Chapter 51
Astoria and Scorpius sat down at a table. Scorpius took the opportunity to look around the small café. It had a nice, warm and welcoming atmosphere, and Scorpius could clearly feel Rose's touch throughout the room. Once he turned his attention back to his Mother, he found her staring quizzically at him.
"What?"
"Oh nothing," Astoria said, shaking her head slightly. "I just didn't know that you and Rose…are…that you two have something…going on," Astoria stuttered, clearly confused and trying to find the right words.
"What? No-"
"It's okay, she really is a lovely girl," Astoria said, smiling at her son across the table. "I just would have like to have known-"
"No, that's not…we're…friends," Scorpius stumbled, actually feeling like an embarrassed 13 year old. It was the last thing he wanted to do, explain anything to do with he and Rose to his Mother.
"Really? It definitely looked like-"
"Mother, it's nothing," Scorpius interrupted. "Please just drop it." Astoria was quiet for a moment. Just when Scorpius thought she had indeed let it go, she spoke again.
"Fine, you can tell me when you're ready. But if my opinion counts for anything, I think she is lovely; and though I am still confused about what happened back there, I think you should make sure that it isn't 'nothing'. A girl like that doesn't come around all that often, son." Astoria reached and patted Scorpius' forearm, sharing a knowing smile.
Albus' Office
Albus had not been able to concentrate at all. The morning had flown by and he had achieved hardly anything. Something was up and he didn't know what to do. He had been thinking back on it all morning and had realised that Alison has been a little different lately. He had noticed but always attributed it to something else: Scorpius returning, Samantha's birth, the argument with Rose, or work. However, now he was beginning to worry that it was something else.
Albus looked up at the clock and realised it was too early for his lunch break and probably for hers. He sighed, knowing he had to wait, trying to concentrate on the claims and paperwork in front of him. Albus zoned out nearly straight away, only to be brought back to consciousness by the tapping sound of his own wand against the desk. Frustrated, he leaned forward resting is head in his hands. After a moment, one hand reached down into his pocket and pulled out the small velvet case that held the ring he had been carrying around with him since he brought it. He shifted it through his fingers as he thought about the woman who he was going to ask to wear the ring for the rest of their lives. Suddenly, he couldn't wait until Lunch; he had to see her, even if he couldn't figure out what was going on, even if it was just to tell her he loved her. With that in mind, he stood up and gathered his coat, leaving everything else where it was and dashing out the door.
"Sally, clear the rest of my day, family emergency. I have to go," he said to his secretary as he left the office heading straight for the Daily Prophet.
Le Coin Rose
Rose hurried into the kitchen, but stopped once she made it through the doors and out of sight. She just stood, the end of her mouth slowly rising, as she smiled softly to herself; or so she thought. When she finally came out of her own little world, Rose looked up to see every one of her small staff staring at her; most of them with confused and worried expressions of their faces. However, Rose noticed Daisy trying not to laugh at how quickly she turned even redder with embarrassment.
"Ah…I…" Rose stuttered.
"Come on, everyone back to work," Nate said to the staring staff. "She doesn't pay us for nothing." Rose mouthed the words 'thank you' to him as he went back out to serve. Daisy came over and silently took the written order out of her hands, before reading it out to their staff and getting the meals underway. Finally, she turned back to Rose and smiled cheekily.
"So, are you going to tell me who made you smile like that?" she asked. When Rose didn't immediately reply and her expression turned into an unsure and worried one, she lost her cheeky look. "It's not Ben, is it?"
"No. Why would you think that?"
"Only because you seem really insecure and confused now that you thought about whatever or whoever happened," Daisy replied.
"That's because he is really confusing and…complicated," Rose let out a frustrated sigh.
"But he made you smile like that," she said with a happy smile of her own. "And I don't think I have ever really seen you smile like that."
"Because that's what he does," Rose said irritated. "He makes me smile, but he also makes me cry, scream and curse."
"Okay, there is definitely a story behind that," Daisy commented.
"Unfortunately, one too long and confusing to ever be told properly."
"Well, I'm intrigued," Daisy replied. "Now, I have to at least see what he looks like," she added, as she took off her apron and casually walked out.
"No…argh," Rose tried to stop her but it was too late. So instead she followed Daisy out of the kitchen and found her at the large coffee and espresso machine, pretending to make a coffee as she scanned the tables. "What are you doing?" Rose whispered.
"I wanna see what he looks like," Daisy whispered back. "Oh my, please tell me that's him," she added with what Rose called her 'Damn-he's-hot' expression. Rose followed her gaze and saw that indeed Daisy had found Scorpius. He and his mother were sitting across from each other, at a table in corner of the café next to the window. It looked like they were looking out the window and Scorpius was explaining, probably jokingly, about what they were seeing out the window. "It is, isn't?" Daisy asked excitedly. 'She's enjoying this way too much,' Rose thought as she rolled her eyes.
"Yes, that's him."
"I swear he looks familiar. How do you know him?" Daisy asked, still watching the attractive blonde.
"Ah…we went to school together," Rose replied nonchalantly. "He is also like a family friend."
"So why haven't I heard about him before?"
"Because he has been overseas for the last 3 years and isn't important," Rose replied. Daisy ignored Rose's defensive tone and continued.
"Well, he definitely seems more like your type," Daisy commented, before mumbling more to herself, "I swear he looks really familiar to me."
"What do you mean he's my type?" Rose muttered, still slightly defensive. "He's nothing like Ben or any of my previous dates."
"I know, and now I am wondering if he is actually the reason for that," Daisy replied, grinning teasingly at her friend. Rose simply rolled her eyes, and went to walk away. "No seriously," Daisy said catching Rose's attention. "I always thought all those guys weren't your type. You need someone who is going to challenge you, who isn't going to lie down and take whatever crap you give, and most importantly, someone who doesn't expect you to do that for him either," Daisy explained. "But that's just my opinion. Basically, I always thought you needed a guy who could push all your buttons," Daisy added trying to still keep it light. "And, honey, if that isn't a man who can push any woman's buttons, and push them in all the right ways," she winked suggestively at the redhead, "then don't know what is." And with that Daisy walked back into the kitchen.
Daily Prophet
Alison was sitting in her temporary office confirming the two page layout for next week's entertainment section. She and George Wilton, one of her co-workers in charge of designing said artwork and layout, were discussing a fix to a problem Alison had spotted.
"What about if we cut the advertisement?" George suggested.
"No, without the advertisement this section is basically obsolete and broke."
"What about the article, any way to shorten it?"
"Word count has already been approved and the writer has been assigned another topic," Alison replied, standing up and walking over to the larger layout sample on the wall adjacent to the door. "It would be unprofessional to ask them to revisit it if it has already been approved."
Albus found Alison's cubicle quickly but was a little confused to find it unoccupied.
"May I help you, sir?" a young, what he assumed must be an intern asked.
"Ah yes, I am looking for Alison Spencer. This is usually her desk."
"Miss Spencer is heading the entertainment section for a little while until Mr Bores recovers," she replied. 'Of course,' he thought. He had forgotten she had told him about that. "Just another two aisles over and then you should see her office," the intern added, before walking away with several files and papers in her hands.
"Thank you," Albus called out to her quickly before following her directions. She was right, and he was surprised he had never noticed before that the cubicles were arranged to form aisles. He ran two aisles over and then he could see her. The door to her office was open and Albus saw that she seemed to be rearranging things on the wall. He walked faster down the long isle that led to her. Noticing she wasn't alone and she was discussing something with a colleague, he decided that he didn't really care and started almost running towards her. He suddenly just felt the need to hold her in his arms and forget about all the questions he had for her.
"Alison," he called out, finally nearing her office and catching her attention. She turned, watching as he ran towards her, confused.
"Albus? What are yo-" was all that could escape her lips before she found his on hers. She was surprised for a moment but their lips immediately fell into sync. As his hands slid down her body to wrap around her waist, her arms locked around his neck. Completely forgetting that she was in the work place, Alison let out a little moan and gripped him tighter as his lips moved against her so passionately. Unhurriedly, Albus slowed the intensity of the kiss; their lips moving slowly and leisurely against each other's. Alison's eyes remained closed as Albus' lips lightly brushed over hers one final time before he pulled back a little to look at her. However, they didn't release their grip on each other as they both regained their breath.
"Want to take the rest of the day off with me?" Albus said through short breaths. Alison simply nodded, at a loss for words. The smile that took over Albus' face was brighter the she had seen in a while and Alison couldn't be happier. Albus didn't waste any time summoning her essentials and taking her hand. Ignoring the stares off her co-workers, he led her out of the Daily prophet and to the closest fireplace.
I know its short but I really like it and I hope you do to. Can't wait to see your reaction to this chapter, so please leave me a review and let me know how you feel and what you think about it :)
