A/N: I am addicted to the song Crush Crush Crush by Paramore and the mash up of it with Linkin Park's Faint. Thanks for the reviews.

DISCLAIMER: I wish I did…maybe one day I'll own something similar.

Chapter Fourteen: Misery Business

Rose stared at Scorpius in shock as he finished explaining Adam's situation to her. She looked past his shoulder at Adam and the other's standing in the doorway before looking away.

"I don't understand your parents or his at all," said Rose, "I thought that maybe I did… but I really don't at all."

"One of a kind," murmured Scorpius.

Rose walked out to the laundry and out the back. She stood on the back veranda and stared at the ground. Spring was setting in with the snow melting away to let through the new growth. Rose felt she had grown somewhat, not physically but mentally, maturity wise. She heard the door open and close behind her then a hand on the small of her back. Only Scorpius would touch her so gently.

"You can't change the way my family works Rose. Or Adam's."

"It's so morbid of them," said Rose shaking her head, "Invading his mind without him knowing? I can't comprehend my family doing that."

"Which is a good thing."

Rose leaned against Scorpius then turned to wrap her arms around him, her head resting on his chest. His arms slipped around her with ease, a natural movement. He kissed the top of her head taking in the scent of her hair, a luscious floral scent.

"Do you have something to tell me?" he said softly.

Rose nodded and stepped back, removing her arms from around Scorpius. She jammed her hands into her pockets and took a deep breath.

"Remember what you asked me a while back? About… about making us public?" said Rose before biting her lower lip.

Scorpius shook his head, "We can't do that."

"Yes we can. It's our last hope Scorpius. Not just for you, but for us. I cannot live without you. Lily will write the article for Witch Weekly. I want to be able to help you. And this is my way."

"No… no Rose. I won't have you put in the spotlight. No."

"Scorpius! Do you want to go to Azkaban?"

"No, of course not! There is still time to find the contract!"

"We are running out of time! We have just a little over a month left!"

"No Rose."

"I went to see Reese," said Rose with a sigh, "He is all for it."

"He always has been."

"Maybe he is right. Maybe this is the way. If we get Lily to write it-"

"Lily won't be writing a thing about us! I won't hear of it, Rose!"

"Fine! If you won't go public, I'll do it alone!"

Scorpius glared at Rose in anger, "You wouldn't."

"I would," she shot back in an almost deadly tone.

Scorpius took a long deep breath and let it out slowly, "Rose… Rose I want to protect you from any more harm."

"You have protected me enough. I see the look on your face when you think I'm not looking. You are hurting. More then you would admit to me… please… please let me help you in this way. I love you Scorpius and I want to help you."

"Rosie, you have helped me more then you know. Just by sticking with me… I don't know what I would do without you."

"Then you know how I feel."

Scorpius nodded, "Can we hold off on the public reveal for another three weeks?"

Rose sighed, "Fine. But if the contracts are still invisible by then we go public. Deal?"

"Deal."

One Month and Two Weeks Ago…

Rose slammed shut her work locker letting out a groan of relief. Her ten-hour shift had finally come to an end and she wanted to be out of the hospital before something happened that would cause her to have to stay any longer.

Matilda was leaning against her locker, a dreamy expression on her face. Hilda noticed as well as Rose and shook her head in amusement.

"Day dreaming about Fred again?" asked Rose.

"I never did tell you guys what we got up too that night, weeks ago," admitted Matilda, "You both forgot to hound me about it."

"You're right," nodded Hilda smiling, "Spill."

"Not here. People here have extremely good hearing when they need it."

"Well, let's go to the café a few blocks from here," suggested Rose.

The two women agreed and the trio left, making a successful dash to the elevator. The doors snapped shut just as their Chief was yelling out for emergency assistance.

"I love this job," said Hilda, "But after ten hours I am incompetent on my feet."

"Same," replied Rose and Matilda in unison.

Once safely out on the London streets they strolled to the small café named Bean Pod three blocks away. The air was cool but not chilly for a change, allowing them to wear just their light jackets and jeans.

The small café was half full in the mid afternoon so the three selected a table by the window and ordered their coffee's and slices.

"I thought you hated marshmallow slice?" frowned Hilda to Matilda.

"Its what I feel like today. You know, I heard of a woman who had weird cravings for sponges… not sea sponges… washing sponges."

"Eww," muttered Rose, "That's disgusting. Why on earth did you bring that up?"

"Because I am pregnant."

Rose looked at Matilda with wide eyes, while Hilda frowned.

"How is that possible? I thought you were a… whoa! Is that what you and Fred have been getting up to on your trips away?"

Matilda nodded, "I'm about a month along."

"But you wanted to be married first," said Rose, "Does Fred know?"

"Yes. He is so excited. We plan on getting married in about three months or so."

"Oh Mattie! I am so happy for you and for Fred!" cried Rose hugging Matilda with a grin, "This is good news! It's been so long since I have heard that kind of news!"

"Yeah," nodded Hilda, "Good news. Congratulations girly."

Matilda smiled, "Oh Hils, you will be one of my bridesmaids. Same with you Rose."

"Are you excited?" asked Rose, "Why did you order a coffee?"

"Well if I didn't you two would get suspicious instantly. I'll order an iced chocolate in a minute," said Matilda with a sigh, "I am happy. I love Fred and he loves me. I always pictured myself settling down with him… probably not having kids so soon, but what can you do? Things happen."

"I expect to be godmother," joked Hilda with a smile before chuckling, "Adam said he heard someone being sick this morning. I told him he was delusional and to get more sleep."

"How are things between you two?" asked Rose, "It must be awkward living with your ex-boyfriend."

Hilda gave a shrug, "I'm over it. I mean… it was hard on him, me dumping him because I liked another woman… but as Mattie said, what can you do? Things happen."

"You're home late," commented Hermione as Rose walked into the kitchen that evening.

"I was out with Mattie and Hilda. Mattie is expecting," smiled Rose.

"Expecting what?" murmured Hermione flipping through a file.

"A baby. She is pregnant with Fred's baby."

Hermione looked up, her eyes wide, "Our Fred?"

Rose nodded, "There will be a wedding in three months!"

"I can't believe it! Pregnant! Oh Rose how wonderful!"

Scorpius gave a laugh as Hugo gave a frustrated cry and placed the controller beside him with Payton snickering from where she sat on the ground leaning against his legs.

"This is wrong," said Hugo, "You are a pureblood, you never played this before and you're kicking my arse?"

"What's it called?" smirked Scorpius, "Beginner's luck?"

He gave a laugh as he heard the front door open and shut. He glanced through the doorway and saw a beaming Rose head into the kitchen where Hermione was going over his case file while cooking dinner.

"Want another round?" asked Hugo, "Lets see if you are lucky this time."

"Nah. Maybe later," said Scorpius standing and passing the control to Payton, "Let your girlfriend beat you instead."

"Chicken."

"Mate, don't tempt me," chuckled Scorpius as he left the room for the kitchen.

"I can't believe it! Pregnant! Oh Rose how wonderful!"

Scorpius stood still in the doorway as each prominent word hit him. Pregnant. Rose. Pregnant. Rose.

"I know. Its good news isn't it? Long time coming with everything else going on," replied Rose before turning and spotting Scorpius, "Hey you!"

Scorpius managed a smile and responded to the quick kiss Rose gave him, "Busy day?"

"Yeah. I am exhausted. I might go have a quick bath before dinner. How long till tea Mum?"

"Well I thought we might wait until your father gets home," said Hermione with a glance to the kitchen clock, "You don't mind a late dinner?"

"Not at all," said Rose before leaving the kitchen with Scorpius slowly following, his movements almost robotic in the shock running through him.

He couldn't understand why Rose didn't tell him first. He was the father for sure. Shouldn't he have the privilege of knowing the news first?

"Are you okay?" asked Rose glancing at him before heading into their bedroom.

"Er, yeah," nodded Scorpius, "Just ah… bit tired as well."

"Busy day on the Wii Generation Two?" joked Rose.

"Well its not like I can go to work like you," snapped Scorpius.

Rose felt the smile drop from her face faster then her next heartbeat came. She looked away from him and headed into the bathroom. She shut the door behind her and walked over to the bath. As she pushed the plug in and turned the taps on Scorpius came in, slowly closing the door behind him. Rose ignored him as she squirted in some bubble bath and pulled off her jacket.

"I'm sorry," sighed Scorpius watching Rose undress, her body stiff in its movements.

Rose pulled her shirt off as she kicked her shoes off to beside the bath.

"You should have told me first though."

Rose turned around, her face frowning in confusion, "Told you what first?"

"Don't play stupid with me Rose."

"I'm not… do I look like I am?" demanded Rose.

"You told your mother that you're pregnant before you told me!"

Rose stared at Scorpius dumbstruck before letting out a sigh mixed with a laugh, "Scorpius… I'm not pregnant. I was telling Mum that Mattie is pregnant."

"Y-your not?"

"No! We've been careful haven't we?"

"Yeah… I'm sorry Rose."

Rose gave a half smile and shrug before turning back to the bath as she unbuttoned her jeans and took off her remaining clothing. She turned the taps off and slid into the bath with a sigh as Scorpius closed the lid on the toilet and sat down.

"You would tell me first, if you were?" asked Scorpius.

"Of course," said Rose her eyes half closed, "It's only right that you know first."

"If you were… it would help my case."

Rose opened her eyes and looked at Scorpius, "You want me to be pregnant?"

"No, no," Scorpius replied hastily, "No… I'm just saying. I mean we are too young for kids. You've just turned twenty and all."

Rose nodded remembering her birthday three days ago. It was a quiet night at home with her family and Scorpius. She ducked under the water, coming up brushing her hair from her eyes.

"If I fell pregnant, we would have to tell the court and then our relationship would become public. Very public."

"I know," said Scorpius standing up, "Which is why we will wait until we are married."

Rose nodded and Scorpius left the bathroom. She gave a sigh and stared up at the white ceiling closing her eyes to try and find her calm zone.

One Month and One Week Ago…

Rose stared down at the coffee mug in silence as Lily chattered away about her most recent date with Frank. From what Rose had actually managed to listen to, Frank wanted Lily to come and live with him, like Kate was trying to convince Albus to do.

"You aren't paying attention to me are you?" said Lily gently touching Rose on the hand.

Rose looked up, a guilty look on her face, "Sorry… things are weird between Scorpius and I."

"How so?"

"You know how he got the wrong end of the stick with the pregnancy thing?"

Lily nodded. The story had amused her greatly when Rose told her a week ago.

"Since then he has been distant. He barely touches me; I think we have only kissed once this week. He comes to bed hours after me or before me… its like he is distancing himself from me."

"Have you spoken to him about it?"

"No. How can I? Whenever I try to talk to him he suddenly has something to do, or needs to contact Reese."

"I say confront him about it Rose. It isn't fair of him to do this to you."

Rose nodded and sipped her coffee, "Maybe we need to get away for a couple of days, just him and I alone."

"Sounds lovely. You both really haven't had solid alone time in a while."

"I'll organise the time off from work and surprise him with it. We could go to his place in France. He likes it there."

Lily smiled, "See? You've already relaxed ten notches."

"I'm sorry Rose, but I can only manage three weeks from now. I have two other Healer's with their holidays booked between now and then."

Rose gave a sigh, "Okay. I'll take it."

Her boss smiled and nodded writing Rose down for a week off in three weeks, "I think you need it anyway. You've been working more then normal this past week."

Rose gave a tight smile thanking her boss. She headed for the staffroom where Matilda and Hilda were. Fred was with them, being extra attentive to Matilda's needs with her in the first trimester of the pregnancy. He'd promised to calm down when Matilda entered the second but made her promise that she would go on leave when she entered the last half of the third trimester.

"I've eaten as much as I can manage Fred," smiled Matilda, "If I am hungry I will eat the rest."

Rose sat down with a sigh pulling a homemade sandwich from her bag. She unwrapped it slowly her mind faraway imagining the break in France. She wished the dates would suddenly flyby so she could be relaxing with Scorpius, him relaxed with her being himself. The man he was before the murder accusation happened.

"You all right Rose?" asked Hilda looking up from stabbing her pasta meal.

"Yeah. I just got a week off in three weeks. Hoping to spend quality time with Scorpius."

"Surely he'll want to spend it with you," said Matilda, "You two deserve it."

Rose nodded, not wanting to burden her friends with her troubles. They had already done a lot for her and Scorpius. They still had Adam with them. His father hadn't made any contact with him and neither had his mother.

Rose finished her lunch and returned to her shift, working automatically for the next five hours before heading to the change room. She dressed into her muggle clothes and left uninterrupted by an emergency. She apperated home with the sound of the television coming from the lounge room. The news bulletin music floated from the room with her brother commenting on one of the stories. Scorpius gave a reply with a laugh, a laugh Rose hadn't heard in a few days. She headed upstairs to her bedroom.

"Hey sweetie."

Rose looked over to her parent's doorway and smiled at her father, "Hi Dad. You're home early for a change."

Ron nodded, "Your Uncle insisted on it. How are you going?"

"Oh I'm fine."

Ron frowned not believing her, "Are you sure?"

Rose sighed, "I've been better."

"It will be over soon."

"I know. I'm just not sure whether I'll want that to be the case when the time comes."

Rose gave a half smile and headed into her room. She dumped her bag on her desk and sat at the window seat staring at the sky in silence. She counted the stars in silence, her forehead pressed against the cold glass. She drew her legs up to her body and sighed, her breath fogging up the window in the process.

"Oh… I didn't know you were home."

Rose lifted her head and looked over her shoulder at Scorpius standing in the doorway, "I did mention I finished at six today."

Scorpius nodded and turned to leave the room.

"Don't."

He stopped and slowly twisted back around to face her.

"Close the door, please," said Rose her tone almost pleading with Scorpius.

He obliged in closing the door but stood right in front of it as if preparing to escape should the need arise.

"What's going on?" asked Rose, "Why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not."

"Yes you are. You won't touch me, talk to me or stay in the same room with me unless one of us is sleeping. You've been like this since the pregnancy thing!"

Scorpius remained silent.

"Scorpius," said Rose softly, "You are making me miserable with stress that I am doing something wrong to you… please, tell me what is going on?"

"I'm preparing myself."

Rose frowned, "For what? To leave me?"

Scorpius nodded, "It will be easier."

Rose said nothing, her mouth partly falling open. She blinked back threatening tears and shook her head.

"You need to be free Rose. To move on, Bobby would take care of you."

"Bobby is in Australia you are here with me."

Scorpius walked over to Rose, kneeling down in front of her, his hands clutching onto hers first the first time in a week, "I am going to Azkaban. We need to face that now."

"There is still a month before us," said Rose angrily, "There is still hope and we have one more card to play… maybe two."

Scorpius gave a sigh and Rose pushed his hands away.

"I'm sick and tired of having this argument. You aren't going to Azkaban and that is final."

Scorpius sighed as he stood up and sat on the bed, "You can't predict the future."

Rose drew her legs back up to her body and wrapped her arms around them staring at a photo of her and Scorpius on the bedside table. They were happy then, a year ago. Caught up in their bubble of bliss believing nothing could bring them down.

"You said this was the biggest challenge our relationship has faced," said Rose calmly, "If this is a challenge then we have to see it through. Right through to when things can go back to normal."

"What if I am in Azkaban for life? Will you still follow the challenge through?"

"I'll appeal for another trial. I'll find a way to make your family come forward with the truth," said Rose firmly, "Lets… lets… never mind."

"What? Tell me?"

Rose sucked in a deep breath, "Try for a baby. If you are going to be a father, surely they will be… more sympathetic."

"Rose, you're studying healing. You have another year to go with that."

"So? I can put it on hold. Matilda is."

"That's Matilda. You aren't Matilda, are you?"

"I want you to stay!" cried Rose, "Here with me! This is a certain way to make that happen, isn't it?"

"I won't have you ruin your future for me."

Rose burst into angry tears, rocking back and forth on the window seat. Scorpius stood and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her swallowing a lump in his throat. Her hands moved from around her legs and moved to around his waist, clinging to him tightly. She pulled her self up with his support, moving her hands to his face.

"Don't leave me," she begged her hands memorizing the features of his face.

"I'll try my best," he replied before kissing her tears away, "Don't cry."

Rose nodded but the tears still fell as she kissed him back speaking between every kiss, "I got… a week… off… in… three weeks… lets go… to your… French house… please."

"Okay," murmured Scorpius before drawing her body closer to his as the kiss intensified.

His hands fumbled with the buttons on her blouse, more then anything he wanted to just rip the whole shirt off her. Rose moved her hands to her blouse, helping him undo it as a knock came at the door.

Rose pulled away giving Scorpius an apologetic look, "Just think France."

He gave a small nod and Rose fixed her blouse up heading to the door. She pulled it open a crack seeing Hugo standing there.

"Sorry," his said, taking in her flushed cheeks and red lips, "Dinner will be ready in ten."

Rose nodded with a small smile.

"Everything okay between you two?" he asked in a softer voice.

"I'm hoping so," murmured Rose.

Hugo nodded and headed for the staircase. Rose shut the door and turned back to Scorpius but he wasn't there.

A/N: Cliff hanger again… - laughs evilly- don't you just hate me? All the turmoil then things look up for them… and now this! You can thank the songs I listen to as I write for the guidance of where things go… review!

Until next time…

Love yas!

Love Coz!