Rose stepped out of the fireplace in the parlor of Malfoy Manor to find Narcissa lounging on a chaise, reading a book. As soon as Rose entered, Narcissa's mouth split into a wide grin, and after a very formal greeting, she left to find Scorpius.

Rose didn't have much time to grow nervous, for soon after Narcissa left, her own mother stepped through the floo.

"You ready?" She asked, placing a comforting hand over Rose's shoulder. The warmth of her mother's hand was enough to give her some courage.

Rose took a deep breath and nodded, bitting her lower lip.

"What if he doesn't forgive me?" she nervously asked her mother.

Hermione opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by the parlor door banging open. Scorp burst through the doors and bolted towards Rose. As soon as he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her into a tight hug. Rose flung her arms around his neck clutching him tightly to her.

She could tell Scorpius was murmuring something, but she couldn't make out the words. How could she ever think of letting this boy go? Scorp had proven to be the sweetest, most noble boy in the world. And Rose knew he saw the stars in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered in his ear. "I was such an idiot and I am so sorry."

He pulled away at her words and clutched her face in both his hands. Shaking his head, he smiled. "Do not apologize. Just promise me never to dump me like that again."

Rose laughed and nodded. A stray tear ran down her cheek, but Scorp quickly brushed it away with his finger. She looked into his eyes, and as always, felt like she could happily drown in the sea of blue-grey. How could she think that she'd be okay never looking him in the eyes again?

She couldn't hold it any longer. She pushed herself up on her toes and placed the softest kiss on his lips, holding them there, until the clearing of a voice brought them out of their reverence for each other. They separated a bit sheepishly to look at the newcomer.

Mr. Malfoy stood at the entrance of the parlor, the ghost of a smile on his face.

"I see we've made up," he said. His voice was light. "I'm glad."

"Thanks, Dad," Scorp said, then turned his attention to Hermione. "And thank you, Mrs. Granger, for bringing her my letter and for bringing her here. I know it mustn't have been easy for you."

Hermione smiled at Scorp and Rose couldn't help the pang of guilt in her chest.

"Mom, I was wondering if it would be alright with you and Mr. Malfoy would give Scorp and me permission to head on over to Uncle Harry's for a bit?"

Hermione's smile dissipated and was immediately replaced by a frown. "I just got you back from Harry's, what makes you think I'd let you go over there again?"

Rose turned to see Mr. Malfoy's reaction, but he simply looked at her with curiosity. It wasn't the reaction Rose was expecting, but still a salvageable situation.

"I just thought it would be a good idea if you and Mr. Malfoy had the chance to talk by yourself." She paused, trying to assess how the adults would react to her statement. Did Mr. Malfoy look a tad stiffer than he had a moment ago? Who was she kidding? Mr. Malfoy was always stiff. "Maybe about the possibility of you not having to break up?"

Hermione stepped closer to her daughter, placing both hands on her shoulders, and Rose, not wanting to be away from Scorp for even a second, immediately turned to see if he was still at reaching distance. "Rose, we don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable."

Rose smiled and shook her head. "No, mum. I don't want to do anything that makes you unhappy. And you've done so much for me, and Mr Malfoy for Scorp." She turned to smile at both Malfoys before staring back at her mom. "We couldn't possibly ask you to give this up for us"

"I mean, it was you, I never had an-"

"Shut it," she interrupted. "Besides, mum. I worry about Mr. Malfoy, he might end up a lonely old widow if you don't give this a chance. He's terrifying and I don't think he has very many friends."

"She's right, he doesn't" Scorp provided.

"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy!" Mr. Malfoy's voice boomed from behind them and Rose saw Scorpius shrink in on himself. Mr Malfoy however wore a small smirk on his lips.

"Please, mum?"

Hermione looked from one child to the other, and then finally at Draco, who gave her an affirming nod.

"Fine, run along. I want you back here before dinner."

"Thanks!" Rose hugged her mother tightly, and Scorp his dad, before they both disappeared into the floo.

The quiet in the parlour rang in Hermione's ears after the children's departure. Suddenly, she felt nervous. She'd spoken to Draco several times this week, but always under the impression that their companionship had come to an amicable end.

Standing here in the parlour of his home, with the possibility of something still blooming made her feel fifteen again, like she'd felt being asked to the dance by Viktor Krum. She pushed the thoughts away, as Draco strode elegantly towards her.

"So, I see we have your daughter's blessings."

She shook her head. "Not an easy thing to come by apparently. I'm shocked, considering she always plotted to get her dad and Katie together."

"I don't want to talk about your ex husband, Granger." He stepped closer into her and she could breathe his scent, feel his breath ghosting against her face.

Hermione let out a soft sigh. She couldn't help biting her lower lip.

"What do you want to talk about?"

He smirked at her. "I obviously don't want to talk about anything yet."

"Oh!" She gasped, as he cupped her face with his hand.

Reaching down to her he asked, "May I kiss you?"

She hadn't finished nodding before his lips had found hers. Determined, they moved against hers in a way that ignited fires she hadn't felt in years. Her twelve year old self would have been outraged to think she'd grow up to love being kissed by Draco Malfoy, but alas, there was little her twelve year old self could do about it.

Draco swiped his tongue against her lips and she immediately granted him access. She fisted his shirt in her hands and pulled him even closer, if that were possible. Draco groaned into her lips, and before she knew it, she was being swooped up into his arms, her legs wrapping around his torso.

Draco's lips released hers and she gasped for breath as he started peppering her neck with open mouthed kisses. She ran her hands through his hair, completely disheleving him. She felt his teeth nipping at the skin of her neck and a loud burst of laughter escaped her lips.

Draco pulled away. "What's wrong?"

Hermione shook her head, and in between kisses reassured him. "Nothing, nothing." Another kiss. "I just thought we'd sent the teenager away."

He grinned at her. "There's nothing wrong with acting like promiscuous teenagers every now and then."

She bit her lower lip briefly, before Draco captured her mouth in another searing kiss.


Hermione and Rose walked down Diagon on their way to meet the Malfoys. Lighthearted and fun conversations, smiles and jokes had taken over their house in the days following the rekindling of Rose and Scorp's romance.

While nothing had changed much in terms of the young puppies' love, they were spending much more time together than the first few weeks of summer. Now, everytime Hermione and Draco wanted to go out to dinner, the theater or any other adult activity, they'd leave the children to the care of a very pleased Narcissa.

Today, though, they had agreed to go shopping for their school supplies together. With the return to school coming up in less than two weeks, Hermione had begun to stress about falling behind. She thought this was the first time since her own first year of school that she went Hogwarts shopping without Ginny, which also left her feeling a bit out of place. Rose's excitement to see Scorp, however, made her smile through it all.

Even in the crowded street, Rose spotted Scorp standing in front of Flourish and Blotts from three shops away. Hermione watched as she bolted towards the young boy and flung her arms around him. As always, Scorp swooped her up for a spinning hug and then set her down gently, before giving her a quick peck on the lips.

Hermione thought it the most adorable thing in the world.

She reached them and immediately was wrapped into a hug by Draco, who placed a kiss to her cheek and whispered in her ear, "you never come running to me like that."

Hermione laughed loudly, and pushing him playfully on the arm said, "Like your old man back could carry me like that."

Draco feigned offense, but smiled nonetheless. "I'll have you know, I remained in excellent physical condition.I'm still in my prime."

"Yeah right dad, you complain when picking up anything from the floor."

Draco pierced his son with a fierce glare. "Why don't you and Rose run along and start looking for your books?"

Rose was ahead of him, already tugging Scorpius by the arm into the store. "Bye!" She squealed as they disappeared through the door.

Hermione then turned to face Draco who looked at the children's back disappearing into the throng that was Flourish and Blotts. She smiled up at him, studying his features; the concerned worry lines of leaving his son out to explore on his own; the glint in his eyes that belied the pride he felt nonetheless, the barely there quirk of his lips at seeing his son truly happy. It warmed her heart to know they'd done right by them.

As if her thoughts had been loud enough, he asked, "We're doing it right, yeah? Do you see it too?"

Hermione nodded. She'd hadn't seen Rose this happy all summer, and in her exchanges with Scorp, had never seen him smile as brightly. They were doing it right.

"And you think it can work? Will it last?" He asked, this time turning to look at her.

Her own eyes flitted to where the children had disappeared inside the store. She didn't let her wandering thoughts show on her face, because she didn't worry and didn't want Draco too. She knew this could work, with time and patience on everyone's side, they could all have their happy ending. She sure knew they all deserved it; Rose having, (arguably, but not really relevant) lived the most carefree life of the four, had still experienced a pretty difficult divorce and growing up with parents whose trauma from the war still bleed into their everyday lives. Yes, they all deserved to be happy, now.

But she wasn't about to share all of that with Draco, who she knew was quick to fall into a good brood.

"Yeah, we can make this last."

She smiled up at him once more, but only briefly, because his lips had captured hers.

Tuesday, September 1st, 2020

Rose had never felt happier to be leaving for Hogwarts. It wasn't that she was bothered by her mother's relationship with Mr Malfoy, no. She was steadily starting to get over that. She was happy to leave for Hogwarts because of all the possibilities of going to boarding school with your soulmate that lay ahead.

Okay, perhaps soulmate was a bit of a stretch. Scorp was her first boyfriend and they'd only been dating for about six months, but six months has to be the longest recorded third year relationship in Hogwarts history. She would have to write Sage Bragnam, who had taken over the editing and revision of Hogwarts, A History to include the detail in the next edition of the book.

But still, going away to Hogwarts with Scorp was exciting. She'd have to wrestle the invisibility cloak from James, and maybe Lily would let her borrow the Marauders Map so that she could begin planning her escapades with Scorpius. Of course, they wouldn't get around to anything too improper, they were still fourteen after all, but the worst possible thing to happen in the middle of a good kiss was to be found by Old McGonagall. That was not something she wanted to be guilty of.

She shuddered just thinking of it.

Her mum must have noticed the gesture, because both her hands came down to each of Rose's arms soothing her up and down.

"Thinking about getting into some mischief already?" She asked.

Rose's eyes widened in a panic. How could- But she- Had Rose said anything aloud?

Frantically she shook her head now. "Why would you possibly think that?" Her voice came out in a squeak.

Hermione laughed, and Rose's panic began to dissipate.

"I didn't, but you just pretty much gave yourself away." She hugged her daughter tightly. "Don't get into too much trouble, please. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Don't worry Rosie, that gives you permission to ride dragons, set professors on fire and to kidnap reporters," her godfather's voice washed over her from behind. She turned to look at him. "There is very little your mother wouldn't do."

"Harry James Potter, I have half a mind to hex you right now!"

"You can't assault the Head of Magical Law and Enforcement. I'm untouchable."

In a matter of seconds, Harry's eyebrows had turned a pale shade of blue and they all roared to laughter.

"Not so untouchable now, are you?" Aunt Ginny asked, as she put her wand inside her robes once more.

Rose didn't hold back her snicker, but hugged her cousins in an attempt to evade her uncle's wrath.

She was so caught up in the commotion, that she didn't notice Scorp had arrived until he stood right beside her.

Heat crept up her cheeks and she broke into a large grin. It didn't matter how often she spent time with him, but Scorpius had been so amazing that she couldn't help the riotous butterflies raging in her stomach at the sight of him.

He hugged her tightly and Rose was the happiest girl in the world. Warm and with a scent of cedar wood emanating from him, Rose loved the feeling of his arms wrapped awkwardly around her. It was bliss.

She opened her eyes to peek at Mr Malfoy placing a kiss to her mum's lips and smiled when the blush in her mum's cheeks became evident. She'd never been one for public displays of affection, yet here she was. The prospect of happiness looming so close on the horizon.

Quickly, they said their goodbyes, and as she and her friends retreated towards the train, Rose heard when her mother asked Mr Malfoy, "So, what now?"

She could practically hear the smile on Mr Malfoy's face as he replied.

"Now we date."