A/N: Here's the second chapter, which I hope everyone likes just as much as the first one! After this, it's going to jump to 'five years later' so be prepared for that! I really love hearing your feedback; criticism is just as welcome as compliments!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

…

Rose Weasley was pounding hard on the front door of a small house in a muggle neighborhood. The man living inside was an older wizard who Rose knew, although not very well.

It was one o'clock in the morning but Rose knew this couldn't wait. It was too important and they had too much at stake to make even a single mistake.

"Can I help you?" the door opened just a crack and Rose could see a small sliver of Mr. Perkin's face.

She cleared her throat and Scorpius gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Yes. Mr. Perkins, I am Rose Weasley and I desperately need your help."

"Merlin's beard! Why didn't you say so? Come in, child, come in!" He hurriedly pulled open the door and ushered the two teenagers into his tiny sitting room.

Mr. Perkins had worked with her grandfather in the office of muggle relations for years before changing positions within the Ministry to the position he now held.

"Mr. Perkins I am going to cut straight to the point. This is Scorpius Malfoy. We need to be married right away and we need for it to be kept secret from everyone. Especially our families."

The older man paled considerably at this. "What's the haste? You two look awfully young and…" he trailed off with the looks he was receiving from the couple.

"You heard our surnames, Mr. Perkins," said Scorpius patiently. "Our parents don't want us to be together but we are very much in love. We need to be wed before they realize that we're missing."

"To cross not only the Weasley family but the Malfoys as well…"

"We're willing to pay you for your assistance and your silence," said Scorpius.

"That's not the only issue," snapped Mr. Perkins. "If I were to perform a wizard wedding ceremony it would require the proper rings and papers…"

"Which we have," said Rose who was always very organized. Quickly she extracted the wedding bands they'd previously purchased and the proper licensing papers from her knapsack. They had been prepared for any outcome of events.

"Well, I…I'm not sure I should do this."

"Mr. Perkins," said Rose in an angry bossy tone that had Scorpius hiding a smirk behind his hand. "We are two legal consenting adults. As Scorpius has already said, he and I love each other very much but our parents refuse to let us be together. Please have a heart. Please help us."

Scorpius knew the battle was won. Nobody could say 'no' to Rose when she turned those big beautiful blue eyes on them. "I am going against my better judgment here, Miss Weasley, but yes…Merlin help me, I'll marry you."

It was a very short ceremony. Rose and Scorpius said their vows right there in Mr. Perkin's sitting room. He made sure all of the proper magical marriage bonds were placed on them and that their wedding bands had the right magical enchantments in them as well.

Rose and Scorpius were signing the marriage papers when Mr. Perkins said uneasily, "Erm, you do realize that this license will be filed in the Ministry office. If your parents go looking for it, it will be there."

"Wait a while before you file it," said Scorpius who knew just a bit more about the inner Ministry workings than Rose. "Hold onto this license at your house for a few years, just in case. It's still legal and binding. If we ever need it for any legal reasons, we'll know it's safely with you."

"And if something were to happen to me?" he asked gruffly.

"Then make sure it goes to the Ministry if that were to happen."

"I must be crazy to do this," he said more to himself than them. "This is going to cost you a hefty amount of gold, mind."

"We expected that," said Scorpius as he pulled money from his knapsack. "How much exactly?"

While the men talked price Rose admired her ring. Mr. Perkins had briefly explained that these bands tied Scorpius and Rose together magically. Divorce in the wizard world was possible, just exceptionally rare and difficult.

Taking these bonds was as serious as an Unbreakable Vow in many ways. The delicate silver band with the enormous marquise shaped diamond on top with the additional rubies and emeralds surrounding it that was now encircling Rose's finger could not be removed unless her husband died.

"I hope you two are very happy together," said the obviously shaken wizard as he ushered them toward the door. They had been pleasantly surprised that no witnesses were required to testify that the wedding had taken place because the magical bonds were witness enough. So it was just the three of them who knew this secret.

"Thank you," Rose hugged him, kissed his cheek, and again she and Scorpius took flight.

Their second stop was going to be just a bit trickier. Gringotts bank had goblins working 24/7. However, the bank was not, strictly speaking, open for another six hours.

"We are currently closed," said a goblin rather rudely when Rose and Scorpius entered the atrium. They both had their own bank accounts here with hefty amounts of gold. They each had parents and other relatives who regularly added money to their accounts and together they had a nice little fortune.

The only problem was that they might not be able to access it. Rose was hoping that claiming to have permission to be here would suffice. Just in case, however, she was fully prepared to play the 'my entire family are war heroes' card.

"There was a family emergency," Rose invented wildly. "Scorpius Malfoy and I are here to enter our vaults because we need the money tonight."

The goblin, knowing that Rose was a Weasley, eyed them suspiciously. "And do you and Mr. Malfoy have your keys?"

"Of course! We also have express permission from Bill Weasley," Rose was bluffing her way through this while Scorpius just went along for the ride.

Again the goblin looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end he wasn't willing to risk the wrath of the wizarding community by failing to aid the daughter of Ron and Hermione Weasley.

"Very well, this way," the three of them clambered into a cart and took off. When the cart stopped at her vault, Rose immediately leaned over the side of the cart and vomited. Scorpius rubbed her back soothingly, not knowing what else to do.

"Vault number 452," said the goblin as he took the lantern and held it up to the door with Rose's key in his hand. For a moment he paused. "Something has changed. This vault does not belong to Rose Weasley. Your money has been transferred to the vault of Scorpius Malfoy."

Rose blanched. Had the magical bonds performed during their wedding ceremony done this? Apparently it had because the goblin was looking at them now with dawning comprehension.

With pursed lips he jumped back into the cart and it sped off again. "Vault number 878," he announced. Scorpius handed over his key and when the goblin pulled open the vault door, it was obvious that their gold had indeed been combined magically by the bank.

"We're taking all of it," said Scorpius and began sweeping the money into his bottomless bag.

"How did this happen?" Rose asked.

"When a marriage takes place the bank recognizes the magical bonds and adjusts accordingly. According to wizard laws, your possessions and your husband's possessions belong to each other equally. Tradition dictates that it is the wife's vault's contents that transfer to the wizard's account. This is no longer Scorpius Malfoy's vault, but rather, the Malfoy's vault. Yours and his."

Rose didn't trust this goblin. She knew that the only reason he had allowed them to enter their vaults after hours was because of her name and stature in wizarding society. Would he tell their parents that they had been there?

She would worry about that later. When they had secured all of the gold they had and exchanged most of it for muggle currency, they left.

"Well, where would you like to spend your honeymoon, Mrs. Malfoy?" asked Scorpius in what he hoped was a cheerful voice.

"With you," she replied instantly.

Smiling, Scorpius escorted her down Diagon Alley toward the Leaky Cauldron; from there, they could use the floo network to reach his intended destination.

….

Ronald Weasley woke up unusually restless the next morning. He reckoned he was still upset about the conversation he'd had with Rose. Hermione was up also, earlier than normal for both of them.

"Do you feel…strange?" she asked quietly as they lay in bed together. "Like something is wrong but you don't know what?"

"Kinda, yeah. Don't worry, love, let's get up and have some breakfast. Then we'll feel better."

Hermione gave a soft laugh, "Just because food always makes you feel better, Ronald, doesn't mean it works that way for everyone. But I am rather hungry. Why don't you start frying up some sausages and I'll wake Rose?"

They slid out of bed and went their separate ways; Ron skipping down the stairs and Hermione turning toward their daughter's bedroom. "Rose," Hermione knocked on the door. When she got no response, she turned the knob and pushed it open.

Her heart plummeted. Not only was Rose nowhere to be seen, but her bed had very obviously not been slept in. Hermione had made the bed herself the day before, preparing for Rose to come home from Hogwarts after graduation. She had placed the pillows just so and put Rose's favorite childhood stuffed animal (a baby unicorn) on it. Nothing had been moved.

Panicking, Hermione screamed, "Ron!" and ran for the stairs. Her husband met her halfway and Hermione collided into his chest sobbing. "She's gone! She's gone!"

Frightened, Ron half-carried his wife down the hall to glance into Rose's bedroom himself. The meaning in her words became clear. "Where would she have gone? Why would she have left?"

"I don't know where, but isn't it obvious why?"

"The ferret," Ron growled, "I knew this boy was no good for her! Did she really run off just because we wouldn't let her see Malfoy?"

"That's the only explanation! We need to get dressed and go to Harry's!"

Five minutes later they were clambering out of the Potter's fireplace. "Morning Ron, Hermione," said Ginny as she tipped some bacon out of a pan and onto a plate. "We didn't expect to see you two this morning. Is Rose with you?"

"We hoped she was here," said Hermione in a strangled voice and that was when Ginny really paused to have a good look at them. They looked awful. Hermione's face was streaked with tears and Ron was paler than Professor Binns.

"She's not," said Albus as he plopped down into a chair at the kitchen table. "Do you mean she left and didn't tell you where she was going?"

"We had a row. Rose fancied herself in love with Malfoy. Hermione and I very bluntly told her that we disapproved and wouldn't allow such a relationship. When we got up this morning Rose was gone and her bed unslept in."

"Malfoy?" several voices echoed in shock and disbelief. There was a lot of confusion that followed. Ron and Hermione repeated the conversation from the previous night and Harry was ardently taking mental notes to repeat to the team of aurors who he would assign to this case; headed personally by himself.

"The first thing we need to do," said Harry as Hermione finished telling their story. "Is speak with the Malfoys. If Scorpius is still there we need to confront him about his relationship with Rose, but if he isn't then we will have to work together to find them."

As if on cue the fireplace sparked green and Draco Malfoy came tumbling into the sitting room where everyone in the Potter house was already gathered. "Potter!" yelled Draco, "What the fuck do you think you're doing strutting around in your pajamas? My son is missing and I demand you have all of your aurors start looking for him immediately! It is obvious that he has been kidnapped and-"

"Kidnapped? Is that what you think?" Hermione gasped.

"What else could have happened to him?" Draco honestly sounded concerned.

"They ran away, Malfoy," said Harry grimly.

"Who? Who ran away?" he asked in obvious confusion.

"Scorpius and Rose," whispered Ginny.

"Are you suggesting that my son ran off with some trollop? Scorpius would do no such thing!"

"Oi! Don't call my daughter a trollop!" snarled Ron.

"Trollop, slag, scarlet woman, what term do you prefer, Weasley?"

"Stop it! Both of you!" Harry put himself between them, placing a hand on each of their chests as they snarled at each other. "If we're going to find your children we need to work together."

"I agree. Let's think about this logically. If Scorpius and Rose were going to run away together, where would they go?" Hermione asked everyone.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Draco, James, Albus, Lily, Hugo, Louis, Dominique, Roxanne, Molly, Lucy, and Fred (who were all in the sitting room) began talking at once. They each had a suggestion; yelling out friends names or names of relatives.

Honestly they weren't sure where to start. Harry knew that procedure dictated they could not file a missing wizard's report for at least 24 hours after discovering the person missing. Therefore the only people at his command were his family members.

"You lot!" he called to the kids, "start calling and owling all of Rose's and Scorpius's friends. All friends of the family and other family members. Ginny, dear, you can start making posters and contact the newspaper. Hermione, Ron, Draco, come with me."

"Where are we going?" asked Ron.

Hermione's eyes were once again filled with tears as her mind caught up with what Harry was thinking. "We're going to Diagon Alley, aren't we?"

He only nodded grimly in response.

….

Harry Potter's Family in Shambles After Niece Goes Missing

After correspondence with Ginny Potter (nee Weasley) herself, it has been revealed that a secret love affair has been hidden from the family for years. Rose Weasley, daughter of Ron Weasley and Hermione Weasley (nee Granger) and Scorpius Malfoy, son of Draco Malfoy and Astoria Malfoy (nee Greengrass) met and fell in love at Hogwarts. However, neither family approved of their relationship. Upon graduation from Hogwarts yesterday afternoon, the young couple decided to take matters into their own hands. Both Rose and Scorpius were discovered missing from their homes this morning. So far the families have very little information to go on. It was confirmed by a Gringotts goblin who would not reveal his name that Malfoy and Weasley arrived at the bank well after closing hours and demanded access to their vaults. The goblin in question is quoted saying, "Ms. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy emptied their vaults around 2 o'clock this morning, well after closing time. They said nothing to me of where they were going or what they needed the money for." Pictures of the star-crossed couple can be found on page 4. The Potter, Weasley, and Malfoy families are asking for everyone in the wizarding community to please keep their eyes open for their children.

Gretchen Silvers

Rose closed the newspaper and set it aside delicately before reaching for her small cup of tea. "I can't believe the goblin lied for us."

"Well, he didn't lie per se," Scorpius replied with a scrunched up nose as he continued to lounge back on the bed and flick through the channels on the telly. They were currently at a hotel in France where they had spent the night.

"Yes, well, you would think that he would have been positively itching to tell everyone that we were married." Rose scathingly gave the newspaper a flick before digging into her breakfast pastry.

"He probably gets some twisted satisfaction out of this. Seeing all of the wizarding world in an uproar about two missing teenagers. I wouldn't be surprised if he was sitting in his office right now laughing his head off while watching them run in circles trying to piece the puzzle together and find us."

Scorpius was probably right and because of that reason, Rose found herself crying before he'd even finished speaking. "I don't…I didn't…my poor mum!" she wailed and threw herself onto Scorpius's bare chest as he was clad in nothing except a pair of plain blue cotton boxers.

"Oh, Rosie, I didn't mean it like that!" he stroked her hair tenderly and kissed the top of her head. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No," her reply was fierce.

"Then you can't think like that. Unless you want to live the rest of your life full of guilt, you need to accept not only the path that you have chosen, but the one that your parents have chosen as well."

She nodded in agreement that was punctuated with a hiccup. "It might take some time for me."

"That's fine, sweetheart, we have all the time in the world. The first thing I am going to do, however, is cancel our subscription to The Daily Prophet. The last thing either of us needs is to be reminded of our families every time we open the blasted paper."

After making sure that Rose's breakdown had passed, he slid out from under her and opened the paper to the very back page where you could subscribe to have it delivered to you daily. Scorpius checked the 'unsubscribe' box and sent it off with the owl who brought it, who had lingered on the windowsill as Rose had been feeding him pieces of her breakfast.

"Where are we going to live?" she asked quietly.

"Anywhere you'd like! We both speak French so we could stay in France, or if you wanted to pick up a new language I did love my visit to Spain. There's also Italy, Australia, the United States…"

"I want to stay in England. I know it's silly and reckless and probably quite stupid, but if nothing else, I would like to be physically close to my family. Not to mention I don't think I could handle relocating to an entirely new country right now. Then there's little Lux to consider and I do want him to go to Hogwarts," she put a hand on her still flat abdomen.

"Lux?"

"Yes, I was thinking we could name him Pollux since your family has that tradition of naming all of your children after astronomy things."

"How do you know it will be a boy?" Scorpius was glad for this change of topic. Talking about the baby always brightened Rose's mood.

"Well, erm, I don't exactly, but I want a boy."

"Why? We Malfoy men can be arrogant, selfish, greedy, obnoxious, and we are complete womanizers…" he was teasing and she knew it but it was still just a bit too soon. Rose knew that Scorpius was simply verbalizing how her family saw him.

With only a slight smile she replied, "Because I want him to be exactly like you. I hope he has your hair and your eyes and your smile. Most of all I hope he has your heart. You're the best wizard I know, Scorpius Malfoy."

Scorpius returned to the bed and kissed her passionately. "You want to know something, Rose? I hope we have a girl and I hope she's just like you. Unruly red hair and know-it-all tendencies included."

With a real laugh this time, Rose wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down onto the bed with her so they could quickly pick up right where they had left off a few hours previously.

….

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco went straight to the Leaky Cauldron. "Neville! Hannah!" Harry called upon entering. Instantly Neville and Hannah Longbottom were there, happy to see their friends and greeting them with warm hugs.

"Last night did you happen to see Rose or Scorpius Malfoy come through here?" Ron barked.

Neville scratched his head as if unsure and Hannah was quick to supply, "We wouldn't know, we weren't working last night. Warren was, though. Oi! Warren!" she called to a tall wizard who was currently behind the bar polishing glasses the muggle way.

Warren set down the glass he was cleaning, wiped his hands on his apron, and approached his bosses. "Yes, Mrs. Longbottom?"

"Did you happen to see Rose Weasley or Scorpius Malfoy come through here last night?"

"Yes," he said immediately as if this information were of no more significance than seeing a fly on the wall. "It had to be close to 3 o'clock, ma'am. They both came in from the back, they must've been in Diagon Alley, and they asked to use the floo. It's not uncommon, you know, we get all sorts stumbling in here all hours asking to floo home. I told them of course they could, and off they went. Didn't say where they were going."

"Bloody hell," Ron smacked a hand to his forehead. Here was confirmation. His baby girl was currently in some unknown location with the son of an ex-Death Eater. Could things possibly get any worse than this?

"What if they ran off to elope?" squeaked Hermione in terror. "What if she comes home married?"

Draco's naturally pale complexion was now chalky white. "What if…they don't come home at all?" he whispered.

"What are you on about, Malfoy? Of course they'll come home! They only ran off because they knew we didn't approve of the two of them dating! Why wouldn't they come back?" Ron shouted.

"You don't understand, Weasley. When Scorpius spoke with Astoria and I about dating your daughter, my parents overheard the conversation. It might have been implied to Scorpius that my father," he cleared his throat nervously, "would possibly harm your daughter if Scorpius continued to fraternize with her."

Before anyone could blink Ron had Draco by the collar, up against the wall, with his feet dangling a foot off the ground. "You WHAT? You threatened to physically harm my daughter if your son refused to stay away from her? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Ron," Hermione reprimanded, "for Merlin's sake, we weren't much better! We threatened to Obliviate Rose," a choking sob escaped her as the consequences of her actions were now coming back to haunt her.

"At least our threat was directed at our own daughter and not at someone else's kid!"

"Ron, put Draco down. He's of no use to us dead," said Harry flippantly.

"I don't know, I reckon he might make one hell of a nice stuffed ferret," Ron snarled.

"What we need to do," said Draco who was obviously shaken but trying hard to reason with Ronald, "is go to Gringotts. I think we're all missing an exceptionally important fact here. How could our children possibly go off on their own without any money? I am certain Scorpius would have at least tried to access his bank account."

With an uneasy truce, Ron slid Draco down the wall and set him back on his feet so they could go and question the goblins. "Mr. Potter," greeted a goblin gleefully upon spotting them when they walked in. "I wondered how long it would take you to get here. I've already seen your wife."

"Ginny's been here?" he asked in surprise.

"I ran into her while she was on her way to place an ad with The Daily Prophet."

Harry politely extended his hand which the goblin shook firmly. Harry Potter was, in general, well-liked by most of the goblin community. "As you know my name I think it's only fitting that I know yours as well. I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you before."

"Glenrook," he grunted. Ron was impatiently opening and closing his mouth like he wanted to interrupt while shifting his weight from foot to foot.

After giving Ron a quelling glare, Harry continued to speak with Glenrook, "I was wondering if either Rose Weasley or Scorpius Malfoy have been in here in the past 24 hours?"

"They have been," he stroked his chin thoughtfully as if he couldn't quite recall the finer details of the transaction. "I'll tell you the same thing I told your wife. They came in around 2 o'clock in the morning, cleaned out their vaults, and left. They didn't say where they were going or what they wanted the money for and I didn't ask."

"You don't know anything else?" asked Hermione desperately.

The goblin gave them a measured look, stared long and hard into the bright green eyes of Harry Potter, and said evenly, "No, I don't have any other information for you."

…

"This is perfect! We'll take it!" Rose was beaming at the two men in front of her. She stood in an empty sitting room of an empty house with her arms spread out. Scorpius felt a surge of joy just seeing his wife this happy.

"You heard her, mate, and she's the boss," Scorpius said to the relator who looked at them in shock. This was the first house they looked at! They hadn't even seen the attic yet or the backyard.

"You're sure, Mr. Malfoy?" he verified.

Scorpius looked to Rose who nodded and said to Mr. Jenison, "Absolutely. How soon can we move in?"

"There will be paperwork, of course, and we'll have to meet with the current owners. Then you'll have to secure the loan from your bank…" Mr. Jenison was definitely thrown off of his regular routine and was bumbling around like a novice.

"We can pay for it in cash and we would like this transaction completed as quickly as possible. My wife and I very recently found ourselves without a home and are now living out of hotels until we find a suitable place." Scorpius noted that Rose was proud of his use of muggle lingo as she gave him a reassuring nod.

"Well, I, er, okay," Mr. Jenison smiled broadly at the couple as Rose skipped to Scorpius's side and he slung an arm over her shoulders.

…..

Weasley and Malfoy Families Plead for Their Missing Children to Come Home

Sitting down together yesterday afternoon, Ron and Hermione Weasley and Draco and Astoria Malfoy have begun the first of what will probably be many civilized conversations about moving forward. "Our children want to be together so badly they ran away," said Mr. Malfoy, "the least we can do is try to get along for them."

Mrs. Weasley made a similar statement, "If Rose or Scorpius reads this, please know that we are trying to work out our differences. Despite all that we have said, we would rather have our children safely home than hold onto ancient grudges."

Both families promise to reconsider their previous positions on the issue if their children return home. Now all we can do is wait and see if these two hurt individuals can find it in their hearts to forgive their families.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Rose Weasley and/or Scorpius Malfoy, contact authorities at once.

Gretchen Silvers

…..

Neither Rose nor Scorpius saw the article as they were ardently ignoring everything that had to do with the wizarding world. It had only been a couple of days since they left but they were already getting ready to move into their new home.

Purchasing a home from muggles turned out to be much more complicated than purchasing a home in the wizarding world. Muggles apparently had to have the house inspected, make sure it was suitable to live in, sign numerous papers, etc. and it was driving Scorpius crazy but he was taking care of everything as Rose was already stressed about their situation.

"Mr. Jenison said we should be able to move in next week," said Scorpius happily as he shook his blonde hair, ridding it of a few stray raindrops.

"You're using magic to move this along more quickly, aren't you?" Rose accused as she set up a chessboard on the table in their hotel room.

"Just a little," Scorpius admitted with a smirk as he sat across from her and moved one of his white pawns forward.

"I've been thinking," she mused as she moved a knight. "We are moving into the most muggle neighborhood we could find. As far as we can tell the closest wizards to our new house are very far away. The Ministry can detect magic use…"

"We're of age, they can't Trace us," he reminded her as she took his pawn with a smile.

"I know, but they can still detect magic use. Wizards and witches are supposed to register their addresses with the Ministry so the Ministry knows where they can expect magic to be practiced. If, all of a sudden, right after our disappearances, magic crops up in a previously muggle-exclusive neighborhood, I'm positive they will come to investigate. I am also positive that my mother will have already thought of this and will have contacted the Magical Conduct department."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I don't think it would be safe for us to use magic at home. I mean, sure, if we go to London for anything we can use magic, but with us being so far from the closest wizards, it would be too obvious."

Scorpius sighed and flicked over his own queen as Rose moved to take it. "I reckon you're right."

His depressed tone caused her to glance up at him. "Scorpius, if you're having second thoughts, I won't hold it against you. If you wanted to turn around right now and go home, I would understand. I know that I'm asking a lot of you and it's not fair…"

He shushed her with a finger over her lips. "I love you. If giving up magic is what I have to do to be with you and keep you safe, then it's a small price to pay."

"Keep me safe?" she asked.

"Er, you see, that was one of the things my family said. Well, my grandfather said it, actually. He told me that if I pursued a relationship with you, he would kill you."

Rose blanched. "Oh. I'm glad he didn't overreact or anything."

Scorpius gave a humor-less chuckle and kissed her soundly on the lips. "I'll never let anything happen to you," he knelt down and pressed a kiss to her bellybutton. "I won't let anything happen to you, either."

…

Molly Weasley was exhausted. She'd been searching for her cousin for days now with no trace of Rose or Scorpius. Then again, Rose was more than just her cousin; she was her best friend. Growing up, Albus and Molly were the two people that Rose was closest to. She had a lot of other friends, but it was always the three of them who were inseparable.

Molly had been shocked and hurt when she heard the news of Rose running away to be with Scorpius because Rose had never told her a thing about it. She hadn't even known Rose fancied Scorpius, let alone was in love with him enough to run off with him.

Feeling torn between hurt, angry, and worried, Molly found herself at the Scamander's front door. It just so happened that Scorpius Malfoy's best friend was Lorcan Scamander. Molly knew the Scamander's well, as Lysander was one of her best friends, and was knocking confidently on the front door when Lysander answered. "Hey, Ly, is Lorcan home?" she asked.

"Yes, he's in his room reading. Do you want me to go get him?"

"No need," Molly brushed past Lysander. "I'll go up there myself." She gracefully bounded up the stairs and knocked on the second door on the right despite the fact that it was open and she could see Lorcan lounged on his bed with a book propped up.

"Hey, Molly," Lorcan sat up and closed the book. Normally when Molly Weasley stopped by it was to visit Lysander who was in Gryffindor and they were in the same group of friends.

"Hi, Lorcan," she began timidly as she gazed at the Slytherin décor of his room. Lorcan Scamander gave everyone a surprise when the Sorting Hat placed him in Slytherin, the house most opposite of the one his twin had been Sorted into. "I wanted to ask you about Scorpius."

"What about him?" Lorcan motioned for her to take a seat on the bed beside him, but as she still felt a bit uncomfortable in his bedroom, she instead sat in the arm chair by his desk.

"You must have heard by now that he's missing."

"Yes, Draco and Astoria stopped by here a few days ago, but I haven't seen or heard from him since graduation."

"It's just…" she bit her bottom lip. Lorcan was Scorpius's best friend just like she was Rose's best friend. Was it possible that he felt as betrayed as she did? Or had he known about this secret relationship? Was Scorpius more honest with his friends than Rose was with hers? "Did you expect this to happen?"

Caught off guard by the train of her thoughts, he raised his blonde eyebrows at her. "I didn't know he was dating Rose if that's what you're asking. But I'm not shocked to hear that they ran off together. For the past couple of years I suspected he had a soft spot for her. I caught him looking her way a few times and more than once I saw her looking back."

"So in a way, you sort of knew?"

"No, I didn't know. I am just observant. I noticed them noticing each other and I thought that perhaps, one day, they might overcome their prejudices and talk to each other. But after I heard what happened everything made a lot more sense. I can recall several nights when Scorpius didn't sleep in the dormitory and refused to tell us where he'd been. I remember the way he would always care about how he looked on days when we had classes with the Gryffindors. One time he came back to the dorm smelling distinctly of perfume but vehemently denied being with a girl. Didn't you notice similar things with Rose?"

Molly thought hard about that. Had she ever suspected Rose of having a secret boyfriend? "Well, there were several occasions when boys would ask her on dates and she always politely refused. I thought she just wanted to focus on schoolwork, I didn't think it was because she already had a boyfriend. I never noticed if she didn't sleep in her bed because the curtains were always drawn and I was usually asleep before she came back from the library in the evenings. Oh Merlin!" she gasped. "I just remembered! There was a day, in sixth year, that Albus and I were teasing her because she had a bruise on her neck that looked like a hickey."

Lorcan chuckled. "You believed she had a bruise…on her neck?"

"Hey! She was our best friend! Of course we believed her ridiculous story about accidentally punching herself in the throat."

Lorcan smiled at her fondly, "You Gryffindors are so trusting. I have an idea. How about you let me take you out to lunch? We can go to Diagon Alley and you can tell me about all of the crazy stories Rose told you to cover up this torrid affair with Scorpius."

Molly appraised critically before saying, "Yeah, alright, that sounds like fun."