A/N: Please review! I appreciate any feedback!

Again, this is not canon with HPCC, which I did not read and probably won't…

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"Rose, darling, what are you doing here?" Hermione stood up from her desk with a large smile on her face, her brown eyes bright.

"I was hoping we could grab lunch," she smiled at her mother, not bothering to remind her they had agreed to lunch two days prior.

"Oh, certainly," she looked past Rose to one of her secretaries, "Margie, can I take a lunch now?"

"In twenty, mum, you promised a meeting with Head Auror Potter and Mr. Weasley –"

"Oh, bollocks, that's right," Hermione grumbled, "it'll be short though, I promise."

"Mum, it's really all right," Rose smiled, "I'm off until a meeting at 3."

"Oh, good, well, would you like a tour? One of our new interns could show you around the Ministry during my meeting?"

"Oh, sure," Rose nodded at the young woman who walked into the room as Hermione put her reading glasses on, "Kara, could you show Rose around? 30 minutes, tops."

"Yes, ma'am," Kara smiled shyly at Rose, "this way, please."

They ran into her Uncles Harry and Percy in the hall outside of her mother's office. She gave them both hugs and quickly introduced Kara, "She's showing me around before I grab lunch with mum."

Percy smirked, "I'll be sure we make the meeting as short as possible."

"Kara, you should take her to the Auror Department," Harry smiled, "changed a bit since you were there last."

Rose followed Kara and attempted to make small talk, "What do you, what do you hope to do, what House were you in," but Kara only offered short responses, instead focusing on the "tour".

Uncle Harry was right: the Auror office had changed since she had been there last, probably light years previous. The office itself was brighter, more Aurors were sitting out in the main room at the large tables.

"Weasley," a deep voice called out to her, "what brings you to our humble department?"

"Ms. Weasley is waiting for the Minister to finish a meeting," Kara responded seriously.

"Walter, this is Kara, she's showing me around while I wait," Rose bit back her large smile but her steel blue eyes were bright.

"Oh, how lovely," he clapped a hand on to Kara's shoulder, "come, I'll show you were the best Aurors sit –"

"Heard that, MacDonald," a gruff voice called from the table.

"That's Lee, he's a grump."

"Heard that too!"

They followed Walter to an office, "This is my dear colleague Fiona, I don't know if you met the other night at the pub."

Rose shook her hand, "Nice to meet you, Fiona, I –"

"Fiona, where is that blasted," Scorpius stopped short when he saw Rose and Kara. "Oh, my apologies, didn't know we had visitors."

"Ms. Weasley is –" Kara started.

"Waiting for the Minister, getting a tour," Walter finished.

"Didn't mean to interrupt," Rose couldn't help the slight smirk on her face when she saw Scorpius's look of slight surprise. "Just thought I'd see how it's changed since I was here last."

"Quite a lot, I'd imagine," Scorpius replied. He caught the smirk on Walter's face.

"You looking for this, Malfoy?" Fiona handed him a file.

"Merlin, thank you," Scorpius sighed wih relief. He turned back to Rose, "Bruce is here if you wanted to say hello."

Her face lit up, "He hasn't retired?"

Scorpius couldn't help the smile on his face as he shook his head and turned to lead her to Bruce's office. "Is that Rose bloody Weasley?" Bruce stood up, "Godric, you've grown, haven't you?"

"Uncle Bruce, how are you? Why are you still working? Will Uncle Harry not let you retire?"

He let out a deep laugh and clasped his hands over his stomach, "Who would train the new recruits?" He chuckled again, "Malfoy here would be nothing without my training."

"Unfortunately, you are quite right," Scorpius smiled. "Oh, hullo, Madame Minister."

Rose spun around to see her mum in the doorway, "Auror Malfoy, what have I said –"

"Call you Madame Minister Granger-Weasley or absolutely nothing at all," he repeated solemly.

Rose tired to hide her surprise when her mother laughed and shook her head as if Scorpius was her own son or nephew –

"You are coming to Rosie's luncheon, aren't you? Harry was supposed to invite you and your parents," Hermione continued pleasantly.

Scorpius watched as Rose's head snapped to her mother, her eyebrows raised and Scorpius smiled, "They are so excited to see our little Rose," he assured her.

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Flashback Post-Hogwarts

"I never should have brought you here, Petal," Scorpius sighed as he sat down across from her.

"You didn't bring me a pint," she accused him, "that's not very –"

"Petal," Scorpius started and her eyebrows rose, "why are you here? Again."

"Same reason you are."

"You're injured too? Fancy that," Scorpius's voice was gruff and harsh and Rose tried not to wince as he took a sip of his pint.

"No, I mean, I don't want to see anyone either," her voice fell slightly, "is it true what they're –"

"I came here so I wouldn't have to talk about it." His eyes were so fierce and dark that Rose's mouth dropped in slight shock. She had never seen Scorpius angry –"

"I'm sorry, Malf – Scorpius, I," she frowned slightly, "I don't know what to say really."

"There's nothing to say," he sighed again, "I didn't mean to snap at you." He took another sip of his lager, "I just don't want to talk about it or think about my Quidditch career being over." Her eyes snapped to his face but she kept her mouth shut. "Not yet at least."

Rose nodded, "We don't have to talk," she swallowed and Scorpius wondered briefly if she was nervous.

"I don't want to be alone either," he said softly to her.

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Astoria's straightened Draco's shirt slightly with a wide smile, "I'll never quite get used to it."

"What's that, darling?" Draco smiled at her in the mirror, "That Scorpius is best mates with Potter," he chuckled.

She pulled on his ear playfully. "That he's an adult," she winked and left for the hallway.

"Mum! Dad!" Scorpius had stepped through the Floo, "You ready?"

"Yes, darling," Astoria called, "come along, Draco. Grab the wine and –"

"You didn't get a gift did you?"

Draco clapped his son on the shoulder and thrust the bottle of wine into his hands. "Mr. Weasley was talking about Muggle microwave last time –"

"And we all agreed that was much too dangerous," Astoria added helpfully.

"But I saw an electric tea kettle," Draco shrugged.

Scorpius would have asked which Mr. Weasley, but he knew the only person Draco called 'Mr. Weasley' (despite his constant reminders to call him by his first name) was Arthur Weasley himself. "Rather kind of you, dad." Draco merely shrugged but Scorpius knew how much Draco admired the elder Weasley.

"All right," Astoria smiled, "let's go, shall we?"

Lily flew to Scorpius as soon as he walked through the front door of the Burrow. "Grandmum's on the warpath for me to get a boyfriend," she whispered, "give me a name of a bloke you know –"

"Lily, I'm not –"

"Luka Stinson," Astoria smiled prettily, "hullo, Lily darling. That's one of Scorpius's Muggle friends –"

Lily's eyebrows shot up, "Quick on the deaw, Ms. Malfoy." She leaned in closer, "Is he cute?"

"One of the ugliest lads I've ever seen, unfortunately," Draco whispered dryly.

Lily managed to clap her hand over her mouth before she burst into surprised laughter.

"Your grandmother will never know," Astoria assured her, "just to get her off your back."

Lily looked at the two older adults, "Godric, thank you, bloody life savers –"

Mrs. and Mr. Weasley were suddenly there in the entryway beckoning the Malfoys further into the Burrow. "Draco, my boy," Arthur shook his hand firmly, "how are –" his blue eyes widened as Draco took the tea kettle out of the bag. "Come, tell me everything – how ever do you use it –"

Molly managed to pull Draco into a firm hug before Arthur guided him away. "It's just an electric tea kettle," Astoria smiled and hugged Mrs. Weasley, "very low chance of injury."

"Or explosion, I hope," Molly grinned. "Oh, Scorpius, have you been eating, child?" She hugged him and patted his back, "Come. Go grab a plate –"

Lily glared at Scorpius and waved at him from behind her grandmother but Scorpius ignored her as Molly guided him into the kitchen. He reveled in Lily's growing theatrics. "Stop trying to force feed him, grandmum," Albus finally came to Scorpius's rescue.

She huffed slightly but finally acquiesced, "Fine, fine. As long as you all promise you're eating –"

"We most certainly are, Mrs. Weasley –"

"Please, Scorpius, call me Grandmum," Molly patted his arm.

"Yes, Grandmum Weasley."

"Oh, Lily, would you stop moving around so much, I can see you."

Lily froze, her brown eyes wide, her hands above her head, "Scorpius had something important to tell you, grandmum."

"Oh?" Molly turned back to Scorpius.

"Yes, actually, I was hoping to see if Lily wanted to go on a blind date with my mate, Luka."

Molly's eyes narrowed, "Luka who?"

"Stinson," Scorpius didn't hesitate, knowing full well Molly was looking for a slip-up. "Muggle. Grew up down the block from me. Ran into him after Sunday tea with mum and dad."

"Profession?"

"Writes for a sports blog. Football mainly," Scorpius didn't break eye contact.

Molly watched him for a moment until she turned to Lily, "When?"

"Not sure," Lily was an experienced liar, "Scorpius was going to set up a time and place for us to meet. He's going to lend me a Muggle mobile phone."

Molly nodded, accepting all these answers, "Oh, that's lovely. Thank you, Scorpius, lovely of you to think of Lily." She clapped her hands and was going to say more but her attention landed on Ron and George who were crowding around Draco and Arthur, "Please be careful –"

Lily grabbed Scorpius's arm and squeezed hard, "You're a bloody lifesaver, I owe you, pet."

Scorpius arched an eyebrow, "You most definitely do. But first, I think, a drink."

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"Well, if it isn't the woman of the hour," Draco smiled when he finally saw Rose.

"Oh, hullo, Mr. Malfoy," Rose said politely. She had never really spoken much to the elder Malfoy, despite his occasional presence at Potter-Weasley events during her time at Hogwarts.

"How does it feel to be back in England? Back at St. Mungo's?"

"Quite a deal warmer," she said off-handedly and Draco bit back a smile, his eyes widening slightly. "St. Mungo's is rather the same, I suppose," she met his eyes.

"Except your position," his head tilted slightly, "your father's mentioned it once or twice –"

"Oh, um –" Rose felt her cheeks grow warm and hoped he wouldn't notice.

"Sounds like the created this extraordinary position just for you?"

"Um," Rose opened her mouth but wasn't sure how to respond, not wanting to brag in front of Mr. Malfoy, whom she barely knew.

"Yes, they did create it just for her," Ron put his arm around her shoulders, grinning widely at Draco. "Rosie's not one to brag, like her mother, Draco, you know. But Godric knows I love to brag for the both of them." Rose's cheeks were visibly pink now as she watched Draco chuckle. "They were desperate to get her back –"

"No, they –"

"Asking for ages," Ron was gesticulating now and Rose wanted nothing more than to run and hide.

"Ron, I rather think you're embarrassing her," Draco smiled at Ron and Rose's eyes widened. They were calling each other by their first names. "Don't worry, Rose, I've heard all this before. I think it's more for your benefit this time." And they were being friendly.

Ron laughed and pulled Rose closer to him, "She's too easy to embarrass, but I did miss doing it."

Rose refrained from whining, 'Daaaad,' so instead settled with, "Can't wait for more."

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"Have you seen her yet?" Lily took a sip of her Muggle beer, glad James and Fred brought some.

"Who?" Scorpius waved to James who was chatting to Dominque, "When did she get back from her trip? I want to hear about the dragons."

Lily closed her eyes to refrain from rolling them, "Not Dom, you wanker. Rose."

"You have to be more specific, pet, I saw her the other day –"

"Stop being difficult on purpose," she said in her most authoritative voice.

"You sound just like your mum when you do that," Scorpius's eyes were wide.

"I learned from the best," she sighed slightly, "have you seen Rose today?"

"Well," Scorpius looked out over the redheads and brunettes he was taller than, "she seems to be chatting with her dad and my dad." He thought for a moment, "I don't know if she's ever properly spoken to my dad."

Lily frowned slightly, "Really? How can that be?"

Scorpius looked at her and patted her lightly on the head, "Oh, my naïve little flower, things have changed the past few years. Sadly, I'm starting to worry you may only be as observant as James –"

"Lily's mouth opened in anger and irritation, "How –"

Ginny Potter put her hand on Lily's shoulder, "Now, Lils, do you really want to be mean to the lad who saved you from grandmum?"

Lily closed her mouth but narrowed her eyes at him.

"Thank you, Mrs. Potter," Scorpius smiled charmingly, "your most recent article, may I say, was absolutely riveting. Father and I –"

Ginny smiled, "Your mum already told me," she winked, "but I appreciate the praise." There was a loud pop and Ginny winced, "That better have been George and not –"

"I'm fine!" Someone called, "It's fine, everything's –"

"Nope, it's not –" Ron shook his head, "everyone outside for a few minutes –"

Ginny groaned, "Bollocks. What the bloody hell –" she wandered off.

"Outside, I guess," Lily shrugged, following most of her cousins outside.

"No, I better go look," he pointed at her, "you go outside, but –"

"You're an Auror, I know," Lily finished for him. "Hopefully it was just a prank or a Muggle thing."

Scorpius reached Harry, Ginny, and the other older adults were crowded around when Harry smiled at him, "Good man, Scorpius –"

"I thought I'd check since –"

"It was just a loose rocket that we were creating and –" Ron started.

"Were you testing it here?" Ginny hissed, her eyes darting between Ron and George.

"No, we weren't, we just wanted some more eyes and minds on it, that's all," George looked sheepish. "We were going to take it outside –"

"It ignited?" Rose added helpfully.

Scorpius's grey eyes darted to Rose; where had she come from?

"Yes, well –"

"Back to the drawing board, mates," Harry tried his best to hide his smile. "Next time just invite us round the shop."

"All right, let's all go outside," Ginny shooed Scorpius and Rose out first.

"Will you come by soon, Scorpius? We're hoping you'll give it a quick look," George called after them, ignoring Ginny's glares and Angelina rolling her eyes.

"Sure thing, Mr. Weasley –"

"Bloody hell what id I –"

"Next week for certain," Scorpius cut him off as he finally stepped outside. Rose was openly staring at him, "What? Don't worry, that happens sometimes, not often though. There was a rather big explosion on Roxanne's birthday, fireworks gone awry." He frowned slightly, "Why are you staring at me? It's rather disconnecting you know."

"They want your help with a product?" Rose barely managed not to blurt out her question.

"Oh, yea," he shrugged slightly, "I fixed their design for one of the products in their 'Helpful Hoaxes' line and they ask for Potions help –"

"Potions and designs?" She let out a breath, "Dad never mentioned," she eyed him again.

He felt as though he needed to defend himself to her, like she was irritated by his friendships with her various family members. But at the same time he felt like he needed to assure her that it wasn't a big deal; he wasn't doing much but offering help when asked. He opened his mouth, still unsure what to say when Dominique bounded over to them, her long, light strawberry-blonde hair flying behind her.

"Rose," she cried, wrapping her arms around the slightly shorter girl, "I can't believe you're back, Merlin I'm so happy, you're at St. Mungo's bloody hell I want to hear everything –" she took a breath and blushed prettily, "Sorry. I just saw mum – you know how I bloody start to talk too fast around her."

Rose was smiling widely as she pulled Dominique into a firm hug, "I'm so pleased to see you, Dom! I've missed you –"

"I can't believe you got here when I was visiting Uncle Charlie –"

"How is Uncle Charlie?" Rose's steel blue eyes lit up, "How were the dragons?"

"They were incredible," Dominique was beaming before turned her attention to Scorpius, "and how's my favorite Malfoy?"

Scorpius's smile was lopsided, "Pleased as punch to see you, Nic."

She grimaced and let out a chuckle, "Hits me hard every time I hear that, Malfoy. Uncle Harry was blathering on about you to dad earlier," she rolled her hazel-blue eyes, "bloody awful."

"I assure you it was all lies, I'm still –"

"Scorpius!" James reached them, "Come here, I need you to save me –"

"Grandmum?"

James clasped his hands together to beg, "Someone at the department or a Muggle or something? Like you helped Lils?"

Scorpius shrugged, "All right, let's have a think, leave Rose and Dom to catch up." He shook his head, "I really should start charging you lot for this. I could retire now."

Dominique turned to her cousin, catching Rose watching Scorpius and James walking away with a strange look on her face, "We have quite a bit to talk about, I see."

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Flashback, Hogwarts

"Merlin, she's pretty," Scorpius said dreamily.

"She's my cousin," Albus muttered.

"Sorry, I just," Scorpius shrugged, "I won't mention it again, I –"

"She told us the Hat had a hard time Sorting her," Albus said, looking up from his place. "She could have been in Ravenclaw too."

"Really?" Scorpius was impressed, "She is really clever," his mouth hung open as the object of his affection, who had been talking to Rose at the Ravenclaw table, now approached the Slytherin table.

"You two ready for the match tomorrow?" Dominique smiled widely, "I've got some new shots, Al," she winked.

"I'm ready," Albus responded, "James already mentioned –"

"Of course he did," she laughed. "Can't bloody keep a secret, can he? Scorpius, you ready to play against James and Fred?"

Scorpius swallowed quickly, "I think so, but we'll find out –"

"He's being modest," Albus tried not to smile too widely, "I'd say he's almost as good as they are."

"Brilliant," Dominique said cheerfully, "see you two on the pitch tomorrow!" Waving to her year mates, she bounded away and Scorpius let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

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"So, uh," Rose started.

"You're feeling replaced by Malfoy," Dominique said bluntly.

"No, I'm," Rose sighed, "I'm not entirely sure what I'm feeling."

"He's not replacing you, Rosie. No one could," Dominique linked her arm through Rosie's.

"He seems to be around an awful lot," Rose muttered.

"Ah," Dominique nodded, "you wouldn't have noticed before –"

"I was in Sweden –"

"Before that, love," Dominique let out a delicate laugh, "while you were training at St. Mungo's. Scorpius was on my team, remember? He's bestmates with Al. He was around before you left, but you had strange hours. And now he works for Uncle Harry and –"

"He helps with the shop," Rose said incredulously, "dad is friendly with Mr. Malfoy!"

"And Mrs. Malfoy," Dominique added cheerfully as Rose groaned softly in irritation.

"Gets along bloody famously with James and Lily too," Rose muttered under her breath.

Dominique stopped walking and put her hands on Rose's shoulders – Rose was tall, but Dominique was slightly taller. "I'm not sure what's going on, Rose, but he's not replacing you. Scorpius is a member of this family and he has been for some time. You just didn't want to acknowledge that." Dominique smiled slightly and patted her arm, "Now, enough of Malfoy, tell me about Sweden. And what happened with –"

Rose's eyes widened, "Odin, don't mention him – did you tell anyone –"

Dominique laughed loudly, "You're too easy, Rosie."

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A/N: Please please review!