Chapter Nine: Reuniting

"As ready as I'll ever be," she smiled nervously as they reached out and were suddenly tugged into the portkey. They swirled through the portkey and Rose couldn't help but scream until they finally crashed to the ground. They stood up and rearranged the clothing that had been disheveled in the trip.

"I'll never get over how awful that is," Albus said as he ruffled his hair and fixed his glasses.

"Never," Rose agreed, looking around her. They had fallen in an open field near a road. A large sign indicated that muggle Kenmare was a couple kilometers to the right and a magically concealed sign revealed itself to show that the wizarding community which included a small village and a quidditch stadium were to the left. "Looks like we're headed left," she pointed, and they started walking in that direction.

At first, they walked in silence, neither of them sure of what was appropriate to bring up after years of only small talk.

"So, are you going to explain what your plan is here?" Albus was the first to break the silence.

"Are you going to explain why you're scared to start Auror training?" She retorted. They both chuckled silently.

"You were right, there is something between Scorpius and I," Rose started.

"Glad you're finally admitting it," he muttered, and she glared. "So, this is what? A secret date? A romantic gesture? A proposal?" he teased.

"Albus!" She laughed nervously. "To be frank, I dunno why I came here. We had a moment, the other day, and he promised to come see me the next day, and I guess I couldn't wait until this tour ended."

"I feel like I'm never going to live up to my dad's legacy." He stated so plainly Rose almost stopped walking. She had never realized anyone else in her family shared that fear, especially Albus, who was a natural at living up to every expectation the world had for him.

"You'll be a natural Auror, Al. You always had the highest marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Second best, I could never beat you."

"Yes, the highest behind me. It was barely a competition."

"I was always a little jealous of you. The way you didn't even care about who our parents are and still did flawlessly at school. It was impressive."

Rose gathered her thoughts but before she could add anything else to their conversation, they entered the village. There were a few shops, a pub, an inn, and a train station. She could see the outline of the stadium in the distance and it suddenly hit her what she was here to do. A nervous pit formed in her stomach.

"Did you want to go to the match? It's probably just beginning. I could put on the Potter charm-"

"No," she cut him off. "No more Potter charm from you Albus. Let's go get a drink and we can find him after the match. I hate Quidditch anyway."

They made their way into the pub, which was broadcasting the match anyway and they ordered a round of butterbeer. Three rounds and a firewhiskey shot later they were both laughing and recounting their favorite memories from growing up, making fun of Albus' many exes, catching up on lost time. Every so often Rose would steal a glance at the livestream of the match, see Scorpius hovering in the air, and get butterflies in her stomach. Rose knew the match was coming to a close when she heard loud groans and curse words erupt throughout the pub, mainly filled with Kenmare fans. She looked at the screen again to see Scorpius grinning, holding the golden snitch triumphantly.

"Looks like it's time," Albus said, placing a stack of money on the table. He stood up and looked back at Rose who was frozen in her seat.

"I don't know if I can do this," she stared blankly ahead of her.

"Oh, don't do this now Rose. You let me use Potter privilege to get us here. You're braver than you let on. I'm not going to let you walk out of this one." Rose took a deep breath and got up out of her seat.

"Alright, just let me use the loo first." She stated in the toilets for longer than she needed to, running over what she would say in her mind and meticulously ensuring her appearance was the best it could be. When she finally left the toilets Albus rolled his eyes.

"Finally. I thought you'd become the new Moaning Myrtle it took you so bloody long. He's probably halfway back to England at this rate."

"Oh, for fucks sake Albus you don't have to always be so dramatic," she rolled her eyes back at him and they headed off in the direction of the stadium. Albus had offered to stay behind and wait, ready with 3 shots for them. But Rose had declined the offer and insisted he walk with her there, so she would have no reason to back out of it. They made it to the stadium and her heart was racing. They found the player & staff entrance to the stadium and for a few minutes they stood in silence, waiting for anyone to exit. The ever impatient Albus, not bothering to ask for Rose's approval, then decided to walk up to the security guard posted outside and attempt to enter. Rose almost protested but couldn't form the words. It only took a few exchanges for the guard to nod and Albus to beckon Rose to the door.

"Thanks mate," Albus said as they stepped through the doorway.

"Anything for a Potter. Tell your mum I say hello," the guard replied and Albus nodded before the door shut behind them.

It took them a moment to get their bearings, but they soon noticed signs pointing to locker rooms. They turned down a couple of corridors before making one final stop. Rose immediately stopped in her footsteps and Al followed suit. At the end of the corridor stood Scorpius, still in his uniform and disheveled in the way one is after hours on a broomstick. Rose smiled softly before she fully processed what was unfolding in front of her. Scorpius was speaking to someone and when Rose's eyes landed on who, her stomach dropped, and the smile faded. There stood Natalie Thomas, obviously flirting with Scorpius. She wanted to scream, to interrupt them somehow and make it all stop. Then she watched silently as Scorpius rubbed the back of his neck and smiled, laughing slightly. Rose felt sick.

"We're going," she whispered as she spun around, not giving Albus the time to decide. She moved so quickly she didn't remember the stack of old brooms behind her. She knocked into them, and the sound of them falling to the ground echoed down the corridor. Horrified, Rose started running away, unwilling to face the fact that he might have seen her. She ran all the way out of the stadium, past the bewildered guard, and a way down the road until she determined she was in the clear. Albus quickly joined her.

"Rose, you don't know that-"

"Don't Albus." Rose cut him off, trying to hide the tears stinging her eyes. "Let's go."

They walked in silence back into town towards where the Portkey had left them. Albus was the first to break their stride, stopping directly outside of the train station. Rose looked at him and she saw the slightest hint of fear in his eyes.

"Why did you stop?" Rose asked him. He took a long pause and Rose narrowed her eyes.

"I, erm, might have neglected to arrange a Portkey back," he chuckled awkwardly.

"Albus Severus Potter I could kill you right now." she crossed her arms and glared at him.

"We could apparate?" He offered weakly, although they both knew she was in no emotional condition to do such a thing. Without responding she stormed past him into the station. They got two tickets for the last train headed to London and were lucky enough to find an empty compartment. They did not speak the entire ride back to their city. Albus eventually drifted to sleep as the alcohol buzz faded and Rose stared out the window, thoughts swirling around her head. Her worst fear had been confirmed. She had allowed herself to be played. To fall for his charm and not think of the consequences. Her heart ached at the betrayal and she was angry with herself for letting it get this far.

When the train rolled into London she and Albus said rushed and awkward goodbyes. He disapparated with a snap and she used the nearest Floo network entrance. No one was awake in her home thankfully and Rose hurried to bed. She fell asleep with a steady stream of quiet tears rolling off her cheeks, hoping to never see his charming face again.

A/N: I couldn't let them get together that easily! But don't worry, you'll get Scorpius' POV in the next chapter. Thank you all so much for your reviews and keep them coming! I love reading them. Until next time, xx