A/N – Alright…this chapter was going to be a lot longer but I thought this would be the best way to end it as it is. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter.
I was grateful for the distraction of spending nearly three days clearing up the Burrow after the wedding; it distracted me from thinking about Rita and the deal she offered me; although I couldn't exactly forget it.
A two hundred thousand galleon signing fee, five hundred galleons per performance with the girl band, the opportunity to sell my songs to other artists and the chance to record them myself. One album released in both the muggle and wizarding world and up to two solo albums released in both worlds too.
The muggle festival tour provided twenty three performances. Eleven thousand and five hundred Galleons for touring for three months - that's without even signing Rita's contract.
"When are you going to answer Rita?" Dad asked me as the two of us walked round the Burrow, bringing down any spells that we found.
"I don't know Dad...I haven't even really thought about it -"
"Liar." He caught me out and swung an arm around my shoulders. I sighed and just rested my head on his shoulder, relishing in the new-found comfort that I enjoyed that my Daddy provided.
"I can't just leave for the summer Daddy...Scorpius, Lottie, Bex - I can't leave them -"
"Scorpius is a big boy. Lottie has Albus and Bex has Fred. Now, why are you scared? You've never been scared of anything in your life." He told me softly as the two of us began a slow walk to the house.
"Aren't you supposed to be telling me to go to school in September?" I teased him.
"If I thought that's what you wanted then yes I would. I know deep down that you want to do this singing thing." He retorted, leaning his head down to kiss the top of my head.
"Well...when Mum finds out you're encouraging me to drop out of school, make sure you get a better excuse than that." I laughed, I laughed even more when he swore under his breath.
"I'll act surprised when your mother finds out." He muttered when we reached the rest of the family.
I sat at the little kitchen table in Bex's kitchen looking enviously at my best friends and their partners.
Bex was sitting on Fred's knee, sharing a cup of coffee, Lottie was sat watching Albus make her a ham and strawberry sandwich and Rose and Chris were being disgusting on the sofa.
"I heard you have a meeting with my sister next week?" Lottie asked me quietly; Bex and Fred were distracted with licking each other's tonsils to pay attention to our conversation. Not that I minded them knowing, I just didn't want Fred to tell James who would then no doubt tell Lily who would blab to the entire family.
I want to be the one to tell Scorpius no matter what I decide.
"Yup...me and my Dad are going to see what Rita has to offer." I shrugged a shoulder, quietly shushing Lottie when Albus walked back over to the table, looking disgusted at the sight of the food on the plate in his hands.
"Anyway, what's this I hear about you getting your own shop?" I asked Lottie who grinned as she bit into her sandwich.
"I'm so excited! It's right across the street!" She nodded out of the window which had a beautiful view of Hogsmeade's main street.
"What are you doing?" Fred asked; he'd been working in his Dad's shop since he was old enough to walk and talk and was now the manager of the Hogsmeade branch - something his father was extremely proud about but his mother wasn't as pleased.
"Well you know how muggles have like shops where they style their hair for them?" Lottie thought carefully as she bit into her sandwich again, we all cringed when a piece of strawberry fell from the sandwich and she popped it into her mouth, directly on a piece of ham.
"I'm going to be doing that. But using potions, charms and magic gadgets instead of the stuff they use." she explained, ignoring our disgusted faces as she finished of her sandwich.
"You're pregnant though." Rose pointed out as she and Chris finally surfaced for air and came over to sit with us.
"I know. If it goes well I'm going to hire someone to cover for me while I have the baby. I'm planning on returning to work not long after I pop the kid out." Albus and Lottie both placed a hand on her small bump and began stroking it softly.
I never, ever thought I'd see the day when Lottie Parker became maternal and excited for having a baby in her life - but apparently things and people change.
"I was also wondering...well...I know you don't exactly need the money and you're going to school in September but I was wondering if you would come work with me?" Lottie surprised everybody by looking at Bex - who was utterly speechless.
Chris and I looked at each other in shock; Lottie had told us both on several occasions that she did not like Bex at all, and here she is offering her a job!
"You want me to work for you?" Bex asked slowly, arching an eyebrow at Lottie who shook her head quickly.
"With me. I just thought that hair and nails would go well together. And I heard Harry and Ginny talking about how Professor Chang is letting the legal adults take weekend leave from September so I knew you'd be here with Freddie anyway...I just thought you'd like to make your own money." Lottie explained quietly and awkwardly.
"Oh...I'll um, I'll think about it. Thanks Par-Lottie."
I stopped paying attention at that, something Lottie said struck a thought in my mind.
If Professor Chang was setting up a new system in the school that let the legal adults take weekend leave from the school, which means that Scorpius would be able to come see me on weekends. Not every weekend of course, he'd still probably have to stay for Quidditch and to study, but...perhaps that could persuade him that me not going back to school in September isn't such a bad thing after all.
"Lottie, did Albus say whether he'd be back for dinner tonight?" Ginny asked as she walked past Lottie and Albus' room.
I was pretty surprised at how well Ginny and Harry were taking Lottie's pregnancy. They demanded she come live with them since she was insisting Albus go to school and finish up his education - and they even let them share a bedroom!
Albus had moved into James' old room since it was bigger, they'd bought him a bigger bed and had gotten him and Lottie matching wardrobes! Lily wasn't impressed, she didn't see why Albus could have his girlfriend move in yet she couldn't even have Lysander in her room with the door closed.
Scorpius got Albus' old room, meaning Harry got his study back instead of sharing one with Ginny downstairs.
"He's going out somewhere with James I think." Lottie answered as she tried to fasten up her jeans.
Ginny laughed as she walked in the bedroom, a pile of clothes in her hands.
"I thought your clothes might be struggling to fit you." She put the pile on the bed and then pulled a piece of paper out of her jeans pocket and handed it to Lottie. "Maternity clothes, jeans, jumpers and dresses mainly. I was pregnant throughout the summer and winter so believe me, wearing tight clothes will become a bit stressful once the weather changes. If you don't want to wear any different clothes, this is a spell that makes your clothes change to suit your size. Hermione swore by it with Hugo and Rosie." she smiled softly, rolling her eyes when Lottie looked a little embarrassed.
I know why Lottie was embarrassed - she told me that she didn't know how to feel or act around Ginny. She's never had a proper mother to take care of her, a lot of step-mothers, nannies and sisters, but never a proper mother.
"Is anybody home?"
Lottie and Ginny both looked at me sheepishly when we all heard Scorpius' yell from downstairs.
"Upstairs Scorp!" Ginny yelled back.
I didn't really want to be around Scorpius until I made my mind up about the offer from Rita. He can read me like a book, so he'll know something is bothering me if we spend too much time together.
I'd rather him know if something is up from me avoiding him than from me being with him.
"Hey guys." He came through the door and came over to sit on the bed beside me.
"Jeez Lot, could have dressed for me." He teased Lottie as she grabbed her wand and cast a silent spell on her unfastened jeans.
"I better get going. I told Mum I'd be home early." I stood up and grabbed my jacket from the dresser chair, ignoring the knowing look that Lottie was shooting me and definitely the confused and hurt gaze from Scorpius.
"Dominique, have I done something to upset you?" Scorpius asked me, scowling as he obviously thought over to the last time we really had any contact with each other - the wedding.
"Don't be silly."
"Then why have you been avoiding me for the past...eight days?" He asked me as soon as I finished speaking.
Ginny and Lottie both looked away pointedly, but none of them excused themselves.
"I...I haven't been avoiding you -"
"Just tell him and put the poor boy out of his misery." Lottie snapped, arching an eyebrow at me and shaking her head slowly.
"Tell me what?" Scorpius asked when I just looked at Lottie through narrowed eyes.
"Nothing." I said.
Lottie is really lucky she has my future god son or daughter in her womb so I couldn't punch her in the mouth for being so stupid.
"I'll go make a start on dinner." Ginny excused herself, looking from me to Scorpius slowly as she left the room. Without saying anything, Scorpius grabbed my hand and practically dragged me next door to his room; Albus' old room was three times the size of Scorpius' old room. The closet door was open and I could see that Scorpius was acting on his word and trying to spend as much of his money as he could - most of the clothes in there looked to be extremely expensive and most of them had tags on still.
There was also a line of bulging shopping bags along one wall.
"Spending spree?" I teased him, nodding to the bags.
"I bought a few gifts for some people." he shrugged, shutting his door and locking it before he walked over to a dresser and opening a few drawers. "So what aren't you telling me?" he asked me as he pulled one shirt off to pull another one on.
"Honestly, I think she's crazy - must be her hormones -"
"Stop lying to me, Dom." Scorpius came to sit down on the bed beside me and looked at me through cautious eyes. "Why are you avoiding me? Did I upset you at the wedding?" he scowled and I knew he was thinking to the two of us at the wedding and what he possibly could have said that would have upset me.
"No! Of course you didn't - I just..." should I be honest with him? Tell him that I'm thinking of dropping out of school and going on tour for the summer?
"Alright, don't freak out!" I warned him before I cleared my throat.
"At the wedding, Lottie's sister Rita offered me...well she works in the music industry and she offered me the chance to go tour the muggle festivals with her and a girl band. Apparently they need a main singer and she thinks I'll be perfect for it. I get paid, a lot." I told him half of it.
"I have another week to give her my answer. I've been thinking about it, and I didn't want to worry or upset you -"
"Why would you upset me? This is big! You should do it!" Scorpius grinned and reached out to take my hand, giving it a light squeeze.
"I'd be going from next week and I wouldn't be back until maybe three days before school starts." I told him quietly; I chose to not tell him about the record contract just yet…there was a part of me that sensed he wouldn't like it.
"We can be apart for a summer Dominique - we'll have the rest of our lives to be together." Scorpius smiled, putting a hand over my cheek and caressing it lightly. "Is that everything?"
I bit my lip nervously, briefly wondering whether I should tell him about the offer of my album and recording contract and not being able to go to school in September.
In the pause before my answer, his face moved so that it was a half inch away from mine, his lips within kissing distance.
"That's everything." I lied before I pressed my lips against his.
Now that I had Scorpius' support for me to go and join the girl band for the summer I couldn't wait for the meeting with Rita and my Dad - we decided to not tell my mother until everything was all signed and agreed.
The day coincided with the day that Teddy and Victoire were due back from their honeymoon and they'd agreed for a welcome home barbeque at the Potter's before they left so Dad and I decided to just try and get to Ginny and Harry's house before they did.
Rita's office was huge, and each wall had several frames photograph's of music stars that I could easily recognise.
"The band is called Big Beatz; there are three other members. Two witches and a muggle - don't worry the muggle, Perrie has a muggle-born brother who's a wizard so she knows all about witches. Now, Perrie is sixteen, then we have Mila who is nineteen and we also have Minnie who has just turned nineteen I think. Mila and Minnie both left Hogwarts last year. Slytherin and Ravenclaw I believe." Rita informed me, picking a framed photo from her desk and turning it round so it faced my Dad and I.
The three girls were all exceptionally pretty; one of them had waist length jet black hair, another had shoulder length blonde hair and the third had hair that was tied up but was a nice caramel brown - clearly dyed.
"That's Mina, Minnie and Perrie in that order." Rita pointed them out before she looked through her drawers for a pile of papers. "They're aware this is just a temporary thing - to be honest it's only Mina and Minnie who need the band. Perrie is just as capable of going solo as you are. Now, Mr. Weasley - I need you to sign some of these and a copy will be sent to your wife for her approval. I had my assistant send them earlier -"
"No!" I gasped and looked at Dad quickly who sighed and closed his eyes momentarily.
"Something wrong?" Rita asked quickly, looking over the contract.
"My wife isn't yet aware of Dominique's…plans. She won't be happy to learn she's dropping out of school -"
"I'd like to make it perfectly clear, Mr. Weasley, that I am not forcing Dominique to do anything she doesn't want to do. If she wants to continue with her education she is more than able to do so." Rita held both hands up and looked at my Dad with wide eyes - I knew what she was doing; eliminating herself of all blame in case my mother comes looking for someone to blame when she finds out what I have planned.
Typical Parker kid.
"Don't worry, Rita. I'll talk my wife round. Now, where do I sign?" He nodded when Rita told him she had marked where both of our signatures where needed. "Dom, don't worry. Your mother is at Ginny and Harry's all day anyway. She won't get the mail till tomorrow and I'll tell her tonight…maybe you should stay at Bex's tonight." he laughed when I looked at him skeptically; we both knew good and well that whenever Mum found out about this, she'd be after his blood for agreeing to it without consulting her.
"Thank you Daddy!" I grinned once we both landed with a silent thump in the Potter's front hall; from the sounds of the distant voices, everybody was already in the back garden. Judging from the suitcases in the living room, Teddy and Victoire had already arrived also.
"For what?" Dad asked me, leading the way to the kitchen.
"For agreeing to let me do this - for going with me." I shrugged, grabbing two bottles of cold muggle beer from the ice-box on the counter.
"No bother kid; like I said at the wedding isn't it? Vic's gone, you'll be gone for the summer and I think I can persuade Charlie to take Louis for a few weeks." Dad winked, making me gag.
"Daddy!" We both looked to the large table that had been set up in the garden and smiled when we saw Victoire, sat leaning into Teddy. When she saw the two of us walk into the garden she got up and hurried over; pulling the two of us into a hug.
"I don't know what you two have done, but Mum is seriously pissed!" She whispered to the pair of us.
I looked over to where Mum was sitting…with a brown envelope in her hands. She was glaring at the two of us.
Together, Dad and I pulled away from Victoire and slowly walked over to where she was sat with a group of my aunts and uncles, all of them looking either a little entertained or a little cautious.
"Sit - the both of you." I sat down quickly but my Dad sat even quicker - I've never seen him look so scared!
"Why did I get letters asking me to sign forms giving my permission for you to drop out of Hogwarts?" Mum asked through clenched teeth, looking directly at me.
"Fleur -" Dad tried to talk to her but she just held one hand up.
"You'll get your turn in a minute." She silenced him.
"Because…because I want to be a singer." I told her nervously - never mind my father, I have never been as scared of my mother as I am right this minute.
"You want to be a singer?" Mum repeated. "Is that it? Dominique - you've wanted to be a singer since you were three. Why am I getting these forms? You are finishing school."
Instinctively, I got defensive. "You're getting these forms because I've got a recording contract for now. I don't want to go to school in September so I won't." I heard several people groan at my tone but I didn't care - this is me being natural and honest with my mother.
"You'll do as I say."
"Why? Never done it before."
"Dominique Ginny Weasley!" Mum snapped, fully glaring at me now. "You will finish your education. You will get qualifications. You've already been kicked out of one school and now you want to drop out of another one? Not a chance!"
"If I don't want to go to school in September, you can't stop me." I insisted, ignoring the old part of me that wanted to swear at her, storm away and get drunk.
"Watch me."
"Daddy!"
"William!"
Mum and I both yelled at the same time; a couple of my aunts and uncles chuckled but most of them were looking with cautious eyes. Most of my cousins were too shocked to say anything.
There's only Lottie who didn't look surprised.
"Look…Fleur, you don't know what the offer for her is - she'll earn more money from a year of touring and singing than she will working in the ministry." Dad argued softly. "Money aside, think about it - you said yourself you've never seen our daughter as happy as when she's on the stage singing and people are listening." he reminded her.
"What if this singing doesn't work and you get dropped - how will you get a job with no qualifications?" Mum sighed - that's it! Daddy and I have won!
"I'll figure it out then!" I smiled at her.
"This deal - what exactly is it?"
"Nearly twelve thousand Galleons for the summer alone." Dad told her quickly.
"And if I sign with Rita, I'll get a two hundred thousand Galleon signing fee. I get to release at least one album with her, I can write and produce my own material and I can sell it to other artists" I added when she opened her mouth to say something.
"With money like that, she won't need to work for at least eight or nine years if she gets dropped in the next couple of years." Uncle George mentioned; I looked over to see that he was looking really impressed.
"How will she get a job with no qualifications?" Dad echoed her, following my gaze. "Ask George and Harry and Ron, hell even ask Ginny and Angelina. And James and Fred." Dad listed all of the relatives in our entire family who needn't have bothered sitting their exams - well, George, Harry and Ron didn't even sit theirs.
Ginny and Angelina both joined the pro's when they graduated, as has James and Fred already works with his Dad.
"George ran his own business. James, Angelina and Ginny went to play professionally and Fred's working in his Dad's business." Mum shrugged. "And they're not my daughter."
I scowled at that and allowed a little bit more of the old Dominique to come out and play.
"Whatever you say I'm doing it." I shrugged stubbornly. "I'm seventeen, an adult. Dad's already signed the papers and we only need the permission of one parent. Two is preferred but one will do - am I wrong?" I looked at aunt Hermione who sent an apologetic look at my mother before she shook her head quickly.
"You may be seventeen and an adult in our world, Dominique." Mum nodded slowly, pulling a contract out of the envelope. "But in the muggle world you are still a child and these performances are for the muggle world. I can pull you out of them."
"Then I'll tell her to cancel the muggle performances and focus on making my album until May." I retorted. "Mum, I'm serious - I am doing this whether you like it or not. I'm not asking your permission."
I briefly wondered why my dad hadn't interrupted and told me I was going too far, or even Victoire or an aunt or uncle - or even my grandparents! But then another part of me realised that they know I'm right and my mother is over-reacting.
"I'm asking for your approval - Mum, please let me do this." I reached over the table and took her hand. "Mum, I'm good at this. I want to do this. Please."
Mum looked at me fully for a couple of minutes; she looked me right in the eye and then looked briefly at Dad, a look of annoyance crossing her features.
Without saying anything, she pulled a quill out of the envelope and silently signed her name at the bottom of the contracts.
"I hope you know what you're doing, darling." She sighed, putting the signed contracts back in the envelope and pushing them towards me. "I hope you know what you could lose because of this." she added, looking a couple of inches to my left. I quickly followed her gaze and felt my stomach lurch.
Scorpius was stood behind me by a couple of feet, looking at me through narrowed, hurt eyes.
A/N - What do you think?