Chapter 21

Scorpius watched Rose as she took a deep breath before finally turning around to face him.

"Hello," Scorpius said softly.

"Hello Malfoy," Rose said bitterly as she crossed her arms, "to what do I owe the pleasure?" Scorpius didn't answer her question and ignored her expected bitter tone.

"Where do you want these?" he asked kindly, referring to the boxes in his arms.

Rose was a little taken back by his nice tone but answered warily, "Over there, by the fireplace." Scorpius carefully placed the boxes down by the fireplace, cautious not to damage or break any of her belongings in the boxes. At that moment, Rose's mother appeared in the doorway.

"Rose, those are the last two boxes," Hermione said to her daughter. Rose made her way across the room to talk to her mother. "We are going to take the truck back before we head home, if you need anything just send a Patronus." Hermione smiled as Rose nodded in agreement.

"Thanks Mum." Hermione leaned in and peck her daughter on the cheek. Just as she was about to leave, Ron came into view behind her.

"Rose, don't forget the Floo man is coming tomorrow to connect you to the network," he said to Rose before addressing Scorpius behind Rose. "Oh Scorpius, are you still coming over this weekend for the Cannons and Falcons game?"

"Ahh…sure," Scorpius answered uncomfortably as he noticed Rose tense and shift on her feet, obviously irritated.

"Cool," Ron said, stepping around his wife and pulling his daughter into a hug. "Love you, Pumpkin," he whispered, squeezing Rose tighter before releasing her and wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulders. Hermione smiled reassuringly at her daughter as Ron guided her away. Rose closed the door, leaving her and Scorpius alone once more.

Rose walked into the kitchen and started unpacking the box that sat on the island in the middle. Scorpius hesitantly followed her but lamely stood in the entry way, trying to prepare what he wanted to say.

"I would ask if you wanted some tea but I don't really want you to stay," Rose said, interrupting his thought process.

"I understand," Scorpius nodded, "but I have to apologize for -"

"Why?" she cut across him, "you already got my mother to do it for you." Scorpius lowered his head, staring at the floor as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Rosie, last night was a mistake. I -"

"Which part?" Rose interrupted again, "the part when you nearly kissed me, or the part when you stuck your tongue down some random girl's throat."

"Rose, she meant nothing to me," Scorpius said pleading for her sympathy. "I can't even tell you her name."

"Oh, and that makes it all so much better," Rose mumbled with sarcasm. Scorpius just ignored her and continued.

"Same goes for all of the others, none of them mean anything to me."

"Oh and I just suppose that I'm different," she said disbelievingly.

"Yes, Rose you are different." He said it with such honesty that she wasn't sure that she had heard him correctly. "You are special." For the first time since he entered the flat she looked him directly in the eye. "And you make me feel different and special," he said, holding her gaze and taking another step forward. "There's just something about you, Rose, that makes me feel something I never have before." Rose dropped their intense gaze and shifted on her feet nervously but remained silent.

He walked around the island bench, as she turned to face him. He grasped both of her hands and held them softly in his. She couldn't stop the tingle she felt from his touch that spread right through her. Rose looked up into his eyes.

"I am so sorry Rose…for everything." She almost believed the emotion she saw in his eyes and she heard in his voice. She almost did, but he had proven to be a good actor many times before. What was he expecting her to do; forget everything he has done and said to her, forget how he treats women in general and believe that he has changed into a completely different person over the last couple of months? Suddenly, she felt the anger rising in her. She had decided this last night; she wasn't going to do this to herself again. This was it; she calmed herself before she spoke, not wanting to start an argument.

"Malfoy, I accept your apology but that doesn't change anything between us," she said, removing her hands from his.

"But-"

"Please let me speak." He simply nodded and allowed her to continue. "I will admit that I find you very attractive and I don't hate you anymore," Scorpius smirked at her admission that he was attractive. "But we can't have a serious and real relationship solely based on the fact that I find you attractive and that I no longer hate you. And that's the problem, Scorpius. It's not worth trying anything less than real between us because of how close you are to Al and my whole family. It's all or nothing for us. I know you're not ready for that and neither am I," Rose spoke confidently, but Scorpius could see the emotion she was holding back in her eyes. "So, what else is there really to say?"

"Did you even hear what I said earlier?" Scorpius said pleadingly, allowing his emotions to surface. Tears welled in his eyes. "Rose, I meant every word."

"I know you did," Rose muttered, failing to hold back her own tears as she looked up into his teary eyes. "And right now I think you truly believe it, but next week, next month who knows?"

"Rose, I…I…" Scorpius whispered, reaching out to caress her cheek, only to have her turn her face away from his hand. He lowered his head, not daring to look her in the eyes. "I can change, Rose…just give me the chance," he said softly. Rose shook her head and wiped away the tears that had escaped before taking a step back from him.

"I am sorry Scorpius, but you have had many chances to show me that you can change."

"Rose, I-"

"Scorpius, do you remember that favor you owe me?" He nodded, unable to find his voice. "Well, I would like you to honor it now." Rose knew that this was only thing to do, even though it felt so wrong. "Do me a favor and leave me alone. After you leave here, I don't want to see you, hear about you, or speak to you again." Silence fell between them as Scorpius gathered his feelings and locked them away. Once he collected himself he looked back at Rose.

"Fine"

"I don't want you to stop spending time with my family and being Albus' friend." She added in a hurry, hoping he didn't think she was that cruel. "You're a great friend to them all; hell let's face it, they consider you apart of the family. So please don't take this out on them, they all love you and it's not fair to you or to them if you let me come between you. I don't want that."

"Thank you," he said emotionlessly. Another awkward silence fell between them. Rose shifted nervously, not saying anything. She knew she should be kicking him out about now, but something was stopping her. There was still a small part of her that wanted him to fight for her. To put his foot down and say 'no I will not disappear from your life, I want to be with you' but of course that never came. He finally broke their silence, but it was not what she really wanted to hear.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye." She nodded in response. He stuck his hand between them. She looked from his hand to his face and back before forcing on a smile and grasping his hand. She was prepared to shake his hand but he quickly turned her hand over, bent down slightly and raised her hand to his lips. Against her will, tears began to form in her eyes again at the gracious act. He straightened up and stroked the top of her hand with his thumb before releasing it. "Goodbye Rosie," was the last thing he said to her before walking out of her kitchen and out of her life.

"Goodbye," Rose mumbled softly with tears running down her cheeks as she heard the sound of her door closing.


Well, I know that many of you won't be happy with this chapter but it is important for both Rose and Scorpius to grow up and experience life outside of Hogwarts before they step into a relationship with each other. There will be some time before they see each other again but we won't have to wait that long because we can skip the boring parts. There will be two more chapters before there will be some serious time skipping.

I am sorry about the slow update but Uni is taking up most of my time. I am also sorry to say that I don't know exactly when the next chapter will be up but I am going to try and get it finished within a week. However, I make no promises :(

Many thanks to my beta, peacock33.

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