A/N: I actually can't quite believe it's been 6 years since I last updated this story (or any for that matter) if someone had asked me how long I might have replied maybe a year or two at most. I'm sorry to anyone who read this and never got an update as I really do appreciate anyone who has read my stories. Life happened, and before you know it, it's flashed on by. I have really enjoyed writing again, and I want to make sure Rose and Scorpius get the ending they deserve so there will definitely be more updates from me! Thank you :)

Chapter Twenty

Scorpius groaned as he checked his watch. It was ten in the morning and his sleeping schedule had gone out of whack since returned home for the Easter Holidays a couple of days ago. Partly out of laziness and not needing to get up for lessons in the morning and partly because he had way too much time alone with his thoughts during the night. Malfoy Manor was eery, an uncomfortableness that had been there since his grandmother had passed away. His grandfather was barely tolerable, and he knew his parents were tired. His father had already pulled him aside early in the break to have a conversation about future living arrangements. It was surprising because the Malfoys had always stayed in the Manor but his father had assured him that Scorpius did not have to stay here. He had said as much as he knew it would upset his mother, he would help provide money for Scorpius to live somewhere else as soon as he wanted to. His father had assured him that his mother would want it too but would miss him. It was odd knowing that the next few days would be some of the last he would spend in this bedroom, this house, but he knew it would be the best thing for him after Hogwarts. As did his father. Scorpius felt a twinge of sadness knowing that secretly that's what his mother and father probably wanted as well, to move out, but a sense of duty towards his elderly, miserable grandfather made them stay.

He had written to Al as soon as he could after that conversation. He wanted to know whether he would be open to the idea of living together, perhaps a flat in Diagon Alley. Al was keen on the idea other than one key point: Rose. One, that he wanted sound proofing, and two, that the amount of drama had to be low. Scorpius had not really considered what life outside of Hogwarts with Rose would be like. She had spoken in the past about looking forward to life after school where no one knew of her reputation and guys would not judge her as much. Maybe after school she would not want to carry on whatever it was they had, and the thought rather unsettled him.

His thoughts however were interrupted by a high-pitched shriek and he quickly jumped out of bed, pulled on his dark grey robe, and raced down the hallway and stair to the source of the sound. He confusedly rushed into the barely used drawing room and skidded to a halt when he saw what was making the commotion.

"Let me down, you crazy old Deatheater," Screamed Rose, who was suspended in mid-air near the ceiling, upside down as though something had pulled her up by one leg. Her other leg and arms were flailing around trying to get down, at the same time trying to hold her white cotton t-shirt in place that was trying to fall over her chest. Her face was red and angry, her fiery curls swishing side to side as she wriggled.

Scorpius tore his gaze away from her to see his grandfather pointing his wand at her, moving it side to side so she swung about in the air, and murmuring foul language under his breath. His long white hair was wispy and dishevelled, his dark khaki robes dirty and stained, his pallor grey. Scorpius could barely comprehend what was happening and patted his robes, swearing when he realised he didn't have his wand and was about to simply charge at his grandfather when a burst of red light passed by his ear and hit his grandfather stunning him. In his confusion he had not heard his parents rush into the room. As his grandfather fell over, he realised Rose was falling too and rushed forward to catch her, them both landing in a heap on the floor.

"Oh, my goodness, Rose, are you okay?" cried his mother, running towards them as they tried to sit up. Scorpius struggled as Rose was on top of him and they detangled their limbs, so they were both sat up. "I thought he was in his wing of the manor; I'd gone into the kitchen to make tea before I brought Scorpius down for you. I'm so sorry."

"You knew Rose was here?" asked Scorpius bemusedly. "Why are you here, Rose?"

Before either his mother or Rose could answer his father interrupted, his voice strained. "Astoria, help me take father back to his bedroom. Scorpius, please get Miss Weasley out of this room. The kitchen perhaps would be more comfortable."

Scorpius glanced at the heap which was his grandfather's unconscious body and watched as his father not so dissimilarly levitated him and left the room, his grandfather's body head height bobbing along just in front of his father with his mother following behind.

"Geez, and you were worried about my family at Christmas," scoffed Rose, smoothed down her hair.

He couldn't help it, that made him burst out laughing and soon Rose joined in. "Why are you here Rose?"

"I realised that I'd accidentally packed your charms text book and Flitwick set us an essay over the holidays and so I thought you might need it," replied Rose, pointing to her black leather satchel bag on the floor with its contents spilled out, including his book. "Your mother invited me in, asked me to wait in here and the next thing I know I'm upside down."

"That's a weak excuse to come over and you know it," stated Scorpius, raising an eyebrow. "If you wanted to see me, we could have met up in much more suitable location."

"Okay, I admit, I was curious about this place," replied Rose candidly. "And it's really lived up to my expectations so far."

"I'm so sorry about him," sighed Scorpius, running a hand through his hair. "Since my grandmother died, he's been like this, that's why I didn't go home over Christmas and why my parents went away. He mainly stays in his wing of the Manor, but he must have wandered. He's ill I think, he's angry all of the time but doesn't quite know what's going on. We've had to give him calming draughts a few times, it's probably what my parents are doing now."

"I didn't know."

"Well it's nothing something you shout out about, having a what was it you shouted - a crazy old Deatheater? In the house," said Scorpius wryly.

Rose smiled guiltily. "Sorry about that."

"I think it was definitely suitable given the circumstances," said Scorpius with a pointed look. He stood up, offering his hand out to her to help her stand to her feet as well, and he pulled her up. "Come on, let's go into the kitchen and we'll get that tea my mother was talking about."

Astoria returned to the kitchen just minutes after he had settled Rose onto the wooden kitchen bench at the table and put a cup of tea in her hand. His mother looked frazzled, her light brown hair tied up with strands coming loose, and somehow the lines on her face looked deeper.

"Your father just needs a bit of time to himself, Scorpius, he sends his apologies Rose," said his mother gently, joining them at the table. She whipped her wand and a mug of tea floated her way. "Seeing that in that room has disturbed him greatly."

Scorpius felt the blood leave his head as the realisation hit him. He looked at Rose but she just looked confused. He sighed, not wanting to explain but not wanting his mother to have to do it either.

"You're not the first Granger to be in that room unwillingly," said Scorpius delicately. He saw the realisation hit her as her face fell.

"My mum," she said weakly. "That happened in there?"

Astoria nodded gravely. "Yes, Sweetheart. I didn't even think when I asked you to wait in there, and I never thought that Lucius was walking around."

Scorpius knew all the stories about what happened in the Second Wizarding War from a young age. His father hadn't wanted him to find out about things from other people that may hold Scorpius accountable for them purely because of who is family is. Draco had been upfront and honest with him, offering no excuses, only apologies and hopes that Scorpius could be a stronger man than he had been. He had always been aware exactly what had happened between Rose's mother and his great-aunt Bellatrix in that room, that she had been tortured with the Cruciatus Curse.

"I'm okay," assured Rose, smiling kindly at them both. "This is neither of your faults and it's not your father's either. Hell, it's probably not your grandfather's he's clearly not well."

"Thankyou," replied Astoria warmly. "I'm going to leave you two to it, so I can check on your father Scorpius."

He watched his mother fully leave the room before he pulled Rose into his arms and tucked her into his body, his head rested upon her head.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, as he squeezed her tight.

"I meant what I said," said Rose, her voice muffled against him. "I'm okay."

He pulled her back just enough for him to cup her face and bring her face towards his for hard kiss.

"What was that for?" She asked breathlessly as they parted.

"For being you," replied Scorpius, with a grin. "For being absolutely insane and coming here in the first place."

"I'm a rebel," quipped Rose. "But maybe we keep this between ourselves? As much as my father seems to like you now, I think he would raid this house and kill anyone with the name Malfoy if he found out.

Scorpius chuckled. "I definitely agree with that. In fact, do you mind keeping what you know about my family to yourself as well? I've not told Al how bad it is."

"He wouldn't judge, you must know that," commented Rose, seriously. "Is all of this part of the reason you're going to move in with him in the Summer?"

"He told you?"

"Obviously," said Rose, rolling her eyes. "He wanted to check I was okay with it."

"Are you okay with it?"

Rose shrugged. "I'd not really thought about it before now. I know I don't want to stay at home. Every time I see Dom she always says she wants me to move in with her when I graduate. I never thought I'd live with Al if you're worried that you're ruining my plans."

"You are family and you're close."

"Exactly, I'll see him all of the time anyway," replied Rose. "Just means I suppose I'll still see you every now and again as well."

"Are you okay with that?" asked Scorpius gently, acutely aware his heart beating a little bit faster.

Rose stared at him for moment, her brilliant blue eyes assessing. "As long as you don't make it awkward, Malfoy, I think I'll live."

He swallowed. Why was it that sometimes he thought he knew her completely, and at other times he couldn't read her in the slightest? "Of course I wouldn't."

"Why do I feel like you want to say something else?" asked Rose, as she reached up and brushed his hair off his forehead.

"Because you always expect me to argue with you probably," suggested Scorpius.

"That's true, mainly because you're unsufferable," retorted Rose cheekily. "You know, it doesn't sound as though your mum and dad are coming back in here, we could make this visit really worthwhile."

He laughed knowing she wasn't being serious. She was wriggling her eyebrows comically with a big smile on her face, and although he knew she wasn't trying to seduce him somehow with her giggles she had succeeding in doing so. "Although that would probably provide me with possibly the happiest memories I'd have in this house, we'd better not take the chance."

Scorpius had walked Rose down to the ornate wrought-iron gates so she could disapparate home. They were no longer enchanted but his parents had put wards up so no one could apparate or disapparate on Malfoy grounds. As he walked back up to the house he couldn't quite comprehend what a strange morning it had been. That included Rose being attacked and just hanging out laughing with her in his kitchen. Both were surreal.

As Scorpius neared the house, he saw his father watching him from the window of his study. He had a small frown on his face, with his eyebrows burrowed deep in thought. Scorpius gave him a slight nod and headed straight to him as he entered the house.

By the time he had reached his father's office, Draco was no longer stood at the window, hands behind his back, he was sat behind his large dark wood desk, a glass decanter of amber liquid and two whiskey glasses. He slipped into the chair facing his father and watched silently as Draco poured them each a glass. Scorpius reached for it and took a sip, Firewhiskey burning down his throat. He waited expectantly for his father to speak as he was clearly thinking carefully about what words were going to come out of his mouth. He remembered having many serious conversations in this study but none had started like this so Scorpius stayed silent out of intrigue as well.

"Was she okay?" asked Draco, clearing his throat.

"Yes, she was fine," replied Scorpius assuredly. "A bit shook up when she realised what that room meant but she got over it. She's always known that it happened."

"Regrettably so," stated Draco, pausing to drink the rest of his whiskey. "I always worried about you having to go to Hogwarts with so many Potters and Weasleys, worried that the old feuds would continue, and you would be punished for my cowardly actions. When you very first wrote home that you had befriended Albus I could tell you were nervous admitting that to me, but my first reaction was relief. Relief that if they had taken you under your wing you would probably grow up making better decisions than I did."

"I grew up making better decisions because I had a good dad."

Draco smiled, momentarily distracted. "You have a good mother. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that I don't want you to be worried admitting something to me because my reaction is probably not what you expect."

Scorpius raised his eyebrows. "What do you think I'm going to admit?"

"I don't think the Weasley girl came over here because she accidentally had one of your school textbooks," drawled Draco.

"Yeah, I saw through that excuse of hers as well," grinned Scorpius. He had never really spoken to his father about girls before, and he'd never dreamed he'd be doing it in circumstances like this either. "I don't really know what to admit, because I don't really know what's going on."

"If you're playing with her heart, Scorpius, be careful," warned Draco. "Her father would probably kill you."

"Oh I'm fully aware of that," exclaimed Scorpius, before adding quietly, "She's the one playing with my heart anyway."

Draco fell silent again and poured them both another glass. "Why do you let her?"

"Because I think life is better like that even if it's not real," explained Scorpius carefully. "I feel like I've only ever been playing, and I've always been fundamentally bored with those people. And I think she has too. But I don't think we bore each other. That feeling makes it okay."

"I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, Scorpius, I know full well that parents shouldn't do that, but I do want to make sure you're okay."

"I am," replied Scorpius, firmly. "Are you okay? I mean, would you be okay if she were in my life?"

"Yes," stated Draco seriously, before a sly grin spread on his face. "Clearly, your grandfather wouldn't be, so if it does come to it, perhaps don't invite him to the wedding."

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