Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters, known plots, etc. They are the property of JKR, and I make no money in the writing of this story.

AN: I am so glad to finnaly have this done. It's been setting on my computer started since the night I posted the last chapter. Sadly, life once again got in the way of finishing this on my schedual but oh well. As those of you who have been reading these notes know, there are only two more section to this part of the narritive before I go on hiatus, aka studying and outlining the next section. I'm not sure when that will be posted, it depends on when I finish this section and what life brings. I'm not meaning to turn off readers but my life as a fully functioning adult is prooving to be more complicated then they ever said it would be in high school. But anyway. Please review, I like to know if you like it or think it sucks so that I can work on it.

Chapter 15

The Prize

Rose had tried several times to tell Scorpius she would be perfectly fine walking back to Midwife Bogdan's on her own, but he wouldn't hear a word of it. What happened to the days when he was so afraid of her he wouldn't question anything she said? Blowing a stray piece of hair out of her eyes she crossed her arms. He was at it again, that far off look in his eyes. The quick walk back to the cabin had stretched on, leading them down near the pits and towards the lake. Not that she minded really, the separation between them had lead her to the unwavering conclusion that yes, she didn't mind spending time with him and she really was in love with him. She had to suppress a snort at that. It was silly to love someone so much at her age. Shaking off the thoughts she turned her eyes back to the object of her feelings.

He looked so casually beautiful in the setting sun, his hair gleaming gold, and his eyes shining. Shuddering slightly for some reason she didn't know she diverted her eyes when he turned to look at her. It would do her no good if he knew exactly how much he effected her. Shifting slightly to give him room on the rock she was perched upon she stared straight ahead. "So," he began, voice rumbling close to her ear. "You threw your knife at James's head, huh? When exactly did the delicate little Rose get so violent?" His teasing sent a splash of red to her cheeks as she ducked her head slightly.

"If you've ever truly known me Scorpius, you'd know I've never been delicate. Or did you forget that time I beat Gates Cornel in that fist fight third year?" Her question brought a rolling round of laughter from the both of them. "Who knew he was such a bleeder?" she pushed out between giggles, remembering how his nose just refused to stop when she'd punched him. Once the laughter had subsided Rose realized just how close they were. His gorgeous almond shaped eyes just millimeters from her own, the laughter from earlier still shining there along with something else she didn't dare name.

"Red?" he asked, his breath hitting her lips in a tickling cherish. She looked into his eyes more fully, praying for him to continue. "I think I'll claim my prize now." Licking her lips she managed to croak out a weak, 'okay' before his lips descended upon her own.

Her mind stopped the instant his lips touched hers. Nothing around them mattered, just him. She took in every detail, from the softness of his full lips to the way his skin smelt so close to her. Gods, he was exquisite, soft and hard in one fail swoop, making her knees go weak even though she was setting. So caught up in the sensation of it all, she barely noticed the feeling of his tongue grazing her upper lip, begging for entrance. Acting on instinct alone she opened her lips to him, her eyes practically rolling back at the taste of him. She had waited three years for this, and she was going to soak in every moment while it lasted.

They pulled away slowly, breaths coming quickly and eyes glazed over with the feeling of it all. Rose closed her eyes as he leaned his forehead against her's, revealing in the skin to skin contact. "I've been wanting to do that ever since I saw you in that blue dress, that day at the train station." he murmured, running a hand through her hair in lazy strokes. "Gods you were pretty, hair every where, laughing at some joke Al had told you. You were perfect, are perfect. My perfect little Red Rose." His lips gently touched her forehead, a slight kiss across her heated flesh.

Burrowing her head into her chest she hugged herself closely to him. "Will I always be your Red?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer, to have this only to have it pulled away from her just as quickly.

As though he sensed her distress he peppered small kisses on her hair, running his hands down her back in a comforting motion. "Till forever. I'm yours in till I no longer exist. As long as you'll have me by your side, as a friend, a lover, or what ever you wish, I'll be here." he whispered against her hair.

Feeling somewhat comforted by his words she raised her eyes to look at him. "Forever just might be long enough." she replied, gently cupping his cheek. With half laden eyes she slowly moved forward, bringing their lips together once more.

They had spent hours by that lake, the sun having set long ago by the time she returned to Midwife Bogdan's. Thankfully, Uncle Charlie had sent word earlier that she would be delayed for an unknown time. She'd have to remember to hug him the next time she saw him. After a few short words with Midwife Bogdan, she was scurried upstairs with the reminder that she had the next afternoon off, provided she had the store rooms alphabetized and organized by then.

Noon that following day saw her tasks for the day done, thankfully. Walking down the path to Luna's she couldn't help the hapless grin that had affixed itself to her face. She didn't know if she'd ever be quit this happy before in her life. It was silly that one kiss could make her so giddy but every time it entered her mind she couldn't help the warm bubble that found it's way in to her stomach. Reaching the clearing near the cottage Rose stopped short, and eerie feeling settling down on her as she took in the sight of the darkened windows and slightly jarred door.

Muttering a softening spell she made her way up the creaking stairs to the front porch. Sneaking around by the window to the parlor she kneeled down so that it was at eye level. Peering into the darkened room she allowed her eyes to drift around, looking for any movement. Opening the window slightly she listened closely for any sound that was out of place. After a few seconds, heavy, booted steps echoed from the kitchen, footsteps she knew didn't belong to Luna. Peering over the sill of the window she looked for anything out of place. A long black coat was thrown over one of the chairs, something gleaming on the shoulder that she couldn't make out.

More footsteps drifted towards her, stopping just out of sight as a loud bang, like a cabinet slamming, resounded from the kitchen. Touching her amulet she prepared herself to rush in when laughter quickly filled the room. Brows creasing she tried to get a better look, only to have her view blocked by a large book self near the door. Cursing slightly she crouched down further, shuffling herself to the opposite side in hopes of getting a better look. Peering in through the window again, she saw the unmistakable outline of a man standing near the kitchen window. Muffled voices slowly filled the silence, one clearly feminine, and the other masculine. Laughter came again, as the man turned from the window, Rose glancing a slight gleam of silver in the dull light.

Just as she was about to make her way into the house, she felt eyes move in her direction. Ducking quickly she muttered an untraceable disillusionment charm. She felt more then saw someone approach the window but they quickly turned again, their footsteps harshening as they found their way to the hardwood floors of the kitchen. Heaving a sigh of relief she once again pushed herself up to glance through the window. The parlor was empty, but Rose could clearly make out Luna's figure in the kitchen doorway, her back to the window. "Bloody Hell!" reverberated through the room as Luna turned swiftly and angrily entered the parlor.

Tossing throw pillow about Luna huffed, obviously unhappy with what ever had been said in the kitchen. "You know, this is so like you! Not owl, or Flo for six years, SIX, and then you suddenly show up on my doorstep! I could do this when I was twenty, but I'm not young anymore you know! I've got a daughter to take care of, all on my own, a job I actually enjoy, and what do you do? Just come waltzing back that's what." Luna's torrent of words took Rose by surprise, both because of their content and how they were spoken. She'd never, in all the months she'd known Luna heard her raise her voice, to anyone, or let the dreaminess of her voice so much as faultier. Who ever was standing in the kitchen had hurt her, and apparently had a past only they knew about.

When Rose pulled herself out of her own thoughts she saw that the man had exited the kitchen and was hugging Luna close to him from behind. Luna's face seemed calm for only a second before anger appeared to bubble up again. Retching herself from his arms she put a good distance between them, Rose's eyes following her ever move.

"You think I'll just fall into your arms? That it's that easy?" a strained sob escaped her throat as she stopped speaking. "Unless I've been misinformed your still married. Did you even know I was here before you showed up, guns a'blazing? You didn't did you. You have some nerve! Honestly Harry! Your forty-two, are you ever going to start acting like it?" Rose felt something tighten in her throat as her eyes shot to the mans face for the first time, the clear emerald eyes of her Uncle gleaming even in the dim light of the room.

She felt like a fist had clutched her stomach. They were here to take them home. Her Uncle Harry had, had an affair with Luna, the woman who had made her feel at home for the first time in ages. She didn't think her brain could process much more, but her eyes refused to leave the scene that was unfolding before her. "I'm sorry. Luna it's not what you think." he tried to explain while Luna scoffed at him. "Yes, Ginny and I are still together, we love each other, at least in some form. That doesn't mean I don't still care for you. That year while Ginny and I had broken up, that year with you, it was amazing. I know I said I just wanted to be friends, that I would always be there for you, it just got hard, okay? I mean not three months after Ginny came back, you'd run off to Africa chasing after some creature of another!"

Angry blue eyes bore into him. "So it's my fault? I was just supposed to set around London, putting my career on hold in till you decided what you wanted?" Her voice rose with every word till it was the only sound in the cottage.

Running a hand through his hair Harry sighed heavily. "I never said that. It's just you left, and the next thing I heard you were dating some fellow naturalist, and Ginny was there, and I still had feelings for her, so we got married." he said shrugging pitifully. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as it happened, or why I'd done it, but I regret nothing else. I don't regret that year, or the letters, or anything I ever had with you. I just wish... I wish it had turned out differently at times. We, Ginny and I, we may love each other, but we haven't been in love for years. Not since Lilly was a baby. But we're friends, and we have a good life together. I can't leave that."

Rose felt her heart clench at the sight of Luna's tears, she really did love her Uncle. "I'm not asking you to, but please.. if you ever loved me, if only a little, don't bring up old dreams and crush them again. I'm getting to old for that." A gentle smile passed on Harry's lips at her words.

Brushing away her tears he smiled down at her. "Your not old. Your just as beautiful as you were that night in London, in that pretty little red number." his humor brought a smile to her face, if only slightly.

"Liar." she kidded, pulling away. "You maybe a charmer, Mr. Potter but you not that good. And the dress was burgundy." Laughter filled the room and Rose's heart as they stood close to each other but not touching. They looked good together in someway, though Rose felt like she was betraying her aunt Ginny just by egknowledging it. "You should be going, I'm sure the others are waiting for you, to find that son of yours."

Laughing Harry smiled. "Yeah, wayward and trouble making that one is." His joke added to the humor in the room but it's truth left a bitter undertone in the air.

"Like his father then." Luna jested back, running a lithe land along his cheek.

"To the core. That's what worried me so much." he replied, weaving his fingers with hers, holding them close to his chest.

Leaning in close Luna sighed. "You should be going then. Don't want to keep them waiting any longer then necessary." She made to pull away, but Harry only pulled her closer, drawing her eyes to his.

"They'll be alright for a few moments. I'm sure they'll understand about caching up with old friends." he said, pulling her into a hug. Nodding, Luna just let him hold her, basking in the momentary feel of it. Neither were aware of the eyes that were watching them, or the thoughts that were racing through Rose's head as she tried to process it all. Reacting on instinct she stealthily moved off the porch and took off in a sprint. She had to tell Scorpius that they'd come for them, she had to warn him. They had to get away, going home would mean danger, more danger then they already where in. Clutching her pendent, desperately she tried to push her body further, she had to make it there, she just had to.

tbc.

Next: At paths end: Will Rose made it is time? What secrets still lay in front of them? Read the final part of section 1!!

An: Thank you for reading! I'm going to try to work on the next part as soon as possible, hopefully before the new semester begins of January 8th. And as always, review, review, review. I answer if you ask.