Chapter 22: The Most Important Thing

(Draco's pov)

Visiting my parents is one of the most unpleasant ways to spend my time. However, my mother expects weekly visits from me, so I go only to please her. It's not far, - only a mile or two – but at least half of my visits result in shouting matches between my father and I. Today's visit was no different. My father mistakenly once again brought up how apparently Scorpius was bringing shame to the Malfoy family by being in Gryffindor and that I should have done a better job of raising him to have a Slytherin mind. Who does he think he is, telling me how to raise my own son?

At least I have something to come home to. My beautiful wife, Astoria, always cheers me up after a particularly bad argument. We met when our parents unsuccessful attempted to get her sister, Daphne, and I together. Daphne and I had been in the same year at Hogwarts, and had both been in Slytherin, but that's where the similarities ended. We just weren't interested in each other. So of course, I just had to fall for her younger sister, the beautiful, intelligent, Ravenclaw, Astoria Greengrass, and we've been together ever since.

When I arrived back at the Manor, I went straight to the living room, as it was Astoria's favorite room in the entire Manor, and I was sure she would be in there. Sure enough, there she was, sitting in her rocking chair, reading a book. I should there for a moment, watching her until she finally noticed me. "You know Draco, I've been thinking." Astoria said as I came into the room.

"About what, Tori?" I asked.

"Well, about Scorpius and Rose, actually. I think we should invite her and her family over for dinner sometime over the Easter holidays."

"Have you gone insane?" I asked in surprise. "We can't have the Weasleys over for dinner!"

"And why not?" Astoria said crossly. "Didn't you tell me you were fine with Scorpius dating Rose?"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I suddenly am best mates with the girl's parents." I muttered.

"I still don't understand what you have against the Weasleys." Tori sighed. "What did they ever do to you?"

"They're blood traitors, Astoria! That's what did?" I snapped.

"Draco, stop this nonsense! You sound like your father!" Astoria shouted. She rarely used that on me, and instantly I felt guilty.

I sighed. "I suppose you're right. But I called the girl's mother a mudblood in our second year, for Merlin's sake. Do you really think they'll want to have dinner with us?" I asked in a last minute attempt to change Astoria's mind

My wife shrugged. "If they don't come, they don't come. But the least we can do is be friendly, right?"

"Fine," I sighed again. "Write to Scorpius and tell him he can invite Rose and her family to dinner. Who am I to stop you?" There was no arguing with Astoria. She always won.

"Thanks, Draco." Astoria said softly. "Scorpius will greatly appreciate this."

"Yeah, well it doesn't mean I have to be pleased with it." I muttered. And I was never going to be happy with this situation, no matter what Astoria said. However, I would do anything for my son's happiness, even something as extreme as inviting Weasleys into my home.

(Scorpius's pov)

It was official. My parents were insane. Or at least, my mother was for sure, as I was certain this was her idea, and not my father's. What was shocking was the letter that I received in early March, which I knew would change everything for better or for worse.

Dear Scorpius,

Your father and I discussed it – yes, your father too – and we agree that it would be nice to invite Rose and her family over for dinner sometime during the Easter holiday. If you would, please write to Rose and invite them to dinner. Any day, except Easter itself, would work well for us. I am anxious to meet this wonderful girl we've heard so much about.

Love, Mum and Dad

Yes, they were insane. I was sure of it now. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Rose and I couldn't get around our parents facing each other at some port if we wanted to continue our relationship after Hogwarts, and what better time was there than now? Eagerly, I left the dorm to tell Rose the good news.

Down in the Gryffindor Common Room, I found Albus and Alana studying together, but Rose was nowhere in sight. "Have you seen, Rose?" I asked.

"I think she's in the library. I'd check there." Alana replied.

Nodding my thanks, I rushed out of the common room towards the library. Sure enough, there was Rose, sitting alone at a table, reading a book. She smiled as I came in. "Hey, Scorp."

"I have to talk to you." I said quickly. "In private. Can we go somewhere else?"

Rose nodded, frowning slightly. "Sure," she said. She placed the book back on the shelf that she got it from and followed me out of the library. I led her to an empty corridor and handed her my mother's letter to read. I saw her tense up and freeze and she was reading, which wasn't a good sign. Her face began to pale, which was very concerning. I tried to wait, but couldn't take the anxiety any longer.

"So, do you want to come?" I asked when she was done.

"Scorpius… I – I can't." Rose replied softly.

"Rose, our parents have to face each other sometime, you know." I protested. "Why not now?"

"Because… my parents don't know I'm dating you yet."

"So you lied to me?" I asked in disbelief, anger boiling up inside of me like a potion with the wrong, most explosive ingredients mixed together.

"I… I had no choice, Scorpius." Rose cried, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I didn't want to lie."

"You didn't have a choice? Really, Rose? Because believe me, everyone has a choice, no matter what they are doing. It's called 'free will'. Or were you under the Imperious curse, but I seriously doubt that." Perhaps I was being a little harsh, but I didn't care. I just couldn't believe Rose had actually lied to me, when I would never dream of lying to her.

"You don't understand!" Rose cried, and suddenly the tears she had been trying so hard to keep in came pouring out. "If I told my parents, they would forbid us from seeing each other, and I just couldn't lose you, Scorpius."

"I told you to trust me, Rose. To trust me when I said everything would work out if you just told your parents, but you didn't. Trust is the most important thing to me in a relationship. You of all people should know that, and if we don't have trust, we don't have anything."

"But I do trust you! I'd trust you with my life!" Rose sobbed.

"The problem is I can't trust you anymore." I snarled. "In fact, if we can't trust each other, maybe we shouldn't be together at all."

"Scorpius, please..." Rose begged.

"No, Rose." I protested sharply. "If you're going to lie to me this, then maybe I don't want to be with you anymore."

Immediately, an enormous amount of hurt flooded Rose's eyes, and I knew I had hurt her more than I had ever hurt anyone before, but at the moment, I was too anger to even comprehend it, let alone care. Angrily, Rose pushed me and fled down the corridor, and I stormed off in the opposite direction toward the common room.

As I walked furiously back to my dorm, I was surprised to find my own tears were now rolling down my cheeks. I didn't fully know what had just happened, but I did know that Rose Weasley had betrayed my trust, and I mostly likely would never be able to trust her again. Not ever.

(Albus's pov)

When Scorpius flew through the common rooms to our dorm in a fury, I knew something disastrous had happened. Alana and I looked at each other in concern before I took off after my best friend. By the time I arrived at our dorm, Scorpius had already flung himself on his bed.

"Scorpius? What's wrong?" I asked in concern.

"I've been betrayed." Scorpius muttered angrily.

"By who?"

"Why don't you ask your do-no-wrong, prefect cousin Rose?" Scorpius snarled.

It took me a minute to comprehend what Scorpius had said, but even then I was still confused. "Wait? What?"

Scorpius didn't reply, so I slowly – and probably wisely – backed out of the dorm and closed the door behind me. When I got back to the common room, Alana was looking at me expectantly. "I think Rose and Scorpius got into a row." I sighed. "I have to go find her."

"Want me to come?" Alana asked softly.

"No," I sighed again, "I think it's better if I go alone." With that, I disappeared out the portrait hole.

As I searched for Rose, a million thoughts flew through my mind. Rose wouldn't have cheated on Scorpius… would she? That couldn't be right, but why else would Scorpius have told me he had been betrayed? I just couldn't picture Rose doing something like that….

I looked everywhere for Rose, calling her name repeatedly as I went, but she was nowhere in sight. Finally, when it seemed as though I had searched the entire castle, I went back to Alana and the common room. Maybe she had had better luck. I could only hope so.

(Rose's pov)

This was all my fault. How could I have been so idiotic? All's I wanted to do was not lose Scorpius, and I ended up losing him anyway, for a totally different reason than I expected. I regretted lying to Scorpius one hundred percent, because lying never works out for the better, no matter what, and it cost me.

I ran from him then, too hurt and stunned by Scorpius's words to say anything more. Tears blurred my vision, but I didn't stop. Finally, I came to a room I didn't recognize. The room of requirements! It had to be! I opened the door to find a small room, empty room with no furniture except for a red velvet couch that was overloaded with fluffy pillows. I flung myself on it and allowed the tears to flow. I don't know how much time had passed, but at once point I heard Albus's voice outside in the corridor calling my name. However, I ignored him.

Oh why, why had I been so stupid? Now I had lost Scorpius, possibly forever. And it hurt.

Author's note: I know a lot of you are going to hate me right now after this chapter. Sorry for SO much emotion. I kind of feel like maybe this is a little TOO dramatic. Is it? Please remember to review and tell me your thoughts. :)