"You should have the day off," Rose frowned when she looked up from her desk to see Aisling standing in the doorway.

"So should ya," Aisling replied and sat down in the chair across from her desk. "I wanted to see how ya're doing, but realized I didn't know where ya lived."

"So did I," Rose admitted with a small smile. "I thought about owling you, but wasn't sure if you lived in a Muggle area."

"I do," Aisling chuckled. "But, like ya, I'm sure, I ensured no one notices any owls." She leaned back in her chair, "Rather thought ya'd be here and would save me the trouble of running down to the post."

"How are you?" Rose asked her seriously, her voice low as she leaned on the desk. "I mean, really."

"Staying with James helped," Aisling tucked some of her short hair behind her ear. "A bit jumpy, still, but, Scorpius said that would take time."

Rose's brows furrowed as she thought, "When did you see Scorpius?"

"Came by James and Fred's flat this morning to check on me," Aisling's hazel eyes watched Rose closely. "Was rather thoughtful of him."

"Yes, rather," Rose sat back in her chair again as her gaze shifted to her desk and away from Aisling's probing stare.

"How are you doing, Rose?" Aisling asked gently.

"About the same," Rose pulled her gaze back and attempted a smile. "Didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked."

Aisling opened her mouth to say something but there was a knock on the door and one of the women from the front desk was standing there holding a piece of parchment, "Um, Healer Weasley? You're wanted over at the Ministry." She noticed Aisling, "Oh, and you too, actually, MediWitch Walsh."

Rose frowned but took the parchment from her, "Thank you, Suzie." She read the note, her brows furrowed again and handed it to Aisling. "Shall we?"

Catriona met them in the Atrium of the Ministry. "Hi, thanks for coming," she said quickly to Rose and led them towards the lifts as Rose marveled at the amount of people milling about; she couldn't remember seeing it this crowded before. "It's a bit of a hectic day, as you can imagine," Catriona was saying again. "Auror Malfoy would have met you himself, but his boot, you know. And Auror Potter is in a closed-door meeting with the Minister," she gestured for them to get on a lift. "They should be done soon, they want to speak with you too."

Rose and Aisling exchanged a look.

"Is this about," Rose started to ask before the lift jerked and Aisling grabbed on to her arm. "Merlin, should have told you," she said to Aisling quietly. "It's not exactly as smooth as a Muggle lift."

Aisling closed her eyes, clearly trying to keep her motion sickness at bay. "No," she managed to say as the lift jerked again to a stop and the gates squeaked open. "Are those paper airplanes?"

"Yea," Rose chuckled as she watched the paper airplanes flew out of the lift ahead of them. "There's been attempts to try other things, but some of the older wizards and witches really like airplanes."

"As someone in the medical industry, I'd really suggest people walk," Aisling muttered as she followed Rose and Catriona out of the lift, her hazel eyes drifting around the floor. Rose made a note to let Aisling look around the Atrium on their way out of the Ministry since she'd likely never seen it before.

"Thanks, Bishop," Scorpius said as he walked up to them slowly. "Hi, Aisling, hi Rose," he met Rose's eyes for a brief moment before continuing. "Thanks for coming up, there's been some developments Auror Potter and the Minister want to talk to you about."

He turned to lead them towards the offices and Rose, seeing that he was still clearly unsure how to walk in his boot, walked alongside him and leaned over to whisper, "I can Transfigure you a walking stick if you think that would be helpful?"

Scorpius didn't move his head to look at her and said lowly, "My grandfather apparently favored a walking stick. I don't think that'd be a good idea."

Rose's face fell, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't -"

Scorpius turned his head to her as he rushed to apologize, "No, no, of course not, please." He put a comforting hand under her elbow as they turned a corner, "How would you know?"

Rose, still feeling embarrassed, tried not to focus too much attention to his hand on her elbow when she saw her Uncle Percy coming towards them from another hallway. He pushed his glasses up his nose and waved to them, "Are we just waiting for Hugo, then?"

Rose turned to Scorpius, "Hugo?"

Scorpius opened his mouth to reply, his eyes wide, but the door in front of them opened and Harry stepped forward, "Come in, please."

Rose and Aisling followed Harry inside and Rose nodded at her mother who stood next to Harry's large desk; Rose was now extremely confused.

"Ah, good," Hermione nodded at everyone as they stepped in. "I expect Hugo will be here in a minute, Auror Malfoy?"

"Auror Bishop is meeting him at the lifts, ma'am," Scorpius nodded, standing awkwardly on his bad leg.

"Sit, sit, please," Hermione smiled even as she remained standing. "We have quite a few things to talk about," she glanced at Harry who sat back down behind his desk. "Thank you all for coming."

Aisling met Rose's eyes as she sat down next to her and Rose shrugged slightly. "We really appreciate you coming in today," Harry said to Rose and Aisling. "I'm sure you hadn't planned on working today."

"Day off's tomorrow," Aisling shrugged before frowning slightly. "Actually, I'm not sure Healer Lang knows we're -"

"We've taken care of that," Hermione interrupted with a smile, but Rose recognized that smile all too well.

There was a knock on the door and Fiona popped her head in, "Hugo Weasley's here, sir," she said to Harry who waved him in.

Rose met Hugo's eyes and raised her eyebrows at him as Fiona left and closed the door behind her. "Have a seat, Hugo," Hermione said gently and Hugo sat next to Rose, squeezing her shoulder as he sat, barely able to squeeze into the smaller chair. He grunted slightly and Hermione let out a small puff of air that Rose knew was a laugh. "You can make it bigger if you need to, Hugo, dear," she said gently and Hugo's cheeks pinked slightly.

"Sorry," he turned his head to mutter at everyone else in the room and took the wand out of his pocket to make the chair accommodate his large frame.

Hugo was lighter skinned than Rose, had nearly as many freckles as their dad that disappeared when he was out in the sun too long, and shared the same dark-red hair that Fred had that he now kept cropped short instead of the tight curls he favored at Hogwarts. He was as tall as Ron but built like their Uncle Charlie with huge muscles that he used to easily lift Rose and his cousins whenever he saw them. Rose expected he'd have been better suited for rugby than Quidditch since he was too big to fly very fast on most brooms. He had the same dark brown eyes as Hermione, however, and like his sister, a big, deep, booming laugh that always got everyone else to join. He was Rose's gentle giant, a nickname Hugo hated and only caused Rose to use it more.

"There will be an article in tomorrow's Prophet," Harry started, "that Hermione and I thought you should all be made aware of as you may get requests for interviews." Rose frowned, her eyes darting to her mother. "We've prevented them from interviewing you for now, but," Harry sighed. "They can be relentless."

"A no comment sort of deal?" Scorpius asked and Rose turned her head slightly to see him sitting in a chair along the wall, his leg straight out in front of him. She was surprised he wasn't fully appraised of the article.

"Ideally," Harry agreed. "No comment would be ideal." He turned his attention to Hugo, "Now, Hugo, since you're in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, you wouldn't have been made aware, but since it concerns your mother -"

"Aurors apprehended a tyrannical madman on the continent," Hermione cut in, her voice steel and Rose's eyebrows raised in shock at her mother's tone. "And his inner circle yesterday. They threatened me and our family directly, by name."

Rose's blood ran cold. "What?"

"What?" Hugo echoed his sister.

"We found a manifesto on Zhuk," Harry clasped his hands on his desk, his bright green eyes darting between Rose and Hugo. "He wanted to kill all Muggleborns, wanted an end to Muggles in Wizarding society across the globe, starting with the British Minister of Magic herself."

"Why," Rose leaned forward in her chair and stared at her mother. "Why didn't you tell me yesterday?" She felt dizzy, "I treated the -"

"Would you have still treated him if you knew?" Hermione's voice was flat, "As a Healer?"

"Yes," Rose's mouth hung open. "Of course I would -"

"Then you didn't need to know until he was locked away," Hermione interrupted her.

Rose felt Hugo's hand on her shoulder in a show of comfort and solidarity but Rose knew it was also to prevent her from lashing out at their mother.

"There was a spy in the Ministry," Harry continued. "Someone who had knowledge of the work Aurors were leading to locate and apprehend Zhuk. But we've determined he didn't know about the manifesto. He only wanted money."

"And all of this information will be in the papers tomorrow?" Scorpius asked, his brow furrowed. Rose wondered again what information was even being withheld from him as she saw him gripping the arm of his chair tightly.

"As will the fact that Markovic attacked a Healer and MedWitch at St. Mungo's," Harry said, resigned.

"What?" Hugo's voice cut through the room and Rose saw Scorpius sit up straighter in his chair, the hand on her shoulder squeezing tightly. "What bloody happened -"

"We're fine, Hugo," Rose assured him gently. "We handled it ourselves."

"Why weren't there Aurors there," Hugo glared at his uncle. "Why were they alone?"

"It's fine, Hugo, really," Rose patted his arm. "You know I can handle -"

"Why weren't -" Hugo's head had swung around to Scorpius but Rose gripped his arm tightly and leaned towards his ear to whisper harshly, "Not your business, Huey."

Hugo settled back in his chair slightly and turned towards his sister, "You're okay?" She nodded at him, her dark blue eyes searching his dark brown eyes before Hugo leaned forward to look at Aisling. "You're okay?"

"Aye, fine, thanks," Aisling smiled weakly at him.

"How was that information leaked?" Scorpius asked Harry and Rose was surprised at the edge to his voice.

"Healer Lang," Hermione nearly spat.

"What?" Aisling's mouth hung open. "How did she bloody -"

"We don't know how," Harry shook his head. "But she's being removed from St. Mungo's immediately."

Rose stared at her mother, "Immediately?"

"She can't be leaking information to the Prophet," Hermione's eyes flashed. "It's in strict violation of her contract to disobey a direct order from the Ministry like that. We're looking through names for replacements now."

"Sorry," Aisling said hesitantly. "Will our names be in the paper?"

"No," Harry sighed heavily. "That much we managed to avoid for now. We aren't sure what more damage Healer Lang can do once she's been removed, but for now it seems she's trying to take credit."

Rose let out a short, hollow laugh.

"If you know anyone who may be a good replacement," Percy said from the back of the room, clearly hoping to alleviate some of the tension. "We're taking names to interview and vet."

"Healer Dawson," Rose said without hesitation. "Although I'm not sure how good a fundraiser he'd be."

"Aye," Aisling agreed with a smirk she couldn't help. "He's interested in new techniques and procedures, and definitely won't want to anger the Minister. But I can't imagine how good he'd be at a charity gala or talking to wealthy wizards and witches."

"I may know someone," Scorpius inclined his head towards Hermione and Harry, "who is well equipped at fundraising."

Hermione and Harry exchanged a glance, "Would you want to talk to her first and see if she's interested?"

"In a more formal capacity," Harry added. "Part-time. She'd still have time to fundraise for her other causes."

Rose tried to slyly look over at Scorpius, confused as to who they were talking about, but Scorpius kept his gaze on Harry and Hermione. "I can ask her," he agreed. "And then I'm sure she'll have questions for you."

"And we can meet with her whenever she likes," Hermione smiled warmly. "Outside the Ministry if she'd prefer."

"If ya got someone else to do the fundraising," Aisling piped in. "I think Dawson would be a wonderful Healer-in-Charge. He could focus more on treatments and changes at the hospital."

"Which we desperately need," Rose added before she could stop herself.

"We'll bring him in to speak with him," Hermione agreed. "I'm sure there are others we'll be asked to interview," she couldn't help the bitterness in her voice, "but we'd prefer to speak with someone folks on staff want and respect as their boss."

"Healer Dawson is well respected," Aisling added politely.

There was a slight lull in the conversation before Rose asked, "Sorry. You said the manifesto was on Zhuk?"

"Yes," Harry nodded, his face neutral so as not to show the concern he felt of where this conversation was going.

"It was on him when you apprehended him?" Rose asked.

"It was found on him when he was being processed at the Ministry before we brought him to St. Mungo's," Harry said. "Why?"

Rose turned to Aisling, "Did you get the feeling Zhuk knew who I was? When we treated him?"

"No," Aisling shook her head. "He didn't love when we mentioned Muggle medical tests and that I was Muggleborn," Aisling looked rather smug. "But he had no idea who you were."

"And we sealed his mouth shut," Rose said, turning towards her mother. "So he couldn't have said anything to you, but," she trailed off.

"He didn't seem to recognize me either," Hermione put a hand on Harry's desk and leaned on it slightly, looking at Harry. "He would have known what I looked like, surely."

"And there were no hex marks or wounds," Rose continued, turning to Scorpius. "He came quietly?"

"Yes," Scorpius nodded, his dark grey eyes staring at her and she could see the gears turning in his head.

"Markovic?" Rose asked. "He was unconscious when he arrived, but -"

"He put up more of a fight, we think he was the brains behind the operation," Scorpius nodded. "Zhuk was the figurehead."

"But he also didn't seem to fully know who I was," Rose shook her head slightly as though to clear it. "I mean, there wasn't a lot of time, and," she trailed off, her eyes darting to Scorpius.

He saw that she needed him, clearly unsure if what she was saying made sense. "You would know," his voice was heavy with anger. "You would know if the person you were dueling truly wanted you dead," he couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

"He didn't know who I was," Rose said in a shaky voice as she turned to her mother and uncle. "He didn't recognize me."

Hermione and Harry glanced at each other again, clearly communicating without speaking.

"There's another spy," Scorpius said gruffly as he tried to stand up from his chair.

"Miller wasn't there when Zhuk was apprehended," Harry stood up quickly. "Percy, I need a list of who was there -"

"I know who was there," Scorpius interrupted him.

"You have to stay here with them," Harry looked around the room and strode to the door. "They aren't safe." His hand on the door he pointed at Hermione and said firmly, "Stay here, Hermione. I'll get Ron myself, but you bloody stay here."

"Potter, I can," Scorpius started, following him to the door and Harry helped him outside.

Rose put a hand on Aisling's arm as Hugo squeezed Rose's shoulder again. "Well," Hugo let out a breath.

"How did you know, Rose?" Hermione sat down in the chair Harry had vacated and Rose looked up to see her mother was very much in Minister-mode and not mother-mode.

"Something just didn't feel right," Rose met her mother's eyes. "There was no way Zhuk, if he truly wanted you dead, would pass up an opportunity to at least say something foul to me."

Hermione nodded and leaned back in the chair. "Scorpius and Walter were the ones who discovered there was a spy. Left to get Zhuk without telling anyone before we lost him again," she tapped her fingers along Harry's desk. "Never thought there'd be more than one spy."

"They may not have been working together," Aisling offered. "Oh, I mean," when Hermione tilted her head slightly to look at her.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked in the clipped voice she tended to use when she felt behind someone else's logic.

"You said the spy wanted money, but this spy clearly has another motive," Aisling said, tucking some of her short brown hair behind her ear. "And if Zhuk and Markovic didn't even know about the manifesto or know who you were, maybe this person didn't even work with them."

Rose's blood ran cold but before she could open her mouth, the door opened again and Scorpius entered the room, closing, locking, and warding it behind him.

Rose stood under the guise to help him to a chair, but she whispered in his ear, "Someone wants my mother dead and they wanted to blame it on foreigners."

"I don't think it's a group," Scorpius whispered back as he let her help him into the chair. "I think it's one person who wanted both Zhuk and your mother out of the picture."

Rose knelt down next to him and said loudly, "How's your leg? Is the boot working out?"

"Not the most comfortable," he chuckled, his grey eyes boring into her dark blue ones. "It's not as bad as all that, I promise you," his voice was a whisper again and he watched as she bit her lower lip briefly before meeting his eyes again and nodded.

"I trust you," she patted his knee gently and stood up. "Uncle Harry have any sweets in his drawers, mum? I think we could all do with some chocolate."

Hermione rifled through the desk drawers and Rose leaned against the wall next to Scorpius, fidgeting with her hands, clearly not wanting to sit back down and do nothing. She needed to do something, she needed to feel useful, she needed -

"Is someone going to tell me exactly what happened yesterday?" Hugo asked, his neck and shoulders bent over his legs, his voice deep and ready to break into a shout. "Is someone going to tell me how -"

"Hugo," Hermione sat up straight behind Harry's desk, her voice a warning.

"How my sister, who is not trained in combat, was attacked at her place of work," Hugo's voice was rising in anger and Aisling's hazel eyes widened as she watched him.

"Hugo," Hermione said again in a stern voice but Hugo ignored his mother.

"Why weren't you there?" Hugo's head snapped to Scorpius and he froze, unsure how to respond. "Why weren't there any Aurors? Why were they left alone?"

"Hugo," Rose's voice was ice as she pushed off from the wall and glared down at him. "That's enough."

Scorpius watched as Hugo shrunk back slightly at the tone his sister used, but he didn't let up. "I want to know why he wasn't -"

"How dare you blame him," Rose's eyes narrowed, her voice low and terrifying. "How dare you even bring him into something he was not involved in."

"He's an Auror!" Hugo shot up from his chair, shouting.

"Hugo!" Hermione's voice boomed around the office, but both of her children ignored her.

"We handled it," Rose gestured between herself and Aisling. "We didn't need Aurors or anyone else to help us," she stood toe to toe with her brother, her neck craning to look him in the eye. "We took care of Markovic," her voice softened slightly and she put a hand on his arm. "We are fine."

"I'm," Hugo's shoulders sagged slightly and he let out a long breath, his dark brown eyes darting between hers before he leaned around her to say, "I'm sorry, Scorpius."

Scorpius was too shocked to respond, so simply nodded once.

"Will you tell me what happened?" He asked his sister.

Rose pulled on his hand slightly and he leaned down to pull her into a firm hug, "Will it make you feel better?" She asked him gently.

"Yes," he whispered back and let go of her.

"Sit down," Rose sighed and nudged him towards the chair as she turned to her mother. "Chocolates?"

Hermione, in a daze, picked up a large slab of chocolate from the top drawer and said softly, "Harry always has chocolate." She broke it up into pieces and handed them to Hugo who passed them to Aisling and Rose.

Rose took two pieces and leaned back against the wall, handing Scorpius a piece, "I'm sorry," she whispered to him and Scorpius saw that she was standing closer to him than she had previously. "He can get a bit," she struggled to find the right word, but Scorpius put a hand on her arm and she smiled down at him. "Thanks."

Scorpius listened as Rose very gently told Hugo what happened at the hospital, trying not to grip his wand too tightly as he heard the story again, wanting to punch Markovic in the bloody throat for what he did. He was surprised at how silent Hugo remained throughout the story, but he rather thought it was because he respected Rose and she had frightened him a little during their row. She had frightened him, that was for certain.

"And you're both okay?" Hugo turned to Aisling. "You have someone to stay with?"

"I stayed with James," Aisling smirked at Hugo when his mouth dropped open.

"Really?" Hugo's grin was wide and toothy. "Bloody hell," he swung his head around to Rose. "That was a good call, Rosie."

Rose shrugged slightly but anyone could see the look of satisfaction on her face.

"And Scorpius checked on me this morning," Aisling added. "Was rather thoughtful of an Auror."

"Oh," Scorpius scratched his beard, uncomfortable, sneaking a sidelong glance at Rose.

"That a new Auror service?" Hugo asked with a twitch of his lips and Scorpius opened his mouth to respond but Rose rolled her eyes at her brother and snorted, "Don't be a prat, Huey."

Hugo settled back in his chair slightly and said to Scorpius, "Sorry, Scorpius, for um," he rubbed a hand over his very short dark-red hair. "You know."

"Use your words, Huey," Rose whispered firmly to him.

"I needed to blame someone I could yell at," Hugo acquiesced. "And you were there, so," he frowned at Scorpius. "I am very sorry."

Scorpius nodded, "I understand, Hugo." He wanted to tell Hugo it took everything in him not to punch bloody Markovic, but he rather thought that wouldn't go over well with Rose or the Minister of Magic. "I'd have blamed me too."

Rose turned her head quickly to look down at Scorpius, frowning, but there was a knock on the door and Scorpius struggled to stand up, taking Rose's offered hand as he walked to the door and said gruffly, "Who is it?"

"It's Harry, Scorpius," Harry's voice said through the door but Hermione, now walking towards the door, said clearly for Harry to hear. "Tell us something only we would know."

"Hermione," Harry sighed and they could practically hear him run a tired hand over his face. "Really?"

"Hermione, it's me," Ron said through the door.

"Ronald," Hermione said. "What is something no one else would know?"

"I don't know if I want to hear this," Hugo muttered from his chair and Aisling clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.

"You once told me I had the emotional range of a teaspoon," Ron said clearly through the door and Rose let out a loud laugh as she watched her mother nod at Scorpius to open the door.

"Mum, that's savage," Rose continued laughing.

"She wasn't wrong," Harry mumbled as they stepped through the door and Ron pulled Hermione into a very tight hug.

"At the time," Hermione smiled as she hugged Ron back. "You're at least a tablespoon now."

Ron laughed genuinely and pulled Rose and Hugo into hugs, "You two alright?"

"Yea, dad, we're fine, just been here," Hugo clapped his dad on the back hard and Ron winced slightly. "Oh, sorry."

"Forgot your own strength," Rose rolled her eyes.

Scorpius tried not to watch them, feeling as though he was intruding on their family moment; he had never really seen the four of them interact alone, at least not in the last few years as Rose was out of the country and it was more likely to see the entire extended Weasley family together. He moved to say something to Harry but Aisling cleared her throat as she stood up.

"Hi, Mr. Weasley, I'm Aisling Walsh, I -"

"Rose's MediWitch friend," Ron grinned at her, his arm around Rose's shoulders.

"She's dating James too," Rose smirked and Ron's mouth hung open with a whispered, "Blimey!"

"Actually, since James isn't here," Aisling started, wringing her hands slightly. "I'd like to get this genuine thanks out so I can embarrass him the next time." Rose arched an eyebrow and her lips twitched slightly. "Thank ye for everything ye did during the War. And before the War," Aisling started, her eyes traveling between each of the Golden Trio. "The sacrifices ye and yer friends and family made so that I could be part of this world," she nodded. "I really appreciate it, I'm very thankful." She smiled slightly, "And my da' is as well. Glad I can control it now after all the accidental magic."

"Oh," Hermione breathed, putting a hand to her chest.

"Thanks," Harry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

Ron grinned and let his arms slip from around Rose's shoulders and put his hand out for Aisling to shake. "Thanks, Aisling," he turned to Rose. "I bloody like your friend."

Aisling laughed, "I'm sure people thank you all the time, I -"

"Not recently," Hermione shook her head slightly. "That was really lovely, Aisling, thanks." She wiped at her eye quickly.

"Next time, you said you'll embarrass James?" Ron was grinning. "Please tell me how," he sat down at the edge of Harry's desk and Harry laughed.

"Scorpius," he nodded at him. "We need a Legilimens, we think we found the man, but he's not eager to talk."

Rose turned to stare at Scorpius - he was a Legilimens? - but he was already following Harry to the door.

"We'll be back soon, I hope," he glared at Hermione and Ron. "Stay here. That's an order."

"Yes, Harry," Hermione waved him away. "You have any more snacks here besides chocolate?"

Harry groaned but closed the door behind him as Ron and Aisling continued to conspire.

"He could have at least brought me some paperwork to read," Hermione grumbled as she patted Hugo's shoulder as he sat down. "Were you having a busy day, Hugo?"

08080808080808080808080808

Harry came to release them an hour later, but much to Rose's disappointment, Scorpius wasn't with him. There would be another article in the Prophet, but Hermione was hurried away by Percy and her assistants to write and release another announcement about the arrest of a second spy in the Ministry. Hermione barely had a chance to say goodbye to Rose, Hugo, and Ron before she was whisked away.

"We'll see you soon, Aisling," Ron grinned at her. "I'm sure they'll be a family gathering soon, before the holidays."

"See ye soon, Mr. Weasley -"

"It's Ron, please," he grinned at her before clapping Hugo on the back. "Dinner this week, m'boy?"

Rose winked at Aisling, "Best friends with my dad now, are ya?"

Hugo pulled Aisling into a hug she wasn't expecting and let out a surprised gasp as Hugo lifted her into the air, "Glad you're okay, Aisling. You're a good sort."

"Th-thanks, Hugo," Aisling managed to squeak out.

"Put her down, Huey," Rose chided, hitting his arm playfully. "And don't you dare think about picking me up, this is your place of -"

"Not my floor," Hugo grinned and lifted her up with ease. "And I know the people in charge," he winked as he set her back down.

"You belong out on a Reserve," Rose sniffed at him with a faux-air of haughtiness. "Out of doors, away from people -"

"So you've said," he nudged her playfully. "Come on, I reckon it's time to go home, yea?"

"It's not even 3," Rose rolled her eyes at her brother as he gently pushed her and Aisling out of the room, Ron behind them.

"You two should go home," Ron said. "Or you can come by the shop," he was grinning. "Take a look at some ideas we've got," he winked at Aisling. "You could see the backroom, it's brilliant."

"Thanks, Ron," Aisling grinned. "I'd like that," she nodded to the lifts. "There any stairs I could take instead?"

Rose saw Scorpius out of the corner of her eye and walked towards him without letting anyone know, "You okay?" She asked, not paying attention to who Scorpius was talking to.

He nodded at Catriona and with a quick smile at Rose, she walked away to leave them alone. "I'm fine," he watched her carefully. "It was just one man," Scorpius said gently. "You'll be safe. It was a mess in there though, we think he'd been hit with a lot of damaging spells throughout his life which didn't help with," he trailed off.

"You're a Legilimens," Rose crossed her arms in front of her.

"Only at work," Scorpius tilted his head slightly and scratched his beard, drawing Rose's attention to it briefly. "I don't use it apart from when I'm given permission at work." She arched an eyebrow at him and Scorpius let out a small laugh, "You don't believe me?"

Rose tried to maintain her look of disbelief but her lips twitched, "If you say so," she shrugged before she let out a quiet laugh. "I'm sorry about Hugo, he can, well, you saw," she frowned.

Scorpius shook his head, "I'd react the same way if I had a sibling."

Rose tilted her slightly, "Your leg?"

"Fine, thanks," he nodded.

"Arm?"

"Small scar," he shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets and looking over her shoulder. "I think they're waiting for you."

Rose didn't turn to look at them, and opened her mouth to say something, but a young Auror ran up to them and told Scorpius he was wanted somewhere else.

"Bye, Rose," he nodded at her. "Take care."

Rose watched him hobble away with a frown.