2024 -2025
Soon enough graduation was upon them. Seven years had gone so fast but yet so slowly. Scorpius was attempting to ponder this fact outside by the lake but he kept in being interrupted by Rose's relatives and their partners. "Hi Scorp!" chirped Lucy who was with her current boyfriend Brendan. Next it was Albus and Christian yelling, "Yo Scorpius!" from across the courtyard. Then it was Hugo with a beautiful girl with dark brown hair that he recognised as Callie Hart who was in the same year as Hugo. Wait, Hugo was with a girl. Scorpius wondered whether Rose knew and then began the internal battle if 'Do I tell her or Do I not'. Fortunately, he was saved from making this decision. Unfortunately, he was saved from making this decision because Rose found out when she was walking to meet Scorpius and saw her baby brother with someone and when she saw who it was he was with she saw red. However, Callie was saved from being subjected to the Head Girl screaming because Scorpius stepped in front of her and guided her away from the impending carnage. Hugo took this as a sign to scarper.
As soon as they were safely away from all of humanity, Rose exploded. Scorpius conjured a chair and sat down waiting patiently for her to finish. After a while, she calmed down and Scorpius extended the chair so Rose could join him. She sat down and snuggled into Scorpius's side whilst breathing deeply. "I'm going to have to write to Mum," Rose began, "She went crazy making him promise not to get into a relationship before Fifth or Sixth Year. And he's just broken that promise. He's only in Fourth Year – I know we got together in Fourth Year but that's different – and with that girl. She might be nice but I don't like her brother Jude, he's irritating." At Scorpius's questioning look she continued, "He kept following me in Third Year. Not weirdly but he was very interested in me; more than he should have been, and then he kept on asking me if I wanted to go to Hogsmeade with him. Obviously I didn't and refused every time but he wouldn't give up so I went to the Headmistress. He stopped after that but I still wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him – 6ft, I tried – so I don't really like the family that much…" Scorpius simply hugged her close as if to protect her from the people that think that that sort of behaviour is acceptable.
Rose ran from being with Scorpius up several flights of stairs to the Head Dorms. She quickly threw on her robes and sprinted the rest of the way to her meeting with the Hogwarts careers expert, Headmistress McGonagall, a meeting she would be late for if she didn't hurry up. Rose had applied for a position as the Charms Teacher at Hogwarts apprenticed to Flitwick for 4 years before replacing him when he retired. Today was the day she found out whether she had got the job along with everyone else, they would all receive owls to let them know if they got the jobs they wanted but the Head Boy and Girl would be notified in person especially since Rose was applying for a job as a member of staff at Hogwarts. As she entered the office she was welcomed by applause.
Minerva sat her desk, in front of Dumbledore's portrait, both of them smiling gently as the new apprentice walked through the door. "I gather you've already worked out the answer." In reply Rose nodded shakily. Professor McGonagall gestured to the chair in front of her desk and poured two cups of tea. Rose gulped hers down and tried to compose herself when Flitwick walked in. Once all contracts were signed and all discussions had, Rose left the office and headed straight for the Owlery. On the way, she saw Lily with a boy she had only seen a few times emerging from an empty classroom but she was distracted from questioning them as Lily asked about her job and was delighted when she heard that Rose had got it.
She arrived at the Owlery only to find it occupied by Lyra-Alice and Susana as usual. She spent a while talking to them and then wrote to her parents telling them the good news. She then headed to the Kitchens to prepare a celebratory picnic that Scorpius and she would share when he returned from his meeting with Professor McGonagall.
Scorpius ascended the stairs to the Headmistress's office early but filled with trepidation. He had applied for an apprenticeship at the prestigious Curse-Breakers school, set up by Bill Weasley after the Battle of Hogwarts. He knocked on the door, waited until he heard a "Come in." and then opened the door. He sat at the seat in front of McGonagall's desk and waited patiently for her to tell him the news. She placed a folder in front of him which he knew had his application in and he nearly broke character and jumped for joy when he saw the green 'ACCEPTED' stamp which stood out. He received his instructions from McGonagall and then ran to the Owlery to inform his parents, who, at first, didn't agree with his career choice but finally changed their minds and fully supported his decision. He arrived at the Owlery, had a brief conversation with Lyra-Alice and Susana, wrote a letter to his parents and sent it with Aquila, and then returned to the Head Dorms where he knew Rose and a gorgeous feast would be waiting for him.
He reached the Head Dorm and walked in to find it beautifully lit with candles, the normal coffee table charmed to a full size dining table bursting with all their favourite foods. Rose heard him enter and ran down the stairs from her room to leap into his arms with happiness. Scorpius lifted her up and spun her around and then they ate and talked about their jobs.
Rose would be preparing several classes for all years which she would teach, watched by Flitwick, and when she wasn't teaching she would be studying and attending a school which specialised in the teachings of magic which all teachers had to attend for at least three years before she was qualified to take over. Flitwick would be leaving officially at the end of the third year but he would remain for another year just in case she needed help or advice.
Scorpius would be put through a tough regime to strengthen his body, mind and magical core. This was vital to becoming a Curse Breaker and Bill Weasley was one of the best around. After this, he would go travelling to different countries in order to learn about the different offensive and defensive curses used all over the world. Once his year of travelling as over he had a year of studying and more practical work to do before his final exam in the July of his final year.
The day of graduation dawned drizzly and not warm. Scorpius got out of bed and went for his usual early morning jog before returning to wake Rose. However, when he got back the Head Dorm fire was roaring and Rose was huddled in her Weasley jumper on the sofa looking at the pictures of the years at Hogwarts which she kept in a photo album. She grabbed a quill from her hair and carefully wrote on the last page 'Graduation Day' in a neat curly font. She stood, stretched and then disappeared into the kitchen, reappearing with two mugs of tea – one for her and one for Scorpius. When she saw him at the entrance she put both mugs on the table and went to give him a hug. However, when she saw how sweaty he was she wheeled around and returned to sipping her drink.
They both had a shower and got dressed before returning to the lounge to wait for their parents arrivals. The Weasleys were first, appearing in the fireplace, holding hands and immediately hugging their daughter. The rest of the family would arrive nearer the time but Ron and Hermione wished to arrive early and help the Head Girl and Head Boy set up. The Malfoys arrived slightly later, when they were midway through a pot of tea. Scorpius stood up and hugged his parents, Rose stood up and hugged Astoria, shaking Draco's hand and Hermione got up and grabbed two more mugs from the kitchen. Once they had finished the pot, Hermione read through Rose and Scorpius's speeches as they were the valedictorians – and Head Boy and Girl. She made a few alterations and then they all descended the stairs to meet with Headmistress McGonagall.
Before they knew it the rest of their families arrived and sat down and the ceremony begun. Only a few hours later it was all over and they were all having photos taken with their friends and partners. They then all moved into the Great Hall for food and more celebrations. However, Rose knew that neither she nor Scorpius could rest; they still had the end of term party, yearbooks, and next year's Prefect and Head meetings to organise and help with. At the end of the evening, all the proud parents left to stay at Hogsmeade and catch up as usual. Rose and Scorpius headed back to their Common Rooms to celebrate with their Housemates but returned to the Head Dorms to have a cup of tea and go to sleep.
Over the next few weeks Rose and Scorpius were busy organising, celebrating, and enjoying their last weeks before their jobs began.
During the holidays they spent most days in each other's company. Neither needed to look for a flat as Rose would be living at Hogwarts and Scorpius was staying on site at the Curse-Breakers school. Instead they filled their days going out with mates, to the cinema, to the park, going shopping and generally having fun. Lucy's Birthday on the23rd of August meant a huge birthday party with the whole of the Weasley clan and their partners. Rose and Scorpius spotted a new couple in the less new ones; Roxanne was dating a guy that Scorpius recognised as Jacob, who worked with Roxanne in Weasley's Wizards Wheezes. Obviously Lyra and Susana were there, along with Fred and Hayley who had been dating for a year and Albus and Christian Boot who were talking to a girl accompanying Louis. Rose went over to talk to them and found out that the girl was Poppy Boot and she and Christian were non-identical twins.
The last two weeks of the holidays meant a new phase of panic for both Rose – who was trying to buy clothes that were teacher-y enough but warm enough to suit Hogwarts and organise herself and buying homeware for her lodgings which she would soon see – and Scorpius – who was similarly aiming to find suitable clothes for intensive exercise and studying and stuff to decorate his lodgings in the Curse-Breakers school.
For Rose the first day of her new job felt very much like any other day staring back at Hogwarts for a new year. She went to Platform 9 ¾ and boarded the train along with the rest of the students however, rather than turning left to find carriage she turned right and walked through the crowds to the teachers carriage. On the way she relaxed and enjoyed the last bit of peace and quiet she knew that she would have before they reached Hogwarts. When they pulled into Hogsmeade Station Rose sighed and grabbed her trunk before leaving the carriage and heading for the plush coach that was waiting for her.
When she arrived she was shown to her quarters by Professor McGonagall where she left her bags and together they went to the Great Hall and sat at the Teacher's table. When all the new kids were Sorted, Headmistress McGonagall introduced her as the apprentice Charms Teacher and then everyone began to eat.
Her first weeks were stressful and there was never a dull minute. She spent most lessons writing down how Flitwick taught and talking to students about their preferred teaching style. She also helped some students during Flitwick's lessons and taught a few of her own whilst being monitored by him.
She was glad Hogwarts had allowed her this opportunity to pursue the career she wanted and she would stay here for as long as they wanted her. She wrote to Scorpius often during those weeks but only heard from Scorpius on his first day, which Bill had told her to expect. On the plus side, she was so exhausted ever day so she slept really well.
For Scorpius his first day was slightly less familiar and much more exhausting. First he packed his bags and Apparated to the co-ordinates he had been sent the previous week. When he landed he found himself surrounded by 8 other witches and wizards who didn't acknowledge his presence. Finally, after another few minutes another witch arrived and the area around them glowed green. Then an owl flew through the air and dropped a note into the hands of the tallest, most threatening looking witch. She opened it and read, "This is your first challenge. You have to work TOGETHER to work out the way to your lodgings. You have all the materials you should need under this sheet," at this point a sheet with materials piled under it appeared, "and you have four hours before the temperature drops below freezing. Good luck."
Someone removed the sheet from the materials and laughed when they saw their wands, labelled with their names, each person grabbing their wands and returning to their original position. Everyone looked at everyone else for some instructions so Scorpius stepped forwards. "Right, who can climb trees…?" Several of the bigger, stronger men stepped forwards and Scorpius told one of them to climb the tallest tree to see if they could see anything. When he returned he told Scorpius what Scorpius fully anticipated. "Nothing; just trees and grass as far as the eye can see. I even used an extension charm on my eyesight so I could see further." Scorpius nodded in reply and then cast an enhanced revealing spell which Rose and Scorpius had worked on the previous year during their free time. It revealed large amounts of spell casting in the area only a few hours previously. Then he remembered the letter which said 'You have to work TOGETHER…'
Scorpius magically amplified his voice and told everyone else what he suspected. They all agreed that they actually were at their lodgings and the temperature and surroundings were being controlled remotely by one of the tutors. They devised a spell casting plan and who would cast what. The spell casting began on Scorpius's mark and after an hour all the spells had been broken and the group of ten new interns found themselves in front of a whitewashed building. They all ascended the outdoor stairs and investigated the building. When they were all gathered in the main hall a Patronus arrived – a fox he recognised as Bill's – and told them that they succeeded and that they should settle in for the night. They all found their rooms and unpacked before heading to the kitchen and eating what had been left on the stove with a note saying well done.
Scorpius headed to bed tired while the others stayed because he had done the most strenuous and difficult spell casting and he also knew that even though this was the first day the most difficult work began as of tomorrow. He was tired but glad that he had been accepted into the job he wanted to do since he heard about Bill Weasley, six years ago. He went to sleep straight after writing to his parents, Rose and setting an alarm because he wanted to be ready when the true work began.
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