AN: Yes, I've finally updated! I'm so sorry it took so long but I was horrendously busy. Hopefully this will sate you until my next update!
Enjoy! R & R!
Constant Vigilance!
magick
Chapter Ten: Choice
On Saturday, May third, all Hogwarts students were shipped off to King's Cross in order to go back to Hogwarts for the remaining two months.
Rose had spent as much time during the holiday as she could away from her parents, dividing her time between Al's, Cecelia's, and Diagon Alley. Of course, she had obligatory Weasley functions she needed to be present for, but she had Al, Liam, and Maegan to talk with in order to occupy her time.
Upon reaching King's Cross this Saturday morning, Rose had some difficulty masking her eagerness to return to Hogwarts and leave her parents. She just couldn't stand keeping her pregnancy a secret when they had reacted so badly to her dating Scorpius. She knew it was best to keep them somewhat in the dark about it for now, especially since Rose couldn't bear to even think what Ron would do when/if he found out that any grandchild of his was half Malfoy.
Nevertheless, Rose managed to hide her excitement from them. Hugo, however was much more perceptive and could sense her enthusiasm.
"You know Rose, they're going to have a horrible time when you graduate and move in with Scorpius or Cecelia or whomever. Your distance isn't helping," Hugo told her.
"I'm aware of the, Hugo. Thank you," Rose retorted. Her trunk wheel got stuck in a crack and she impatiently yanked in out. "They need to accept the fact that I'm going to go out on my own soon, though. Spending entire holidays with them wasn't going to make matters any better. And honestly, telling them that I'm dating Scorpius put some strains on our relationship."
Hugo snickered and shrugged at his sister. "Whatever Rose. You still may not need them, but they sure as hell need you."
Rose looked at Hugo in awe. "Since when do you give me advice, Hugh?"
Hugo laughed as he witnessed his sister's perplexed face. "Since you don't listen to your own common sense, I guess."
Rose rolled her eyes at him. "Fine then. I'll keep that in mind."
Ron and Hermione had caught up with their children just as Rose and Hugo finished talking about them.
"Mum, Daddy, I'm going to find Scorpius now. I'll be back shortly," Rose alerted her parents, setting her trunk down.
"Why don't you bring him back with you so we can saw 'hello' to him and greet him officially as your boyfriend,' Hermione suggested, very hopeful that Rose would agree.
Ron simply growled at the proposition. He didn't like how Hermione was calling all the shots. It wasn't fair.
"If you'd like me to," Rose replied quickly before hurrying off to find Scorpius.
It didn't take exceptionally long to spot him in the crowd.
His back was turned toward her, but she could pick out his backside easily; especially with that very distinctive head of hair. She snuck up behind him to wrap her arms around his waist.
He was startled but for a moment when he realized that it was Rose.
"I startled you?" Rose asked as she buried her head into his back.
"Just a bit," Scorpius revealed.
Rose laughed slightly and Scorpius felt the vibrations from her throat through his shirt.
He pulled her around to face him and claim a kiss.
"How are you, Rose?"
Rose smiled up at Scorpius. "I'm fine. My parents would like to speak with you, however. I don't quite know how they are."
Scorpius' breath came out in a worried hiss. He didn't really feel like getting punched by Ron Weasley at the moment.
"Oh, Scorpius. My dad won't punch you," Rose assured him, reading his thoughts.
"So says you. Your words aren't accountable for your father's actions."
"That's true, but my mum will be there too and she can restrain him, or hex him, if need be."
Scorpius snorted. "That's certainly reassuring."
Rose laughed, greatly amused, before standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."
It was Scorpius' turn to laugh. "I'm sure you will, Rosie."
"How about I meet your parents, too. Well, obviously I've met them before, but not as your girlfriend," Rose casually suggested after a short lull in their conversation.
Scorpius loosely held one of Rose's hands, his other hand raking through his hair. "I don't know Rose. I'd hate just springing this on my dad," Scorpius began explaining when his parents conveniently interrupted.
Astoria Malfoy was looking as glamorous as ever in one of her very own designs. She was smiling broadly and looked genuinely enthused to see Rose standing beside Scorpius.
Draco Malfoy, however, was looking quite dour. He, of course, was dressed very nicely as well, but even his most expensive set of robes could not change his mood.
"Draco dear," Astoria cried, "Rose is right here! No need to search for her now!"
"Wonderful," Draco commented sullenly.
Astoria paid no attention to her husband.
"Rose, it's so lovely to see you again."
Rose glanced at Scorpius curiously before addressing Astoria.
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. It's wonderful to see you again as well."
Astoria put her hands out in protest. "Oh, please, call me Astoria."
"Alright, Mrs. – Astoria."
Scorpius discreetly cleared his throat. "Mum, Rose needs to go back to her family to say goodbye. Her parents also want to say hello to me."
Astoria's eyes lit up at those words and an idea flooded her head.
"Why don't your father and I come with you? I haven't seen Hermione in ages and I haven't spoken with Ron in such a long time."
Scorpius was all ready to urge his mother not to bother, but Rose spoke up before he could.
"That would be perfect. I know my parents would love it," Rose insisted, making up a little white lie. She had told enough lies by now that one more small one wouldn't hurt. While she knew that her mother would love to see Astoria, her father would abhor being within a few metres of Draco.
"Brilliant!" Astoria cried. She reached for Draco and looped an arm through his. "Lead the way, Rose dear."
Rose smiled at Astoria, taking Scorpius' hand.
Scorpius caught Rose's eyes and arched an eyebrow at her. Silently, he was asking her why she blatantly lied. Apologetically, she smiled. For some reason, she didn't know herself why she lied.
It didn't take a long time for Rose to scout out her family. It was a great big sea of various colours of red.
As soon as Hugo spotted Rose, he started a chain-reaction of Weasleys staring at Rose and her "entourage."
She wasn't exactly expecting all of the Weasleys to learn that she was dating Scorpius right now.
"Rose!" Hermione cried, moving to meet her halfway and dragging Ron behind her. "And Scorpius, it's lovely to see you again."
"You too, Mrs. Weasley," Scorpius said amiably.
Astoria and Draco finally caught up with Rose and Scorpius.
"Hermione!" Astoria cried excitedly. "I haven't seen you in ages! How are you?"
Astoria swept Hermione into a hug that Hermione easily returned. "Oh, I'm wonderful Astoria. And how are you?"
Hermione and Astoria were grinning like mad at each other while their husbands and children just stood beside them.
"Well, I must say that I am thrilled Scorpius is dating Rose, and this just gives us more of a reason to get together more often!" Astoria practically squealed.
Though neither mother noticed, their children were talking in hushed tones how this was not the right time or place to have this little meeting. Sure, their mothers got along splendidly, but their fathers were glaring menacingly at each other from behind their wives.
Although Rose and Scorpius were expecting the worst to happen, the worst never came. Ron and Draco ignored each other entirely and none of the Weasley clan interrupted this little reunion. In all actuality, they had other things that captured their attention.
Rose and Scorpius had to eventually interrupt their mothers in order to say goodbye to them; the train was leaving in a matter of minutes.
Reluctantly, Hermione and Astoria said their goodbyes to their children; Ron and Draco did as well, but without the waterworks.
Scorpius and Rose boarded the train with Al and Cecelia. For the most part, the train ride was uneventful although Rose had to leave for a Prefect meeting with Atticus Wood. The feast presented on their return was just as thrilling; it was just another meal in the Great Hall.
Rose and Scorpius' one-year anniversary passed as if it were any other day; Rose certainly didn't want anything too extravagant or wild. Most of their time was spent in Rose's bedroom.
Monday crept upon the student body like a bad cold. Everyone was lagging and permanently in a thick fog. Everyone, that is, except Rose Weasley.
Rose Weasley had woken up at six-fifteen a.m. in order to shower, dress, and pack all of her necessary equipment for the day (meaning parchment, quills, ink, textbooks, etcetera). She brushed up a little on Arithmancy by reading the fifty-seventh chapter of New Theory of Numerology: The Fourth Edition before heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Rose immediately picked Scorpius out in the crowded hall and hurried to sit beside him.
"Morning, love," she said, placing a kiss on his cheek.
Scorpius looked to her amazed. He swallowed the piece of jam-covered toast he was eating.
"Well, you're in a good mood."
"I know," Rose said, smiling as she piled food on her plate. "Classes are starting today."
Scorpius laughed out loud. "Of course. You actually like school."
Rose smirked a she brought her fork to her mouth.
"Only the daughter of Hermione Weasley would look forward to classes."
As Rose finished chewing and swallowing, she made a point to Scorpius.
"Scorpius, you enjoy classes too, as much as you'd hate to admit it. You like it so much that you try to do well in class. And you succeed."
Scorpius rolled his eyes, but smiled all the same. "Just eat Rose. We have the rest of the day to talk about classes and succeeding."
Rose shifted her attention to her food and ate it slowly. She just wanted to get her schedule so she could be all set for her classes.
Al traipsed over to a seat across from Scorpius and sat down, piling his plate with everything in sight.
"Morning, cousin and cousin's boyfriend," Al said, he said pleasantly. He was unusually chipper this morning and his appearance was in more disarray that normal.
"Morning, Al," Scorpius replied.
"Hello Allie," Rose said.
Albus groaned in frustration, completely stopping his feeding frenzy and his happy disposition fading. "Must you call me that Rose?"
"Yes, I must Allie. What's so wrong about that?"
"Ips uh gorrl's namb!" Al admonished, his mouth stuffed with eggs and sausage.
"Al! That's gross!" Rose cried, sickened. "I just lost my appetite."
Abruptly, Rose stood up. She kissed Scorpius lightly.
"I'll see you in class."
Scorpius nodded. "Alright love. I'll make sure Al gets to class on time."
Rose smiled. "Thanks."
She turned and walked towards the professors' table and straight to Professor McGonagall.
"Professor, would it be alright if I took my schedule now, as well as Atticus'? We were going to talk briefly about this week's duties before classes," Rose lied effortlessly. McGonagall would never know that Rose was lying; she trusted her too much.
"Of course, Miss Weasley." Professor McGonagall swished her wand and two pieces of parchment appeared. "I hope you are dividing your duties fairly."
"Of course we are, Professor," Rose told her, taking the schedules in the process. "Thank you Professor."
With a turn of her heel, Rose was on her way out of the Great Hall to her own common room.
Along the way, Rose ran into Cecelia.
"Rose! Where are you going?" Cecelia asked.
"Oh, I'm bringing Atticus his schedule."
"You've already been to the Great Hall?"
"Yeah. Al and Scorpius are still down there."
"I know. I was just with Al."
Rose raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "You were?"
"Yes," Cecelia said slowly. She noticed Rose's apparent suspicion.
"I was in the Library," Cecelia told her hurriedly.
"You were in the Library and Al was there?" Rose asked, thinking that it was very peculiar that Al (Al?!) was in the Library. Rose didn't even know if Al knew the Library hours. "He knows the Library hours?"
"Well, actually, no. I asked him the too when he surprised me. He told me that he had a "special way" of finding me. I thought it was kind of creepy the way he told me."
Suddenly, it dawned on Rose how Al knew where Cecelia was: the Marauders' Map.
"Alright then. What were you doing in the Library so early? And what was Al doing there?"
"Rose," Cecelia laughed, "Why are you asking so many questions? I was just in the Library finishing a paper on the Bubblehead charm and I have no idea why Al was in the Library, other than the fact that I was there."
Rose smirked when she came to her own conclusion why Al followed Cecelia into the Library – a snogging session.
"Did you finish your Bubblehead charm essay?" Rose asked, her Cheshire grin stuck on her face.
Cecelia tinged pink. "Nearly."
Rose barely masked her smile before advising Cecelia to hurry up to get breakfast.
"I'll see you in class then?" Cecelia asked of Rose.
"Of course," Rose replied as she trudged on toward her dorm.
Along the way, Rose stopped by the kitchens to ask for a house elf to bring up some breakfast to the Head dormitories. The house elf was eager to do so.
Rose entered her common room just in time to see Atticus Wood crawling out of his room and dragging himself toward the bathroom at half seven, just in time to see Rose returning from breakfast.
"You better hurry, Atti. You've got fifteen minutes before classes begin."
Atticus groaned.
"Don't worry. I've got your schedule and I've asked Chancy the house elf to bring you up some breakfast."
Rose absently placed Atticus' schedule upon the end table beside the couch in their common room.
"You're a lifesaver Rose."
"I know you'd do the same for me if it was necessary," Rose told him cheerfully before picking up her magically-lightened bag and taking her exit.
Rose made her way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. She knew she was early, but she wanted to talk to Professor Montgomery beforehand about the opal necklace, which she knew was a dark magic item, but she didn't know why. (The various books she read on dark magic items didn't shed any more light upon it either.)
Cautiously, Rose knocked upon the doorframe leading to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. She didn't dare peak into the room because once she found Professor Montgomery sitting atop her desk, her skirt above her knees and her husband attending to her. Rose had been a fourth year at the time.
Rose heard muffled voices and a faint 'see you tonight' before Professor Montgomery called her in.
"Rose, you can come in now. Tristan has left."
Rose walked in quickly. "Good morning, Professor Montgomery."
"Rose Weasley, how many times have I told you to call me Alison? How many times have I told all of my students to call me by my first name?" Alison Montgomery asked playfully.
"Plenty, but it's never stuck," Rose retorted, smiling.
Alison rolled her eyes. "Of course it hasn't. At Hogwarts, we're stuck in the stone ages when we are to be addressed by our proper names."
Alison paused before going on. "What is it that you have for me today, Rose?" she asked as she walked behind her desk.
"Well, I was actually wondering if you knew about the origin of the opal necklace. I was rereading Hogwarts: A History, the Four Hundredth Anniversary Edition over holiday break, when I passed over the part about a Hogwarts student being levitated in the middle of Hogsmeade by it in 1996. I just had to research it, but I found nothing about its origin."
Alison chuckled. "Of course you would be the student to ask me about it. In all actuality, I don't know anything about its origins either, seeing that it has never been documented and accessible for the public's use. However, I will do my best to see if I can get some Ministry papers on it. They probably have it on file somewhere."
"Oh, really?" Rose asked, astounded.
"Really."
Rose stood in front of Alison for a while before anything else was said.
"Is there anything else you wanted to ask me Rose?" Alison asked her kindly. "And it doesn't have to be about the Dark Arts either."
Rose flushed slightly, a bit embarrassed. She did have a question but by no means was it appropriate to ask a teacher.
"Rose," Alison sighed amused, "think of me as an older sister and not as a teacher right now. Obviously you have a question."
"Why do you leave you door open when Tristan comes by?" Rose blurted out.
Alison couldn't help but laugh out loud at this.
"Hey! This isn't a laughing matter! This is a serious question," Rose admonished.
"Because I expect people to knock before entering and because I don't really like having my doors closed."
"Really? Do you have a phobia of closed doors or something?" Rose asked seriously.
This only made Alison laugh more. "No, I don't have a phobia of closed doors! I just don't like closed doors. But I know that isn't your only question Rose. I know you much better than that."
"True." Rose smiled shyly. "Why don't you have any children? You've been married since before my first year."
Alison's smile nearly disappeared. Nearly.
"Well, it's not that I don't want children," she began. "I just haven't gotten pregnant."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Rose apologized. "It was none of my business."
"Rose, don't apologize for something like that. We have no control over things like that. Some people get pregnant despite any or all types of contraception. It just happens."
"Alright," Rose said nodding. Of course Rose knew that it changed from person to person. She had gotten pregnant herself.
"Rose, hun, don't feel bad about things like this. Tristan and I would love to be parents soon; we may just adopt."
Alison smiled kindly at Rose, understanding the younger girl's worry.
"But enough about me. I've heard by ways of the teacher rumour mill that you are dating Scorpius Malfoy. How's that going for you?" Alison asked mischievously.
Rose bit her lip as she smiled. "Very well."
"Good. Good for you! I hope that you–"
Ironically, Scorpius walked on in, followed closely by Al and Cecelia, and a horde of others, ready for class.
Alison eyed her class before speaking briefly to Rose.
"We can talk more another time. But I wish you both luck. Relationships are difficult."
Gliding to the front of her desk as Rose sat down beside Cecelia, Alison Montgomery addressed her class.
"Good morning all! Welcome back. As you all know, this will be your last term…" and she trailed on, talking about the importance of going over all of the necessary content for the N.E.W.T.s.
Rose wasn't really paying attention to what Alison was saying anymore. Instead, she was thinking about adoption. Could adoption be an option? Why hadn't she and Scorpius even thought of it? There were hundreds of couples who completely deserved a baby of their own; Rose knew that Alison and Tristan Montgomery would make perfect parents. Certainly, the Montgomery's were in a stable financial and emotional setting, perfect in which to raise a baby. She and Scorpius: they weren't even out of school! They didn't have any remotely finalized plans about their futures; where they would live, where they would work, how they would support themselves and a baby. They were still kids, barely responsible enough to take care of themselves.
A hand shook Rose out of her thoughts.
"Did you hear me Rose?" Cecelia asked her, concerned.
"Did I hear what?"
"Were you not paying attention in the Dark Arts? It's your favourite class!"
Rose sighed, frustrated, taking a gander at the rest of the class. They were up and about, the desks being moved toward the walls for spell practicing.
"I'm sorry, but I've got a lot on my mind right now," she answered curtly.
Cecelia's eyes widened at Rose's brusqueness. "Alright. Well, Alison wants us to review the Patronus Charm. We'll be having a review practical in a fortnight."
"Oh," Rose said as she got up. "What will be on the practical?"
Cecelia answered her as she waved her wand, moving their desk to the outer recesses of the room. "Well, we'll be traditionally tested on the Unforgivables, providing a thorough explanation of each, and then Alison will ask us to perform an arbitrary hex or curse on her. Of course, there will be a list of the appropriate ones beforehand, so we know we can't use any of the dangerous ones."
"And now we're working on the Patronus?"
"Yes, girls, we are working on the Patronus," Alison said as she bypassed them, observing the progress of the class. "Better get started."
She winked at them before moving on to praise Collette Creevey on her superb hawk Patronus.
"Rose, what's with you, honestly?"
"I've just got a lot on my mind Cece. Nothing I can't handle."
"Alright," Cecelia conceded, backing off. Rose was in a right strop and Cecelia knew that it would be best to give her a little breathing room.
Rose tried to focus all her attention to her Patronus, but her mind kept wandering to the idea of adoption. Then her mind reverted to every time Scorpius professed his love to her and how he promised to be there for her during her entire pregnancy.
"Eh, Rose, are you going to perform your fantastic Patronus or are you just going to stand there, staring into the distance?" Alison asked her, yanking her back to reality.
"Oh, sure. Expecto Patronum!"
Out of the tip of her wand sprouted a silvery dove. It flew high above Rose's head, up into the rafters as if it were trying to leave.
"Wow Rose! Very nice job. I didn't recall that your Patronus was a dove. Very good."
Alison then continued studying the rest of the class.
Rose's concentration dispersed and she flopped down into the nearest chair, completely knackered.
Al saw his cousin resting, dumbfounded. Rose never sat down when there were spells to perfect. "Rose, are you alright?"
"I'm fine Al. Just a bit tired. I need to sit down for a while, and then I'll be fine," she replied blandly.
"If you say so." Al promptly returned to his work.
Scorpius also noticed Rose's lack of focus and got worried. In an instant, his panther Patronus disappeared. Was something wrong with her or the baby? He certainly didn't want to make a big deal about it right now, in front of all his classmates.
"Scorpius, is something wrong?" Alison asked him.
"Oh no. I just got distracted."
Alison smiled at him. "Alright then. But don't get distracted. If you were ever being attacked by a dementor and got "distracted," you'd have no soul left."
Scorpius gave his Professor a small smile before he pushed his worry out of his head and thought of happier things.
Soon enough, the class was nearly over and Alison had everyone put the desks in the proper order.
"So, for tonight's work, I would like everyone to pick a dark creature and write a five hundred word essay on it, as well as any spells or potions you can use on it. It will be due on Monday. Choose wisely though."
At ten-thirty, class was dismissed.
Scorpius directly went to Rose's side. "Is everything alright, Rose?"
Rose didn't answer Scorpius. Instead, she asked him a simple question.
"Scorpius, what do you think about adoption?"
AN: Ah! A cliffhanger of sorts. I know; it's cruel. Please R & R!