A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update, but I've been too busy to spend a lot of time on this recently, and this chapter was too important to rush.

However, here it is at last.

Contrary Consequences

Al,

I realise that this is really sudden and unexpected and that it's a lot to ask of you, but I don't know what else to do. I don't really have anyone else to turn to. I'm not sure where Grandma is right now – I think she went off somewhere with her sister for a week – and Mum's still away. I don't even know if I could count on Mum now; I'm not sure who I can count on anymore. But I figure I can count on you, can't I?

What I'm trying to say is can I come and stay with you? It's just that I had this massive fight with Dad about Rose and he tried to make me choose between her and him so I packed my things and walked out. That was a few days ago, and I've spent the last couple of nights here at the Leaky Cauldron, but I'm running out of money now and I've got nowhere else to go. You were the only person I could think of, and after all the things you've told me about your dad I was really hoping he wouldn't mind taking me in for a little while. Would that be okay? Or is this too much to ask? I don't want to impose on your family, but I don't know what else to do.

Scorp


Scorp,

You fought with your dad? How on earth did that happen? I thought you were sure he'd be thrilled about Rose? That's ridiculous that–

Sorry, I'm getting carried away. You can fill me in on the details once I see you. I talked to Dad and he's perfectly happy for you to come and stay. Of course you wouldn't be imposing; what with the amount of cousins I have, Mum and Dad are used to having the house full of Weasleys, and believe me when I say you're not half as much trouble as a Weasley!

If you get your stuff packed up then Dad's going to pick you up tomorrow morning. Mum wanted him to come right now – she doesn't like you being all on your own at the Leaky Cauldron – but he says it would be easier just to wait and drive over in the morning. You'll be okay for one more night, won't you? It's Professor Longbottom's wife, Hannah, who runs the Leaky Cauldron, so if you run out of money just tell her Dad will pay her back tomorrow.

It's going to be so great having you to stay over! Rose will be thrilled when she hears. Not about you arguing with your dad, obviously, but about getting to see you during the holidays. Though I suppose it might make the situation with her dad complicated …

Let's not worry about that right now, though. Goodnight, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Al


Hermione,

I have an interesting piece of news. Scorpius Malfoy is currently staying with us, and will probably be doing so for the rest of the holiday. Naturally he's eager to see Rose, and will certainly be seeing everyone if he comes to the Burrow with us in a couple of weeks, so it might be a good idea for you to start softening Ron up now. The kid's been through a lot recently and I'm not sure he can cope with being yelled at by his girlfriend's father on top of all that.

Harry


Harry,

Hermione told me that the Malfoy kid is staying with you. What the hell were you thinking? Either you make him leave or me, Hermione and Rose aren't coming to stay this summer, or going to the Burrow either. I refuse to watch a Malfoy snogging my daughter, like that Ethan guy used to.

Ron


Ron,

Calm down. There's no need to freak out about it. Yes, Scorpius is staying with us, but I think once you hear why you might not mind so much.

Basically, he had a fight with his dad about his relationship with Rose and ended up walking out of the house. Running away from home because he didn't agree with his family about something and staying with his best friend: does that remind you of anyone?

You should have seen the kid when I picked him up from the Leaky Cauldron. He was a mess, really pale with dark circles under his eyes like he hadn't slept properly in a while. And he kept apologising for having to ask us for help; I think he must have thanked me about a million times for agreeing to let him stay.

Give him a chance, mate. He seems like a decent kid.

Harry


Harry,

Well, I'm not promising to like him, but I guess I can be civil. Mainly because Hermione says her and Rose will be visiting you and the Burrow, whether I choose to come or not.

After all, it probably won't last. Most of Rose's relationships don't. Give it a few months and he'll be gone.

Ron


Ron,

I don't know; I think this one may be more permanent. I get the feeling Scorpius was really close to his dad, but when he was asked to choose between his family and Rose he just packed his bags and walked out. That sounds pretty committed to be. I think you might want to get used to this boyfriend.

Harry


Scorp,

Mum told me you're staying with Al. That's brilliant! It's going to be so great to see you, and introduce you to everyone. Some of them might be a bit funny about it at first, but we'll win them over. How could we fail to? They all liked Ethan, and you're a million times nicer than him!

Mum didn't explain why you're staying with the Potters, though. Do your parents mind? I though your Grandma was meant to be visiting? And didn't you want to spend some time with your Mum and Dad?

Write back soon!

Rose


Rose,

It's a long story, and I haven't actually told anyone all of it yet. I had a fight with Dad – which Al and his parents know – about you, but I haven't told anybody some of the really awful stuff Dad said. Mum wasn't there, so it was just Dad yelling and yelling and yelling at me, and me standing there taking it, because I was too shocked to say anything. He said he'd had so many expectations for me, but that I'd been disappointing him from the moment I started Hogwarts. He said he'd been devastated when I went into Hufflepuff, and that he was furious when I became friends with you and Al, but that he hadn't wanted to say anything because he hoped it would pass or something, but then I was really bad at Potions, and I chose Muggle Studies, and my favourite teachers were Hagrid and Professor Longbottom. And then he said he regretted not being firmer with me, like Grandad suggested he should, and that I was a disgrace to the family. And then … Rose, then he said he was ashamed to be my father and that if I didn't give you up then I should no longer consider myself a Malfoy.

I never knew my dad could be so horrible. I'm starting to understand why people are instantly prejudiced against me when they hear I'm his son. No wonder people hate him so much if this is what he's really like. I just want my old Dad back, the one who used to hug me when I was upset and sing me lullabies when I couldn't sleep and listen to me talk for hours and hours when I was worried about something, and then tell me that everything was going to be okay because he wouldn't let anything hurt me. The Dad who told me I was special and he'd love me no matter what.

I guess that Dad never really existed, though. Because that Dad would never say the things he did, so I suppose that Dad was just a fake, or a figment of my imagination.

And now I'm going to have to deal with your dad at some point. I'm not sure I have the energy right now. I don't know how I'm going to cope with going to the Burrow, and having all your relatives glaring at me and judging me. What's wrong with everyone? The war ended years ago. You'd think the world could just forget about it by now, wouldn't you?

I've not been very cheerful, have I? I'm really sorry, and I'll try to be in a better mood by the time I actually see you.

Scorp


Scorp,

There's no need to apologise; you have every reason to be in a bad mood, and I could kill your dad right now. How dare he say you're a disappointment! All you've done since starting at Hogwarts is fight against the awful reputation he'd given you, and do your best to exceed in absolutely everything. You're dad's a prat and you should ignore him.

Maybe you shouldn't be too hard on him, though. Not that I'm defending what he did – because I'm furious with him – but I think it's a little harsh to say that everything he's ever said or done throughout your life has been fake.

Anyway, you're worrying far too much about going to the Burrow. Yes, I admit Dad will probably be a bit of an idiot, but apart from that I doubt it'll really be very bad. Half the people there will be my cousins and most of them have been at school with you at some point, or still are, so they know you're great. And I know you're pulling a sceptical face right now, but they genuinely do all really like you. James said a couple of months ago that him and his friends think you're "a pretty decent guy" which is practically a declaration of love coming from James, and I know for a fact that Hugo and Lily both think you're amazing. In fact, you'd be surprised how many people think you're amazing. After all, it was you who started that thing where we all hang out under the tree by the lake, which must be the first time in about a thousand years that Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and Slytherins have all hung out together as friends. People really respect you for being the one who caused that.

So I think, considering you have the support of every single Hogwarts-age Weasley, and most of the adults are mature enough not to hold a grudge, we should be able to convince the few – such as Dad and possibly Uncle George – who aren't. Quit worrying.

Rose


Rose,

You're exaggerating; there's no way people like me that much. It wasn't like I really did anything. I invited some of my friends to come down to the lake with us, and it just happened that all of them were in different houses, and they chose to bring other friends along.

But I see what you're trying to say, and I'm not really worrying very much. I like most of your cousins, and Al's family have been really lovely to me. Mrs Potter – she keeps telling me to call her Ginny, but I always forget – in particular has been fussing over me and telling me all sorts of really cool stories about when she used to play Quidditch. She's really great, but can be pretty scary when she gets mad at James for something. Then again, most people would get angry when someone sets off Dung bombs in every single room of the house at four in the morning. Not the most pleasant way to wake up, I have to admit. Shouldn't he be more grown up than that, what with moving out in a couple of months and getting a job and everything?

I can't wait to see you; when do you think that will be? Al says we're going to the Burrow in a couple of weeks, but I'm not sure I can wait that long. Would your dad mind you coming over for the day at some point or something?

Scorp


Scorp,

I was just talking to Mum and she says we can come and visit! We're coming on Monday afternoon, and Mum and Dad will just stay for dinner and then go home, but I can stay for the rest of the week! Hugo's coming too and he'll be staying as well. And Dad's promised to be on his best behaviour, so we might actually get through the meal without any major arguments. I'm so excited! It's going to be great fun, you, Al and me all together. Almost like being at school, except better because there'll be no classes or schoolwork. I can't wait!

Oh, and in answer to your question, James will never grow up. He'll still be setting off Dung bombs when he's eighty.

Rose


Rose,

That sounds great. I'll be looking forward to Monday.

Scorp