"And I hope I can continue to help others," Scorpius said. He wasn't speaking particularly loudly. And unlike his opponent had forgone theatrics. But there was something about his words. No one could doubt his sincerity.
"I am going to try and make this a better world," he said. "For all of us. If you'll let me."
There was applause and Rose took his hand. "You did great," she whispered.
Hermione Granger smiled at him from across the room. She was standing next to his mother who looked begrudgingly proud. He grinned at her widely and she couldn't help but grin back.
There was something about her son. She had always known it. A quiet child, he had never been one to make a fuss about things he knew he couldn't get. But if he wanted something he always worked tirelessly towards it. That might be why he had been put in Slytherin. He was utterly determined to succeed and so ambitious. Though ever since he had met the Potter boy and started dating his cousin his mind had become slight less one-track. And she was grateful for that. Not that she approved of Rose Weasley. That girl was going to be the death of her. Always walking around in her underwear and making suggestive comments.
"You did well sweetheart," his mother said as he walked down from the dais.
"You really did," Ms. Granger agreed.
"Well its all thanks to you I could do this at all," Scorpius said quietly. "Without that job at Magical Law Enforcement I would never have been able to do any of this."
"I think you would," Hermione said, with a slightly proud smile. "You're quite resourceful. You would've made it here anyway."
The Potter/Weasley family convened at the Burrow to discuss the upcoming election. To absolutely no one's delight, the Malfoys joined them. Despite the fact that school had been about thirty years ago Harry and Ron just couldn't get past the fact that Draco Malfoy was sitting at their table looking thoroughly uncomfortable and preparing to discuss what the implications of his son running for minister were.
"Well isn't this like a war council," Fred said cheerily. Everyone was concentrating so hard on Scorpius and Rose, no one noticed the fact that the three Potter children were looking distinctly out of sorts and that Daemon Zabini was sitting far away from Lily.
"It is a war council," Hermione said seriously. "Have you given thought to your team?"
Scorpius shifted uncomfortably. "I have," he said. "I've been talking to Xavier Black."
"Our cousin Xavier?" Lily asked, rather skeptically. "I didn't know you knew Xav."
"He offered to be my rapid response director," Scorpius said. "And I said yes."
"That's good," Hermione said. "Campaign manager?"
"I asked Al but he declined outright," Scorpius said.
"Someone has to run the law firm we built," Albus said. "And I don't know shit about politics."
"I know," Scorpius said. "But you do Ms. Granger."
Draco Malfoy's lips became distinctly thinner at this. He did not want Hermione Granger running his son's campaign. Not (as most people would like to believe) because she was a Muggleborn. But because he knew the minute it became a Potter/Weasley affair he would be cut out of all decision-making.
"I'm a bit old to be playing this game now," she said. "Politics is exhausting. But I'd love to stay on in any advisory capacity. But get someone young. Someone who can help you win the crowds over. Someone good."
"Someone like Lorcan Scamander?" Daemon said quietly.
"That's brilliant," Lily said, almost unwillingly.
"Scamander'll agree to work this?" Scorpius asked, not entirely happy.
"He will if Mum asks," Lily said.
Lorcan Scamander was a rising star. He was a Ministry hotshot who unlike the rest of his family had absolutely no morals. He had gone head to head with Scorpius and Albus several times over the last few years and had won more than a few of those cases.
"He hasn't exactly been my biggest supporter," Scorpius said slowly.
"Lorcan's one of the good ones," Ginny said, rather too confidently in Scorpius' opinion.
"He's the Ministry's golden boy," Scorpius said. "He isn't going to throw that away."
"Leave Lorcan to me," Ginny said firmly. "He's smart and talented and he'll be brilliant."
"Fine assuming Scamander'll be on board we still need the rest of the staff," Scorpius said. "We need a field department."
"Don't worry about that," James said. "Me and Fred've got this. We can recruit the gang."
"That might be rather counterproductive given your ability to cause mass destruction," Rose said said dryly, but Scorpius was secretly quite touched. He hadn't exactly gotten on with James and Fred's large group of friends in school.
"That's settled then," Scorpius said. "I have a few financial backers already but if I'm going to go up against the might of the Ministry I'll need a little bit more help."
"I can be in charge of fundraising," Rose said. "I'm good at conning people out of money. Haven't paid for a drink in the last ten years."
"Rose don't be flippant," her mother sighed.
"I'll take care of it," Rose said. "I want Lily to help though. You and Daemon make quite the glamourous power couple."
Lily looked at her boyfriend who looked rather unhappy.
"I can handle press," Lucy said in her gruff voice.
"You're sticking around?" Scorpius asked.
"Might as well," Lucy said with a shrug. "After all its not everyday your brother-in-law becomes Minister For Magic."
"Hold your horses Lucy goosey," Rose said quickly. "Not getting married yet."
Astoria Malfoy couldn't help but be a little relieved. Rose wasn't exactly daughter-in-law material.
"Well you can work with Xav," Scorpius said. "You'll have to coordinate press releases."
"Not a problem," Lucy said.
"So you are sticking around then?" Daemon asked.
"Looks like it," she said, resolutely avoiding eye contact.
Rose could practically smell the tension in the air and briefly wondered if this campaign was going to tear their family apart.
a/n: It has been so horribly awfully long and I really suck as a person. But oh my god I am just dying and its exam season yay. Well at least I'm done with 5 papers. Only 10 to go. Funfun. Anyway I hope you like this and I am going try and write another one soon I promise. So please tell me what you think :)