Chapter 17

No One But You

"And who do you think you are, eh? Oi, are you listening here? How'd you get past the wards without being invited?"

Scorpius regarded Tristan with mild irritation as he stepped smoothly in between the latter and Rose.

"I didn't," he answered simply, his free hand—that wasn't clamped down on Tristan's arm—reaching back towards her. Rose immediately clung onto it, exhaling shakily as unbounded relief cascaded down on her. She shuddered and pressed her forehead in the space between Scorpius's shoulder blades, breathing in deeply and sighing at his familiar scent—new leather and freshly ground snow.

"Don't give me cheek, bastard," Tristan snapped, his voice having completely lost its smooth, self-important quality to take on an angrier, cruder one that was obviously its true nature.

"I'm not," Scorpius replied in the same mild tone of disinterest. "I only answered your question. I didn't get past the wards without being invited."

"I don't know who you are, but you best be on your way, otherwise—"

"Otherwise you'll be forced to physically have me thrown out?"

Rose raised her head and pulled back slightly so she could peek around Scorpius's shoulder and smile smugly at the dumbfounded look on Tristan's face.

"I—I will!" the younger male replied, although he seemed more inclined to run away as soon as possible.

"Oh yeah? You and what army?*"

Rose's head snapped to the side, her immense relief turning profound at the welcome sight of her friend. And the other didn't look the least bit impressed.

"Renée? What—how—"

"Did you honestly think you could simply try to trick me into getting drunk out of my mind and leaving with some bloke you'd paid off to whisk me away? Don't joke with me brat."

She spat out the last word, her face twisting into a snarl as she reached forwards and slapped Tristan across his face. "And that, you disgusting piece of shite, is for Rose."

Tristan stood frozen for a moment and then turned tail and ran—Rose could almost hear him howling like a wounded animal.

Exhaustion, coupled with her drunken state and her narrow escape, caused her knees to buckle and she dropped like a sack of potatoes—only to be easily caught by Scorpius's strong arms. He picked her up in one fluid motion and followed after Renée as they made their way out of the glasshouse, Rose's face pressed into Scorpius's shoulder the whole time, her humiliation and rage building up from within and replacing her previous fear and weakness.

She didn't know where they went, or how long it took to reach there, but she felt she familiar warping sensation of Side-along Apparition and then the whoosh as they landed wherever it was they were supposed to.

"Does she have her keys on her?" Scorpius's voice floated to Rose as though through a haze. She blinked, suddenly wondering why she couldn't see anything but black and why it felt like her shoulders were carrying three heads instead of one.

"I have them. Took them while she was asleep, since I anticipated we'd be leaving the party earlier than later," Renée's voice replied and it sounded oddly like a muffled echo. "Never foresaw something like this to happen though."

"Really? You did send me an urgent Patronus asking me to drop everything and come to the given coordinates," Scorpius's voice said as he moved, his hold on her tightening.

"That was only because she was chugging down Firewhiskey like there was no tomorrow and I wanted to make sure something like what happened didn't happen."

"So why did it?"

Rose could hear the accusing tone underlining Scorpius's words even through the haze. When he shifted her in his arms, she sighed and hugged him close, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck. There was a long pause and a small ping before Renée replied.

"My parents' bastard son dosed our drinks. Even if she's a lightweight, I made sure she didn't have more than five glasses. I myself had more than that amount. I'm sure she—" the brunette said something after that that Rose didn't catch as there was a whoosh of wind as they stepped out of what Rose presumed was the lift, wondering why they hadn't Apparated right in front of her door.

Ah, that's right. The cracks would wake-up the neighbours.

"Do you have it?"

"I already said I did, didn't I? Stop rushing me. I may not look it, but I am quite sloshed."

Rose recognised the familiar click of the lock and the warmth of the wards as they passed through them and into her flat. Renée had brought them there. Thank Merlin she had half her sense of mind even when drunk.

"Take her to her room and lay her down on the bed. I'll be with you in a minute."

"What're you going to do?"

There was a tinkle of what sounded oddly like glass clinking against metal and then the sharp smell of peppermint. "I'm going to dilute this so she doesn't throw up when she drinks it."

"Peppermint Potion? Smart."

"Naturally. I may work six days a week, but I still have a life beyond my desk."

"Apparently."

She then heard the creak of a door and felt the world spinning around as she was laid down on something soft and comfortable. She sighed at the cool feel of what were undoubtedly her silk sheets and skimmed her palms across them, fluttering her eyes open and squinting at the brightness.

"Good morning, Miss Weasley," Scorpius said gently, smiling softly as Rose immediately reached out her arms towards him. He leaned forwards so she could wrap them around his neck and kissed her forehead, pulling back with an amused smile when she giggled.

"You are my knight in shining armour," she slurred as he pulled off her shoes and tossed them onto the floor, reaching over to massage her throbbing feet. She sighed. "Don't, they're dirty," she mumbled incoherently and he chuckled.

"Don't worry about inconsequential things and go to sleep, Rose," he told her softly and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"And let you take advantage of me? I'm not stupid!"

She saw the way he stilled and his smile turned strained as his eyes flashed, but he immediately continued with his ministrations, effectively distracting her.

"I would never take advantage of you," he said in a solemn voice and she grinned at him.

"I know, and that's exactly why I love you!"

His eyes widened infinitesimally as his hands once again paused, making her kick them with her feet. He smiled serenely at her and leaned forwards to nuzzle her nose with his. "I see," he said simply, smiling when she tilted her head up to peck his lips.

"Kiss me," she commanded and he raised his eyebrows at her. "Now," she pouted and he chuckled, placing his hands on either side of her head and leaned forwards to catch her lips in a sweet kiss. She sighed into it, curling her arms around his neck and tangling her fingers in his hair.

"No one but you," she murmured against his mouth and saw his eyebrows rise. "I never want to kiss anyone but you," she clarified, pulling his lips back to hers.

He kissed her long and slow, a simple kiss like the previous one they shared, dripping with sweetness and the depth of his feelings for her. He pulled back to gaze into her eyes and say, "And I will make sure you stay firm to your word."

"Promise?" she asked in a small voice, making him smile.

"I promise," he replied, kissing her again.

"Good," she said approvingly, pulling her legs up and wrapping them around his waist.

"Rose, what are you doing?" he asked her mildly, adjusting the leg that was positioned awkwardly on his lap so it wasn't as uncomfortable.

"Caging you so you won't run away," she replied with a superior look on her face.

"Why would I run away?" he asked with an amused chuckle and she shrugged, running her hands through his hair and pulling out the elastic that kept his ponytail in place.

"I like it better when it's short and platinum," she commented, swishing his long locks back and forth. "That way it doesn't tangle."

"Yeah?" he murmured, rubbing his nose against her jaw. She could feel him smile against her skin.

"Yeah. So go cut it," she ordered, wrapping herself as tightly around him as she could without strangling him.

"Your wish is my command," he murmured as he nibbled on her ear, sending a jolt of pleasure through her. She exhaled a shuddering breath and he tilted his head to watch as her eyelids fluttered and she shifted, suddenly feeling warm. "You like that?" he asked, licking the edge of her ear.

"Oh yes," she gasped, her heart starting to race and her stomach fluttering as she felt a deep warmth spread from within her.

He hummed against her ear, the vibrations sending jolts of pleasure through her. She realised belatedly that she was panting lightly and was finding herself incapable of keeping her eyes open for more than half a second at a time. She pressed her lips together and arched her back when he bit down on her lobe, a groan rumbling in her throat. He exhaled slowly and shifted on top of her, his hot breath leaving her skin tingling.

"This—may not be such a good idea," he said breathlessly, his elbows pressing into her sides.

"I… agree," she replied almost inaudibly, pulling his face to hers and kissing him full on the mouth. He groaned rather loudly when she bit his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood and then ran her tongue along it, the heat that she had felt blossom within her steadily moving downwards.

"Rose," he hissed against her lips, but whatever protest he was going to make was lost as her tongue found his and twisted around it.

He suddenly dug his hands under her back and in one swift motion, had pulled back into a sitting position and situated her in his lap. She immediately pressed herself against him, feeling her skirt peel forwards from where it was slit and leave her legs almost completely exposed. She tugged on his hair and he obediently tilted his head back, opening his mouth to give her access to it.

She kissed him soundly and he reciprocated enthusiastically, his hands sliding down her back and legs. She shivered at the heat of his palms against her exposed skin and gasped heavily when he latched his mouth to her throat. She threw her head back, baring her throat for him, her lips parted as she panted, a steady flush enveloping her body. She suddenly jerked against him and he growled, the rippling sound making her bite down hard on her lower lip to keep from crying out.

"Shite," he swore, as he kissed up her neck to her jaw. "Shite."

"Renée—" Rose, squeaked and her voice broke, making her lick her lips and try again. "Renée's outside. We can't do anything dangerous—"

"Yeah," he said and his voice was a deep rumble that made her shiver from head to toe. She opened her eyes and chanced a look at him, her breath hitching at how dark and brazen his now murky grey eyes were, the depth of desire in them making her shudder and break out in gooseflesh.

"Do not ever—" he began, digging his nails into her thighs and making her whimper, "—let her talk you into going to another one of those wretched parties again. At least not without me," he added, nipping at her jaw.

She nodded vehemently; her breathing was laboured and her drunken haze was slowly being replaced by dizzying desire that she felt would rip her from the inside out. "Scorpius," she gasped as he kissed down her throat with enough force to bruise her skin. "We have to stop."

"Yeah," he agreed in the same husky voice, tangling his hand in her hair and pulling her mouth down to his, "Yeah, we do."

But the way he kissed her was the exact opposite of his words—desperate, hungry, yearning and urgent. Exactly how she reciprocated it, loving the dull ache in her scalp as he tugged tightly on her roots, his free arm crushing her against him.

There was a series of impatient raps on the door and Renée's muffled voice was heard from the other side—"Are you two quite finished with your escapades? I would like to go home, now."

The two in question couldn't respond immediately, their heavy panting filling the room as they grinned sheepishly at each other. "We're coming!" Rose called, turning her head towards the door and immediately feeling Scorpius's mouth on her neck.

"Stop it," she laughed, tugging at his long hair. "She's been waiting this whole time."

"But you're not even drunk anymore," Scorpius replied breathlessly, his eyes never leaving her lips. "Can't we just tell her to leave the potion somewhere and go?"

"We could," Rose replied thoughtfully, biting her lip and running a finger down his chest in a teasing way. She bit back a smile as he stilled, his eyes growing molten again. She leaned in and kissed him softly before flicking his nose. "But I'm exhausted and would really like to get some shut eye myself."

"Hello!" Renée yelled and Rose laughed, sliding off Scorpius and instantly missing the feeling of his body against hers, and from the look on his face, knew he felt the same way. She pulled her skirt down only so it wasn't bunched around her waist, feeling his eyes on her as she reached down and adjusted the slit in the back. She smiled smugly as she pulled open the door, leaning against the frame and placing a hand on her hip. She raised her eyebrows at Renée—whose irritated look immediately changed to an amused one.

"You wench," she whispered, thrusting a glass of creamy, greenish liquid into her chest.

"High praise, coming from you," Rose replied evenly, raising the glass to her mouth and downing it in one gulp, making a face at the sharp taste of mint.

"He's staring at you like all he wants to do is throw you down and ravish you all night long," the brunette murmured, glancing over Rose's shoulder.

"I'm sure he is," Rose said coyly and Renée threw her a look.

"Traitor," she said and Rose smacked her hand.

"I'm sorry, who is it that's getting engaged tomorrow again?"

She watched with mild amusement as Renée's eyes widened comically as she clasped Rose's shoulder.

"It's Saturday already?" she screeched, turning on her heel and running to the door. "I'll see you at lunch tomorrow!" she called, slamming the door behind her, followed by the pop of Apparition. Once in a while was OK, the neighbours would probably be awake now, anyway.

She turned around slowly and made her way back to the bed, smiling down at Scorpius in a coquettish way, reaching forwards to let her hand trail down his shoulders. He sat up straight when she bent down and drew so close to him, their moths were inches about.

"Goodbye, Scorpius," she purred, standing back up and walking to her bathroom without even a second look at him. She bit her lip to stifle her giggle as she slowly began to shut the door, but he was there in an instant, shoving it open and slamming her against the wall.

"That won't do, Miss Weasley, that simply won't do," he said silkily against her mouth. "You can't have the last laugh. Not this time."

"Oh, but I already have," she replied coyly, as she planted a swift kiss on his lips and pushed him out the door. "See yourself out," she said with a smug smile, watching the stupefied look on his face as she shut the door on him.

She slid off her clothes, carefully listening to the sound of her bedroom door open and a few minutes later, the front door shut. She grinned to herself, as the hot shower water flowed down her body, washing away the activities of the night.

She knew he had let her have her way with the sole intention of driving away the memory of Tristan and what he had done from her mind—which he had accomplished successfully, she told herself, humming with satisfaction as she looked into the glass cubicle of the shower, her mouth dropping open at the sight of the red love bites strewn down the side of her throat.

Son of a—

Scorpius Bloody Malfoy had had his last laugh anyway.

A/n: Hi hello how's it going? I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who left me reviews on the previous chapter, especially all the guest reviews that I couldn't reply to. I hope this chapter clarified some of your doubts and I decided to give a brief explanation on Tristan as most of you demanded to know how Renée wasn't aware that her brother was such a douche.

I mentioned in the previous chapter that Tristan was actually very large when he was younger and looked pretty much like a brunette Dudley. He was sorted into Slytherin and was bullied to the extent of trying to take his own life in his fourth year. By the end of his fifth year, he did a complete 180, looks and personality wise. He lost all the extra weight and turned into one of those stereotypical Slytherin Pureblood nobles. His initial relationship with his family was distant to begin with, because of his image issues, but once he changed, he treated them like they were much too inferior to him and obviously Renée lost it. They're two years apart, so when Tristan went through his change, she was already leaving Hogwarts. She moved out just after and barely ever spoke to Tristan. Once he left Hogwarts, he just went downhill with all his partying and spending his inheritance and had turned into the bullies that made him almost take his life. So basically Renée's relationship with him is very civil and in the manner portrayed in the previous chapter and she honestly did not expect her brother to do what he did. As to why he did what he did, I leave that open to interpretation since I've given you his character sketch.

Hope this chapter made up for the previous one! Also, writing a smug Rose is so much fun because she thinks she's all that when Scorpius is just letting her have her way haha, they're just too cute.

Let me know your thoughts!

Lots of love~