That was something you were supposed to tell a person, wasn't it? That you nearly died several times in a short span of time?

After leaving George and Angelina's home, Scorpius Apparted to his apartment but immediately felt antsy and claustrophobic being alone in his own home. So, he walked to his pub, as he was wont to do when he wanted to be alone yet still around people. The pub was rather busy - it was a Saturday night, after all - so he sat at the bar and after his third pint, the bartender finally asked him what was going on.

"Oh, uh," Scorpius's lips downturned slightly. "Nothing, um -"

"Yer here on a Saturday night, mate. Yer not in the Saturday night crew," the bartender pulled himself a pint. "What's troublin' ya?"

And that was how Scorpius Malfoy found himself several pints in and telling Gus the bartender his sad story.

"Would ya really want to know if ya died, though?" Gus leaned on the bar. "I mean, I don't think I'd want to," he waved at an older man further down the bar. "Steve, if ya died, in hospital, would ya want to know?"

"And I survived?" Steve asked, his voice gruff with age.

"Aye," Gus nodded.

"But you're friends with your doctor," Scorpius added. "She's your best mate's cousin."

"Now that is tricky," Steve nodded. "She pretty, this doctor?"

Scorpius raised his eyebrows, "What does that have to -"

Steve's laugh turned into a cough and Gus shook his head. "It doesn't," Gus rolled his eyes.

"I've nearly died a few times," Steve's cough finally subsided. "Doesn't help me stop smoking," he tapped the carton of cigarettes in his jacket pocket.

"Does yer best mate know ya almost died?" Gus asked Scorpius.

"No," Scorpius sighed. "She only told me because my mates were giving me a hard time. They didn't know how bad it was and she snapped at them." Scorpius took a sip of his beer and scratched his chin, slightly uncomfortable telling these two strangers what was happening in his life.

"Ya like this girl, don't ya?" Steve asked, leaning towards Scorpius.

"Oh, uh," Scorpius stammered. "We're -"

"Aye, you like her," Steve agreed.

"Sounds like she was tryna protect ya, weren't she?" Gus nodded. "Didn't want ya to be scared. Didn't want ya to worry."

"Doesn't want my mates to worry," Scorpius corrected him. "I'm," he shrugged. "They don't know everything about my job."

"Figured you for MI6," Steve grinned a rather toothless grin. "You got that look about you."

"Aye," Gus agreed and winked. "Won't say a word."

"Thanks," Scorpius flashed them a relieved smile. He had a Muggle-safe story for his entire life that had been ingrained in him even before Auror training, and it was nice that these Muggles had already created a story for him that was similar to what he had created for himself. "She knows, because she was my doctor. But my mates," he trailed off and shrugged.

"Seems like it was hard for her to see ya like that," Gus said and chuckled when Scorpius's eyes widened slightly. "Why else would she try to protect ya unless she liked ya too."

"She doesn't," Scorpius shook his head, his eyes locked on his pint. "I mean, there was a time, once, ages ago, when I thought," he shook his head. "I hoped," he corrected. "But she left."

"Maybe she dunna know she likes ya," Gus continued.

"Why else would it be so hard for her to keep this secret from ya, eh?" Steve flashed his toothless grin again.

"Maybe," Scorpius managed a small smile despite clearly not believing them. "Maybe."

"Somethin' to think about," Gus winked at Steve and the two men left Scorpius to be alone while he finished his pint.

"But either way," Steve piped up. "Don't go gettin' yourself injured on purpose, eh?"

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"You got home late," Albus muttered to Scorpius as he padded into the kitchen. "Where did you go?"

"Had to meet up with Walter," Scorpius lied easily as he sipped his tea. "Some intel came in." Albus eyed him warily but nodded; he had no reason to think Scorpius was lying.

"Rose was in a mood after you left," Albus said lightly. "Didn't press her, but she sat by herself for a bit and then left rather abruptly." Albus sat down across from him, "She say anything to you?"

"Just that she was tired," Scorpius shrugged at his best friend and sighed softly. "We aren't exactly the best of -"

"No," Albus agreed. "Still a bit odd."

"She's got a lot going on," Scorpius tilted his head slightly and sipped his tea. "They had been drinking all day. Her job must be exhausting -"

"And she's just settling back in," Albus finished. "Basically what she told me too." He frowned and leaned back in his chair, "Should I be worried, do you think?" His bright green eyes stared at him, unblinking, and Scorpius felt like he was staring into his soul.

"About Rose?" Scorpius asked, trying to keep his voice light. "She can take care of herself, you know that."

"Yes," Albus nodded.

"And you also know she'll be furious if you keep pestering her," Scorpius continued.

Albus let out a long, defeated sigh and ran a hand through his jet black hair, "She's bloody impossible." He downed his tea in one gulp, "I'm meeting Catriona for lunch. Do you want to join?"

"Lunch with my parents," Scorpius smiled. "Missed last Sunday, so I can't miss today too."

Albus stood up, "Tell them I say hello, won't you?"

Scorpius watched his friend leave the kitchen and slumped slightly in his chair. He wasn't sure how he'd face his parents today - he was never good at lying to them, at lying to anyone really, except about work - but they were especially hard to lie to. It wasn't just because they were his parents and they raised him, but the War (and before, and after), had made, especially his father, keenly aware of when someone was lying to him or trying to scam him. "His bollocks meter is through the roof," James said once about Draco Malfoy, and he wasn't wrong.

Scorpius pushed himself up and out of his chair and hoped there'd be enough chat about things not related to himself that his parents wouldn't know he was lying. He ran a hand through his hair; he knew that was unlikely.

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"Scorpius, darling," his mother flung the door open before he could even ring the bell with a wide, charming smile. "A beard, Draco!" She called out behind her in a light voice, "You were right, he's growing a beard!"

Scorpius rolled his eyes playfully and kissed his mother on both cheeks, "You really need to stop placing bets, mother."

"But it's entertaining!" He heard his father call out from the kitchen.

"How else do you expect us to entertain ourselves?" Astoria smirked at her son and pulled him inside. "I hope you're hungry, dear, we've got so much food, and I really need you to take some back with you."

"Albus will be thrilled," Scorpius followed his mother through the narrow hall. "How was the fundraiser?"

"That Muggle hospital can't get enough of your mother," Draco sipped his tea.

"And the orphanage," Astoria added. "It's not just a hospital," she corrected her husband playfully.

"It was a smashing success," Draco continued. "Raised more than last year -"

"By several thousand pounds," Astoria went about making tea for Scorpius.

"We really are so very lucky your mother loves to brag about herself," Draco said dryly.

Scorpius answered in a pitch-perfect imitation of his father, "Truly, father."

Astoria handed her son a cup of tea. "You two are abominable," she rolled her bright hazel eyes playfully. "Your father convinced the Gardners to pledge five thousand pounds alone," Astoria praised her husband.

"The cheap bastards are easy to scam," Draco shrugged, his eyes glued to the Muggle paper. "It wasn't that hard, really."

"Your father is fantastic at -"

"Pretending to be the stay-at-home trophy husband?" Scorpius arched an eyebrow and smirked when his father's bright grey eyes glanced up at him.

"You're equally as skilled," was Draco's reply.

"Yes, Scorpius, do you think you can make it to the holiday fundraiser?" Astoria asked pleasantly.

"For the arts program?" Scorpius scratched at his chin, drawing Draco's attention.

"Is your next assignment at a Muggle mine?" Draco arched an eyebrow at his son.

"Draco!" Astoria admonished her husband but couldn't help her small smile.

"You don't like it?" Scorpius pouted playfully. "I thought I looked rather rugged."

"Very rugged," Draco nodded. "So rugged you've forgotten how to bathe," his voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I think it's rather fetching, darling," Astoria reached out to touch it but Scorpius pulled his head away.

"Roxanne and Lily and Dominique will likely tell you if it looked terrible anyway," Draco tilted his head and squinted his eyes slightly. "They know better what you young folks like."

"Exactly," Astoria agreed before changing the subject again. "The holiday fundraiser is for the hospital in East London," she stood up from the table to grab the plate of pastries from the counter. "I've been meaning to ask Rose, actually, darling, and I forgot to do it last week," her voice trailed off and she looked at Scorpius seriously. "Rather more pressing matters were at hand," she confessed and set the pastries down in front of her son. "But she's been involved with Muggle hospitals before, and I think I'd rather like her opinion."

Scorpius set his teacup down as gently as possible, "I don't think she has much experience fundraising -"

"No, darling. I'd like her to talk to doctors, see the hospital, maybe volunteer. And at the event she can talk to people who can donate."

Draco was watching his son but said to his wife, "She's got a bit of the Weasley temper in her and you know those stiff suits don't -"

"She's also a grown woman, Draco," Astoria rolled her eyes. "If it's for a good cause I'm sure she can control her temper. Don't you think, Scorpius?"

Scorpius, knowing he didn't have long enough to think of a better answer said simply, "But then she'll know about your fundraising."

"Yes," Astoria nodded, glancing at Draco. "But, you see -"

"They've known for a while," Draco finished.

Scorpius held his teacup in mid-air as his eyes widened, staring at his parents. "Sorry, they've known?"

"Well, Potter and Granger and Weasley have known for quite some time," Draco set his paper down.

Astoria shrugged, "And Ginny knows, because she came to a sports fundraiser with me. And Angelina. So I assume George and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley know too." She tapped her teacup, "I've actually been meaning to ask if Fleur wants to attend a fundraiser as well, you know. She loves art."

Scorpius's mouth hung open and Draco rolled his eyes, "You're not a fish, son."

"I'm sorry, but," Scorpius faltered slightly. "I'm just surprised, I guess."

Astoria took his hands, "None of your friends know, darling, but you can tell them if you'd like. We don't mind, truly." She smiled kindly at him, "Or you don't have to tell them. But giving back to others less fortunate, you know, is such a rewarding experience, and Harry really did love -"

"Sorry, my boss has been to one of your fundraisers?" Scorpius let out a long sigh. "Bloody hell. He is a good Auror. I had no idea."

"I should hope he's a good Auror," Draco arched an eyebrow at his son. "Will you relax? They aren't going to treat us any differently because they know," Draco's voice was soft but firm, as if he knew exactly what Scorpius was worried about.

"No, of course not," Astoria placed a hand on top of her husband's. "They did tease your father for a moment," she tilted her head slightly and Scorpius knew exactly whose father did the teasing. "But that was ages ago."

Scorpius sipped his tea for a moment, "I think inviting Rose is a great idea, mum." He attempted a smile, but knew it must have looked rather pained because his father's grey eyes were on him for a long moment before bringing his attention back to his paper. Scorpius tried to pay attention as his mother continued to talk about the fundraiser from the night before, but his mind continually drifted; it wasn't that his mother wasn't a wonderful storyteller nor that her fundraisers were boring, it was more that he was blindsided that everyone now knew his mother worked in the Muggle world.

After the War, and after his family's trials, Draco was given all of the Malfoy money and properties. His mother was by his side throughout the trial but died soon after Draco was aquitted; his father was thrown in Azkaban and lingered there for several years before passing away. Scorpius had never met any of his grandparents, Malfoy or Greengrass.

Draco, the sole remaining heir of the Pureblood House of Malfoy, sold all of the Malfoy properties, including Malfoy Manor which he demolished and sold to the Ministry of Magic for one knut. He was most displeased when the Daily Prophet published the caveat that he sold it only if the Ministry used the former-Manor's land to build a rehabilitation center for magical creatures; it was something he wanted to keep quiet. After that, Draco sold off and donated all of his family's money and belongings through a third party under a shroud of secrecy, and the Daily Prophet - and most of Wizarding Britain - was unaware of anything Draco had done. He started at the bottom of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry after a year's apprenticeship in France and Germany. He was still in the public eye, but by the time he returned to England at the Ministry, he was living in Muggle London and doing his best to remain out of the papers.

Astoria avoided the papers entirely as she was too young to fight in the final battle, had returned to Hogwarts to finish her schooling, and cut all ties with her pureblood family, despite their relative lack of participation in the war. She never went to work at the Ministry, instead moving to Hogsmeade to help the village and Hogwarts continue to rebuild after she graduated. It was during this time that she formally met Draco as he was quietly helping Hogwarts and Hogsmeade as well.

After they married, Astoria began to work in Muggle London by working at an event planning company to learn how to fundraise and soon began to fundraise for Muggle organizations and quietly for causes in Wizarding Britain through a front. Scorpius was not even completely sure how much money Draco and Astoria, both individually and together, had poured into Wizarding Britain and Muggle England since the war. But now he knew that his friends' parents knew about their ventures, they knew Astoria wasn't just unemployed and sitting around socializing.

He smiled at his mother, "And the Nickersons?"

A small smile creeped up Astoria's face, "Had to outbid everyone, as they always do."

"Ask you to vacation again?"

"To a Greek island," Draco sipped his tea. "Can you imagine?" He arched an eyebrow.

"You'd blind everyone on the beach," Scorpius smirked and sat back in his chair, putting his worries about his parents' secrets, about Rose, to the back of his mind so he could enjoy breakfast with his parents.

He should have known, however, that they'd have to talk about Rose eventually; she was so enmeshed in their lives again that it would be hard to not talk about her, of course.

"When do you go back to St. Mungo's to be approved for duty?" Astoria asked after Scorpius ate what felt like two full meals. "Will Rose be the one to clear you?"

"She's my assigned Healer," Scorpius nodded. "A front desk Mediwitch told me to come in on Wednesday," he shrugged. "I'm feeling better than ever."

"Even your shoulder?" Astoria asked.

"Well that's the same as alway," Scorpius shrugged. "But the scars I was expecting, the ones that have taken ages to heal before -"

"And, I'm sure, never healed completely," Draco said from the counter where he was pouring himself more tea. "I've been told people love scars."

Scorpius couldn't help his wry smile as he declined to engage with his father in this conversation. "Look better than those scars look even now."

"Rose was top of your year, after all," Draco pointed out helpfully. "I should hope -"

"That she's a good Healer, yes," Scorpius agreed.

"Not going to remind me you were better at Potions and Charms?" Draco sipped his tea, his voice impossibly dry.

"See, you already remember -"

"Rose is a wonderful Healer, and if we ever have to go to St. Mungo's, I hope she'll be the one who will help us," Astoria cut into the conversation before her husband and son could continue. She knew when they got like this there was no stopping them, and she really just wanted to sit and have a glass of wine in peace. "But she's very important, I'm sure," she stood up. "Can you stay for a glass of wine, darling?"

"I'd love to, mum," Scorpius grinned. "There any cheese?"

"I told you, Astoria, didn't I? He was going to eat us out of house and home one day," Draco rolled his eyes.

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Guilty.

That was how Rose felt after she snapped at Scorpius; insanely and terribly guilty. It was impossibly unprofessional of her and she could feel any other emotion aside from guilt, she knew she'd feel ashamed at how utterly unprofessional she had been. Why had she snapped at him? What was it about Scorpius Malfoy that made her act irrationally and unlike herself?

She knew she needed to apologize to him - again - and was paranoid that this apology would go the way of her previous apology. Scorpius didn't deserve this behavior from her.

Rose sat at her kitchen table making her way through a bottle of whisky too quickly as she tried not to remember the look on Scorpius's face when she told him he had almost died more than once, or the way his entire body reacted to her apologizing for how she treated him after they had slept together. The hurt on his face -

She poured herself more whisky. Scorpius didn't deserve this. What had he ever done to her, after all? It wasn't his fault she left Wizarding Britain and her family? It wasn't his fault her entire extended family loved him and included him in every family gathering. It wasn't his fault they slept -

Rose swallowed her whisky and poured herself some more. She couldn't think of that night now, forced herself for years not to think about it. It only made her feel worse.

She pushed her chair back from the table and stood up. That was enough whisky for one night or she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about that night. She couldn't let herself think about that night. She had to see Scorpius in a few days and she needed to clear her mind to prepare for that encounter.

She had to be professional - for only a few hours - and then hopefully she wouldn't have to see Scorpius for a few days. She could spend more time at the hospital, pick up more shifts, work more to avoid any outings with cousins for a few days, for her sake and his. She knew he probably needed time away from her as well - he deserved time away from her.

Yes, avoiding Scorpius - and therefore most of her family - was the best course of action over the next week or two.

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A/N: Wanted to show the Draco/Astoria/Scorpius relationship and give a quick little brief about what they did after the War. Hope you liked it! :)

I expect that now that we're social distancing I'll be writing and updated more frequently from boredom, but who knows!