Chapter 25 – Only the beginning

- 5th of March 2022 -

It was Saturday, which meant that the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff was on. Rose walked down the empty corridor in her Quidditch robes; broom in hand. It was early, even for the early risers, all because James called an early morning warm up before the game. Rose sighed and shook her head at her cousin's competitiveness.

Rose dawdled cursing James. She was still waking up and complained internally about the time of day being time for normal animals to sleep; not the other way around. Exiting the corridor Rose took a couple of seconds for her eyes to adjust to the amount of light outside.

"I always thought I would first see you drop dead before seeing you wake up this early, Rosie."

The abrupt comment startled Rose: so much so she visibly jumped and hit her elbow on the stone wall. Ouch! Fuck that hurts! Rose thought. She took a few deep breaths and turned to face Scorpius.

"Are you trying to kill me, you bloody git," Rose exclaimed shaking her fist at Scorpius.

"No, you're just undeniably drawn to walls it seems." He smirked as he moved closer.

"Says the one who was lurking around and caused the scare in the first place." Rose folded her arms and looked away. By now there was maybe an inch between them and Rose had her back to the wall.

Scorpius, still smirking, put his arms around Rose and closed the distance between them. "Well let me make it up to you then."

His face was so close, Rose could feel her cheeks go bright red. When Rose's eyes travelled from his lips to his eyes. She realized that he had done the same. He got even closer. She understood the intention and closed her eyes. Scorpius leaned in and they kissed lightly at first but then the kisses intensified as he ran his fingers through her hair. Rose put her arm around his neck. A sudden crack of a stick diverted their attention. Do we tell people we're together or not? Are we even together? Rose considered.

"Quidditch! Merlin crapping sprinkles," Rose exclaimed as she remembered where she was supposed to be. "Scorpius we'll discuss things later I am late."

As she started to run off without a reply she heard Scorpius say, "Go get em tiger!"

"It is a lion!" She called back while smirking.

James will kill me. But do I care? Not particularly. Rose spotted James on the field and he immediately started his interrogation.

"Where the Hell have you been? Asleep? Eating? Both?"

Rose was out of breath but managed to counter with, "None of your friggen business!" She took off on her broom to her position for practice.

- In London -

"Vickie you've been in there a while. Are you alright?" Teddy asked standing outside the closed bathroom door.

"Yes Teddy, you don't have to keep asking," Victorie called from the bathroom muffled by the closed door.

"Ok," Teddy replied though it did little to ease his nerves. It had been over half an hour and she still hadn't come out. Earlier on they had been discussing the wedding when suddenly Victorie had rushed to the bathroom and vomited. It wasn't the first time in a couple of days that she had thrown up. After that, she told Teddy she was going to do a test for something and hasn't made a reappearance yet.

The door opened with a click and Victorie stepped out with a beaming smile. Teddy was very confused as to why she was smiling considering she had just thrown up.

"My love," Victorie took Teddy's hand, "I'm pregnant."

Teddy's face was blank as he processed the information. "I'm going to be a father?"

"Yes, and I am going to be a mother," Victorie chuckled.

Teddy teared up for a second as he remembered how Harry was like a father to him and how he will aim to be just as good a father to his child. Teddy pulled her into his embrace as they enjoyed the feeling of joy.

- At Hogwarts Quidditch pitch -

"WITH THIS LAST GOAL HUFFLEPUFF WOULD WIN. THIS DRAW MEANS EITHER SIDE COULD WIN," The student over the speaker stated.

Eye on the ball Rose, eye on the ball. Rose repeated the same phrase over and over again in her head as she watched the chasers of both houses play a back and forth tug-a-war. If Rose didn't save the Quaffle she would hear about it for the rest of her life from James. Two Hufflepuffs shot forward and aimed for the left goal and Rose moved left in response. But the chaser instead tossed it up and the beater, who was Jack Dixson, hit it. Rose felt her stomach drop in disbelief. Could she make it in time? Please just this once Merlin help me make it! Rose's fingers skimmed the Quaffle as it zoomed into the goal. Shit. Her fate was sealed now.

The Hufflepuff's went wild with cheering. Rose stayed in the air a bit longer despite most of the players descending to the ground. She didn't want to face people. She was too full of rage to deal with anyone else's disappointment.

When Rose landed she heard people calling out in surprise. She turned to see Jack Dixson snogging someone in front of the crowd. As she approached it turned out to be Fie. How could she like a brute that all he's good at is knocking down people? She couldn't see past the rage of loss so she left. She couldn't stomach anymore.

Once Rose was out of the changing rooms Scorpius approached her. "Scorpius, I would prefer to be alone right now." Especially because the next person to piss her off will get it.

"Ok suit yourself, idiot." He grabbed her hand and moved closer to the castle.

"Well, I want to be angry." Rose protested defiantly. But she let him lead her to the Great Hall. At the idea of food her stomach growled. Scorp chuckled quietly. Rose blushed at the response and that Scorpius' laugh was cute.

"Fine food is a good idea." As she ate she leaned against Scorpius.

- 2 weeks later -

"Al I'm concerned," Mya stated as she looked over the breakfast to where Fie was sitting at the Hufflepuff table. "Rose and Fie haven't spoken in 2 weeks."

"Hmmm," Al made a thoughtful face, "maybe we should get them to talk to each other?"

Mya considered the suggestion. "Worth a try I guess. I hope it will be ok."

Al kissed Mya on the lips slowly. When they parted Al said, "Baby try not to worry."

Mya smiled, "Ok."

"Hey Lovebirds," Lily said, "sorry to interrupt but Dominique has called a meeting of the Weasley-Potter girls."