A/N: Love to hear your thoughts about this story! Enjoy :)
Chapter 25: Rose
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
It had been slow and quiet since the morning rush had ended, and Rose knew she should've already got used to it – that some days were slow, and they barely had customers during lunch time, and she would be counting the seconds until her shift would end. And then there were days when there wasn't a free seat left in the small coffee shop and it felt like they had a constant line reaching to the door from the morning until the late afternoon.
It definitely was one of those quiet days, but instead of counting the seconds, Rose had tried to make herself busy by cleaning the spotless tables and the counter, while Claire – one of the part time employees – worked in the back, making inventory and probably taking marathon calls with her boyfriend. Rose wasn't really bothered, since that was what she would have been doing, if she had been in the back instead of Claire, and if she could have actually made Nick to take a break from work and talk rubbish with her, which she knew she couldn't have. She would have probably just text with Molly or Hugo, who were both staying at their homes and had time to entertain her – well, probably not Molly, since she was actually taking care of a small human being while she was staying at home. So, Rose would have texted with Hugo. And weirdly, she would have texted with Scorpius. Which was an entirely new development, after seeing him at the coffee shop several times during the past month.
They were… in friendly terms now. Scorpius had taken a habit of popping by in the coffee shop every once in a while, on his way to a client or a meeting or something of the sort. It if was quiet, they chatted. He usually didn't go into the details about his work or his life, and most of the times they saw each other, he turned the conversation to her, asking how she and her family were doing. He even inquired about Nick – which had been weird at first, but after seeing the polite and unaffected smile on his face when she had told him that Nick was fine, that they were fine, she had relaxed somewhat.
They talked a lot about Jackson, how fast he was growing up, and when had been the last time Rose had seen him. It always felt like too long ago, even though she saw him at least every two weeks. Rose had even once showed Scorpius pictures of Jackson: sleeping, smiling, doing baby stuff, and Scorpius had practically melted. Which hadn't been a surprise, since she remembered exactly how well the blonde Slytherin had come along with Jasmine, and how much he had adored her.
It had been odd, at first, seeing Scorpius regularly, talking to him. But slowly, Rose had become at ease in his company. There were no long stares between them, no hidden meanings, no mentions of their past. They were just… two people, two acquaintances talking about their daily lives. And even though Rose had been relieved that the friendship – if it could be described as so – with Scorpius was going on smoothly, she had been nervous when she had told Nick about it. But Nick had been…oddly unruffled by Rose seeing and talking to Scorpius. Perhaps it had been because Rose had told him that there was nothing going on between them. It was admirable, Nick's reaction. Rose wasn't sure if she could be as cool with Nick if he would start hanging around with Dominique, for example…
When Rose couldn't find a spot on any surface that wasn't shining with cleanser, she threw the rag on the counter and let out a long sigh. She glanced at the timepiece on the wall. There was still an hour left of her shift. An hour before Claire would come to the front until Higgins would come to close the shop for the day. An hour before Rose could crash into her bed for a short kip, before Nick would come and spend the evening with her.
She looked at the door of the coffee shop, wondering if she stared at it hard enough, perhaps a customer would walk in and relieve her from the boredom.
To her utter surprise, the door opened ten seconds later. Her shock, however, wasn't long lasting. It was just one of her cousins.
"Hey, Al," Rose said with a defeated sigh. "What's up?"
Albus lifted his brows up as he walked to the counter, giving her an amused look. "I'm glad you're happy to see me, cousin."
Rose rolled her eyes and crossed her arms against her chest before taking a couple of steps backwards to lean against the counter lining against the back wall. "I'm bored out of my mind, so I suppose I shouldn't complain…"
Albus snorted and then looked around them. "Is Scar around…?"
Rose shook her head. "No. She's at the hospital. It's Tuesday."
"Right." Albus said slowly and frowned at the counter between them.
Rose gave him a scrutinising look. "Is everything all right? Hugo told me you're staying at James's now?"
They had talked a bit about James and Albus during their latest Sunday lunch with their mother, which for some reason had been weirder and more uncomfortable than usual. Rose had figured that something – an argument perhaps – was going on between her mother and brother, but she hadn't brought it up.
Albus blinked at her. "Uh. Yeah. You – you talked to Hugo?" He asked, giving her a strange look as he trailed a hand through his hair.
Rose shrugged. "Yeah. He mentioned something about Emma's grandparents?" She asked, wondering what really was going on with Albus, and why he was staying with his brother. Had something happened?
Albus seemed to relax quite a bit. He cleared his throat. "Yeah, at first it was about them, I suppose," he said and grimaced, "That is, until Emma had a row with her dad during a family meal and outed herself to everyone."
"Merlin," Rose muttered and walked to the counter Albus was leaning against. She remembered Albus telling her a long time ago that if Emma's family ever found out about Albus's and Emma's sham, he would be kicked out of the house he had been calling his home. "So, you're, um. Homeless now?" She asked, cringing at the word.
Albus huffed and scowled at the surface between them. "I suppose I am."
Rose nodded slowly and eyed him with worry. "What are you going to do?"
Even though she knew Albus would be fine – he had a job and he had wealthy parents and more than one friend with whom he could crash before getting a new place of his own, she still wondered if he was going to be all right. It had to be difficult for him, to let go of the place that seemed to mean a lot to him.
Albus sighed and gave her a weary look. "Dunno. Suppose I'll be at James's for a while. Or move back to Winkfield before I'll get my own place."
Rose nodded and placed a hand over his, trying to give him a reassuring look. "I'm sure you'll work it out, Al."
The corners of his lips curved slightly up before he pulled his hand away and shoved it to the pocket of his jeans. "What about you? How's it going?"
"All right," Rose said and turned towards the back counter to prepare herself a cup of tea. "Tea?" She inquired over her shoulder.
Albus shook his head. "I'm fine, thanks. You seen Scorpius lately?"
Rose nearly flinched at the unexpected question, as well as the slightly demanding tone in her cousin's voice. She turned slowly around and gave him a searching look. "I'm sure you're aware of exactly how many times I've seen him or talked to him lately."
Albus seemed unbothered by her reply, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes that told Rose that she had been right. Albus shrugged. "So, you're what, friends now?" He asked carefully, his eyes tracking her reaction closely.
"Yes." Rose said simply and turned back to her tea.
There was a short silence while Rose finished preparing her tea and turned back to face her cousin.
"And Nick's fine with that?" Albus asked suddenly.
Rose's brows lifted up. "Why wouldn't he be fine with that?"
Albus shrugged, looking doubtful.
Rose huffed. "I'm allowed to have friends. I'm sure Nick has friends as well," Rose said, a bit defensively, while knowing that it really wasn't the same thing, but not wanting to give Albus the satisfaction to be right about it.
"I'm sure he has," Albus muttered while he looked away.
There was something in his tone that bothered her quite a bit, but before she was able to point it out, the door to the coffee shop opened, revealing Rose's brother.
"Hugo!" Rose said and gave him a smile.
Hugo grinned back and then looked between Albus and Rose as he walked further, his smile quickly vanishing. "Hey," he grunted when he stopped next to Albus, his eyes lingering at his cousin, an odd look in his eyes.
"Hey," Albus greeted back, and then fixed his gaze at the counter, a deep frown forming between his brows.
There was an obvious uneasiness between the two boys. Neither of them looked the other in the eye, and both seemed surprised and very uncomfortable by the other one's presence.
Rose glanced between her brother and her cousin. "Um. What's –
"I should go," Albus said suddenly, giving Hugo a furtive glance before flashing a stiff smile at Rose. "I'll talk to you later," He said and hastily took his leave.
Rose gave Hugo a confused look. Her brother seemed quite bothered by something. Something, Rose was betting was about Albus.
"What is going on?" She asked after a quiet moment. "I know there's something you're not telling me."
Hugo groaned and looked around them. "Aren't you getting off soon?"
Rose glanced at the clock. It was ten minutes until her shift would end. She sighed in relief. "Yeah. In ten minutes."
Hugo nodded. "All right. We'll talk outside then."
It was no surprise that she couldn't really take the much-needed nap she had been planning, not after she had talked with Hugo on her way back home. After all, her brother had told her the most confusing and shocking news she had heard in a long time. Even with Hugo coming to seek refuge from her a couple of days before Christmas hadn't been as shocking as it was hearing what her mother and her uncle had been up to.
Hugo had been worried about her – unsurprising after her shocked and loud reaction in the middle of her home street – and had asked if she was all right and if she wanted some company, but Rose had told him that she needed to process it on her own and had sent him back home. Back to their mother.
Their mother, who according to Hugo, had promised him that nothing of the sort would ever happen again. But what Rose couldn't stop thinking, was why she hadn't told that to Harry? Why Rose's mother hadn't pushed him away and told him to bury any more-than-friendly-feelings he possibly harboured towards her? Why hadn't she marched straight to Rose's Aunt? Why had she kissed Harry?
As Rose thought about it, she reckoned her mother could've already had that chat with Harry and Ginny. It wasn't like Rose and Hugo would necessarily know if their mother and their aunt and uncle were already solving their matters. Rose hoped that that was the case, at least.
As minutes passed, Rose abandoned the thought of getting a lovely nap. Instead, she slumped onto the couch and opened the telly, deciding to not think of anything of importance until Nick would come to visit her after work.
As she was on her third episode of Chicago Fire, the front door opened and chatter filled the hallway. Rose smiled at Nick and Scarlett who walked into her line of sight.
"Look who I found wandering on the streets," Scarlett said airily, before making her way into the kitchen.
Nick smirked at Rose and walked closer to her. "Wasn't really wandering."
He leaned down to kiss Rose on her lips.
"Oh, I'm sure you were." Rose murmured against his lips, feeling a thrill of excitement at his presence.
Nick huffed in amusement before his lips pressed against hers, kissing her slowly, softly. There was even a hint of tongue, which made a sparkle of pleasure run down her body and urged her to take a hold of his neck to prolong the kiss that was originally meant as a greeting.
"Oh, Merlin…" Scarlett groaned from the direction of their kitchen.
Nick pulled back and he and Rose shared a dazed look before they both turned to look at Scarlett, who was leaning against the counter and watching them, like there was nothing better to do.
"Don't stop on my account." Scarlett said innocently, a hint of a smile on her lips.
Rose rolled her eyes at her friend while Nick snorted and took a seat next to Rose.
"How was your day?" Nick asked, draping an arm over the back of the sofa and giving her shoulder a light squeeze.
Rose thought back of her day, of her conversation with Albus, his muttered comment that was still echoing in the back of her mind, his doubt about Nick… She thought about Hugo, the strange interaction between Albus and Hugo, which made sense now, after Hugo had told Rose about their mother and uncle – but it made sense only on Hugo's side. Unless – unless Albus knew about his father and their mother…but why had he been so at ease with Rose then? Something else was up, but she wasn't sure what. And then, there was of course the thing about Rose's mother and uncle.
She didn't want to talk about her confusing thoughts with Nick that night. Not when she knew he would be leaving in a couple of hours. He never stayed the night, even if it was weekend and he wouldn't be working the next day. Even if she asked him to stay.
"It was all right. Uneventful." She finally said, trying to give him an earnest smile. "And yours?"
Nick explained about his day, how exactly dull it had been, and how many times his father had yelled at him to never trust a Slytherin, to never trust a rich old lady, or a Minister or anyone in the wizarding world. Apparently, they had a client who caused both Nick and his father to grit their teeth together as they tried to solve her business and interact with her.
A bit later, Scarlett joined them and they put on a movie. But while it was one that Rose hadn't seen before, her mind still kept wandering to her cousin and her brother. Had something happened? Why had Albus left the moment Hugo had stepped into the coffee shop? Was she overthinking everything? Was she trying to figure out something that wasn't even there?
She glanced at Scarlett, who was curled in an armchair she had transfigured from one of the kitchen chairs, her fingers busy typing away with her phone. Occasionally, she rolled her eyes at the screen, while all along, a flicker of a smile curved up her lips.
"Who's that?" Rose asked curiously, pulling Nick's focus from the movie to her and Scarlett.
Scarlett looked up and blinked at them. "Oh. It's just Millie," she said stiffly and stood up. "I'm gonna head to bed," she announced, yawning as she walked to the bathroom to do her nightly routine.
Five minutes later, she walked towards her room, waving them good night and reminding them to use a silencing charm. Something which made Nick chuckle lightly and Rose's ears burn in embarrassment.
It was rather curious, how fast they were over of their – well, mostly Rose's – embarrassment. Fifteen minutes after Scarlett had disappeared to her room, Rose and Nick were making out on the sofa in earnest, the movie still going on in the background.
The small sofa was a bit cramped, and it would've been easier to just stand up and go into her room and continue there, but it felt too good to stop, especially when Nick pressed his hips at hers, groaning against her lips, letting her know exactly how hard he was.
Rose sighed as Nick's lips travelled down the side of her cheek and her neck, his fingers brushing her breasts, his thigh between hers, while he leant against his other arm that was placed over her shoulder. She let her hands roam over his shoulders, over his strong back, over his backside, and over his thighs. Nick cut back a moan when her other hand found the bulge of his trousers and he pressed his forehead against her shoulder as she started to move her hand. He breathed roughly, and then suddenly – he was tearing himself away from her with a frustrated groan.
Rose blinked at him, but the next second, he had scooped her up, into his arms with a practiced manner and took a firm step towards Rose's room.
"Wait!" Rose whispered urgently.
Nick stilled, the heat in his eyes clearing away slightly. He gave her a questioning look.
"The telly. I have to close it," Rose said and grimaced as her words managed to evaporate the rest of the intensity in Nick's eyes.
Nick stared at her in a mild disbelief and then put her down, a huff of amusement leaving his lips. He continued to watch her as she went back to the sofa to search for the remote and managed to shut the device off.
"Anything else?" He asked with smirk, his eyes darkening, "Before I'm allowed to undress you and savour every bit of your body?
Rose shivered, feeling a spike of pleasure travel down her spine as she remembered exactly how well he had savoured every bit of her the last time he had come over. Images of Nick between her legs, kissing his way up flickered to the forefront of her mind, making her dizzy. She smiled at him. "I'm good," she said nervously and took his hand to guide them towards her room.
Every time Nick left like that, after a heated and intense moment, after an urgent and melting bliss, after a short moment of calm and closeness, she felt more alone than she had felt at any point of the day. She felt more alone than during the nights she hadn't been in his company during the evening.
His words, uttered only an hour before, still echoed in her mind.
Maybe.
He had told her that maybe he'll stay the night the next weekend, after she had asked him, after she had told him that she wanted him to. After she had told him that it would mean something to her.
Rose let out a weary sigh and took a quick look at her phone to confirm to herself that yes, it was already close to midnight, and she ought to go to sleep, as she was expected to wake up bright and early for her morning shift the next day. She flopped down against her pillow and stared at the ceiling.
It bothered her somewhat – Nick never staying the night with her – and while Rose had tried to give it some time, to give him time, she knew it was something they ought to have a conversation about.
There were other things – things she understood perfectly well, and was completely okay if those said things didn't change right away – like the fact that possibly all of Nick's friends knew that they were dating, but still, Rose and Nick never spent time with them. And Nick didn't spend time with Rose whenever her friends or cousins were around, besides Scarlett, and Rose figured that that was solely because Scarlett was her flatmate. Rose thought it was kind of understandable, seeing as James was one of Nick's closest friends and one of Rose's cousins. She wondered, if Nick thought it would've been weird for them. Not that James was even around that much these days.
Nick also obviously didn't want her to meet his family, but that was also fine for Rose. Because she wasn't in a hurry to drag Nick to meet her mother and her father either, even though they had asked more than once.
Still, Rose thought everything else was all right between them. She was happy. She enjoyed spending time with Nick and talking with him. They had stimulating conversations. He was smart, and easy to be around with. He was also easy on the eyes. He was very handsome. His body was muscular and solid, and he kissed and made love with such an ease and firmness that Rose sometimes felt jealous, either of his confidence, or the fact that his confidence had to be a result of a long practice. Rose felt light-headed when she thought about how brilliant the sex between them was. How good he was able to make her feel.
She was sure their relationship would move forward, even if it was at a slow pace. She hoped, at least.
Her thoughts flickered back to what Albus had said, earlier that day in the coffee shop. About him being sure that Nick had friends as well. What kind of friends had he meant? Did Albus know something that Rose didn't?
She and Nick hadn't really discussed it, being exclusive. But the more she thought about it, the more laughable it seemed, to be anything but. Of course they were in an agreement that neither of them was romantically pursuing other partners.
…Weren't they?
Why had Albus's words bothered her so much?
Before she was able to think twice, she was already calling her cousin.
It took him a long time to answer.
"…Rosie?" Albus mumbled, half asleep.
Rose cleared her throat. "Hey Al. About what you said today –"
"Merlin, Rose, can't this wait for tomorrow?" Albus groaned through the line, sounding like he was shuffling in his bed. "I was sleeping…"
"Well, you shouldn't have said anything today, huh? I can't think of anything else now." Rose said sharply.
There was a sigh and a loud yawn, more shifting. Then, Albus spoke with a clearer voice. "What's going on?"
Rose took in a calming breath. "We were talking about Scorpius, and… Nick. And you said…"
"Yeah?"
Rose stood up to sit in the middle of her bed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Was she actually this pathetic? "…You said, uh, that you're sure he has friends as well. And – and I know that it sounds bloody stupid right now, but you wouldn't even look at me then, and we were talking about Scorpius –"
"What does he have to do with it? I thought you were friends? Are you not?"
Rose huffed. "Yes. That's not the point."
"Then what is, Rose? I wanna go back to sleep." Albus grunted.
"What kind of friends were you talking about?" Rose asked, her body still and tense as she waited for his answer.
Albus sighed. "I dunno, Rose."
Rose chewed the inside of her cheek. "So – why'd you say it?"
"Look, Rose. Let's just forget I said anything, yeah? I haven't seen Nick in a while. I don't know what he's like these days…"
"What does that even mean?" Rose asked urgently, feeling frustrated. What the hell did Albus mean by that? What had Nick been like when Albus had known him?
There was long pause.
"It's nothing, just forg–"
"Do not, Al," Rose hissed, interrupting him. "Tell me. Now."
Albus huffed. "He's never been in a relationship. He only ever dates women. Until he doesn't."
Rose stared ahead in the darkness. She thought that Albus's assessment would actually explain a lot. Still, it didn't help with the fact that she felt… disappointed.
"Rose?" Albus asked carefully, and then let out a long sigh. "Look. You shouldn't listen to me. What I said is only what I've seen for the past couple of years. It's not like I'm that close to him. Like James is. I dunno. Maybe you could talk to James?" He inquired tentatively, and quickly continued, a hint of wryness in his tone. "I mean, not now. He'll be pissed off if he misses any of his precious beauty sleep."
Rose swallowed hard. "No, thanks, but… I think I should talk to Nick."
Albus cleared his throat. "Yeah. That would be… better. Um. Can we talk later?"
Rose sighed. "Yeah. Sure."
"G'night, Rosie."
"Good night, Al."
She kept staring at the screen of her phone after their call had ended. Then, without thinking, she opened her messages and the one thread that had been in her thoughts at times. The thread with a picture of her and baby Jackson, both staring at the camera, the former smiling widely, the latter eyeing the device with doubt. A picture that was sent in a spur of moment, after he had visited her in the coffee shop and after they had had a lengthy conversation about Jackson.
And under the picture, there was a reply that thanked her for it. A reply that said they were both adorable.
She read the words, over and over, trying to decipher them. Trying to decipher him. In the end, she was none the wiser, and so she closed the screen and put her phone back to the nightstand, forcing the thoughts of him and what if to somewhere deep in her mind.
