Scorpius was smiling before he even opened his eyes. How could he not be happy? He had waited weeks and months and years to wake up next to her. 'I'm not going anywhere,' she said last night and he knew she was telling the truth. His arms tightened around the woman curled up next to him as he pressed a kiss to her temple.
"Five more minutes," Rose mumbled into his chest and Scorpius's grin widened as he opened his eyes to look down at her.
"I've got a brunch to get to soon, Petal," his voice was soft, his breath tickling her face. Rose pressed her face into his chest as if to hide. "Five more minutes," he agreed and let his body relax against her for a little while longer.
Half an hour later, Scorpius slowly peeled himself away from Rose, but she pulled him back towards him and pressed her lips to his in an excruciatingly slow kiss. "Hullo," she eventually whispered when she kissed the corner of his mouth and pulled her head back to peer up at him.
"Mornin," Scorpius smiled, tucking some of her hair behind her ear and letting his thumb caress her cheek for a moment.
"You've got a brunch," she started to sit up slowly and laughed when Scorpius's gaze traveled down her body; Rose put a finger under his chin to lift his head up. "You'll be late."
"A little late isn't -" Scorpius started but Rose shook her head and raised her hand as her silk, navy blue robe floated towards her. Scorpius gawked at her for a minute at her wordless and wandless magic before she shrugged it on and stood up.
"Come on," she patted his cheek. "You've got to sneak home so Albus doesn't see you," she stepped towards her bedroom door. "I'll make you a cuppa before you leave."
"Albus knows," Scorpius said as he put his clothes from the gala back on.
"Of course he does," Rose laughed as she leaned against the counter when Scorpius entered the kitchen, fiddling with his cufflinks and finally slipping them in his pocket. "He knows everything," she handed Scorpius a mug.
"He won't say anything," Scorpius stood in front of her, his body pressed against her, watching her intently as he took a sip of tea. "Not until we're ready."
"I'll shout it from the rooftops, if you want," Rose wrapped her hands around him and played with the blonde hair at the nape of his neck. "The sooner we tell people the sooner I can snog you in public," she whispered against his mouth before she kissed him quickly before pushing him slightly away with a laugh. "But not until after your brunch."
"I want this to be private a little longer," Scorpius took another sip of his tea. "I don't need your bloody family even more invested in my personal life."
"They're your family too, you prat," Rose laughed and took the mug out of Scorpius's hand. "Now go," she shoved him playfully, "and I'll see you later."
"Yea?" Scorpius's smile was so bright that Rose couldn't help the way her heart melted slightly.
"Yes," she laughed as she walked him to the door. "Maybe we'll even have that whisky tonight," she said in a low, soft voice, leaning against the front door so Scorpius could kiss her slowly. They got lost in kissing each other and when Scorpius finally pulled back, his dark grey eyes flitting between her dark blue ones, Rose wondered if she'd ever tire of kissing Scorpius Malfoy.
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"Someone's got a spring in his step," Theo said in a haughty voice when Scorpius walked into his parents' kitchen. "Have a good evening?"
"What?" Scorpius kissed his mother on the cheek before bending to kiss her sister on both cheeks. "I'm not permitted to be pleased to see my favorite aunt and uncle?"
He saw Theo and his father exchange a glance but ignored them as he turned back to his mother, "I hope you didn't cook this morning. You deserve a day of rest."
"Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley sent over food," Daphne whispered conspiratorially to Scorpius.
"You'll have to be more specific, darling," Theo chuckled.
"Molly and Fleur were so happy your mother brought their darling children home early," Draco stood up from his chair. "They couldn't be stopped."
"It's too much food," Astoria said as she led them into the kitchen. "You'll have to take some home, Scorpius," her pale green eyes landed on her son and Scorpius knew his mother was up to something. "And bring some to Rose, too, won't you? It was her idea, after all."
"Oh," Scorpius started to say, ready to tell his mother he wasn't sure when he'd see Rose before Christmas, but Astoria interrupted him.
"You'll make time to see her, won't you?" She patted his cheek, "Make sure she's not too exhausted from the gala."
"Sure, mum," Scorpius narrowed his eyes slightly but chose not to say anything.
"How was the rest of your night, dear?" Daphne asked in a light voice as she sat down at the table. "Did you go, what was it you said, Draco?"
"To a terrible pub with his dreadful friends," Draco drawled, arching an eyebrow at his son.
"Ah, yes," Daphne laughed. "Ah, to be young," she turned to Theo. "I could do with a night at a terrible pub -"
"No such thing in Rome," Theo shook his head. "Not for people our age," he reached for his espresso. "Wine bars and fancy bistros only."
"You love a terrible pub," Astoria laughed before turning to Scorpius. "Which terrible pub did you go to, darling?"
"Didn't go," Scorpius shrugged as he loaded his plate with food. "Tired, went home, went to bed." He knew the four older adults all shared a look, but he resolutely ignored them as he began to eat his brunch.
"Well that's a shame," Daphne sighed. "There were so many beautiful ladies there last night. That one Weasley," she smiled at Scorpius as he glanced up at her trying to keep his face neutral. "The one who was your teammate?"
"Dominique," Scorpius replied with a smile. "I've told you before and I'll -"
"Oh, I know," Daphne's laugh was light. "I'm just saying she looked beautiful. And her cousin, Albus's sister?"
"Lily Potter," Astoria answered. "A lovely woman," she agreed.
"And my best friend's sister," Scorpius muttered as he reached for his tea.
"Rose certainly is quite the firecracker," Theo drawled. "Even without that trademark red hair."
"It's in her blood," Draco agreed. "Like her mother -"
"And her father,' Theo added.
"She's her own person," Scorpius's voice was hard as he looked between his father and uncle before realizing what he said. "I mean," he scratched his short beard.
"She's a wonderful Healer," Astoria said, unable to hide the knowing look she gave her son. "And extraordinary at fundraising," she turned to Daphne. "It was her idea for the children's ward and the Muggleborn liaison."
"A wonderful idea," Daphne agreed. "And she studied at a Muggle hospital?"
"In Sweden," Scorpius nodded.
"I do hope we'll be able to talk to her more soon," Daphne tilted her head slightly and said with a soft fondness that made Scorpius arch an eyebrow at his aunt.
"Reckon you will," he shrugged. "Since she's mum's colleague and all."
"Yes, exactly," Theo arched a dark eyebrow, his lips lifting up slightly in a smirk.
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"You rang?" Rose shouted as she stepped through the Floo into Dominique's flat and dusted her shoulders off.
"Ready to go?" Dominique asked as she stepped out of the bathroom.
"Go where? I thought I was coming here?" Rose frowned.
"Drinks," Dominique rolled her eyes. "You're the one who got Victoire and Teddy to come back early. Of course we're dragging them to the pub before Uncle Harry has everyone over for food."
"Bollocks," Rose's shoulders slumped. "Why does no one think to owl me?"
"I Floo-ed you," Dominique scoffed. "Come on, let's go. I want a lager before I start telling you about Ben," she grinned wickedly and pulled Rose to the front door.
"I didn't bring a coat," Rose grumbled. "Let me go back and get my coat, please?"
"And put lipstick on?" Dominique arched a knowing eyebrow. "Maybe change jumpers?"
"Maybe," Rose muttered as she stepped back through the Floo and hurried to change into a cute bright blue jumper, throw on burgundy lipstick, and grab her burnt orange woolen coat, before stepping back through the Floo. "Ready!"
"Godric," Dominique stood up from her armchair and grabbed Rose's arm to drag her to the front door of her flat. "Why didn't you stick around last night?" Dominique asked, pulling her coat tight around her as they walked down the London street.
"Told you," Rose shrugged. "Was bloody exhausted from working."
"Well you missed a fun after party at that pub Fred likes," Dominique grinned wickedly. "And he brought your friend Thomasin."
"Oh wicked," Rose returned the grin. "I think she'll be good for him."
"If she doesn't let him rub off on her," Dominique pointed her finger at her cousin. "Don't be gross, you know what I mean."
Rose held her hands up with a laugh, "Wasn't gonna!"
"Scorpius didn't come either," Dominique huffed, but her gaze was focused on where they were walking. "Probably for the best," she said offhandedly.
"Hmm?" Rose was confused.
"I really like Ben," Dominique confessed rather quietly.
"You do," Rose nearly squealed and grabbed Dominique's arm. "Oh, that's bloody fantastic!"
"And I didn't want him to get jealous of Scorpius," Dominique laughed at her cousin. "People always bloody are," she rolled her eyes.
Rose cleared her throat, "Doesn't Ben live in Germany?"
"That's the best part," Dominique grinned and clutched at Rose's hand. "He's always traveling for long stretches of time -"
"And what's more appealing to you than someone who isn't constantly breathing down your neck?" Rose rolled her eyes and laughed.
"And I like traveling during my breaks," Dominique pouted.
"Well I can't wait to get to know him better," Rose wrapped her arm around Dominique's shoulders. "Did you two, uh," she elbowed her in the ribs.
"Don't be such a child," Dominique said haughtily.
"You little minx," Rose threw her head back and let out her deep belly laugh causing Dominique to laugh too.
"He leaves Christmas Eve day to go visit his family in Switzerland," Dominique finally said. "So I've only got a few days with him -"
"Before you meet him in the Alps for New Year's Eve?" Rose guessed.
"The French Alps. To ski," Dominique stuck her tongue out at her cousin.
"Better hope everyone bloody likes the lad first," Rose rolled her eyes.
They finally reached the pub, and Dominique pushed the door open, laughing hysterically when Victoire threw herself at her sister and pulled her in for a hug, muttering something in French Rose didn't catch. "And Jeanne d'Arc, Rose," Victoire wrapped her in a quick hug before eyeing her carefully. Rose arched an eyebrow at her shorter cousin. "Come with me to the bar," she tapped Dominique's arm. "Ben's over there," she pointed and smirked when Dominique nearly flew to Ben.
"You're eerily good at that," Rose said to her cousin.
"Took me long enough to figure out what she needed though, no?" Victoire sighed and waved at Rose to take her coat off. "Come on," Victoire pulled her to the bar.
"You can just get a sparkling water and say it's vodka," Rose frowned at her as she stumbled behind Victoire trying to keep up.
"Not that," she waved her hand dismissively. She leaned against the bar and stared at Rose for so long that she began to fidget.
"What?"
"Nothing," she shrugged and Rose closed her eyes in frustration at the trademark Delacour nonchalance Victoire was trying to pass off. Rose waited for a moment for Victoire to continue, grateful Dominique very rarely acted like this.
"Out with it," Rose rolled her eyes and waved for the bartender. "What do you want to tease me about?"
"What? I'm not allowed to say my cousin looks nice tonight?" Victoire continued and Rose nearly growled at her when Teddy interrupted them.
"She saw you leave with Scorpius," Teddy ran a hand through his hair rather sheepishly when Victoire looked at him in annoyance and Rose's mouth fell open. "Anyone could see Rose was getting annoyed with you, love," he stole the lager Rose had ordered. "Put that and whatever these two order on Lupin," he grinned at the bartender and kissed Victoire on the cheek. "Play nice, you two."
"That bloody -"
"It's not what you -"
Victoire crossed her arms across her chest and glared at Rose, "I'm not a sot, Rose."
"I don't know what that means," Rose grumbled. "But I know you're not."
"I won't tell anyone," Victoire said rather haughtily. "You did help us surprise mama and grandmere."
"And I helped with," Rose's eyebrows climbed on her forehead and Victoire sighed.
"Yes, fine," she groaned. "I won't say anything, except," she smirked. "It's bloody about time."
"Oi," Rose started to say, indignant, but Aisling was there and Victoire started muttering to her in half-French about how much she loved her for 'our James'. Rose rolled her eyes and waved the bartender over again. "How many drinks are we having before we leave?" She muttered to no one.
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Everyone had two drinks (except Victoire who had two sparkling waters) before they headed to the Leaky Cauldron to Floo to Harry and Ginny's home. Rose tried not to look overly irritated that her plans with Scorpius were delayed; it wasn't that she wasn't thrilled to see Teddy and Victoire and Uncle Charlie before Christmas Eve, but she also really wanted to -
"Where's Malfoy?" James asked Albus.
"Sunday brunch," Albus sighed. "Like he is every Sunday."
"You act like you tell me every week," James scoffed, not noticing Rose hiding a laugh behind her hand. "Does he know to come to the house?"
"I owled him," Albus nodded. "He should be there."
"Good," James grinned, his arm slung around Aisling's shoulders. "I want to know why exactly he skipped our after party."
Rose's eyes widened and she snapped her head to stare at Albus for help.
"Says the lad who could barely have one drink he was so bloody tired," Aisling rolled her eyes and swatted at James's chest. "Leave Malfoy alone. He was knackered."
"He did have to talk to a lot of people," Albus agreed, his green eyes locked on Rose.
"Say, Rosie," James turned his slightly to look back at her as they continued to walk. "Did you win at fundraising again?"
Rose cleared her throat in embarrassment, "I did."
"Way to go lass," Aisling laughed.
"Not by much," Rose admitted. "I had help -"
"Take the win, Weasley," Albus chuckled from beside her. "Take the bloody win."
Rose swallowed, suddenly nervous that Albus was going to give her a talk about Scorpius; James had already told her not to hurt him before they even started this relationship, she wasn't sure she could take any more pressure. She wasn't planning on hurting the poor sod, she wasn't going to hurt him on purpose.
Albus reached for hand and tugged her back slightly as they let the group walk ahead of them and she saw him mumble 'muffliato' before he said calmly, "This isn't just a one off thing, is it? You and Scorpius?"
"No," Rose's gaze didn't falter as she stared into his bright green eyes. "It's not."
"And you're not going to up and leave again, are you?"
Rose saw that this question wasn't just about Scorpius; she could see the vulnerability in his eyes, how much she hurt him too when she left without any warning. "I'm not going anywhere, Al," she squeezed his hand, her other hand gripping his arm. "I'm here."
Albus blinked and nodded once, "Good. That's good." A smile flashed across his face and they continued to walk behind their cousins. "You know that's not the last lecture you're going to get, don't you?"
Rose groaned.
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Scorpius barely dusted the soot off his shoulders before Dominique grabbed his hand and pulled him further into the house, "You have to meet Ben," she was saying as she guided him around various Weasleys and Potters. "Properly this time," she flashed him a quick smile before she stopped abruptly in front of a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark brown hair that hit just below his ears, and hazel eyes that looked nearly golden in the light of the sunroom, but it was the woman beside Ben that caught Scorpius's gaze and it took all of his willpower to tear his attention away from her coy smile. "Ben Rochat," Dominique said with a huge smile on her face, "this is my dear friend, Scorpius Malfoy."
Scorpius smiled widely and shook Ben's hand, "Dear friend, Nic? Really?" His slate grey eyes flickered to Rose, "And here I am always introducing her as my best friend. Can you believe it, Weasley?"
Ben laughed heartily when Rose said drily, "We could be here all day with this argument, Rochat."
"One of your best friends," Dominique corrected him with a hand on her hip. "Albus?"
"Am I not allowed to have more than one best friend?" Scorpius's mouth drop opened as he stared at her.
"Everyone is best friends with everyone," Rose interrupted the playful staring contest and pushed Scorpius away from the couple. "You didn't even let Malfoy take his coat off, Dom," she shook her head. "Why don't you run down your best friend hierarchy while I get drinks and poor Malfoy gets settled, eh?"
Dominique opened her mouth to keep arguing but Rose had already pushed Scorpius away and turned her head slightly to wink at Ben.
"Slick," Scorpius mumbled into her ear as Rose led Scorpius down a short hallway and away from where most of her family was congregated.
"I didn't need to hear your inane argument," Rose rolled her eyes but couldn't help her small secret smile for him. She led him to the home office Harry and Ginny shared where everyone had dropped their coats and leaned against the doorframe, watching him as he laid his coat down on top of one of the piles. "I missed you," she admitted quietly and Scorpius arched an eyebrow at her.
"Already missing me, Petal?" His voice was low. "It's barely been a few hours -"
"Shut it, Malfoy," Rose growled out, smiling in spite of herself.
"I missed you too," he stood before her, his fingers itching to reach out and cup her face. "How long do we have to stay?"
Rose chuckled and tilted her head slightly, "Too long."
He felt her hand reach out for him and he took it, squeezing her fingers quickly before dropping it so they could walk back out into a sea of Weasleys.
"Albus knows," Rose leaned over to whisper. "Victoire and Teddy know."
Scorpius's lips twitched, "I really thought we'd be better at this."
"At what, trying to trick a bunch of Weasleys and Potters?" Rose smirked at him. "We never stood a chance, darling."
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Rose swatted at the large freckled hands that lifted her off the ground with a big laugh, "Uncle Charlie!"
"I'm just so excited to see you," he poked her side and put her safely back down on the ground. Rose rolled her eyes playfully at him, not bothering to tell him he saw her last night and he'd be seeing her again in a few short days for Christmas. "Why aren't you drinking a whisky?" Charlie pouted, "Have I not taught you anything?"
"Weasley's very partial to whisky," Scorpius said from where he stood next to James.
"Likes lagers too," James frowned. "You drink whisky, Rose?" He shook his head, "I don't think I've seen you drink it."
"She's got a secret stash in her office," Aisling piped in with a wink when Rose glared at her. "All the top Healers do."
"I don't drink when I'm working," she said quickly. "And I don't drink whisky at family gatherings," Rose said haughtily.
"Bollocks," Charlie clapped a hand on her shoulder and guided her away. "Family gatherings are the best place to drink whisky," his blue eyes twinkled. "Have you seen your da drink whisky?"
"He hates it," Rose grimaced.
"Exactly," Charlie grinned.
"Oh, Charlie, dear," Grandma Molly grabbed his hand as they passed her. "That scar," she touched the deep purple scar that twisted around his forearm. "What happened," she pressed her lips together. "I don't want to know what happened," she frowned and looked up at her son, patting his cheek. "Rosie, darling," she turned her attention to her granddaughter. "Could you help heal this scar? It's so," she frowned, trying to find the right words.
"Chicks dig scars," Ginny winked from over her mother's shoulder and Charlie fake vomited before Ginny punched his arm. "We've been married for decades, you prat -"
"Children," Molly said in a voice that Rose hadn't heard directed to her adult children in a long time; Ginny and Charlie's mouths snapped shut. "Rose?"
"I mean," Rose glanced at her uncle. "If it hurts, sure, you can come in and I can see what I can do, but," she shrugged. "If he likes the scar and it doesn't hurt, there's no -"
"You, Charles, will go in and see your niece at St. Mungo's while you're in town, do you hear me?" Molly pointed a finger at him before she caught Roxanne and Lily trying to sneak a full meat pie out of the kitchen. "Oi," she glared at them, "put that down."
"It's a wicked scar," Ginny winked at her brother before punching his arm again and walking away.
"Does it hurt?" Rose asked her uncle as he poured them each a tumbler of whisky.
"Phantom aches," he shrugged and Rose scoffed.
"That's not a thing, Uncle Charlie," she let out such a long-suffering sigh that Charlie had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. "Come in tomorrow, won't you? We'll see what I can do."
"What makes you think that -"
"She's good," Harry patted Charlie on the shoulder and looked at someone over Rose's shoulder.
"She's very good with scars," Scorpius agreed. "I'm happy to give a, uh, confidential testimonial."
"That won't be necessary," Rose huffed and glared at her uncle who cowered slightly.
"We're wanted in the other room," Scorpius said, scratching his beard before he led them back into the main room where everyone was crowded around Victoire and Teddy.
"Uh, since everyone's here and we don't want to take anything away from Christmas," Teddy began rather awkwardly, his hair bubblegum pink, glancing down at his wife who was positively beaming.
"We're pregnant," she said confidently, giggling when Fleur and Molly squealed and pushed their way to the couple. Andromeda pulled Teddy down so she could kiss his cheek as he blushed furiously.
"And," Victoire continued once she hugged her mum and grandma, she looked up at Teddy.
"I spoke with Minnie and," Teddy swallowed nervously. "I'll be shadowing Hagrid this term so when he retires, I'll replace him as professor."
Harry whooped loudly.
"And I've been offered a very lovely position at the Ministry," Victoire said coyly.
"As my boss's boss!" Hugo called out from the back of the room.
Victoire did her best to act nonchalant but she couldn't help her wide grin when Dominique and Louis nearly tackled her for a hug, Bill clapping Teddy on the back. His hair instantly went back to it's normal turquoise when Bill leaned down to whisper something in his son-in-law's ear.
When the happy couple made their way around the room, Rose did her best to narrow her eyes at Teddy, "I thought nothing was set in stone?" But she couldn't help her laugh and pulled him in for a quick squeeze. "You bloody rascal," she said fondly.
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Rose did her best not to focus all of her attention on Scorpius, but it was bloody hard when he was always there, talking to her cousins and aunts and uncles and parents. It was somehow harder now when all she wanted to do was drag him into the bathroom and snog him, then when she simply wanted him to leave her family alone.
She smiled into her tumbler of whisky as Lily and Roxanne were asking Ben question after question about his job and life when she felt Dominique nudge her. "What is that look for?"
Rose shrugged slightly, her eyes darting to Scorpius who was admonishing Lily and Roxanne and apologizing to Ben for their intrusive behavior before she turned back to Dominique. "Nothing," she shrugged and took a sip of her whisky. "You may want to protect your new lad before the terrible two scare him away.
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"Mum told me to bring you some extra food," Scorpius whispered in her ear as they sat on her couch, their tumblers of whisky in hand. He Apparated to the alleyway outside her building after leaving Uncle Harry's, not even bothering to give Albus an excuse.
"Extra food?" Rose frowned up at him. "Does she know I'm rubbish -"
"It's likely everyone knows, Petal," Scorpius teased her. "But no, because your grandma and Aunt Fleur sent her food this morning as a thank you and she wanted me to bring some leftovers home and bring some to you."
Rose's lips parted in confusion and she eyed Scorpius warily, "Well, bring it over tomorrow for dinner, eh?"
"Dinner tomorrow?" Scorpius's smile was wide as he grabbed her hand. "You've really got it bad for me, don't you?"
"Shut it, Malfoy," Rose leaned her head against his arm. "Before I bloody kick you out of my flat."
"You wouldn't dare," he kissed her temple with a soft laugh; Rose settled against his side again. No, she bloody wouldn't dare.
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A/N: Depending on how creative I'm feeling, there will be one more chapter before Christmas, or just one final long chapter with a Christmas-wrap-up! :) Thank you so much for reading!