Chapter 1

Christmas at the Burrow was always fun. All of the Weasley, Potter, and Lupin family were there. Well, Teddy was there to represent to Lupin family. His parents had, incidentally, died many years ago when Teddy was a baby. But, otherwise, the entire family was there. Grandma Weasley always made sure that there was plenty of food to go around and feed all the hunger boys and men. She had been feeding them for years, so there was never a year where there weren't leftovers.

Having a big family was fun too. You would always get gifts from everyone. One Christmas, when Rose was just a baby, her mum suggested that they didn't give away any presents because the number of children getting born into the family was intense. It had gone over horribly. Not one person went along with Hermione. Rose was glad that they didn't because, if they did, she would ever get any presents. This Christmas was no different to anyone else. But it was different to Rose. All she thought about was Scorpius and no one could get her out of her trance.

"Happy Christmas, Rose," Al said as he sat down next to her on the sofa in the living room. Rose didn't hear him. She was too busy thinking about Scorpius. About the way he had held her close. And the way he would kiss her. And the way he sounded when he said her name.

"Rose!" Al shouted, Jerking Rose back into reality. "I asked you if you wanted to play chess with me." Rose quickly nodded. She needed to take her mind off of Scorpius. When she had gotten home from Hogwarts for the holidays, she promised herself that she wouldn't think about him. Not about how he was perfect and that she loved him. He had broken her heart and made her cry for days. Rose promised herself that she would not shed anymore tears for his sake. After the holidays, she wanted to come back improved.

The weeks leading up to break had been torture to her. Whenever Scorpius and she had patrols, they walked in silence. She never said a word, scared that Scorpius would become mad at her. Rose was also afraid that she would break down in tears if she said a word. Scorpius, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content with the silence. He didn't seem to notice her anymore.

As if their breakup hadn't been bad enough. One of the reasons was that The Daily Prophet had posted an article about them the night before. Even though Scorpius said that it had nothing to do with them breaking up, Rose knew better. Scorpius was embarrassed. He was afraid of what his family would say. Rose, however, had told her father that same night. Though he was mad, he accepted it a little. He had said that they would have a talk about it later, but they never did. That was because right after the conversation, Scorpius broke up with her. Her father, Ron, was glad that he wouldn't have to talk to Rose, but Rose could tell that he was sad because she was so unhappy.

After the article, people found out that they weren't dating anymore. The Daily Prophet had to run another article on them, then. It said that because of their families, they broke up. It was a load of rubbish. Her cousin, Al, thought, got his revenge. The Daily Prophet had gotten their information from a girl that went to school with them, Lizzy Brown. When Al saw the article, he went up to her and punched her in the face. Rose was thankful to him, but was mad that the matter had to be settled in violence. Since then, Lizzy Brown hadn't spoken to her or her family. And Rose didn't want her to.

Rose was glad that she was home. Not only was she with all of her family, she didn't have to wake up knowing that Scorpius was in the room next to her. And she loved her family. They had stuck up for her when everyone else was making fun of her. Also, it was Christmas time, so she got a lot of gifts from them.

While Rose was playing chess with Al, She could hear her parents talking outside the living room behind the closed doors. Their voices sounded low and worried. By straining her ears, Rose could just make out what the conversation.

"He can't be serious," Ron said. "That's my sister."

"Well, it's better this way if they don't really love each other. Besides, he would never mean to hurt you. He's you best mate," Rose's mother, Hermione, responded.

"But after everything she has been through, he can't just dump her."

"In case you were wondering, the divorce was Ginny's idea. She really isn't happy anymore. And she doesn't think that Harry is either. But Harry would never say anything. He wouldn't be able to face you or your family."

"Is anything official?" Ron asked trying to wrap his head around the idea.

"Not yet," her mum muttered. "Before they make it official, they want to talk to James, Al, and Lily. Think about how hard they will take it."

After that, their voices became too low for Rose to hear. Then, Rose could hear that Ron and Hermione moved and went into the kitchen to help Grandma Weasley with dinner.

Rose was shocked. Her uncle and aunt were getting a divorce? She couldn't believe it. All of the times she had seen them together, they looked happy, but maybe it was just an act. She couldn't imagine what James, Al, and Lily would say when they found out.

"Rose, it's your turn," Al said, once again, breaking Rose out of her trance. "Rose, are you all right? You seem a bit pale."

"I'm not alright. I just hear something that I shouldn't have heard," Rose responded in disbelief. How could this be happening?

"What do you mean?" Al asked looking around as if he would see someone. "I was sitting here the entire time. No one was near us."

"I heard my mum and dad talking behind the door," Rose said, pointing to the door that was right behind her, connecting the hallway into the living room. "I heard...things."

"What things? I promise not to tell anyone."

Rose didn't want to tell him, but she had to. After all, it affected him more than it affected her. "Well, I overheard my parents talking about your parents."

"What? Why would they be talking about my mum and dad? What did they say?" Al asked suspiciously.

Rose was getting uncomfortable. "Well, my mum said that your mum wanted to get a divorce," she said quietly, as if that would stop the pain.

Al's eyes widened and he froze. Rose couldn't tell what he was thinking. Finally, he said, "Are you sure you heard them correctly?"

Rose nodded. As much as she wanted to lie, she couldn't. She got up and moved to sit by him on the couch. "Al, I'm sorry. I really am, but nothing is official yet." She offered him her shoulder. Silently, he leaned into her and started to cry.

Rose was shocked. She had never seen her favorite cousin cry before. Al never cried. Not even when girls he really liked broke up with him. Not even when he would get hurt in Quidditch. This scared Rose. "It will be fine, Al. I promise," she said though she had no idea how it would be okay. Al just continued to silently cry on her shoulder.

For one time this holiday, Rose wasn't thinking about Scorpius.

[-**-]

Scorpius didn't want to go home for Christmas break. He didn't want to go home ever. He hated what his father made him do. His dad made him so mad, at sometimes, Scorpius just wanted to kill him. Later, he realized, that kill his father would do nothing. It wouldn't get Rose back, and he would have to spend his life in Azkaban. Killing his father wouldn't solve any of his problems. Sure, it might make him feel better and solve a few of his problems, but in the long run, it was nothing but useless thoughts.

His father made him come home for Christmas, saying that he needed to see his son again before something else happened, but Scorpius didn't see his reasoning. His father had insisted that Christmas was family time. Scorpius' mother was ignorant to everything that went on between her son and husband. Thrilled that Scorpius was coming home for the holidays, she had the house elves prepare a special Christmas Eve dinner for the family. Scorpius did not want to go. He didn't want to do anything that involved his father.

Ever since he got home, he had been up in his room, locked away. Though this was his choice, he felt mad at both of his parents. Neither of them had tried to get him out. No matter how much his mother said that she missed him, she had not gone out of her way to talk to him. Not that he minded, but it still would have been nice to be noticed. Holed away and left to his thoughts, Scorpius often found his mind drifting to Rose. He had promised himself of the beginning of vacation he wouldn't think about his ex-girlfriend, sometimes it was hard. He had nothing else to distract him.

"Scorpius! Get down here. Your grandfather and grandmother are here," yelled his mother. Scorpius groaned. He had forgotten that his grandparents would be coming to the dinner. His grandfather was even worse than his father. Scorpius wasn't sure if his father had told his grandfather about what he threatened. Not that his grandfather would have done anything for his sake. His grandfather would probably pat his father on the back for doing that.

"I mean it. Get down here right now." Scorpius decided that it wouldn't do any good waiting up here, so he got off of his bed and unlocked his door. On the way downstairs, Scorpius could hear his parents and grandparents talking about him.

"When I saw The Daily Prophet, I couldn't believe my eyes," his grandfather started. "I would have never let a son of mine date a Weasley, even if it was just for fun." Scorpius had to try hard to stop from groaning. Ever since the article, his grandfather had sent a letter to him every week to make sure he was behaving himself. And as if he would date Rose just to have fun. Besides that being wrong, Rose would never allow that.

"Don't worry, Father," Scorpius' father, Draco said. "I have stopped them from seeing each other."

"How do you know for sure?" his grandfather asked with a questioning tone.

"Well, let's just say that we had a man to man talk about it. After I gave my opinion, he broke up with her that very next day."

Scorpius could barely think. He could not believe his father saying that all they had was a simple conversation. His mother and grandmother had moved into the dining room, but his father and grandfather were still talking. Scorpius leaned in closer, but couldn't hear them. It must have not been important, because after a minute, they both went into the dining room. Scorpius wondered what that was about, but pushed his thoughts aside. He needed a clear mind for dinner. After counting to ten, Scorpius went in.

"Scorpius, honey, I feel like I haven't seen you since the summer," his grandmother said. "You have so tall and handsome. I heard that you got an outstanding on a potions test. I know that you struggle in school, so I am very proud of you. I'm sure that your father and mother are too."

Scorpius could feel his insides turn over. The only reason that he got an outstanding on the test was because Rose had helped him study. Rose. He didn't want to think of her. He couldn't afford to think about her. Scorpius turned his attention to his father.

Draco had a sickening look on his face. Scorpius guessed that his father knew that Rose had helped him study. He looked away, not wanting to meet his fathers' eye contact. His mother and grandmother were having a conversation about gardening and plants. Scorpius droned out all of the conversation and thought about Rose.

"Scorpius? Are you going to answer your grandfather's question?" Scorpius jerked out of his trance. All four adults were staring at him. He had no idea what they were talking about. Looking from his mother to his grandfather, he knew that they wouldn't help him. Scorpius gulped.

"Well," he said, trying to waste time.

"I haven't got all night. Just tell you are getting harassed by the other children," his grandfather stated angrily.

Scorpius sighed. So this was what that was about. Every year, his grandfather would ask him if other children were harassing him for being the son of an ex-Death Eater. He had learned from an early age that if he said yes, he would get smacked because he was being soft.

"No, Grandfather. No one could pick on me. All anyone does is look up to me. Even if that is annoying, I'm used to it."

His grandfather stopped looking at him and asked Draco something. Scorpius, knowing that he would not be asked anything for the rest of the night, relaxed. He could just remember that he had helped Rose relax in the common room at the start of school. Letting his mind wonder, Scorpius wondered if Rose was enjoying her Christmas break. He hoped that she was having a better time than her was.