Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series, any of its characters or settings. All you recognize belongs to J. K. Rowling.
A/N: Hi everyone! So sorry I haven't posted in a looong time, but I finally finished the last chapter of the story! I hope you like it as much as I do! By the way, "Hugs" is the way Lily calls Hugo, and this chapter starts six months after the last one, in June. Most of the chapter is written in Scorp's POV; I just thought he mighst as well finish what he started, right? haha....
Oh, and of course:
Million thanks to SeraphimeRising for beta-ing the last three chaps, and to nickiegirl123 for beta-ing the early ones. Bunch of thanks to everyone who susbcribed to the story, added it to their favourite list or/and reviewed! Special thanks to KaceyO for sticking with me since the very begining, and to DesireeBoils, ElAmorComienza, TilTheLastRoseDies, maddikinz940 and Paperback28, for just being the best reviewers in the world!
Love you's to absolutely everyone who read my story, and again a million thanks.
With no further ado, I give you chapter 20,
and one last time, Happy Reading :D
Chapter 20
"My Life Would Suck Without You"
.
Scorpius
.
Dear Mr. S. Malfoy
Here at the Irish Professional Quidditch Unit, we are pleased to inform you, you've been accepted into the permanent national Quidditch formation.
We understand it is a very important decision the one you must make regarding your professional well being. The IPQU offers you the opportunity to join an incredible, specifically selected group of athletes and promises you ability to develop your skills to their maximum.
We hope our Unit will be of your liking, we will await your response.
Mark Boyle,
Captain of the Irish National Team
I stare long at the letter and sigh to myself as I fall back onto my bed.
Six months have passed me by already. I studied four months non-stop, got remarkable grades in my N.E.W.T.s, and couldn't care less. Because after much training, virtually no sleep, and Disapparating every five days to a different country for two months, today, I received ten acceptance letters from Quidditch Units all around the Globe. I got accepted in France, USA, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Poland, Canada, Lithuania, Uganda and, ultimately, Ireland.
To anyone in my place, deciding where to go could be the hardest thing they'd ever have to do. To me, the decision is rather simple, and I didn't really have to think it through that much.
You see, Rose is starting as a pre-training medi-wizard at St Mungo's in four months. The hospital has a faculty in Clondalkin, very close to Dublin, where the IPQU is.
The only flaw here, is that I am bound to live a year without her, which would unlikely be of any good.
She has to stay in England for a whole year before she can transfer to another healing facility. She is required to remain in the country for this period of time. I, also, am bound by my contract to stay in the country where whichever Unit I pick resides.
So I'll have to wait 487 days for the torture to be over. I know I just have to hold on for that much, but the wait is something I'm bound to hate.
Sighing again, I roll over my back and put the letter in one of the bed side drawers. I don't bother rolling back; I just stay there, splattered across the bed and bury my face further into the scattered pillows. I always wondered why there were so many, I'm fine with just one. Although I like having a bunch now, because they all smell like a particular someone I haven't seen all day for some odd reason.
Just like on cue, my bedroom door opens slowly and my beautiful redhead comes in.
"I'm so tired," Rose says, taking her shoes off.
I smile into the pillows as I watch her slowly making her way to me.
"Join the club," I mumble as she climbs onto the bed and lays herself on top of me, her chest to my back. "Hi."
"Hi," she whispers tiredly against me.
"How was your day?"
"Exhausting. Uncle Neville kept dragging me around, making sure everything was ready for tomorrow," she yawns and I chuckle slightly. "You should have been there to be dragged as well, you know."
"Just didn't feel like it."
Then she does this strange sound, like a groan and a moan at the same time, which I know is meant to show her dislike to my answer, but the sound reaches a part of my brain that doesn't hear it so innocently.
"Have you heard from any Quidditch Unit yet?" … and the mood is officially over before it actually sprung to life.
"I did." I sigh.
"Where are they?" Rose asks, suddenly not tired anymore, sitting up on my lower back.
"How do you know if I got more than one?" I tease her, turning my head to see her face.
"Because you're brilliant," she says like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "I made you brilliant."
Right, so maybe I forgot to mention all that training was under the watchful eye of my flower. Yeah, I'm sorry, but I'm a man, and as one, I refuse to admit my girlfriend trained me...
"Top drawer, left side table," I say turning back to the pillows, frowning to myself. "And I would be brilliant whether you had helped me or not."
No, I wouldn't.
Laughing quietly to herself, Rose leans over me towards the table and after a few seconds of trying to reach the drawer and not being able to, she gets off the bed and looks properly.
"I'm so proud of you!" she says sitting at the edge of the mattress, holding the ten acceptance letters I got this morning. Then she leans and kisses the top of my head.
I keep silent. I understand that she's happy for me. I understand this is a big deal. I understand my dream is finally coming true. But I can't help feeling slightly disappointed at my near future, even if it's what I always wanted.
"I'm not really sure why, but I had expected you to be jumping up and down given the situation," she then says sarcastically, seeing this isn't the way I ought to react.
"I know."
"What's wrong?" she asks, poking my back twice.
I turn my head to look at her again and see real concern in all that hazel.
For some reason it bothers me she doesn't get why I can't be excited about being accepted in so many Units. I know we've got a plan, and I know that all I have to do is wait. But I don't want to. Why would I want to put myself through so much misery? And why can't she see that? Is she fine with it all? Does she think it isn't a big deal? How can she just accept we have to be apart for so long?
I don't want to wake up alone and go to bed alone, after six months of not doing so. I refuse to accept the fact that my sheets will not smell of her. That I will not be able to watch as her eyes slowly flutter open in the mornings. That I will not be sharing a late evening by the fire with her.
"I just happen to think it is not fair I have to be in another country for an entire year."
"Oh, so this is what it's all about," she replies smiling slightly at my concern.
"Do you know what distance does to people?" I roll on my back and sit up, facing Rose properly. "Do you realize the time we've spent together is only half of the time we will be apart? I have waited six years for to you love me. And six months is all I get. Tell me, is that fair?"
"Listen to me," she says cupping my face with her thin, small hands. "It all will be alright, I promise."
"How do you promise something that is not within your reach?" I ask, narrowing my eyes slightly. Merlin knows I'm not the most hopeful being.
"Just trust me," she says pecking me in the lips before letting go of my face.
We stare at each others eyes for a few seconds but I can't dispose of my sceptic expression.
"Put the frown away," she smiles at me, prompting herself to her knees and then straddling my waist as she buries her hands in my hair. "Or are you afraid I'll leave you for a healer?"
"I've seen myself in the mirror." I finally smile back as I look slightly up, to her eyes. "You wouldn't."
I close the small gap between us, and kiss her urgently, making her sigh. I take her from the waist and turn us over, so I end up on the top. As her back makes contact with the mattress, my lips start bruising her neck.
I've never been one to appreciate loud sex... until I heard Rose moan.
I start undoing her robe as I kiss her up her neck, back to her lips. She too starts tugging at my clothing and soon we are both in our underwear.
"You do know we have to wake up early tomorrow?" she asks panting, as I start ravaging her collarbone again.
I pull away and look up at her. I smile at her swollen lips and her daze gaze.
"We've got a year to make up for, haven't we?" I whisper against her lips and reach down to unhook her bra.
She gasps at the sudden move and smiles back.
.
Rose
.
Dear Miss R. Weasley,
First of all, we are immensely proud to welcome a witch of such intellectual to St. Mungo's Training Healers Unit. We've received the results for your Preparation Course Undervaluing Petition, and are very pleased to inform you, you have excelled the examinations with remarkable results. Therefore, you will be starting later this year as an official Healer in Training.
We understand you wished to be transferred to our faculty in Ireland, once your preparation course was done a year from this fall. Given you have passed the examinations, we invite you to take part of the healing unit that is to transfer this October overseas.
We will be waiting for your response,
Sincerely yours,
Martha Morgan, Head Healer.
"Congratulations on beating me."
I turn my head around to catch a pair of dark hazel eyes that, apparently, read my letter along with me.
"Thanks," I smile to James and turn back to my letter.
"Scorpius must be thrilled," my older cousin says as he sits beside me on one of the steps that leads to the castle's gardens.
"I haven't told him yet." I must have gotten the letter about half an hour ago.
"I cannot believe you managed to skip your whole first year," I watch him chuckle slightly and smile to myself.
James also applied to skip his preparation course last year when he was still in Hogwarts. He got very good marks but not good enough. Still he was granted to skip half of the course. I've got to give him a lot of credit though. Unlike me, James has never been one to occupy his time in books, so getting the results he got, was extraordinary for someone who has never bothered to open a book more than once in his lifetime. I'm sure he would have skipped his first two years if he had really tried.
"I've always been the smart one, remember?" I mock him.
"Right," he laughs.
I look up to the green fields spreading in front of me. In the distance, I can see a silvery blonde head sitting beside a raven one. I hope they're having a civil conversation, instead of mouthing insults and threats.
"Is everyone here yet?" I look back at James, trying not to think of Scorpius and Albus hexing each other to no end.
"Most of them," he replies, and I can see his eyes diverting to the floor, looking rather sad.
Neither mum nor dad are coming to my graduation. Dad obviously couldn't handle such a large celebration with people he doesn't know. Grandma Molly offered my mum to stay with him. But when dad was told Jean would be gone for the day, he insisted she'd stay. I don't understand why my dad would rather stay all day with 'Mione's Aunt', rather than his mother, but it's alright. He may feel this attachment, that might not make any sense to him, but I do understand. Jean is in reality the woman he fell in love with, and even if he doesn't remember who she is, he loves her.
"I'm sorry it has turned out this way, Rosie," James then says quietly.
"It's alright. I believe we both knew what the outcome would be anyway," I reply.
"I still had a little hope, though."
I stare at James, and feel my heart breaking a little for him.
You see, James and I have never been too close, despite the fact he's just one year older than me. Al has always been my closest relative. When we were younger (about 7 or 8 years old) and completely uncaring of things such as rules, Uncle George used to tell us we reminded him of his brother and himself during their school years. Just like ourselves, Hugo and Lily have always been joined by the hip. Molly, Fred and Louis; Roxy and Lucy; Victoire and Teddy (of course); we all have our closest cousin; James gets along the best with Dominique, but she attended Beauxbatons; unlike her two siblings, she's too much like her mum to have settled for Hogwarts.
James has never had trouble socializing; but he never opened up to any of us as he did with his friends.
Despite never favouring neither Hugo nor I over Dom, his favourite uncle has always been my dad. James had issues communicating with his father during his sixth year. Uncle Harry used to mumble something about James living up to his name; I personally don't know what he meant by that. One day my dad had a talk with James. I'm not sure what he told him, but after that James' relationship with his dad improved by miles.
I think if someone ought to feel as bad as I did, it is James.
Losing your dad is horrible, but losing the one person you look up to, might as well be just as hard. I feel like he has the shorter straw between us though. Even if I have to pretend to be someone else, I still get to see my dad when I want, and talk to him if I wish. James, on the other hand, cannot. He looks too much like his paternal grandfather to be an undercover relative of Uncle Harry.
"Congratulations again, Red-o," my cousin then says, making me come back to reality.
"Thanks."
"I think I should take Al away before hexes start flying around," he chuckles standing up. He kisses me in the forehead and starts walking forward, where Al and Scorp are, most likely, exchanging tough words.
I smile to myself at the boys' behaviour, but decide not to intervene. Despite it all, I know they will get along eventually, there's no need to rush the inevitable anyway.
I watch as James takes his brother for a walk and Scorp looking at their retrieving backs while a smirk makes its way through his oh-so-gorgeous lips. He may not admit it, but I think he seems to be letting a soft spot for Al grow in his heart.
Then, he turns his handsome face in my direction and I can see a rather dashing smile overpower his very characteristic smirk. He starts walking forward, nodding at whoever greets him on his way. Just as he bids hello to some Ravenclaw, I catch his eyes widening a little as he stares at the direction the other bloke had come from. Unable to see what stopped Scorpius, I stand up and take a few steps forward.
There, at least, eight yards from Scorpius, stands Draco Malfoy.
I watch as the boy I love stays where he stands for a minute or so before he starts walking towards his father, a determined expression erasing the shocked look off his face.
I keep my eyes buried in the unfolding scenery in the distance. I watch as Mr. Malfoy starts talking and realize, Scorpius face gets colder by the second.
I had wondered for six months now if the elder wizard had taken my mum's words seriously. I didn't tell Scorp about our parents' encounter. I didn't think it was fair to him having to listen to it from someone other than his father. Despite my better judgement, I had faith in Mr. Malfoy. I hoped he'd talk to his son wholeheartedly one day. I wished he'd see his wrong ways and try to make it better.
Now, I just hope I didn't misjudge him.
"Can I have a word with you?" I hear a slightly familiar voice ask behind me.
I turn around to find a tanned, tall bloke with dark blue eyes. For the past six months I came to fairly friendly terms with Lucas Zabini; that's how I know, the young wizard leaning against a column a few feet from me, isn't him.
"Will you be twisting my neck this time?" I ask Leonard, not bothering to draw out my wand... yet.
"No."
"What do you want?" I glare at the cold-faced wizard.
"I just wanted to apologize," he says coldly, looking me in the eye. "For everything."
I stare at his dark eyes and try to see whatever motive is hidden behind his words. After all he did and said, I'm not sure I believe he'd apologize so easily. But after searching for about a minute, I realized, surprisingly, he's being honest for once.
I'm not sure if it's the fact that school is ending and that we'll never have to see each other's face again that's making him do this, or if he just wants to make it all better. I don't think I even care about his motives, because I have a feeling his words aren't meant for me.
"I'm not the one you should apologize to," I reply.
"It was your wrist I twisted," he says, his voice dead of emotion, his eyes looking lazily to the gardens at his left.
"It wasn't me whom you really hurt."
Leonard then looks back at me, and dark blue meets hazel, glare-free for the first time. We stare at each other for a few seconds and I can almost see a soul behind all the hatred those eyes carry. I'm not sure whom he hates this much. It could be me. It could be Scorpius. It could be Lucas. It could be the world.
It could be himself.
Whoever he hates, it's none of my business. But I cannot help but wonder if he wishes not to hate anymore.
"I don't know how to apologize to him," he then says. I must admit, I was not expecting such reply. "Nothing can be forgiven anyway."
"I think you're underestimating Scorpius."
He smiles slightly, and shockingly enough, he smiles sadly.
"No. You're overestimating me," he says, suddenly regaining his cold façade. "I cannot apologize for something I don't regret."
"You don't regret all the damage you've caused?" I refuse to believe that.
"I have my share of wrong doings, but I'm not heartless, Weasley." Leonard replies and I feel this overwhelming relief at his words, even knowing there's no way in this planet to confirm such statement. "But if I had to live the last three years again, there's one thing I'd do again without hesitation."
I stare at the tanned bloke and question myself what it is that makes losing his best friend worth the while.
"Leo?"
I look away from Zabini and behind him as he, too, turns to see who calls him.
Charlotte Goyle stands a few feet from us, wearing a olive dress under her graduation robe and looking expectantly at her boyfriend.
"One second, love," he gives the blonde girl a smile I don't think I had ever seen him smile. So bright and charming and... loving.
He turns back to me, his smile gone and finally says:
"Seven years of a ruined friendship requires a complete apology," he sighs, this time diverting his eyes to look at the pair of silvery blonde wizards in the distance. "He deserves a real 'I'm sorry', not a half-felt attempt. And unfortunately, I cannot offer that."
Then he looks back at me and smiles sadly once again. He mumbles a 'Goodbye Weasley' and turns around to Charlotte.
The girl reaches for his hand as he steps closer. She smiles at him once he intertwines his fingers with hers. Then, Zabini flashes that unusual smile of his again, and I find myself understanding his words.
Charlotte is that one thing he cannot apologize for, the one thing he doesn't regret. If he could live the last three years all over again, he would, without hesitation, fall in love with her once more.
I guess that just proves me, he does have a heart.
.
Scorpius
.
I stand there, staring at my left to the fair haired man that for so long I thought was my future reflection. He stares back at me with those cold, unforgiving, silver eyes. His face wearing an impassive mask, as usual, but for some reason, it doesn't seem to cover his face like it should. I can see something there, leaking from the cracks. I'm not sure what it is that he's trying to hide unsuccessfully, but it almost looks like hatred.
I never expected to see him again. I thought he'd never see me again. I certainly did not expect him to come to my graduation.
Thatcher told me my father never asked for me again after New Year's. I felt rather relieved he was truly letting me go. But I must admit I was disappointed in him for not fighting any further. With 'fighting' I do not mean sending people to look for me or make me come back. For a second I hoped he, himself, would look for me and tell me that he needed me back. Not for the sake of his reputation, not because 'Malfoys don't run away', but because I was his son.
He never did.
So, I wonder, what is he doing here? Is he making me come back after six months? Was it all some kind of strategy to make me think he was letting me live how I pleased? Was he planning on bringing me down later down the road? Does he know about my acceptance letters? Is he here to burn down all my opportunities and pay off all units not to scout me?
I take a deep breath, and decide I need to face him one more time in order to find out what it is that he wants from me now. What it is that he wanted from me all along.
I walk towards the man that was once my dad, and stop five feet from him. I stare at him, wearing the same cold mask he has, no cracks visible nevertheless.
"I heard about the ten Units asking you to join them at the end of the month," he says, his voice as emotionless as it has always been.
I say nothing. I just wait for him to tell me he's not allowing me to pursue such career and that I'm getting my arse back to the Manor as soon as the ceremony is over.
"I'm not used to saying this, especially to you, but congratulations," he says and I cannot believe my ears.
I stare at Draco Malfoy dumbfounded.
"What do you mean by 'congratulations'?"
"As far as I know, the word has no other meaning but 'well done'," he replies coldly, and I cannot figure if he's mocking me or just stating a mere fact.
"Why are you congratulating me?" This doesn't make any sense.
He shouldn't be congratulating me! He shouldn't be saying 'well done'! He should be yelling at me for being the biggest disappointment of his life! He should be ordering me to go back to the Manor immediately, screw the ceremony! If not for that, what the bloody hell is he doing here? To support me? I think not!
Maybe, since his reputation is on risk, he told himself this morning: 'I think I'll show my face at the little brat's graduation ceremony, keep appearances perhaps'.
"Before you're mother died, she told me 'don't let Scorpius see you break, keep him strong'." he suddenly says, making my accusing train of thoughts crash. "I did what she asked of me, but in the wrong way... I left you alone."
He pauses and takes a deep breath, like he's dreading saying the words that are about to come out of his mouth.
"There's a million things I could say to excuse my behaviour. There's a million things I regret saying and doing. There's even more things I wish I had done or said," he states coldly, and I'm not sure to what extent he means what he's saying. "I could spend a week telling you how badly I screwed my own life and yours as well. I could apologize for a whole year, and it still wouldn't make up for all the wrong I did to you, to myself, to us."
I notice the way his eyes look even colder than usual and realize all the things he said were things he could do, not what he will do.
"But you won't." It's not a question. He, obviously, thinks so himself.
"No," he says and I can't help feeling like someone has taken my guts out.
Why do I feel so bad? So disappointed? I had expected him to say nothing or to tell me all the ways he's disappointed in who I am. I expected him to be ruthless to me. But the fact that he's practically telling me he knows he was wrong, but still refuses to mumble a simple 'I'm sorry', kills me.
"What in the bloody Earth are you here to say then?" I can feel my hands shaking, but I can't tell if it's from fury or something else.
"That I love you, son. And I'm proud of who you've become."
I stare into my father's silver eyes and find myself staring, not at the cold, unforgiving Draco Malfoy, but at a broken man, who doesn't seem to have anything else to hold on to. For the first time in my life, I can actually see dark circles under his eyes and wrinkles on his forehead. He looks old and hurt.
I know he didn't quite apologize. I know he didn't say what I had wanted him to say for so long. But I don't think I remember him telling me he loved me before. I know he never told me he was proud of me.
So, if I said that those two sentences made up for five years of misunderstandings and hatred, would that make me a mentally unstable person? If I said I want to forgive him even though he didn't apologize, would that make me naïve? If I told you that saying he's proud of who I am, feels like apology enough to me, would you hold it against me?
Because I know he hasn't been the best father in the world. I don't think he's even been a decent one, but he is my father. I have admitted it to myself before that no matter how bad our relationship is, I have no other choice but love him. And maybe, just maybe I don't want it to be an obligation.
Maybe I never needed an 'I'm sorry' from him. Maybe all I ever wanted is just what he said, and the fact that he actually does mean it.
So, I don't think I care if I've gone mad, or if I'm naïve or if you think I'm a moron for wanting to let it all go...
Actually, thinking about it thoroughly, I don't care at all.
"I love you too, dad."
.
OOOO
.
"Ok, so here's the thing: I don't like you."
"Neither do I."
"And I never will."
"First thing we actually agree on."
"But I'm willing to make a truce with you for Rosie's sake."
I stare at Potter's determined face and it takes all my self control not to laugh right here, right now.
"You do know I will be gone in two weeks, don't you Potter?" I smirk.
"I know," he replies, still dead serious. "But a year from now, when my cousin transfers to Ireland, I'd like to be able to visit her at least once a month."
I stare at the raven haired bloke that I had disliked for so long, and can't help but side with him.
No, I don't hate him. I never had, I just happen to think he can be a real thick-headed, arrogant, dramatic, childish prick. But maybe I can put all my differences with him aside for Rose. I have to admit, it all would be so much easier if my love wasn't part of Potter's family, but if I've learn something over this year is that sometimes changing your mind isn't so bad.
So, I'm going to look at the bright side of this, not because I'm willing to like Potter, just to be clear. But if I'm going to be forced to be in the same room as the little brat, might as well have fun with it, right?
"Deal," I reply, trying not to smirk so openly.
"So... ehm, congratulations, Scorpius," he says as he extends his hand for me to shake.
"You too, Alb-, Alb-, Potter." I'll get it in time, don't rush me.
"Oi, Al!"
Potter then turns his head and nods to whoever call out to him. We both let go and he walks away to his mates.
I watch as my, officially former, classmates all gather in groups congratulating each other, exchanging new addresses, saying 'goodbye's and 'I'll miss you's'. I look around and find the group of people I had imagined myself celebrating with since I first got my Hogwarts letter.
Luke and Elle look rather happy clutching each other like today was the last day they'll spend together while they listen intently at Mr. Zabini. Charlotte is hugging her mum and dad while Dorian congratulates Leonard. Mischa is talking to Ms. Zabini as Wyatt seems rather bored to be a ceremony that's not his own.
As I watch all these people I was so close to in the past, embracing and congratulating each other, I can't help wonder how I'd fit in such scene if I hadn't fallen in love with Rose.
I guess I would be laughing and looking quite happy, but I doubt I'd truly feel that way. The reason for it is that I know if Rose's and I's lives hadn't tangled together, the silvery blonde wizard walking towards me from the crowd of exciting parents, would have never been here. He wouldn't have congratulated me at all, he probably wouldn't even remembered I was graduating today. I don't know what made him come here and say the things he said, but whatever, or whoever, it was that made him change, has something to do with Rose, I know.
"Congratulations, son," my father says smiling (actually smiling) at me as he approaches.
"Thanks," I smile back.
So, maybe I'm not in the crowd I was supposed to be since I was placed on Slytherin, but I don't mind. Because I know I am where I'm meant to. Maybe I'm not laughing and joking around, but I certainly feel happy.
And that's more than enough.
"Draco?"
Both, my father and I turn around at the sound of a delicate female voice.
"Ginevra, Potter," my father nods at the ginger woman and the black haired man standing in front of us.
"Malfoy," Harry Potter nods back, smiling slightly.
"Harry and I wanted to ask you and Scorpius to join us for lunch at our home," Mrs. Potter says in that sweet, soft voice of hers.
"I'm afraid I must decline, Ginevra," my father says, his voice slightly colder than a second ago. "I have some business to attend regarding my son's near future, but I don't think the boy has."
"Lovely," Mrs. Potter says and she suddenly flashes this incredibly bright smile, just like Rose's.
"See you at dinner, son," my father says, and adds quietly: "I assume you're choosing Ireland?"
I look up at him and can't help but smile at the amused glint in his eyes. The blinking old man must know about Rose's choice of career. Otherwise, he wouldn't know where I'd be heading to.
"I am."
I watch him start walking ahead and find myself grateful at how my life has seemed to have taken a full 180 degrees leap.
"Draco?" Mr. Potter says suddenly.
"Yes?"
"Nice seeing you again," Mr. Potter smiled.
I watch my father's eyes study Mr. Potter's face, as if he was trying to figure out how meaningful those words were supposed to be. Surprisingly, after a second or two, I can almost see my father's lips twitch upwards slightly.
"You too, Potter," my father says and walks away.
"I'll go find the rest of the clan," Mrs. Potter says as she smiles sadly to herself.
She then kisses her husband in the cheek and walks at a happy pace towards the bunch of redheads and few platinum blondes still congratulating Rose and Alb- Potter.
"Congratulations, Scorpius," I hear Mr. Potter say as he walks ahead to stand beside me, both staring at the same scene.
"Thank you, sir."
I keep watching as Rose gets hugs from all her cousins and her aunts and uncles, and I can't help feeling uncomfortable.
"I don't mean to be rude Mr. Potter, and I appreciate your invitation, but I don't think it's a good idea I join you for lunch," I voice my thoughts to Rose's uncle.
"May I ask why do you feel that way?" he asks after a few seconds.
"Well, it's a family's affair, and I'm not part of it."
My family consists of my father, my aunt, uncle and two cousins, that's it. Up until a few months ago, I didn't get along with any of them. Rose, on the other hand, has this huge family, which, I'm almost certain, is the most overprotective bunch I'll ever meet.
I'm not sure if I'm making any sense, but I feel like I cannot be part of something I've never known. I don't know how to treat grandparents. My mum's parents died during the war and my father's parents died a little after I was born. I don't know how to be a good cousin. I don't know how to be a brother. I don't even know how to be a proper son. So how on Earth do I, someone who doesn't really know what a family is, fit in with Rose's?
"But you are, Scorpius."
I look away from all the Weasleys to stare at the head of the Potters.
"Harry, how nice to see you," my Head of House says as she suddenly starts approaching us, her husband beside her.
"You too, Agnatha. Zacharias," Mr. Potter nods at the couple and winks at me, before all three of them start walking towards the castle.
I watch at their retrieving backs and smile to myself.
I don't know how to put in words the way I'm feeling.
It's like when you just completed a huge test and dread for your grades. You are almost certain you failed miserably, and then the professor comes out and tells you, you did just fine.
Relief, I believe is what I feel at the moment.
I know Mr. Potter didn't say much. I know they were just three words and that just because he feels that way, it doesn't make the rest of his clan feel the same.
But maybe if this man, who is supposed to hate everything my family ever stood for, this man who was hurt the most by almost every wizard or witch that was ever related to me, if he can accept me, then maybe everyone else can.
"Hi." My love's voice suddenly reaches my ears. "Aunt Ginny told me you're joining our celebrations," she says as she takes both of my hands in hers.
"I am." I smile as I lean closer to her. "I love you, did you know?"
"She does. Now, let's get moving before the Floo network closes on us." We are suddenly being pushed towards the castle by Lily. "Hugs!"
.
OOOO
.
Laughter.
Tons of laughter is what I met when I stepped out of the fireplace.
I had seen these people sitting all together during the graduation ceremony back at the castle, all wearing solemnly proud faces.
I did not expect this is what hid beneath the surface.
I have to admit, I might have been slightly naïve when I imagined this lunch. I thought there would be a great amount of politeness and remarkable behaviour. I did not picture constants jokes and loudness.
Starting with the very eccentric grandparents, to the even more eccentric mix of uncles and aunts, to the, at least slightly more normal, bunch of all-aged cousins, Rose's family is certainly not what I had imagined them to be. This is probably one of the loudest group of people I've ever seen. But they are also the warmest, most touching, accepting and funny family I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
"Would you like another piece of pie, Scorpius?" Rose's only blonde aunt, Fleur I believe, asks me smiling.
"Yes, please," I smile back at her.
Lunch is over with and, apparently, it is a family tradition to have dessert in the living room. Some of the adults are sitting around, some are standing. Most of the young ones are either sitting on the floor or on the arms of the chairs their parents occupy. Rose and I squeezed into one large arm chair after the meal.
"You can cut the act, boy." One of Rose's uncles, the one with a missing ear, says as he winks at me. "We understand first impressions are important, but-"
"Shut it, George," his wife slaps his shoulder.
"Ouch!"
"You'll have to excuse them," Roxanne then says, staring coldly at her parents. "They tend to show their love quite oddly."
"If I were you, I'd take the whole pie with me," the oldest of the Potter siblings, James, tells me quietly as he leans over the back of the chair Rose and I share. "Rosie isn't the best cook."
"I beg your pardon?" Either my sweet little girlfriend has a sharper ear than I thought, or James doesn't know how to whisper properly.
"I love you, Red-o."
I smile at the exchange of words between the two cousins. I have seen very little of Rose in a family environment. At school, she would spend time with her cousins separately from the time she spent with me. I never minded, but if this is how it's been all along, I kind of wish I had been there too. It's really amusing.
"Tell me, Scorpius, what are you planning on doing now?" Mr. Bill Weasley asks, making me look away from Rose and James, all the way across the living room, to him.
"He's joining a Quidditch Unit," Mr. Potter says before I can open my mouth, as he walks into the living room and hands me another piece of pumpkin pie. "Got accepted into ten."
"That's fantastic," Mrs. Potter smiles at me from across the room, sitting at George's left.
"What position do you play, boy?" Charles Weasley then asks, a rather mischievous look on his face. "Seeker? Keeper? Chaser?"
"Beater," I reply proudly.
"Ten galleons, please!" George Weasley then says loud and clear, extending his hand towards his brother.
I watch amused as the redhead takes out a bag of gold coins and places it on his brother palm, looking annoyed. Then Fred's dad takes five galleons out of the bag and gives them to him smiling. The boy smiles back to his father and then turns slightly to wink at me.
Fred surely is a lot like his dad.
"Charlie and George made a little bet on your behalf," Percy Weasley voices the obvious, sounding like he clearly sees no point in such immature behaviour.
I don't say anything. I just smile like I have since I was first spoken to. I'm not sure why, but interacting with Rose's family, somehow, comes a lot easier than I had thought.
"That is so rude." One of Rose's blonde cousins, Dominique I believe, says disapprovingly.
"It is indeed," her older sister agrees.
Then Fred stands from the arm of his mother's chair and motions the last blonde, Louis, and Molly Weasley, to walk out of the house with him as he shows them his prize.
"Have you chosen where you're going, Scorpius?" the only wizard whose surname isn't Weasley or Potter, Teddy, asks as he puts an arm around Victoire.
"Ireland."
Then a sudden silence rises up. No one says anything, they all just stand or sit where they are and stare at me. It feels like they're trying to gain sudden supernatural powers in order to read whatever it is I'm thinking.
"Well, isn't that lovely," Rose's grandmother breaks the silence as she walks over to her husband and puts her arms around his waist, all the while smiling at me.
There's another small pause, suddenly killed by a lot of people talking at the same time.
"You've got my approval, boy," I hear George as he stands up and walks over to shake my hand.
"Was he being tested or something?" Alb-no, I still can't-, Potter asks confused to the talking crowd.
"Pretty much, yeah," James replies to his younger brother as he puts his hand on my shoulder briefly.
"You pass, son," Mr. Potter then says shaking my hand as well.
"Thank you," I mumble dumbfounded.
I did not see that one coming.
I look beside me to Rose, hoping she can clear a few things up for me. But the face I see looks just as confused as I feel.
"I did not see that one coming," she then mumbles.
"So, now that formalities are out of the way, how about we have a little match?" I hear Bill Weasley's voice above the bunch, and slowly the living room starts to empty.
"I call Captain!" Lily then shouts.
"I call it too!"
"You don't even like Quidditch, Lucy!" Rose's brother, Hugo, replies loudly as well.
"Malfoy's on my team! Merlin knows I haven't played beside a good beater in quite some time!" George says just as loud as he, too, walks out the door, and I can feel Rose suddenly jerk at his words.
"Hey!" she complains and I can't help but chuckle slightly at the speed she went from utterly confused to utterly outraged. She then turns to me, smiling slightly. "What are you laughing at?"
"Rosie, would you mind taking this to your mum?" Percy's wife, Audrey, asks from the kitchen door way.
"Not at all." Rose replies as she takes the chance to hit my shoulder now that my guard is down.
"Ouch!" That really hurt!
"You coming?" she then asks me smiling at my child-like expression.
"Sure," I mumble still rubbing the spot her hand left throbbing.
I let Rose stand up first and then follow her to the kitchen, where her grandmother and aunt have few wrapped bowls full of food and ready to go. We take them all and I walk out to the fireplace, while Rose's grandmother tells her what it is on each bowl and I don't know what else. A minute or so later, Rose steps out of the kitchen and joins me by the fireplace. She hands me a small cup full of floo powder and I take a pinch. She throws hers on the orange flames, turning them green. She steps into the bricked fireplace and says 'The Burrow' loud and clear. Once I cannot see her turning inside the brick's limits, I step in as well and let the colours make me dizzy.
I walk out of the fireplace to meet Rose at the other side. She smiles at me and starts walking towards where I believe is the kitchen. I follow her quietly and place the bowls on the long table once inside.
"I'll go look for my mum." Rose then says, walking outside.
I look around the room as I hear her footsteps reaching a first landing. I've never been in such a small kitchen in my life. Everything is so close together, it's rather scary. I don't think I'm claustrophobic, but I'd feel a lot better if the space wasn't so blinking small and so stinking crowded.
Feeling slightly dizzy, I make my way out of the kitchen and into another room, and certainly not the one I had entered the house from.
I stand at the door way of what looks like a library. It looks like it's some kind of extension to the whole house. The wood, although not that new looking, seems a lost fresher than the living room's and the kitchen's. Five shelves full of books stand in front of me, against the back wall. Books after books exhibit their spines proudly.
Truth be told though, the last thing I'm looking at are the books or their titles.
There, sitting on the floor, by the centre shelf, is no other than Ronald Weasley himself.
"How long are you going to stand by the door, Mione?" he asks out loud, suddenly closing the book he, apparently, had been looking at.
I say nothing. Unsure of what I'm supposed to do, I just take a step back, which really doesn't help me at all, since Mr. Weasley decides to turn around at that very moment.
"Do I know you?" he asks, slightly frowning, after a few seconds of staring at me.
"No," I reply too soon to be considered a normal answer.
"Oh," Mr. Weasley mumbles, his blazing blue eyes still glued on my face. "You look familiar, though."
I stare back at the man, and make a decision. He already saw me, he already thinks he knows me. All that makes it slightly hard for me to escape without causing any disturbances. I seem familiar to him, right? Well, might as well tell him who I am, or should I say, whom he can believe I am?
"I'm Scorpius Malfoy, sir, Draco Malfoy's cou-"
"Son, of course. I remember you," he cuts me off, his face suddenly softer, more relaxed. "Last time I saw you, you must have been thirteen at most."
What the bloody hell?...
"You look a lot like your mum, though," he says smiling at me as he stands up and walks over to an armchair by the shelf further to the left.
"So I've been told," I mumble unsure of what is happening. Could it be possible...? "Are you alright , sir?"
Rose's father then looks me in the eye and I can see his smile slowly fade away.
"How long?" he asks after a few minutes in silence, diverting his eyes to the floor.
"I beg your pardon?"
"How long was I out?" he asks looking back at me.
So, it is possible.
"Eight months, sir," I reply and watch how his serene face, finds shock. "Do you mind me asking how you- ehm, how?"
"Turns out my daughter is a genius." he says after a minute or so, taking a paper out of his shirt pocket.
He then hands me the piece of paper and I catch a glimpse of motion. It's a picture, taken probably a long time ago. There, gathering around a sparkling birthday cake, is every single one of the people I meet today for the first time, all fourteen years younger. I scan the picture stopping briefly at each face, until my eyes reach the four people in the middle of the shot. Sitting in front of the cake, holding a rather energetic two-year-old, sits a woman who looks just like Rose, except for the hair colour and some discrete evidence of the passing of time. Standing beside her, is Mr. Weasley himself, holding whom today is the girl I love when she was only three years old.
"Is she here?"
I turn to the evidently aged man sitting a few feet from me, looking straight ahead to the windows. His face is no longer smiling, or frowning; he just looks sad.
"Yes, sir," I say, looking at his profile intently "Would you like me to call her?"
"No."
I'm not sure how to reach to such answer. He's back! Doesn't his family deserve to know?
"I don't know how long I am going to be lucid for," he says, taking my silence for what it means "I don't want to cause my family any more pain than I already have."
"Sometimes, we can't help it, sir."
I stare at Rose's dad, and even though I don't know this man at all, I can't help but want to rip off that sadness of his eyes. He's got absolutely nothing to be upset about. He's back, he's lucid. Ok, so he doesn't know for how long he'll be, but it doesn't matter. He has the opportunity to look into his son's and daughter's and wife's eyes and tell them he's home one more time. So maybe he'll hurt everyone further, but at least he can tell them farewell properly, if this is meant to be the last time he's coming back.
"I'm sure it'll be painful, for you and everyone else," I say trying to get my point across. "But I can also assure you, sir, you won't regret letting them know. You may fall back again, but at least this time you can all say goodbye, if you must. You can all have some closure."
Mr. Weasley turns his blue eyes to me. He scans my face and I have a feeling that, just like the rest of his family, he's trying to understand what my intentions are.
"I'm sorry about your mother, son," he says quietly, probably understanding I'm saying this because I wish I had had the chance he and his family have.
"Don't be," I tell the redhead, trying to smile at him, but for some reason, I find it hard. "Instead, why don't you go tell your family the good news."
We stare at each other for a few minutes before he smiles at me and stands up. He walks across the library to the door, but stops before letting himself out.
"You're dating Rosie, aren't you boy?" he asks, turning his head to look at me, a 'watch-it-boy-she-is-my-daughter' expression on his face.
At this, I can smile.
"I'm in love with her, sir."
He looks me in the eye for a second or two before he, apparently, decides I meant every one of those five words. He nods at me briefly, his face returning to its smiley expression and he walks out.
"Ron, is everything alright?" I hear a voice I hadn't heard in a long time, say.
I walk over to the library door, and open it slightly, trying to get out unnoticed. A brunette, older version of Rose is standing in front of Mr. Weasley.
"It is now," He says. I can't see his face, but I hope he's still smiling.
I watch as Ms. Weasley stares at the man in front of her for a few minutes before that collected face of hers falls hard. The woman's eyes suddenly water, like they had been waiting to do so her entire life. She takes a few steps forward and places her hand on her husband's face.
"I'm home," he says, barely audibly.
At this, Ms. Weasley breaks in sobs and her husband winds his arms around her.
"Scorp? What's going on?" I suddenly hear behind me.
I turn to see Rose's beautiful face twisted in confusion. Her eyes go from my face to her father's back, where her mum's small hands clutch his clothes tightly. I watch as Rose's eyes slowly start watering as well, and I feel my heart break for her. She looks back at me, questioning me with her redden eyes. I just stare at her for a second or two before I nod.
Yes, my love, he's back, he's here. It did work after all.
I can see sudden realization in her face, and I watch as she slowly makes her way towards her hugging parents.
"Dad?" she asks Mr. Weasley's back, her voice breaking greatly.
Then, her dad turns to look at her, and I notice a few tears on his cheeks.
"My Rosie," he whispers and stretches an arm for her.
She takes the last step towards the redhead and hugs him. Mr. Weasley embraces her back and I can hear Rose starting to cry.
I don't like to see her sad, let alone crying. But she's got all the right to do so, whether she's happy or sad, or feeling both. Over eight months have passed since she hadn't heard her name from her dad. She's been Mione for almost a year. You have to admit, it must be pretty overwhelming to hear what you have wanted to hear for so long. She's got her dad back. No one knows for how long, not even the man himself, so I might as well let her cry. I just hope this helps her, whatever may happen later, whether if Mr. Weasley is bound to go away again, or stay for good.
Knowing I have no business interrupting their family reunion, I turn my back to the three people still holding each other. I walk back to the living room and take a pinch of floo powder. I step into the fireplace and shout 'Number 12, Grimmauld Place'.
I know this has nothing to do with me. I know this does not concern me at all. This is a private moment in a family, that despite it all, isn't mine. But I owe them for their hospitality, their approval. I might as well give something back.
"Finally!" Potter says once I step out of the brick cage. "You're on Uncle George's team. Rosie's on mine. Where is she?"
I don't answer his question. I look around the living room, noting everyone is there.
"Mr. Weasley, Rose's dad, he- he's home."
I watch as every single redhead, every blonde, every brunette, let their smiles fall down and stare at me in disbelief.
Maybe I wasn't clear enough. Maybe I ought to be more specific. But just when I was about to repeat myself, Hugo stands up from his seat across the room. He starts walking slowly towards to fireplace, and a couple of yards from it, he just runs.
Before I know it, he takes a pinch of powder, shouts 'The Burrow' and disappears in between the green flames.
There's a short silence, and just like before, suddenly the whole family is on the move at the same time. No one's speaking, they're are all just grabbing the under-age closest to them and Dissaparating right then and there. And after a very close sequence of loud 'bangs' I find myself alone in the large living room.
.
OOOO
.
Dear Scorpius,
I hope everything is alright. I wanted to congratulate you for getting into the IPQU! I'm sure they are all very impressed with you already!
I'm writing to you because I wanted to apologize for what happened between us in the past years [delete years]. I'm so sorry how it all turned out. You were my best friend, and I hope one day you can forgive me. I wish you the best... even with Weasley.
Take good care,
Charlie
I stare at Charlotte's letter and smile to myself.
I never thought I'd ever hear, or read, an apology from her. I'm not sure why it took her so long, but I guess that's okay. She admitted her fault at last, and I appreciate that. And maybe, I ought to take a little responsibility myself.
I stand up from the couch and walk over to the study. I take a piece of parchment, dip a quill in the ink bottle on the desk, and start writing.
Dear Charlotte,
I sincerely appreciate your letter, and I wanted to let you know that I do forgive you. I, also, wanted to apologize to you myself. I know I was probably not the best boyfriend, and I'm truly sorry we lost what we had. Hopefully one day we can be friends again.
I hope you have a great future.
Take good care,
Scorp
I fold the piece of parchment and walk downstairs to the living room, where for some odd reason, Baron likes to spend his time.
"Got a letter for you, your majesty," I say out loud as I walk into the living room, and almost immediately the dark owl, poses on my shoulder.
Don't ask me why I have to call him 'your majesty', because I'm not sure I know myself. All I do know is that he won't listen to me otherwise.
I tie the piece of parchment to Baron's tiny leg and feel a soft pressure on my shoulder as he takes flight.
I stare out the windows while I watch my owl fly away.
It's been three weeks already since my life at Hogwarts officially ended. A week ago, I arrived to Ireland and found myself in this huge flat my father had arranged for Rose and I to live in.
I sigh at the reminder of Rose.
It turned out Rose's conclusions about the combination of two reported successful treatments to cure the third stage of the Clock's Syndrome were right. Some unreported cases had been testing the possibilities of such treatment and 78% of them had successful results.
According to healers, the only explanation for this depends purely on the patient. During the first stage of the disease, pictures are often used to refresh the patients memories and prevent the illness to progress any further. At the second stage, the treatment it's pretty much the same, only that it is live information that is given, not through a picture. For the last state of the Clock's Syndrome, its been concluded, the patient needs to realize himself or herself the differences between the life they think they are living and the real one, where times have passed, in order to come back.
Apparently, Mr. Weasley kept the picture his daughter had been trying to bring him back with, and kept analysing it all this time. Rose's family was told that was the most probable reason Mr. Weasley reacted differently after that Christmas afternoon than any other time.
Rose sent me a letter a little after I left to let me know healers believe it is very unlikely Mr. Weasley will be having a relapse any time soon. That he's doing fine and that they are all thrilled for the news.
But after that, I have been completely in the dark. I haven't heard from her in over a week and I'm feeling rather upset about it.
I understand she wants to make up for the lost quality time with her dad. But to write 'hello, how are you doing?' or a simple 'I miss you' doesn't take much time, does it?
I sigh once more to myself and look away from the window. I make my way out of the living room and across the hallway to the study. As I open the door, I hear a loud 'bang' upstairs making me almost hit my own head against the door.
Curious, I walk upstairs. As I step slowly towards my bedroom, I realize I feel slightly afraid as well. I can feel my heart in my ears as I turn the knob, and with wand in hand, I open the wooden panel.
What I met at the other side of the door was certainly not what I expected
"Rose? What are you doing here?" I ask the redhead sitting comfortably on my bed, as I try catching a breath I didn't know I had lost.
"I'm moving in," she says smiling at me, with those beautiful hazel eyes sparkling. It looks like she knows something I don't, and is reluctant to tell me.
"For four months?" I ask sceptically, closing the door behind me.
"No. For much longer than that," she replies, that sparkle still holding up.
"You have to go back to England in October."
"No, I don't."
"Ok, I'm confused," I say, narrowing my eyes slightly at her. I'm no fan of mystery. "What do you mean you don't?"
"I didn't get the chance to tell you because of my dad coming back and all," she simply says, still smiling, as she hand me a envelope I hadn't notice in her hand.
I take it, still unsure of this all means... until I finish the letter.
"You skipped a year?" I cannot believe it.
"I have indeed," she gives me a bigger smile this time.
"What about your dad?" I ask, feeling my hopes starting to rise.
"What about him?"
"I thought you'd like to spend some time with him, and that the preparation year would just fit the plan perfectly."
"I'd like to spend some time with him, but I think he needs some alone time with mum first," she replies and I feel like my happiness bubble has just being pooped to nothing.
So, she'll be leaving soon, anyway, huh? Because what she just said, sounds to me, as if she's giving her parents a few months to themselves before she goes back and joins them. Maybe she'll spend her first training year here, and she'll go back to England and finish her career back home, close to her dad.
"So, when are you leaving?"
"When you do."
What?
She stares at me, still smiling at my confusion. Then, she stands up and walks over to me, stopping at a mere feet away.
"I don't think you realize how much you actually mean to me," she says and I can feel her breath mixing with mine. "You see, I love my father. And seeing him doing fine makes me happy." Does she has to be this close? Merlin knows how distracting those eyes and those lips can be. "But no matter how much time I spend with him, or how many great days we have as a family again, I cannot feel complete if I'm not beside you," she says and I can feel my heart suddenly beat faster at her words. "It took every single one of my uncles and aunts, parents included, a war to realize there was someone they loved they didn't want to lose. I do not need to sit and wait for another one just so I can realize so myself."
She then, grabs the collar of my shirt and pulls me down until her lips catch mine.
"You've got a piece of me, a piece I cannot live without," she whispers, after letting go. "And honestly, even if I could, my life would suck without you anyway."
I smile at her last sentence and have this strange feeling I have thought of her that same way since I first saw her.
She smiles back at me as my arms snake around her waist. I press my lips to hers and kiss her for a little longer this time, as I slowly make her takes a few steps backwards to the bed.
"You know, an 'I love you' would have been enough."
"Sometimes I feel three words don't make up for the six years you've loved me," she says, tangling her hands in my hair as I keep making her walk backwards. "I'm trying to even things up a bit."
She then gasps in surprise, for we finally have reached the bed, both colliding onto the mattress.
"One day I'll ask you to marry me," I tell her as I trap her between the mattress and me, placing my hands on the bed, at each side of her waist. "You can make up for all that time when you say yes."
She smiles at me and takes my face in both of her hands, pulling me down to kiss her.
"You've got yourself a deal."