A/N: I'm not entirely happy with how this turned out, but I've already worked so much on it, might as well post it. Please tell me what you think!

Title: Fathers And Other Things That Appear Out Of Nowhere

Summary: Rose Weasley is dating Scorpius Malfoy, and they've both agreed that telling their fathers is probably a bad idea. Surely, nothing bad will happen if they attend the Orphanage's Grand Annual Charity Ball?

Word count: 2,673

Genres: Family, Romance, Humour

"Oh, this was a really bad idea," Rose moaned as they entered the room.

"Nonsense," Scorpius retorted, "Besides, you would have regretted it for ages if you hadn't come."

Indeed, she probably would've. It was the Orphanage's Grand Annual Charity Dinner, an event organised by the Orphanage's board, where participants were encouraged to spend money all evening to provide funds for the children's home. The room, rented in an old castle, had been sumptuously decorated, probably by the children themselves. The theme this year was "Games" and familiar bits and pieces from common board games were littered around the room. She and her cousins took turns attending the Ball because it always pleased the children so much to have someone with a famous name in the crowd. This year it had been her turn.

However, she wasn't the only Weasley to attend. Her mother, unofficially part of the board, mainly because she simply couldn't resist helping poor orphaned children, was always participating in the event. The cause was very important her, but slightly less so to her father, who generally found an excuse not to come. Rose hoped it was the case this year.

"Maybe." She scanned the room, looking for her father.

Well dressed guests, most of them of a certain age already, were milling around the room, being placed at their tables. Most of them had complied to the theme, decking out in elegant checkers, or card patterns. Rose herself had put on a fancy top-hat and formal black dress, going for the banker from Monopoly, the Diagon Alley version of course. Scorpius was in simple robes, not a fan of dressing up, but Rose had forced him to pin a spade to his lapel despite his protests.

Her father seemed to be nowhere. She let out a breath.

"Rose, stop stressing out. He isn't here," he told her as he waved to her mother, who smiled brightly from afar and waved back.

"You don't know that, he could be at the loo, or just outside, or late," Rose mumbled as a girl pointed them out to their table.

"Don't worry."

It seemed that their table was the chess table, as chess pieces were strewn everywhere and they had chequered napkins. Later in the evening, games, quizzes, a talent show would be offered to the guests. For the moment they sat down and waited for other people to join them at their table.

She checked behind her shoulder once again. This "Games" theme would probably be the thing to drag her father out of his den (read: his shop) and into the wild (read: the Dinner) and she absolutely couldn't have that.

"I must admit it's rather funny, watching you trying to avoid your father," Scorpius commented as he looked down at his menu.

Rose glared at him. "Thank you, but I distinctly remember leaving the restaurant in a hurry last week because your father turned up."

Scorpius grimaced, and Rose agreed with him entirely. She hadn't even had the chance to eat her chocolate cake last week when they had spotted Draco Malfoy, and that, was extremely disappointing. Both of them had agreed they didn't want their fathers' to find out about their relationship. It wasn't that they were ashamed of it, Rose definitely wasn't, it was just that it would be better if they had the proper time and the proper moment to tell them.

Rose was an absolute daddy's girl and the revelation of their relationship would probably cause him to do something stupid. If Scorpius' father found out, it would probably anger him too, but also just add to the list of disappointments he seemed to be compiling about his son. As for her mother, though she was daddy's girl, her mother could read into her like an open book and she had known the moment Scorpius had asked her out. A simple "Don't tell Dad!" had sufficed, and her mother had had a mysterious smile, had raised her eyebrows and told them to always wear protection, which was just awkward.

Scorpius was rather laid-back about the whole situation, but Rose had a tendency to overthink everything and was currently being extremely paranoid. She especially didn't want her father finding out today as he would make such a scene and ruin the whole evening for everyone, and it was a really important Dinner for the Orphanage!

"Rose, darling, calm down," Scorpius told her reassuringly, and Rose noticed she had been gripping her knife rather menacingly. Thankfully, no one else was at their table yet.

"Oh, sorry."

"You should probably apologise to the knife, not me," he chuckled and Rose gave a weak smile, resisting the urge to check over shoulder once again. More people were beginning to come in, and it seemed like almost everyone was here. She could see people coming towards them.

"Oh, Scorpius, this really was a terrible idea! If not my father, someone will see us and tell him!"

"Maybe it's time for them to learn," he suggested softly.

"Yes, but not like this, not now!" Rose stressed.

He rolled her eyes at her but still with a fond smile. "We'll deal with that if ever it come to it. Besides, your mum told you she had been hinting at it for a couple of weeks."

"Dad has the emotional range as a teaspoon, and he's rather thick when it comes to subtle hints. He probably hasn't understood a thing of whatever she's been saying!"

"Come on, darling. There's little to no chance he'll be here this evening."

Rose sighed. "You must be absolutely sick of me. I'm sorry I'm so annoying right now."

"I could never sicken of you," he said with a little smirk on the corner of his mouth.

"Well, I'll be sick on you if you continue to be so sappy!" she teased. After all, their relationship had been built on banter, teasing and a good deal of flirting. The playful nature of their relationship had remained, and they were constantly taunting the other. After all, a Weasley and a Malfoy getting along could only happen with certain formalities.

"How about some wine then?"

"Merlin, I'll probably be needing it."

He chuckled but still poured the vermilion liquid into her cup. She watched fascinated as he perfectly dribbled the wine into her cup, without a drop out of place. That was something she loved about him, his exquisitely delicate manner that sometimes peeked, out reminding her of his natural grace and obvious signs of a Pureblood education. She was perfectly clumsy and always seemed to do things in a rush, so they completed each other like two puzzle pieces.

"Thank you," she said as a couple of people came to their table and sat down.

They exchanged politeness and she saw how the man in front of her nudged his companion when he figured out their names and just exactly what their relationship was. Rose blushed, shot a glare at Scorpius, who only smiled pleasantly and continued to make idle chatter.

Dinner began and Rose noticed one of the seats at their table was empty. A great, if not irrational fear spread through her.

"Scorp, look." She nudged him, and showed him the table. He rolled his eyes and put his fork down.

"What?"

"Who do you think was meant to be there?"

"Not whoever you're thinking of," he reassured her. Rose nodded, but had to resist the urge to bite her nails.

Dinner was delicious, thankfully. Entrée, main, salad and dessert were all equally scrumptious and the little kids from the Orphanage seemed to be having such fun. That at least made Rose smile. The other people at their table were sympathetic, but were far too interested in learning more about their famous names. But it was still okay. Anything with Scorpius was sure to be wonderful, despite the fact that Rose resisted the urge to jump anytime someone with red hair passed by.

The rest of the evening continued and soon it was the kids' talent show. The seat at the table still hadn't been filled, and had almost slipped out of Rose's mind. The little girl signing on stage was absolutely fabulous at what she did, with a real skill and taste, but still innocence rightful for her age.

Scorpius leaned over to her. "Did you hear that?" he asked.

"What?" Rose said, completely enthralled by the child's voice.

"Never mind. It was just the door opening."

Rose nodded absent-mindedly, still listening to the song.

When it was over, the little girl bowed and she was met with thunderous applause. She simpered off with an adorable little smile on her face. The lights came back on and Rose turned to Scorpius to discuss her singing. She opened her mouth to whisper something in his ear: "She was an absolute angel, wasn't she?"

Scorpius turned to her. "As far as I'm concerned, you're the only angel here," he whispered back.

She gave him a smile and rolled her eyes. Something flickered.

"Rose?"

Rose recognised the voice immediately and whipped around. Their sitting in all his red-headed glory was her father. She blanched.

"Um… Hi Dad?" she tried, "I didn't know you were coming!" Meanwhile, Rose's mind was reeling. She shot an absolutely panicked glance at Scorpius who was looking equally thrilled. The other guests at their table were looking rather amused. All of her paranoia had apparently been useless because her father was there anyway.

"So… this is awkward," Scorpius said, and Rose glared at him.

"Not helping," she muttered.

"Well, I didn't know you were coming with-" he gestured to Scorpius and Rose blushed. Scorpius definitely didn't blush, he never did, but Rose knew him so well that she saw his eyes close a little and the imperceptible twitch of his shoulders. "What is he doing here?"

Rose opened her mouth and searched for a plausible excuse. Morgana, she couldn't have this blowing up now, not while at the Dinner! It would absolutely ruin it for the orphans. Unfortunately, her father didn't seem to have the same view as her.

Scorpius saved her. "I'm her boyfriend, sir." Scrap that. He had just tugged them deeper in. Rose could see the emotions racing on her father's face; from confusion, to disbelief and finally anger. She was also dimly aware of the other guests following their verbal parr one might watch a Quidditch match.

"Her what?" her father seethed.

"Boyfriend, dad," she stated. Might as well sink the ship until it was full fathom five below the sea.

"What?" he practically screeched. Rose shot a look around. It seemed no one had heard.

The lights went dark again as the next part of the show was going to go one. Rose didn't say anything because she didn't want to disturb the child performing. But she still shot glares at her father who was still trying to process the information. The lights came back one.

"You know, when two people who like each other, they start to date each other, and in our case, become boyfriend and girlfriend," she explained. "A relationship, basically."

"That, that blond git is dating you!"

Rose gave him an exasperated look. "I am dating that blond git."

"Hey!" Scorpius complained, apparently insulted that he had been called a blond git. Given the number of times Rose had called him that, it was almost a term of endearment, so his reaction was ridiculous.

"Shut up, darling," Rose cut him off.

The lights went off again. Performance. A boy doing magic tricks. For someone who was an expert on Charms, Rose was rather surprised by the fact that she was so easily amazed by what he was doing. Her father tried to speak at one point, but Rose kicked him under the table. The lights came back on.

"And you call him darling?"

"It would seem so."

Her father had gone so red in the face she was momentarily considering throwing a glass of water at his face to make him cool down.

"Rose," he whispered/threatened as a bunch of kids came on stage to perform a particularly loud rock number. "I gave you one instruction, not to get too friendly with the enemy and this is what you do?" The guests seemed more interested in their half-whispered conversation than the show going out. Rose wished everybody would pay attention to the poor children instead of her.

"Dad!"

"You," her father turned to Scorpius who had been trying to look as little as possible. "You're the one who seduced my daughter. By love potion, no doubt! There's no other way my precious daughter would go to you!"

"I assure you, sir, there was no potion," Scorpius replied coolly.

Her father turned to her: "See, just as arrogant as his father!"

The judges – board members – were now deciding who was going to be the winner of the competition. Their little table had attracted the unwelcome attention of several other guests at the neighbouring tables.

"Dad! He is not his father!"

"He's exactly like his father! Just look at him!" her father retorted.

"That's not how genetics work, sir," Scorpius pointed out.

Rose gave him a look that was supposed to mean: "Scorpius, darling. Thank you so much for trying to help. But I'm afraid Dad is not in a mood to understand logic."

Scorpius shot back with: "Well, what are we supposed to do?"

Meanwhile, her father was ranting about all the horrible things that had happened to him because of Scorpius' father. "- and then there was the time where I had to end up vomiting slugs, because he insulted your mother and-"

His little rant was cut off by her mother stepping onto the stage to announce the winners, as she was an honourary member. "Ladies and gentlemen! We are so happy that you are here today!"

Rose looked at Scorpius: "I've got an idea."

"Your mum?" he looked back.

She nodded and sent a desperate sign to her mother, pointing dramatically at her father who was still glaring at Scorpius. Her mother saw her, her mouth rounded to an 'o', then she nodded to Rose.

"But, this year, I will not be the only one the distribute the prizes!" she announced. "My husband, who joined us slightly late, will also be joining me!"

Ron was suddenly jostled from his glaring and looked up at his wife, confused. She smiled expectantly at him, especially as the kids were looking so excited. Not only was Hermione Granger giving them prizes, but also Ron Weasley! It was a dinner to be remembered for them.

He begrudgingly got up and walked to the stage, not before addressing Scorpius.

"You lay one finger on her-"

"Yes, don't worry, sir!"

"Dad! Mum is waiting for you!"

"This conversation is not over!" he hissed but thankfully left the table.

Rose shot a grateful look at her mother, before ushering Scorpius and herself out of the room before her father could come back. She knew he would eventually get around the idea, but tonight was not the evening. He wouldn't truly hate Scorpius, especially once he got to know him.

"That was fun!" Scorpius said as they got outside.

"Well, the food was good." Rose grimaced.

"Not really. I've always hated turnips," Scorpius offered with a smile.

Rose rolled her eyes and punched him lightly in the shoulder. "I swear, you're impossible. The turnips were really good!"

He pulled a face which made her laugh.

"But you know, he'll get around to it."

Scorpius laughed. "I should hope so. I can't wait to see what my father thinks of it."

Rose shuddered. "We probably shouldn't ever leave them in the same room."

"Definitely not."

"And even if they don't approve, I still love you."

"I still love you too," he reassured her.

Rose took his hand. There would be a time to sort all of this out. Their Dinner had been cut short, but that didn't mean that the night was over.

FOR HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

House: Ravenclaw

Assignment #8: Home Economics: Task #5 Attending an important dinner

All aboard: 7) Paranoid

Gobstones: Silver stone – 14) "Did you hear that?" - 11) Wine – 11) Precious

Fortnightlies: Folding fun: Paper 14) Chess pieces

Founder says: Rowena says: 5) "So… this is awkward."

Writing club:

Character appreciation: 5) politeness

Show Time: 7) Eating

Amber's Attic: 2) Father and children

Elizabeth's Empire: 9) Ron Weasley

Lizzy's loft: 25) "Don't tell [name]"

Scamander's case: 29) Receiving a warning

TV spree: 17) Relationship being revealed

EnTilted: 2) Secret relationship

Autumn Seasonal:

Chemistry: 61) Paranoid

Family: 2) Daddy's girl

Pizza: 11) Secret Relationship

2nd October: National Boyfriend day: Loving boyfriend

Games: 6) Sitting down around a table

UN: 101) Boyfriend

Princess: 9) Disobeying parents

Colour: 11) Vermilion