Chapter 34
Once she laid eyes on him, she froze and just took him in. If possible, he was even more handsome than she remembered. He looked rugged, rough and wild, but handsome and attractive all the same. His hair was shorter, cut around the bottom, but it was lustrous, thick and wavy on top in his natural golden colour. Instead of looking boyishly handsome and clean-shaven like he used to most of the time, he resembled a man with his rough, unshaven jaw. He still had his broad and muscular physique, still looking fit in all the right places from what she could see through his clothing. He wore old faded denims and a simple white button-up shirt, casually leaving the first three or so buttons undone giving the world a sneak peek at his near perfect chiselled chest and showing off his relaxed demeanour. He caught her staring, but allowed her to continue, though he had not forgotten how to use his oh-so-familiar smirk that she admitted to herself right then she had strangely missed. After that thought, she quickly gathered her wits.
"Scorpius Malfoy," she said finally addressing him. "You look…" as she searched for the words, she found herself searching his eyes. They had changed, but they were still their magnificent blue. She could see the familiar mischievous glint in there but there was something else as well that she couldn't identify. His eyes held so much more than they use to; there was so much more depth, like it was obvious that he had seen and experienced so many things. They were, in a word, captivating.
"…different," she finally said, blushing. "But in a good way, you know a good different," she added quickly, clearly flustered and nervous. Scorpius just smiled at seeing that he still had an effect on her, even if he wasn't sure what kind yet. Rose heaved a large sigh as she steadied her nerves and poised herself. "Good. You look good," she said with a smile. Scorpius had to stop his heart from leaping out of his chest as she directed her smile at him; he really had missed it.
"Thank you, I feel good," he said, as he beamed down at the lovely redhead.
"I'm glad."
"Ah, Ms Weasley," the healer interrupted them, drawing both Rose and Scorpius' attention. "It is Miss, isn't it?"
"Yes, definitely Miss," Rose answered, awkwardly glancing at the man who stood beside her.
"Okay, well, you can just go on through to the waiting room where everyone else is," the healer directed, gesturing down the corridor.
"Thank you," Rose replied with a simple nod. Scorpius stepped out of her way, so she could find her family. Rose mouthed another thank you as she moved past him and made her way towards the waiting room.
"Would you like some tea or coffee?" Scorpius called after her. Rose turned around facing him as he gestured to the refreshments table, a shy smile gracing her features. "Or a hot chocolate?" he added when she didn't answer. Her eyes lit up at the mention of a hot chocolate, in a way a child's would have, nearly causing Scorpius to laugh.
"A hot chocolate would be great," she answered in a sweet, smooth tone. "Thank you," she added once he started preparing the second cup, before turning around and continuing on her path towards her family.
"Hey Rosie," James called across the room, upon her arrival. He, Fred and her Uncle George, just looked up, nodding and sending her some cheeky smiles. She was graced with hugs from Molly, Roxanne, Lily and Lucy, who also gave her the medical and non-medical updates on what had and was happening. Rose made her way over to the table that seated her more immediate family. Her mother met her halfway, enveloping her in her motherly warm arms.
"You look absolutely beautiful, Sweetheart," Hermione said, as she pulled back to look into her daughter's eyes, smiling proudly.
"Thanks Mum," Rose replied, as mother and daughter made their way to the table. Surprisingly, her father and brother were the only ones so far to not acknowledge her presences; everyone else had at least smiled and waved hello. Hermione resumed her position in the seat next to her husband, while Rose tried to gather her father's attention.
"Hi Dad," she started off simply. He was so engaged by the chess game with his son that he only grunted in reply, his eyes never leaving the chest board. She hadn't seen him like this, he would always acknowledge her, no matter if he was playing chess or doing anything else. She looked at Hugo; he to had his eyes concentrated on the many chess pieces in front of him, though he couldn't hide the small smug smile that spread across his face. "Got him on the ropes have you Hue?" she mused.
"Oh yeah," Hugo chuckled, looking up at his opponent. "Who would have thought it would take a new addition to the family to rattle him enough," Hugo alleged, glancing at his sister.
"Don't count on it Hue, it would take more than that for Ronald Weasley to lose at chess match," Harry added a little bitterly to his nephew.
"Yeah, it would have to be Rosie's new addition for the great Ronald Weasley to lose in chess," George quipped with a snort, as Ron's head immediately shot up, looking at Rose worriedly. Hermione, Harry and Ginny all chuckled as they saw Ron's expression. Rose, catching his look, quickly reassured her father.
"No Dad, he's just being silly," she said, shooting her uncle a quick warning glare as everybody continued to laugh with amusement. As Rose rolled her eyes, she caught sight of Dominique sitting by herself. Rose excused herself and made her way over to her cousin.
"Hey," Rose greeted as she sat down next to the blonde. Dom glanced side ways at her, before returning her gaze back to her lap.
"Hey," she mumbled in reply.
"Dom, are you alright?" Rose asked, concerned.
"Yeah fine, just thinking."
"About becoming an Aunty?" Rose said gleefully, lightly nudging her cousin. Dom smiled at hearing her younger cousin's tone.
"Among other things, yes," she confirmed, moving her glaze back to the redhead. "Where's Ben?" Rose's smile faded, knowing that sooner or later someone was going to as. She was actually glad the Dom had asked her quietly and privately, so not to embarrass her any further.
"He's just wrapping things up," Rose answered. "He should be here later." Dominique just nodded, going back to her own world. "Dom, are you sure you're okay?" Rose asked again, concerned about how her cousin was acting.
"Here we go, a tea and a hot chocolate." The two cousins looked up to see Scorpius walking toward them with their drinks in his hands. He gave the two girls their drinks and sat down in the spare seat next to Rose.
"A hot chocolate, really Rose?" Dominique enquired mockingly as she took a sip of her tea.
"Yes, I figure we are about to welcome a child into the world; what better way than with a yummy hot chocolate," Rose answered with a beaming smile.
"Sorry, they were all out of the little marshmallows," Scorpius mocked.
"Aww, they're the best part," Rose replied in mocking annoyance, followed by a smile. All three laughed happily.
A couple of hours later, Dominique had just excused herself to go to the bathroom. Scorpius and Rose were left alone. Rose was surprised at how smoothly the conversation flowed between them. It hadn't been awkward or strained, but rather friendly and pleasant. Rose hadn't laughed and smiled so much in the last month than she had in the last couple of hours, chatting with Dom and Scorpius. Dom had certainly seemed happier and like her normal self as she involved herself in the conversations with them. However, as she watched her cousin leave for the bathroom, Rose saw it. Something was bothering her; she could see it in her eyes.
Scorpius had leaned back lazily in his chair, as Dom left them. He couldn't help it but stare at the redhead next to him as she leaned forward and watched her cousin walk away. He noted the look of concern on her face, but was quickly distracted by the creamy, silky skin of her back that was on display because of her dress. He so desperately wanted to reach out and touch her, to run his finger gently down her smooth skin. However, he knew he couldn't.
Rose leaned back against her chair as he had and shuffled closer to him.
"Do you know what's up with Dom?" she whispered, her face only inches from his, their gazes locked. Scorpius used all the will he had to ignore his thundering heartbeat, and answer her question.
"Sort of," he whispered back, his gaze never faulting. "But I think she has only told me half the story."
"Can you tell me?" she asked. Scorpius hesitated, not sure if Dominique would really appreciate him speaking about her engagement to Jacob. If Dom had really wanted Rose to know, she would have told her. Nevertheless, as he looked into her gorgeous brown eyes, he knew he couldn't keep anything from her. He was under her spell and he would do anything for her. Rose could see the internal battle he was having in the depths of his magnificent blue eyes. "You don't have to tell me, if it is just between you and Dom then-"
"No, it's not that…well actually it kind of is but…" Scorpius struggled to explain, but he kept his voice low. "I actually think it would be good if someone else knew, but the rest of the family can't, okay?" Rose nodded in response.
"Dom and Jacob are engaged."
"Oh, that's wonderful," Rose appraised before her expression turned from overjoyed to one of confusion. "I'm sorry; I don't understand why she would be upset about that?"
"I think she is worried that her family won't approve, but at the same time she is worried about them making a fuss, making it a big extravaganza wedding."
"But Dom always does what she wants to do. Why she would let that worry her, I have no idea."
"Exactly, but that is what makes me think that there is something else worrying her that she is not telling me."
"Hmm," Rose murmured, as she turned her gaze to the entrance of the ladies' room, to where no doubt her cousin was struggling with whatever problems and insecurities she was facing. Scorpius, however, never let his gaze falter.
"Did I tell you how stunningly beautiful you look tonight?" Scorpius asked in a hushed voice, bringing Rose back from her thoughts. Her gaze immediately found his again as they sat there, shoulders touching, faces inches away from each other, forgetting everyone else in the room.
"No, I don't believe you did," she whispered with a small teasing smile.
"Well, you do," Scorpius replied in a low voice. "You are breathtaking." Rose was taken back slightly by the raw honesty in his voice and in his eyes as they stared back at her with such intensity. She was speechless and couldn't believe this was happening but she felt like she couldn't do anything to stop it.
"Thank you," she murmured as she glanced down at his lips and she noted how close they were.
"You're welcome," came his mumbled reply. However, all too quickly the spell was broken. Someone cleared their throat, snapping Rose back to reality. Blushing, she quickly looked up to see her mother who looked quite uncomfortable herself, with a plastic bag in her hands.
"Your Dad wanted some 'real food', so I went home and made him something. I picked up some of your old clothes for you while I was there," she explained handing them to Rose. "It was all I could find at our place, but I am sure it will do."
"Thanks mum," she said with a nervous smile as Hermione walked away. "I'll just go and change," she mumbled before she stood and made her way to the bathroom without looking back. Scorpius leaned forward to watch her leave. When she was out of sight he heaved a deep sigh and rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair.
I hope you all like this chapter. I know you all want Rose and Scorp to talk properly and sort everything out but that wouldn't be Rose and Scorp if they did; plus being in a hospital waiting room full of Weasley's and Potter's isn't really the right place for it :) I just want to thank you all for your lovely reviews, it makes me so happy to see that people are enjoy my writing and actually care about what happens to the characters. I also want to thank my amazing beta, peacock33, my chapters would be hell to read if it wasn't for you :)
There is still time to put your preference in for the gender of Teddy and Victoire's baby. At the moment I think it is even.
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