Chapter 13 - Together for the Holiday
Hermione had told Rose that, yes, the offer to have the Malfoy's over for Christmas still stood. She also told her that if her father whined too much, he was told in advance he'd be sleeping on the couch. The Malfoy's, on their part, agreed that spending the holidays with the Weasely's was a great idea, though it was admitted that if Ron started anything, Draco would retaliate. This, of course, was the best they were going to get out of their families.
It was Christmas now and Scorpius and his parents had arrived at their home the night before, Scorpius was staying in the guest room next to Hugo's room where Albus and James stayed when the Potter's came over, and Astoria and Draco in the one at the end of the hall, where Ginny and Harry usually stayed. Of course, Draco was not let in on that fact. Alaine was staying at Al's place and the Potter's and her would be over for Christmas dinner. But, it was morning at the moment and they were opening presents.
From her parents, Rose got a few fictional books written by muggles, a few seasons of DVDs of shows on muggle television she liked (A/N: Doctor Who and Sherlock anyone?). Hugo got her a book about cheetahs, to study for her animagus transformation, and surprisingly the Malfoy's had gotten her something, a gold bracelet with a cheetah pendent hanging from it. The presents from her fellow Ravenclaw's were there too, books of various types along with teasing letters of Scorpius's room only being a few doors away from her own, letters she refused to read aloud no matter how her father whined. Presents from the rest of the Weasely, and the Potter, families would be personally delivered. Finally was her present from Scorpius. She held her breath as a small box was given to her by her loving boyfriend, a ring box. She opened it slowly, revealing a beautiful ring with a large sapphire with a 'R' engraved into it.
"It's a muggle promise ring, if you would accept it", Scorpius whispered quietly, "Sort of like a engagement ring, except for people who aren't ready to take that step yet, like we aren't, but wishing to express their love for the other just the same, sort of just a precursor to one."
Rose, with tears rolling down her face, just silently hugged Scorpius tightly, placing a gentle kiss to his cheek before she finally managed to croak out, "I love it.. And you."
Scorpius smiled, relieved, and hugged her back just as tightly, "I love you too, Rose."
Hermione got a book from Ron, and one from Hugo, while Rose got her mother a book titled 'How to make sense of Quidditch for Women', which got a laugh out of her mother while Ron pouted. And all three Malfoy's got her a joint gift of a first edition of Hogwarts: a History.
Ron got a ticket to see the Cannons from his wife, a chocolate frog card of himself from Hugo, and a chocolate card frog of Viktor Krum from his smirking daughter. His daughter's boyfriend gave him a poster signed by the players on the Cannons' team. The Malfoy's apologized for not getting him anything because they didn't know what to get, which he responded to being okay with.
Hugo got a ticket to the same game as his dad from his mother, a book about the team from his sister, a mini Gryffindor sword from his father, a rare chocolate frog card from Scorp, and the Malfoy's again apologized for not knowing what to get him.
The Malfoy's got an invitation to return to the house every Christmas from Hermione, and a reluctant Ron, Astoria got a elegant silver necklace with a green snake pendant from Rose, while she gave Draco a sugar quill, fro lack of other ideas, as she knew from his son that he loved them as much as he did. Hugo got them nothing, not knowing what they would want, while their son gave them a copy of the dairy of Slytherin that he had found in the school library.
Finally, it was Scorpius's turn. From his parents he got a copy of Harry, Ron, and Hermione's true account about the war, from Hugo a toy, not painful, bludger to practice with, from Hermione and Ron, jokingly, at least on Hermione's part, a book about how not to anger the parents of one's loved one. Then was the gift from Rose, a beautiful paining she had made herself with the help of magic of a cheetah with her eyes curled up with clouded leopard with his eyes under a clear evening sky, the only thing marring the view of the stars being a trees that surrounded them. He gave his girlfriend a kiss in thanks for the beautiful painting.
Then came Christmas lunch, which was filled with good cheer, and it even seemed Ron was getting used to the Malfoy's presence. Rose and Scorpius, of course, held hands under the table throughout the meal, and both parents turned a blind eye to it, though a small smile played on both Hermione and Astoria's lips. When the meal finally ended, the Malfoy's went home, but not without the invitation to come back for new year's, which they accepted. Rose and Scorpius kissed goodbye, neither wanting him to leave. But, he had t and soon followed his parents out the Floo. Rose sighed sadly and went up to her room, already planning on sending a letter to her boyfriend, missing him even after the 30 seconds he had been gone.
Back at Malfoy Manor, Scorpius was much the same, he headed straight to his room and began writing. Both families knew as they watched their children disappear, that this was going to be a long break for both of their children.
(A/N: SOOO sorry about the wait, been busy with school and stuff.. I know it's not a good excuse, but I'll try to post sooner next time!)