Past, Present & Future

The Wedding

"Are you ready?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"Traditionally? Yes you should but you're acting like a crazy person." Nadine fluffed her dress in the mirror for one final time. "Oh for goodness sake Rosie stop pacing! What the hell has happened?"

"Nothing" Rose replied a little bit too quickly "Nothing that can't be dealt with on another day."

"Good." Deen spun around clasping Rosies hands in hers and kissing her on the forehead "Because I don't want to sound self-centered, but this is my day!"

Scorpius wiped the sweat off the back of his neck, he was the best man, surely this title allowed him some privileges. Apparently not, he had been forced out into the sun to greet guests and show them to their seats. Making polite chat with people he didn't know wasn't his favourite pastime and it was dragging. The ceremony was running late. Women. He had placed a very elderly little witch into her seat and headed up to the front where some of the Weasley boys had gathered.

"Shouldn't we have started by now?"

"I think the brides done a runner. Who can blame her- Arrrrgh!" James was swiftly cuffed round the ear "What was that for you fucking fruit loop-" He turned on the spot and found his mothers face centimeters from his own.

"What did you call me?" Ginnys voice got very shrill, surely online dogs could hear her now. James let out a strangled yelp, backing off, apologising and repeatedly saying that he thought she was Al. It wasn't until Harry arrived on the scene and sent both his son and his wife to their seats that the service could begin.

Standing up the front with Albus, Scorpius' brain starting imagining and forming ideas in his head. What if Albus was his best man? What if Deen and Rosie switched places walking down the aisle? How would that make him feel? Scorpius' stomach lurched. Why did he find it so hard to picture himself happy?

Rosie had made a deal with herself. She had decided that today she would enjoy her best friends wedding and as far as Scorpius Malfoy was concerned… It was obvious that that chapter of her life was about to be revisited, but not today. Today Rosie would smile and pose and be the perfect bridesmaid and towards Malfoy she would endeavour be absolutely and completely nonchalant. As she joined Deen at the alter she caught Scorpius' eye for the briefest of seconds. On the outside she managed to convey that she was not arsed… but on the inside she was shaking and cursing.

"Bonded for life." Exclaimed a small wizard sending gold sparks into the air above the heads of an inter-twined pair. Al and Deen; so unbelievably right for each other. Scorpius was so happy for his friends, he stole a glance at Rosie who casually wiped a tear away and started whistling between her fingers. She lifted up the hem of her skirt and greeted the newlyweds, Scorpius joined the three of them as members of the congregation started to clasp hands with the groom and hug the bride. Scorpius found himself thrown against Rosie and forced to pose, Rosie slid her bouquet up to conceal Scorpius face not realizing that he'd placed two fingers behind her head like rabbit ears. It was what they had to do. Put on a front, if they acted too cordially the jig would be up, everyone knew the basis of Rosie and Scorpius relationship was in the banter. Lily caught this moment perfectly on camera, she caught Scorpius soften slightly and place a hand around her waist as well. She also caught Rosie look back at Scorpius and scrunch her nose up as she smiled, she'd completely forgotten her solid pact to be nonchalant. There was another person in the congregation who had noticed the altercation, he had arrived late, snuck in and sat at the back, no Weasley was aware of his arrival until-

"Rosie?"

"Michael!" Rose squeaked pulling away from the crowd, "You said you were going to be late?"

"Well I am…sort of. I snuck in, is that ok?" he flicked his fringe out of his eyes to look at Rose. He knew something was wrong. Did she know where he'd been all morning?

Michael needed Rosie, she was smart, pretty and had a well-connected family, she was exactly what he needed to get his company off the ground. Michael knew what he had to do but he could feel her slipping away from him and back into her old habits. What did Scorpius Malfoy do? He seemed to have this power over her that Michael never had.

"Rosie!" She was being hailed back to the photos. Albus slung an arm around her welcoming her back into the fold. Michael left the marquee, retrieved a cigarette from his pocket and started feeling around for a lighter or his wand.

"Lite?" Michael jumped slightly alarmed at the sight of Scorpius in front of him… wand raised.

"Erm…Yeah." He replied leaning forwards to accept.

"Our Rosies looking gorgeous isn't she?"

"Always." Michael took a drag and paused, then turned to face the blonde. "What exactly are you doing Malfoy?"

"Well surely its obvious. I'm having a cheeky fag with you then I'm going to celebrate my friends marriage by eating, drinking and dancing."

"I know what you're like Malfoy. I've heard all the stories, the way you treated our Rosie. You are lucky her family knows nothing about it. I'm sure Mr. Weasley would kick off if he knew how you had treated his daughter."

"Are you seriously going to grass me up to my Boss? Is that how you're going to play this Michael?"

"People don't change over night Malfoy. Do you honestly think I can't play this game of yours?"

"Honestly?" Smirked Scorpius, stamping out his cigarette and turning to leave, "I don't think you even know the rules."

As Scorpius disappeared inside Michael thought about what had just occurred. Scorpius had no idea what lay inside Michaels pocket in a silky little box. Michael knew the rules and he knew perfectly well how to play Malfoys little game. Especially when his future was on the line.