Chapter 56

Hugo Weasley was not looking forward to the night's events. There were a number of reasons why but the main one was two people: his sister Rose and his mate Scorpius Malfoy. Hugo and Scorpius still hadn't really resolved their little spat; they had been awkward and avoiding each other as of late, to the extent that sometimes Scorpius didn't sleep in his room at Hugo's. 'Most likely sleeping at Albus' or in the back of his truck,' Hugo thought.

Rose had somehow found out about it, which meant he was avoiding her too. He had received the first letter from her the day after Samantha's Naming. She had said she wanted to talk to him about what had happened and about Ella; she had said a lot of comforting things, clearly worried about him. When he didn't reply, her second one had come that morning, asking more questions and reprimanding him for not dealing with the situation like a mature adult. He knew that her next step would be intervention in person. Most likely she would either arrive early or stay after to talk to him tonight. 'Great, can't wait,' Hugo thought sarcastically as he stepped out of the shower, followed by a cloud of steam.

Training had been a hard one, but that's the way he liked it. Especially because it helped him get out some frustration and anger, rather than holding it in. It had been like that in his last couple of years at school too. He would always stay later at trainings or leave Gryffindor Tower at dawn for the Quidditch Pitch to practice. He was committed and now it was his job, his profession. His sore muscles and bruises were the proof of all his hard work. He towel dried himself, massaging his sore muscles during the process before moving over to the mirror. The red head used his towel to wipe the mirror before wrapping it securely around his waist. Hugo brushed his teeth probably for the fourth time that day, and he remembered his dorm mates being annoyed and confused by it. He had always brushed his teeth before doing anything, in addition to the usual morning and night. Hugo noticed the light, coarse stubble icing his jaw, telling him he needed to shave soon, but he decided he would deal with it later as he sprayed some deodorant.

Just as he walked into his adjoining bedroom, he heard the downstairs buzzer. 'So…she wants to chat before everyone else gets here,' Hugo thought, assuming it was Rose. Not even thinking otherwise, he just pressed the button to let her up straight away. Quickly, pulling on some dark denim jeans, he decided to forget the shirt for now. He zipped his fly on his way to the door when he heard a knock. He opened the door expecting to find his sister on the other side. However, that isn't who he found.

"Ella?"

"Ah…hi," Ella muttered, blushing at the sight of the half-dressed, messy-haired Hugo that stood in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" Hugo asked, still surprised yet uneasy. So much so that he didn't notice her eyes darting down to his chest, unable to stop herself from admiring her former friend. 'Quidditch has treated him well,' Ella thought still blushing.

"Umm…I…," Ella stuttered, feeling even more nervous than before she came. "I was hoping we could talk. Lily gave me your address so that I could meet her here for Dom's meeting and I just wanted to see you," Ella rushed out. Suddenly, she felt even worse as she put things together. 'He must have been waiting for someone else,' Ella thought. 'Who else buzzes someone straight up and opens the door without a shirt on.'

"I'm sorry, you must have been expecting someone else," she said voicing her thoughts. "I'll just go and-"

"No, it isn't that," Hugo spoke up. "I mean…yes, I was expecting…ah…Rose, I thought you would be Rose, but it's okay…ah…would you like to come in?" Ella could see how nervous and uneasy he was, and she didn't want him to feel that way. Whatever had made him cut ties with her, she didn't know, but she didn't want to force him into being her friend again or feeling anxious around her.

"Clearly, for whatever reason, it's not okay," Ella replied, letting some of her frustration seep through. "You're uncomfortable around me and you very much dislike me. I am not sure why I came here. What was I thinking?" she said aloud but to herself. Hugo remembered she had a habit of doing that; he thought it was cute. "I think it will be better if I just leave," Ella said dejectedly, refusing to look Hugo in the eye and backing away. Hugo watched her leave, wanting to call out and stop her but something was stopping him, holding him back. Something was always holding him back when it came to her. He sighed and hit the door, which he still held open, in frustration as Scorpius' words ran through his head. 'Why don't you just give her a chance because acting like an arsehole isn't going to fix everything and it certainly won't make either of you feel any better? Just man up! Stop being so childish and petty.' With guilt flowing through him, knowing that Scorpius was right, Hugo didn't waste a second and ran down the stairs after the blonde woman.


Rose wasn't sure how long she held him, but she savoured every minute. He hadn't moved or really acknowledged her apart from simply entwining his fingers with hers where they stayed wrapped around his waist. It was simple and understated yet it spoke volumes to Rose. Knowing that she could be of comfort to him made her feel even more like maybe they could be something, it could be real. Rose felt him take a deep breath as he began to turn around in her arms. She looked up into his blue eyes, seeing the sadness and regret clouding them. Her heart broke at the sight of clear, sparkling, yet dry tear tracks noticeable on his cheeks. Too busy staring at him, trying to figure out what to say or do next, Rose didn't notice his hands move to her face until she felt his caress. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt his hard, callused yet gentle thumb wipe away a single tear that she hadn't noticed falling down her cheek. Rose watched as his eyes drifted down to stare at her lips.

"Scorpius?" she whispered, almost breathlessly, drawing his attention back to her own eyes.

"Why are you here?" he muttered, gazing into her brown eyes as if they alone held all the answers.

"Because…I…I wanted to make sure you were…okay. I was worried about you," Rose stuttered nervously, breaking eye contact briefly. After Scorpius didn't say anything, Rose hesitantly slid her hand from his back, around to his abdomen and then gently up to his chest. As she did, her fingertips softly traced the small scratches and cuts barely visible on his skin. Her eyes followed her hand on its journey to where it finally rested over his heart. Rose let out a sigh before lifting her gaze back up to meet Scorpius'. "Because I care about you," she said confidently.

"Why?"

"I don't know why, but I do." Scorpius didn't respond, but Rose thought she saw an almost smile in the corner of his lips. Instead, he simply took her hand from his chest, entwining their fingers immediately, and led her out of the ruined room.


Ella had made it down to the lobby of Hugo's building, and feeling a tad emotional she decided to sit down for a minute. Letting out a sigh, she sunk down onto a small cushioned bench that ran along the wall in the corner by the front door to the right of the stairs, her hands massaging her temples.

"ELLA!" She looked up, from where she sat on the bench, and watched him run pass her, barefoot, and still clad in only his jeans, through the lobby and out the front door into the street. "ELLA!" She couldn't help but giggle as she heard him call out her name down the street. She simply waited and after calling her name one more time, Hugo came back through the door mumbling to himself.

"I'm such a stupid arse," he growled to himself, gripping his hair frustratingly, as he stopped in the middle of the lobby. Ella couldn't hold back her laugh any longer, as she looked at the professional Quidditch player standing in front of her barefoot. 'He is just so cute,' she thought. The sound of her laughs drew Hugo's attention.

"Oh," he mumbled, a deep Weasley blush covering his cheeks as he scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "You're still here?"

"So, it seems," she said with a grin.

"Do you still wanna come up?" he asked nervously.

Ella pretended to think about it for a moment before she replied, "I'd love to."


Scorpius and Rose walked the many long corridors and passages of the Manor hand in hand. They were both enjoying the company and the warmth spreading through them from their joined hands as they talked. The two talked about everything but what they needed to discuss, both content to just enjoy each other's company, laughing and bantering back and forth. Rose let him do the majority of the talking. He told stories and they discussed their favourite things. "Favourite music?" Rose asked next.

"Umm…again hard to choose but I would probably stray more to the Muggle variety, but…" He paused for a moment, turning to face her. Rose noticed, not for the first time, the slight crease between his brows as he thought about the best way to get his meaning across to the audience. She couldn't help but think about how cute it was, before catching herself and focusing back in on what he was saying. "They have to have a meaning, you know…I need to understand what the artist is trying to say. I like to connect to a song…and if I can, then I like it," he finished with a shrug of his shoulders. Rose nodded in understanding as she smiled softly up at him, and they fell into a comfortable silence as they looked into each other's eyes. Rose stepped forward, closing the distance between them and raised a hand to his face. Scorpius closed his eyes enjoying her soft caress on his cheek.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she whispered gently into the small space between them. He didn't answer, but slowly opened his eyes, finding hers. Slowly and a little hesitantly, he wound his arm around her waist, keeping her close. Rose wondered how they had got to this point. As she looked into his magnificent, glassy eyes, she wondered when it had become natural and soothing to touch each other, to feel each other so close. If she thought about it too much she would definitely say that they were moving way too fast, but she couldn't think as she stood there gazing up at him, watching as he turned his head and kiss her palm. It was such a sweet and tender gesture that she found herself fighting her suddenly weak knee's to keep standing. Scorpius lifted his hand up to cover hers that rested against this cheek. Entwining their fingers, he lowered their hands back to their sides.

As a mischievous glint flashed through his eyes, he said, "No, I want to go for a ride." Rose raised a questioning brow, but the corners of her lips were tilting up, giving away her delight at seeing his lighter self. "Come with me," he said, grinning openly. Rose felt like a silly school girl as she let out a giggle as Scorpius quickly pulled her behind him as he took off back down the hallway.


"Do you want a drink or something?" Hugo asked anxiously as he led Ella through his apartment.

"No, I am fine…thank you," Ella replied. Hugo was suddenly very nervous, more nervous than he could ever remember being before. 'What was she going to say? What had she planned to do upon coming here and cornering him alone?' were all questions running through his mind.

"So…" Hugo started, awkwardly.

"How have you been since Graduation?" Ella asked genuinely.

"Good."

"I hear you have already made quite a name for yourself at the Cannons. Your family must be very proud, your Dad especially," she praised with a smile and the tiniest of blushes.

"Yeah, I guess," he shrugged.

"A year out of school, already the number one Keeper for a professional Quidditch Team, that's impressive," she went on, trying not to be discouraged by his closed answers.

"Where are you going with this? Did you really come here to talk Quidditch?" Hugo said abruptly, the confusion and frustration in his voice.

"Not exactly, I-"

"Then what?" Hugo cut across her. "What is it you want?" Ella looked into his eyes, seeing the anger flashing there. She didn't know what it was that she had done to deserve it. And with that thought, her own anger returned.

"To talk to you! To be your friend!" she raised her voice. "Is it really that hard to figure out? I missed you, okay!" Hugo paled as he saw her eyes turn glassy. "I miss my friend."

Hugo looked away from her, not wanting to see the pain he'd caused her because he feared if he did he would crumble. She had hurt him. Whether she meant to or not, he was hurt and he couldn't go back.

"He suddenly started pulling away from me, then the next thing I know he is avoiding me at all costs and we never talk. A year goes by, and I occasionally catch glimpses in the corridors, I see him in some classes or across the hall at dinner. Eventually, Graduation comes along and when I approach him all I get is two words and a handshake." Hugo turned and walked into in kitchen, heading for the Firewhiskey bottle he knew he had.

"You know what the worst part is," Ella continued as she followed him. "Even though he hurt me and I don't know why…I still miss him," she admitted. Hugo found his bottle and opened it. Not bothering with a glass, he took a large swig straight from the bottle. Ella watched in worry as he didn't even flinch from the burning sensation as the liquid slid down his throat.

"I miss how he always smelt of spearmint toothpaste, like he had just brushed his teeth, no matter what time it was," she spoke with a smile growing on her expression. "I miss that he always brought me extra sugar quills from Honeydukes because he knew they are my favourite. I miss the little snores he made when he would fall asleep while trying to stay up and cram study with me," Ella added dreamily, obviously going back in her mind.

"I miss the warmth of his touch on my hand when I was too engrossed in my book or daydreaming. I miss how I knew that I could always walk up to him and tell him about my day and he would tell me about his…I miss the way he made me laugh," she said as a couple of silent tears finally broke their banks. "That's why I came here to talk to you, Hugo Weasley," she looked back up to him as she addressed the redheaded man before her. "Because I miss my friend…I miss you."

Hugo stood there staring at her, looking into her eyes for her bluff; he couldn't find it. He opened and closed his mouth, unsure of what to say or what to feel. 'Did he tell her that it was just as hard for him and he missed her too? Was that even true?' However, Hugo was saved by the intercom buzzer. He looked away from the desperation in her eyes and without a word walked past her to answer it. Ella shook her head at her foolish honestly and wiped away her tears.

"Who is it?" Hugo asked through the intercom.

"It's Dom and Jacob," Dominique replied. "Oh and Lily is here too. Will you let us in?"

"Yeah," Hugo muttered before pressing the button to let them in.

"Can I use your restroom?" Ella asked.

"Past the fireplace and to your right," Hugo answered, both of them refusing to look at each other. As he listened to her footsteps carry her away, Hugo fought the urge to punch something. He knew that he had really stuffed up this time. Soon after, Dominique, Jacob and Lily had come through his door. As Lily walked past him, it was like she just knew.

"Where is she?" she asked quietly so that the others didn't hear.

"Bathroom," he answered simply, accepting the disappointed and heated glare he received from his cousin as she left him, heading towards the bathroom, knowing he most likely deserved it.

"Rose and Scorpius aren't here yet?" Dominque asked Hugo, drawing him back out of his head.

"No, not yet."


"Scorpius, where are we?" Rose asked as they Apparated behind what looked like a shed. Scorpius just led her around to the other side of the shed. Once he did, she knew exactly where they were. The Burrow stood before her and she knew this was her Grandfather's shed of junk. "What are we doing here?" she asked totally confused.

"If you give me a minute, I will show you," Scorpius retorted, as he seemed to be trying to pick a lock the Muggle way.

"What happens if we get caught?" she said with uneasiness expressed in her voice.

"We won't," he replied, stilling trying to pick the lock.

"What if we do?"

"Would you relax, they love me and they're your Grandparents. They're not going to hurt their little Rosie Posie," Scorpius teased. Rose enjoyed the fact that she could practically hear the smile on his face despite the fact the he had his back to her and it was dark. She leaned back against the shed with a smile of her own as she waited for Scorpius.

"Argh," Scorpius groaned as he struggled with the lock, seeming to hurt his finger. Rose snorted in amusement as she watched on. "Oh, you think it's funny, do you?" Scorpius heard her.

"Yeah, I do," she giggled.

"Alright then, you do it," Scorpius challenged, smirking confidently.

"Okay," Rose said as she stepped forward. She draw her wand and was just about to open the lock when Scorpius' arm snaked around her waist.

He pressed himself right up against her back and whispered in her ear, "Ah uh ah, no magic, beautiful," tugging lightly on her wand in her hand. "That's cheating."

"Fine, but if I go down for this you're going with me," she relented, letting him take her wand from her hand and give her the pick locking tools.

"I look forward to it," Scorpius chuckled, as he stepped back from her. Rose bent down slightly to see the lock better, smirking as she felt Scorpius' eyes on her. A second later, Scorpius heard a click. His shocked eyes snapped back up from her curves as she straightened up. As she opened the shed door, Rose turned her head and sent him a wink over her shoulder, causing Scorpius' jaw to drop in disbelief.

"How do you know how to do that?" Scorpius asked.

"Two words…Christmas, presents," Rose replied, as she sauntered into the shed, Scorpius right behind her. "Wasn't allowed to use magic as a kid, obviously, so how else was I going to get a peek at what I was getting."

"I'm impressed," Scorpius grinned.

"Thank you," Rose smiled with a little blush growing in her cheeks. "So, what are we doing in here again?"

"We're here to get this," he replied as he pulled a large blanket off to reveal his motorbike.

"Your motorbike?"

"Yeah," Scorpius said, as he grabbed a nearby rag and began wiping it down.

"But they'll hear it and is it even safe? I mean you haven't ridden it in years. There could be something wrong with it and it probably doesn't even have any fuel," she rambled, her nervousness showing.

"Are you scared?" he asked amusedly.

"No, of course not," Rose replied, a little too quickly. "Don't be ridiculous, why would I be scared?" Scorpius smiled back at her, seeing right through her, but deciding not to call her out on it. Instead, he walked over to her, slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

"Look, I will put a charm on it so that they won't hear it," he reassured her calmly, looking down at her as she looked back up at him. "I spoke to your grandfather the other day. He has been looking after it while I have been gone and he assured me that it is running good and that I could take it for a ride whenever I want. Now, I promise that everything will be okay and I won't let anything bad happen to you," Scorpius said softly as he raised his hand and caressed her cheek. "Okay?" Rose nodded as she looked up into his eyes, enjoying his caress and feeling safe. "Alright, let's go for a ride," he said with an excited smile before letting her go and turning around to search for the helmets. Rose giggled, as she thought in that moment he resembled at a little boy on Christmas morning.

Soon, Scorpius was wheeling his 2010 Triumph Scrambler out of the shed leaving Rose to lock it back up. He zipped up his leather jacket over his bare chest and swung his leg over the bike, sitting comfortably waiting for Rose.

"Now, you get to wear the goofy looking helmet," Scorpius mused as Rose approached, handing her a simple white bowl helmet.

"It's not going to look goofy on me," Rose said as she took the helmet from him.

"It looks goofy on just about everybody," he added, as she put it on. Rose struck a pose, drawing another genuine smile across his face. "Wow, look at you. That's pretty damn cute," Scorpius said, before helping her buckle it on. "Alright, now hold on tight, I promise I won't read into it," he smirked. Rose, still being a little nervous, ignored his comment as she walked around to the back and he slid his helmet on. Scorpius started it up as she swung her leg over and sat behind him, locking her arms around his middle and leaning into him. "Are you ready for this?" she heard him ask, his voice muffled by his helmet.

"As I'll ever be," she replied over the sound of the engine. With that they took off, roaring down the small dirt road.

They rode around for about half an hour and Rose found that she was actually enjoying in. Mostly because she got to be close to Scorpius, but still it was fun. She soon realised that she knew where they were. They were near Le Coin Rose. Just as she realized that, they drove past it and continued on. Then they were driving past grass and fields again, until Rose could see some sort of structure up ahead. It quickly became clear that was where Scorpius was taking them. They slowed down and stopped next to what Rose recognised as the vehicle Scorpius was driving earlier today. Rose detached herself from Scorpius and got off the bike, while he took off his helmet. Scorpius got off, dropping his helmet to the ground and helping Rose undo the buckle of her helmet. Quickly, putting hers next to his helmet, Scorpius then took her hand and led her around to the front so that she could get a good view of the house.

"So, what do you think?"

"It looks great," Rose replied.

"Most of it is structurally complete, it's just the plumbing, electrical and interior stuff that needs to go in," Scorpius stated.

"This is what you've been doing since you got back?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, pretty much," Scorpius shrugged.

"Now, I'm impressed."

"Yeah, well, a little magic always speeds things up," he responded.

"I thought using magic was cheating?" she quipped. Scorpius laughed.

"That may be so, but I am on a bit of a deadline," he explained.

"There's a story behind that," Rose said curiously.

"Yeah, but one for another night."


"They should be here by now," Dominique whispered to Lucy, clearly angry but also a little worried. "So should Albus and Alison," she added, even more worried.

"I know but everyone seems to be having fun," Lucy replied, looking at all her of cousins and friends chatting and playing with Hugo's cool toys. James, Fred and Louis in particular seemed to like the Pinball machine. "Give them a bit longer, they'll be here."

"I just hope nothing is wrong, that they're okay."


Hello :)

I know I am terrible. It has been so long but I have been crazy busy. I hope you like this chapter :) and aren't to upset with me. Scorpius and Rose have a big chat next chapter, I promise :) However, for this chapter I really wanted to show that Rose could actually comfort him and make him feel better. It is also very important for Rose, herself, to discover that as well.

Please leave a review to let me know what you think.