A/N: Ok, here's an update! There's also a surprise about halfway through!

Chapter 14

"Dominique, dear, could you take these out to the tents, please? Fred don't you dare touch that turkey! Don't you remember the year Rose burned herself?" Grandma scolded from her place by the sink. Turning and seeing me in the doorway, she smiled apologetically. "Rose, darling! Well? Come over here and give your Grandmother a hug!"

I smiled widely as I allowed myself to be engulfed in her arms.

"Fred, I mean it!" She snapped over my shoulder. I shook my head, grinning at my cousin. Grandma's back was to him and she still knew what he was up to. "Ronald, that goes for you, too!"

I laughed outright as Dad looked appropriately abashed, withdrawing his hand.

"Oh, come off it, Mum. I'm a grown man."

"So you should know better by now," she told him, shooting him a look only a mother could. He mumbled something under his breath and I ducked out of the kitchen before seeing the fallout. If you'd seen it once, you'd seen it a thousand times. Right about now, Grandma was asking Dad what he'd said and Dad was saying it was nothing. Enter Mum, who would team up with Grandma, and eventually Dad would cave and go find Uncle Harry to escape the estrogen.

"Is it the usual chaos in there?" Dom asked as I stepped outside.

I nodded. "Fred's trying to eat the turkey again."

"Seriously? Doesn't he remember the year you got burned?" She asked. I was never going to live that down. "Granted, he and James were the ones who put you up to that… 'Who would suspect sweet, innocent Rosie?' You almost pulled it off, too, but you had to go and tip the thing. Still, a fine rebellious moment in the life of Rose Weasley."

I laughed along with her as we walked aimlessly through the snow toward the garden. It might be cold outside, but soon enough we'd be plenty warm inside the heated tents Uncle Bill and Uncle Percy had erected before we'd arrived. We could take a few minutes of cold if it meant some peace and quiet before the chaos that was our family.

"So how goes it with…" I trailed off, completely forgetting the name of whichever guy Dom was currently seeing.

"Colin?" She supplied. I nodded sheepishly. At least my cheeks were already pink with cold. She sighed. "I dumped him last week."

"What was wrong with this one?" I asked, realizing too late how insensitive it sounded. It got a little old after a while, though, listening to Dominique go on and on about her latest boy with dreamy eyes for about two weeks, and then promptly announce she tossed him (usually for no good reason). "Sorry."

"It's fine. He… He always wanted to sit and cuddle. I'm not really one for cuddling."

I faked a gasp of surprise. 'You're not? I had no idea!"

"Ha ha," she replied, staring out at the garden for a second before turning to look back at me, "But seriously? He's in the Room of Requirement with Dominique Weasley and all he wants to do is curl up by the fireplace and talk? Who does that anymore?"

I laughed this time, appreciating the honesty of the statement. It was rare to find a guy who just wanted to cuddle. "Talking is how you get to know each other. I thought you wanted someone who wanted to do all those relationship-type things."

She shrugged. "I do… but cuddling all the time just makes me feel ridiculous and claustrophobic. There's a time and place for it, you know?"

I had a feeling Dom's reluctance had more to do with her fear of letting anyone in, but knew it would be a bad idea to call her on it. I didn't get a chance to reply, though, as Albus's voice interrupted us. "Oi! How come you didn't invite me to the party?"

I grinned, turning to watch him trudge through the snow toward us. "You can join in if you like. We were just discussing the merits of cuddling."

Al stopped in his tracks with a horrified look on his face. "Clearly you need my presence to liven things up, then."

"Where's James? Fred had to try to nick the turkey without him!"

Al's eyes dropped to watch his path through the snow as he replied, "He stayed behind to give Em her present before they come for dinner."

"She's coming? Brilliant!" Dom exclaimed, clapping her hands. It was almost like she hadn't just seen Emily five days ago.

We stood in the cold for another fifteen minutes, watching the Burrow gradually fill up with our family. Teddy and Victoire, newly married just last year, were nearly the last to arrive and there was still no sign of James. It wasn't like him to be the last to a family gathering. Especially not Christmas.

Spotting Fred trudging toward us in the snow, Dom called out, "Is it time yet?"

"Sure is," he replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face and alerting us too late to his intentions as he removed his hands from his pockets.

I didn't have time to react before I felt something hit me in the back of the head at the same time as two more snowballs struck Al and Dom. I spun around to see James standing behind us, grinning widely.

"Hiya, Rosie. Miss me?" He asked innocently.

"You are so dead."

The group of us erupted into chaos all at once, Al, Dom, and I hurling snowballs back at Fred, James, and their third co-conspirator, an unspoken agreement between us to forgo magic. I saw a flash of blonde out of the corner of my eye as I launched a snowball back at James. Emily was behind the third snowball, that traitor. James was as bad an influence on her as she was a good one on him.

Suddenly, a huge bunch of snow dumped on all six of us, causing us to freeze in our tracks and search for the source of it.

"Dinner's ready, kids," Uncle George said simply, grinning widely as he turned and headed back to the tents.

"Oi! We're all adults here, Dad!" Fred called after his retreating form.

I just laughed, enjoying the feeling of being truly carefree for a moment. It felt nice. Unfortunately, the cold and wet caught up with me all too quickly, and I pointed my wand at myself silently to dry off. I did the same to Dom straight after, noticing Emily copying me, only to have James shake his hair out and hit her with the droplets. She shrieked, laughing as he grinned and pulled her into a bear hug rivalling Grandma Weasley's, spinning her around. It completely defeated the purpose of drying her clothes.

"Ahh! James!" She scolded, trying in vain to escape his arms, but negating her anger by laughing once again as the pair toppled into the snow. I joined their laughter, glad to see them so normal. I turned to head toward the house, seeing Al already halfway there. I skipped ahead to catch up with him, aiming my wand and drying the clothes I noticed he hadn't bothered to.

"Thanks," he mumbled, glancing back in my direction.

"What's up with you?" I asked, looping my arm with his.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Just can't wait to eat."

I nodded, even though I got the feeling there was more to it than that.

"So, Rosie, how's Davies doing?" James asked through a mouthful of potatoes.

"What do you care?" I asked in return. "And stop calling me that!"

He shrugged. "I don't. I just wanted to be polite."

Emily smacked him on the arm, shooting me an apologetic glance as he looked abashed.

"Well, you don't have to bother asking that anymore. We broke up," I supplied, conveniently stuffing my mouth with my own forkful of potatoes to have an excuse not to talk anymore.

"Oh. What happened?" He asked.

"Well, if you believe the gossip, Scorpius Malfoy happened," Dom singsonged, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. I glared daggers at her, regretting my mouth full of food.

"Sorry, what?" James asked after he finished choking on his juice.

"Relax, James. That's nothing to do with it," I snapped after swallowing. Only Emily knew that statement to be partly false.

"Well, obviously," he said as though he'd never believed it. "Just a few months ago we were placing bets on when you'd do each other in." Silence fell between us for a few moments before it apparently became too much for James to handle. "How about you, little brother? How's Malfoy doing?"

Al choked on the peas he'd been trying to swallow, staring down the table at his brother. "Why are you asking me about him for?"

"Well, I figure he's the closest thing to a girlfriend you've got," James answered, drawing laughter from those sitting nearest him.

Al turned a delicate shade of pink and stabbed a carrot.

"James! Be nice," Emily warned.

"I was being nice!" He answered, grinning.

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're hopeless."

"That I am. Hopelessly in love with you."

She rolled her eyes at that. "Have I also mentioned extremely cheesy?"

"You love me anyways."

She didn't reply, just rolled her eyes again and fought another smile. I smiled, too, at her reaction. The first time James had said those three magic words, Emily showed up in my room in tears. Not a predictable reaction, I know, but Emily tended to freak out at every big step they took. Her biggest fear was becoming her parents, and every step forward they took seemed like one step closer to that inevitability to her. In fact, when we were covering Boggarts in third year, hers morphed into her parents screaming at each other. We were sure it would be the topic of gossip before Scorpius's turned into the Sorting Hat shouting "Gryffindor!" No one really understood what it meant at the time, so those of us hanging on to our prejudices just assumed that his greatest fear was to be sorted into Gryffindor and used it as ammunition to continue hating him. Now, I saw it for what it really was: a fear of being different than expectations dictated he should be, a fear of disappointing his father, and a fear of what it meant that a part of him wanted to choose Gryffindor that day.

"Mum, can I talk to you for a second?" I asked timidly as I sat at the kitchen counter. She looked up from where she was directing vegetables to chop themselves with her wand. She was trying to make soup that was actually edible this time. Hermione Weasley was a lot of things, but a cook wasn't one of them, no matter how hard she tried. She could manage simple things, but trying to make soups or casseroles was beyond her. It was funny, when you thought about it. The cleverest witch in her year at Hogwarts and she can barely cook.

"Sure, sweetie, what is it?" She asked, brushing hair off her forehead. At that moment, Dad came into the kitchen. He brushed past Mum, placing his hand tenderly on her waist as he did so. As gross as it was, watching my parents' intimacy, I was glad they could still have the little moments after all these years. Didn't make me any less nervous though. It was hard enough having this conversation with Mum.

"Oh, good. Dad's here, too. Lovely," I mumbled, looking down at the table to collect myself.

"Alright, Rosie?" Dad asked, filling a glass with water and taking a sip. He looked so unsuspecting.

"Er, well… So you know I shadowed Mr. Thicke from the Ministry."

"Of course, dear. How did that go? Did he seem impressed? I'm sure I'll hear all about it the next time I see him," Mum gushed, smiling brightly. She looked so happy in that instant, so proud of me, that I couldn't imagine myself wiping all of that away. What kind of daughter would I be to do that?

"You don't want to disappoint your parents by telling them you like something that won't get you a job in the precious Ministry after school."

"Why are you letting expectations push you into something you don't like?"

I took a deep breath. This was the one time in my life I should be selfish, wasn't it? I shouldn't be afraid to make waves, right? It all seemed so much simpler back at Hogwarts in the dormitory with Scorpius.

Scorpius's Point of View (This is the surprise haha)

Christmas day dawned hot and humid. It took me a moment to recall what day it even was. Christmas with the Malfoys wasn't really a big deal anymore. When I was younger, sure, I was excited to open presents and eat as much as I could stuff in my mouth, but then I got to be 'too old' for the festivities. At least that's what Father told me. He said that his family stopped truly celebrating Christmas when he was around fourteen, and he thought it was good for him. He told me I'd much prefer travelling to other countries during the breaks to get some 'life experience' over staying in the same old house.

Not that you could call Malfoy Manor old. After the War, while Grandfather Lucius was still in Azkaban, my Grandmother Narcissa and Father had the old house demolished and constructed a new one in its place. They then proceeded to ban Grandfather Lucius from entering it. After her own release from the wizarding prison, Grandmother Narcissa severed ties with Grandfather Lucius, as did my father.

Sighing, I threw the covers back and padded over to the bathroom, splashing water on my face with the hand not in a cast to stop the thoughts of my messed up family, wincing at the slight pang in my back remaining from the Quidditch incident when I bent over the sink. My parents loved me, I knew that much, but that didn't make us a conventional family. My father had always been reserved, an aftereffect of the War, and my mother had always been loving and warm toward me, but it was never the type of familial love the Weasley-Potter clan had. I was jealous of Rose and Al for having that. Right now, they were likely waking up in their own beds to open presents in their own houses before heading off for a big family dinner. Al told me he was jealous of my travels, but I'd give anything to be at home right now. Last year we went to France, so at least there was snow and it felt a bit like Christmas. Here, it just felt like any other day.

A soft tapping at the window disrupted my thoughts. I turned to see the tropical bird I'd sent with Al's Christmas present, figuring he'd find it humorous, maybe brighten his holiday a bit. Glancing at his letter, I'd guessed right.

Scor,

I want to go wherever you found this bird! You should've seen the look on Mum's face when it came through the window, or tried to at least. She's trying to feed it as I write this but it doesn't seem to want anything. Oh, wait, she's just given up and told me it's my responsibility since you're my friend. Thanks for that, mate.

On a serious note, I thank you greatly for your gift of One-Stop Procrastination Station. It will contrast nicely with the homework planner I'm sure Aunt Hermione got me yet again… Did that sentence sound mature? Mum just told me it was time to start growing up. What do you think? Does it suit me? Apparently it suits James just fine. Ever since he started dating Emily Mum's been going on and on about how grown up he's become… Obviously she doesn't know or care about all those parties.

Speaking of my dear brother, he's been hinting that he's got a surprise for us, but he insists on telling Emily first. When did my brother become this guy? It's hard to believe he's still James sometimes. Wow, I sounded like such a girl just then. I guess he's not the only one she's changing. Spending all this time with her at Hogwarts is making me a sap.

Anyways, I guess I should be going. Lily's just now dragged herself out of bed and James will be here any minute to open presents.

I stopped and frowned at the splotch of ink covering the paper beside the sentence. Had he dropped his quill?

Scratch that. He's here. He's just apparated right behind me, and wants me to add he was very impressed by the bird. Now he's pestering me to join the family so we can open presents. Mature, my ass…

I'll send this straight after. Hope you enjoy your present. Happy Christmas!

-Al

I read through the letter once more, trying to absorb it all. Al's letter writing technique was definitely unique. He never crossed out any stray thought and never edited. I was convinced it was because he couldn't be bothered, but he insisted he did it for the charm of the reader knowing exactly what went through his mind while he was writing the letter. I remembered the first time I'd received a letter from him and been flabbergasted at the contents. It was like a running commentary of everything happening around him from the time he sat at the table until the time he stood up, with the actual purpose of the letter peppered throughout the random information. It was frustrating at times, trying to sort through it all, but today I welcomed his strange correspondence.

I turned to the parcels accompanying the letter. They'd be a bit difficult to open with one hand, but I'd manage. One contained the homework planner he'd got from his Aunt Hermione, as always, making me laugh. I had six of them stashed away, this one making seven. It started in first year as a joke when he'd complained about it as we were getting exams back. Seeing the 'O' on my paper, he'd flung it in front of me and told me his Aunt would be pleased if she knew it was being put to good use by a fellow keener. For some reason, this had turned into a tradition. A tradition that ended this year, I realized, as I read the inscription he always included on the first page.

Last one! Put it to good use and perhaps you can finally edge out Rose for top of the class, yeah? Just don't tell her I said that…

He was right. This was the last time his Aunt Hermione would give him a homework planner, it being our last year at Hogwarts and all. I wasn't ready to leave quite yet. Hogwarts had become my home over the years. I loved my parents, but they couldn't offer me the life that Hogwarts did. At Hogwarts, I wasn't a Malfoy (for the most part), I was just Scorpius. I was Al Potter's best mate, a 'Hogwarts Hunk' as Rose put it. No one judged me by my surname anymore, and leaving the safety of that meant I'd have to start all over again from the bottom. This time, Al wouldn't be by my side to prop me up, either. We were taking different directions, and that meant I had to forge a career path by myself. I had to find an internship with a law firm that wouldn't immediately dismiss the idea of a Malfoy working there, but it had to be a reputable firm, too. My only desire was to live the life I wanted, not the one everyone else thought I should, so I wouldn't prove everyone right by joining on with some crooked deal. Merlin, now Al had me sounding like a sap.

I shook my head, wincing at the slight pain in my spine as I swiveled back to the other parcel. I would never admit it to anyone else, but waking up without the ability to feel my legs absolutely terrified me. I probably would have had a heart attack right then had the healers not explained it would come back. I definitely wasn't up to full shape, but at least I could walk. Playing Quidditch was still unknown, though. Given the way my back was acting up at sudden movements, I doubted I'd be back in game shape in time for our next match. They told me that was to be expected, but just once I wanted to beat the expectations. This one time, I could safely be better than anyone thought I could without them expecting anything more from me later on. This would just be a physical miracle, nothing else. But it wasn't going to happen.

I pushed the thoughts aside, unwrapping the present he'd actually gotten me. Surprisingly, he'd gotten me a book, even though he was always complaining I read too much. Flipping it over to read the title, I found myself actually touched. The Roommate Survival Guide: How Not to Kill Each Other in the First Year. After my conversation with Rose, I'd said yes to Al's request to move in with him, but neither of us had spoken about it since. He hadn't changed his mind, at least. I hoped his family didn't react too poorly when he told them he didn't plan on ending our friendship after Hogwarts.

"Scorpius, dear?" Mum interrupted me with a light knock on the door.

"Give me a second, Mum," I replied, shrugging into actual clothes with too much ease for my liking. I was getting too used to this whole one-handed thing. "Ok, come in."

She smiled softly when she saw me already sitting up and dressed. "Happy Christmas. Your father wants to head out for the day."

I nodded, returning the greeting and telling her I'd be down soon. Of course he wanted to leave. It was already half past nine and it's not like Christmas is meant to be a day for family… He always disappeared on Christmas day early in the morning after presents, returning in time for dinner. He never told us where he went, and I'd stopped caring enough to ask. I loved my father, I just didn't understand him.

After Father headed out, Mum turned to me with a knowing look on her face. I groaned internally, wondering what she wanted to talk about now. That look was never a good thing.

"So, tell me about Rose Weasley."

I blinked. I'd expected many other topics, but not this one. "I- er- I don't really have anything to say about her…"

"Nonsense. She came to visit you in the hospital wing and I know we interrupted something. What's going on there?"

"Nothing, Mum." It was the truth, after all. There was nothing going on. I'd been foolish enough to somehow allow myself to open up to her for whatever reason but I wouldn't make that mistake again. Scorpius Malfoy didn't do feelings, especially not for Weasleys. I don't even know how it happened. I just know that one day I looked at her and I didn't see Al's cousin anymore, but someone I understood, and who understood me. She became one of the rare people I let see the real me, not the Malfoy side or the arrogant façade.

My mother raised an eyebrow at me doubtfully.

"Really. Why are we even having this conversation right now?" I asked, uncomfortable.

She shrugged. "I just want to make sure you're happy. You sounded it in your letters until right before your accident. I just wondered if that had something to do with Rose."

I shook my head, even though I doubted the honesty of that particular answer. Admittedly, I had been happier when Rose and I were friends, but I'd ruined it. I should have just left well enough alone and gone back to being her friend when she'd first suggested it. I missed being able to talk and laugh with her, and her apology before the break actually included the words "I'm sorry". Maybe it wasn't too late to go back to being friends, even if I had no idea how to do that anymore. Maybe I never really did, because I was starting to think I'd always felt something more than friendship for her during our brief attempt at it. I'm not sure what it was, but something drew me to her and I couldn't control it.

Wow. Al was really turning me into a sap.

A/N: Ok, I'll leave it there. Not a whole lot happened, but some inner-psyche was revealed. What did you think? Did I do Scorpius justice? Should I keep up with including his point of view sometimes? Also, Rose seems to think there's more going on with Al than him just wanting food. Do you agree? If so, what do you think is going on with him? Or do you think he's just a hungry teenaged boy?