Disclaimer: I do not own any recognisable characters in this Fan Fiction
Chapter 12: The Malfoy Ball Part II
Demons Confronted
It made sense all of a sudden. All of it. The letters; the distance between her parents; her Dad's lack of presence; her Mum's constant look of apprehension; Zabini's words. It all made sense and she couldn't deal with it anymore. She couldn't look either of them in the eye anymore knowing that this had been happening. That they had been betraying her, Hugo and Scorpius like this. Why did it have to happen like this? Just when she was healing they throw something so life altering at her that she knows the wound would reopen. Damn them. Damn them all. Who did they think they were? Did they not think of the others in the situation?
Words echoed through Rose's mind as she stormed through the manor to her room, "How's Mummy and Daddy? Still married?" The doubt was planted in her mind all those months ago, "A little birdie told me that your Dad was fucking someone else. Someone of worthy blood status, nothing like the mudblood he married." Now she knew, now she knew who that someone was. She remembered telling Scorpius in the Library that her Dad was having an affair but never in a million years... "He got her pregnant. He got your wife pregnant." Her Mum was right; it was typical Dad to do the 'fun' stuff without thinking about the risks. The risks were high and he still didn't think about them; and now they were broken. Now they were a lie. Everything was a lie.
She couldn't understand anymore. Why had he done it? What did this mean? She had seen her parents splitting up gradually for months now; close to a year, even; but that didn't make it any easier. Would one of them move out? Surely they would. Dad would leave. He was the one that screwed it up in the first place. If he hadn't done this, none of this would have turned out this way. Life wasn't like that though. Of course there had to be a screw up, she was too happy for everything to be going according to plan.
What would the family think? Albus knew now, it was only a matter of time before the rest of them found out too. Would she still see Granny Molly and Granddad Arthur as much? She supposed she would. Just because her Dad had been an idiot didn't mean that her Mum would limit her or Hugo in visitation to her grandparents. Plus, Hermione was as much her daughter as Aunt Ginny; her marriage to Ron just finalised it. Maybe she could go and spend with them to cool off. No. That would make it awkward and she needed more space. She couldn't go and stay with Grandma and Grandpa Granger because they barely saw her. They wouldn't understand and would probably blame her Mum for some reason or another. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to deal with this kind of change.
Tears were running tracks down her face as she reached the bedroom door and banged it open. She saw the hoody from earlier sprawled on the bed. The one with the letter in. The letter. She couldn't believe she didn't see it before. She recognised the initials, why couldn't she just put two and two together. She immediately made her way over to her trunk and rummaged through it to find the three most important things in such a dire situation.
Meanwhile back in the corridor, Scorpius looked confusedly at Albus. Before he had a chance to ask what he meant, the door the group had been listening at started to open. Albus grabbed Scorpius's arm and hid them around the corner. Scorpius peeked round the wall to see who they had been eavesdropping on. As soon as he saw the two figures, understanding flooded his mind which was consecutively followed by the overwhelming urge to run to Rose. He vaguely heard Jenny gasp behind him before sprinting through the halls to Rose's room. He heard footfalls behind him and the distinctive click of fast moving stilettos. He turned corners at lightening speed and took two steps at a time so as to reach her faster.
The main thought going through his mind was one that scared him to no end. All he could see was the image of Rose standing in a darkened classroom with ribbons of crimson falling from her wrists. Then the image of her drinking the vodka they had shared, the expression she wore while she screamed on the Hogwarts grounds, her with an herb-filled cigarette in her beautiful, naturally pouting lips. The last image he saw before reaching her door was that of her falling through the sky. With each vision he increased his pace in order to reach her all the faster. He didn't care that his dress robes were now hanging uncouthly off of him in a manner that was not fitting of a young Malfoy.
He was furious. Furious that such a large thing was kept from them all. Furious that no one thought of others in the situation. He understood more now. The argument he had had with Zabini came back to him, "What was all that about her Dad 'shopping elsewhere'?" "Oh you'll find out sooner or later." 'Yeah,' he thought bitterly, 'I found out.'
The others were catching up to him now; he could hear their heavy breathing behind him as they neared him. His pace was slowing steadily as her door came into view. He didn't know whether he wanted to see what was on the other side of the oak barrier. He didn't know whether he wanted to expose the others to the horrors he had experienced with Rose to get him to where he was. They all saw her as innocent and she was really. She was just a little broken. She found it difficult to expose herself and he knew that. By opening the door, he'd be showing more people than she would have deemed necessary what was really wrong. He didn't know whether he would be able to forgive himself if she broke down at that. 'Stop being so selfish,' he thought, 'it's about her. She needs you.' He reached the door and took a deep breath, waiting a beat for the other three to catch up to him. He glanced sideways to Albus who gave a discreet nod. Scorpius turned the knob and opened the door. They all went in the room at the same time.
What they saw made them all stop short. Stood in the middle of the room facing the door was Rose: mascara streaked down her face from tears, a bottle of Firewhiskey in her left hand, her mobile phone in her right held to her ear and a spliff hanging from her pink lips. Her eyes were wide and red rimmed, they looked scared at the foursome in the door frame.
"Ro," came a tinny voice from her phone, "Rose babe; are you still there? Come on sweety talk." Rose didn't move she just stood staring at her friends. Taking initiative Scorpius took three strides toward her and took the phone from her ear and held it to his own.
"Hello, who is this?" he asked.
"Hi, this is Jazz. You are?" The person at the other end, Jazz, sounded female. There was a deep bass in the background and what sounded like a party.
"Scorpius," he answered. The girl laughed, seemingly nervously.
"I hoped I'd speak to you for the first time under slightly different circumstances," she said. He decided not to ask her what she meant by that.
"Ok. Did she talk to you," as he said this, he pulled his girlfriend into a one armed embrace, from which she buried her head into his shoulder.
"She didn't say much. Not coherently anyway. Tell her she can come to mine this holiday if she needs to get away, I'll leave now. I know she's in good hands with you," with that the line went dead. An awkward silence fell over the group for a while until Austin spoke up.
"Blimey, Weasley, if I'd known you had this much stashed we would have been in here rather than Scorpius's," Scorpius looked up from his embrace to see that Austin was rummaging through Rose's trunk. When he looked a little closer he noticed several bottles of vodka and Firewhiskey along with a bag of cannabis and a packet of cigarettes in the trunk. He turned back to Rose, who still had her face buried in his chest. He walked her over to the bed and they sat on the edge before he lifted her face.
"Rose," he said in a serious tone, "where did you get them?"
"I borrowed them... from my parents' alcohol cupboard," she said her hazel eyes wide.
"Why didn't you tell us it had got this bad, Rosie?" Albus asked his tone quiet and disbelieving. Scorpius was surprised that the observant Gryffindor hadn't known about the habits she had. She turned to face her cousin, her eyes blazing.
"And have you look at me like that? No thanks," she replied venom dripping from her words. She took a swig from the bottle still in her hand over Scorpius arm, narrowing her eyes at Albus all the while.
"Why did you bring them, Rose?" Scorpius asked, still holding her and debating whether it would be wise to confiscate the alcohol and illegal substance.
"Thought we could share them tonight. Not sharing now though. Don't want to," she said, seemingly muttering to herself. "Want a drop," she said after a pause, holding the bottle out to him. He shook his head.
"Stop!" Albus shouted, "This isn't the way to deal with it Rose!"
"Don't tell me what to do Albus Severus!"
"Please, Rosie. Please stop this now. We can help, if you do this then -"
"Then what? I'll ruin my life? I'll get liver disease? My parents will be disappointed in me?" Rose screamed, tears cascading down her cheeks, "I don't care what they think! They didn't care what I thought when they started fucking other people did they?" Albus froze. Scorpius could see an internal battle going on in his eyes. When he spoke next it was in a much more even tone.
"Rosie. Come on. I know this seems like a good way to take the pain away but it isn't. I makes it worse. Put the bottle down, Rose." As Albus said this he crouched in front of the bed and took the whiskey from her hand with tears of his own were welling behind his lids. She let go of the bottle looking Albus straight in the eye.
"What do I do, Albi?" she asked in a small voice.
"I don't know Rosie. I really don't know," he said.
Oblivious to the drama occurring in their friend's lives Harry and Ginny were a constant on the dance floor. They were holding each other tight. Harry couldn't help but hold onto the one woman he ever loved.
"I see you from the sky
And I wonder how long it'll take me to get home."
The woman he came home for every night after a hard mission.
"I wait for an hour or so at the carousel.
I have a cigarette to pass the time
Because the traffic's hell."
He knew she'd always be there for him, despite the hell he had to get through to get to her.
"I don't want anything more
Than to see your face when I walk through the door."
It was all worth it to see her.
"You make me beans on toast and a nice cuppa tea,
Then we'll get a Chinese and watch T.V."
To have her see him and gage his mood from the moment he stepped into the house and decide whether he needed a cup of tea, a hug or some Firewhiskey.
"Tomorrow we'll take the dog for a walk,
And in the afternoon then maybe we'll talk."
Sometimes more recently he'd not only been stressed at work, but also with the clearly rocky situation of Ron and Hermione's marriage. Ginny would always sit down and talk to him about it.
"I'll be exhausted so I'll probably sleep,
Then we'll get a Chinese and watch T.V."
Sometimes he'd be just too tired to anything but go to bed and relax with her.
"You wipe the tears from my eye
And you say that all it takes is a phone call."
She'd always give him advice on how to handle a case or Ron and Hermione's situation.
"I cry at the thought of being alone and then,
I wonder how long it'll take
'Till I'm home again."
Some days he was so frustrated at being at work he counted down the hours until he could see her again.
"I don't want anything more
Than to see your face when I walk through the door."
Those days were the ones he was most grateful to see her fussing about the house...
"You make me beans on toast and a nice cuppa tea,
Then we'll get a Chinese and watch T.V."
Or just starting their dinner for the evening.
"Tomorrow we'll take the dog for a walk,
And in the afternoon then maybe we'll talk.
I'll be exhausted so I'll probably sleep,
Then we'll get a Chinese and watch T.V.
"I know it doesn't seem so fair
But I'll send you a postcard when I get there."
When he was away for days were the worst times for him. He always tried to send a letter to tell her what was happening on the mission, to get news from home and to tell her not to worry about him.
"I don't want anything more
Than to see your face when I walk through the door."
Lately he had been fretting over Ron and Hermione so much that seeing her face was a relief to him.
"You make me beans on toast and a nice cuppa tea,
Then we'll get a Chinese and watch T.V.
Tomorrow we'll take the dog for a walk, And in the afternoon then maybe we'll talk."
Ginny had said that it would work itself out if they were meant to be together. Harry hoped she was right.
"I'll be exhausted so I'll probably sleep,
Then we'll get a Chinese and watch T.V."
That was why when he saw the couple fighting over Ginny's shoulder he was saddened. From what Hermione had said, he got the impression that Ron was having an affair. He couldn't help but notice that Hermione looked upset, disappointed even, with Ron and he looked shocked. Perhaps it was that she decided to confront him at the Malfoy's ball of all places. Hermione, however, didn't seem bothered by the small audience gathering around them.
"Hermione wait," Ron said, "please let me explain."
"Why should I Ron?"
"Because it's not how it seems. Please, just give me three minutes."
"I'm waiting
For the perfect time to call you back."
She didn't know whether she wanted to hear his excuses.
"'Cos I remember saying,
Don't wanna know the truth can't handle that."
Did she really want to listen to the truth yet?
"And I tried to,
Just forget you
But I don't know how.
If only I knew."
"Fine," she said dejectedly, "explain this to me."
"It's written all over your face,"
"I know you hate me for this," he started, "but it's not what you think..."
"Such a painful thing to waste."
"I love you Hermione, I do. I want this to work."
"Tell me now, where do we go?"
"How's that going to happen, you have a baby with another woman, Ron..."
"Now the future's not so clear,
Can't believe we ended here."
"... I can't believe you'd do this to me!"
"But I don't..."
"Where's the world that doesn't care?"
"... She lost it. She lost the baby."
"Maybe I could meet you there."
"Oh," she said.
"I'm sorry
If I slagged you down, I meant no harm."
"I'm sorry Hermione; I know it was wrong..."
"When I heard the stories,
Said things I didn't mean should have stayed calm."
"... It's just you were so distant with me and I thought you didn't want me anymore. I started the affair because I though you were having one..."
"But sadly,"
"... And then she got pregnant. I didn't know what to do."
"You got angry
And it breaks my heart.
You're so mad at me."
"I can't forgive you for this Ron, I – I just can't."
"It's written all over your face,"
His anguish was clear from his features...
"Such a painful thing to waste."
And she hated to let such a beautiful thing go but she couldn't forgive him. Not after this.
"Tell me now, where do we go?"
"Ok," Ron croaked, "what happens now then?"
"Now the future's not so clear,"
"I don't know yet Ron."
"Can't believe we ended here."
Hermione still couldn't believe that he'd do this after so long together.
"Where's the world that doesn't care?"
She decided that a little more privacy was in order.
"Maybe I could meet you there."
"Come with me," she said.
"Maybe I could meet you there,"
"Where?"
"Maybe I could meet you there."
"Somewhere where there isn't a whole ballroom looking at us," she said grabbing his arm. She dragged him to the room she'd met with Draco in earlier. As she was walking she thought about what she wanted to happen. Did she really want this to end? Yes. No matter whether there was a baby or not, she couldn't live with him knowing he'd cheated. That he'd, however unintentionally, created another human life form with someone other than herself.
"It's written all over your face,"
Ron still had his hurt face on, but she knew hers was even more distraught.
"(I'm sorry)"
"Hermione, please I'm sorry. I don't want to end this."
"Such a painful thing to waste."
"... It's too special to throw away."
"Tell me now, where do we go?"
"And how do you suggest we fix this?"
"Now the future's not so clear,"
"I don't know but, please, let's try."
"(I'm sorry)"
"I'm sorry, Ron. I don't think I can."
"Can't believe we ended here."
"Please, Hermione. Please, don't do this."
"Where's the world that doesn't care?"
"I have to," Hermione said through choked back tears.
"Maybe I could meet you there."
"Ok," Ron said, defeated, "can you at least meet me half way?"
"Maybe I could meet you there,"
"Maybe," she said.
"Maybe I could meet you there."
"Maybe?"
"Maybe I should meet you there."
She knew she should, "yes," she said eventually.
"Thank you," he said quietly before leaving her in the room to silently cry.
Rose calmed down after much persuasion. Once she was settled and the other four had left the room, she rang Jazz back. Scorpius had said that she'd offered a place to stay. She needed to speak to her, to explain what was happening anyway. She took her phone from where Scorpius had dropped it on the bed and went to the call log. From there she dialled the first number on the screen. It made the dial tone before it was cut off mid ring.
"Rose?" came Jazz's voice, "Rose, are you ok?"
Rose smiled at her friend's concern. Tears started to leak from her eyes, "Yeah, Jazz, I'm fine."
"Good. I got scared. Scorpius is good for you."
"Yeah, I guess he is," Rose smiled, "I was wondering if I could still come over?"
"Yeah sure. When do you want to come?"
"I'm at Scorpius's tonight, but maybe tomorrow. I need some time away from my parents to cool off."
"Sure. What's up? All I heard was 'bitch', 'pregnant' and 'fucked' in your tirade."
"My Dad is having an affair."
"Oh, Ro; but I thought you had suspected it for a while."
"Yeah, I had, but I didn't think he'd be stupid enough to get her pregnant."
"Oh, god, Ro!"
"Yeah, I know."
"What are your parents going to do?"
"I don't know. I guess Dad's going to be moving out."
"Well, hey, I have an idea! How about the old gang meet up again. It's been a while since we just had a session with the group of us. You, me, Ben, Becca, Dan, Ray, you know... You could do with the distraction."
"Yeah. Sounds good. I could bring Scorpius; he could do with the distraction too."
"Really, how so?"
"Long story." When she said this, a knock came from the door. "Hang on Jazz, someone's at the door," Rose opened the door to see Astoria on the other side.
"Hi, Rose," she said, "can we talk?"
"I'll call you back, Jazz," Rose said. "Yes," she said through gritted teeth.
"Can I come in?" Astoria said, in a small voice.
"Fine," Rose said.
"Listen, Rose. Scorpius has just seen me. He explained, well more like shouted actually, what you'd heard and I thought -"
"Why did you do it?" Rose asked, "I understand that you and Mr Malfoy may not have been in love but – but my parents were. Are. Why do that? Why sleep with a married man?"
"It wasn't like that Rose. Your Dad and I we – your Mum – Draco... I'm not pregnant Rose. I can't tell you why we had the affair Rose. That's more for your father to explain, but I'm not pregnant. Not anymore. I miscarried." Astoria's voice cracked on the last word and Rose couldn't help but feel a little guilty for placing her blame on the woman.
"I saw the letter," she said eventually, "the one you wrote to him telling him that he should walk away."
"You have to understand Rose, that when we started the affair both your father and I... well... we needed... comfort. We never really fell in love. Then, when I got pregnant, everything stopped being meaningless. We had a child to bring up. We needed to think about it before us. We ended the relationship when... when the baby died."
Rose froze for a moment realising what Astoria had said before they had left to go to the ball "Things aren't always how they seem. Remember that tonight."
"You knew we'd find out tonight," she said eventually.
"I thought it might happen. My husband knew and if your father hadn't told Hermione, he would have told her."
Rose processed the information before nodding and leaving her room to look for Scorpius.
Scorpius was relieved to see that, when she came back to his room, Rose was back to relatively normal. Her hair was still a mess on top of her head but she had cleared her face of the streaks of mascara. When she came through the door her smile was slightly watery but beautiful all the same. She headed straight for him before asking if they could go back to the ball. He nodded and said that the others were down there waiting for them. She seemed slightly more reserved than she had been before she had heard the conversation. This didn't worry him too much. He knew she'd talk eventually. If it wasn't to him he hoped it was to someone else.
"How's Jazz," he asked as they made their way back to the ballroom.
"She's good. I'm going to hers tomorrow when I leave. I don't care what my parents say; I can't be in the same house as them at the moment." He understood. He knew that there wasn't a baby anymore, his Mum had explained as much, but he wasn't sure it would ever really be the same in the house for him anymore. At least he had a whole manor to avoid her. He couldn't imagine what it would be like in a four bedroom house. He also knew that he could forgive easier than Rose could. He thought that maybe a few days away from her parents would do her good. It would give her time to collect herself and her thoughts. Once she was ready to go home she would have reached an understanding within herself.
Before they entered the ballroom he turned to Rose and asked if she was ready. She nodded her head and they both turned to descend the staircase together. The music in the background seemed to be the only sound in the room. The instrumental played them onto the dance floor before they took each other in a dancing embrace.
"Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one above you?
Fill my heart with gladness,
Take away my sadness.
Ease my troubles
That's what you do.
"Oh, the morning sun in all its glory.
Greets the day with hope and comfort too.
And you fill my life with laughter,
You can make it better.
Ease my troubles
That's what you do.
"There's a love that's divine,
And it's yours and it's mine, like the sun.
At the end of the day,
We should give thanks and prey, to the one.
"Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one above you?
Fill my heart with gladness,
Take away my sadness.
Ease my troubles
That's what you do.
"There's a love that's divine,
And it's yours and it's mine, like the sun.
At the end of the day,
We will give thanks and prey, to the one.
"Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one above you?
Fill my heart with gladness,
Take away my sadness.
Ease my troubles
That's what you do.
"Take away my sadness,
Fill my life with gladness.
Ease my troubles
That's what you do.
"Fill my heart with gladness,
Take away my sadness.
Ease my troubles
That's what you do."
At the end of the dance Rose turned to him and kissed him in a way that she had never done before. It was full of passion and love and full of questions of where to ho from here. It asked for security and he tried his best to answer positively.
"I love you," she said and she was gone.
After leaving a very stunned Scorpius on the dance floor she headed straight for her Dad. After talking with Astoria, she was a little calmer. She knew that, with all likelihood, her parents would not be staying together after tonight but she wanted to know why he did it. Astoria had said that he should explain it to her and she agreed. She was a lot like her mother in that respect. She had to know why, had to be in control. That was why the last few months had been particularly difficult for her; she wasn't in control of her life. She didn't know why she was feeling the things she was feeling or doing the things she was doing. She liked answers and at that moment in time, her Dad had all the answers. With that in mind the first thing she said to him was.
"Did you think about anyone other than yourself?" her intent on not being harsh on the man seemed to be lost in the question. Ron, for his part, looked remotely stunned.
"I – How did you...? No. No I didn't," he stammered.
"Why? Why did you do it?"
"Rosie, I don't think -"
"This is the right place? No, I think it's the perfect place. Answer the question, Dad, why did you do it?"
"I – Your Mum... We grew apart. I needed something, anything. Your mother... she seemed to be distancing herself from me. As if intending to drive me away."
"She wouldn't want to lose you. She wouldn't push you away. She loves you!"
"Rosie, honey, I – I don't think that's entirely true anymore. She did love me. For the last four years she's gradually been detaching herself from me. She loves me, just not the same way. Not anymore."
"Why her? Why Astoria? To get back at Mr Malfoy?"
"No. No, nothing like that. We just ended up in the same place at the same time one night needing the same thing and then it became more regular."
"Astoria told me about the baby..."
"Yeah. We split after that. There was nothing to keep us together after that."
"What's going to happen now?"
"Your Mum won't forgive me, not that I entirely blame her. I deserve all that I get. I'll be looking for a flat once we get back home."
"Oh," Rose said, her resolve disappearing. She took a deep breath and embraced her Dad.
"I'm sorry to do this to you, honey. I really am," he said stroking her hair. She just held him tighter.
Narcissa Malfoy watched the events unfold before her very eyes with great interest. She couldn't help but be a little amused at how things had turned out. She was shocked to see the love between her grandson and the young Weasley girl. They seemed to be very wrapped up in each other in the last song they had shared. The song had narrated seemingly beautifully as to the relationship they shared. She was sure if Lucius had been in attendance, were he alive, he would not approve of the boy's choice of beau but she couldn't help but be pleased for Scorpius. The girl seemed well postured, fiery and passionate. Narcissa had a talent for judging a person's character from the way they dance. She had also not missed the kiss the teens had shared at the end of the dance. She was intrigued by the young woman and approached Scorpius with this in mind.
"Scorpius, my dear; how are you?" she asked.
"Very well grandmother, yourself?" he asked politely.
"Very well thank you. I see that the young Miss Weasley is very enchanting," she commented.
"Enchanting she is," Scorpius said almost wistfully, "do you wish to meet her?" Narcissa smiled and nodded in response. With that Scorpius disappeared in search of Rose.
When they returned the couple were holding hands, with their fingers laced. At this Narcissa raised a delicate eyebrow.
"Mrs Malfoy," the girl said politely with a small nod in respect, "my name is Rose Weasley. It's a pleasure to meet you." At this Narcissa smiled.
"Please, my name is Narcissa, and it's a delight to meet you," she replied, "You and my grandson seem close." At this she noticed the girl blush prettily.
"Yes. He has become very important to me," Rose replied glancing at Scorpius.
"Is that so?" Narcissa said with a smirk on her lips, "it is good to know he has managed to capture the heart of someone so prestigious." The girl blushed again at this.
"Thank you," she replied with a shy smile on her lips.
"It is so rare to have a Malfoy find love. It is said that there have only been three other couples in the past that were married because of love but all had to face a trial in their relationship before entering into the realms of married life." At this Rose blanched. It seemed that the girl didn't know how to respond to the comment.
"Erm... I... Well, I am not thinking about marriage at the moment; we are only fourteen after all."
"Yes. I suppose."
He had seen Weasley return to the ballroom. He had seen Astoria exit. He had seen Albus, Jenny and Austin come back looking slightly exasperated. He had seen Scorpius and Rose come back and dance. He had seen Astoria come back, slightly less composed than before she left. He had seen Potter talk to Weasley, Scorpius confront Astoria and Potter junior flirting with Jenny. He had seen his mother being introduced to the Weasley girl and Rose look slightly shocked at the direction of the conversation. He had seen all of the events unfold in front of him but he had not seen her come back. She had left with Weasley nearly half an hour ago and he was getting worried. Had no one else noticed her absence?
When he noticed that no one seemed to be as concerned as he was, he left the room to look for her. It didn't take long for him to find her. She was in the room she had shown him the letters. What he saw broke his heart so much he was nearly moved to tears. She was curled up on the sofa in the middle of the room, sniffling. Her hair had fallen out of its beautiful twist; her dress was draped over the whole of her body and slipping off the edge of the sofa; her make-up was streaked with tears. This night was turning out more like than the Yule Ball than he'd hoped.
He slipped onto the sofa next her and put an arm around her. She welcomed the embrace, melding to his body. Fresh tears cascaded from her eyes onto his dress shirt. For what seemed like hours he just held her. He ran a comforting hand up and down her back and just let her cry on his shoulder. He memorised what it felt like having her in his arms. The way she fit perfectly within the cradle of his arms and the way she curled her body tightly into his. He memorised the curve of her breast against his chest and her heavy head in the crook of his neck. He memorised the smell of her hair and the warmth of her breath on his neck. He memorised every detail about the moment so as to commit it to a special place. To remember when he felt alone. He would remember as much about this instant as he could. This would be one of the few happy memories he would have in his old age, along with seeing her enter the ballroom and his son being born. He felt her shift slightly, curling more into his body and moving her head slightly. He looked down to see her tears were subsiding. He smiled. This was how it was supposed to be for him. This was how he wanted it to be. She curled tighter into him.
"You smell good," she murmured, her lips brushing against his neck. He smiled and tightened his hold on her.
"So do you," he replied. They reminded quiet for another length of time.
"He doesn't deserve you, Maya." He felt her smile into his neck.
Hours passed and eventually the teens became tired of socialising, arguing and dancing. It was two o'clock when they decided they had had enough of the ball and that they wanted to retire to bed and go home. Before going to bed it was decided they'd meet in Scorpius's room for one more session with the guitar. The first one to show up to the room was Rose. She was dressed in an oversized skating tee and rainbow striped pyjama bottoms. She was the cutest thing he'd ever seen. Her face looked particularly fresh after removing her make-up. She smiled tiredly and walked over to him. The rest of the group turned up and after an hour they decided that it was time to go. Albus, Jenny and Austin went to find their parents and left Rose and Scorpius alone.
She smiled and embraced him, relaxing into him. He kissed her forehead.
"I love you too," he said. He felt her smile and hold him tighter.
"Can I sleep in here tonight?" she asked, "I don't want to be alone tonight."
"Ok," he said after much thought. With that he led her into his bedroom where they crawled beneath the duvet and curled into each other; holding on with the intent of never letting go.
Many miles away in a darkened room a group of men were discussing issues that were believed to be long since put to sleep. There were around a dozen men around a long table all of which wore cloaks with large hoods, as if to conceal their identity. At the head of the table was a young man in his mid twenties. His hair was dark and wavy, his eyes a striking mixture of blue and green; his cheekbones were high and jaw line was strong. He was attractive for his age and that was not something that went unnoticed in his everyday life. He had encountered many young women willing to share their bodies with him. He had taken advantage of this a few times. He enjoyed the power he exerted over them, the dominance of his role within these encounters. Behind him stood the man who had raised him. He knew he was not his birth father or even his real adoptive father. He was merely a man carrying out his orders but he had done them well. There was no love, mutual or otherwise, between the two men. It was not an emotion that was accepted in the circles they moved in.
The other men were of varied ages and experience. All of them, however, were eager to join the cause the young man represented. They were all devoted to making his aims a reality. Once the last chair was filled the young man stood and addressed the congregation.
"Men," he said, "you are all aware of why you are here. Why we are all here. We are here to carry on the legacy of the most powerful man of the last century. We are here to create a new legacy. Tonight, gentlemen, another will be joining our ranks. Boy, please step forward and accept your mark." A figure wearing the same hooded cloak as the other men stood and proceeded to the head of the table. He was noticeably smaller than the others around the table. He bowed and stretched his arm out. The young man at the head of the table pointed his wand to the figure's outstretched wrist. The figure screamed for a moment, before recovering and returning to his place.
The young man at the head of the table turned to address the whole group again.
"Now, what of the promised?"
"We are working on it Sir. We believe we have a way to persuade them to join the cause," said one of the hooded men.
"Is that so? Put the plan into action as soon as possible. Any reports?"
"The Malfoy ball was tonight. Unfortunately, our source of infiltration was dismissed by the hosts. However, that is no matter. We believe that events have been set in motion that we can use to our advantage."
"Excellent. If that is all then I dismiss you until our next meeting. Please make as much progress on the promised as possible before we next assemble." With that the men filed out of the room and the young man at the head of the table was satisfied. A smirk appeared on his face. No one would suspect him of such an act. No one really knew of his existence, but that had been the aim. He was sad that he didn't attend Hogwarts like his parents and adoptive family; however, he believed that he possessed enough power and knowledge of the Dark Arts to ensure that his aims were met.
Marvolo Leo Riddle would make a name for himself in the history books. He was sure of that.
A/N: Part II all done! Sorry about the delay, lack of working laptop battery/cable and lack of internet have hindered me somewhat.
After much consideration, I decided that Astoria and Ron's affair should not have continued. The main reason being that I want to develop both the Draco and Hermione and Scorpius and Rose plots further. Having Astoria and Ron together would have made this slightly odd and overdramatic. I hope you can forgive me that.
I was rather disappointed that you did not pick up on Astoria's comment in the last chapter, as it was a clue as to the outcome of this chapter, however, you will be forgiven that slight slip up as I suppose I didn't make it obvious enough.
I don't own any of the songs used in this chapter, but if you're wondering what they are here is the list. Harry and Ginny – Chinese: Lily Allen; Ron and Hermione – Meet You There: Busted; Rose and Scorpius – Have I Told You Lately: Van Morrison.