AN: This is totally un-beta'ed and probably filled with mistakes but I wanted to make up for not updating in such a long time. I got such lovely reviews from that short bit I published for the last chapter so I wanted to update faster (if filled with more mistakes). Please enjoy!
Rose Weasley,
So did you see the latest issue of the Daily Prophet? Did you actually do it today?
Scorpius Malfoy
Junior Writer
Daily Prophet
Rose,
OH MY GOSH. DID YOU ACTUALLY BREAK UP WITH RANDALL? PLEASE TELL ME THE DAILY PROPHET ISN'T LYING.
Love,
A very very very impatient Lily
Also, I'm quite angry I'm not hearing this from your own lips, but I'm so happy I'll forgive you for this transgression.
Scorpius,
Did she really do it? Is the Prophet just spouting nonsense or did she actually do it?
Darius
Rose,
Congrats, sis. Lily sent me an owl claiming that you broke up with that insufferable snob Randall.
Hugo.
I know you think it's weird that I talk to my potions so I'm not going to say it explicitly, but a certain something also sends its congrats.
Rose,
Did you really break up with Randall? Why didn't you tell me you were planning on doing it?
Al
Scorpius,
If I say I'm going to do something, I always follow through.
Rose
Lils,
There was really no need to apparate to St. Mungo's and "demand the truth out of me." I was in the process of writing back to the deluge of owls I got after that little piece in the Daily Prophet.
Now all the nurses and other healers are tittering on about my break up with Randall and they're constantly sneaking me looks. Look at what you've done Lily!
Rose
Darius,
I think she really did it. She's not completely answering my question. I'm going to owl again for confirmation.
Scorpius Malfoy
Junior Writer
Daily Prophet
Rose Weasley,
Does that mean you broke up with him? Just tell me in plain yes or no.
Scorpius Malfoy
Junior Writer
Daily Prophet
Hugo,
Yes, I did it. Tell the certain something that I send my thanks towards it as well.
Rose
Al,
Sorry I didn't tell you! I realized that I'm happier without Randall so I just spontaneously broke up with him. What say you to a celebratory drink at the Lucky Cat tonight? The usual "Non-Nincompoops?" (I know I claimed that I would never say that, but what the heck.)
Rose
Rose,
Of course. I'll alert the gang.
Al
Scorpius,
Yes, I broke up with Randall. Do you need it in French? Oui. Spanish? Si. Any other languages needed? Just let me know.
To celebrate my state of singlehood, we're all going out for drinks at the Lucky Cat- are you coming?
Rose
Rose Weasley,
I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll be over around the usual time with something extra special.
Scorpius Malfoy
Junior Writer
Daily Prophet
Scorpius,
I hope that includes chocolate chip waffles.
While you're here we can discuss your next article. I have a patient I really want you to meet.
Rose
Lily,
Question: Is the media going to give us a hard time once they figure out that we're a couple?
Darius
Darius,
I'm the daughter of Harry Potter, Saviour of the wizarding world and Ginny Weasley, war heroine- what do you think? We're lucky that the press hasn't caught wind of our relationship yet.
Lily
Lily,
Brilliant. I look forward to the media hullaballoo. (That was extreme sarcasm.) Also, are we still meeting your parents for dinner? At the wedding I got the distinct impression that your father didn't like me too much.
Darius
Darius,
Of course he doesn't like you. Don't worry, my father never likes my boyfriends.
My mother told me she thought you were a bright young man. Just be yourself at dinner and my father won't hex you. I'm sure you'll do brilliantly.
Lily
Lily,
I'm not so sure about that. Be prepared to apparate me to St. Mungo's in a second's notice.
Darius
Where are you? I have something delicious for you…
…
9th Floor, Room 934
…
Wow, I didn't even have to threaten you for that information today.
….
What are you still doing writing me a note? BRING FOOD.
…
Nah… I think I'll take my time getting to Room 934.
…
I'm a Healer. I know exactly how to kill you and make it seem like a complete and total accident.
Room 934
"Well that was quick," said Rose as she rose from her pile of paperwork.
"Death threats can do that to people," replied Scorpius sullenly as he tauntingly waved the bag of food, making delicious smells waft through the entire room.
"Put down the food," said Rose.
Scorpius just pulled the bag higher and grinned an evil, mischievous grin- a grin that made Rose's heart pulse a little faster. She quickly made a swipe for the food, only to have Scorpius yank it out of her reach.
"Give it to me!" said Rose as she made another swipe. By this point, their two bodies were nearly touching, but Rose didn't notice the proximity for she was too busy jumping up and down to grab the bag of food. Scorpius, on the otherhand, more than noticed the proximity and his face began to turn the slightest shade of pink.
Rose stopped jumping up and down to switch tactics. She turned her face up to Scorpius, put on her biggest pout, and asked, "Please Scorpius? Pretty please?"
Scorpius mumbled something unintelligible and made his way to the table where he began to unpack the delicious food.
"Mmm… chocolate covered pancakes… and waffles… and a burger? Scorpius Malfoy, you are too kind," Rose said appreciatively as she dug into the food.
After observing her eating for a few minutes, Scorpius turned to Rose and asked, "So… how are you doing?"
"Fine," she said as she cut a portion of the pancakes to stuff into her mouth.
"I mean… with the whole break up situation and all…" said Scorpius. After years of having witty retorts right at hand to throw back at Rose, he suddenly didn't know how to proceed in conversation with Rose.
"Oh the whole situation with Randall?" Rose asked with a pointed stare. "I'm fine," she said as she resumed digging into her meal. "I mean it sucks that I've been in a relationship so long with this idiotic man and it took me this long to extricate myself from this stupid mess. I'm mostly just disappointed in myself that I wasted all these years on a guy like Randall when I knew in the back of my head that he wasn't the guy for me, but besides all that, I'm doing fine." Rose's eyes were glistening.
"Rose, I'm sorry-" Scorpius started to talk, but was interrupted by Rose.
"But can you get your reporter friends at the Daily Prophet to stop hounding me? It's a bit annoying and my coworkers aren't too happy having all these reporters wandering around the hospital," Rose said with a watery grin.
Scorpius smiled back, "Sure. I can do that much for you."
"Thanks," she smiled back and resumed digging into her food. A beat passed and Rose opened her mouth again and said, "I think I'm going to get inspiration from you and try being single and free for a while."
"Uh, okay."
"I mean- it'll be healthy right? I've been with the same guy for years. I think I need some alone time. Oh Merlin, why am I talking to you of all people about this? You have to swear you'll use no part of this conversation as blackmail. Pinky promise!" Rose said as she jutted out her pinky. Scorpius just stared at the pinky and Rose grabbed his hand and forcefully bound them in a pinky swear. "HA! You've pinky sworn! You can't tell anyone forever!"
"Is this some sort of ancient magic you studied in Runes?" Scorpius asked with a confused look on his face.
"Err," thought Rose quickly, "Yes! It's like an Unbreakable Vow, but more ancient! Instead of your blood boiling, you die with the sensation of having a thousand stones hit your body." Lies, these were all lies, but Scorpius Malfoy didn't need to know that, did he?
"Odd. I've never heard of it," said Scorpius as he mumbled, "You'd think my father's side of the family would have mentioned it once or twice…"
"It's from the… er… Ancient Mayan Wizarding lore," said Rose and she quickly tried to change the subject, "Anyways I really wanted to talk to you about this one patient of mine…" she trailed off. She talked about her favorite patient, a young man named Dorian, who had a rare Wizarding disease that could only be cured by someone with close blood ties. As an orphan, he didn't know who his family was and the wizarding blood bank was woefully small. Rose explained how she thought that a brilliant column written by fantastic Junior Writer, Scorpius Malfoy, might bring more awareness to the problem and help Dorian out. "The procedure to get into the blood library is relatively simple," continued Rose, "All a wizard or witch needs to do is owl St. Mungo's and we'll send them an easy kit with a charm that they need to perform and owl it right back." Rose paused to look at Scorpius. "I know you wanted to write the article on the debate over the cancer cure, but I think you might be able to help save Dorian's life if you write about him. Could you push back the article on the debate?"
"Dorian?" asked Scorpius, "Dorian what?" He had a slight prick to his voice.
"Dorian Chaine," replied Rose.
"Dorian Chaine… sounds familiar. How old is he? Did he go to Hogwarts?"
"He's a couple years older than us and I think he said he was in Ravenclaw, but I don't remember him."
"Where is he? Can I meet him?" Scorpius asked, a slight scowl crossed his face. "And how do you know so much about him anyways?"
"He's a special patient at St. Mungo's. He doesn't have a family, so we've become his family of sorts," explained Rose as she led Scorpius down the hallway. The more she explained aspects of his personality such as, "He's a bit shy, but once he warms up to you, he's a total charmer!" or shared little facts about him like, "He has a cat named Argyle that loves everyone and he's writing a book right now about an adventurer named Jim Nobbins and it's the most hilarious thing I've ever read…", the deeper the scowl became on Scorpius' face.
Scorpius,
I'm a little afraid I might die tonight. It's Harry James Potter, saviour of the Wizarding World. He killed Voldemort. He's generally regarded as one of the most powerful wizards in the world and he only gets stronger by the day. He's an old man at this point. How is it possible that I'm shaking in my boots at the thought of enduring an entire dinner at the Potter household?
Darius
In case of death, I leave you my "collection" in the hidden drawer, all my books and these very boots I am shaking in.
Darius,
Get your smelly boots away from me. I don't want to be anywhere near them and I don't need your… "collection". I don't see why you'd need your "collection" as you no longer have a need to use your… "collection". You have a real life person to do collection-y things with and if she discovers your "collection"I'm positive she won't be as understanding as you think she is.
And don't worry about the meet and greet. The old man won't kill you. It'd ruin his reputation!
Now for my news. So Rose Weasley has definitely broken up with that Randall bloke, but now there's this new guy that obviously has the hots for her. It's ridiculous. I can't understand why all these men are interested in Rose Weasley. I mean- it's Rose Weasley. How can any hot-blooded male see her as a viable partner? She's got too much of that red hair and her face has no redeeming qualities. Plus she's got an infuriating personality and she always looks like she's way too creative at making death threats.
Anyways, this new guy is a patient at the hospital and I have to admit that even I was charmed by him by the time the preliminary interview was through. Oh by the way, I'm writing an article on him. It's a long story, but go sign yourself up for the Wizarding blood bank. (Yeah I know, I didn't even know that we had one.)
Scorpius Malfoy
Junior Writer
Daily Prophet
Lily,
Oh this is hilarious. Scorpius tried to casually write me a letter about how he went over to see Rose (something he does an awful lot of) and he tried to casually inform me about some guy that's interested in her. I think it's a patient of hers or something.
It's so obvious to everyone outside of these two that they have feelings for each other. I don't even know if they would last long term, but it's gotten to the point where I just want to smash their faces together so they can make out and relieve that tension.
Darius
Darius,
Ha! That's so Scorpius. And it's not just him. I flooed over to visit Rose at St. Mungo's with a snack and she informed me that she was too stuffed from her lunch with Scorpius to have any of my delicious cookies. The way she talks about him, it's so obvious that she's in love with him. And you are officially insane. Of course Scorpius and Rose would work out long term! They work so well together already and they think they hate each other. Once they figure out that they're in love with each other, imagine how much happier and cuter they'll be…
Double dates galore!
LL
Junior Writer,
So are you going to write the article on Dorian? He's a really great guy and all of us at St. Mungo's really want to help him get a chance to live.
RW
Rose Weasley,
I'll write the article on the guy, but you officially owe me a favor.
Also, were you serious about the whole 'not going to date' thing?
Scorpius Malfoy
Junior Writer
Daily Prophet
Lily,
Scorpius and Rose being happy and cute? Even when I try to picture them together, I can't see them being happy or cute. I still see them bickering.
Anyways, onto more important topics like how to charm your father. I've been reading up on him and his quirks and came upon a couple of ancient Witch Weekly magazines… Is it true that your dad was quite the ladies man? According to Witch Weekly, he had all the girls at Hogwarts just throwing themselves at him…It's all very scandalous stuff.
Darius
Darius,
Don't believe what you read in Witch Weekly, obviously the current nonsense that is in that magazine stems from a long long history of idiocy.
As for charming my father, just be your normal self. I love you; how could my father not?
Lily
Seriously, don't worry! I know everyone calls him the "Saviour of the Wizarding World," and I know he defeated Voldemort (who most consider the evilest wizard who ever lived), but he's actually a really nice person! Sure he's the only wizard in history to survive the Killing Curse but I promise he won't hurt you.
Scorpius,
I don't know. Maybe? I just became single! I'm going to enjoy it. All I know is that I want to get rip roaring drunk tonight and you're coming with.
I told Dorian that you were going to write the article on him and he wanted me to send you his thanks. I think he said that he was planning on writing to you to himself thank you. I'm so glad that you're writing this article!
Rose
Rose,
Exciting news!
The plans on expanding Diagon Alley are going really well. We're in contact with a couple of Muggle establishments who are willing to part with their land and I've got the support of all the major shopkeepers in Diagon Alley as well as a couple of Ministry officials! These are changing times!
Al
Al,
Congrats! I can't wait to talk about it more tonight!
Rose
Rose Weasley,
Rip roaring drunk? That's something that I'm eager to see.
Scorpius Malfoy
Junior Writer
Daily Prophet
At the Potter residence
Darius apparated to the front door and gave a hesitant knock. Lily had told him that she'd go sooner to "soften up" her parents, but Darius was still nervous. The door opened and Darius walked in to see Mr. Harry Potter himself sitting in a large, leather armchair in front of an oak table. His wand was right in front of him resting on the table, pointed right at Darius.
"Hello Mr. Potter," said Darius as he hesitantly walked into the room, eyes trained on the wand poised on the table.
"Hello Mr. Zabini," said Harry Potter, "why don't you take a seat?" he gestured towards the short stool on the other side of the table.
Darius obeyed and sat down on the short stool and found himself suddenly a head shorter than Mr. Potter. He struggled to sit up as straight as possible, and only managed to get his head right above the table, looking straight at the pointy end of the great Harry Potter's wand. "Err, is Lily around?"
"She's with her mother right now. They're picking out wine or something from the cellar."
Darius tugged at his collar, "Oh, I see…" He looked around the room, and then said, " Lovely home you've got here."
Mr. Potter said nothing.
"I mean, of course you've got a lovely home. It's not as if I was expecting a hovel or something; you're Harry Potter, Saviour of the Wizarding World. Of course you've got a great home."
Mr. Potter still said nothing.
Darius frantically looked around the home, trying to find something to talk about, "I see you've got a lot of pictures. Lily looks really great in that one," he said, pointing at the picture above the hearth. "Isn't that from Hogwarts? Her 5th year? I think I remember her haircut from then…" Darius trailed off.
Mr. Potter just stared at Darius.
"Not that I'm a stalker or anything, I just remember her haircut from 5th year because it was so different," Darius rushed on, "Not that it was weird or anything, I thought it looked nice!"
Mr. Potter said nothing.
"But I'm not implying that she doesn't look nice now! I like her new haircut as well as the old one! She looks fantastic now! I mean, she looks great now. She's always looked brilliant." Darius paused again, sweat beginning to condense on his forehead. He started nervously twitching one of his hands on his knee as he looked to the Saviour of the Wizarding world for a response.
Mr. Potter said nothing.
"Er… not that the only reason why I'm dating Lily is because of her looks. I'm not the type of person that objectifies women like that," Darius knew he was rambling at this point. "I appreciate Lily for both her intelligence and her beauty. She's brilliant and I know I'm so lucky to have her." Darius paused for a second and swallowed a deep breath, then continued, "Mr. Potter, I know you hate me, but I have a steady job, I'm an honest guy, I love your daughter and I would never disrespect her. In fact, if you let me, I have every intention of someday marrying her."
Just as Harry Potter (saviour of the wizarding world) cracked the tiniest of smiles, Lily and Ginny Potter walked back in holding two bottles of wine.
"What's going on here?" asked Lily as Ginny Potter raised her eyebrow at her husband. Lily walked over to where Darius was sitting and pulled him up. "Why is Darius sitting in this dinky little chair?" She quickly transfigured the chair into an armchair like her father's and put Darius back on the chair. "Dad, you promised you wouldn't do anything!"
"I didn't!" Harry said, the picture of innocence. "I didn't do anything! I didn't even say anything! You can ask Darius," he said and gestured towards Darius.
"Yeah, he didn't say a word," Darius replied, bobbing his head up and down in accordance with the great Harry Potter, eager to please his girlfriend's father.
Ginny gave her husband a knowing smile and pecked him on the cheek and said, "Lily dear, your dad says he didn't do anything and Darius confirmed the fact. Stop giving your father a hard time and let's go eat dinner." After a few mumbles and grumbles from Lily and some more protestations from Harry and vigorous bobbing of the head from Darius, the group went to the kitchen to enjoy their dinner.
To Darius' surprise, he actually began to enjoy the dinner and began to forget the fear he had towards the great Harry Potter. At the end of the dinner, Darius and Lily were gearing up to leave so that they could join Rose in her singlehood celebration, when Harry came up behind them and asked if he could see Darius alone. After a few words of warning from Lily to her father, Harry and Darius were alone in the sitting room.
"Er, Mr. Potter, I want to thank you again for the delicious dinner and letting me-" Darius began only to be cut off.
"Before when you were talking about marrying my daughter, were you serious or was that just nerves? I have Veritiserrum in my home and I'm not afraid to use it if I think you're lying."
"That was the truth, sir. I feel strongly about your daughter."
"Since when have you known this?"
"Perhaps in the back of my mind since Hogwarts, but consciously since I began officially dating her."
"Does she know you feel this way?"
"No, sir."
"Can I trust you to treat my daughter with the respect she deserves?"
"Yes, sir."
"False. I can't trust you because you can't possible treat her as well as she deserves because she deserves perfection, but I'll accept it if you promise to spend your entire life trying."
"Yes, sir."
"I don't like pulling this card often, but you do know what I've achieved, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"And although I don't agree with the statement, most of the wizarding public views me as the most powerful wizard currently alive. As someone with much influence over the wizarding community, it wouldn't be difficult for me to arrange a disappearance of one small wizard." Harry gave Darius a pointed look and then completely changed his tone, "Anyways, I hope for the best between you and my daughter. I'm certain she's about to crash through the door to save you from my clutches so I'll let you go." Harry finished off and opened the door.
Lily burst into the room and strode over to Darius; she glared at her father and after saying their goodbyes, the two of them apparated off to meet Rose and Scorpius.
AN: Don't forget to review!
Here's a hint of what to come...
-a drunken confrontation outside of The Lucky Cat
-what can only be called threats coming from the legendary war hero couple