Chapter 4 - That damn letter!

Rose was in the middle of writing a summary report of her findings when Scorpius walked. She didn't bother to look up because he would be a distraction from her summary due this evening. He stood in front of her desk when Esme interjected. Merlin bless you, Esme!

"Mister Malfoy, is there something I can help with? Rose is rather busy." Esme looked like she was not in the mood for mucking around. Not to self, ask her later about it.

"Miss Cotton, I simply have been sent to see how the report is coming along," Scorpius answered matter-of-factly.

"It's going well now please let us continue our work," Esme stated with a stern tone.

"So you were demoted to paperboy then," Rose whispered sarcastically with a smirk looking down at her report.

Scorpius turned to rose and said, "That's rich coming from someone who had the best grades at Hogwarts only to be working in a smaller department as a job."

That comment made her blood boil. She stood up and looked Scorpius dead in the eyes. "Oh really? Have you ever considered there's a reason I am here Malfoy?"

"Your unmotived, the old Rose would have walked straight to the top."

"Like you would know how I used to be, you weren't even there!" Rose's voice got louder the longer she spoke.

Scorpius was taken back by her sudden anger. The rest of the department was looking at them.

"I'm going to the bathroom." Rose quietly stated before grabbing her bag and walking out with Esme following after her.

- Later that late Afternoon -

The experiment was finally over. Thank Merlin for that.

"Are you about as exhausted as I am?" Rose asked Esme as they walked down the corridor to the lifts.

"Absolutely."

"How about staying over tonight?" Rose pleaded.

"Do I get to have your mother's cooking?" Esme smirked as she asked.

"Definitely."

"Then count me in!" Esme fist pumped the air. Rose looked around before getting in the lift. Thankfully I haven't seen Malfoy since this morning. He was infuriating. Rose sighed and consciously made the effort to put Scorpius out of her mind and focus on her daughter.

- The Next Day-

"Aunty Emmy," Lyra said as she grabbed Esme's hand and led her into her room. Which used to be Rose's room but these days it has been changed to suit Lyra with all her toys and dolls and wizard toys. There is a second bed in there for when Rose stays the night as well. It didn't happen often but there are occasions like last night.

Rose watched Esme get lead up the stairs as she made breakfast in the kitten with Hermione.

"Darling, when are you going to tell Scorpius about his daughter?" Hermione abruptly asked.

Rose almost squashed the tomato she was cutting. When hell freezes over. Too dramatic?

"Preferably not for a while yet."

"You're procrastinating," Was her response without looking up at Rose, "But if that's what you want. I also can't hide Ron's wand forever, he's only on a short holiday from work."

Rose knew she was right but she felt if she accepted it, it would actually happen faster. So she decided to stay in denial a bit longer.

"What?" Ron stepped in through the doorway.

"Nothing dear just talking about you, not to you. Aren't the Cannon's playing today?" Hermione waved to the living room changing the subject. Ron looked curious about the topic but let it go: obviously deciding Quidditch was more interesting. Rose smirked.

Lyra ran into the room with a couple of dolls. "Mummy, Hincess Melony and Rassle have tea party wiff me!" Translation: Princess Melanie and Rascle are having a tea party with me. There was a princess doll in one arm and a dog in the other.

"Ok sweetie, what about some breakfast at this tea party?" Rose called out as Lyra walked into the living room.

"Yep please." Rose heard from the other room.

"Her speaking has come along in huge leaps," Esme stated dressed in her work clothes.

"It really has," Rose agreed.

I do dread the day when she has the language and comprehension to ask about her father.

For some reason, the slight idea of Scorpius brought memories back to the surface. At a particular time where they laughed together and she thought he possibly loved her back. Even a little bit.

- In the Ministry of Magic -

Rose sighed.

"What are you sighing about?" Esme asked looking at Rose as she leaned her head against her head.

"I'm waiting for a letter from a muggle school and it is taking forever to get here."

10 minutes later a letter was delivered in the form of a paper plane. An envelope with Rose's name on it in her mother's neat handwriting. Rose ripped it open and quickly opened it and read the letter.

Dear Miss Weasley

Your daughter, Lyra, has been accepted to attend our school starting the year 2028.

Closer to the time you will be sent the requirements for the year. If you have any questions or inquiries please contact the number attached below.

Welcome to our community.

"Yes!" Rose spun in her seat not bothering to read the rest.

Esme perked up, "What is it?"

"Here," Rose stretched out her arm to pass it to the letter to Esme. Suddenly someone else had grabbed the letter. It was as if everything moved in slow motion as she slowly looked to see who it was.

Scorpius Malfoy. The unknowing father. His face contorted into an expression of confusion and hurt. Rose was perplexed, she'd almost never seen Scorpius that way.

"You have a daughter?" He asked in a chilling tone.

Rose debated for several seconds about how to respond and Scorpius looked her directly in her eyes. "Yes," she probed his reaction. He looked like she'd slapped him in the face. Scorpius handed the letter back and left as fast as he came.

Rose had a sinking feeling in her stomach.