A/N: Please review! I really appreciate any and all reviews! :)

Please check out my other story I'm currently writing, The Triplets of Hogwarts,a Cedric/OC story!

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"Come on team," Scorpius clapped his hands and stood up, "I'm tired of paperwork -"

"We need a break," Walter agreed, "it's nearly time anyway."

"Good," Scorpius smiled, "Lily is forcing me to drinks later, trying to set me up –"

"Bout time –"

"You could use a bird –"

"Why not just date Potter –"

Scorpius held up his hand, "I wasn't asking for your input," he rolled his eyes, "but I could use a drink beforehand. I'm not very keen on drinking with Quidditch players –"

"I'm in," Walter jumped up, "fun seeing you squirm a bit."

Fiona shrugged and looked at Catriona, "Could be a laugh –"

"I do love laughing at you, sir –"

Scorpius bit back a groan, "Splendid. Bloody splendid."

Scorpius met Lily's eyes when he entered the pub and winked discreetly at her. "Merlin this place is already pretty crowded," Fiona tucked some of her long blonde hair behind her ear.

Roxanne popped out of nowhere surprising Scorpius slightly as she often did, "Hiya, Malfoy."

"Oh, hullo, Roxie, you remember –"

"Fiona, right?" Roxanne's lips parted into a flirtatious smile, "Can I buy you a drink?"

Fiona's cheeks pinked slightly, her pale grey eyes locked on Roxanne's brown ones, "Oh, sure, that'd be lovely." She followed Roxanne to the bar and Scorpius smiled as he watched them.

"Sir, is, um," Catriona started.

"Please –"

"Is your mate Albus going to be here?" She met Scorpius's eyes with a confidence that made him smile.

"I know for a fact he will," he smiled.

"Are you trying to –"

"I would never," he put a hand to his chest, "and I am offended you would even insinuate –"

"All right, sir," Catriona patted his arm, "let me buy you a drink to thank you for not setting me up –"

Scorpius laughed as he followed her to the bar, running into Albus on the way there. Excusing himself so they could chat, he found Lily holding a pint out for him. "Good work," she clinked his glass and arched an eyebrow, "Walter said how suave you were, saying I was setting you up."

"I'm very quick on my feet," Scorpius said in his most intimidating and posh voice, "you should know that by now, Lily."

She eyed him wickedly, "Do you want me to se you up?"

"With one of your teammates?" Scorpius chuckled, "All of whom I've already met?" He patted her arm, "No, love, I'm all right."

She shrugged, "Or any of the –"

Dominique was suddenly there, her arm around Scorpius's shoulder, "Don't bother, Potter, the only Quidditch player Malfoy would ever consider dating is me –"

Lily laughed loudly and Scorpius shook his head, pinching one of Dominique's cheek, "No material for your comedy routine, Weasley?"

Dominique laughed, putting her head on his shoulder, "Oh, Malfoy, one day you'll get over me, I promise." She eyed Lily, "But, Malfoy, who are we going to set young Lily up with? I mean, Merlin, she's wearing lipstick again –"

"That's what, three times –"

"Who are you impressing, young lady, is he good enough for you," Dominique teased, laughing lightly at Lily's indignant face.

"Rose invited some Healers –"

Dominique stood up straighter, running a hand through her hair, "Why didn't you say?" She looked out over what heads she could see over, "Quick, come to the bathroom with me, Potter. Sorry, Malfoy."

Scorpius laughed as the girls headed towards the bathroom and with a slightly relieved sigh leaned against the bar to sip his beer in peace. He looked out across the pub, pleased to see his friends and family chatting and enjoying their time. He had a good feeling about Catriona and Albus, and even Roxanne and Fiona –

He had just finished his first pint, about to order another, when Rose was there, at his elbow, a small smile playing on her lips, "Didn't mean to steal your dates, Malfoy."

He arched an eyebrow at her, "If you're insinuating that I'm attempting to date both of your cousins –"

"So just one, then?" Her deep laugh made him crack a smile, "Can I buy you a whiskey?"

"Can't remember the last time," he started but trailed off.

"Christmas," she responded, "three years past." She ordered the drinks and handed it to him, "Cheers."

"What are we celebrating, exactly?" His voice was slightly more gruff and hard than he meant it to be.

"Family," she looked out at the pub, "friends, new beginnings," she met his eyes and raised her glass.

They clinked glasses and were quiet for a moment as Scorpius looked out at their friends, Rose's dark blue eyes watching him. "I didn't mean to steal your matchmaker thunder."

Scorpius laughed, causing Rose to smile, "You're doing me a favor. Lily and Dominique are impossible. Almost as hard as Albus –"

"He seems to be getting on with your mate," Rose tore her eyes off him, instead eyeing the contents of her glass.

"Aye, I hope so," Scorpius looked over at her, "she's a good sort." He didn't mean to, but he couldn't help but admire her looking effortlessly beautiful in the pub – He tore his eyes away before he got lost staring at her.

"Scorpius," Rose started, causing him to look at her again, "I'm," she took a deep breath, "I'm –"

He shook his head, "It's –"

"No," her hand was on his arm, "I'm –"

"Is that whiskey?" James was there, making a face at them. "Bloody gross. How are you, Rosie? How's St. Mungo's?"

"Oh," Rose tried to meet Scorpius's eyes but he was staring off into the crowd, "it's good, thanks Jamie," she attempted a smile.

"I heard you're setting up Dominique and Lils," he said seriously.

"Oh, I'm –"

"I'll tell you what I always tell Scorp – be careful don't set them up with a bloody wanker –"

"No, of course –"

"I don't want them getting hurt –"

"They haven't yet," Scorpius clapped James on the back with a smile. "They're pretty good at taking care of themselves, but it's sweet he worries." He raised his glass at them, "If you'll excuse me, thanks for the whiskey, Weasley." He walked away and Rose frowned slightly.

"Rosie," James said softly, "please don't hurt him."

Rose looked at her cousin, her steel blue eyes wide, "What –"

James put his hand on her arm, "I'm not blind, Rosie, and I'm not stupid." She shook her head slightly but James spoke again before she could, "Scorpius is like a brother to me, and if I could, I'd have him date Lily or Dom because I'd know they'd be taken care of –"

"Wha –"

"But they know, and I know, his hear belongs to someone else –"

"James," Rose breathed.

"Oh, hullo, Walter, how are you, old man?" James started towards Walter, leaving Rose alone with her thoughts.

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Rose didn't see Scorpius the rest of the night, not for lack of trying. Every time she spotted Scorpius and his platinum blonde hair, he was elsewhere by the time she reached the spot. Was he avoiding her? She just wanted to apologize – for what she wasn't entirely sure, a million things – so why was he –

"Hiya," Lily sidled up to her, "you all right? Seem a bit, consumed by your thoughts, I guess."

Rose smiled at her cousin, "So, what do you think of them?"

"Yea, they're all right –"

Rose sighed, "What's wrong? You've barely chatted with them."

Lily shrugged, "No, they're nice enough, I just, waiting for that spark, I guess, you know?" She sighed, "I know it sounds cliché, but I bloody hate dating and don't want to spend time on boring blokes I know won't make me happy in the end."

Rose watched her cousin, "Lily," she started.

"I know, it's bloody –"

"No, it's very true," Rose smiled at her, "rather brave for you to admit. I admire your honesty."

"You sure you're all right," Lily laughed, "even I think it seems daft."

"How's Dom doing with them?"

Lily laughed and pointed to the three men chatting with Dominique, their eyes never leaving her. "Wish I could say it's because she's part Veela," Lily smiled widely, "but we know that's not the case."

"None will keep her fancy, eh?"

Lily shook her head, "Doubt it." She saw Scorpius heading for the door and she bustled, "That bastard's trying to sneak out," she waved at Scorpius. "Pretending like he didn't see me," she muttered as he walked over, "Sneaking out, are we?" Lily asked hotly.

Scorpius looked slightly sheepish and Rose found it charming –

"Didn't see you, love, sorry," he shrugged, "got an early day –"

"Bollocks," Lily watched him closely. "Rose and I were talking about Dom. Trying to set her up is hard after –"

Scorpius gave her a hard look that did not go unnoticed by Rose. "She enjoys dating, just like James and Roxie do," Scorpius said sternly. "Some people actually like going on dates –"

"Gross," Lily giggled and shoved Scorpius's arm. "All right, Score, if you're so eager to leave, go ahead, I'll fill you in later, plan next steps."

He kissed her cheek, "Night, Lils," he nodded at Rose. "Night, Weasley."

Rose frowned and debated going after him, but what would she say? How could she apologize for things that happened years ago?

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Flashback

Dominique watched Rose pick at her food, "What's wrong?"

"Oh," Rose frowned, knowing she couldn't lie to her cousin, "have you," she hesitated, "how's Albus?"

"He doesn't hate you, if that's what you're asking," Dominique took a bite of her pie. "Misses you. Wonders why you didn't tell him you were thinking of leaving –"

"Dom, I'm –"

"But he doesn't hate you, Rose."

Rose sighed and managed a small nod, "I'll visit," she promised, "more, I mean."

Dominique watched her, wanting to ask about the last time she had visited, but refrained. It wouldn't help to bring up events she wasn't even certain had happened.

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Albus leaned in the doorway of the kitchen, "Thanks, mate."

Scorpius didn't look up from the paper, "For what?"

"Introducing me to Catriona," Albus shook his head, "what else?"

Scorpius looked up and laughed, "I made tea, maybe you were really excited about tea." He grinned, "Taking her out on a proper date then?"

"Friday night," Albus tried to hide his excitement but Scorpius could see through it.

"Jolly good," Scorpius clapped his hands, "that's good news indeed." There was a knock on the door and with a smile Scorpius went to answer it. "Good morning – oh, hullo, Weasley." Scorpius looked surprised.

"Morning, Malfoy," Rose grinned at Scorpius's surprised face, "you going to invite me in?"

"Of course, please, do come in –"

"You're early," Albus smiled at his cousin, 'grab a cup while I get my things."

Scorpius offered to get her a cup as Albus went back to his room, "Have a seat, Weasley, you can take the front of the Prophet, I've already read it."

"Thanks," she took the cup and paper from him, "Albus has a later practice and could squeeze me in for brunch."

Scorpius leaned against the counter and watched her for a moment. Her dark-mahogany twists were pulled into a loose knot low on her head, her lips a dark burgundy that Scorpius noticed didn't stain her cup. "Nice for you to have a flexible schedule too," he offered.

"For now," she gave him a sideways look, "that won't last long. Sickness and all that."

"Until you're very senior and you can delegate constantly –"

"The dream," Rose smiled slightly. "That's a very bright tie."

Scorpius coughed, "Ah yea, your dear cousin Fred gave it to me for my birthday last year. As a joke, I think, but I rather like it –"

"It's," Rose cocked her head slightly, "you can pull it off," she offered.

Scorpius laughed, "That's the nicest thing anyone's said about it, that's for certain."

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, Scorpius fiddling with the end of his very bright purple tie, trying not to look at Rose in that very becoming navy blue sheath dress –

"Scorpius, I –"

"All right, Rose, I'm ready," Albus walked back into the kitchen, "see you later, Scorp."

Rose closed her mouth and stood to follow her cousin, watching Scorpius as she left with a small frown.

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"You're quite the difficult woman to get in touch with," Fred stood in the doorway of her office, "I had to flirt with more than two bloody mediwitches just to find out where your office was."

Rose arched an eyebrow, "Only two, Freddie? Feeling ill, are we? Out of sorts?"

"Ha, ha," he sat down in a chair on the other side of her desk, "I'd forgotten how clever you are."

She smiled and put down her Muggle pen, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Wanted to see your office, see if Uncle Ron was telling the truth about how bloody important you are."

"You doubt my importance?" She feigned shock.

"Just checking it's justified," he leaned back in his chair, "and my wrist aches a bit –"

"Ah –"

"Nothing major –"

"But the papers –"

"More worried about Jamesy finding out –"

"I can do a quick scan here," she gestured for him to put his arm on the table, "but if it's more serious –"

"It won't be," he said firmly. His dark brown eyes met her dark blue ones, "it won't be," he repeated.

She nodded and slowly dragged her wand over his wrist, her face still. Fred was holding his breath, watching her face for any fear or –

"Nothing a Muggle ibuprofen twice a day for a week can't fix," she smiled at him, "just a little inflamed."

"So it's –"

"I'll take you to the Muggle store, Fred, Muggles take it for headaches and things too –"

"Oh, Godric," he let out a long sigh, "thank you, Rosie, I don't know –"

She stood and picked up her bag and her blazer, "Come on, we can go now."

They had left the Muggle drugstore after Rose had to physically pull Fred away from the candy section and were heading back to Diagon Alley where they ran into Thomasin and Scorpius talking animatedly – yet lowly – near the entrance of the Ministry.

"Oi, everything all right?" Rose's voice was a bit rougher than she'd meant it to be.

Thomasin, caught off guard, turned to her friend, her cheeks flushed, "Oh, hullo, Rose, Fred, we were just, um –"

"She was harassing me, again for another story," Scorpius avoided Rose's stare. "Won't go through the proper channels –"

"If you would just talk to me," Thomasin glared at him.

"Speak with the Head Auror –"

"It's not bloody –" Thomasin was getting in Scorpius's face when Fred stepped in.

"Hey, Thomasin, can I take you for a – what time is it – how about a tea? Maybe an ice cream?" He smiled charmingly at her, "My treat." Thomasin was clearly entranced by his charm but was still irritated with Scorpius so Fred tried again. "I promise you I'm better company than moody Malfoy."

This made Thomasin's mouth twitch and she nodded at Fred, following him as he guided her away from Scorpius and Rose.

Rose waited for them to get out of earshot. "That was heated."

Scorpius gave her a look, "I have things to attend to Weasley, I'm very sorry."

"Wait," she caught his arm as he turned away but dropped it immediately. "I mean, are you all right?" She watched him carefully, "Was that, a," she swallowed and fidgeted slightly, "Um –"

Scorpius raised his eyebrows in surprise briefly before smirking, "If you want to know if I'm sleeping with Thomasin, just ask."

Rose's mouth opened in shock.

"Goodbye, Weasley." Scorpius turned and headed back into the Ministry, leaving Rose irritated and confused.

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"You all right, mate?" Walter looked at Scorpius with a very concerned look, "You seem a bit," he hesitated, "distracted, maybe?"

Scorpius coughed and walked by his partner towards their office, "No, I'm all right, thanks."

Walter didn't look convinced but didn't press any further, "Potter wants to see us, if now's good?"

"Oh," Scorpius ran a hand over his hair and Walter wondered briefly if he was trying to flatten it or if it was merely a nervous tick he never noticed before. "Yea, now's just fine."

"Splendid," Harry nodded at the pair when they reached his office, "come in, please shut the door behind you."

Scorpius and Walter exchanged looks and sat down in chairs when Harry gestured to them, "Everything all right, sir?"

Harry let out a deep sigh, "No, if I'm to be honest with you both. It's just rumors right now, the intel I got –"

"About the magical creatures ring?"

"No, but that will be your cover. What you'll tell everyone you both are working on for now."

Scorpius watched Harry for a moment as Harry hesitated to speak again, "Sir, what's going on?"

"The Minister has been made aware of, for now, what amounts to rumors, about an underground magical organization in Austria, of all places," he took his glasses off to rub his eyes. "But the rumors and this instel is serious and the Minister and I want to find out exactly what's happening before it gets too far along. The sooner we can stop this, the better."

"What are the rumblings, sir?"

"A fanatic, that," he sighed, "we've heard conflicting reports, but a fanatic is riling up followers and he either wants to eliminate all Muggles –"

"Bloody hell –"

"Or create an army of vampires and werewolves of those who won't bend to his will," Harry handed them each a Muggle file. "This is all of the information we have."

"Not a whole lot, sir," Scorpius flipped through the scant few pages. "Have we heard from the Austrian government?"

Harry's brows furrowed, "We aren't sure if they've fallen to this maniac or not. Not yet."

Walter sat up straighter and took a deep breath, "Game plan?"

"You're hikers or travelers, what have you, stopping through the area, collecting as much information as you can without raising suspicious –"

"Orders if we meet this fanatic?" Scorpius's jaw was clenched, his face hard, "Are we to –"

Harry held up a hand to stop Scorpius from speaking. "If it's just the fanatic, arrest them if you can," Harry's bright green eyes spoke volumes. "If it's worse than we feared and he has loyal followers, bring us all the information you can and the Minister, her deputies, and myself will make a decision."

"Yessir," Scorpius nodded, his eyes never leaving Harry's.

"You leave tomorrow at dawn," Harry continued, "you're chasing the black market ring based on information I gave you from Hagrid. Not enough resources for your whole team to go."

Walter swallowed, "Sir, if I may? Why Malfoy and I?"

"I trust you two to make the right decisions," Harry paused, "you are my two best Aurors," he finished.

"Thank you, sir." They stood up to leave, shrinking their files to fit in their pockets.

"Sir, might someone –"

"I suggest you darken your hair some, Malfoy," Harry's lips twitched slightly, "a Muggle dye, probably. I'm sure Lily or Roxy –"

Scorpius frowned slightly, "I'm sure they could."

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Scorpius hoped that he would just have to tell Albus he was leaving – and only because they were roommates – who could then pass the information on to the others. He had already Floo-ed to his parents' condo to let them know, had picked up some Muggle dye, and made it back to his own flat to tell Albus, all before dinner, only to find Lily there, chatting happily with Albus, waiting to grab dinner with "everyone".

"I can't," Scorpius frowned, wracking his brain – had he forgotten plans he'd made with everyone?

"Impromptu," Albus shrugged and Scorpius wondered for the thousandth time if his best mate could read his mind.

"I'm really sorry," Scorpius repeated, "I have to leave before dawn –"

Lily had opened the bag he carried, "Muggle hair dye? Oh," her eyes lit up, "secret mission?"

"If it was, I couldn't tell, could I?" Scorpius snatched the bag back, "give my –"

"Where are you going?" Lily pressed, "If it isn't a secret –"

Scorpius sighed, "It's not. That dragon that was caught –"

"That Rose's mate wrote about –"

"Thomasin, yea," Scorpius continued, "Wally and I are investigating a lead on the ring." He could feel both Potters watching him, but he knew they believed him – he was a great Auror, after all, and their father had taught him…

"How long will you be gone?"

"A few days, most likely, you can't really tell –"

"Why hair dye?"

Scorpius cocked an eyebrow, "My hair is a bit noticeable, innit? Not certain who'll be in the ring, they may have known a Malfoy or two in their time –"

"Well," Lily huffed, "that's no fun, I really wish you could come –"

Albus agreed, "Drink when you get back," he clapped him on the shoulder, "be safe."

"Yes, do be careful, Scorpie," Lily smiled warmly and turned toward the door, "we'll let everyone know."

"Thanks," Scorpius smiled and waited for them to leave before opening the box fo the dye with a sigh and a grimace.

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Rose got to dinner that night late, so wasn't informed of Scorpius's absence. After a few days of not seeing him at various outings with her cousins she got frustrated and finally asked Dominique, "Where the bloody hell is Malfoy?"

Dominique looked slightly surprised, her glass stopped before reaching her lips, "What?"

"Where's Malfoy? He hasn't been –"

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? He's always around with you lot –"

"No," Dominique said firmly, "why are you asking?"

Rose's mouth closed, her eyes staring into Dominique's, knowing full well that lying was useless. "Because I've been trying to apologize to him."

Dominique eyed her friend and cousin closely, "Why?"

"Are you a bloody broken –" Rose started, her jaw clenched but stopped when Dominique just continued to calmly stare at her. "For several things, maybe, I don't. Just generally I guess, I don't know."

"An all-encompassing, over-arching, blanket –"

"Rose," Dominique shook her head ever so slightly, "that's a coward's apology."

"You don't even know –"

"True," Dominique nodded, "but clearly there is a specific thing or two you should apologize for and not a dumb, useless, overarching one."

Rose sighed, "You're right, I know." Dominique expected her to elaborate but didn't press when Rose didn't continue. "Where is he, then?"

"On a mission," Dominique shrugged, "should be back in a few days, maybe a week."

Rose's eyes widened but she kept her mouth shut. Dominique didn't seem worried, so maybe there was nothing to worry about.

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A/N: Please please review!