Christmas and New Year's Eve went pretty well. Scorpius and Rose talked about their problem, told each other about their first times. Still, it wasn't like it has been. They weren't as close as before the Winter Ball. They weren't, as Albus liked to put it, worshipping the ground the other walked on. It wasn't until nearly the end of the school year.

"Hey Scorp." She kissed him on the cheek and sat down next to him, underneath the willow. It was sunny and warm, the perfect time to learn outside by the lake. Rose still didn't get why Scorpius liked it there so much since he was afraid of waters where he could not see the bottom. It didn't make sense! And usually Scorpius made perfectly sense. Maybe he just liked the view and the sun and the willow. Because willows were awesome, Rose thought. They had something mysterious about them, something fantastic and yet calming. Maybe because the only two personified willows Rose knew of where the Whomping Willow and Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas. The Whomping Willow protected the Shack, so it was mysterious and scary and dangerous. Grandmother Willow was protective and clever, calming and wise.

"What is going on in your freaky little red-head, Pumpkin Pie?"

"Oh, just stuff." Rose hugged him and made herself comfortable, laying her head into his lap. "Stuff about trees and flowers and Muggle movies. About how a pineapple isn't a single fruit but a group of berries that fused together. You know, I dumped Dimi."

"You what?" He looked at her, surprised. Happy nonetheless but he was really surprised. "How come? How do you feel? Are you alright?"

"Well, I met him in Hogsmeade today. I saw him and I knew... I don't know. I just knew it was over. I didn't want anymore. The whole crappy long-distance relationship, the way he talked about the countries he's been to. Awful. You were right. He is a show-off, he has always been one. I was just so blind."

"You were not blind. You were in love and that is perfectly fine but I am glad he is not your boyfriend anymore. And you are okay?"

"Well... it is alright. I've told Lily and Al, still need to tell James and Hugo and Louis. I think Lily and Louis will be a bit sad. And Al, too. He really likes Dimi. Everyone likes him! Not you, I know. That's fine. You don't need to deal with him anymore." She sighed and cuddled into his lap. "This isn't awkward, is it?"

Scorpius had to laugh. "Well, let us say... It would not surprise me if it would become awkward. I can see into your cleavage, it is a very nice view and your head constantly keeps rubbing against something special. I am just a man."

Rose rolled her eyes and sat up again, hugging him tightly. "Okay, nevermind! I respect your body's reaction!"

"I am glad you do, Pumpkin Pie! So, what do you say, we have a little party to cheer you up this evening, hm? Your cousins, you and me, the Shreiking Shack and some butterbeer."

"Nah. Just you and me, Room of Requirements and some firewhiskey sounds much better."

" Rose Nymphadora Weasley, what are your dirty little plans for tonight?"

"Nothing!" She smiled at him her innocent smile with a twist. He knew it so well. Whenever she had plans for revenge, for pranks, even for just sneaking into the kitchen, she smiled said smile. But he was glad. She did not seem to be too devastated about the break-up. Well, her wanting to drink firewhiskey was kind of worrying. Usually she did not get wasted. Not on purpose. Okay, on New Year's Eve she was very drunk. And she nearly made out with Dimitri in front of everyone. He was quite sure they fucked later on. Well, it actually did not bother him too much since he was with some girl he met on the party and got laid, too.

"Of course, nothing. I know your nothing, my love. But we will do it, no problem at all. As long as I am allowed to wish for the room. Would you like to learn with me for our tests? Right now I am stuck with Transfiguration. I need to find Al to help me with this. It is really hard. Can you help with the animals, please? You know I am no good with them."

"Well, you were amazing with the hippogriff. And you did quite well with most of the other animals. Have you decided what you want to do in the future? Because I have been thinking about it quite a lot, actually. And it is so hard! Two hearts beating, can't decide which one to listen to."

"Tell me. I guess I know what the problem is, but tell me." The Slytherin kissed her cheek and leaned back into the soft and warm grass, watching carefully how Rose lowered her head and lay it down on his chest. Scorpius' fingers traced lightly through her thick curls, twirling some around his finger. "Tell me and I promise we will find a solution."

"Well, we all know I want to work with mystical creatures. Badly. I have three options for internships. First, I could do an internship here, with Hagrid. Here are so many different creatures and I could explore the lake and the forest and everything! I'd love that but I don't know if I really want to stay at Hogwarts. I have the feeling I need to get out of here, away from my cousins to be myself. I could also work at the Ministry. Like my parents. Like your parents. Like the Potters. Ugh. I don't want to work where half my family works. It would be the same as staying in Hogwarts, just with grown-ups. I could also go to Charlie in Romania and do some work with the dragons. He offered it to me last Summer. And I would love to go there! But I don't know if dragons are what I desire. If it isn't too little variety in animals for me. And also, what do I want to do as a job? Do I want to be a dragon trainer? Do I want to live in Romania? So far away from my family? I could also work in Scotland but the dragon sector there really is tiny. But do I want to work in Hogwarts? Where it is so damn hard to have a family of my own? Do I want to work at the ministry? Do I want to go out and get animals out of Muggles' houses and wizards' houses? Sounds rather boring, doesn't it? I have no idea, Scorp! I really haven't!"

"Okay, I get the problem. You can do your internship at Hogwarts in the Summer holidays. None of your cousins will be here, there is no pressure for class, nothing. You can experience everything quite nicely and are still able to go to Hogsmeade on your own to meet up with Al and me. You have a bit of Rosie-time, without relatives, to figure out what you want. And if I were you, I would try to work at the ministry for say three months. And then go to Charlie afterwards and do an internship there. Three months, too. It is not that long but long enough to get to know everything and to discover whether or not you like the job. And if you do not like any of it, we will find something new. I am sure there are plenty of jobs where you can work with animals. Health care for magical creatures. But there you only have the boring ones, no hippogriffs or kappas or other special and extraordinary beasts."

"I know! I want adventure! I want family. I don't want my relatives! I want a save job! Why is that so hard to get? A save but adventurous job where I don't work with any of my family members but where it is possible for me to have a family of my own? That should be easy!"

Scorpius giggled. "Yeah, sure. Sounds realistic."

She nudged his side and kissed his chin. "Oh, you have a little stubble. I like it! You should let it grow a bit. A nice three-day-stubble." Rose giggled upon the sceptical look in his eyes. "Alright, Mr. Know-It-All, what job did you come up with, huh?"

"I am not quite sure. I thought about a profession as potions teacher in Hogwarts but... well, you are here all year. Try to meet a girl and marry her and have a family when you can see each other only on Christmas and during summer holidays. Sounds like a pretty hard relationship. I also thought about becoming a healer. That would be nice. Working in St. Mungos, helping people, brewing health potions for them. I consider that. What do you think?"

"Hm. It sounds perfect for you. No stress, everything is controlled but you still have a certain amount of uncertainty. Just like you love your life to be. And all the little girls would love going to sexy doctor Malfoy."

"That sounds nice if you say it but it would sound very very creepy if a little girl would say it. A healer it is. I am going to be a healer." He nodded, quite satisfied with himself. "My mum will be very proud that I have made such a responsible decision. You know, I can hardly wait for the baby to come. Six weeks to go. And then I will be a big brother with a tiny baby sister."

Rose giggled and stroke through his hair. It was really damn soft and shiny. How could it be so awesome? She knew James used the same shampoo but James' hair was not as shiny and shimmering as Scorpius'. Louis' hair was, though. All a bit weird. "You are going to be a fantastic big brother. Does she have a name yet?"

"Oh yes. Her name is going to be Cassiopeia Narcissa Malfoy. Cassiopeia, because it is a star constellation, like Scorpius, like Sirius, like Bellatrix – not a good example, I know, but still – and Cassiopeia is also the mother of Andromeda in the Greek mythology. And my mum really likes Andromeda Tonks. They have met a few times because my mum gets along really nicely with my grandmother Narcissa. After the War, grandma started to meet her sister again and my mum has been with her a few times. It is family, after all. So is Ted Lupin. I mean, he is basically my dad's cousin. And Narcissa because of my grandma, because she saved Al's dad. And... you will love this point." He smiled and stroked her cheek lightly. "My mum said, a narcissus is a flower, as is a rose. She wanted to dedicate part of my sister's name to you, because you are the reason she will be in this world."

"Awwww, really? That is so cute! I need to write her! That is so fucking cute, Scorp! It really is amazing, I love your mother! And now I am crying, because I am so fucking overwhelmed."

He chuckled and cuddled Rose. "No need to cry, Pumpkin Pie. You will see the baby girl as soon as she is born. It is all arranged and I talked to the headmaster. He said it is okay."

"Well, of course he did. It's Neville Longbottom."