Ever since Draco appeared at the Weasleys' flat, the Order realized that they needed to have another meeting to discuss the situation. Between Draco reappearing, Jason Charmer facing time in Azkaban, and the fact that no deaths had occurred since the end of November, Harry felt the Order needed to meet up and discuss the next steps in their plans.
This time, Ginny wised up and decided to send her children out of Grimmauld Place for the night. James and Albus were allowed to go wherever they wanted but the others were sent to the Burrow to stay with Molly and Arthur. While James decided to go hang out with Rory Finnigan, Al decided to sleep over at his Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione's flat. Although Rose and Hugo were annoyed that they had to watch Hattie that night, Hermione allowed them to order whatever takeway they wanted and use magic in the apartment.
"I've been waiting for this day for thirteen bloody years," said Hugo, using his wand to float a can of soda over to the living room.
"Honestly, Hugo," huffed Rose, rolling her eyes at her brother as she brought a plate of pizza for herself and Hattie. "It's just magic."
The television was on, playing one of the game shows Lee Jordan hosted. All five kids ate around the living room coffee table, something that wasn't allowed when Hermione was home but only when Ron watched the kids. They had ordered three pizzas for the five of them, one with plain cheese, one with every topping, and one with ham and pineapple, at Hugo's instance.
"Scorpius, are you really eating that with a fork and knife?" asked Rose, sitting next to Hattie on one side with Albus on the other side.
"What? Pizza is greasy," said Scorpius, cutting into his slice. "Especially when it's with pepperoni and sausage."
"So are fish and chips," said Albus.
"Besides, you're cutting Hattie's slice," said Scorpius, directing his fork at Rose who was helping her little sister with the pizza.
"She's two, Scorpius," said Hugo. "That slice is bigger than her hand."
"Is that pizza good, Hattie?" asked Albus, as she began to eat her slice.
"Mhm," said Hattie, her mouth full.
"Look!" said Rose, pointing at the television screen.
An emergency bulletin appeared on the screen, and the scene changed to the front of several London apartments located in a neighborhood called Tanbry Gardens. The reporter appeared to be in front of some tape roping off a section.
"Tanbry Gardens?" said Albus, trying to remember the name. "Sounds familiar…."
"Look! There's Uncle Harry!" said Hugo.
Sure enough, Harry appeared on the screen briefly, surveying the scene. Clearly the Aurors were involved in the investigation. Rose was squinting to see if Ron was at the scene.
"The Ministry is currently investigating the deaths of fifteen witches and wizards," said the reporter. "All of them residents of the Tanbry Garden neighborhood," said the reporter. "At this point, I am able confirmed that among those perished include Diana Carrow, Atticus Carrow, Esme Faraday, Darcey Faraday..."
"Merlin," said Hugo under his breath. "The Faraday sisters?" Rose's face lost all color when she heard the names, Albus nearly choked on his Butterbeer, and Scorpius sank back into the chair he sat in. Esme was in their year. Darcey had just started at Hogwarts. Esme was one of Juniper's friends and had one point worked with Rose in Potions one time when Scorpius was ill. However, Esme kept messing up the instructions and Rose became frustrated with her. Upon hearing Esme's name, Rose's heart dropped as she thought back to that class.
"Damn," said Albus, sipping his butterbeer solemnly. "Things are getting worse."
The room was silent for a minute as the news story faded back to the game show. Rose looked at Scorpius. It broke her heart to see him hurting. Even though Draco was back, Rose could tell that Scorpius still feared going outside of the flat and Hogwarts. It wasn't that Scorpius was cowardly and only wanted to protect himself. Rose knew that Scorpius was fearful for others in similar situations. Kids who had no control over the past, and now pay the consequences for those actions.
"Scorpius?" asked Rose, timidly. Scorpius's grey eyes met Rose's brown eyes. For a second, there was a connection between the two of them that hadn't been felt before in their six years of friendship. Rose couldn't put find the word to describe it, but it was an exhilarating feeling.
"What is it, Rosie?" asked Scorpius, feeling the same connection but coming out of it sooner than Rose.
"Oh, um..." said Rose, feeling her cheeks flush. "I'm just worried..."
"About what?" asked Scorpius.
"Oh my god," groaned Hugo, shaking his head, as he was just as aware as everyone else as to Scorpius and Rose's attractions to each other.
"Um, you..." said Rose. "I mean, you know, the other Slytherin students."
"Me too," said Scorpius, grimly. "I know when I go back to school, Troy and his goons will attack Slytherins without mercy. And there's only so much McGonagall can do to protect us."
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" asked Rose, returning to her usual self.
"What do you mean?" asked Scorpius, taken back all of the sudden by Rose's switch. Rose got up from her seat and kneeled in front of Scorpius.
"You said it yourself," said Rose, rather sternly. "There's only so much the school can do for you. So, what are you going to do, Scorpius?"
