A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while – coursework is to blame once again, so I'm really really sorry. But it'll all be over by next weekend, so hopefully I can update more! For anyone following my other story, I will be continuing it, you just might have to wait a little longer. Keep reviewing! The only reason I've even written this chapter was because the reviews soared for Chapters 21 and 22! Keep an eye out for updates! - Rxx
In the Previous Chapter…
"We need to go to Hogwarts, Dad, as in, right now" Scorpius said, lifting Rose off of his shoulders and into the crook of his arm. "We have an issue."
Draco, Scorpius and Rose soon were enveloped in green flames that harmlessly licked their sides as they flooed through to Professor Longbottom's office.
"This is a….surprise" Longbottom said, rising from his chair as the three figures appeared in his office.
"We need to speak to McGonagll, Professor" Scorpius explained as Rose climbed up his body before perching herself on his back, scaling Scorpius' tall figure as if it was a climbing frame. Both Draco and Longbottom raised their eyebrows at the way Scorpius didn't even blink at this, automatically adjusting his arms to hold the small child in place, as if it was the most natural thing on earth to him.
"Is something wrong?" Longbottom asked after a second or two.
"Yeah, Rose can apparate" Scorpius said bluntly. The two men's jaws hit the ground.
"Scorp, you didn't mention that to me!" Draco spluttered. "That's incredible!"
"I'm worried though. She could apparate inside the Manor wards, when they're customly set to not allow apparation on the premises unless you've been pre-cleared. Rose wouldn't have been cleared as no one expected her to be able to apparate, but she got round our wards" Scorpius frowned.
"Is there something wrong with me?" Rose asked quietly from his back, twisting her little fingers gently in Scorpius' hair. You could tell it tickled him, but Scorpius fought to keep a straight face.
"Not exactly wrong, hun, it's just that you usually can't apparate until you're 17" he explained, his face morphing with laughter as Rose continued to fiddle with his hair.
"Oh" she said understandingly.
"I think this is a matter for McGonagall and the Ministry, Scorpius" Longbottom said, before leading Scorpius to her office.
"Minerva, Scorpius has made a rather…interesting…discovery" he said as they entered the headmistress' office.
"Rose can apparate, Professor" Scorpius explained.
"That is interesting" McGonagall said, rising from her seat.
"That's not what's worrying me, Professor, it's the fact she can apparate within wards" Scorpius scowled slightly. He put Rose down and pointed to the window in the corner. "Rosie, can you imagine you're standing by that window for me?"
The adults gasped as Rose vanished with a small 'pop' and materialised by the window.
"You have a pretty view of the lake" Rose observed from her new position by the window, clueless to the surprise on the adults' faces.
"Now you see my issue, Professor" Scorpius said as Rose walked back to his side, grasping his hand.
"There's nothing we can do, I don't think" McGonagall frowned. "There is a spell that you can use to prevent people from being able to apparate, but it is irreversible, so Rose wouldn't be able to apparate when she reages-"
"-and she'd positively kill you if you took away her privilege of apparation" Draco finished with a grin.
"Please dad, stop picturing my gruesome death, it's a bit creepy" Scorpius laughed. "So what do we do then?"
"Rose, I need you to promise that you will never do that again unless Scorpius tells you to, okay?" McGonagall said, crouching down in front of Rose to her height.
"Okay" Rose smiled.
"Professor, please don't mention this to the Ministry" Scorpius suddenly frowned.
"I really should. They will want to investigate…"
"Exactly. They will take Rose away and examine her like she's an exhibit in a zoo" Scorpius frowned. "She's only got just over a month left like this, so if they take her away now, I may never see her again!" he finished with a shout, tears suddenly forming at him eyes. Scorpius turned on his heel and stalked out of the office. Rose stared questioningly at the door as it slammed shut, then burst into tears.
"It'll be alright, Rosie" Draco said, scooping the sobbing child into his arms, trying to comfort her. "Scorp's just a bit upset"
"I think you should go and find him, Neville" McGonagall said, motioning to the door. With a nod, Longbottom left.
He hadn't walked far when he heard strangled sobs coming from a hidden alcove. Scorpius was satb on the step in the alcove, sobbing into his hands.
"Scorpius, that was quite an outburst there. We need to know what's wrong" Longbottom said, sitting next to Scorpius on the floor.
"I just….I've got so little time left!" he said, wiping tears from his eyes hastily, trying but failing to stop his sobs.
"I know, Scorpius. It is going to be hard, but you must remember, there is every chance that Rose will remember all of this when she reages" Longbottom tried to comfort the boy at his side.
"But what if she doesn't?" Scorpius almost whispered, pain evident in his voice.
"Scorpius, even if she didn't, she will want to know exactly what has been happening to her for the last few months. She will be told exactly who cared for her all these months" Longbottom said, passing a tissue to Scorpius, who gratefully took it and dried his eyes.
"I'll look like an idiot from someone else's view"
"No, you won't. Rose will see that you cared for her as if she were your own child, Scorpius. You have sacrificed so much for her. You befriended her family, spent Christmas with them and if she needs any further proof, I heard you received a Weasley jumper. That will be the ultimate proof as to how much you love her" Longbottom said, instantly regretting the way he'd finished his sentence.
"Is it that obvious?" Scorpius smirked sadly.
"Unfortunately so" Longbottom smiled. "It's in your eyes, and in the way you care for her, and in the way you talk to her and listen and understand her" he explained. "Rose won't ever see you as an idiot after all this, Scorpius, just try to remember that."
Rose was sucking on a sugar quill in Draco's lap when Scorpius and Longbottom reentered the headmistress' office.
"You alright, Scorp?" Draco asked, worried for his son.
"Scorp'us! Are you feeling happy now? Draco said you were feeling upset and that made me upset 'cause I don't like it when you're upset and then you ran off and…" Rose cried, jumping out of Draco's lap and into Scorpius' arms.
"I'm better now, hun, I was just…..i just remembered something that upset me a lot" Scorpius said with a strained smile. "Anyway, now we sorted that issue with the apparation out, Professor, I think it's about time we went home. We're meeting up with the Weasleys and Potters tomorrow, so Rose'll need some sleep" Scorpius said.
"Of course, Scorpius. I expect to see you here for the start of term in a few day's time" McGonagall nodded. Scorpius walked Rose over to the fire and flooed away in burst of green. "Watch him, Draco" McGonagall warned, "He's going to be very disturbed by this. He's just realised how little time he has left for definite with Rose"
"I know, Minerva. I'll be going now, I guess" Draco nodded before following his son's footsteps and flooing out of the office.
Scorpius flooed his and Rose to his room in the manor. He walked Rose over to the bed and pulled out her puzzle box. "See if you can figure this out while I call someone quickly" he tossed the box at her and knelt down by the fire.
"The Burrow" Scorpius said, throwing a handful of floo powder into the grate and pushing his head through the flames.