Well, hello again! Another long chapter :)
Thanks to all those who reviewed! You guys are brilliant-if it weren't for you all, I wouldn't even have gotten this far with the story!
xiLynnx, whee, euphoenix, amy, Love without expectation, XXXmeggie-loves-to-readXXX, tikincloks, Missdagane, Palak, Rosweasley85, scentasia, Senga1, lilbuddie715, Cass, ClimbingMonkey13, Sundance1989, TheInnerMusingsOfMe, ainat92, ohmygolly, nick55 and a-riggs2011.
Answering a few questions:
Cass- Nope, this story is now 23 chapters including an epilogue! Random number, yes, but oh well. :)
Palak- Shut up, Egg. You ain't gonna find hotter property than *this*. Just ask our hormonal teenage acquaintances, yo. Oh, and ain't no one hotter than Pal TBA either, of course. We cool. PS- YES they did! Hoorah! And I didn't even have to read one of your JQ's for research purposes. ;)
amy- You're welcome :)
Whee- I'm glad you liked the last chapter so much! And I'll try my best not to break your heart! (I'm fairly sure you'll be fine though. We're almost at the end!)
And now, preeesenting! (Song choice is so OOC for me. Still, if the knickers fit...)
I don't wanna start over
I don't wanna pretend that
You are not my lover
That you're only my friend
I won't- Colbie Caillat
Chapter 18:
Sunlight filtered through the thin canvas, golden light dancing over each surface, interspersed by patches of dark shadows. Rose's eyes fluttered open, a feeling of contentment settling over her as the sun's rays warmed her.
Stirring slightly, she became aware of a heavy weight around her waist and looking downwards, her momentary bubble of bliss was burst viciously. A pale arm thrown over her and a warm wall of natural heat behind her brought memories of just a few hours ago flooding into her mind.
Her breath caught in her throat as she burrowed her face into the pillow, reeling in shock at what she'd- they'd done. Chancing a peek behind her, she had to bite her tongue to stifle any sound as her eyes landed on Scorpius' face, carefree and golden in the light.
In fact, everything about him was golden as he lay there breathing deeply. Her flaming red hair offered a stunning contrast as it fell over her face. The scene was idyllic, the moment perfect. And all Rose Weasley wanted was a time turner and a heavy device to knock out her past-self.
Shifting his arm carefully, she wriggled out of his grasp, bare feet touching the floor. He remained mercifully still, chest still rising and falling with even breaths. The cool air bit at her bare skin and her body longed for the warmth of the nest of sheets and limbs she'd just left.
Her mouth opened in a silent scream as she clamped her hands over her face, trying not to panic. What the fuck was wrong with twelve-hours-ago-Rose? She slipped back into her undergarments, clutching the ruined dress to her chest. She vaguely remembered having transfigured her phone into a hairclip, but looking around there was no sign of it.
Still trying not to make any sound, she gave it up and picking up a discarded sheet from the floor, set about turning it into a makeshift dress. Shoes and party dress dangling from her fingers, she tiptoed to the entrance, pulling back the flap.
And froze as a merry jingle emanated from somewhere within the tent.
'…Oh, come and stir my cauldron and if you do it right…'
Rose paused, one foot raised, as Scorpius shot up, sheets slipping dangerously low.
"What-?"
She turned back around, eyes wide, cursing her luck. Maybe if she stayed absolutely still, he wouldn't notice her…
Scorpius' eyes roved over the tent and found her instantly, pinning her where she stood. The heels clattered unheeded from her slack grip as his eyebrows shot up, mimicking her expression.
Rose floundered for something appropriate to say and came up with a real gem: "Umm…hi."
He looked amused, a small smirk tugging at his lips which he was evidently trying to fight down. "Hi."
She swallowed nervously, taking in his sexily mussed hair, the day-old stubble and the faint nail marks on his completely exposed chest. Had she done that? Her gaze landed on the sheets riding low on his waist, her cheeks flushing with a vivid mental image.
"That's a good look for you. Though I must say it would be much improved were you not trying to make good your nefarious escape."
Her eyes snapped back up to his amused ones, startled by what he'd said.
She opened her mouth, her mind an absolute blank. "I-"
'…I'll boil you up some hot, strong love to keep you warm tonight…'
With a considerable amount of relief she pounced on the device, seizing up her hairclip and attempting to speak into it in her flustered state before transfiguring it back into a phone.
"Hello?" she said, uncomfortably conscious of Scorpius' gaze on her. She resolutely turned her back to him.
"HELLO? ROSIE? IS THAT YOU?"
She cringed and held the phone away from her ear, clutching her head in pain.
"Dad?"
"ROSIE, ARE YOU OKAY? WAIT, HOLD ON- Hermione, why is it beeping? Is that supposed to happen? It's not going to explode is it?"
Rose could hear an unnatural amount of static on the line and her mum's voice over the line. "Honestly, Ronald, you don't need to shout! And if you'd stop pressing all those buttons-"
"ROSIE? CAN YOU HEAR ME?"
"Dad! Dad, I can hear you just fine! Talk normally, please?"
She glanced behind her to see Scorpius had gotten out of bed and was in the process of pulling his pants on. She stared, jaw slack, at his physique in the clear light.
Woah…
"Hello, Rose? How's Egypt? This is mum. I'm sorry about your dad, he's got a nasty habit of yelling at muggle devices…"
Rose tore her eyes away from the sex-god in front of her, attention back on the phone call. "Yeah, I know," she grinned. "What's the matter? Is everything alright?"
"Well…your dad had an accident at work, Rose. We're in Mungos now."
"What?" Rose yelped, drawing Scorpius' attention.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"What's wrong?" She said into the phone.
"Is that Scorpius? Say Hi to him, dear."
"Mum! What happened to dad?"
"Oh, right. Well nothing major. He was refereeing the match between Kenmare and Chudleigh. One of the Kestrel players took offence to what he thought was an unfair call and hexed Ron so he ended up dangling from one of the supports in the stadium. He broke a wrist and suffered a concussion and now he's having some sort of midlife crisis. I really don't know what- SHUT UP RON!"
"Gimme the phone 'Mione! I want to talk to my only child!"
"Hey!" Hugo protested.
"Sorry, Hugh. I meant my only girl child."
Rose could distinctly hear her younger brother grumbling as the phone was passed back to her dad.
"Rosie!" Ron's volume was mercifully normal. "Your mother must have told you, but I think it is my duty to inform you. Rose, your poor father- that's me- is on his deathbed. And I want to see my only child's face again before I pass away into the void. Is that a crime? I don't think so- Shut up, Hugo, my lovely boy, I'm talking to your sister- Come home, Rosie!"
Rose stared speechlessly into midair for a while, cogs turning slowly in her brain.
"You want me….to come home?"
"Yes!"
"Now?"
"Yes!"
"How?"
"Oh," said Ron comfortably. "That won't be a problem. I'll get Bill to sort it out. Or Harry. I'm almost dead anyway, so I oughtn't to be working." There was a vague crackling sound over the line and then, "Okay, I have to go now, honey. Take care- Gin! I like my coffee black!"
"No you don't!" Ginny protested. "You hate black!"
"Well, I love it now, don't I? Blimey, what's a man to do around here-"
The line went dead.
Rose lowered the phone cautiously, turning around to look at a still shirtless Scorpius.
"So…" he said slowly. "Are we leaving, then?"
XXXXXXXXXX
Rose clutched on to Adam, wrapping him in a tight embrace. When she pulled away, she was surprised to find her eyes slightly wet.
"Hey, cheer up!" he said bracingly. "I'll write you. We'll exchange letters all the time and I'll drop by if I ever come to England."
Rose sniffed, taking a step back. "You'd better, Dyer. I'm going to miss you."
She was quite taken aback by the truth of this statement. She'd only known Adam for a few days and yet it felt as if she was leaving behind her childhood chum.
Adam grinned at her, and reached out a hand to ruffle her hair. He laughed as Rose ducked out of the way. "I'll miss you too, Rosie. By the way," he lowered his voice conspiratorially and glanced around, "how was your night?"
Rose turned scarlet and stammered out a response. "w-what do you mean?"
"Oh, come now, Rosie! I know all about you and Mr. Malfoy over there getting it on. I just want to hear you admit it."
Rose gaped at him. "Who else knows?"
Adam shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, just a few people…you know….everyone."
Rose groaned, smacking herself on the head. "I'm such an idiot. I can't believe I- Oh, Merlin!"
"Aah come on now, it couldn't have been all that bad!"
"It wasn't…" she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, determinedly not meeting his eyes. "It was quite…you know…"
"Fantastic? Satisfying? Mind blowing? All of the above?" he supplied helpfully.
Rose glared at him, frowning her disapproval. "Yes." She said curtly, unable to stop a smile from tugging at her lips.
"Well," Adam said heavily, glancing at his watch. "You're going to miss your portkey if you don't rush. I'll see you around, Weasley."
"Likewise, Dyer."
They embraced one last time and Rose pecked him on the cheek before moving off to find Scorpius who'd been busy fetching their luggage from the motel.
He was standing near a forlorn cactus, studiously ignoring Natalie who was shooting the pair of them death glares every few seconds.
Rose's voice when she addressed him was deliberately cool and she hoped desperately that only she could detect the slight quiver in it. "Got the stuff?"
He turned to look at her, face impassive. "Yeah. Listen, Rose-"
"We should get going then. Portkey in two minutes."
She looked away determinedly, watching Adam's figure as he lumbered towards the pyramid, heading for the entrance. Natalie flipped her off when she turned to her and scowling, Rose returned the favour.
Finally with ten seconds left to spare, she placed her index finger on the gleaming hairbrush, preparing herself for the customary jerk behind the navel.
The sand and pyramids seemed to swirl around them as they were sucked into the magical vortex, blending into a confused riot of colour and memories.
XXXXXX
Rose charged past the healers and open doors, making a beeline for the last ward. It was infuriating, but whereas she was almost running through the halls, Scorpius had no problem keeping up with his longer legs.
"Rose, wait, I think we need to talk-"
"Oh will you look at that? I think someone transfigured that poor man's head into a chamber pot. Poor thing."
"Rose-"
"Oh wow, is that a cow?"
We need to talk? Rose had enough relationship experience to know that those four words never boded well. She was, to put it simply, terrified. Sleeping with Scorpius had completely changed the dimensions of their relationship. Were they dating? Were they in love/lust? Were they even friends?
He'd probably just wanted a shag anyway…he was probably trying to let her down easily. After all, she'd been the one to practically assault him, he'd probably just gone along for the ride. That was what guys did, right?
Rose cursed her wantonness for the millionth time, shaking her fist at Past-Rose. That girl was so dead…
But given the opportunity, would she tell Scorpius to bugger off right now if she could repeat last night?
Hmmm….probably not.
A few of the more compromising events popped up in her head and Rose practically flew through the ward doors, diving in as if it was a sanctuary for those on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"ROSIE!"
A loud cheer went up as her family spotted her. The cheer died down as she tripped over a potted fern and face-planted on the ground. She sprang up instantly, ridiculously large smile pasted on her face and rushed forward to embrace her father before Scorpius had even walked in.
"Dad! How are you?"
"Rosie, you made it! I'm so glad you got my fellytone call, I wasn't sure it was you."
Ron was lying propped up on a single bed, surrounded by large flower bouquets and what looked like the entire stock of Honeydukes. He would have looked perfectly healthy and normal if it weren't for the aura of pure bliss hanging around him like a fluffy cloud.
"Rosie!" James hooked an arm around her neck and reeled her in, ruffling her hair with his knuckles. Rose gagged into his armpit, trying to turn her face away. "Leggo, you turd!"
He released her instantly, looking slightly sheepish. "Where's Al?" She asked, looking around for the familiar head of tousled black hair.
James stuck his tongue out, clearly displeased about something. "The lucky bugger is on vacation. Like you were, I suppose. Gone with his girlfriend too…hmmph. I bet he's getting some right now. Unlike us unlucky ones, eh Rosie?"
"Er," Rose said. "yeah, totally." She glanced back to see Scorpius leaning against the doorframe, looking away from the crowd gathered around her dad's bed. He was clearly giving the family space.
Slumped around the bed in various poses of exhaustion were Hugo, her mum, Aunt Ginny, James and Dom who was sleeping with her head thrown back and a trickle of drool on her chin.
"I don't know why Harry can't be here when I'm only moments away from death." Ron was whining. "'Mione, my love! Pass us a chocolate frog?"
Hermione's head jerked up from her notes, bushy curls flying.
"Rose!" she got up to hug her daughter, patting her apologetically on the back. "I'm really sorry about this. I hope you weren't in the middle of something important in Giza. I'd hate for your work to be disrupted."
"Er, nothing particularly important, no."
"Great. Well, I have to run, I have a meeting with the minister in ten minutes. I'll see you lot at home for dinner?" Hermione was already halfway across the room, forgotten notes levitating behind her. She paused at the door, stumbling a little. "Oh, hello Scorpius. Great running into you, hope you had fun in Egypt. Come for dinner if you like! You can be Rose's date!"
To Rose's abject horror, her mother actually turned around and winked rather unsubtly at her before dashing out the door, leaving behind a bewildered silence.
"So," Ron said, chomping on a pink Bertie bean. "Now that my wife has abandoned me in my hour of need, let's get down to business, eh? Rose, you sit on that chair over there- no, the other one- and Ginny get me a cup of coffee before I fall asleep. Merlin knows if I'll wake again…"
Unsurprisingly enough, Ginny ignored Ron's request, flipping him off without looking up from her book.
Rose sat on the chair designated to her, trying her best not to laugh at the scene so typical of her dysfunctional family. James took the seat next to her, propping his feet, muddy boots and all, up on the clean bed. Hugo sat slumped next to a still asleep and now snoring Dom, looking quite depressed.
Ron cleared his throat, swishing his arms outward pompously. "My children, sister and godson be gathered here before me as I deliver my parting address. And Dominique, my niece, who is here in spirit." Dom let out a particularly loud snore at this point. "I let it be known that I bequeath the seeds of my love to my children who shall…er-what's the word?- cherish them and propagate them among the masses so all may know the love of Ronald Bilius Weasley The First."
He paused here and Ginny shut her book with a loud snap, rising up vengefully. "Ron, you prat! I don't care if you're concussed, this is ridiculous! I have better things to do with my time. I'm out of here."
She stalked past them all, scowling as she brushed past Scorpius. As she did, Ron seemed to notice the blond for the first time.
"Scorpius! My child!" He enthused.
Rose, James and Hugo froze. Dom snored.
"Come join us! Take a place in the circle of love!" Ron waved his arms around as Scorpius looked around warily, presumably mapping out exit routes.
Ron's waving grew more insistent and Scorpius approached the bedside hesitantly, sinking into the chair Ginny had vacated.
"I hope you're feeling better, Sir." He offered politely.
"Oh, I'm peachy!" Ron said affably, beaming at him. "And how are you, son?" He reached out and took Scorpius' hand in his own, much to the latter's horror. Rose stifled a laugh as she saw him visibly struggling not to pull away.
"Er-I'm fine, sir."
"Tosh! Enough of this sir nonsense! Why, you are my future son-in-law. Will you be calling me sir even when you've married my only child?"
"Dad!"
"DAD!"
"Quiet, children." Ron waved a dismissive hand at his indignant son and highly flustered daughter.
Rose noted with silent fury that James was laughing so hard he'd fallen off his chair. Even Dom seemed to have woken up, her eyes following the exchange excitedly. She grinned at Rose, tongue in cheek.
"Er, Sir?- I mean, Mr. Weasley?" Scorpius looked ready to jump out the window and at this point Rose wished he would just to end their misery.
Ron's eyes seemed to have misted over as he patted Scorpius' hand, sniffing loudly. "My deepest apologies, son." He said gruffly. "I know I've been a right git to you in the past. It's nothing personal, just your father and I never got along you see. But now, lying here, at the threshold of death's doors I find that it no longer matters if my Rosie marries a pureblood. She can marry whoever she wants!...except that cow Parkinson's spawn, there's something wrong with that child…"
Ron trailed off, thrown off his stride. His grip loosened and Scorpius pulled his hand back so fast, it was practically a blur. Thankfully, Ron was too out of it to notice.
"You did save my Rosie's life…yes," he said firmly, as if convincing himself. "You did. And you are rather a beautiful boy I suppose. If I had a chance of living past tonight, I would love to see the faces of my lovely grandchildren. You must have at least five, my boy! Nothing wrong with a good wholesome number…bloody 'Mione doesn't agree…"
Rose wished she could sink through the floor of the ward and right into the loony bin where she clearly belonged after this episode. She could practically hear her mind cracking.
"Erm, dad?" Hugo asked tentatively. "Why are you sucking your thumb?"
Rose's head whirled around to see that her father was indeed sucking his right thumb, grinning loopily around it. James burst into a fresh round of laughter, sinking to his knees, completely red in the face. He doubled over, wheezing from lack of air. "Haaha…oh, Merlin! I love this!"
Scorpius looked vaguely repulsed but mostly amused as Ron started to hum an old tune. "Weasley is our king…he always lets the quaffle in….oh wait, he never lets the quaffle in….right, right…fetch us a cuppa will you Hugh? I think I'm ready to die now, but a cup of tea would really hit the spot."
Rose shot up, jumping over James as he sprawled across the floor, face down. "I'll get it!"
"I'll help!" Dom sprang up quickly. "I make lovely tea- just ask Kreacher! Be right back, Uncle Ron!"
Ron didn't seem to notice as he initiated a conversation about the merits of playing on a mop rather than a broomstick with an agitated Scorpius.
XXXXXXXXX
"Merlin…that was a disaster…"
Dom chuckled, keeping pace with Rose. "It was quite entertaining, actually. So, tell me about Egypt! What happened with you and Mr. HottyMacpherson back there?"
Rose shrugged, trying to look casual. "Oh you know, nothing much. The usual….bickering, bantering, andishaggedhimokay?, general fighting…"
"Oh. My. God."
Rose shut one eye and grimaced as she waited for the explosion.
"YOU SHAGGED HIM?"
"Just a little bit…"
Dom paused, staring at a wall, jaw wide open. Her eyes slid out of focus as she turned to look at Rose. "You. Shagged. Him."
"I might have done, yes." Rose said uncomfortably.
Slowly, a manic grin broke out across her face, eyes glittering like a grindylow's. "I knew it! I knew it! Hello, galleons!"
"Wait-what?"
Dom glanced at Rose, shamelessly pumping her fists. "Oh, I had a bet with Al over whether or not you'd shag Scorpius in Egypt. I win! Plus the extra twenty galleons from Fred over whether you'd shag him at all. Wow….I am bloody fucking rich!"
Rose's jaw dropped open. "Y-you guys! Treachery! Backstabbation! You placed BETS on whether Scorpius and I- Oh, Merlin! Jesus! Buddha! Bhagwan! Allah! WHAT THE-"
"Quiet over there! This is a hospital!"
Rose took a deep shuddering breath, willing self-control.
Am very calm, Hare Hare. Am very strong, Hare Hare. Am at peace with world, Hare Hare.
"Who?" she spat out, managing to not punch Dom.
"Oh," Dom said casually. "Well, there's me, Al, Fred, Roxie, Lucy, Vicky, Ted, Lily, and Uncle George. James refused to participate saying that it was childish and immature and why would anyone shag a Slytherin? But we all know it's because he spent all of his last paycheck drinking at the Four Eyed Witch and doesn't have any money to gamble."
Rose deflated, suddenly feeling very small.
"Oh…" she said weakly, wandering into a random ward.
Her dazed senses were assaulted by a strong wall of male cologne as she bumped into someone's back. The man spun around, bestowing a toothy grin on her and Dom.
He swept his fair hair, streaked with grey, out of his eyes, looking benignly down upon them.
"Hello, girls! Come for an autograph? I'm a healer, you know. Very famous. Gilderoy Lockhart at your service. But you must know all that, of course."
He continued to smile at them, rummaging in his pockets. Rose and Dom exchanged identical looks of skepticism and delight. They'd heard all about Gilderoy Lockhart of course…
Pinned to his lime-green robes was a badge proudly declaring him Assistant Healer, Spell Damage.
The jovial man pulled out a stack of coloured pictures, signing them with a flourish. "I'm really very good at signing my name. Used to have an awful lot of trouble before, but don't tell anyone! It'll be our little secret, eh?"
He winked conspiratorially at them, tapping the side of his nose with the wet quill. He looked ridiculous with the blue ink smeared across his face.
"Gill! Where are you, mate?"
Another man in lime green robes materialized, grasping Lockhart firmly by the upper arm. "There you are! Why don't you go to talk to old Mr. Bagnold, he seems to be feeling awfully low today. Leave these lovely ladies alone for a bit, yeah?"
"Oh, very well, very well." Lockhart stowed away the quill and pictures and tipping an imaginary hat at his audience, pranced off to another section of the spacious ward.
"Sorry about that," The young healer said, smoothing down his robes. "He's really very excitable. But does wonders for our older patients, seems to amuse them. And you are…oh!" His eyes widened as they landed on Rose. "I know you! You came in with the almost-dead bloke didn't you?"
Rose recognized the man abruptly. He was the healer who'd looked her over the day she'd found the man in the alley, when she'd run into him being tortured by the killer.
"Yeah, that's me." She said, surprised he remembered her. "How's the guy I came in with? Is he still here?"
"Unfortunately, he's not doing very well." The healer said gravely. His nametag pronounced him to be Davies, Jonathan. "He's completely paralyzed. Not a peep out of him since we got him here. He's pretty stable though so I don't think he's in any immediate danger."
Dom looked between the two of them, confused and Rose mentally smacked herself for having forgotten completely about the elder man. She'd never even thought to ask whether he was still alive and if he was under protection as well.
"Do you want to see him?" Jonathan asked abruptly. "He's right here. I imagine he would want to meet the young lady who saved his life."
"Oh," Rose stepped up, slightly flustered. "Well, okay."
Davies smiled at her reassuringly and led her and Dom to a bed with curtains drawn around it. He pulled them back, revealing a shrunken figure enveloped by sheets. The elderly man's eyes fluttered open as they stepped forward hesitantly, not wanting to crowd him.
His posture was completely lax, only his eyes moving. They landed on the healer first, blinking in recognition. "Hello, Mr. Karkaroff. How are you today? You have some visitors. I think you may know one of them." He smiled gently at the wizened figure even as Rose jolted backwards.
Karkaroff?
She glanced at the chart beside the bed and relaxed, nudging Dom with her elbow to draw her attention to it.
Ivan Karkaroff
Ailment: Trauma and full body paralysis
Condition: Stable
She remembered reading that Igor Karkaroff, the dead ex-death eater had had a younger brother. This must be him. But she didn't remember anything about the brother also being involved in the dark arts. Why had he been attacked?
Ivan Karkaroff's eyes wandered slowly from Davies' face to Dom's and then finally to Rose's.
What happened next was completely unexpected.
The old man's face seemed to jolt with shock as he struggled upwards, falling back instantly. His eyes rolled back in his head, his entire frame shuddering with strain. Davies was yelling something but Rose's ears were numb with shock. What was happening to him?
A rough hand grabbed her and yanked her backwards, out of the man's line of vision.
Instantly, he slumped back down, eyes slanting frantically from left to right.
Rose stood gaping with shock and fear as healers swarmed around the bed, calming the old man down. She was vaguely aware that someone had her arm in a vice-grip but as the pressure lessened, she stumbled backwards into strong arms.
"It's okay," Scorpius said, gripping her gently.
Rose just shook her head and continued to watch the drama unfold.
A/N: Did y'all expect that?
I bet you'd all forgotten about the poor chap from the very first chapter!
Tut tut.
What did you think of Ronnie-wonniee! His scenes are so much fun to write.