Chapter Twenty

Rose's POV

I arrive at the Ministry as on time as usual and head into my department, nodding greetings to various people. When I enter my office I find the head of the department, Jacqueline Saunders, already there with a tall, olive skinned man who I recognise as the Italian Minister of Magic.

Shit in my romantic haze I'd forgotten I had a meeting with him.

'Good morning Minister,' I shake his hand politely, 'I trust you're okay?'

'Yes thank you, just had the great news that my daughter has graduated Beauxbatons top of her year.'

Oh I'd forgotten how informal he was as well. Hang on, I thought Scorpius said his daughter had run off with a criminal or something like that?

What the hell?

My meeting is thankfully over quickly although I can't remember most of it because I'm wondering why Scorpius lied to me about the news story. It was a pretty rubbish lie as well. I work in the Department of International Magical Cooperation for God's sake.

I'm half tempted to go over to the Prophet offices when Roxanne arrives unannounced and I have to shelve my plans.

Roxanne is one of those people who has no fixed income yet seems to be able to still lead an extravagant lifestyle. She flits between helping run Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes which is currently planning expansion into Europe, writing the odd article for magazines and presenting on a popular radio show. She'll be in one position for a month then move on out of boredom, which is why she thinks it's acceptable to bother people who actually work for a living half way through a weekday.

'What's up, Rox?'

'Oh not much,' she sits in a chair opposite mine, 'Just wondered if you wanted a chat or to go get some lunch.'

I raise my eyebrows at her.

'It's eleven in the morning.'

She shrugs unfazed, 'So?'

'So, some of us actually have work to do! Why don't you go and bother Lysander?'

'Oh I have but he's really busy. He's got to do Scorpius' work as well because he's not there today.'

I drop the dossier I'm holding onto the floor.

'What?'

Roxanne looks slightly alarmed by my reaction, 'Chill Rose, he's ill apparently, just because you've never taken one sick day in your life.'

'But Scorpius rushed out of the flat really early this morning saying he had loads of work to do.'

Roxanne suddenly looks very uncomfortable at having been the one to bring me this news.

Right, so the man is lying to me once again and thinks he's getting away with it.

'Right, come on Roxanne, we're going to hunt him down.'

Scorpius' POV

'How about this one?'

Al looks at it and wrinkles his nose, 'Nah, not a big enough diamond.'

I'm ready to scream with frustration right now. Al and I have been looking at rings for the best part of two hours and neither of us can choose one. Al has turned out to be something of an engagement ring connoisseur and has rejected all the ones I've chosen on various petty grounds.

The shop owner is also fed up with us. In fact, he's reading Witch Weekly at the moment to avoid having to talk to us.

'Okay, Al, well we've looked at practically all the rings in the shop and still not found one!'

'Chill out Scorpius, we'll find one. I'm actually getting into this ring thing now, maybe I'll propose to Daisy.'

'None of your family will be at the wedding.'

I can tell he's got some swear words ready to throw at me when I have a brainwave.

'Let's go to that vintage shop down the street! The stuff in there will be so much more Rose than the rubbish in here.'

The shopkeeper gives us a very nasty glare as we leave.

In the next shop I spot the ring which I know I'll use to propose to Rose. A simple silver band with a discreet but carat- heavy diamond in the centre. Perfect.

Al whistles at the price, 'Lucius will be so proud his money's being spent on a Weasley.'

400,000 galleons.

I do a quick mental calculation of my Prophet salary, savings and the inheritances I figure I'm morally allowed to spend because they're from half decent family members.

'I'll take it,' I say to the owner.

Al looks at me, 'Really, it's so expensive!'

'Oh don't worry, as my best friend you'll be paying my rent and food money for the next ten years.'

Rose's POV

Roxanne and I head over to the Prophet offices, my flat, Al's house, Scorpius' flat but fail to find him.

Bastard.

After checking I'm not suicidal, Roxanne leaves me to head home and I apparate back to my own flat.

As I enter the door I realise something is different. The light is flickering, like there's loads of candles somewhere.

I step into my lounge with apprehension, 'hello?'

'Hi, Rose.'

I jump out of my skin as Scorpius appears from the kitchen.

'What the hell is going on?' I demand angrily.

Silently he takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen which is completely filled with red candles and white roses. My favourites.

My heart skips a few beats. No, this isn't what I think it is. Is it?

I look at Scorpius and he bends down onto one knee, smiling up at me. He holds out the most beautiful ring I've ever seen.

'No way,' I gasp, 'this is a joke.'

He interrupts me ramblings.

'Rose, will you marry me?'

So he's finally proposed! But what will she say...? Please keep reading and please please please keep reviewing