. "How?"

"I uh, left home, and stayed at the Potter's."

"Oh."

"Yea, I finally stood up to my father, defended you, as I should have earlier yesterday, and left." He stared at his mug.

I picked at my nails. "Yeah, you should have." I whispered.

"Rose, I didn't mean any of those things. I am so sorry."

I just shrugged my shoulders, because it wasn't okay.

"You mean so much to me. And your father and I sat down yesterday, had a man to man talk. He shed some insight, and I assured him that I was no longer going to hurt you again. That you and this baby are my main focus." He grabbed my hand. "And I am going to do everything in my power to be there, to support you and this child." He kissed my knuckles.

"Scorpius, I appreciate the thought, but I don't want you to feel like you have to say these things to me. I know that this is such a big change-"

"I want to do these things. I want to be there to take care of you during your morning sickness, the doctor appointments, defending you against the school and the press. And I want to be there when this baby is born and be the father, mine never was."

I smile at him. "You do know that this is not going to be easy. We still have our whole school year to finish…" I bit my lip.

"I do, but we are in this together. So, we will deal with this one day at a time."

"Together?"

"Together." He then gets up, walks to me, and tips my head back. He looks into my eyes; my breathing shallowed, and kisses me.

A/N- I could end this story here, or I could continue, and make a few chapters dealing with school, birth, and an epilogue of a few years later… Let me know what you want, because it's up to you, the reader. As always, read, review, enjoy. – Love from Louise.