Sorry for being gone for so long! Gave you guys a nice, long chapter to make up for it! Hope you enjoy!
Ty to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and hello to anyone who found this one from 'And I Don't Hardly Know'. Welcome to Moon River :)
—-
"Okay- and so I want there to be synth. Lots of synth. You know. I want that whomp whomp feeling. I want you to get really hit by the instrumentals-like, but delicately. Like your being held…and punched at the same time. Scorp- you know what I'm talking about-right?"
Al was on one his "inspiration benders"; as Rose liked to call them. As his mind was often a lunar push and pull of melancholy and mania, she found herself looking forward to the times this version of himself made an unexpected appearance. This Al was energetic, excitable and seemingly unburdened by his usual imminent threat of despondency. This Al wanted the world to be beautiful and meaningful. Something Rose could get behind.
When he wasn't planning out complicated stage performances, or composing the next big hit. He would talk… and talk and talk and talk to anyone who would listen. Rose typically found the chatter comforting and charming, it became a floating buzz that she could feel seeping into the crevices of their often hectic reality. But right now…
Right now, with her forehead resting cooly against the glass of the cab car, the rain coming down with a grey and apathetic smattering, her world having shifted suddenly to one of hollow uncertainty…she was acutely aware of his grave emotional disconnect. She wished, for once, he could sense something other than his own wild machinations. She wished he could read the room. Wished he could see the obvious tension between her and the stone-faced boy he was sandwiched in between.
She wished he would just shut up.
"Yes Al… Delicate. Hard. Cradle. Punch. Dichotomy. You're a revolutionary.", Scorpius sighed.
Rose winced inwardly. His voice was vacant and cold. He sounded a million miles away.
"Great-and I was thinking maybe we could bring in a choir. Maybe some singing toads, like we had back at school. Wouldn't that be a laugh?"
"Yes…a riot.", he sighed again.
"Oh, and Rosie. We need to completely reconfigure our approach thematically to this next album. We haven't got enough brooding songs. I want to write about toxic…tortured love. None of that bubblegum shit. Like, a relationship that may kill you, but you need it. What say you? You think we can make that happen? Pull from the torrid affairs of our youth?"
Geez, she really just wanted him to shut-up. She needed to get out of this car.
"Yeah, I'm sure my broom cupboard fumblings will be an excellent source of creative inspiration for you.", Her voice was lead.
He didn't seem phased.
"Well, Scorp and I have enough demented vixens between the two of us to keep you writing…Right mate?
Scorpius was dead silent from the other side of the car. Rose despised the way her stomach turned at the thought of how many demented vixens she'd need to catalogue from his past, if Al had his way.
There was another moment of silence, then Al thew his hands in the air.
"What the fuck is going on in this car right now?! Did someone die?"
Neither one of the pair moved to answer his question. They both seemed to have adopted a play dead strategy. If you say nothing, he'll just move on…
He whipped his head theatrically between the two, then called to the front seat.
"Mart, did someone die?!"
Marty turned to the back of the cab, his eyes glazed over with the type of absence given only to people who had neither the desire or consequence to know what was happening around them.
"…Voldemort." His sincerity was almost laughable.
Rose closed her eyes, begging for the sweet release of death…or an exit from this stifling cab. Whichever was easier.
"No one's died, Al. We're just…tired.". She could swear she heard Scorpius scoff from the other side.
"Well…", he said, folding his arms and sulkily sitting back in his chair. "Perk up! We've got a few weeks left of the tour and then we've got an album to make! I need you both on your A-game."
She could tell he didn't mean to come across as condescending as he did, but Rose was in no mood to give him the benefit of the doubt. In fact, she found herself entirely annoyed at his behavior, something she'd usually brush under the rug.
"Al. We aren't ending the tour at the end of the month. Change of plans.". She looked at him archly.
"Excuse me?", he said, eyeing her back.
"Change of plans. Tom and I handled it last night."
He seemed shocked into silence.
"We've been given a lovely opportunity." She said, cooly. She immediately regretted her outburst. She really didn't want to get into this conversation right now.
Something in Al's countenance switched. "Care to divulge the details? Considering this is my band as well." She could see his eyes flash momentarily. Now clicked out of his excitable mood.
"Angèle's out an opening act. WSR is billing us as a double feature.", she said, still maintaining an intentional lack of emotion.
He was shocked again into silence.
"We'll be moving outside of Europe for the first time.", she said, her face an aloof countenance. She was steeling herself for a mild explosion from him.
His cheeks began to redden.
"Canada. America, Japan. Australia. Two months…" she rattled off, now choosing to look out the window.
"When did things like this start getting decided without me?!", his voice was low and filled with mirth.
She sighed and looked out the window, knowing how her next few hours would be spent. Coddling his ego, making sure he didn't go too in on the liquor cabinet, making sure he didn't call Posey…or Miranda…or Jessica…or any of the other nightmares he attached himself to in his hours of need.
Normally, she would feel an anxious tremor running through her when dealing with Al's tantrums. She wouldn't be able to rest until she knew he wasn't going to do something stupid. Right now, however, she just felt tired. He was a silly boy, and she was dealing with something much, much larger than his rampant insecurities.
He turned on Scorpius, suddenly.
"Did you know about this?!"
Scorpius slowly turned to face his friend, giving Al a look that clearly said, Yes you brainless idiot. Al immediately went into a full-blown tantrum.
"What the hell is going on with you two? Are you-you..", His face was contorted in disgust. He couldn't seem to form words for the horror he was imagining. "or something? You're constantly talking behind my back…and your weird jokes-"
Rose needed to put an end to this. She was beginning to feel actually sick.
"-he had to know, Al!", she interjected. "We wouldn't have booked the tour without his cooperation."
Al was silent. Moving his deepening gaze from Rose to Scorpius.
"…Angèle's my new girlfriend.", drawled the blonde. Rose could have kicked him. He was playing with Al, trying to get a rise out of him
"What?" Now, he was shouting.
Rose sighed,"Can we talk about this when we're back at the flat? My head is literally about to split open."
"No, I need answers!", he shouted, slamming his palms on his legs "This is my band too!"
He sounded unbelievably childish. Rose wanted to smack him.
"Oh my god, will you get over yourself?", she shouted back. "It's not real! None of it is real!"
Al's eyes were practically bugging out of his head.
"Malfoy is entering into his first artificial relationship, for the sake of publicity. We're all very happy for him.", Rose said, tersely. She was still unable to look him in the eyes.
Al slammed his back into the seat, yet again. Rose closed her eyes. This car was much to small for the menagerie of emotions currently on display.
"Good for you, Scorp!" called Marty from the front seat.
"Thanks, mate.", said Scorpius, without a hint of sincerity.
Al was complacent for neigh of a moment before he was back. This time, with extra vigor.
"Why not me?", he whined.
Rose squeezed the bridge of her nose, attempting to quell her annoyance.
"You are a child, you know that?", she said exasperatedly.
"I could be in a fake relationship…", he cried.
"I'm not having this conversation with you right now.", she said.
"Talk to me! You never talk to me anymore.", he shouted, turning fully towards her. She knew he was using every tactic in his playbook.
It wasn't working.
"I'm not talking to you if you're yelling at me in the back of a cab car, when I just need some fresh air!", she shouted back.
"I'm not-" He started
"You are.", she seared. She stared at him, then. Unmoving, unrelenting. She had no idea what had taken ahold of her. She could see a rapid movement of understanding pass across his features. She knew he was trying to see exactly what lengths he needed to go in order to get his way.
"Pull over the car.", he said, icily.
"What?", she cried.
"Pull the car over! Now!", he shouted at the driver.
"Albus. It's raining.", she countered, exhaustedly.
"Do not pull the cab over. Don't listen to him.", Scorpius called, calmly.
"Pull this damn cab over. Rosie needs fresh air.", His voice was tense.Now that Scorpius had come to her defense, he was angry.
"Albus.", her voice was low.
"Tell me what's going on, then!". He looked at her with wild eyes.
"I already told you.", she tensed, the strain in her voice betraying her calm.
He saw it.
"I'm getting out. I can't stand being in this car right now.", he said quickly, his hand reaching over to rest on the handle of the back seat door.
"You're being insane.", she shouted.
"Al-", finally Scorpius chimed in. But it was too late. In a triumphant moment of lunacy, Al retched the door open and barreled himself into the steady downpour.
"Albus! What the f-", Rose was fuming. She called to the cabby, "I'm so sorry. Can you please stop the car?"
"What's he on about now?", she heard Marty inquire absently from the front seat.
They screeched to a stop. From where Rose was seated, she could see his vague form heave dramatically onto a park bench across the way.
She sighed, burying her face in her hands and letting out a frustrated groan. She steeled herself for the agonizing complacency she would need to administer -in the rain, no less- to her dear, emotionally vindicated cousin. She'd done it a thousand times, for worse reasons.
However, there was a fiery snap she felt absent in her core right now. She was spent. She was exhausted. She was-
All of a sudden, she heard the sound of a door slam. She looked up, to see Scorpius running through the grey haze, shielded only by his overcoat.
She could only make out misty pantomimes of their discussion. Albus was waving his hands around wildly, his upset painted fully on his features. Scorpius kept attempting to quell the anger, asking him to sit; asking him to go back to the car. Albus was unrelenting.
Then, it seemed, Scorpius snapped. He was shouting, pointing his fingers at Albus. At one point, he grabbed the boys shoulders and shook him. Albus seemed abruptly taken aback by the anger. Then, they both backed down. They both seemed worn. Scorpius turned suddenly, pointing to the car. Pointing directly to her. She felt her heart jump.
An unreadable expression crossed Albus's face. Then he nodded and the two of them stood there, just looking at one another. Scorpius made the first move to return to the car. Albus quickly followed.
The entire argument was over in less than 10 minutes. Rose couldn't believe it.
The rest of the car ride was spent in an exhausted silence. Al huffed and hawed and ignored her, but she could tell his anger had been abated. She was desperate to know what Scorpius had said to Albus to make him so readily willing to give-in. It was uncharacteristic of him. Uncharacteristic of both of them -actually.
Scorpius was not one to stand up for Rose. She never expected him to. It wasn't his job. However, he had done just that. Without her asking. Without her even knowing, at first. She didn't know what to make of it.
As they rounded the corner, bringing them to the final stretch before the long awaited arrival home, Rose felt her stomach bottom-out as a familiar sound reached her ears.
Screams
Standing in front of their rented apartment, was a swarm of mademoiselles, holding up posters and shouting the names of the band-mates as if their lives depended on it.
"Oh shit…", Said Rose, craning forward to the front seat, "Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit…"
"What the fuck…", said Albus softly,
"No ones supposed to know we're here…", said Rose, attempting to keep the frantic tone out of her voice. They were used to this type of treatment in England. They didn't anticipate any of this type of attention in Paris. They didn't have any security detail, or a back-up plan. They were going to get mobbed.
Not to mention the fact, they were in a muggle area.
"Who tipped them off?", asked Scorpius, addressing her for the first time since the roof.
She whipped her head back around, finding immense relief in the concern played on his features, "I have no idea… There's no way you three are going to get though that crowd without a guard. Those girls look like they're out for blood…"
She looked back up to the front, "Okay, here's what we're going to do…"
She had finally snapped out of her melancholy. She was Rose Weasley, goddammit.
"We're going to go round the back. I want you boys down on the ground."
An annoyed gasp came from Albus.
"-I don't care if your jacket gets mussed. I don't want a riot happening-", Her tone was firm, "We're calling Tom the minute we get back in and I'm having him send over at least two guards. And we're moving location immediately."
As the three boys shimmied down their seats, the cab driver, who had been quite the patient chauffeur, finally broke his stoic spell and looked perplexedly at Rose.
"Uh..um-", Rose was wracking her brain, "A' derriere, Sil vous plait?"
He seemed even more unsure of her request.
She turned back, hoping one of them would have the language competence, she was so clearly lacking.
Scorpius cleared his throat and sighed, "Pouvez-vous nous emmener à l'arrière du bâtiment?"
She looked at him gratefully, "Merci…", she sighed softly.
He gave her a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
The cabbie looked back at Scorpius through the rearview, "Etes-vous tous…célèbres?"
Scorpius chuckled ruefully, "Dans un sens…"
—-
"Tom, they're everywhere-," exclaimed Rose, peeking gingerly through the curtains, onto the street below, "I'm afraid they're going to cause some sort of scene…this neighborhood is muggle."
Thankfully, they had made it back to their flat without an uproar. Rose was nervously pacing around the apartment, while the three boys sat in silence. They knew, for the most part, not to make trouble when Rose was in a state such as this.
"Have the boys go down! Placate the crowd…That'll clear the scene!", Tom's voice came through the blue mist, "We can't get you all out of there smoothly without the area being clear. France has strict apperation laws, you know that."
Rose blanched, "Tom, we've got no security. The fans will eat them alive!"
"Rosie! Do you think I'm a monster?", He laughed vacantly.
There were two distinct pops. All of a sudden, two large figures in dark suits were standing quietly in the corner of the apartment. Rose almost screamed.
"-That should be Rainsford and Emil…", called Tom.
All four turned their heads to check the silent duo. The two gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"…Sign a few autographs, give a few hugs. Make the most of it, darling. This is a good thing."
Rose sighed, "I understand. I'm just worried about our safety in the future. We have no idea who gave our location away…"
"Speaking of a good thing…", continued Tom, ignoring Rose, "What's the status with Malfoy. Do I hear love birds chirping?"
Rose winced, locking eyes with Scorpius from across the room. His face was unreadable.
"Tom, It's Scorpius…", the boy in question called out calmly, "Weasley and I have discussed and we're willing to give it a go."
Tom hurrah'ed, "Oh, divine. I'll reach out to Angèle's team shortly. Rose, I'll be sending you details as well. This is excellent news… Good work, you two. You make an exquisite team."
Neither of the pair seemed to be able to look at each other.
"Thanks Tom.", said Rose quietly.
Tom cleared his throat, "Alright, now go make those mademoiselles happy. And buy some albums…"
"Of course, Tom..", Rose sank down onto a nearby chair as the call ended. She sat there for a moment, her wand gripped in her hand.
"So…what's the plan, Rosie?" asked Albus. There was still a bit of snap in his tone from their rather eventful car ride, but she could see the slight anxiousness behind his eyes.
She stood, "You three. Get changed. No pictures, just signing. Keep the physical contact to a minimum. We'll have this done with in less than an hour. I'm going to pack-up while you're down there and we'll have relocated before the day is done. Sound good?"
The trio wordlessly began moving themselves through the flat. Rose went up and shook hands with their new brawny companions.
"Thanks for coming on such short notice," she sighed, "If it gets crazy down there, feel free to yank them out."
The duo nodded silently.
"And, I mean really…" she poached, attempting to lighten the conversation at hand, "Drag them. They could use a bit of knocking around."
All she received from their new guards were a few solemn blinks.
"Al!", she said, turning away from the tough crowd, "Don't wear the blue shirt, it hasn't been washed in weeks. You'll smell like an Owlrey."
A groan was heard from the other room.
"Mart, your trousers are on completely inside out…Come on. It's like you lot are a bunch of toddlers! We've got ladies to impress!" She cried, marching fully through the apartment, grabbing loose garments and chucking them into open suitcases. "And albums to sell!"
She flicked her wand up, dialing for Deliah.
"How come you never rag on Malfoy for the way he dresses?" whined Marty, hobbling into the main room with one shoe on.
"Hey Deils!" said Rose to the mist. She turned to Mart and shushed him with a finger, "Have we gotten clearance on lodging yet?"
A bright voice came through the mist, "Hi dearie. Let me confirm. Can I put you on a brief hold?"
"Sure thing." sighed Rose, moving to fold a pile of sweaters. "…Malfoy has many traits I deem…woefully inconvenient." She turned back to Marty, "But his ability to dress himself is not one of those."
She couldn't help it. She turned her head in his direction. He was straightening his collar in the mirror across the room. He didn't look at her, but she saw a a quirk of a grin cross his features.
She hated the warm flood of relief she felt at his gesture.
"Dearie?" Deliah's voice came through the mist.
"Present!" called Rose, snapping her head away from the scene across the apartment.
"You're cleared for departure at 3pm. Location is… Maison… Des Rivières? Not sure if I'm even saying that correctly. French is such a language."
"House of Rivers. Got it.", said Rose, "Thanks, Deils."
"Good luck!", the voice was drowned out as the blue mist disappeared back into Rose's wand.
She looked up. All three members were standing at the door, waiting for her signal.
"Knock em' dead, boys…"
—-
She watched through the curtains as the trio descended onto the scene below. The screams were unearthly…However, they filled Rose with a small sense of pride. This was her work come to fruition. Things were happening.
She pulled herself away from the spectacle, feeling a small curl of distain as she watched legions of girls wrap their arms freely around… a certain blonde… She didn't love the way that made her feel.
She took in her surroundings; realizing, for the first time that day, that she was alone. The screams outside seemed to echo around her in a way that felt out-of body. Each step she took around the empty flat seemed almost obtrusive. Her brain was foggy in a way that was unfamiliar…
She took a seat on the bed, slowly recounting the new realities of their lives.
They were going to America…
They were touring alongside Angèle…
Angèle and Scorpius….
Angèle and Scorpius…
Scorpius…
Rose squeezed her eyes shut, willing the familiar yet somehow mythical discomfort at the thought of this unfortunate part of the agreement to go away. To no avail, it seemed. A flash of his eyes; piercing and searching. His scent; soft and familiar.
"Fuck you!"
"Fuck YOU!"
She felt like a different person up on that rooftop. How had her made her so angry? How had he provoked her to say such hurtful things?
"I thought you were different…"
Rose felt her stomach turn again… Is that really why he was so angry? What was he telling her? What was he asking of her? She felt like she could barely remember the words exchanged. Truth be told, her head was still caught in the space of their proximity… the way he looked at her…the soft rasp of his inquiry… She hated it.
"Is this what you want?"
Is this what she wanted?
She shook her head, marching off the bed to continue consolidating the apartment. There was another wave of screams. Yes. This is what she wanted.
She wanted their success. Her success.
She wanted to travel the world. Make beautiful music. Meet people. Attain prestige. The whole nine yards.
She wanted this.
Another flash of their argument came suddenly in her mind. A flash she had been attempting to keep at bay since the initial outburst. The memory of it stopped her in her tracks.
"Rose…"
That word. Such an innocuous one. Coming from his mouth. She wasn't sure what he was on about with that… Was it desperation? Anger? Was it fear? If she was honest, it made her a little weak in the knees.
But wasn't that just Scorpius? Wasn't he always making people weak in the knees? She'd known him for the better half of her life…
But then again, he hadn't been looking at her that way for the better half of their lives…
She turned suddenly, facing the mirror Scorpius had quietly acquiesced to, just moments earlier. Her sallow skin and tired eyes inspired a small sinking feeling in her stomach. She furrowed her brow, looking directly at herself. But that wasn't real…
She knew…starting in less than 3 days he would be arm in arm, on the cover of every magazine, on stage every evening; with France's most darling pop-star. That would only be the beginning. Today it's pop-stars… tomorrow its actresses, models…who knows. That was the life she was creating for them. This is real.
She looked down, noticing for the first time, a small jumper that had been left in the corner of the room. She reached to grab it, recognizing the forest green knit immediately.
It smelled like him. That soft, familiar scent. It was instinctual. It made her heart ache. She folded it into the smallest ball she could, and placed it deliberately at the bottom of the suitcase.
Grow-up, Rose.
As, she snapped the clasps of the trunks closed and began moving them to the living room, there was a sound of the door slamming.
She looked up to see Scorpius slowly moving to the couch, a very weary expression on his face. She didn't say anything, she just filled a glass of water and placed it quietly beside him.
She sat down on the sofa, opposite him, and began slowly leafing through her planner. She was in the process of modifying the crew itinerary for tomorrows performance, when she heard a sound from the other side of the room.
She looked up, wondering if she had maybe imagined it.
"Hmm?" she inquired.
"I said… 'L'." His eyes were closed, leaning his head against the back of the couch. She noticed, with a slight twinge in her chest, that he was bouncing one of his legs. Something he only did when he was nervous.
Rose felt her insides do a small somersault at his tiny olive branch.
"…Lumos Brothers…", she said after a moment, turning back to her itinerary.
He brought his head back up, noticing the water and taking a sip.
"Lobberflworm…"
"…The Levitensions"
"Liliana Logworth"
"Oh, good one. Double L. Two points…"
He gave her a small salute…"That means you have to go twice now."
She smirked, "Does it?"
"I don't make the rules, Weasley." She hadn't looked up from her planner, but she could tell there was a smile in his voice.
"The…the….Lockhearts?", she drew out, unconvincingly.
He smiled, "That's not a band. You're just making things up now."
She closed the planner, smiling back at him, "It's a band, I swear."
"Sing one song from 'The Lockhearts'..", he threw-up two mock quotes around the word, making her fib seem even more obvious.
She thought quick, "Baby…I loved you so much…I forgot who I was… You made me lose my mi-i-i-i-i-nd…"
He looked at her suspiciously, "You're lucky you're a gifted song writer…"
She cocked her head to the side, "Your turn now!"
He shook his head, "Ah ah. You owe me one more, remember?"
"Then I'm out.", she surrendered, tossing her hands up. "No more fake bands in this arsenal…"
He chuckled, "I knew it…"
They were silent for a bit, the sounds from outside washing around them like an off-kilter soundtrack. They had never fought that badly before. For Rose, she didn't know what making-up would even look like between the two of them. A silly game may be the closest thing they would get to an apology.
She was truly fine with that.
"-Are you going-", she started.
"-I just want y-", he overlapped.
They laughed, almost nervously, at their mutual interruption.
Scorpius began, "Am I going back downstairs? Yes. I just needed a bit of a breather. The two of them are much better at this than I am. That many people… Just- a lot at once…"
Rose nodded, holding back from saying something about how much more he would of this he would be subject to in the next few months…"And what were you going to say?"
He cleared his throat. He seemed to be searching for words. "I- I told Al. When I ran after him- just a bit ago. I told him- I said you wouldn't ever do anything that wasn't in the best interest of the band… of all of us."
She was silent, nodding in appreciation.
"I just want you to-", he cleared his throat again, "I just want you to know, that's what I said. He's aware of that- all the time. I know he is. But sometimes, I think he just needs someone to remind him…"
Rose smiled, but there was a bittersweet feeling attached to his words. She couldn't quite put her finger on it… "Or shake him…", she teased lightly, trying to maintain levity.
He laughed tiredly, rubbing his hands over his face. "Yes. Well. On that note- better make my way back downstairs…"
"Wouldn't want Emil or Rain…cloud worrying about you", she quipped.
"Yes…You can tell those two are obviously very emotional people", he groaned, getting up from his seated position, and moving to stretch his arms. "Merlin, I'm dead tired. We're moving at 3, you said? Nothing sounds better than a goods night slee-"
There was a distinctive little tap at an adjacent window. The two looked towards the source of the disturbance. They were surprised to see two pastel colored doves, hovering by the window an carrying -or attempting to carry- a small package between them.
Scorpius moved towards the window, intrigue still present on his countenance. The winged pair flew directly towards Rose, dropping the parcel in her lap.
"What the…", mused Rose, feeling the weight of the package with her hands.
The birds then flew towards Scorpius; resting on his shoulders and coo-ing. The two humans in the room were more confused than before…
"Well…I don't think they're going to take off till you open the damn thing…", he said slowly, nodding towards the feathery duo, who were currently nestling themselves quite comfortably into the crook of his neck.
Rose pulled at the strings, revealing a small box encased in a menagerie of pink and purple tulle. A card sat atop, with a an embellished script written on the front
To our new companions, We just heard the good news!
We hope you enjoy this present. It will keep us close in contact.
Enclosed are your tickets for this evening
See you then…
xo Mina
Rose traced the edges of the card with her fingertips…she was attempting to quell a rising, icy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She opened the box, finding her way through the puffy fabric. encased inside were four glittering passes -Angèle printed in a bold, iridescent script- and a small broach, the shape of which seemed to be a ladybug.
"Who's it from?"
Rose turned to look at Scorpius, he was momentarily immobilized by the roosting doves.
"Mina…" Rose said, looking back at the present, palming the little ladybug in her hand, "You'll meet her. She's…interesting."
Upon seeing Rose place the package down, their avian companions decided their work there was done and abruptly took off towards the window, eliciting a small yell from Scorpius.
Rose laughed, "I'm assuming you'll be seeing a bit more those two.."
"Angèle's?" he asked, vigorously dusting off his shoulder.
Rose's grin faltered, and she turned back down to inspect the tiny bejeweled insect. It was a beautiful piece, but it seemed out of character in the girly gifting, "Exactly…"
He grabbed the box, pulling out the shining tickets. His expression was mute.
"So…I guess a good night's sleep is not what I'm going to get this evening…", he sighed.
Rose shook her head.
He closed his eyes for a moment. If she didn't know him in the way that she did, she would have assumed this momentary halt was something akin to peaceful mediation. However, she did know him. He was restructuring, reorienting… He didn't like being upset. He didn't like feeling out of touch, or out of control. He was steeling himself; preparing himself.
He turned to her with a soft smile, "Well, I guess this evening's as good as any to meet the love of my life…"
Oh, how Rose wished the sound of those words didn't make her stomach sink…
—-
Rose Weasley was literally awestruck.
She had never been privy to a spectacle like this in her entire life.
She turned her head slowly to look at her companions, gauging their reaction to the spectacular display they were currently subject to. Their jaws were practically on the floor. Even Emil and Rainsford were standing at slightly more attention than usual.
What the hell had they gotten themselves into?
The move to the new location had happened rather smoothly, to Rose's immense relief. Their necessary attendance at Angele's show was met with mixed reviews from the remainder of the band. However, when they pulled up to the venue, and promotional posters of barely clad back-up dancers wearing angel wings and…not much else, came into view, the complaints were minimized.
They were met by Mina at the back entrance. She was bright and full of smiles, embracing the three boys and kissing them warmly on the cheeks. Rose was caught of guard by the welcome, but she could sense a manic undercurrent in Mina's warm greetings. To her, Scorpius was an incredibly valuable commodity, a prize that she had just recently won.
It made Rose feel queasy.
They were taken to a box, overlooking the entire arena. This was the largest stage Rose had seen in her entire career. The scope of it took her breath away…
"I can't believe we'll playing something this massive soon…", she heard Albus say softly beside her.
She turned to him, feeling a small wave of happiness at how his large, expressive eyes were shining. It was a confirmation of her decision. She had done the right thing.
She looked down at the crowd below, amusedly taking in the young girls with small angel wings attached to their backs. Everywhere you looked, there were wings, feathers, glitter, halo's…
"Feels almost sacrilegious, don't you think?", said Scorpius beside her, with a sly grin.
"She's got better branding than you or I could ever conceive for this band, so don't get too critical…", she teased, catching site of a group of young girls, no older than twelve, sporting bright pink crop tops with Angèle bedazzled in glittering gem stones. "I'll get you in something bejeweled, Malfoy. Mark my words…"
Soon, the lights went down, and a cacophony of screams erupted around them.
"…Fucking hell…", said Albus, in awe.
"Angèle! Angèle! Angèle!", the crowd chanted.
All of a sudden, tiny pink feathers began to rain from the ceiling…
The booming base of the song, first heard at La Magie, washed over the crowd as the feathers hit the audience and burst into tiny, effervescent sparkles.
Je vis dans une galaxie
Ombres saturées
The sound of screaming was overpowering.
The curtain covering the stage rose slowly, revealing a legion of feathery dancers contorting and writhing to the beat of the song. The stage was covered in large, bulbous clouds resembling a fluffy sort of whipped texture. They seemed to bob and sway to the rhythm of the music as well.
Chagrin et symétrie
D'un décor penché
There was a lull in the beat, and the group of dancers turned to the center of the stage. The lights went down, washing the entirety of the audience in a deep magenta glow. Rose felt her heart speed up with anticipation.
The song continued as a large, lilac, translucent sphere began to descend onto the stage. You could see the vague form of a figure suspended inside the egg-like shape. The crowd erupted into mania.
Au loin les filles nues
Se regardent danser
Au loin les filles nues
Se regardent danser
Just when it seemed the song could no longer stay suspended in it's current state, the beat dropped; breaking out the encased figure and filling the area with pulsing purple lights and a sweet lavender scent.
There she was.
Maintenant la pluie tombe
Sur ta cuisse galbée
Not to be outdone by her fans, she dropped delicately onto the stage sporting an iridescent pair of wings and a pale pink get-up made up of nothing but lace and ribbons.
Et parfois je songe
À tout abandonner
This Angèle was unlike the one she had met at dinner the evening prior. This Angèle was commanding, flirty, vivacious and sexy. She strutted around the stage, whipping around a large purple ponytail, whispering lyrics with a sultry voice and moving provocatively along with her back-up dancers.
Everywhere you turned there was something happening. Glittering fireworks pulsing to the groove of the song, and spelling out words of the song. Rose felt completely immobilized with wonder.
She had never seen anything like this.
All of a sudden, there was a curling voice in her ear.
"Miss Weasley, what do you think?"
It was Mina. Rose turned to her. She could see the ravenous satisfaction painted clearly on her face.
"It's incredible!", she said genuinely, attempting to be heard over the music "I'm completely blown away!"
Mina smiled, "This is only the beginning… You will see…"
Mina was right. The rest of the concert only got more elaborate and more awe inspiring. Each song had a different stage design, a different costume, different hair color… Rose was fighting a growing feeling of insignificance.
Towards the end of the show, during a number where Angèle sat solo on stage, crooning a ballad while visions of a starry night sky played around her, Mina leaned again towards Rose, whispering as if she had a delicate secret.
"For our coming shows…If all goes well…", she motioned her head in the direction of Scorpius, "We will have the two of them on stage for this number. A duet."
Rose widened her eyes, attempting to feign enthusiasm, "Oh! Yes. People will love that."
"I think…", said Mina artfully, "A kiss at the very end, no?"
Rose ignored the punch she felt directly in her gut. For some reason, she had not taken that particular element into consideration… "I'm getting excited just thinking about it…", she said with as much reverence as she could muster.
The rest of the show passed by ceremoniously, while Rose attempted to push the unwanted darkened feelings out of her system.
As the crowds of hoarse, exhausted and exhilarated attendees slowly filed out of the stadium. Rose and company were led backstage. As they made their way through a dimly lit hall, she couldn't help but hear the faint ploddings of Sonata No.2 Op. 35 in B-Flat Minor…
Funeral March.
She shook her head, shaking the melancholic notion out of her.
Soon, they were in a large dressing suite. The room in question looked as if it was an amalgamation of the entire show they had just witnessed crammed into one space. Tulle, feathers, glitter…Everywhere you looked, there was some pastel distraction.
"Rose!", a voice shouted out. Suddenly, there were a small set of arms that wrapped themselves tightly and enthusiastically around her.
"Merci, Merci for coming!", the glittering person who had so excitably attached herself to Rose pulled back, kissing her cheeks with delight. Her hair had been transformed to it's normal deep brown. She looked young and girlish again, "As-tu aimé? Did you like?"
Rose smiled. It was hard not to be charmed by the young star. "Angèle, it was incredible! You are…so, so talented."
Angèle flushed. She seemed truly warmed by Rose's compliment, "Merci.. I am so happy for that…"
Her eyes flicked suddenly to the figure to Rose's right. She grinned again ,with a new sparkle in her eyes. "Scorpius!"
This was the moment.
His eyes were wide, but amused. Rose could tell he was totally disarmed by her effervescence. She embraced him in the same way she had embraced Rose.
"It is a pleasure to meet you!", she exclaimed in between pecks.
He smiled, "C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer aussi…"
Her eyes widened and she turned to Mina excitedly, "Il parle français?"
Mina chuckled, "So it would seem darling…"
She turned back to Scorpius, "Tu parle français?"
"Oui, ma grand-mère est française.", He explained, rubbing the back of his neck. "Du côté de ma mère.."
Angèle clapped her hands, looking back at Mina. "Le dernier garçon nous avions seulement parlé italien!"
Scorpius laughed, his face turning a slight shade of red. Rose ached for how uncomfortable he looked.
Mina turned to Rose, explaining, "Her last relationship was with an Italian film star. Communication was… a bit difficult at the time."
Rose laughed -too hard, if she was being honest-, feeling woefully out of place. The pair to her right chattered away in French at a pace she couldn't keep up with. It made her feel silly and small.
Mina grabbed her arm lightly, "Let's give them a bit of alone time. I'll introduce you to our team…"
She was dragged around the large room, shaking hands with make-up artists, hair-stylists, security guards -four to be exact-, publicists, PA's, dancers. Angèle had a veritable carnival of people at her disposal, making her operation thrive.
It made Rose's small function seem deplorably inadequate.
She couldn't help but covertly check on the scene across the room. It seemed it was going well, actually. Scorpius seemed much more at ease, venturing even to crack a few jokes. Rose felt a slight curve of satisfaction as she watched the pair.
They were a beautiful couple. The fans would fall head-over-heels for the both of them. This was the start of something massive for all of them. She could feel the energy even from where she was standing.
He looked up, catching her eye for a moment and giving her a small grin. The grin said 'You were right. This isn't going to be that bad…"
It would have been perfect.
Except for the dreadful, defeating, deflating, debilitating feeling she felt every time she saw Angèle rest her hand lightly on his arm, or Scorpius smile at her silly joke.
It would have been perfect.
But she knew it was far from it.
—-
So…things are finally starting to ramp-up! I'm so excited for you guys to get the next chapter, it's the one I've been imagining and reworking since I started writing this piece!
Thank you to everyone who reviews and continues to support this story. Your words mean so much more to me than you know, and it really encourages me to keep writing.
Would love to know your thoughts on anything! You all are incredible :')
Can you guess which song Scorpius and Angèle will end up having to duet?
This playlist is songs I imagine having a similar feel to Angèle's music (some by the actual artist named Angèle, haha!)
Je Veux Te Voir - Yelle
Je Veux Tes Yeux - Angèle
Confetti - Julia Jean Baptiste
Nue - Clara Luciani
Repose en Paix - Tessa B.
Until next time!
xoxo