"So?" Dominique careened in through Rose's Floo and didn't even bother to dust the soot off her shoulders. "How was it?"
"You couldn't wait until a more acceptable hour to come stampeding in here?" Rose ran a hand tiredly over her face. "Did you at least bring me a cuppa or coffee or something?"
Dominique shoved a paper cup in her cousin's hand, "Come on, tell me everything!"
"Are we expecting Lily and Roxanne as well?" Rose arched an eyebrow and took the lid off the cup to let the coffee cool off slightly.
"I don't know," Dominique shook her head and followed Rose into the kitchen. "Quit leaving me in suspense!"
"What suspense?" Rose laughed. "The event was beautiful, of course. Mrs. Malfoy is a professional. I loved talking to the Muggle doctors. I secured more donations then even Mr. Malfoy and -"
"You did?" Dominique was surprised, "That's really impressive."
"Thanks," Rose winked at her cousin and opened the refrigerator before frowning. "Want to go out for some food? I haven't been to the store in ages and I could really do with a fry-up."
"Hungover?" Dominique teased.
"No," Rose couldn't help her coy smile. "Barely drank, actually."
"You didn't try any of that fancy alcohol?" Dominique was horrified. "It was free."
"I didn't say I didn't have any," Rose rolled her eyes. "Why don't you Floo Lily and Roxanne while I get dressed," Rose looked down at her thin flannel pajama pants and worn t-shirt. "Maybe see if Aisling is at James and Fred's. I want to hear about her evening too." She didn't wait to hear what Dominique grumbled as she closed her bedroom door to change into something quickly.
"James would only allow Aisling to hang out with us this morning if we promise to meet the lads for an early drink," Dominique said when Rose walked back out into her sitting room in a large off-white jumper that hung loosely off one shoulder and a pair of denims, her hair in long, loose waves over one shoulder, pinned behind her ear.
"Allow?" Rose snorted.
Dominique chuckled evilly, "He apparently wanted to spend the entire day with her."
"Disgusting," Rose stuck her tongue out before they both laughed.
"They're going to meet us there," Dominique grabbed the long black coat Rose had borrowed the night before and tossed it over her shoulders.
"Oh, actually," Rose wandered back into her bedroom.
"What are you doing?" Dominique called out to her.
"I forgot lipstick," Rose shouted back. "And mascara," she muttered to herself, swiping on a deep purple-red lipstick before shrugging and putting the ear cuff from last night back on her ear.
"Lipstick?" Dominique teased. "For brunch with the girls? Or drinks with the lads?"
"For me," Rose rolled her eyes. "I like this black cherry color with this jumper," she pulled slightly at the jumper.
Dominique narrowed her eyes at her cousin but didn't press and with a smirk, let Rose guide her out of her flat and into Muggle London.
"Finally," Lily rolled her eyes when Dominique and Rose walked into the restaurant. "We've been waiting for ages."
"So dramatic," Dominique laughed as she sat down and shrugged out of her coat. "Didn't you order us some champagne too?"
"I want a bloody mary," Rose smiled as the waiter wandered over to their table. "I don't need any more fizz."
"Now that you've had the fancy stuff," Roxanne teased with a wink.
"Tasted like money," Rose agreed with a laugh. Without even bothering to look at the menu she smiled up at the waiter, "A coffee, a bloody mary with as many green things as you've got, and a full fry-up, please," Rose smiled at the waiter.
"Hungover?" Lily asked as Dominique told the waiter her order of a mimosa and omelet.
"Just bloody starving," Rose leaned back in her chair.
"Barely drank anything," Dominique said to her cousins. "Can you believe?"
"With all that fancy fizz floating about?" Lily was horrified.
"And the most expensive liquors you've probably ever been in the same room with," Roxanne shook her head sadly. "You've changed, Weasley."
Rose rolled her eyes playfully and gratefully accepted her coffee from the waiter, "I had the fizz, I had some whisky, don't you worry." She took a sip of her coffee, "Just not a lot of opportunity for food."
"Too busy taking money from Muggles," Dominique leaned over the table to whisper conspiratorially. "She raised more money than even Mr. Malfoy did -"
"Of course she did," Roxanne beamed at her cousin.
"Oooh, I can't wait to tease Mr. Malfoy," Lily pressed her hands together in excitement.
"Not surprised," Aisling put her hands on Rose's shoulders. "A pretty young thing like our Dr. Weasley raising mo' money than anyone?" She grinned at everyone around the table before sitting heavily down in the last open chair.
The waiter handed Rose her bloody mary complete with numerous celery, olive, and other green garnishes, and a mimosa to Dominique. Aisling smiled up at the waiter, "I'll have one of those," she pointed at Rose's bloody mary before turning back towards the table. "Yer mum bloody knows how to drink, Potter," she grumbled.
Lily laughed, "And dad's a bit of a lightweight."
"A bit?" Roxanne laughed loudly. "Uncle Harry's giddy after two glasses of wine -"
"And the world's loudest talker after two firewhiskeys," Dominique hid her laugh behind her hand.
"Aye," Aisling agreed. "He was a bit drunk," she took her bloody mary from the waiter with a forced smile and a small 'thanks' before raising her glass to the others at the table. "Hair of the dog," she muttered and took a large sip.
"Guess we ought to tell you how to survive a Weasley Christmas," Roxanne sighed. "Who to avoid when drinking -"
"What drinks are kept from certain family members -"
"Who to never accept alcohol from -"
"Although, I guess you're dating one of them," Rose tapped her chin and laughed when Aisling shoved her playfully.
"That's all well'n'good," Aisling laughed. "But first, let's hear about this gala last night, eh?" She winked at Rose, "Who was there, how much money did you raise, how handsome is Mr. Malfoy -"
"Oh, yes," Lily clapped her hands and bounced slightly in her seat. "How fit did Mr. Malfoy look in his tux?"
"That's," Rose started, a grimace on her face, eyes darting around at them all. "Yea, all right, he looked good."
Lily crowed, "I knew it, I bloody knew it."
"Mrs. Malfoy though," Rose tilted her head slightly. "The woman is a vision."
"Do tell," Roxanne rested her chin on her hands, leaning towards Rose. "Do tell."
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Flashback: Three days prior
"What's going on with ye and Malfoy?"
Rose's head snapped up, her mouth agape, and saw Aisling standing in the doorway of her office. "Walsh," she hissed and waved for her to come in and shut the door behind her. "That's none of your business -"
"So there is some business, eh?" Aisling smirked and plopped herself down in one of the chairs across from Rose's desk. "I bloody knew it."
"There's no business -"
"Nice try, Weasley," Aisling chuckled. "We can do this the hard way -"
"I shudder to think -"
"Or we can do this the easy way," Aisling continued, ignoring Rose's muttered interruption. "I know you got some Muggle whisky in there -"
"How -"
"Yer Dawson's protege, aye?"
Rose sighed, letting her head fall to the back of the chair, her eyes closed. "Bloody 'ell," she muttered and opened the bottom desk drawer with her foot. "You're impossible."
"Thanks," Aisling laughed.
"That wasn't," Rose shook her head and pulled the bottle of Macallan and two tumblers out of the desk drawer, "forget it." She poured them each two fingers of whisky and handed Aisling the glass. "To extortion," Rose muttered and took a sip.
Aisling laughed, "Ye Weasleys are so dramatic. And I'm includin' James in that." She took a small sip and leaned back in her chair. "Spill."
"I don't know what you're -"
"And ye think I'm impossible, eh?" Aisling shook her head. "I see the way the pair o' ye look at each other when the other isna lookin'," Aisling smirked, pointing at Rose with her glass. "Ye're both bad at hidin' it."
"There's nothing to -"
"Lay off it," Aisling laughed again. "There's nothing your can say to make me think otherwise. Ye're dancin' around each other, " she continued. "I know Malfoy was the patient that led ye to stay here night and day, and I saw how ye were when he was here again. And I saw how furious he was with the whole," she swallowed. "Attack."
"That's," Rose shook her head, avoiding Aisling's eyes. "He's family -"
"Aye," Aisling nodded and leaned forward in her chair. "I hear ye weren't always thrilled with that, were ye?"
"Now that's," Rose fumed before she caught the look on Aisling's face. "I didn't love it," she grumbled.
"Ye felt replaced," Aisling nodded. "James thought so."
"I'm sorry," Rose laughed. "James thought so?"
"Well," Aisling shrugged and leaned back in her chair. "He got the idea from Lily. She thought ye were a bit rude to Malfoy when ye moved back. A bit jealous, aye?"
"I wasn't," the words died on Rose's lips as soon as she said them. "Maybe."
"James did mention that he told ye not to hurt Malfoy," Aisling pressed and Rose finally met her gaze. "I told him that was a bit rude, but the sentiment is," she trailed off and took another sip of her whisky. "He may have mentioned that Malfoy's held a candle for ye for a long time."
Rose let out a breath. "Oh."
"Oh indeed," Aisling agreed, watching Rose closely.
"I was jealous," Rose admitted, her eyes focused on the amber-colored liquid in her glass as she swirled it slowly. "I felt like an outsider in my own family," she let out a soft chuckle. "Which I know isn't fair, since I'm the one who left to get away from my family," her eyes darted to Aisling. "Not get away from my family, but the name," she sighed.
"Wanted to get by on yer own," Aisling offered helpfully.
"Exactly," Rose nodded, swallowing. "We were slowly becoming friends, I think, before I left. Outside of Albus and Dominique," she shrugged slightly, her eyes drifting back down to her glass. "And then when I came back for Christmas one year," she let her eyes close for a long moment before she said softly. "I didn't mean to hurt him."
Aisling didn't move to say anything.
"Seeing him here was awful," her voice broke slightly. "He nearly died," she met Aislng's gaze again and Aisling nodded, knowing full well this was confidential information. "And I bungled my apology so dreadfully," she shook her head. "But," she trailed off.
"Ye like the lad," Aisling's voice was soft. "There's nothin' wrong wi'that."
"It's hard to ignore someone when they're always around," Rose huffed. "And Scorpius is always bloody around."
"And ye like him," Aisling agreed.
"Of course I bloody do," Rose snapped before the realization of what she said hit her and she covered her mouth. "Bollocks."
Aisling's cheshire grin stretched across her face, her eyes bright with triumph. "So what's the hold up then, Weasley? Yer not leavin' anytime soon, are ye? Ye bloody like the lad, so why not snog him and get it over with, aye?"
"It's," Rose shook her head. "It's not that simple."
Aisling laughed, "And how's that?"
"He's like, part of the family!" Rose huffed, "I can't date someone who's part of my family!"
"Yer absurd," Aisling laughed, setting her glass down on Rose's desk. "He's not yer brother, he's not yer cousin, he's not bloody related to ye -"
"What if we give it a go," Rose was sounding increasingly panicked. "And it doesn't work out, and we can't be in the same room together, and my family chooses him -"
"Rose," Aisling said gently, leaning towards the desk. "Ye sound bloody insane, ye know that?"
"That's not very helpful," Rose grumbled at her friend.
"Yer weren't exactly the best of mates before, were ye?"
"No," Rose snorted.
"And ye managed not to kill each other, aye?"
"Yes, but -"
"Yer family isn't going to choose sides, ye lunatic," Aisling said firmly. "If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out," Aisling shrugged as she leaned back in her chair, and Rose was surprised at how nonchalant she sounded. "From what I've seen, I don't think it's bloody likely ye aren't gon' work out."
Rose let out another puff of air but didn't say anything, instead taking a sip of her whisky. Aisling, looking pleased with herself, took the last sip of her whisky and tapped her glass on the desk. "Thanks for the drink, Weasley," and with a wink, walked out of Rose's office.
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Rose, much to the others' chagrin, only had one bloody mary during brunch, promising to have a drink or several at whatever pub they were meeting James and Fred (and one assumed Albus and Scorpius) at afterwards. The girls decided to walk through Muggle London, bundled in their coats, hats, and scarves, and passed through a few small Christmas markets on their way, eyeing and buying small trinkets and gifts for various family members.
"You don't need to get anyone anything," Lily promised Aisling as they walked around. "We do a sort of Secret Santa type of thing, but with more than one family member," Lily continued to explain. "There's just too many of us," she sighed.
"And birthdays are more fun to shop for anyway," Roxanne added as she picked up a very strange looking ornament. "Dad will bloody die over this," she laughed.
"Even with Secret Santa, we still get gifts for certain family members," Lily shrugged.
"When the fancy strikes us," Dominique added with a wink.
"Someone like Uncle George is way easier to shop for then, say, Aunt Fleur," Lily giggled.
"Me dad and me stepmom and I ain't comin' empty handed," Aisling muttered. "But I think we've got that under control," she shrugged, eyeing some other very odd looking ornaments beside Roxanne. "I'll save joke presents for another year," she added.
"You don't have any last minute shopping to do?" Roxanne asked Rose.
"I bought loads of stuff before I left Stockholm," Rose grinned.
"Of course you bloody did," Dominique rolled her eyes good naturedly.
"Always planning ahead," Roxanne agreed.
"Or I just went into a very tourist-y shop and bought a lot of nonsense," Rose shrugged but laughed when Dominique nudged her with her shoulder.
"Un-bloody-likely," Lily mumbled to Aisling.
They continued on towards the pub, still window shopping and admiring the various holiday decorations they saw as they passed when Aisling looped an arm through Rose's. "So, ye take my advice, Dr. Weasley?"
"And what advice was that, Nurse Walsh?" Rose asked coyly.
"Oh, I don't know, I think the advice to just be an adult and snog someone ye fancy?" Aisling replied in a bored tone.
"I'm not one to snog and tell," Rose tilted her head slightly towards her friend.
"No," Aisling's face broke into a wide smile. "No, course ye're not," she agreed and patted Rose's hand. "And ye're wearing lipstick and that cuff and that gorgeous sweater just for the gals, eh?"
Rose's lips twitched, "I don't know what you mean, Walsh."
Lily cackled when she saw the pub they were heading towards and jumped up and down, grabbing Roxanne by the shoulders. "It's bloody Christmas themed," she squealed as Roxanne tried to pull away. "It's a Christmas pub!"
"Oh bollocks," Dominique groaned as she looked through the fake-frosted windows covered with decorations. "We'll never hear the end of it."
"Lily bloody loves Christmas," Rose whispered to Aisling as they followed the others into the relatively crowded Muggle pub. "In case that much wasn't obvious."
"Is this my gift," Lily leapt into James's arms when she spotted her brothers. James barely balanced himself and Lily before she was throwing herself at Albus.
"Yea," James fixed his glasses and shrugged over Lily's head at Albus. "Happy Christmas, Lils."
"It's only part of your gift," Albus narrowed his eyes at his brother. "But we knew you'd like this."
"I bloody love it," she patted both of their cheeks as she looked around the pub. "Are they taking pictures with Father Christmas?" She jumped up and down again, "Oh, Godric," she breathed before shrugging off her coat and looking back at Roxanne.
"Let's have a round or two first, Lils," Roxanne said before pulling James in for a rough one-armed hug and clapping him on the back very painfully. "I could murder you for this."
"Come off it, Weasley," he laughed and patted her cheek. "It was his bloody idea," he jerked his thumb at Fred who took a step away from them to hide behind Hugo.
"Hugs," Fred whispered. "Hide me!"
"Bollocks that's catching on!" Rose groaned and pulled her brother in for a hug as he leaned down and laughed.
"Just with a few select people," he grinned, his voice deep.
"Fred, stop calling him Hugs," Rose grimaced at her cousin and shoved his shoulder.
"It's a perfect nickname," James said from behind her, his arm now slung around Aisling. "Him being a big lad, after all."
"Yes," Rose rolled her eyes. "I understand the humor of it all, thanks, Jamie." She glanced back at her brother and motioned for him to lean down again so she could pat his shoulder. "If you hate that nickname, I can make them stop, Huey."
"I know you can," Hugo winked at her and stood at his full height before narrowing his eyes at her and smirking slightly. "You look awful nice."
"Huey," she warned as she shrugged off her coat and took her navy, hand-knit (courtesy of Grandma Granger) hat off her head.
"That's a nice earring," he pointed at her cuff before helping her to fix her hair slightly. Hugo and Roxanne were the only people she allowed to touch her hair without asking for permission - Fred asked once why he wasn't allowed to, but he knew the reason was simply that she didn't trust him not to mess it up. "And a nice jumper," he nodded at her.
"Thanks," she eyed him cooly. "You need a drink?" She turned to look back at the group and tried to hide her disappointment that Scorpius wasn't there.
"Nah, I'm all -"
"I owe you a drink, Hugs, come on," Fred shook his head.
"Owes you?" Rose arched an eyebrow at her brother and cousin.
"Beat me at footy last night, didn't he?" Fred grumbled. "I didn't think the boy'd be so bloody fast."
"On the ground I'm very speedy," Hugo laughed his deep laugh, Rose joining in for a moment. "You want a pint, Rosie?"
"Amber, thanks," Rose grinned at her brother and braced herself as Lily threw herself at her, still giddy about Christmas; she didn't notice Albus hovering behind them until Lily had hurried off to Dominique.
"How was the gala?" Albus asked her and Rose's lips twitched; she had known Albus long enough to know he was really asking her ten different questions at once.
"Scorpius would have told you, surely," she shrugged. "Oh, thanks, Huey," she winked at him as he handed her her pint and slung his long arm over her shoulder.
"We haven't seen him," Hugo shook his head. "He should be coming by soon though."
"Oh?" Rose tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.
"Sunday breakfast with his parents," Albus tilted his head slightly and Rose nodded, taking a sip of her amber. "So?"
"So?" Rose parroted before shaking her head as though to clear it. "Oh, yes, it was lovely, you know, Mrs. Malfoy is a professional. I had a lovely time talking to the Muggle doctors that were there."
"Rose raised more money than Mr. Malfoy," Roxanne cut into the conversation loud enough for the others to hear.
Fred whistled. "Really?"
"Isn't he a professional?" James was also impressed.
"Very nearly a professional," Scorpius walked up to the group. "Wonderful choice of pub, Potter," he clapped James on the back. "This your Christmas gift for - oof," he grunted as Lily threw her arms around his neck. "Yes, love, a Christmas pub, I know," he laughed before Lily could screech in his ear. His grey eyes found Rose and he held her gaze for a long moment before Lily finally let him go.
"Our little Rosie raised more money than you, Scorp?" James was flummoxed. "Don't you go to these things all the time?"
"Not all the time," Scorpius laughed. "Few times a year," he shrugged his coat off, his eyes darting to Rose. "Rose was a natural."
"Of course she was," Dominique crowed happily. "Talking to doctors and rich Muggles," she continued. "In her bloody element."
"And in that dress she was wearing," Roxanne's smile was devilish.
"She had to have been the prettiest person there, don't you think, Scorpius?" Lily's smile was identical to her cousin.
"Now," Rose started, "I don't know that I want to hear the answer to that -"
"We all know she was," Aisling winked at her friend.
"And that dress is nothing to the dress she's got picked out for the St. Mungo's gala," Dominique beamed.
"She's going to be the belle of the bloody ball," Roxanne winked.
Rose felt Scorpius's gaze on her for a long moment again and she wished everyone would bloody leave them alone so they could talk or snog in peace. She met his eyes and brought her beer to her lips, watching as his eyes fell to her lips for a long moment before he tore his eyes away to listen intently to whatever it was Lily was saying to him now.
"What?" She glanced at Albus. "Sorry, I didn't hear -"
"Nothing important," Albus shrugged nonchalantly and Rose saw his eyes dart to Scorpius before he turned back to Rose. He knew.
Rose was talking to Albus and Hugo, making sure to keep her eyes firmly away from Scorpius when the man himself was suddenly standing in front of her, his hand on Albus's shoulder. "Need another pint? I think the man who lost should buy the winner a drink he actually has to pay for," Scorpius smiled at her. That bloody smile that should be illegal for how it made her want to melt into a puddle. That smile that had been tormenting her for bloody weeks now.
She couldn't help the smile that stretched across her face as she nodded and turned to walk with him to the bar, his hand on her lower back for a fraction of a second when she turned before he pulled it away.
She leaned against the bar and glanced at him but before she could say something flirty or coy he had leaned towards her and in a very low voice whispered, "You look beautiful, Petal, but you're killing me with this top."
"It's a jumper," she bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"A jumper that's not covering one of your shoulders," he growled back before smiling at the bartender. "An amber and -"
"Two ambers," Rose smiled at the bartender before turning back to Scorpius. "I may have worn it on purpose," she shrugged, trying to keep her face neutral as she lifted her eyes to meet his gaze for a long moment before the bartender set their pints in front of them.
"Hmm," Scorpius narrowed his eyes at her before taking a small sip of his pint. "What are you doing after this?" He jerked his head slightly towards their group.
"I'll need to eat dinner I suppose," Rose pushed herself off the bar and took a step towards the group. "Care to join me?"
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It was torture staying at the Christmas pub with her bloody cousins and brother and him while nursing her pints as long as she could so she could be sober for her dinner with Scorpius; it felt bloody impossible when Lily was so bloody excited for Christmas and everyone was having such a lovely time all together.
And when Scorpius looked positively, deliciously fit in a thin, navy jumper.
Finally, blessedly, Lily had sat on Father Christmas's lap so many times that she was exhausted (and drunk) and left with Roxanne and Fred, Hugo and Dominique leaving shortly after them.
"I'll see you at work," Aisling hugged Rose tightly and winked at her as she and James left for dinner.
Albus, Scorpius, and Rose gathered their coats and Rose wondered briefly how they were going to ditch Albus without giving them away, when he turned to Rose and asked, "Do you have time this week for a cuppa before the gala?"
"Maybe," Rose frowned slightly. "I've got a lot of planning left to do, invitations to finalize," she shook her head. "I'll owl you?"
"Good," Albus nodded before turning to Scorpius. "I'm meeting Catriona for dinner, so I'll see you later," he smiled and left them outside the Christmas pub.
"Well that was easier than I hoped," Scorpius ran a hand through his hair and grinned at Rose. "Want to cook something?"
"Cook?" Rose frowned. "I haven't got any food," she tilted her head to stare at him. "And you know I don't bloody well know how to cook." She let out a laugh as he stared at her blankly, "I famously don't know how to cook."
Scorpius bit his lip to keep from laughing, "I thought that was like, a bit of a family exaggeration?"
Rose let out her deep laugh and Scorpius put his hand on her lower back to guide her down the Muggle street. "It's not an exaggeration," she shook her head before looking up at him. "I'm not allowed near a stove or an oven. Grandmum is always hoping she can teach me, but," she groaned. "I'm unteachable."
"Well lucky for you I know how to cook a few things," Scorpius chuckled as they continued to walk. "But you say you have no food at your flat."
"Absolutely nothing," she sighed. "I haven't been to the store in ages."
"Well, then. To the store, eh?"
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It was sickeningly domestic, watching Scorpius move around her kitchen cooking what he called a 'simple' pasta dish. She leaned against the counter beside him sipping slowly on the rather fancy bottle of red wine she splurged on as she watched him. It should have disgusted her, how content she felt. But when he would lean his head towards her and kiss her shoulder or neck lightly before being drawn back to the food, it took everything in her not to push him up against the fridge and snog him senseless.
Even going to the Muggle store with Scorpius, trying not to laugh at his scandalized face when she admitted she could barely even cook eggs without burning down her flat, was fun. And she hated shopping for food.
They had barely kissed when they walked into her flat, despite Rose wanting desperately to, and even admitting as much to him, but Scorpius kissed her chastely and told her to stop distracting him so he could cook.
"We could have gotten take-away," Rose leaned forward slightly so she was closer to Scorpius, her wine glass forgotten on the counter beside her.
"But instead I'm going to impress you with my limited cooking skills," Scorpius smirked at her, eyeing her from the corner of his eye before reaching out and tugging lightly on the bottom of her jumper. She laughed lightly and took a step towards him as he snaked his arm around her waist so she was suddenly pressed against him. She looked up at him, her head tilted slightly, getting lost in his slate grey eyes for a moment before his other hand cupped the back of her head and he pressed his lips slowly to hers, pulling a soft moan from her. "Do you mind that I'm touching your hair?" He pulled his lips away slightly to whisper against her cheek.
"No," she whispered back and her hands pulled on his jumper lightly to press him closer to her as he pulled her lower lip slightly between his. He tasted like the expensive cabernet and Rose's hands skimmed over his chest to his shoulders, but Scorpius pulled his lips away from hers and Rose let out a soft but irritated groan.
"You're distracting me," he whispered, nudging his nose slightly with his, a smile playing on his lips. "Let me finish cooking, hm?"
Rose pushed him lightly back to the stove and leaned back against the counter. "Thank you for asking about my hair," she picked up her wine glass. "I give you permission to touch it," she watched as a small smile played on his lips.
"I learned my lesson," he eyed her carefully.
"McCormack got what he deserved," Rose sniffed and Scorpius bit his lip to keep from laughing. "That was Second Year," she scoffed. "You still remember?" He looked up at her and smiled at the astonished look on her face and nodded. Rose shook her head and took a step back towards him, putting her arm around his waist and kissed his cheek lightly. "Thank you," she whispered against his cheek and Scorpius moved his head slightly to kiss her forehead.
They ate side-by-side at Rose's small kitchen table and Rose was truly surprised at how delicious the pasta was even as Scorpius laughed that he should be insulted at just how surprised she was and talked about her brunch that morning and his breakfast with his parents before Scorpius cleared his throat and set his napkin down.
"Now," Scorpius put his hand on the table, palm up, as he looked at Rose carefully. "I guess we should talk."
"You want to talk," Rose reminded him, taking a sip of her wine as she slipped her other hand on his. "I want to get straight to the -"
"I want this to be real," Scorpius interrupted her. "I can't bear -"
"And I told you," Rose said gently, her other moving to his cheek. "I want that too. I'm not going anywhere."
"But I want to go slow," Scorpius leaned into her hand. "I don't want to tell the others quite yet," he watched her carefully. "Not because I'm embarrassed -"
"How could you be?" Rose arched an eyebrow playfully.
"Because I want something that's just ours. Just for a little while," Scorpius laughed lightly.
"Okay," Rose agreed.
"So the St. Mungo's gala -"
"I'm going with the girls," Rose nodded. "But I'll see you there."
"I'd like to see you after," Scorpius squeezed her hand slightly. "Especially if what I'm hearing of this dress is true."
Rose moved her hand from his cheek to his shoulder. "Darling, you'll definitely want to see me after," her voice was low and she winked at him as she stood, bringing the dishes to the sink, but Scorpius got up quickly and followed her to the sink, standing impossibly close behind her, his hands on either side of her body, caging her against the sink, moving his head slowly to kiss her bare shoulder. Rose tilted her head slightly to give him more access and trailed a hand up and down his arm, pushing his jumper sleeve up. He turned her around and kissed her mouth quickly before kissing the corner of her mouth, her jaw, and moving to her neck, smiling as Rose's breath grew shallower with every kiss. She grew impatient and finally, her hands on either side of his face, pulled his head back so she could kiss him properly.
Scorpius was lost in kissing her, his hands lost in her loose waves, moving down her back, gripping her waist. He knew if he didn't stop soon he'd be spending the night and as much as he wanted to - Merlin did he want to - he didn't want to rush this. He wanted to take her on a date. He didn't want to mess this up now that he had somehow made it back into her life.
"Rose," he pulled away slightly and rested his forehead against hers. "I should go home," he kissed her cheek and went to push off away from her, but Rose caught him, her arms circling around his waist.
"Why?" She asked, her voice low and husky, her eyes a darker blue than normal.
"Because, I want to take this slow -"
"That's stupid," Rose shook her head and kissed him quickly. "You're daft."
"I," Scorpius let her kiss linger the second time.
"We've done nothing but go slow," Rose whispered against his lips before kissing him again. "We've been going slow forever," her words tickled his face.
"I," Scorpius tried again and pulled back slightly and Rose saw the littlest bit of fear in his eyes.
Fear that she would leave again.
"We can go slow," she cupped his cheek with her hand, smiling at him. "We'll go as slow as you want," she said gently.
Scorpius nodded gratefully and slowly and reluctantly peeled himself away from Rose, "Are you free for lunch tomorrow?"
"Oh," Rose watched him as he grabbed his coat. "I'm not sure what my schedule looks like," she shook her head and pushed off the counter to open the front door for him.
"I'd like to see you tomorrow," Scorpius smiled broadly at her. "If you're free."
That bloody smile.
"Of course," Rose smiled back at him and grabbed the wide lapels of his woolen coat to pull his head down slightly so she could kiss him one more time. "I'd like that."
"I'll owl you," Scorpius kissed her quickly. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Rose agreed with a grin and closed the door of her flat behind him.
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A/N: Three days prior, means two days prior to the Muggle fundraiser…
Hope you liked this chapter! :)