Chapter Ten-Interlude
26 June 2023
Dear Scorpius,
Things have been hectic since I last saw you, like I knew they would be. Just for the record, if telling everyone ends up ruining everything, then I'm blaming you; it was your idea.
Anyway, I told my mum right away, during the car ride home, about us. She seemed pleased with the news; I always knew I liked her. Dad, on the other hand, well…he went completely nuts, to put it nicely (not that I think he deserves any niceness right now). He said he was going to have a talk with Uncle Harry about who he should let Al be friends with. My dad is so frustrating! And let me tell you right now, I won't stand for any of this. I'm the good kid; I deserve better!
I ended up going to the Potter's to find Hugo after my…chat with Dad, and Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny both said they were happy for us. Aunt Ginny already knew, even. And she confirmed my suspicions: my cousins were behind all of that nonsense with us getting trapped in the library last month. I know Al is your friend and all that, but do you think you could maybe find a new friend? Pretty please? I want to strangle my dear cousin for going along with James' stupid plan (because of course he was behind it; it's like Vic and Teddy all over again!).
I guess I'll have to talk to Dad again, make him see reason. Just so you know, you really should fear for your life, I think. This really isn't exaggerating anything. And what about your parents? What do you mean your dad's gone mad? Was he as furious as my dad is (and probably will be forever)?
Write back as soon as you can! I need to know what's going on!
Love,
Rose
26 June 2023
Rosie,
I hope your dad comes around, I really do. But at least your mum is okay with us, and your aunt and uncle, too. Speaking of your Aunt, my mum knew too. She said she's known the entire time. And she didn't say anything about it for an entire year! Journalists…they always seem to have something up their sleeves…
But I kind of thought mum would be alright with it from the beginning; she's always liked you. Not that she's actually met you…we should really change that, you know. I'm sure my parents would love to meet you.
Yes, you read that correctly. My parents. Both of them. When I said I think my dad's gone mad I really meant it. I thought he would be furious when he found out, but he was actually really excited. He seems to be under the impression that I'm dating you to make my grandfather angry. I've told you about Grandfather, right? He has changed his ways since the war, but I think he really doesn't like your family very much, still. Sorry. Dad, on the other hand, is determined to completely clear the Malfoy name and gets frustrated with Grandfather for not trying as hard as Dad think he should to be a better person.
So, altogether, I guess I was worried about nothing. But there really was no way I could have predicted my parents' reactions. I think I'm still in a state of shock from Dad's jubilation. I'm not entirely convinced that he hasn't gone completely insane. I'm really not.
I do hope everything can be worked out with your dad, though. I can even come over and talk to him in person, if you want. Knowing your dad and his previous reaction, it probably wouldn't be for the best, though. Unless…we've never discussed how you feel about dating a ghost…
Let me know how everything goes.
Miss you!
All my love,
Scorpius
27 June 2023
Scorp,
We need to talk. I can't believe you and Rose—my alleged best friends—didn't tell me.
Write me back. Right. Now. Or else I'm never speaking to you ever again.
-Al
27 June 2023
Al,
Don't pretend like you had nothing to do with locking us in the library. We know you did. But how do you think Alice would feel about it? I'd really hate for your girlfriend to be upset with you for doing something like that to her best friend…
-Scorpius
27 June 2023
Scorpius,
It's a miracle!
I managed to talk Dad around!
More soon!
Love,
Rose
28 June 2023
Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy,
That's a low blow, and you know it.
Unfortunately for you, though, she already knows. Bummer for you. (In case you can't tell, I'm laughing hysterically at you.)
Moving on, though, can I move in with you? Please? Seriously, I'm begging here, Scorp. This is the third full day of summer break, and I've spent the past two days being dragged to Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur's by my mum whenever she goes to help with wedding planning. Apparently, even though I'm of age, I can't be trusted home alone. And yet she's letting James, of all people, move out next month. Not that I'm complaining about that, mind you. Good riddance, if you ask me.
Just…let me know, alright? I promise I don't take up too much room.
-Al
28 June 2023
Albus Severus Potter,
Maybe she won't let you stay home alone because she knows you'll run away the first chance you get. Parents know everything. Think about it.
Anyway, mum says she doesn't believe you. Better luck next time, mate.
-Scorpius H. Malfoy
29 June 2023
Scor,
First off, I'm almost positive that your dad has gone certifiably insane. You should seriously consider having him committed to St. Mungo's. He didn't get upset about us at all? Not one teeny, tiny, little bit? I must say, I am quite disappointed in your father, Scor. Of course, on the other hand, this just goes to prove that my dad was the one whose reaction we had to worry about all along. But like I told you in my last letter, everything is alright with Dad and me now.
Can you believe that he actually thought that I was only dating you as an act of rebellion because he and mum are 'so famous'? Sometimes I really worry about my dad…Hey! Maybe we should have both of our dad's committed. Then they can be…er…ward-mates? Bummer they hate each other with a burning passion that will never die, though. It would mess up their treatment if they destroyed the Hospital whilst dueling to the death.
Anyway, after dad's initial reaction (first he thought I was joking about dating you, before he decided Uncle Harry shouldn't let you and Al be friends anymore), I think mum talked to him a bit and got him to cool down. Because when I talked to him about it the next day, he actually made an effort to understand what was going on. Of course, he got angry again when I mentioned that we'd already been dating for a year without telling him. But clearly he's resigned himself to letting the two of us date because now he's all worried that Al, Lily, and Hugo aren't capable enough of looking out for me, you know, in case you decide to finally live up to the Malfoy name after seventeen years of being your wonderful self. And really, it's not as if I'm of-age now, or anything, either. Nope. I'm not capable of looking out for myself at all. I'll never understand the way my dad's mind works, I think…
Oh, and just so you know, I think dad'll be more than just a bit disappointed to be seeing you at the wedding (Ah! Ten more days until I get to see you again!). He was really holding out for your dad being upset with you for dating me. Shame your dad had to let him down by being the awesomest parent ever and totally having the best possible reaction ever after finding out that his only son was dating the daughter/niece of his sworn enemies.
I should be going now, though. I have to get up early for yet another fitting tomorrow morning. All of this wedding nonsense that Vic is putting all of us through is seriously making me reconsider ever getting married. Or…at least making me rethink having an actual wedding. Tell you what, although apparently you've already decided that we'll be getting married sometime in the future, should you ever decide to actually ask me, let's run away. We won't tell anyone; you know, keep the tradition going. I have a feeling we shouldn't wait quite as long to tell everyone about it, though. There's no telling how they'll all react to that.
Anyway, think about it. Minus our various family members' disappointment about not being present for our nuptials, I can only see positives with this plan. Seriously.
Miss you! See you soon!
xoxo Rose
PS-Oh yes, and I'd almost forgotten: I quite like you alive and well, thank you very much. There shall be no more talk of dating ghosts, especially with the way Moaning Myrtle kept acting that one time we had to hide in her bathroom last year…
30 June 2023
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy,
My name is Victoire Weasley. We have never actually met each other, but I am quite familiar with your son, Scorpius, as he is a friend of my cousin Albus. I do believe you are also quite familiar with several of my various extended family members as well.
Anyway, I am writing to you about my wedding, which will be taking place in just a few days time. As your son may have mentioned to you, he will be attending the wedding with another of my cousins, Rose. Several days ago, while adding his name to the guest list, I happened to notice that, while my fiancé and I have both invited a significant number of guests each, very few of them are his family members. I realize that not many families are quite as large or as close as we Weasley's, but I find it a shame that the few blood-related family members that Teddy does have, have not been invited.
Therefore, although it is the latest notice imaginable, I would like to invite the two of you to my wedding to Teddy Lupin. It will take place on 8 July, 1p.m. at Shell Cottage.
Because this invitation is so last-minute, please don't feel at all as if you are obliged to attend. Teddy and I are the ones at fault here, for our oversight in not inviting you, and I apologize for this profusely. We would, however, be thrilled if you both could join us in celebrating our special day. Please also feel free to bring along Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, Sr. As I am writing this letter to you, Teddy's grandmother, Andromeda, has already left to go personally invite her sister and brother-in-law and apologize for our oversight.
Please do consider coming. If nothing else, it would be an excellent opportunity to meet my cousin Rose, while you have the chance, should your lovely son put off introducing you any longer than he already has.
Again, my sincerest apologies; I hope to see all of you in eight days time!
Victoire Weasley