Chapter 3
"The usual," Scorpius told Joe. The tired, bald bartender nodded and turned to pour Scorpius a glass of smooth whiskey on the rocks. Scorpius slid him some muggle money, and took a sip of his drink in silence. He liked the anonymity that muggle bars bought him. He didn't have to worry about some stupid Prophet writer spying on him at the end of the day. One minute he'd be drinking a glass of Firewhiskey, and the next morning the Prophet would turn him into a raging alcoholic. That and he would've apparently started a bar-side brawl. None of which actually happened of course. Muggle bars were just easier. Plus, muggle drinks were stronger than Firewhiskey. That, and muggle birds were easier to snag.
Scorpius surveyed his prospective lays as he continued to sip at his drink. As his eyes feasted on pretty girl after pretty girl, he realized he was just not in the mood. The events of earlier that day had put him off. He wanted to not care, but it was hard. He couldn't help but wonder what Weasley would choose. Weasley, the perfect daughter, sister, friend, Auror—the "perfect" girl. The Prophet had never found a reason to mess with her. She never gave them a chance—top of the class at Hogwarts, no scandalous relationships, and now top-notch Auror. Pregnant-at-age-22 didn't quite fit in with the golden image she had maintained for the press. "For the press" being the key words. Scorpius was still in shock after learning about the truth behind the Weasley family. So many thoughts rushed through his head, and he decided finally to go back to his flat. Maybe Albus could put him at ease.
Scorpius grimaced as he realized that his flat mate would have to hear the news of Weasley's pregnancy. There was no telling how he'd take it. Scorpius downed the rest of his drink and got up from the barstool. He nodded his thanks to Joe, slung his leather jacket over his shoulder, and left the bar. As he stepped over the threshold into the frigid November air, he wondered, not for the first time that night, if Weasley had made her decision yet.
~:-:~
Rose lifted her fist up to the door and put it down for a third time. She had been standing in front of the Burrow's doors for the past five minutes, unable to announce her arrival. She was still warring with the idea of telling her parents, because in all honesty, she could not see why everyone expected them to suddenly give two shits about her wellbeing.
She had told Hugo just before, and he (being the most amazing and supportive little brother Rose could ever ask for) wrapped her in a tight embrace and smoothed down her hair, like she had done for him many a time. It was in this moment that Rose finally allowed the tears to escape. For the first time since hearing the news, Rose allowed herself to feel something. She wept because it was unfair, she wept because it was cruel, and she wept because the unborn child she was carrying didn't deserve the harsh reality that its life would bring. It was in Hugo's arms that she had made her decision. After her tears had been spent, Hugo sat her down and they discussed the issue over a cup of tea. Tea made exactly like Grandma Weasley made it.
At first, Rose had considered keeping the child. It wasn't the baby's fault that it was conceived, it didn't ask to be born. But then, as she continued to mull over the implication, she changed her mind. For what child would want to be born with a lunatic, supremacist, fascist, homicidal, madman as a father and a single, overworked, stressed out, incompetent mother? She would never be able to look into her child's eyes and not be reminded of the horrible reason for which it born. The child would be a constant reminder of the three hours in which Rose was tortured and used in ways that no human should ever have to endure. She knew if she kept the baby, it would only remind her of that terrible night, and she would never be able to fully love it because of this. The child would live a miserable life, and Rose did not want to be responsible for that.
So it was with this logic that Rose had told Hugo her decision. At first, Hugo was adamant that she re-think her decision. "A life is a life," he kept saying, as if it were as simple as that. But as she continued to argue her point, even Hugo came to realize that this was not as simple as life and death. This was a question of being able to give someone else a life worth living. And Hugo knew that the child would be born into a cursed existence. And it was with that realization that Hugo agreed with his older sister. As they parted ways, Hugo made Rose promise that she tell their parents. He had even offered to come along with her. But Rose, ever the independent one, promised to tell them and politely declined his offer. With a last hug, she left Hugo's flat, but not before he told her to visit more often. He was afraid that Rose was becoming a stranger.
Rose, recalling her promise to her favorite brother, finally knocked on the door to her grandparents' house. She had owled her mum to come to the Burrow as soon as she could. Rose's father had been living in the Burrow ever since he and Hermione had separated. They still kept the house that Rose had grown up in, so the Prophet didn't suspect anything, but no one had step foot inside that house in years. Excluding the house elves, of course. After treating Ron Weasley for his depression, St. Mungo's had cleared him to live with his parents on the condition that he attend bimonthly checkups and he have significant amount of time away from his wife. Both conditions were met, and one Ronald Bilius Weasley had made full recovery. He had often asked to see his children, but Rose, being as busy as she was, did not get very many chances to come down and visit. Hugo visited his father every week and had dinner with the Weasleys every Friday evening. Depending on whether or not Rose was in a life threatening situation, she would try to make it to dinner.
So it didn't come as a surprise when Grandpa Weasley opened the door and wore a mask of utter shock upon seeing his most evasive granddaughter on his front porch. No one had warned him, it seemed, that Rose would be coming round for dinner on a Wednesday night. After overcoming his initial shock, Arthur Weasley allowed a smile to grace his old, sincere features. "Rosie! How's my favorite flower?" Rose allowed a small giggle to escape her, and she realized with a pang, she sorely missed her family. Grandpa Weasley opened his arms wide and waited for her to step into his embrace. But Rose, perpetually on duty, shook her head subtly.
"Grandpa, you've got to ask me the question." Arthur Weasley adopted a blank look before realizing his mistake. He dropped his arms to his sides and took a few steps back into the house.
"Erm—what did Grandma Weasley and I get you for your very first Christmas?"
Rose smiled at the memory and touched her collar before answering, "A silver rose pendant. Which I still wear, by the way." She smiled brightly at her sweet Grandfather before asking him a question.
"What does Grandma Weasley hate about Bill?"
Grandpa Weasley chuckled as he answered, "The fact that he still wears an earring and wears his hair long." Rose laughed and wasted no time in throwing herself into her Grandfather's waiting embrace. He still smelled like everything she missed: Grandma Weasley's cooking, the spicy aftershave that almost every Weasley man used, honeysuckle, and the Burrow. She inhaled deeply before letting him go. She pretended she didn't see the tears in his eyes as she took his hand and walked into the kitchen.
"Molly! Molly, my love, guess who turned up at our door?" Grandma Weasley turned around from the sink, and all the dishes stopped washing themselves. Her mouth dropped open in shock, but she recovered faster than her husband. She made her way towards Rose so fast, that Rose had to brace herself for the massive hug that made her question why she had ever left in the first place. She felt tears forming, but she quickly held them back.
"Well, about time you decided to show up Miss Weasley. What do you have to say for yourself?" Typical Grandma Weasley, interrogating her before she could even catch her breath.
"I've been terribly busy, Grandma! I've had loads to do, and if you don't believe me, you can ask Aunt Ginny. It's been mission after mission nonstop. I haven't even had time for myself lately."
Grandma Molly "hmphed" and took off her apron. "I've told Ginny that she's overworking herself and the rest of the Aurors. I'm sure the people you're hunting stop to eat and sleep, so why shouldn't you?"
Rose laughed. "I wish it were that easy, Grandma. Anyways, has Mum come by?"
Both old Weasley heads turned to face Rose. "No. Why should she be here?" Grandma Weasley asked sharply. Rose looked at both of her grandparents and measured the situation carefully. She loved them dearly, and she would never want to see them hurt. But at the same time, they were worthy of her trust. She decided to tell them about her situation as well.
"Well you see, Grandma…"
"Rosie? Rosie is that you?" a disembodied, frail voice said from the staircase. "Rosie, please say it's you." A hopeful looking Ronald Weasley made his way downstairs and stopped upon seeing Rose's face. Before anyone could say anything, tears were running down his face as he rushed to embrace his only daughter. "Rosie, I haven't seen you in months. How is my favorite daughter doing?" Rose was surprised to feel some wetness on her cheeks. Looks like she wasn't completely in control of her emotions as she thought. She quickly wiped the tears away and beamed at her father. He looked well. The time away from home and mum seemed to have done him good.
"I'm so sorry I haven't come round to see you in such a long time. I've been unbelievably busy with work. And actually, I wanted to tell you something. It's related to work, and erm—I think we should just wait til mum gets here," Rose ended nervously. She had mentioned that mum would be coming in her letter to her father, but Grandma and Grandpa Weasley had no idea what this was about.
"Right, well we can just catch up over some tea while we wait," Ron suggested.
"Wait. I want to know why exactly she is coming to my house. I don't want her anywhere near my son," Grandma Weasley asserted.
"I'm sorry, Grandma. But there's something I need to tell all of you. It's concerning my health and I wanted to tell you all—" Rose was interrupted by a knocking at the door. Realizing it was probably Hermione, Rose volunteered to answer the door. She swung open the door, and immediately pointed her wand in her mum's face (something she had wanted to do for a very long time). "Who chose the name for my little brother?"
Hermione looked completely bewildered before she realized what was going on. "You did, Rosie." Rose lowered her wand and internally cringed at her mother's use of her nickname. She raised one of her eyebrows, indicating that her mother should also ask her a question. Hermione sighed before asking, "What did you name that cat that used to come by sometimes for scraps?"
Rose grudgingly smiled at the memory before answering, "Sirius. I called him Sirius." Hermione smiled briefly before stepping into the Burrow. Rose watched as her mother's eyes temporarily glazed over and a small smile graced her tired features. Crows feet crinkled the edges of her eyes and her hair was frizzier than ever. She had started wearing glasses, and her face was devoid of any makeup. She looked pretty terrible in Rose's opinion. It didn't look like she was living the life she claimed she wanted before the separation. She looked as shitty as Rose was feeling.
They made their way to the sitting room in an awkward silence. Once they arrived, three Weasley heads all turned to face Rose and the unwanted visitor. Rose realized she would probably be forced to play mediator, so she sat next to her father and let her mother take a seat in the single chair. No words were exchanged.
After three minute of excruciating silence, Rose decided to start. "So er—I just got back from a mission yesterday. I can't tell you what I was doing, because it's classified, but I was undercover and well—stuff happened." Eight eyes were on her and she knew she had their undivided attention. But how to break the news to them lightly? "IwasrapedbythetargetIwasstalkingandnowI'mheretote llyouthatI'mpregnant."
Hermione seemed to understand first, and she was at her daughter's side in a matter of seconds. She took a few calming breaths before speaking. "Rose, I need you to tell me exactly who did this to you, and I swear, I am going to make him so sorry he ever even thought about touching a hair on your head." Rose was actually kind of scared by her mother's expression. She was also kind of scared by the fact that her mother cared. Rose was about to reply, when her father shot up from his seat and clutched his wand so tightly that his knuckles went white.
"Rosie, you tell your father exactly where this sodding scumbag is, and I will rip him limb to limb and feed him to one of Hagrid's bloody blast-ended skrewts. I will skewer him and fry him til he bleeds and then cut him into thin slices—"
Ron's tirade was interrupted by Hermione "What your father means to say is, we're going to kill this bastard. Now tell us who he is." They waited intently for Rose to tell them exactly who had done this to her. Her grandparents were still processing what had happened. Grandpa Weasley kept opening and closing his mouth, and Grandma Weasley was making enough tea to feed a small army. And Rose, well Rose started crying. Bawling, actually. For the third time that day, Rose was in tears all thanks to her rotten, good-for-nothing family that apparently cared. Apparently it took a pregnancy caused by rape to make them suddenly care. Or (a small voice in Rose's head was spewing out nonsense) they had cared all along.
Rose rolled up into a ball and cried, and as she emptied out every single drop of water that her eyes could possibly hold, she felt warm arms encircle her from either side. And she stayed like that for a while. Just crying, with her parents hugging her, whispering soothing words. Words that healed her aching heart. They said five simple words that made coming to the Burrow seem like the best decision she had ever made. They told her, "It's going to be alright."
Ok so I decided that I wanted Rose to like her parents. I didn't really want to turn her into this depressing mess. So there you go, she's gonna give her parents some lovin.
Sorry nothing actiony happened in this chapter, but we needed some character development up in here.
Review, review, review! :)
