Reciprocity
Belongs To JKR
A Weasley party is the one place that Scorp is guaranteed to have a good time at. Admittedly it took some getting used to by the family, (Ron), over the years however, they've accepted him as one of their own, or at least as close as they can for a Malfoy. Either way Scorp doesn't notice, not anymore, it's too easy to become swept up in the chaos of drink, dancing, stories, laughter, oh and food, lots and lots of food.
In fact a better way to describe a Weasley party to a first time guest is that it's less like a party and more like a pub fight. Which isn't to say that fighting is common, (Though not unheard of) but in that each person has to carve out a place within the Burrow (Or Pub) for themselves by any means necessary. After they do, all parties involved have a clear idea of what that persons place is and more importantly, who they are.
Scorp's place is one of sobriety. He learned long ago you can't out drink a Weasley, but you can out calm one. So that what he does, he remains calm, while making sure that all children, teens, parents, and young adults keep dangerous activities to a minimum. This doesn't mean Scorp's afraid of getting a little pissed but in a situation like this the Weasley's would eat him alive. In fact that was a threat Ron used against him.
His main job, as of now, is to guard the liquor cabinet. The rule is, after the kids go down the drinks come out, and after the clock strikes two, the cabinet gets locked. It isn't an enviable job to be up at two in the morning, sober, fighting off the grabby hands of vomit covered Weasley's but luckily Scorp has company.
Harry Potter.
Harry, has said numerous times he enjoys a nightcap now and then but anything more isn't good for him. Something that provokes no end of snickering from Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville.
Together they with gentle hands and honeyed words keep Weasley Clan and company from destroying what's left of their liver's.
"Alright, time to get some sleep." Harry says after checking the clock to see that its after three.
"You go ahead, I'm too pumped up"
"Ahhh the youth" Harry says with exaggerated weariness "You can't keep that up to long" He says with a slightly serious glint in his emerald eyes.
"I know"
Harry claps Scorp on the shoulder.
"Now to find my beautiful wife."
As Harry makes the long climb up the stairs, Scorp makes his way out of the living room past the littered bodies of full grown men and women who lie sprawled along the floor like children at a sleepover. A wave of nostalgia passes over him at the memories he shared here with Rose, Albus and so many others.
Eventually Scorp tip toes outside with his jacket to get some fresh air. After a few minutes he reaches inside his jacket to pull out a flask, biting back a groan, Scorp takes a large swig and soon after, breathes a little easier.
"I don't know how you drink that stuff every day" Comes a lilting voice
Scorp turns to see Victoire Weasley walking or, rather staggering toward him.
"Necessity forces the most amazing acts Toire" He says with a smile "
Shouldn't you be inside sleeping?"
"Shouldn't you?" She challenges back
"I'm not the one with dying liver dear" He says with icky sweetness
Victoire hiccups a little laugh and approaches him more closely.
Merlin, she looks beautiful.
The moonlight illuminates her Veela features almost magically, giving her body an ethereal glow that seems to shine from within. Her cheeks and lips are the only things that retain a hint of color, though they're more from alcohol than naturally.
"So when are you applying?"
"Next week, I wanna get settled in before then"
Victoire nods and moves closer to him, this time so their shoulders are touching and her hand swings lazily next to his, almost touching.
"I haven't had a chance to really talk to you since you came back, what with work, family, the party and-" She trails off obviously while staring Scorp in the eyes meaningfully
"Oh, yea" Scorp recognizes her meaning "It's no problem."
Victoire stares at him a little while longer before sitting down and sobbing.
Scorp, startled gets down on one knee.
"Toire? Come on Toire don't cry, its…it's going to be ok"
Scorp hated comforting people, he always felt like a blind man attempting to paint, it wasn't in his nature, he dealt with his problems head on and saw little reason for crying.
"I don't even know why I'm crying" She said hysterically
"Is it something to do with me? Or Teddy? Work? What can I do to help? "
Suddenly Victoire stopped and looked at Scorp with red rimmed eyes.
"I..I, I don't know maybe?"
Scorp didn't know what to say next so he contented himself to sit quietly while she gathered herself.
"Scorpius, you're an-"
She stopped again and stared at him, as if seeing someone for the first time. Scorp became aware of Victoire's uncomfortable closeness to him, and suddenly remembered the schoolboy crush he'd harbored for so many years.
"Vic? What's going on?"
The last word came out as a decidedly unmanly squeak as her hands wrapped around his shirt and she pulled his lips to hers. And for a brief moment in time Scorp pitied any man who kissed Victoire Weasley and had to move on. The sensation was like being plugged into a muggle power generator his entire body felt alive and awake, the world, even in the night, felt brighter. And as Victoire deepened the kiss her hand wound around Scorp's blonde locks tightly, as if from fear he'd leave. A low moan escaped his lips as he grabbed Victoire's waste to pull her closer when suddenly she broke this kiss to….
Vomit on the grass and on herself.
Damn.