AN: Hello! I know, I know. You are all shocked that I'm updating so regularly! Please enjoy and be sure to tell me what you think!
Alas, this chapter is also unbeta'ed as my email address has become corrupted. X_X
Meanwhile at the Lucky Cat
"Albus, Darius and Lily aren't here yet?" asked Scorpius as he walked over to "their" booth.
"Albus owled me to let me know that he'd be a little late. I think he has a meeting or something," said Rose as she took a huge gulp of Firewhiskey.
"I see you've already started without us," said Scorpius, gesturing with one hand at the empty mugs as he waved the bartenders over for a Firewhiskey for himself with this other hand.
"Are you judging me for drinking by myself?" asked Rose with her hands on her hips, "I'm celebrating!"
"You sure could have fooled me," said Scorpius with a smirk, "you look more like you're mourning to me."
"MOURNING?" sputtered Rose, "I'm celebrating! I'm the one that broke up with the idiot!"
"Okay, okay!" said Scorpius holding his hands up in defeat, "You're celebrating." He looked at Rose's rosy cheeks and asked, "How many have you had so far?"
"I'll admit, I'm a wee bit tipsy…"
"How tipsy?"
"Tipsy enough that words just spill out of my mouth, sober enough to know I'm saying idiotic things."
"Perfect," Scorpius said under his breath.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing," he said as he took a swig of Firewhiskey, "I guess I should catch up to you." He took a few more gulps as he looked at Rose and said, "So, how's Dorian doing?"
"Dorian Chaine?"
"Yes, Dorian Chaine. Why? Do you have multiple Dorians in your life?"
"No, just making sure… He's doing alright, well besides the fact that he's dying. Oh, oh! He did say something so funny today! We were talking about his novel and-"
Scorpius cut her off, "You know he's interested in you, right?"
"What? That's preposterous."
"You've got to be an idiot if you don't realize that Dorian has got an enormous crush on you."
"You're talking crazy. Are you drunk?"
Scorpius drained his Firewhiskey and said, "No, I'm not drunk. I'm telling the truth. Either way it doesn't matter since you declared that you're going for nunhood."
"I'm not going for 'nunhood,' whatever that is. I'm just going to try being single for a while."
"So if Dorain was, hypothetically, to ask you to date, you'd say no?"
"He's a patient! Of course I'd say no!"
"That's the only reason why you'd say no?"
"I don't know. No? Why are you giving me the third degree?"
Just as Scorpius was about to retort, Al walked in with a bright smile and declared, "Hi you guys! What are we talking about? Wait, Why am I asking? I don't care what you two were talking about, because now we're going to talk about my big news. We're officially going to start expanding Diagon Alley by five more blocks and we're going to include one high-rise apartment with special charms to have unending apartments catered towards those newly out of school. Isn't that brilliant?" He looked at Scorpius and Rose who were still shooting glares at each other. "Did you guys even hear what I just said?"
"Yeah, Al. It all sounds brilliant, especially the part about the apartments. So when can we expect the expansion?" asked Scorpius, appeasing his friend who was brimming with joy.
Al went on to explain the specificities of the project, too wrapped up in his excitement to realize the heightened tension between Rose and Scorpius.
Lily and Darius walked into the bar and saw an enthusiastic Al, completely oblivious to the fact that his two friends were ignoring his words and glaring at each other, gulping down alcohol at dangerous rates.
"Hey everyone, how are you guys doing?" asked Darius as he eased into the bench, trying to lower the tension between Scorpius and Rose.
"Oh I'm just telling Rose and Scorpius here about the amazing things we have in store for Diagon Alley."
Darius turned to Rose and Scorpius and said, "And how are you two doing? Celebrating Rose's singlehood?"
"Not if her newest patient has anything to do about it," spitted out Scorpius as he took another swig of Firewhiskey.
"What's he talking about?" asked Lily.
"Scorpius Malfoy has the preposterous notion that I'm going to start dating one of my patients."
"The one that he's writing the article about?" asked Darius.
"Yes, Dorian Chaine."
"Chaine, Chaine, Chaine… I've heard that name before. Did he go to Hogwarts?" asked Darius.
"Yes, he did. He was actually in Ravenclaw and was a Prefect…" Rose stopped when she saw Scorpius rolling his eyes. "What? What's your problem with Dorian?"
"No problem besides the fact that you won't shut up about him," said Scorpius as he took another drink from the waiter and chugged it all down.
As Rose drew in a deep breath to retort, Lily interrupted to say, "Okay you guys, take it outside. I think you two have had a little too much Firewhiskey; go outside and breathe in some cool air and clear your heads. I, for one, want to hear all about my big brother's achievements." Lily turned to Al and said, "Go on, Al. I want to know what's going to happen to my neighborhood."
Rose slammed another Firewhiskey and she and Scorpius rose up to leave the bar, still glaring dagger at each other and as soon as they stepped into the side alley where they would be out of the public eye, Rose attacked.
"I don't understand why you're on my case about all this!" she yelled as she waved her hands around. "I'm not attracted to Dorian Chaine in the least. Why are you giving me such a hard time?" she demanded and in the fury of the moment, she punched Scorpius on the chest.
He grabbed her fist and didn't let go. "Well the way you prattle on and on about him, it seems like you're one step away from leaping into his arms."
"Even if I were to leap into his arms, what's it to you?" Rose asked, using her free hand to punch him again. Scorpius quickly grabbed this fist as well.
"It's nothing to me. I'm just worried. As a friend," Scorpius emphasized the last word.
"Ha!" Rose tossed her head back and stared right into his eyes, involuntarily moving a couple steps towards him. "As a friend," she repeated mockingly, "I'm touched." She forcibly took her balled up fist from one of his hands and laid it on his chest and said, "I'm so touched that Scorpius Malfoy's black, black heart is concerned for little old me."
Her eyes trailed to his lips and her alcohol-addled mind realized that her hands were in Scorpius'. His thumbs were making little circles on her hand and Rose's fist slowly opened up so that they were holding hands, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She looked down at their hands, then back up to his eyes where she saw such intensity, she almost looked away, but Rose was nothing if bold and she tilted her head towards him to match his gaze. She leaned into his lean frame as he slowly wrapped his arms around hers, her hand still in his. Their faces inched closer and closer together, when they heard Lily's voice ring out.
"Hey guys! Where are you? I hope you two aren't killing each other."
Scorpius and Rose froze in shock as their eyes opened wide and the next thing Rose knew, she was in a field of grass.
"What?" Rose looked around, "Where are we?"
"Uh, sorry. I panicked. We're in the meadow near the Shrieking Shack," Scorpius said as he waved towards the decrepit building to the left.
"I thought no one was allowed near the Shrieking Shack," said Rose.
"Oh is that so?" said Scorpius as he attempted to look innocent, "I must have been in the Netherlands or something when they announced that."
Rose rolled her eyes at him and couldn't help but grin, and Scorpius grinned back at her.
"We've had a lot to drink tonight…" started off Scorpius.
"Yes!" replied Rose, "And in fact, I really can't remember a thing that happened in the last five minutes."
"Yes, I concur. I think the alcohol has wiped the past five minutes from my brain as well."
"Friends?" asked Rose sticking out a hand.
"Friends," agreed Scorpius as he shook it and apparated them back to the bar to enjoy the night with the rest of their friends.
The Journal of Scorpius Malfoy
I'm a liar. I told Rose I would forget the very weird five minutes of sexual tension we had, but I haven't. How's a bloke supposed to forget the feel of her soft hands wrapped in mine, her delicate frame pressed up against my body, and her clear eyes emitting pure want into mine?
I managed to keep up the pretense that none of that had happened when we got back to the bar, but every time I caught Rose's eye, there was a weird tension…
I can't possibly be interested in Rose Weasley. It's all the Firewhiskey's fault. I swear, I'm never drinking Firewhiskey again. It does things to normal wizards.
The Diary of Rose Weasley
I lied when I told Scorpius that I had forgotten the five minutes of intensity between us. How's a girl supposed to forget the feel of his strong hands wrapped around mine, his fingers softly tracing circles into my skin; his arms wrapping me into his lean frame; his eyes making me feel like I was the only girl he wanted to lay eyes on?
We kept up the ruse of forgetting those five minutes, but I know that he didn't forget either.
I don't know what to do… It's not like I can talk to anyone about this- I'm supposed to have forgotten that this ever happened! Scorpius is supposed to come by the hospital tomorrow to visit Dorian, should I try to avoid him at the hospital?
I NEED HELP.
Lily,
It was lovely meeting Darius yesterday night. I was thinking that we could make this a weekly event. Your father promises he won't harass Darius anymore.
Love,
Your Mother
Mum,
I think Darius has had enough of our family (and by "our family" I mean Dad) to last for at least a month. I think I'm going to give him time to recover before I drag him to another dinner at home.
Sorry,
Lily
Mr. Darius Zabini,
My wife has informed me that you refused her offer to dine once a week at our home. Is this true, Mr. Zabini? Don't tell me you're refusing such a kind offer from myself and my wife.
Harry Potter
Head Auror
Honorary Advisor to the Minister of Magic
Saviour of the Wizarding World
Mr. Potter,
I was not even aware of your wife's kind and gracious offer. There must have been some sort of miscommunication. I would love to dine at your home once a week and I thank you for the generous invitation. While I'm at it, thanks for saving the wizarding world.
Your greatest admirer,
Darius Zabini
Lily,
We're eating with your family once a week now. Don't ask me how it happened.
Darius
Darius,
I refused my mother's offer to dine once a week with them just ten minutes ago. How and why are we eating with them once a week now?
Lily
Lily,
Your father can be quite persuasive at times.
Darius
Darius,
I should have known.
Lily
Father,
You've got to stop intimidating Darius like this. He actually thinks you are capable of making him disappear without anyone questioning it.
I'm going to tell mum about all this if you don't stop. (Yes, that's a threat.)
Your favorite daughter,
Lily
Lily,
DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO YOUR FATHER! I'm really happy that they want to spend time with me. I'm honored.
Don't say anything to your father.
Darius
Darius,
Oops, too late.
Lily
Mr. Zabini,
Am I to understand that you tattled on me?
Harry James Potter
Head Auror
Honorary Advisor to the Minister of Magic
Saviour of the Wizarding World
Lily,
Merlin's striped trousers! Your father just owled me asking if I "tattled" on him.
LILY! How has this all become so much bigger than it should be?
A very petrified Darius
Mr. Potter,
No, definitely not tattling. Is there even anything to tattle on? I only told Lily that I was overjoyed to be invited into your home. You won't find an ungrateful bone in my body.
Darius
My very childish father,
Now you're accusing him of tattling? Really dad? REALLY?
My quill is just itching to write to mum about all this…
Lily
Darius,
I rushed to judge you. Tell Lily I sent this apology owl.
Mr. Potter
Lils,
Your dad sent me an apology owl. What's going on?
Darius
My darling father,
My quill no longer itches to write to mum. I'll see you next week!
Love,
Your favorite daughter
My crafty daughter,
I'll see you next week.
Your father
And of course you're my favourite daughter; you're my only daughter! But trust me, if I did have another daughter, you can be sure I'd like her a whole lot more than the crafty one I have right now.
Dad,
Don't kid yourself. You love me and my craftiness.
Lily
Scorpius,
I don't care what you're doing tonight. Cancel everything. You're getting a drink with the gang and me (invite Rose, will you?); the Potters are giving me a miserable time about dating their daughter.
I'm talking death threats that aren't even slightly veiled. I'm in serious need of 10 stiff drinks here.
Darius
St. Mungo's 2:00pm
Where are you? Why weren't you in Dorian Chaine's room for the interview?
...
I checked the schedule, I know you're not in an operation. Where are you?
…
I just checked in with Dorian again, he said he saw you earlier today so I know you're here. Are you avoiding me?
…
No, I'm just busy.
…
Finally, a response. Where are you?
…
I told you, I'm very busy and I don't have time to see you.
…
It's back to this again?
…
Back to what? I don't understand what you're referencing and I don't have time to understand. I'm quite busy.
…
I have food.
…
I've already eaten.
…
Will you just bloody tell me where you are?
…
I'm busy.
…
I need to have words with you.
…
Just write your words on a note. I'm busy.
…
These are words that should be said in person.
…
I'm busy.
…
Room 604B
"How did you find me?" asked Rose the minute Scorpius opened the door, her eyes were open wide in surprise and she shifted ever so slightly away from him in her chair.
AN: Woohoo! We're getting a bit closer to having these two idiots figure out that they're perfect for each other! When I decided to write, my ultimate goal was to have at least 10 reviews per chapter. I've passed that milestone (actually I've passed it a while ago, but I didn't notice) and I'm so incredibly happy that my reviewers have stuck with me thus far! 13 reviews for the last chapter! WOOOHOOO! My next goal is 15 reviews for the next chapter!I give you all a HUGE shout out and tons and tons of love.
Do please review and let me know what you've thought about this chapter. It's a turning point in their relationship and I hope you guys are as excited for them as I am! I would do a little preview of what's to come, but I'm afraid I'll spoil the whole thing.