Triggers ahead. Be warned.

Chapter 8.

~ Under the Christmas tree ~

Christmas half a year later.

Rose and Ciaran flooed into the Manor. Draco's expanding family asked for these measures, the massive house still had intricate wards on it, but allowing them to come through, reserved only to the children.

Rose dusted her robes as well as Ciaran's, he hauled their luggage through. Rose looked around she didn't come here often, she'd come when it was her weekend, she bargained with her mother to let her and or Ciaran come by when Scorpius wasn't here. His obvious resentment of Ciaran forced her to, Christmas obviously had them stay over together. The huge Christmas tree in the large sitting room was decorated with the obvious red and green, it made Rose chuckle, their house colours finally united in a tree.

Ciaran got hold of her hand and wanted to tug her away from the room and up to their shared bed room, when Rose stood still unmovable. Her eyes fixed to something lying next to the coffee table facing away from the fireplace. Ciaran followed her line of vision, someone was sleeping on the floor next to the couch, od place, Ciarain quirked his brow, it was Scorpius lying there, sleeping, two babies asleep on his chest. Mercury and Lyra, Draco and Hermione's little ones. 'Wanker!' Ciaran thought as they looked very much at ease.

"Ow, isn't that cute_" Rose whispered, the babies chewed their lips and wrinkled their small button noses, their hands under their heads. Rose felt endeared watching her siblings asleep atop of their oldest half brother. Hermione told her the babies were so at ease with Scorpius, Rose didn't visit nearly enough, the babies liked her but this was something else. Rose was so busy studying and Ciaran also demanded a lot of her time for her to swing by every weekend as Scorpius clearly did. She followed Ciaran out of the sitting area into the corridor.

"Hey Rose." Draco spotted his step daughter and her boyfriend as he walked in the corridor. "You're both her, how very good. Hermione went to kings Cross to pick up Hugo. They should be here any minute." He smiled as he came up to Rose kissing her on her cheeks, embracing her with love, shaking Ciaran's hand to welcome him.

He tousled his hair, he looked good becoming a dad again, clearly rubbed off on him Rose observed. He glanced past her towards the sitting room"So Scorpius is still asleep then?" He beamed as he mentioned his oldest son.

"Yes, he and the twins were still fast asleep when we flooed in." Rose again whispered.

"I'll go in and wake them." Draco answered her. "You two can go up and wash up and see if everything is in order, we'll have lunch in an hour or so." He gestured towards the staircase as Ciaran looked sternly past him.

"Come baby." Rose said lovingly to Ciaran as she tugged him forwards to the main hall, she wanted to unpack and head down, she wanted to hold the babies.

Ciaran walked behind Rose as she climbed the stairs, her very lovely cheeks moving inside her tight dress, the one he picked, as he did with most of her attire, he knew how he wanted her to look. His hand went up, squeezing her soft flesh.

Rose tried not too show how much he made her feel uncomfortable, not here in this house, anyone could see. He was very touchy feely with her, he needed everybody to see she was his. She relayed it to him once, but he got angry with her asking her why he shouldn't show his affection for her. Rose tried to persuade him, but he was off with her for two days, didn't speak to her, snubbing her. He did that often, ignoring her and when he came back he got a little firm with her, saying he was sorry for not speaking to her. The silence she could handle, him being firm with her was another thing. Rose unlocked their door with an "Alohamora" the door opened showing them into their large double room. Her old stuff was in there, her books, posters and stuffed animals, she didn't keep many, but her Dad gave them to her so they were special to her.

Ciaran closed the door behind them, he snuck up to Rose, pressing his body into her back. His hands were all over her, sucking her soft flesh under her earlobe. He wanted her to wear a bun at all times, he believed in what he called easy access.

"Ciaran, not now, I want to freshen up and head downstairs." Rose tried to move away, but was held firm in place by a demanding boyfriend. A sharp pain shot through her ear as Ciaran bit her lobe.

"Now, now, my little kitten." He whispered in her ear, suckling it gently, trying to dull the pain. "We can have a little fun before we join your mother and her snug little family." He pulled her skirt up, pushing her onto the bed, a wicked grin on his face as he let Rose feel what he had in mind.

Rose closed her eyes and let Ciaran have his way with her.

An hour later Rose and Ciran came down to the kitchen to have lunch, the Malfoy's and Hugo sat there waiting for them, Rose wanted the earth to open up and swallow her, her mother smiled brightly, Hugo said hi, Scorpius only glared at her. She caught sight of her half brother and sister as Draco held them both in his arms. She held her arms out to pick Lyra up, the infant started to cry snuggling her nose in her fathers armpit.

"Don't worry Rose, she needs to be in her cot, she's sleepy and feeling cranky." Draco explained the little girls temper. Trying to comfort Rose as he saw her face flinch.

"Hello Hermione and Draco, thanks for having me." Ciaran said as he sat next to Scorpius, the other seat available was next to Hugo, he'd be damned if he let Rose sit next to Scorpius. "Scorpius, Hugo_" He acknowledged.

"Cullen" Scorpius stated, he never called the man by his name and wouldn't start now, he didn't like his presence. "All right Rose?" He asked as his step sister and former lover had an shifty air about her and her cheeks were stained a flushing pink, she behaved as she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar, Scorpius was well aware what made them took so long to come down here, they all guessed as much. The smug bastard next to him emanated a certain haughtiness like he owned the place.

"Rose, will you come and help me get the babies settled in their cots?" Hermione stood up from the table, Draco handed her Lyra who almost fell asleep in his arms. Draco handed Mercury over to Rose, his bright silver eyes, a Malfoy trait, looked up to hers. It made her falter as those eyes were so similar to Scorpius, he must've looked like this when he was a baby, minus the curls those were Hermione's like hers. "Hey little man." Rose voice sounded coarse filled with emotion as the boy yawned, scrunching his button nose in the process.

"Draco ask Ciaran what he likes to drink." Hermione bossed her husband around. Draco stood up and walked to their large fridge.

Hermione walked Rose and the babies up stairs to their nursery. It was the second door in the right corridor, Rose stepped inside, it was as she remembered, she and Hermione decorated it together, Rose painted the walls a dark blue, scattering stars against it, charming them to simulate a starry night, Mercury was added later as was Lyra's sign. It truly was a magical room. Hermione and Rose started to change the nappies and clothe the babies so they could be tucked into bed. Hermione sang them a nursery rhyme, the same one she used to sing to Rose and Hugo when they were infants, she in turn had it sung to her by her mum, a Muggle song.

Rose closed her eyes as she listened, she felt emotional, her mum was so happy and the babies were so delicate.

"Are you okay Rose?" Hermione asked her eldest tentatively. Her daughters emotions were new to her, Rose always acted tomboyish, hard to perceive. Sure she knew the girl studied hard, getting good grades played Quidditch with a vengeance . But ever since she started dating Ciaran she acted more feminine a bit more demure. Hermione wasn't sure if she liked the effect Ciaran had on her fierce daughter, he seemed to much in control of her eldest. Somehow Rose let him, that struck a chord with Hermione, maybe Rose liked a strong controlling man, whoever knew what went on in heads off others. Rose for instance always gave off different vibes.

"Mum?" Rose said as they put the babies into their cots. She hesitated, before following her mother out.

"Yes, Rose?" Her mother stood by the door, waiting for her daughter, who stood next to her baby brother and sister's beds, holding on to the side. She trembled a bit, she looked very anxious.

Hermione held her arms wide so her daughter could hug her, which she did, running almost towards her mother. "What is it pumpkin, are you having trouble with Ciaran?" Hermione held on to her daughter, she always loved to nuzzle the girls curls, her keeping it up in a bun lately made it difficult for her to do so.

"It's nothing really_" Rose held on to her mother she missed her mothers warmth. "Ciaran can be a bit too intense sometimes, he says he loves me and he intends on marrying me when I've finished Healer training. Sometimes it feels a bit much mum_" Rose nestled deeper in her mothers curls. She felt young she had so much to look forward in life, she wanted to do so much.

"Well contemplate if this is what you want and if you love him enough to grow old together, you're still so you g." Hermione sighed, holding her daughter close, one more minute, before her grown up daughter changed her mind holding her.

Rose and Hermione returned to the kitchen to have lunch, the men sat well behaved together, Draco poured coffee. To say the air felt frosty was an understatement, Scorpius looked like he could explode any minute, Hugo was quiet sitting next to his brother in law to be, he didn't know what to say.

As both women sat, lunch started and stories were swapped, Hogwarts, work at the Ministry and Healer university, the air cleared significantly.

When the babies were done napping Rose and Hermione retrieved the from their room, Rose took them to the sitting room and lay next to them on the floor, playing with them, both Mercury and Lyra giggled as she tickled them, Rose was in love with them, they were the cutest things she ever laid eyes on. Ciaran sat bored out of his skull on a couch watching his girlfriend dote on her half siblings. She was good with the younger Malfoys, he mused, she would be good with their babies one day, it somehow eased his mind a bit, allowing her to not pay proper attention to him.

After diner, which wasn't formal, Rose an Ciaran called it an early night. Ciaran told her he was tired and wanted to retreat to their room, Rose obliged reluctantly she wanted to stay with her family, spend some time with her mother and chat. She felt thoroughly awkward as Ciaran feigned being tired, Hugo shot her a wary look, even he knew what Ciaran wanted from her. She felt like walking the walk of shame as Ciaran took her hand and lead her out of the sitting room.

"Good night Rose." Her mother said as she retired.

"Di you have to do that Ciaran?" Rose sighed as they entered the bed room.

"What's that baby?" Ciaran said cooly, sitting down on the bed, beckoning Rose too come closer, Rose waited by the door.

"Well, it was obvious you weren't tired and saying you are, well..." Rose face blushed a crimson.

"Can't a bloke enjoy a bit of private time with his girl_" he wriggled his eyebrows seductively, failing as far as Rose was concerned.

Rose slowly walked over to him, he expressed how he liked her to walk for him, sauntering as it was what he preferred. He held his hand out for her to take hold of.

"You know, you shouldn't have left me alone at lunch, that was a bad thing, I think punishment is due, baby." Ciaran growled, tugging Rose into him, letting her unbutton his shirt.

Rose was in for a hellish night, Ciaran was into reprimanding, he got off on it.

The next morning Rose woke early, she was in morning shift mode, getting up early to head to her shift at St. Mungo's, realising she was at the Manor, she looked next to her, Ciaran was peacefully sleeping next to her his arms possessively over her naked breast. She lifted his arm and got out of bed. Luckily he was used to her getting up early so he didn't stir. Rose felt shivers run down her naked form in search of her morning robes. She found them in the bathroom, she grabbed a fresh pair of knickers from her drawer and slipped a silk shift over her head, closing the robes around her waist with a ribbon. She ruffled her hair went to the toilet and sat there contemplating what to do, she knew, she'd stick the presents under the christmas tree. She was well pleased with herself, she'd come back afterwards and wake Ciaran and she'd make sure he came down in a good mood. She wiped her behind, cringing when she found her skin burning when she touched it. Waving her wand applying anti stinging cream.

The bushy red head tip toed out of her room, her presents shrunk inside her gown, she giggled thinking about Hugo finding a stash of a limited edition set of Skiving Snackboxes, they appeared to be chocolate cauldrons but a hidden compartment held the skiving snacks. Uncle George had them assembled for the Weasley and Potter brood.

As she set foot in the sitting room she watched the enormous tree dressed in green and red, Draco and mum really went overboard decorating it she observed. They managed to get ski huts and shops in there which seemed to be bustling with life, some ornaments were charmed to move, depicting little elves on skies swooshing down branches. Rose placed the presents under the tree, she didn't notice she had company until she turned around, finding Scorpius sitting on a sofa holding little Mercury against his chest, his bare chest. His pyjama's hanging on his hipbones, showing a distinct v-line dipping down, towards an all too intimate familiar areas. Merlin he looked more sculpted than before training with the auror department started, Rose had trouble not too lick her lips. The blond looked criminal beautiful with his tousled hair. His piercing grey eyes darkened as they raked her body. Rose noticed her robes had fallen loose, her assets on full display.

"Maybe, you should cover yourself." Scorpius observed. "We don't want young Mercury getting the wrong impression." He smirked, throwing it right in her face.

Rose felt embarrassed, once she wouldn't have mind showing him what she'd got. "Uhm, sorry..." Rose sighed, closing her robes, standing up trying to leave the room.

Scorpius hand shot out grabbing her wrist. "Stay_" He looked up to her, a sleeping Mercury lying in his arms, snoring a bit, he looked peaceful in his slumber. "I will stop being nasty, but please stay a bit, Mercury would love to spend time with his big sister." Scorpius words stung her like a bees sting.

"Okay, I will because Mercury wants me to." Rose sat next to Scorpius on the couch, tucking her legs under her knees, wrapping her robes tightly around her form, trying to cover up as best as she could.

"Yes because, Mercury wants you to." Scorpius agreed.

Rose watched her baby brothers angelic sleeping features, his little nose and fingers, hi hand resting on Scorpius naked pectoral. Rose didn't think about her move until she slipped her finger inside Mercury's fist, the little boy gripping her finger tightly. Rose looked up to Scorpius afraid she made a wrong move resting her hand against his pec. "Uhm sorry Scorp." Rose tried to excuse her hand and being very close, smelling his minty breath, he brushed his teeth, she hadn't.

'Its okay', he mouthed. His eyes softening considerably, feeling her hand on his flesh, wishing it would be there every moment they were together.

The pair sat there comfortably in what seemed an eternity. "So hows treating you Rose?" Scorpius spoke softly even when he knew Mercury wouldn't wake up once deep in sleep, he didn't want to disturb their bubble.

"University and 's are so interesting and I'm learning so many new things!" Rose enthusiastic answered. "And auror training, how's that going for you?" Rose cleverly avoided her relationship with Ciaran.

"That's not what I meant Rose, I gather you know that_" scorpius murmured, shifting , placing his leg under him so he could face Rose.. "Hmmm." He hummed against Mercury's curls.

"Scorpius its none of your business..." Rose gnawed her lower lip, Scorpius peering into her eyes, studying her, it made her stomach flip and nauseated her. He went straight to her pain, he had a knack for it.

Scorpius leaned closer to Rose, tucking a curl behind her ear, his thumb brushed her lower lip. He studied her eyes. "Do you love him Rose?" Scorpius' voice became husky. His irises grew wider, his greys turned stormy, he caressed her lip. "Please, Rose I need to know you love him, he doesn't treat you as you should be treated, but if you love him and its how your relationship functions, then...well I'll be at peace_" His voice croaked, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Scorpius I_" she started her sentence she nearly told him she still had feelings for him, she couldn't finish it.

"Well this looks cosy!" A voice snarled behind them. "Get your filthy hand off from my girl, Malfoy!" Ciaran's voice almost sounded unhinged.

"Ciaran, it isn't how it looks!" Rose eyes grew wide with , what was it fear? Scorpius looked at her as her demeanour changed rapidly.

"Tell me what it should look like?" Ciaran came closer.

As Rose whipped her head, her robes came loose again, showing more than she wanted. Feeding on Ciarans insecurity, he didn't want any male getting a look on what he considered his. Ciaran hit Scorpius hand away as it was still near Rose mouth.

Scorpius stood up, Mercury woke up, his groggy eyes opening, he started too sniffle. "Hey, buddy did we wake you?" Scorpius murmured. "Let's take you up to mummy eh..." He stood up, leaving the hapless couple in his wake.

Ciaran blocked his path, "Don't for one moment think you can get away, touching what is mine..." He snarled wickedly at the blond.

Scorpius gently elbowed him, trying to get past with his little half brother, "If you have to worry about that, then you shouldn't be around her, mate!" Scorpius sternly looked at the brunette. Scorpius side stepped him leaving the room, a gurgling infant lolling its head against his shoulder, he didn't want to expose the small boy to the negative atmosphere.

"So, you walk around the house, dressed like this?!" Ciaran grabbed Rose by her elbow, almost throwing her out of the room, he hauled her up the stairs, her robes came loose the strap of her slip over moving over her shoulder as he tugged at her arm, exposing her breast.

Rose tried to cover herself as they walked up the stairs, she felt humiliated as they walked past Scorpius, who looked sternly ahead as he held the baby.

Ciaran threw Rose on the bed, "You're making up for letting me wake up alone this morning and snuggling up to your step brother, dressed like this." He thundered.

Rose eyes grew wide as Ciaran eyes flashed with anger.

Scorpius walked into the nursery finding Hermione fussing with Lyra.

"Ah there is my little boy." She beamed. "You don't need to walk around the house with him." She said as she took Mercury in her arms, settling in a comfortable chair, taking her breast out to feed him.

"Yeah, well he makes me feel calm." Scorpius said, he wasn't at all fazed by Hermione breastfeeding, it was a natural thing.

"Did, I hear Rose come up the stairs?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, she went up with Ciaran after dropping her presents under the tree." Scorpius shifted uncomfortably, leaning on the cot where Lyra was playing with her foot. Trying to hide the whites on his knuckles, he turned around, muttering something around the lines of "Hitting the shower..." He walked out, his shoulders a bit lower then he normally would.

Seeing Rose opening parcels a few hours later, her eyes shifty, avoiding his made his heart bleed, he had to forget about or or he'd break down, vowing he'd had to let her go.

I apologise for any faults, I have no beta and rereading wasn't in my system.

So I love Scorpius in this one, he's so sweet, next chapter is dedicated to him and how he's dealing with it, it will get more angsty and we'll have some adventure coming soon. Maybe two chapters ahead. I'm aware this wasn't the easiest read as Rose is facing an unhinged Ciaran.

Let me know what you think.