Heyy! So sorry that it took me this long to finish, but here's the ending to my little two-shot! I hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I loved writing it. I hope I don't disappoint! :] I should say, though, that neither of the chapters were beta'd, so any and all mistakes are mine and thank you for pointing them out to me!

Disclaimer: in Chapter 1

Rose chewed nervously on her bottom lip as she shuffled along to the Auror Department of the Ministry of Magic, silently cursing herself for making Albus that stupid promise yesterday at King's Cross. It hadn't registered at the time that bringing her cousin fresh-baked cookies on the first day of training would also mean a 99.9% chance of seeing him. Him who had occupied Rose's mind for the last seven years, but had completely overtaken every thought she'd had in the past 60 hours. She was taking her lunch break now while Mum was in a meeting so she wouldn't give Rose those squinty "tell-me-what's-going-on" eyes like she had been for the past two and half days. As a Weasley, coupled with the Granger tendency to show what she was feeling on her face, she would have had a hard time not talking about what had happened between her and Scorpius on his birthday if she was not such a naturally quiet person and lived away from home. So thankfully, while her mum was curious, there wasn't much time to discuss their personal lives in the office because Hermione Granger-Weasley was nothing, if not professional.

The click clack of her heels hitting the tile as she walked down the narrow hallway reminded Rose of where she was and that she only had another moment before her father's office door would greet her. Stopping before said door, Rose took a deep breath to calm herself in a vain attempt to remove the color from her cheeks and quell the butterflies fluttering around in stomach just because they knew that he was on the other side. Closing her eyes for just a second, she allowed her mind to slip back to that night, when for the first time she felt like this crazy itch might not be so crazy after all. Although it made absolutely no sense, Rose was too practical to deny that his words had been spoken and the only logical conclusion to be determined was this: that for some unknown reason, Scorpius Malfoy was interested in Rose Weasley and apparently has been for some time. Besides the mind boggling "why" of this situation, Rose was slightly more curious as to why he had said that she wasn't available. He was as close as family, honestly, so he would have known better than anyone if she had been unavailable, which she hadn't been. For all their time together at Hogwarts, Rose had not once been approached by a member of the opposite sex nor had she had any reason to believe that if Scorpius had truly been interested he would have done something about it. So was it just a joke? Was it simply the Firewhiskey speaking? But he hadn't had that much to drink, she would have smelled it on his breath in those precious moments they had been pressed up against one another. Did that make what he said true then? Grandpa Granger always quoted how truth is relative to the circumstance so maybe it just depended on how Scorpius meant it? But if she honestly had enough guts to simply ask him outright what he meant, then she wouldn't have to try and find answers in places where they did not exist- like in her head.

Arghhh. Just open the damn door, get your chicken butt in there, shove the cookies in their faces and leave before anyone has a chance to say anything awkward. Leave no room for anything else to happen, Weasley. Don't look into those eyes. Don't even think about those hypnotic steel grey eyes. In, out, done. Feeling somewhat mentally prepared with her flimsy plan, Rose opened her eyes and pushed the door open before she could make up another excuse. She knew that failing to bring the cookies would cause more problems than whatever was about to occur.

"She came! My lifesaver! I knew you'd come through for me, Rosie!" Albus shouted before she'd even completely entered the office. He jumped up from the desk he'd been sitting on, setting the papers in his hand on it, and strolled happily over to Rose as if she held the key to his happiness (which, considering his unhealthy addiction with all things chocolaty and sugary, she technically did). Although she was able to make Al smile, the side effect of his boisterous voice unfortunately alerted the only other person in the room of her presence and she was not ready to go there yet.

Handing over the container of chocolate chip cookies to her cousin, she gave him a small smile he didn't notice as he pulled off the lid and started inhaling his weakness. Unable to stop themselves, she was in the middle of a small giggle when her eyes swung over to the other inhabitant of the room without her permission, pulling the air from her lungs. Of their own accord, her eyes raked over Scorpius' lean figure, dressed up in a white button down and pressed black slacks that only made the pale skin of his forearms all the more appealing under his rolled sleeves. Like Albus, he also had been sitting sideways on a desk, and she could just imagine his uncontrollable habit kicking in as it did whenever he was engrossed in studying- his long leg swinging back and forth like the pendulum on the infamous Weasley grandfather clock. Unable to meet his gaze, she mumbled a quick, "Hullo" in his direction before turning back to face the human vacuum in front of her.

"Slow down, Al. Save some for Scorpius, too" she said, hoping neither of them noticed the slightly higher pitch her voice took when she said his name.

With his mouth full and eyes glazed over in pleasure, Rose held back another giggle when Albus groaned. "They're just so good, Rosie."

Trying to stay focused on her cousin, Rose couldn't ignore the way her nerves were starting to jump all over the place or the sudden dryness in her mouth. Subconsciously, her body was aware of Scorpius as he made his way closer to her and sending their own messages so that she could react. Too bad her reaction was beyond her control.

Although she felt him come up behind her, she couldn't suppress the shiver that ran down her spine as his familiar scent overtook her senses. Taking a deep breath for reasons that shamed her, Scorpius' breath made her skin all tingly as it washed over her neck when he spoke.

"Hello, Rose."

They were just two words. Two very simple, very common words. So why did they make her want to melt into a puddle at his feet and drown in his voice? Can you drown while being a liquid or would she just be combining her chemical mixture with his? Was she even making sense anymore or was this little tangent in her head just an early sign of insanity?

The feel of Scorpius fingers as he grazed Rose's elbow while passing by sent a jolt down to her toes, waking her up from her thoughts. She watched as he threw her a smirk over his shoulder when he made a grab at the cookies in Albus' hands, as if he knew exactly what he was doing to her. Like how watching him put those soft lips around the moist cookie made her think of how he had had them pressed against her cheek just two nights ago. Or that brushing the crumbs from his long fingers would be an instant reminder of how they felt around her waist, holding her so gently, while making her feel as safe as she'd ever felt before. That watching gooey bits of chocolate get stuck on his lips made her want to march right up to him and lick them off, finally satisfying the unbridled curiosity she had that he might taste as sweet as he looked. But, thankfully or unfortunately-she wasn't sure yet- his tongue beat her to it, leaving her feeling flushed and utterly ridiculous. Damn him and his unnatural control over her pathetic body.

"These are delicious. Thanks so much, Rosie" Scorpius complimented, ever the gentlemen, but the wink he gave her left no doubt in her mind that he knew exactly what his body was doing to hers. Stupid gorgeous wizard. If only two could play at this game, but Rose knew better than to place faith in her traitorous body. She would just have to try and figure out whatever the heck was going on because she couldn't be held responsible for her actions when he was willingly flirting with her. What's a witch to do?

Obviously, Rose being Rose, blushed. She ducked her head at his praise, pushing a stray red strand of hair behind her ears as she willed her heart to return to its normal pace. Clearing her throat, she braced herself to look into his eyes when she answered this time; he deserved at least that much. Her words were soft, but there. "You're welcome. Glad Albus was wearing his big boy knickers today and willing to share with you."

The small smile she sent Scorpius was nothing like the tantalizing wink he'd given her, but it was all she could offer. However, seeing Al's affronted expression made it easier to smile and she even let out a little laugh. "Hey now!" he exclaimed. "I know how to share just fine- there's no need to bring my knickers into this. And just to prove it, I'm going to take some over to Dad and Uncle Ron. I'm sure they'd appreciate my kindness!"

No! Rose screamed in her head as she slowly realized nothing was going according to the plan. She was just supposed to deliver the cookies and leave. But now her cousin was leaving her alone with him and by the way Scorpius' eyes lit up, she wouldn't be let off the hook from whatever game he wanted to continue playing with her at. She watched helplessly as Albus walked out the door that could have been her salvation, crossing her arms around her middle in a self hug, anxiety growing at the possibilities of whatever was about to happen next.

-.-.-.-

Scorpius Malfoy had always been aware of Rose Weasley. Ever since that very first day he saw her at King's Cross station, she had captured his attention and had yet to give it back to him. At first, it was her simplicity that drew him to notice her. She wasn't preening at the attention her family was unable to avoid, nor was she making a fuss of her first trip to Hogwarts. She just stood there, calm as could be, listening and nodding to all the last minute advice her Mum was giving her, laughing at her father's jokes, and giving reassuring smiles to his soon to be best mate. She came off atrociously average in that first glance and Scorpius couldn't believe that she was the daughter of the great Ron and Hermione Weasley. But what absolutely convinced him that she wasn't like everybody else were her eyes- her clear, nonjudgmental, dark blue eyes that looked right at him and didn't automatically dismiss him. That was the reaction Scorpius had expected, had grown accustomed to, but she didn't give it to him. Instead, she looked directly at him and smiled, a tiny curl of lips upward, offering him silent encouragement that stuck out to him more than her red hair. He had expected to maybe make a few friends, none too close, mostly acquaintances or buddies. But when Albus Potter was sorted into Slytherin with him, he never imagined another heir of the Golden Trio to extend kindness to him. It was her smile and Al's easy-going manner that helped make what could have been seven horrible years into seven happily memorable ones. Now, if he could just get the girl, too, he'd be set.

The girl in question currently looked as if she had been sucker punched in the gut and was paler than usual. Scorpius frowned, trying to think how to put Rose more at ease. He wanted to talk to her, be honest with her; she had to have a few questions after they way things had ended two nights ago. He felt a like a bit of a prick for leaving before she had a chance to respond, but he couldn't risk getting into a long explanation then and he really was tired. He had had a wonderful vacation in Paris, but was glad to be home and hoped that after a good night's rest he might be able to express himself better. He hadn't counted on seeing her so soon, but he wasn't going to pass up this opportunity to set the record straight.

"Rose?" he inquired softly. "Are you okay?" Scorpius took a few steps until he was standing just shy of a meter away. He wanted to reach out and feel her forehead, hold her hand-something- but he didn't want to make her any more uncomfortable.

At the sound of his voice, those beautiful blue eyes finally came back into view, but didn't reassure him at all. Rose looked nervous, anxious of whatever he was going to do next, but he couldn't understand why. He just wanted to explain his feelings, or at least try. She deserved that much. But taking in her current appearance, maybe now wasn't the best time. He saw her swallow and take a breath, both tells that she was building up the courage to speak her mind. Looking right into his eyes, just like she'd done seven years ago, Rose held off the smile this time. Her voice, barely louder than a whisper, was only a tad shaky when she spoke. "I don't play games, Scorpius. What is it you want from me?"

"Just you, Rosie." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them, but they didn't seem to enlighten her. She looked just as confused as she had a minute ago, eyebrows furrowed in an attempt to understand him. "I thought I made that pretty clear the other night."

Irritation flashed in her eyes briefly before she closed them, releasing an exasperated huff. "But why?" she asked. "You said you were waiting for me, but I was never unavailable. You knew that!" she exclaimed, an accusatory finger now pressed into his chest. "Stop flirting with me and playing games with my head, Scorpius. My body cannot handle the stress!"

"I'm not playing games, Rose! I meant every word I said to you and I still do. Will you just let me explain?" he pleaded with her, capturing her finger and tugging until her hand lay flat against his chest.

Her eyes showcased her anxiety vividly, her fear that she might not like what she's about to hear, but she wanted answers. With her imperceptible nod, he was finally able to give them to her.

"You're always on my mind, Rosebud, and it's been a long seven years trying to figure out what the heck was going on between us, what I meant to you. I remember that smile you gave me at King's Cross, before you knew anything about me besides my name. That was the nicest smile I'd ever seen and it was for me! Do you have any idea how much hope that gave to my eleven-year-old self?" She blushed at his words, that faint pink tinge coloring her cheeks so alluringly he finally stopped resisting. Raising his free right hand, he allowed his thumb the pleasure of tracing her rosy cheekbone, feeling her soft skin tingling underneath his. "You had every right to assume that I'd be as horrible as my father, as my name implied, but you chose not to. Getting to know your family is a gift that I'm still not quite sure I deserve. If not for you and Albus, and then the rest of the clan, who knows what kind of person I would be now? If I had reacted to how people judged me, I know that I would be a miserable being, but I would have felt it was my right; I know that because pride meant everything to the Malfoys. But being an honorary Potter-Weasley has taught me what's truly important and I am a better wizard because of it."

They stood so close, but Rose hardly felt it. For the first time, she was being given a glimpse into that beautiful mind of his and she couldn't believe that these were the thoughts he'd been having. She knew that the first year at Hogwarts had been especially tough on Scorpius, his last name earning him many bullies and ugly remarks that he was unworthy of. They just didn't know him. Albus declaring him as his best mate was all it took for the Weasley-Potter bunch, though, and by the time the Second Year came around, Scorpius had grown into the confident, likable kid that shaped him into the cocky and alluring young man he was today. She had never know how much the negativity had affected him then, though, and her heart broke a little imagining a different Scorpius than the one before her. No. Not possible.

While her body was going haywire from their proximity, the itch felt in every part of her skin and wrecking havoc on her inside, her mind for once was not drowning in the sensation of him. Rose needed to get to the bottom of this so she thanked her non-traitorous mind for helping her come up with words for once. "But you've always been a good person, Scorpius," she argued. "I don't think anybody could have stopped you from being you. And I'm sure you know that it's impossible not to like you."

Realizing her words a moment too late, Rose's cheeks colored furiously at what she'd just revealed. And Scorpius' smirk indicated that he had also heard her revelation, his eyes twinkling like the stars she used to stare at in the Great Hall at dinner time. They were so bright, but far away, like he used to be. He leaned close, invading her personal bubble of sanity as he whispered in her ear, "So you find me irresistible, Rosie? Is that your little secret, huh? The reason why you're flustered by my presence?"

Rose used the hand pressed against his chest to give him a little shove back to create a barrier through space. She took a few steps back, also, until her rear came in contact with the desk he had been sitting on earlier. Resting her bottom against the desk, she folded her hands across her chest. Should she be honest? Or just try and play it off, pretend he didn't fluster ever fiber of her being whenever he was around? Oh, who was she kidding? She was a terrible liar and her aforementioned traitorous body was working against her at this very moment so she might as well go for the undeniable truth. But she didn't have to be a wuss about it. Rolling her eyes for nonchalance, she answered, keeping her eyes level with his broad white-clad shoulders, "Like you don't know the affect you have on girls, Scorpius. I've seen you on dates and while you perfected your smile and your look for said dates. I know you know that you could out-charm Flitwick if you wanted. So don't act all surprised that I'm responding just like those girls you were practicing for. I am a girl, after all."

Scorpius could detect the annoyance in Rose's voice as she spoke the last two sentences and couldn't help the smile on his face. Good thing she wasn't looking, otherwise she would have thought he was laughing at her and then all the progress they made would have gone down the drain. As if he didn't know that she was girl- it had been a fact that had caused Scorpius great distress during his school years. At first, it was because Rose was the first friend he had that was a girl, but she was so funny and easy to get along with that it was easily overlooked. The first couple of years at school had been mostly spent bonding with the Potter boys, but since Rose was in his grade and equally as intelligent as he was, it wasn't hard to talk about pretty much anything with her. But the older they got, something changed and all of sudden it was hard to talk to her. They hadn't been extremely close before, but he trusted her and her opinions and enjoyed learning her thoughts. They were different than most other girls and he was sad to see them go, especially since he had no idea why. He had assumed that there had been something wrong with him and that that was why she could barely stand to be around him. But to know that it was because she was flustered because she was as attracted to him as he was to her made him unbelievably giddy inside. He had had his suspicions, even more so once he finally realized that he was attracted to her, but to hear it from her own lips was definitely satisfying. Lips he hoped to kiss in the very near future.

For every step she'd taken back, he moved half a step forward, leaving her some breathing room, but close enough to touch should the right moment arise. She wouldn't look at him, too embarrassed to look higher than his shoulders, but he would be quick to dismiss that feeling. Keeping his voice firm and low, he reached out one long finger to raise her chin till those flashing sapphire eyes looked into his. "Please don't be embarrassed, Rose, because I'm not. I've liked you as more than a friend for a while now and it feels good to know the feeling is mutual," he said with a sincere smile. "It took me a long time to realize what I was feeling, and it was made harder since the girl I fancied couldn't stand being around me. It was a blow to my ego while I tried to figure out what was going on in that pretty little head of yours."

Right on cue, Rose's cheeks flushed at his saying she was pretty and he loved it. But she wasn't one easily distracted by suave words, so he wasn't surprised to see her mouth open again. "But why didn't you ever say anything?" she asked.

"Well at first, I wasn't even sure what I was feeling because I spent so little time directly with you," he said, giving her a pointed look. "That was why I started dating, because I wanted to know if what I was feeling was just hormones for girls in general, you know? And you saw, I dated a quite a bit, but there was never anything there that made me want to come back. Then I spent that Christmas my foot was healing at the Burrow and I knew it was just you. So I stopped casually dating and started waiting." That had been one of the few times that Rose had let her guard down around Scorpius and he wasn't surprised to find that he honestly enjoyed spending time with her. Of course, once the new term had started, she had retreated back into her shell and hid from Scorpius the next year and a half. Being with Rose was the easiest thing in the world for him- he was just waiting for her to realize it, too.

"Waiting for what? And why me? I'm not exciting like my parents, Scorpius. Most people think I'm a snob, but I'm really just quiet. What's to like about that?" Rose asked, anxious for his answer. Scorpius could have any girl he wanted, why would he want her? She knew what people outside of her family and friends thought of her, that she was a know-it-all who deemed herself better than everybody. It wasn't true at all, but she was too shy to give the real answer. That she hated disappointing people's expectation that she would be as interesting as her parents were so she prevented it by not speaking unless it was necessary. Soon enough, people learned to leave her alone and though she hated that she made them see her that way, it was for the best. Better this than bringing people into her life only to be less than who they thought she was. Boring wasn't an appealing characteristic, but haughtiness gave her an excuse, at least, to drive people away.

Scorpius could see the fear in her eyes and he couldn't stand that Rose was scared to open up to him. He had never judged her, as she had never judged him, but she was so used to pleasing people and being what the person they thought she should be that she was afraid he wouldn't like who she was with him. Which was crazy, because he was crazy about the real Rose Weasley- the one who was always there for her family, never turned down the opportunity to help someone, cared for the less fortunate, and honestly believed in giving every person the benefit of the doubt. This Rose was brilliant like a fire, there was so much to her, she could consume him. She was passionate about things that didn't make sense to some people, but she didn't let that stop her from giving them her all. She was funny as hell when she wanted to be, her sense of humor less obvious and a little drier than was preferred by the majority, but oh so amusing to him.

Giving Rose a smile so sweet, she wasn't sure that it was really Scorpius in front of her, he answered, "Why wouldn't I want you, Rosie? Why am I on a higher pedestal than you- we're not that different, are we? If anything, I am far less deserving of you than you are of me. You're so intelligent and stubborn, there's absolutely nothing you cannot do. You're such a compassionate and kind person, I can't believe that you let people think otherwise. Just because you're a little shy gives them no reason to assume that they know you, because if they did, they would find you as irresistible as I do. Because you're stunning, Rose Weasley, in every part of your life. You take such good care of your family, even though you're one of the younger ones. You never humiliate anyone, though you're smart enough to get away with murder if you wanted. You don't get that you're just as charming and dangerous as I am, but I do and that's why I had to wait. I had to wait until after Hogwarts, until I was sure that I could be something to you other than an academic peer or Al's best mate. I want to mean something more to you, Rose, because you mean a helluva a lot to me."

Rose could barely comprehend everything Scorpius was saying to her. She felt overwhelmed, but thrilled. Could he really be saying this? She had always appreciated all the wonderful characteristics that made Scorpius who he was, but it wasn't until that winter when she actually spent time with him that she realized it was more than appreciation- it was attraction. How could she know that he would ever, could ever think of her that way, especially when the last few years were merely a long version of speed dating for him. But now that she knew better, now that she knew the truth, it all seemed so simple. He liked her. Scorpius liked her. He really liked her. It made the itch feel like a week old sunburn, a tingling sensation that was just barely there, but felt in every nerve-ending. And it made her feel a little bolder, a little more willing to put herself out there. To make him as happy as she felt in this moment.

Placing her right hand on his wide left shoulder, Rose let her palm trail gently down his bicep and elbow, lifting it a tad so her fingers just barely brushed the hair on his forearm. Side-stepping Scorpius, she spoke. Her fingers resting on his pulsing wrist and a wink thrown over her shoulder, she said, "I never called you dangerous."

Scorpius was shocked. He didn't know what happened, but those were not the words he was expecting to hear. And that wink? Who know what an instigator his little Rosebud could be. Willing to play her game, he growled low and deep in his chest. He couldn't help his trademark smirk at the shiver he felt pass through her body as she tried to walk away from him. As if he'd let her slip through his fingers. Curling his left hand inward, he grasped a hold of her fingers and gave a little tug so that she spun around, right into his outstretched left arm. Rose's eyes were wide as she placed her hand on his chest, lightly clutching the front of his shirt into her fist. It was an automatic reaction, she told herself.

Though her voice was a little breathless, she cocked an eyebrow and said mockingly, "What? You think you're tiny roar is going to change my mind?"

Smirk full-blown and perfectly in place, he answers, "No, but this should." Without giving her a chance to reply, Scorpius placed his lips directly on hers.

He was so gentle at first that Rose didn't even realize what had happened for a second. But when she did, that a guy who really liked her was giving her her first kiss, she decided not to think too much past that because no amount of knowledge or preparation could have prepared her for this experience. His lips, that had brushed her cheeks last night, were as soft as she remembered and tasted a bit like the chocolate he had just devoured. They brushed hers at an angle since he was so tall, and she silently thanked herself for being such a chapstick fiend, making her lips smooth and soft, perfectly receptive for his.

After a minute of standing stock still, Rose realized that she should contribute lest he get the wrong idea. As pleasant as it was to receive this kiss, the itch was demanding more and she was done denying what Scorpius did to her body. Her arms crawled their way up his chest and wrapped themselves around his neck. Her fingers instantly laid claim to the hair at his nape, tugging on them lightly, his hands squeezing her harder around her waist. She kissed him back, harder than he had kissed her, raising herself onto her toes so that their lips mashed against each others. Her chest pressed into his and he couldn't hold back a groan as she clung tightly to his shoulders.

Unfortunately, as good as it felt to be held in his arms and feeling him all over her, the need to breathe became too strong. She pulled back, just enough to place her forehead against his. Both panting, their breaths intermingled, his chocolate one making her ridiculously happy. With a shaky smile, Rose looked up at Scorpius, who was sprouting the silliest grin she had ever seen (which says a lot considering she'd seen picture of her Uncles Fred and George when they were younger). With unsteady breaths, Rose said, "That doesn't make you dangerous, Scorpius. Just very, very hot."

Burying his face in her fiery hair, Scorpius gave a low chuckle she felt down to her toes, hugging Rose even tighter to him. His warm breath fanned across her neck, sending shivers up and down her spine. This was right. Him, holding her and wanting her, was the best cure to her seven year itch and she was oh so glad to finally have him.

Whatdya think? Please review! I'd love to hear your thoughts on any and all of it! :D