Chapter 14 – Home

Christmas at the Burrow was always full of chaos. There wasn't a Christmas that Rose could remember that wasn't eventful.

The entire Potter-Lupin-Weasley family would name each Christmas for each event that happened. For instance, when Rose was seven years old, Dominique owned a cat that looked more like a cotton ball than an actually cat. It was no surprise she named the cat, "Snowball."

Rose's uncle, George, had a knack for bringing over new products to these special occasions. Of course, he tested one out on Snowball and the next thing we knew the house exploded with white fur. The cat has been naked as a rat since. Whenever the family mentioned this occasion they always called it, "The Snowball Incident."

Another example was when Rose was fifteen and her father had brought in some beer and Firewhiskey to celebrate. Unfortunately, her uncles and her father got so drunk that when it came to Christmas dinner each one of them threw up on their dinner plates. Not one person ate dinner that night. They called that the "Turkey Waste Incident."

This year, however, Rose was expecting some cooking catastrophe or some stupid argument about whose job is better, but what she wasn't expecting was…

"Hello everybody!" Lily cried walking into the living room of the Burrow. Everybody stared in her direction, but it wasn't because she was the last one to show up, but because of who she had brought with her.

"Everyone," she said, "I would like you to meet Peter Gustav, my boyfriend!"

Rose felt her insides churn with embarrassment. Everyone in the family knew he was her boss and everybody knew in the family that he was practically twice Lily's age. Oh no, this will not go over well.

"Come on, Peter, say 'hi." Lily nudged him. Peter gave an embarrassing wave and grunted out a 'hello.'

"Peter," Rose's aunt, Ginny, said coming toward the couple, "I am so glad to meet you. My mother is making some Butterbeer. Why don't you come in the kitchen with me and she will fix you up a cup."

"That would be lovely, thank you," Peter said, following her into the kitchen. No sooner, Ginny appeared again and was now looking sternly at Lily.

"Lily, can I talk to you?" Ginny asked her daughter while Rose's father and Uncle George snickered behind their hands knowing full well what to expect.

Lily rolled her eyes, "You might as well say what you've got to say in front everyone. We all know what you're going to say."

"Don't take that tone with me," Ginny snapped.

"C'mon, Mum, what's wrong with my boyfriend this time? You practically took one look at him and pushed him toward Grandma's kitchen, honestly."

Ginny placed her hands on her hips, "Lily, he's twice your age."

"I tend to not think of that when we're alone together," Lily said knowing full well what said would get in trouble.

Rose put her head in her hands at Lily's remark.

"LILY!" Ginny screeched at her.

"For Merlin's sake, Mum, stop it. Don't make me have to give you the 'It's My Life' speech because it is my life and I'll date whoever I want."

Rose was shaking her head. She couldn't believe her cousin. She was just asking for it. What made it worse was Rose's father laughing his head off alongside his brother, George. Rose's uncle, Harry, was sitting on her father's other side looking completely uncomfortable with the situation.

"Harry!" Ginny rounded on her husband. Harry nervously looked up at her, "Do you care to say anything to your daughter?"

"Er, no…" he said, "I think you've got it all covered," which earned a few snickers from Rose's father and her uncle George. Ginny glared at her brothers.

Lily shook her head, "Mum, why do you always have to be so judgmental?"

"I am not judgmental."

"Oh really? You call Aunt Fleur, 'Phelgm,' behind her back all the time."

Ginny's face was a deep shade of red as a glass shattered behind her. Ginny didn't have to turn to know it was Fleur sitting there angry as a hippo. Ginny paid her no attention for it was completely focused on her daughter.

"Dating someone older than me isn't that bad. It could be much worse," Lily's eyes flickered over to Rose who wasn't saying much, "At least I'm not dating Malfoy for instance."

Every eye was now on Rose who had gone beat red. Rose's father stood straight up. "You're dating a Malfoy?"

"No, no, I'm not!" Rose cried, "Lily made that up." Everyone looked back to Lily.

"Ok, I was only making a point, but still...I really like this bloke so please if you could all just give him a chance I promise you won't be disappointed," Lily said.

The room was silent until Peter Gustav entered the room. Everybody looked at him almost as if they were expecting him to entertain them at that very instant.

Rose's father intervened, "Oi, Pete, you're just in time. We were thinking of playing a big game of poker. You in?"

Peter Gustav shrugged and said, "Sure." He squeezed Lily's shoulder as he strode over to sit with Rose's father and uncles. Ginny shook her head and walked away clearly frustrated with her daughter for refusing to listen to her and to apologize to Aunt Fleur.

It was now Rose's turn to get angry with Lily.

"What were you thinking bringing in Scorpius Malfoy into the argument? Now, I'll never hear the end of it from Dad."

"I was saving your arse," Lily said.

"Codswallop, you were saving your own. What makes you think you were saving me rather than humiliating me?"

Lily sighed in frustration, "Because, Rose, I know you still fancy the bloke, but must I be the one to remind you of all the terrible things he did to you? He's a complete arse. Don't let his fake 'good bloke' status make you think otherwise. He's probably using you for support on his case until it's over. I don't want to see you get hurt, again."

Rose crossed her arms across her chest. She was sick of people feeling the need to protect her because they believe her to weak and vulnerable. Nah uh, not this time around.

"Thank you dear cousin for your words of protectiveness, but I am perfectly capable of handling myself. As you said to your mother, 'It's my life."

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Rose agreed.

"Hello? Anybody here?" Came a voice from the doorway. Everyone looked up to see it was Lucy returning from her boyfriend's house. Her boyfriend which happened to be Phillip Le Fou.

"Wotcher Lucy!" Roxanne said coming into the room, "Glad you're here! Your sister is having a crisis. Sorry, Phillip, but we'll need to steal her away from you," Roxanne grabbed Lucy's hand before either of them could say anything.

Lucy gave her boyfriend an apologic look over her shoulder as she was pulled into another room.

Phillip came to stand beside Rose, "Hello Rose," he said brightly. Rose smiled at him. Phillip was one of the few who had treated her kindly at Hogwarts. She was glad Lucy had found someone like him for a boyfriend.

"Hello Phillip, how are you?"

He smiled generously, "Very good, thank you. I haven't seen you in ages. However, you're name has displayed all over the news for all the best sellers you have been whipping out. When will we be expecting the next one?"

Rose laughed lightly, "Well, I am currently working on one, but we'll see."

"Ah, Rose," an arm snaked around her shoulders. It was her cousin, Albus. "Don't be so modest. You know you're going to create a kick-arse book about my life, eh?"

"Are you sure you're Al and not James?" Rose asked, amused. Albus laughed knowing too well his brother had a big ego than the whole family combined.

"What's the book about anyway?" Albus asked. Albus had no idea Rose was undercover at Hogwarts posing as a seventh year student. Lily and Hugo were the only ones in the family who knew about her cover-up.

Rose gave Albus smug look, "Sorry, cousin, but you will have to wait just like everyone else."

"It's going to be fantastic, though!" Lily exclaimed. Rose had forgotten she was still there, "I star in it."

Albus looked from Lily to Rose, "No way, you chose my sister to star in your new book and not me? What the hell!"

"Sorry, Al," Lily said even though she wasn't sorry at all. "You should give Rose credit though for what she has to deal with."

Rose gave her warning look not to give away too much. As much as she appreciates Lily acknowledging her bravery for going back to the one place she had been miserable at, she didn't want any more of her family knowing about her story.

Albus turned to Rose, "Anybody I know besides my sister in the story? I would really like to read something more interesting than the on goings of my sister's boring life."

"Hey!" Lily cried, "I'll have you know that I play a great part in Rose's story, don't I, Rose?"

"Sure Lily," Rose said.

Albus frowned, "Great, now I have nothing to look forward to this summer."

"For Merlin's sake, Al, the story isn't about me, you dummy. Rose has to deal with a lot of people even Scorpius Malfoy, for crying out loud."

"Lily!" Rose yelled at her cousin.

Realizing her slip, Lily closed her mouth instantly already feeling guilty for letting her brother get the best of her.

Albus and Phillip were both shocked by the news.

"Really? Scorpius Malfoy?" Albus asked. Phillip made a disgusted face at the name.

Rose looked at her shoes, "Yeah," she muttered, "It's been…odd."

"Has he been taunting you?" Phillip asked.

Rose shook her head, "No. He doesn't even recognize me."

"What a bastard," Phillip growled, "It's no wonder he deserved what he got."

Rose and Al both snapped in his direction. Phillip looked at the pair as if they were confused by what he said. "Well, you've both heard about what he's done, haven't you? It's all over the news. Parents are going mad that the murdering git is teaching their children. It will only be a matter of time until Malfoy's found guilty and stripped of his magic. The world will definitely be a better place once that day arrives."

"Do you honestly think he deserved that though?" Rose asked quietly, "I mean sure he was a bully back in Hogwarts, but he was never truly evil. Having magic is a gift and a part of us."

Phillip snorted, "After everything he did to you, you don't think he's evil? Rose, having magic is a privilege. It shouldn't be given to those who abuse it. For once, justice will finally be served."

Rose looked over at Albus knowing he was Scorpius' defender in the trial. Albus seemed to be taking notes in his head of what Phillip said.

"Hey, you lot!" Came their cousin, Fred's voice, "We're gathering in the kitchen to eat." That was the last any of them ever said about Scorpius Malfoy and his fate that was to come.

The ride back to Hogwarts was absurdly quiet to Rose. She believe many people were wondering what would happen to their Potions Master now that his secret was out.

Many believed Ted Lupin had sacked him. Others believed he was as innocent as his looks.

It wasn't until Aaron Gaston came into Rose and Belle's compartment when he grumbled, "I can't believe they're letting him stay."

Belle gave him a grim face, but said nothing.

"I suppose our headmaster doesn't care if we are all murdered in class," Aaron said.

Rose was astounded to hear such an awful comment. He didn't even know Scorpius, "Aaron, if he was out to murder us, wouldn't you think he would have done so already? I think it was all a set up."

Belle looked to Aaron to see what he would say, "Or maybe that's what he wants everyone to think. He was probably waiting for the perfect moment to exploit his evil plans."

Rose wrinkled her nose, "It all seems somewhat fishy to me."

Belle looked from Aaron to Rose, "Well, I don't care what happens. There's just five months left and I'm using my time and energy on getting a job."

Aaron came behind her and whispered out loud for both of them to hear, "Not if Scorpius Malfoy has anything to do with it." Belle gave a small blush that had Rose wondering what Aaron had meant by what he said to her.

Everyone was anxiously awaiting the feast that evening in due respects that they all now know Scorpius Malfoy's past prior to teaching at Hogwarts.

When Ted Lupin came to the podium the entire hall grew quiet without him having to chime a signal.

"Greetings," he began, "Welcome back those who have gone home for the Holidays and hope your minds are now refreshed for the second half your semester. I expect to see grand results. In further ado, Hogwarts has hired a new professor that will be assisting in the Potions classroom."

There was a slight murmur of voices as students whispered about the new assistant and his or her connection to Scorpius Malfoy's case.

"Please," Ted Lupin stood aside as he opened his arm towards the door, "If you would so kindly give a warm welcome to Mister Phillip Le Fou."

There was small round of applause, but Rose Weasley felt herself shrink smaller. Why is he here? Why now? Oh by Merlin, I didn't want anybody to find out about this!

Phillip gave a small wave and sat at the end of the long table that faced the students. Many students were now looking to their Potions Master to see what he thought of the whole situation. His face showed no emotions. However, Rose knew both Scorpius and Phillip had unfinished business to attend to. Did Teddy even know about their rivalry?

"Please note that even though the news of Professor Malfoy's probation is now publicized, Hogwarts will not tolerate any vandalism, prejudice, or any other acts of disgrace. Thank you." He stepped away from the podium and that was the signal for dismissal.

As students began to make their way out of the Great Hall, Rose snuck away towards Phillip Le Fou. She couldn't let him tell everyone about her disguise, at least not yet.

She found Phillip walking the corridor alone possibly towards where he would be staying. She hurried behind him in hopes to talk to him in a secluded room as quickly as possible.

He heard her. When he turned his head and saw her his mouth nearly gave everything away so she pushed him into a nearby classroom slamming the door behind her.

"Not a word!" She said whipping around to face him.

His mouth hung wide open in surprise.

"Rose, what – what are you doing here?"

Rose bit her lip, "This is where I have been assigned for my next story."

"Here? At Hogwarts?"

"Isn't that what I just said?"

Phillip shook his head, "Rose, don't you remember your life here? Don't you remember how…how Malfoy treated you even your own family?"

"Things have changed over time, Phillip. Lily has been more than kind enough to be here for me. The people here at Hogwarts aren't as bad as it once was when I was there and Scorpius…he's different. I mean he doesn't realize it's me, Rose Weasley. I go by the name Arielle here. Miss Saleway to you…so remember that."

Phillip shook his head, "I can't believe you came back here and you're defending him of all people."

"Like I said, he's different."

"And he doesn't recognize you even if you've, er, changed your appearance a bit too?"

Rose looked down, "Well, there are times when I feel like he does a double-take like he has to think twice before he says anything. But, so far he sees me as a student so as long as my disguise holds out I should be fine. It would be different if I was trying to disguise myself from you considering I see you at least once a month at Potter-Weasley gatherings with Lucy."

"Yeah, that's true. Although, I have to say, your disguise isn't half bad. Considering I just saw you at Christmas, I almost didn't recognize you without your humongous glasses or your curly hair pulled back into a ponytail. You look, er, nice."

"Oh, thank you," Rose said not used to receiving compliments.

"Your complexion even makes you look younger. How did you acquire to do that?"

Rose blushed, "Oh, well, I've been working a lot on my potions skills these days and have been using this potion I created to ensure my appearance looks younger than I look. It's actually a very difficult potion, but with Professor Malfoy's help…"

"You've been working with him?" Rose didn't answer.

Phillip only could shake his head at her, "Rose, you know what happened at Hogwarts. He toyed with your feelings. You really need to move on."

Rose huffed, "You know I am really getting annoyed everyone thinks they need to protect me from him. I know what I'm doing. Scorpius is actually a really good professor and he's no longer the prick we knew when we went to Hogwarts. I think you should give him a chance to prove that to you."

Phillip laughed, "Ha, good one, Rose. You may have forgotten what he did to you, but I will never forget what he did to me. Trust me, Rose, you need to wake up or you're going to end up hurt and all alone."

"Nothing more than I'm used to."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Phillip asked.

"It means you are no different from anyone else who had decided to abandon me after Hogwarts. You were the supposedly the closest to a friend I ever had, but you didn't visit or write to me not once until you started seeing my cousin this past summer. I'm not going to lie, Phillip, I was a little hurt back then. Was I really that bad to hang around with? I understand why my family was never around. They had their friends, but you, you were like me. So how is it that you were any better than the rest of them?"

"What are you talking about? We've hung out this summer."

"Yeah, when you were only with Lucy," Rose pointed out.

"Are you…are you jealous that I'm with Lucy?" Phillip asked.

Rose was taken aback by his question, "No, of course not. I'm just stating that the only reason you hang out with me now is if you have a reason to; Lucy being that reason."

"Oh, come off it, Rose. It's ok to admit you feel something or, no, I'm sorry, that there was something between us."

Rose was about to argue, however, was cut off when the door swung open revealing to her horror, Professor Armour. Rose wished she could dig herself a hole and live in it. Instead she did the stupidest thing her mind could register. She screamed and ran out of the door crying, "He's a pervert!"

Rose figured that between the two of them, her life needed more saving. Phillip would find his way out of the situation she just placed him in. She just had to get away before Professor Armour began to think that there was something going on between a student and an official even if he didn't know she wasn't actually a student. She was trying to last until the end of the year for Merlin's sake.

Scorpius hovered over his desk looking down at his lessons for the week. He sighed in frustration.

"Tough week coming up?" came a voice from the doorway. Scorpius looked up to see Albus Potter. He didn't expect him so soon. In fact, he didn't expect him to show up at all. He thought Albus would have given up on his case like everyone else.

"Surprised to see me?" Albus inquired.

"A bit, yeah," Scorpius said, focusing back on his lessons. Albus began to move around the classroom.

"I heard Phillip Le Fou is supervising you," Albus said as he looked at the ingredients cabinet.

Scorpius looked up at him, "Yeah, and what of it?"

Albus shrugged, "Just funny."

Scorpius crossed his arms, "Forgive me, Potter, but what is so funny about Le Fou being back here? Everyone knows I can't stand the bloke."

Albus turned to face him. His green eyes bore into his face, "Because, Malfoy, I believe you may be right about Le Fou. He came over for Christmas dinner over the break and he said some rather interesting things."

Scorpius was puzzled as to where he was going, "Like what? How to turn me into a tea cozy?"

Albus snorted, "Not exactly. He said something along the lines that you deserved everything that has happened to you."

Scorpius shook his head, "I don't see how that helps my case, Potter."

Albus walked away from the ingredient's cabinet toward Scorpius to explain, "It's not what he said, but the way he said it. It meant business and it may not give us any evidence, but it gives us a lead."

Scorpius hit the table angrily, "This isn't helping me! My trial is in six months. We are running out of time. The wizarding world now knows what has happened. I have been receiving threatening owls left and right. I am getting nowhere!"

"You didn't let me finish," Albus said discreetly.

Scorpius threw up his hands. "Then finish by all means."

Albus rummaged into his cloak pocket and brought out a vile. He showed to Scorpius, "After what Le Fou said, I asked an official who was there when you were found guilty, if I could have his memory of that night. He was more than willing."

Scorpius looked at the vile, "Whose memory is it? There were close to a dozen people there that night they stormed into my flat."

"Your best mate, Zed Zabini. You two shared the flat, am I correct?"

Scorpius nodded, "Yeah, and he also believed that I did it. I don't want to look at his memory." Scorpius looked away. Zed had been his best mate since his Hogwarts years, but ever since that night the Ministry officials busted down their door, he hadn't heard a word from him since. Zed knew he wasn't capable of evilness after all the time Devon D'Arque tried to recruit him.

"Le Fou is in it."

Scorpius snapped his head in Albus' direction. He took one glance at the vile and then said, "Let's see what Zabini remembers.

Albus hastily dropped the contents of the memory into the Pensieve. They both dipped their heads and dove into Zedacious Zabini's memory of that fateful night.

They were in a bedroom and Zed Zabini was sleeping in his bed when all of a sudden there was a pounding at the door.

"Open up! It's Auror Simmons," Zed's eyes popped up from the noise and he slowly rose up from his bed. He slowly made it to the living room.

When Zed entered the living room he found Scorpius passed out from the night before on the sofa. He stared down at him for a moment before he gave the sofa a shove as Scorpius fell of the sofa. Scorpius groaned.

"Wake up, there's someone at the door," Zed said. Scorpius slowly got to his feet as he gave a yawn. Then he looked down at what was left of his scorched shirt filled with blood stains. Zed looked at him questionably before he opened the door that revealed five hooded aurors, Kingsley Shaklebolt, and Ted Lupin.

"What's going on?" Scorpius asked.

"I trusted you!" Scorpius' boss, Kingsley Shaklebolt, growled as he came towards him, but the Aurors held him back.

Auror Simmons who was closest to Scorpius said, "Scorpius Malfoy, you hereby under arrest for the attempt-murder of Minister Kinglsey Shacklebolt."

"Wha-what?" Scorpius asked confused.

Auror Simmons looked down at what was left of his shirt, "Clearly, you don't recall last night's misgivings." Auror Simmons held up his hand and another Auror gave him a bag full of what looked to be powder.

"This was found at the scene of the crime just outside the Minister's sleeping chamber, recognize it?"

Scorpius peered at the powder and recognized it as poison. "And this," Auror Simmons held up a photograph of Scorpius mixing potions with last night's date, "this proves you were there last night."

"I…I…I didn't do this," Scorpius looked at Kingsley Shacklebolt, "You have to believe me, Kingsley, I'm innocent."

Kingsley stared back at him coldly, "You didn't even bother to change, I see." He turned to the Aurors and said, "I believe that is the same shirt he's wearing in the photo?"

"It is," Auror Simmons agreed.

Scorpius shook his head knowing full he was innocent. He couldn't believe this was happening. He had to be set up, "Who shot the photo? It's possible I could have been imperialized last night. I can tell you right now I wasn't anywhere close to the Ministry. I went to a bar. Ask…ask Albus Potter!"

Albus turned to Scorpius, "Way to throw me in by the way."

"You were the only one I could remember seeing last night," he grumbled. Albus continued to watch the scene while Scorpius continued to look for any sign of Le Fou. He was all too familiar with the scene in front of him for it starred multiple times in his dreams and thoughts.

"Sir," came Ted's voice, "Perhaps Scorpius Malfoy is still the truth."

"And what makes you think that, Lupin?"

"Well, considering that Scorpius is Kingsley's bodyguard wouldn't you think he would cover his tracks a bit better?" The Auror looked to Kingsley who was still glaring at Scorpius.

"It's up to you, sir. What would you have us do?" Kingsley's glance went to Ted.

After a moment of painful silence, the Minister said, "You're in need of a Potions Master, am I correct, Lupin?"

Ted looked at him confused, "Er, yes, but I don't see how-"

"Scorpius Malfoy is to work under your supervision as your new Potions Master. If anything happens so long that he is there perhaps you won't think we were mad enough to confiscate his magical abilities."

"I've got students," Ted said.

"I thought you were convinced he was innocent."

Ted looked at Scorpius, "Fine. Scorpius, I expect to see you in my office tomorrow morning."

"This isn't fair!" Scorpius shouted, "I didn't do anything."

Kingsley gave him a cautious look, "We'll see soon enough, Malfoy." He looked to Auror Simmons, "Make sure you've got one here tonight."

Auror Simmons nodded.

Scorpius looked over at his mate, Zed, who had been quiet throughout the entire encounter.

"You believe me right?" He fired at him.

Then Zed turned his head without a response. He left without a word toward his bedroom. It was clear he did not believe Scorpius to be innocent.

Scorpius and Albus followed Zed to his bedroom only to see him leaned with both hands straddling his window. He seemed to be staring out at something that his caught his attention. Scorpius and Albus looked and there he was – Phillip Le Fou pulling down his hood talking to another Auror.

Scorpius felt his insides explode with anger. He wanted to throttle the little git for who he did.

The only way to do that was to get his potion ready as soon as possible. Now that, Le Fou was at Hogwarts he would find a way to force feed Le Fou the potion and wait as he revealed what he had done.

Arielle Saleway had agreed to meet Scorpius the next evening to start up where they left off. Scorpius was surprised Arielle had agreed to continue their lessons when it was ever so clear he was considered a murderer.

He soon found his answer as Arielle was carefully stirring the potion when she said, "I know you must think this potion will right a wrong, but I think this isn't the answer, Professor."

"What are you talking about, Miss Saleway?" Scorpius asked as he crushed doxy eggs in his pestle.

"I know you think this is supposed to help you unravel who the person is who set you up, but this isn't going to help your case. We're brewing an illegal potion."

Scorpius was shocked by her response. "How did you-"

"I'm a Ravenclaw. I do my research on something I find interesting. I understand why you made this seem like some extra lessons for me to work on my potions skills and honestly, I'm not too bothered that you used my skills to do so, I'm actually quite honored."

Scorpius continued to stare at her. Arielle stopped stirring the potion, "I just thought it would be good that I clear the air that I know what's going on. I started to figure it out the day…the day I found the Drink of Despair potion in your cabinet. This won't help you win your case in your favor or get that Le Fou bloke to confess. Sure, he may confess, but they would think you corrupted his mind to believe so. This potion will be your ultimate downfall."

Scorpius didn't respond right at first, but when he did he asked, "After everything you have heard about me, you seem to believe I'm innocent. Why?"

Arielle Saleway shrugged, "Because after all these lessons, you are nothing of the murdering type. You lose your temper sometimes, but even so, you apologize afterwards. I don't understand how the Minister could so easily think you would want to kill him when for a whole year you've been making sure he doesn't get killed. So yeah, if it is worth anything, I believe you're innocent."

Scorpius discovered a deeper affection for Arielle Saleway. She believed him when everyone else did not. It may not have been the wisest decision when his hand suddenly covered hers.

Arielle stared up at him in shock, but was soon interrupted when some yelled, "Ari!"

Scorpius tore his hand off hers instantly and looked away as Arielle turned to the person who called her name.

"Come on, lets go," Arielle's friend cried. He recognized the friend to be Erin Cogsworth.

Arielle turned to Scorpius, "I've got to go. Have a good night, Professor."

She was gone and all Scorpius could do was stare after her wondering about certain possibilities.