Rose poked her head into the backroom of the store and said impatiently, "Dad, I'm bloody starving."

"Yes, Rosie, of course!" She heard Ron say, but couldn't see him.

Sighing, she pushed through the door and stood there, hands on her hips. "I've only got two hours before I've got to be back and you know mum will be late," she stood on her toes to look around for him again. "Where are you hiding?"

"Just here!" She saw a hand wave from behind a counter and then Ron stood up to his full height. "Be ready in just a mo'," he grinned at her. "I promise."

"I'll be out in the shop," Rose shook her head. "Can't promise I won't steal something."

Rose roamed the aisles of the flagship WWW store for a few minutes, not paying too much attention to the items she passed until she nearly ran into a frazzled looking woman frantically looking at the items in a circular display in front of her. "Oh," the woman jumped slightly when she saw Rose out of the corner of her eye. "Sorry, didn't see you," she frowned and turned her attention back to the display. "You don't work here do you?" The woman asked hesitantly.

"No," Rose shook her head, but when she saw the defeated look on the woman's face she added, "but my dad runs the shop with my uncle."

"Oh," the woman's eyes widened. "Do you think," her voice lowered slightly. "Sorry, do you think you could help me find something for my daughter? She's a witch," the woman stood up straighter with pride. "Studying at Hogwarts, of course, and I wanted to give her something to show her that, well," the woman trailed off but Rose smiled kindly at her.

"That you're proud of her?" Rose offered.

"And that I'm not scared," the woman admitted rather shyly. "Although it was rather scary walking through that pub alone," the woman smiled at Rose again. "What sort of thing do you think an 11 year-old girl who likes to read books and play outside would like? She liked her science and reading classes before," the woman tilted her head slightly. "Sorry, science is, um," she trailed off, clearly unable to explain.

Rose grinned at the woman, "I know what science is, don't worry. And I rather like to read as well," she turned. "I've got some ideas, but tell me about your daughter."

"Lizzie," the woman seemed relieved as she followed Rose down an aisle.

"Rose?" Ron stepped out from the backroom a few minutes later and clapped his hands together, "I'm ready!"

"Dad," Rose waved at him as she walked up to the counter. "This is Shannon," she gestured to the woman behind her. "She's here shopping for her daughter, Lizzie, who's a Gryffindor. She needed some help finding stuff for Lizzie who likes science and reading." Rose widened her eyes slightly when she said 'science' and Ron knew that he was supposed to know what the word meant; since he couldn't recall what it meant, he knew it must have to do with Muggles. When in doubt and all that.

"Ah," Ron stuck his hand out to Shannon. "Welcome to Diagon Alley, and to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. I'm Ron Weasley."

"Thank you," Shannon smiled at him as Rose set a few items on the counter. "You think my Lizzie will like these?"

"Oh, these are brilliant," Ron nodded his head with a wide grin. "And nothing too terrifying for the family," he assured her. "Nothing too messy, or gruesome."

"Dad," Rose interrupted him gently. "You have a signed Chocolate Frog you think you can add in for Lizzie? For her mum to prove she met Ron Weasley?"

Ron's ears pinked slightly, "Oh, certainly," he rummaged through a few bins under the counter.

"She'll be very excited and very jealous," Rose assured Shannon. "And actually," she tapped her finger to the counter before grabbing her wand out of her coat pocket and said clearly, "Accio parchment!" And laughed when Shannon's mouth dropped in shock when parchment landed gracefully on the counter in front of her and Rose pulled a pen out of her pocket. "I'm a Healer at the Wizarding hospital," Rose said to Shannon, "but quills are such a hassle, I prefer Muggle pens."

"And Muggle coats," Ron added with a wink as he handed Shannon his Chocolate Frog card.

Shannon read it quickly and her eyes widened when she looked back up at Ron, "Oh! Lizzie wrote about you and your wife, Hermione, and Harry," Shannon pulled at her Muggle bag. "Sorry, do you think," she looked rather embarrassed. "Do you think I could have a picture?"

Rose bit back a laugh as Shannon snapped a picture with her Muggle phone of Ron before she said to Rose, "Sorry, do you think I could have a picture of the two of you?"

"Of me?" Rose was confused. "Why me?"

"Well, you helped me," Shannon shrugged. "And you're writing Lizzie a note. You're ever so kind."

"Come on, Rosie," Ron grinned and put his arm around her shoulders. "Smile!"

Rose felt utterly ridiculous but smiled nonetheless and finished the short note to Lizzie before handing back to Shannon who was having Ron help her count out her Wizarding money for the WWW items she purchased.

"Thank you so much," Shannon pulled Rose in for a hug. "This was so very, very sweet of you," she said kindly. "I was so lost, and you really helped. Lizzie will love these," she held up the bag before putting it into her Muggle purse. "And for the card," she said to Ron. "I'm sure I'll be back," she took Rose's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you."

Rose smiled at Shannon, "Lizzie will be thrilled you aren't scared of all this," she waved around the store. "It'll mean a lot to her."

"Thanks again," she said to them both and left the store, the tinkling of the door soft as it closed behind her.

"Well," Ron said to Rose with a sigh. "That was rather nice."

"How many cards you got back there with your signature?" Rose leaned against the counter.

"None," Ron shook his head. "You think your uncle George would allow that sort of nonsense?" He huffed, "But now he'll have to, people coming in wanting my autograph!" Ron stood up to his full height. "Should go rub it in his face -"

"After lunch, please," Rose rolled her eyes and pulled on his arm. "Come on, get your coat, let's go!"

Ron and Rose were picking up Hermione for a quick lunch in Muggle London, but there was always the possibility that she would have meetings change and would need to take lunch in her office, and with everything that had gone on with Zhuk and Markovic (their trials thankfully were not until the new year), Rose rather suspected they'd be eating in her office. Not that Rose minded, as she didn't have a lot of time now after helping Shannon find gifts for her daughter.

The Atrium was less crowded then the last time Rose had been there, so she was able to spot Thomasin walking off the lifts as soon as they stepped into Atrium. "Oh, bollocks," Rose muttered and looked around frantically. She really didn't need to see the pushy reporter, despite being friends with her for years, not today. But Ron Weasley, tall with bright-red hair, was rather hard to miss.

"Rose!" Thomasin waved at her with a huge grin on her face. "Hi!" She grabbed Rose's hand, "How are you? I haven't seen you in ages! How's St. Mungo's?"

Rose forced a smile on to her face, "It's busy. How are you?" She looked around the Atrium, "Here for a story?"

Thomasin laughed and turned to Ron, "Hullo, Mr. Weasley, how are you?"

"Dad, you remember Thomasin, from school?" Rose said politely to her father, knowing full well Ron had no idea who Thomasin was.

"Certainly, hullo," Ron shook her head. "We should go," Ron said politely. "We've got an appointment -"

"You're meeting the Minister for lunch," Thomasin nodded. "She mentioned it," and turned back to Rose. "Let's get lunch soon, yea? Or drinks?" She squeezed Rose's arm and continued to walk towards the exit.

Rose blinked several times before following Ron to the lifts, "What was that?"

"Your friend?" Ron furrowed his brows. "I thought?"

"She works at the Prophet," Rose shook her head. "Why would she be talking to mum?" She grimaced as the lift gate shut with a clang, "And why would mum tell her we were meeting her for lunch?"

Percy met them at the lifts and Rose ignored him as he spoke to Ron about something that was clearly boring as they followed Percy to Hermione's office. "Hullo," Hermione looked up from a very thick stack of parchments. "Just a second and we can be off."

"We don't have to eat here?" Rose's eyebrows rose as she looked at her Uncle Percy.

"We're ahead of schedule," Percy pushed his glasses up his nose. "Our new hire has been revolutionary, finally someone with real experience."

Rose frowned, "Who?"

"Your schoolmate, Thomasin," Hermione stood up with a smile. "She's working with Percy and I and with the Aurors," she took off her reading glasses and waved her wand for her Muggle coat. "Auror Malfoy recommended her, actually," Hermione kissed Ron on the cheek and patted Rose's arm. "She was wasting away at the Prophet," Hermione smiled at Rose. "Don't you think?"

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"Weren't expecting you today, were we?"

Scorpius turned around, a slow smile creeping up his face at Aisling's arched eyebrow. "No, you weren't," Scorpius shook his head. "But I was rather hoping to catch Rose before she left for the day." Aisling continued to look at him and he laughed, "And I knew my mother was here for a meeting, so I'm escorting her home."

"A true gentleman," Aisling's lips twitched before she glanced down at her wrist quickly. "They should be finishing up," she nodded at the chairs in the waiting room. "Have a seat," she saw Scorpius's frown and she sighed. "All right, ya can sit outside Healer Dawson's office, come on."

"Thanks, Walsh," Scorpius grinned at her. "Exciting plans this weekend?"

Aisling's hazel eyes twinkled and she smiled wolfishly, "Meeting Mrs. Potter tomorrow night!"

"Brilliant," Scorpius returned the smile. "She's terrific."

"So I've heard," Aisling laughed. "James is bloody nervous. It's rather adorable."

"They're a formidable bunch," Scorpius shrugged. "Famous and all that. Loads of them too," he eyed her carefully. "You sure you're ready for a Weasley Christmas?"

Aisling arched a dark eyebrow, "If ye've survived them, Scorpius Malfoy, I'll be jus' fine."

Scorpius laughed again. "Fair enough."

"Ye've got that gala this weekend, eh?"

Scorpius nodded, "Came by to see if I can escort Rose." He glanced at Aisling, "The friendly thing to do, of course. It is her first Muggle gala, after all."

"Course," Aisling agreed seriously even as her lips twitched. "The friendly thing to do." She gestured at the pair of chairs outside a closed door, a copy of the day's Prophet lying on one. "Ye'll be okay until they're done?"

"Yea. Thanks, Aisling," he smiled at her.

"Don't go expectin' me to break the rules for ya all the time, eh?" She winked at him and turned back the way they'd come.

Scorpius sat and flipped through the Prophet, but didn't find much to interest him for very long. Thankfully, the door opened not long after he had sat down and he stood, smiling at his mother and Rose. "Hullo, mum. Hi, Rose," he smiled at them both. "We're meeting father for dinner," he said to Astoria who nodded. "And, actually," Scorpius turned to Rose. "Can I talk to Rose for a minute?"

Astoria nodded and said kindly to Rose, "I'll see you on Saturday, Rose. Let me know if you need anything, okay? Anything at all." She patted Scorpius's cheek and walked down the hall towards the hospital entrance.

Rose tilted her head slightly at Scorpius, frowning slightly, her voice low, "Is your leg okay? Your arm?"

"Yes," Scorpius waved his hand but couldn't help his small chuckle. "I'm fine, I promise." Rose looked as though she didn't believe him but nodded anyway. "I had to come pick up mum, and wanted to see if you," he suddenly felt very nervous and he ran a hand through his hair absently before he clasped his hands together in front of him. "Well, I wanted to see if you'd let me escort you to the gala this Saturday," he said, staring straight into her dark blue eyes. "As friends, of course," he added quickly, his heart beating quickly. "But, I rather thought, what with it being your first gala -"

"Yes," Rose's eyes crinkled with her smile.

"And you not knowing exactly -"

"Scorpius, I'd love that," Rose laughed and Scorpius blinked, closing his mouth. "I'd love for you to escort me."

"Oh," Scorpius clapped his hands. "Brilliant," his smile was wide and Rose felt as though her heart skipped a beat; his smile was bloody radiant and it should be bloody illegal. "Well, I'll pick you up at your flat. Let's say 6:30?"

"Great," Rose agreed. "Thanks, Scorpius," she added.

"Sure," Scorpius nodded, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his dark grey wool coat. "Great, well," he turned to look up the hall after his mother. "I better let you get back to it," he said lamely.

"I'll see you Saturday," Rose smiled at him and put a hand on his arm. "Thanks, Scorpius," she said gently and turned to walk towards her office, Scorpius watching her as she walked away, his heart still beating impossibly fast.

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"I'm glad we'll have another sane person there to talk to," Draco said dryly to Astoria and Scorpius over dinner. "I mean, someone who isn't full of -"

"Draco," Astoria cut him off with a roll of her eyes. "She wants to learn from us," Astoria told him gently. "So you'll be on your best behaviour," she said, her green eyes narrowed.

"I always am," Draco sniffed haughtily. "What's the bet this year?"

"Another bet?" Scorpius groaned.

"You're only sore because you always lose," Draco smirked at his son.

"I'm just out of practice," Scorpius volleyed back to his father just as haughtily.

"Loser makes a toast at the Weasley Christmas?" Astoria suggested, knowing that would quiet them.

"Ah ha," Draco arched a pale blonde eyebrow. "Now this is interesting."

"A Christmas toast?" Scorpius grumbled. "I don't want to be involved in this bet."

"Because you know you'll lose," Draco chuckled and shook his head.

"Nothing embarrassing," Astoria continued. "After the usual toasts, all that. But the winner can decide what word or phrase has to be used," she smiled slyly at them.

Draco's smirk grew, "Very interesting." He turned to Scorpius and said with sincerity, "Nice of you to offer to escort Rose Weasley to the gala."

"Very gentlemanly," Astoria added with a small smile.

Scorpius tried to keep his face neutral as he picked up his wine glass, "It's the least I can do so she doesn't think we're just throwing her to the wolves."

"Of course," Astoria agreed.

"Of course," Draco echoed her and Scorpius missed the glance his parents shared.

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Dominique stood in the doorway of Rose's flat with a large grin, "I knew you wouldn't have an acceptable coat for such a fancy event," she held up a garment bag. "So I brought you one."

"You didn't have to," Rose shook her head with a small smile. "I could have just used a charm or charmed my own coat or something."

"In front of so many Muggles?" Roxanne popped her head over Dominique's shoulder. "Don't be daft!"

"We brought shoe options," Lily called out from behind her cousins. "And Aisling's bringing some -"

"I'm here already," Aisling laughed from the kitchen. "She knows I brought jewelry."

"You're all in cahoots?" Rose stepped aside to let her cousins in. "Godric, I should have bloody known you'd be talking about me -"

"You love it," Dominique swatted Rose's shoulder playfully. "Come on, pop that dress on. Let's see what makeup you were thinking."

"Is it too much to match my lipstick to my dress?" Rose asked as Dominique, Roxanne, and Lily all stopped taking off their coats to stare at her.

"Is she -"

"Bloody 'ell -"

"I could cry -"

"Proud of you," Roxanne pulled Rose in for a tight hug. "We're so bloody proud of you."

"They've lost it," Rose said Aisling over her shoulder as she patted Roxanne's back.

"That's the smartest thing you've ever said," Lily patted Rose's cheek.

"Of course you can match your lipstick to your dress, Merlin," Dominique pretended to wipe at her eye. "You've grown so much."

"Soon, she won't even need us," Roxanne shook her head and stepped back to stare at Rose fondly, her hands over her heart.

"Come on, pop on the dress, let's go," Aisling clapped her hands. "I'll get ye a drink, aye?"

"Actually, no," Rose shook her head as she walked into her bedroom. "I don't want to drink beforehand."

"You don't?" Lily frowned. "But you're going to a party."

"I'm working," Rose called back. "I'm learning how to fundraise," she shook her head. "I don't want to be tipsy before I even get there."

"You're bringing a sober up potion with you in your bag, aren't you?" Dominique took the glass of champagne Aisling handed her, "So what's a glass?"

"You'll need a glass for the makeup we're going to force on you," Roxanne laughed.

"I'm not letting you near my face until I've had a go," Rose grumbled loud enough for them to hear.

"Try us," Lily answered back.

"I won't let you in until you promise to keep your hands to yourself until I say," Rose warned, her hand on the door.

"Fine," Dominique said before Roxanne or Lily could argue. "We won't touch your face until you've had a go. But let us come in after you have the dress on, won't you?"

"I want to do your hair," Roxanne pouted. "Please?"

"Fine, bloody 'ell," Rose rolled her eyes but couldn't help her small smile. "Give me a minute."

"What undergarments are you wearing?" Lily asked through the closed door, winking when Aisling handed her a drink.

"None of your bloody business!" Rose fumed as she put on the dress.

"Don't you want to take a nice Muggle doctor home with you?" Roxanne leaned against the door and smirked at Dominique, Lily, and Aisling.

"Not particularly," Rose replied carelessly.

"Maybe not a doctor then," Lily teased.

"Maybe not a Muggle," Aisling whispered and Dominique's eyes widened.

"You think?" Lily asked Aisling quietly. "Truly?"

Aisling shrugged but didn't respond because they heard Rose walk towards the bedroom door and Roxanne pushed off it before Rose could open it. "Gorgeous."

"Stunning!"

"You'll be the belle of the ball," Dominique grabbed Rose's hands. "Let's see that makeup, yea?"

"What are you thinking about your eye make-up?" Lily asked as they followed her to the bathroom.

"Don't you have a vanity or something you can sit at while I do your hair?" Roxanne looked around the room, "Or a chair and a mirror?"

Rose rolled her eyes and waved her wand carelessly so she could sit in a chair in front of her full-length mirror, her bag of make-up hovering next to her. She arched an eyebrow at Roxanne in the mirror, "Low bun?"

"Low bun," Roxanne agreed. "Twists?" Rose grinned.

"Are you going to wear a necklace?" Lily asked as Rose carefully applied her matte lipstick that she had charmed to be the same color as her dress.

"No," Rose pressed her lips together. "I don't think I'll need it."

Aisling took a sip of her champagne before chuckling softly, "I reckon ye won't."

"Gold," Lily cooed as Rose applied a thin line of soft gold eyeliner on her eyelids. "That's beautiful."

"Very delicate," Dominique agreed as Rose put on mascara.

"I know," Rose rolled her eyes at her cousins in the mirror. "It's as if I know how to do my own makeup."

"But it's a gala," Lily pouted. "We weren't sure."

"Now we know," Dominique slung her arm around Lily. "But we're still going to get ready with you before the gala at the Ministry."

"Oh, are you taking a date?" Lily asked Dominique.

Dominique shrugged, "I rather like going stag."

"I'll go with you," Lily agreed. "We can conquer the lads together."

"Oi, what about me?" Roxanne grumbled. "I'm still not sure what's bloody going on with Fiona."

"Maybe she's confused," Lily shrugged. "Not everyone is as confident or as in touch with their sexuality as you are, Roxy."

"Or you just need to be direct with her," Dominique added.

"Do ye have long earrings?" Aisling asked Rose as Roxanne continued to twist her hair along the crown of her head and into a low bun, and Rose brushed on some highlighter on her cheekbones.

"Not too long, your shoulders are too lovely," Dominique smirked.

"Brush some highlighter on your collarbone," Roxanne nodded at her in the mirror. "Just a little."

"I don't have long earrings," Rose looked at Aisling in the mirror. "But I've got a gold cuff I bought in Sweden -"

"You little minx," Dominique laughed.

"A bloody cuff," Roxanne was impressed. "Never thought I'd see the day."

Rose rolled her eyes but smiled slightly, "I'm just full of surprises, aren't I?" The large cuff landed in her open palm and she put it on to let them all admire the gold leaf that snaked around her entire ear and the small gold stud in her other ear. With a small laugh as they cooed over how "elegant" and "edgy" it looked, she let a delicate gold bracelet and a small, thin ring land in her open palm to put on as well.

"Here," Roxanne put her hands on Rose's shoulders. "What do you think?"

Rose turned her head slightly from side to side and to admire her cousin's handiwork, "It's beautiful. Thank you, Roxy."

"Come on," Aisling was grinning. "Let's get some shoes on ye, Malfoy will be here any minute."

"Scorpius is coming here?" Lily tilted her head slightly, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"He's escorting you to the gala?" Dominique's eyebrows rose as well.

"You never mentioned that," Roxanne arched an eyebrow, her hand on her hip.

Rose shrugged and took a pair of strappy heels from Lily's hands, "His mum is hosting and they asked me to come."

"Yes, but he's picking you up and escorting you," Dominique's lips twitched, shaking her head and staring wide-eyed at Aisling.

"It was the gentlemanly thing to do, ye know," Aisling winked. "Come on, hurry up with those shoes. I've got Lily's mum to meet."

"Wicked," Lily grinned. "Mum's going to love you. Anyone who gives James the mickey, she loves."

Rose stood to her full height and looked at her friend and cousins, "How do I look?"

Roxanne clasped her hands in front of her, "Like an absolute dream."

Dominique pretended to wipe a tear from her eye, "A vision."

LIly put her hand over her heart, "Absolutely stunning."

"Those rich Muggles are going to throw so much money at ye," Aisling winked.

Rose rolled her eyes but glanced at herself one last time in the mirror before turning around to Dominique, "Come on, you lot have got to go. Leave me that coat, and grab your own, come on."

"But we want to see how nice Scorpius looks in his tux," Lily pouted.

"I can't lock up with you here, come on," Rose rolled her eyes and pushed them out of her bedroom.

"But the fizz -"

"Take it with you," Rose laughed, opening the fridge and handing the open bottle to Lily. "Aisling, have a lovely time with the Potters," she kissed her friend on the cheek. "You three, have a lovely evening. I'll see you later."

"Drinks this week? We'll want to hear everything about the gala," Roxanne winked.

"Yes, absolutely everything," Dominique particularly purred.

"Yes, yes, fine, I -"

There was a knock on the door and Rose bit the inside of her cheek so she wouldn't groan. Of course Scorpius was bloody five minutes early.

"Scorpius!" Dominique gushed when she threw open the door to see a very surprised Scorpius standing there adjusting the cufflink on his right sleeve.

"Ah," he faltered slightly before he flashed them all a charming smile. "Hullo, Nicky, darling," he air-kissed her cheek.

"Malfoy," Roxanne started, but he heard Rose mutter, "let the poor lad inside before you barrage him with questions," and his lips twitched as Roxanne and Dominique stepped aside to let him inside the flat.

He let Roxanne and Lily air-kiss his cheeks and paw at his arms as they teased him about how well he cleaned up in a tux, but his eyes were drawn to Rose who stood behind them all, a hand on her hip, her long black coat in her other hand. Dominique followed his eyeline and smirked, pulling her cousins away from him, "You'll muss his tux, girls. Come on." She winked at Scorpius before turning her head to look back at Rose, "Have a lovely time you two. Take care of my coat."

"And my shoes," Lily called back as Dominique pushed her through the door.

"Have fun with the Potters," Scorpius said quickly to Aisling as she passed him and smiled when she put a hand on his arm and winked at him.

"Take all the money from those Muggles, won't ye, Weasley?" Aisling turned her head slightly to say to Rose before she left the flat as well.

Rose finally met Scorpius's eyes and smiled slightly, "Sorry about that," she waved after her cousins.

"I'm early," he shrugged. "But I thought we'd grab a cab."

"Oh," Rose arched an eyebrow. "Very Muggle," her smile grew and she moved to put her coat on when Scorpius took a step to her.

"Let me," he took the coat from her and opened it up for her to step into. "You look lovely, by the way."

"Thanks," Rose's voice was soft as she turned slightly to face him. "You clean up well as well," she tilted her head slightly, her eyes roving down to his chest quickly before she caught herself and brought her gaze back to his eyes. "But that's not surprising."

"Oh?" Scorpius chuckled. "It's not?"

"You go to fancy galas every year," she said hurriedly, glad he couldn't tell if she was blushing or not. "You're more familiar with a tux."

"Hmm," Scorpius nodded seriously, his lips betraying his amusement. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." she turned away from him with a deep breath and stepped towards the door.

"Wand?" He asked her, looking around the kitchen. "You don't have a bag or anything."

"No," she said as she opened her door and let him walk through. "Don't need a bag."

"But," he frowned at her. "Where's your wand?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Rose arched an eyebrow at him and Scorpius thought he would die right then and there.

It was going to be a wonderful and terrible night.

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A/N: I know I said the next chapter was the gala, but….I'm a big fat liar. It's been a tough, anxiety-ridden week and I didn't write as much as I wanted to, but wanted to get something out, so here ya go. I know, I'm sorry, I'm the worst. BUT! Next chapter is definitely the Muggle gala...