Awesome ideas. I salute you.

Chapter Ten
Patronuses and Invitations

While Hermione was in the hospital and Ron was off doing who-knows-what, Rose and Hugo were staying with Granny and Granddad Weasley.

Rose unceremoniously dragged her trunk up the stairs, not caring that it was knocked around and she was making unnecessary noise. She opened the door to her Aunt Ginny's room and kicked her trunk in first, then she closed the door.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

"Angst, angst, angst," she repeated over and over again as she banged her head against the door.

"Rosie?"

"Eeeek!"

She spun around and nearly fell back against the door as she stared wide-eyed at the silver dragon lifting its great head up to stare at her.

"Scorpius?" she asked uncertainly.

The dragon nodded its head.

"Uh . . . cool patronus?"

"Thank you."

Rose cautiously walked over to the bed and sat down, keeping an eye on the dragon the whole time.

"Are you okay?" said Scorpius's voice from the dragon. She flinched involuntarily as it got to its feet and flexed its powerful wings. It was huge! "How's your mother?"

Rose erupted into tears and collapsed backwards onto the bed.

"Don't cry, Rose! I'm not there to hold you!"

"I wish you were," she sniffed miserably.

He was silent for a moment, then, "So do I. Where are you?"

"The Burrow. My grandparents' house. It's unplottable."

Silence.

"Scorp?"

". . . yes?"

"How are we doing this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Patronuses . . . aren't they suppose to just relay a message?"

Rose giggled as they dragon lifted its shoulders and shrugged. It was an odd thing to see.

"I did some experimenting," said the dragon-Scorpius. "I asked father about it. There's a way to relay messages back and forth instantaneously."

"Oh," said Rose, lying back on the bed. She sat bolt upright again. "Did you go visit your mother? How is she?"

"You never answered my question. You go first."

Rose sighed sadly. "All right. She's fine, but she's paralyzed from the neck down. Your mother?"

"She's great, surprisingly. I don't think she's losing her mind anytime soon. She gave me something."

"Really?" asked Rose, quirking an eyebrow at the dragon.

The dragon nodded its head. "I haven't read it yet. She told me not to let grandfather see it, and he's been interrogating me all night."

"About what?"

A deep laugh emitted from the dragon's throat. "You."

Rose blushed. "What did you tell him?"

"The truth."

"And what would that be?" said Rose smiling.

"That you're smitten by me and just won't let me go."

"Scorpius!"

"I'm kidding, Rose!" he said with a laugh. "Are you going to see your mother tomorrow?"

"Yes," said Rose. "Why?"

"I'll meet you there."

"You will?" said Rose, beaming.

The dragon nodded again. "I will."

"Scorpius?"

"Yeah?"

"Stay with me, okay? Just for tonight?"

"I'll stay with you every night, Rose."

Rose smiled and began to take off her shoes. "Can you see me?"

"Yes," said the dragon, staring at her.

"Then I'll go change in the bathroom."

"Dang," said the dragon disappointedly. Rose laughed as she closed the bedroom door behind her.

"Who's in there?"

Rose nearly jumped out of her skin at Hugo's sudden approach.

"No one," she said coolly. "What makes Hugo think that?"

"I heard you talking to someone."

"Didn't Lily tell Hugo? Rose lost Rose's mind."

Grinning at his confused expression, she went into the bathroom and got ready for bed.

Upon reentering the bedroom she beamed at the dragon that was curled up at the foot of the bed, remarkably smaller. Rose slid under the covers and propped herself up on the pillows.

"Truth or die?" said Scorpius's voice.

"What?"

"It's a wizard's game. Truth or die? Sort of like that muggle game truth or dare."

"My choices are truth or die?"

Scorpius's voice laughed. "That's why you choose to tell the truth."

"All right."

"Question, sweet Rose. In your opinion, who is the most sexiest man you've ever laid eyes on?"

Rose giggled. "You, silly."

"I thought as much. Your turn."

"Truth or die?"

"Truth, of course."

"Hmmm . . . who was your first kiss?"

"Easy, my mother."

"Scorp! I meant your first real kiss!"

"One must be specific with one's questions," Scorpius teased. "My turn. Truth of die?"

"Truth," said Rose without hesitance.

"What's your . . . middle name!" he said dramatically.

Rose giggled. "Jean."

"Rose Jean Weasley. Huh. I like it."

"Truth or die, Mr. Malfoy?" asked Rose with a smile.

"Truth."

"What's your middle name?"

"Uh. . . " he muttered evasively.

"Scorp, answer the question or you'll die!"

"It's Hyperion, okay? Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy!"

Rose snorted with laughter, her head falling back onto the pillows as she giggled uncontrollably.

"It's not funny!" he said hotly, though she could tell he was smiling.

"I like it, really I do!" she said, grinning. "Hyperion!"

Rose and Scorpius talked well into the night, using hushed voices as the hours dragged by, neither wanting to wake anyone on either side.

''You should sleep," Scorpius said gently as Rose hid a yawn behind her hand at three o'clock in the morning.

"So should you, Scorp," she said smiling sleepily as she lay back on the pillows.

"As you wish, my darling!" said Scorpius.

Rose snorted as she reached over to switch off the bedside lamp. Scorpius's patronus shone in the darkness, the dragon curled up at the foot of the bed.

"See you in a couple of hours," she said, closing her eyes.

"Good night, Rose."

"You mean good morning?"

Scorpius chuckled. "Yeah. Good morning, Rose."

She smiled at the dark ceiling. "Good morning, Scorp."

. . .

Rose waited outside St. Mungo's the next morning, ignoring Hugo who demanded why she wasn't going in.

"Rose will go in when Rose wants to!" snapped Rose, crossing her eyes to emphasize the real state of her mind. Hugo shot her a scandalized look and then stormed in after their grandparents.

Rose crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the ground. The ground was blocked out of sight as hands slipped over her eyes.

"Guess who?"

"The most sexiest man alive!" Rose teased, turning around and throwing her arms around Scorpius's neck. He laughed and kissed her on the top of the head.

"I missed you too, sweetheart," he said laughing. "Now let's go visit your mum! Won't she be pleased to see me!"

Rose laughed, looping her arm through his. They stepped through the mannequin window and into the lobby of St. Mungo's.

When they got to Hermione's room, Rose squeezed his hand comfortingly when she saw his anxious face.

"It's okay, Scorp. I think Mum likes you."

"It's not your Mum I'm worried about, Rosie. It's your father."

"He's not here," Rose said firmly. "He's on a mission with Uncle Harry. He won't be here until he's excused from it. That will take at least another day or two."

Scorpius wasn't convinced, but he followed her into Hermione's private room anyway.

"Hello, Rosie!" Hermione greeted her daughter, though her eyes were on Scorpius. "Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasant surprise."

"Mum, call him Scorpius."

"As you wish. Scorpius."

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," he said with a kind smile.

Hermione slowly returned the smile, though her eyes were a little distant, as if her mind were elsewhere.

"How's your mother?" Hermione asked politely.

"She's great, thank you for asking," he replied.

"Good, good. I've heard she's quite a handful. Keeping the guards on their toes, huh?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Sit down, Rose, Scorpius," Hermione invited, nodding to the two empty chairs by the bed.

"Where are the others?" Rose asked as she took her seat.

"Hugo went to see Uncle George," Hermione said, pursing her lips in disapproval. "Your grandparents decided to go see how Hannah is. She's quite a ways along now, you know. We must invite them to dinner . . . once I'm out of this accursed hospital, of course! You're welcome as well, Scorpius. I'd like to get to know you better."

Scorpius blinked in surprise. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Rose was beaming at him, and her smile turned into a grin when he added, "but I don't think your husband would like that very much."

Hermione laughed good naturedly. "Yes, well, Ronald has trouble letting go of the past. You're not your father," said Hermione, tilting her head and watching him with interest. "I dare say you're more like your mother."

Scorpius blushed with pleasure. "My father's looks, but my mother's nature."

Hermione smiled. "I wish Hugo was like that."

Rose giggled and Hermione smiled at her, a twinkle in her eye. "You're happy, Rose."

Rose smiled. "Yes, Mum. I am."

"Because Scorpius is here."

"Mum!" Rose said, blushing in embarrassment.

Scorpius grinned at her. "Do I make you happy, Rosie?"

"Yes," said Rose hesitantly. He shook his head, smiling widely. She ignored him, returning her attention to her smiling mother. "When will they let you come home?"

Hermione frowned. "I'm not really sure. I hope soon," she smiled at Scorpius, "so we can invite Scorpius to dinner."

"Mum!" Rose groaned, covering her face in her hands.

"When's the wedding?" Hermione teased.

"I was thinking sometime this fall -"

"Scorpius!" said Rose, shocked.

Scorpius laughed along with Hermione. Rose narrowed her eyes at them, but began to giggle hesitantly.

Before anything else could be said, the door swung open and the last person anyone expected to see marched into the room.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised and with a loving smile on her face.

"Hermione, thank Merlin! I tried to convince Kingsley to let me leave earlier, but he didn't let me until now, and why aren't you hugging me back? Aren't you glad to see me? Oh, Merlin, no! You're paralyzed!"

He said all of this very fast, not paying the slightest bit of attention to Scorpius and Rose.

"I forgive you, I wish I could hug you back, I am glad to see you, and yes, I am paralyzed," said Hermione with a sad smile.

"What bastard did this to you!" Ron demanded, ears turning red in anger.

"We should leave -" said Rose. Ron noticed her sitting there and he enveloped her into a hug.

"Rosie! I'm so glad to see you!"

"Hey . . . Dad!" Rose wheezed, barely able to breath because of his tight embrace. "Can't . . . breath!"

"Sorry," Ron let go of her, beaming. Then he saw Scorpius and his face turned thunderous. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Rose hurried to Scorpius's side and looped her arm through his. "He's here for me, Dad! I was upset and I missed him and - "

"I've invited him to dinner!" said Hermione, grinning mischievously. "Their wedding is this fall."

"WHAT?" Ron exploded, face flaming in fury.

"We'll just be going now!" said Rose, dragging Scorpius towards the door.

"Bye, Mrs. Weasley!" said Scorpius, waving and grinning. Ron was beside himself with rage.

"He is NOT coming to DINNER at MY house!"

Rose and Scorpius ran down the hall, laughing and tripping over their own feet. The Healers they passed glared at them in disapproval, but Rose distinctly heard one portrait shout, "Run, Forrest, run!"

When they reached the lobby, they redeemed themselves by nodding solemnly at the receptionist and then hastily exiting the hospital, where they then collapsed into uncontrollable laughter, leaning on each other for support.

"Did you see his face?" Rose asked, wiping tears from her eyes. "I've never seen my dad's face that red!"

"We could've fried an egg on his face!"

"Pfft! We could've started a whole forest fire with his face!"

Scorpius grinned, then offered his arm to her. "Shall we, my lady?"

She took it. "We shall, kind sir."

"Now," he said as they began walking, "what is it we shall do?"

Rose giggled. "I don't know. Just being with you is enough for me!"

"I'm touched," he said, bringing a hand to his heart and beaming at her. Rose smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I like you, Scorpius."

He grinned into her hair. "I would hope so! I did save you from a werewolf, an obsessed Quidditch player, and a dark, lonely night last night."

Rose tilted her chin up to grin at him. "That you did, Scorpius, that you did. I was indeed a damsel in distress."

"Permission to kiss said damsel?"

"Permission granted."

. . .

"No!" Scorpius snapped, crossing his arms over his chest and turning away from Lucius and Narcissa. "I will not allow her to come to dinner."

"But, Scorpius, I want to meet her!" cried Narcissa. "Never mind she's a Gryffindor, or a Weasley, or even half-blood! I just want to meet the young lady who my grandson is so fond of!"

"I won't let her anywhere near you," Scorpius snarled. "I won't put her into harm."

"Are you saying I'm dangerous?" Lucius demanded.

"I'm saying you're prejudiced and hate my girlfriend's guts!"

"I cannot hate her. I haven't met her -" began Lucius, but Scorpius cut him off.

"That smirk on your face says otherwise, grandfather," Scorpius said coldly.

"Fine. Since you do not trust me, perhaps we shall invite her whole family. Would that put you at ease?" Lucius demanded.

"Are you sure you want blood traitors in your home?" Scorpius snarled.

"You have never been so involved with a girl. I'm willing to make sacrifices on your behalf."

Scorpius rolled his eyes. "Like I haven't heard that one before. Her father would rather kill her than allow Rose to have dinner with us. He'd die himself if you invited him."

Lucius sneered. "That actually wouldn't be such a horrible thing."

"Lucius!" scolded Narcissa. "I want to meet her!"

"Very well!" said Lucius, clearly vexed. "Whether you like it or not, Scorpius, we are inviting your beloved Weaslette, and that is final."

"I said no!"

"Johnis!" Lucius shouted for the house elf. "Where is that blasted elf? JOHNIS!"

"Master called?" Johnis said, poking his head into the drawing room and looking nervous.

"Send an invitation to Ronald Weasley. Tell him he is expected to bring his family to our humble home this Friday evening for dinner."

Johnis bowed. "Yes, Master Malfoy."

Scorpius glared at his grandfather. "He won't come."

. . .

"I won't come!" Ron said stubbornly, refusing to budge as Rose pushed against his back.

"Please, Dad! Pretty please!"

"Come on, Ronald! Do it for Rose!" Hermione said. Even unable to move and in a wheelchair, Hermione was dressed very simple, yet elegant, in her evening dress. Hugo had grudgingly agreed to come, but refused to dress up. He now stood behind his mother's wheelchair, dressed in jeans and a Save the Crumple-Horned Snorkack t-shirt. Rose was just relieved he wasn't going in his knickers.

Ron stubbornly shook his head.

Rose pouted at him. "Please, Dad? You don't have to like them. I doubt they like you, but is it really so bad to try?"

"Yes, and I could care less if they liked me!"

Rose's face turned steely. "I'm going whether you come with me or not!" She turned on her heel and marched to the fireplace.

"Oh no you're not, young lady!" Ron shouted, rushing after her as she threw the floo powder into the fire and stepped in.

"Malfoy Manor!" she shouted.

"ROSE!" Ron lunged for her, grabbed her around the elbow and was pulled along with her through the fireplace.

. . .

Roonild Wazlib.

Nuff said.