At some point in the night, Hermione succeeded in calming Rose down enough so that she could explain what had happened. Rose told her all about her conversation with Newt Scamander and the revelation about Leta Lestrange's journals at Malfoy Manor. The younger witch confessed her feelings towards the blond man and her actions earlier in the evening. It was humiliating to tell her mother about the way she pounced on her best friend. She miserably recalled the way he had rejected her advances and claimed that he was the one with the issue.
"Are you sure that's what he said, sweetie?" Hermione asked.
"I'm positive, Mum. It'll be burned into my memory forever. He said that he would regret being with me," Rose hiccoughed and ate a small piece of chocolate that her mother had brought out.
"I just don't understand it, Rose," Hermione said, "It was obvious that what he feels for you is beyond friendship. Even your father has noticed it as much as he'd like to deny that fact. There must be something holding Scorpius back".
"You're wrong," Rose sighed in defeat. "He doesn't see me that way. I can't force him to want me, that's clear. I have a choice now; either I forgive him for lying to me and return to being friends or I can cast him out of my life entirely. Part of me knows that he was lying to preserve my feelings, but it hurts." Rose wiped at her raw eyes and snuffled.
"It's your decision," Hermione noted, "But Rose I think you should talk to him. Perhaps you should have told him how you felt before you raised the physical stakes. You're both rational people without hormones and lust clouding your judgment. I think you owe it to yourselves to talk it over."
"He went back to Boston, Mum," Rose admitted. "This isn't the type of conversation we can have long distance." She knew it was merely a convenient excuse. She couldn't bear to have him turn her down again.
Hermione smiled, "Well isn't it lucky you know someone who can get you a portkey across the pond in an instant?"
"If decide to talk to him, and that's a big if, I'll come to you," Rose promised.
"Are you still planning on going to Malfoy Manor today? I can come with you if you want," Hermione assured.
Even though years had passed, Rose knew that Hermione Granger-Weasley never wanted to set foot on the grounds of Malfoy Manor again. It was rare, but she still had nightmares about the torture that she was subjected to in the drawing room of the stately manor during the war. "It's fine, Mum. I can go by myself. Scorpius won't be there. I can get in, look at the journals, and leave. Focusing on my work is just what I need to do now. That's what is important in life."
Hermione sighed. Her daughter could be obsessive when she was trying to avoid something unpleasant, but there was no sense arguing with her. "Just take it easy, Rose. Don't shut yourself away".
Rose promised to contact her parents after she returned from Malfoy Manor that afternoon. Hermione left Rose to catch a few hours of sleep before meeting with Draco.
Hours later, Rose was dressed and had done a passing job of covering the red circles that formed under her eyes from sobbing. She wanted to blast the love bite Scorpius had left on her neck from her skin, but had to settle for a strong concealment charm. Just looking at the mark sent Rose into a maelstrom of memory and made her heart ache.
Draco greeted the young red head when she stepped from the hearth. "Miss Weasley, I have the journals set up in the library for you. I've asked Ritzy the pop in with some tea. If you need anything, just call out to her and she'll be happy to assist".
As they walked silently towards the library, Draco observed Rose. Scorpius had torn into the Manor at close to midnight in a frenzy. He summoned his belongings and stuffed them haphazardly into a trunk. When Draco confronted him, Scorpius had broken down in tears. Draco hadn't seen his son cry since he was 13 and they had buried Astoria. Draco had stolen one of the illegal international portkeys his mother kept on hand for shopping trips abroad and allowed his son to flee the country.
The young lady beside him looked like she had been in a similar distressed state. Although she had tried to cover it up, Draco recognized the tell-tale signs of misery. She tried to hold herself up high, but Draco could see the way her shoulders slumped forward. Her blood shot eyes were dull and lifeless.
"Rose," Draco said gently, "I don't wish to pry, but I know something occurred between you and my son last night".
'Oh wonderful, another person is privy to my humiliation,' Rose thought sardonically as her cheeks colored.
"Scorpius is like me in a lot of ways," Draco continued, "He has a very black and white sense of what is right and what is wrong. He tends to shut people out and bare difficult burdens on his own rather than asking for help."
Rose was well aware of his stubborn tendencies. If Scorpius did not wish to tell you something, he'd clam up and isolate himself. "Mr. Malfoy," Rose began, "Scorpius has made it very clear what he thinks is right and I don't want to dwell on it right now. It hurts too much. I'd rather just look at the journals and leave if it's alright with you."
Draco sighed and thought of what a mess this whole situation had turned into. He knew exactly who was to blame for this nonsense and crafted a cunning plan in his head. He left Rose in the library and briskly walked across the manor to set his scheme in motion.
Rose settled into an oversized armchair and reached for a journal on the low coffee table in front of her. She opened the book and inhaled the wonderful scent of old parchment and frowned. Mingling with the scent of the book was another, more intoxicating scent; Rose sighed and vacated her current seat when she realized this must be his chair. It wouldn't do to be distracted by thoughts of him when she needed to concentrate.
She sat on a chaise lounge across the room that was nowhere near as comfortable, but at least it did not smell of sandalwood. Opening the journal once more, she began to read.
Sometime later, Ritzy popped in with a tray of tea and small pastries. Rose had been too engrossed in the journals to notice her hunger building. Leta Lestrange had been a fascinating girl. She began these journals when she was 11 years old and first entering Hogwarts. For the most part, Leta was an average child, with similar hopes, dreams, and aspirations as her peers. However, Leta was born into pure-bred society where she had expectations thrust upon her at every turn. As the years progressed, Leta began to rebel.
She opted to take Care of Magical Creatures as a third year where she met Newt Scamander. The pair bonded over their mutual interests. That Christmas, Leta's parents informed her that she was betrothed to Abraxas Malfoy. The Malfoys were not pleased about their future daughter-in-law's association with a half-blood Hufflepuff. They demanded that Leta terminate the friendship, enroll in more appropriate classes, and begin courting Abraxas.
Leta tried to refuse the betrothal, but did not have the resources to stand against her family's wishes. However, Leta and Newt continued their friendship in secret for years. Albus Dumbledore assisted them as much as he could. During their seventh year, Leta concocted a plan that she would become an animagus and Newt could smuggle her out of the country when he began his travels after graduation. She'd be free of her family's expectations. She wouldn't have to marry a domineering, pure-blood supremacist as a pawn in a business arrangement. She could live her life the way she chose.
Rose finally arrived at the section of the journals about Leta's transformation when she was interrupted by voices in the hall. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but her curiosity got the better of her.
"You shouldn't have let him run off like that," a voice sneered.
"He is my son, father," responded a voice that Rose recognized as Draco. "He asked to go, and I refuse to force him to stay".
"You've raised him to be weak," Lucius scolded. "He has responsibilities as the future head of the Malfoy family. He should be married by now and producing an heir. I've selected Ms. Shafiq as his bride. Her father has agreed to draw up a betrothal contract". Rose suppressed a gasp. 'Of course perfect Marguerite would marry Scorpius,' Rose thought miserably.
"You do not get to choose for him, father," Draco hissed. "You tried and failed to match me with Pansy and now you're attempting to mate my son with her vapid offspring? It's not going to happen. You have no authority to draft magical contracts, or have you forgotten the terms of your plea deal at the end of the war? I will not agree to sell my son. He can marry whomever he chooses and have children if he desires. I won't have him coerced into continuing on the Malfoy line if he doesn't want to. He's so bloody terrified of the idea since you told him the truth about his mother's curse on his 17th birthday".
"If he is allowed to choose for himself, he's going to wind up sullying the Malfoy name. Have you no pride? Don't think I haven't seen the way he moons after that little mudblood Weasley chit." Lucius venomously ranted.
"DON'T USE THAT WORD!" Draco screamed. "You seem completely incapable of understanding that blood status means nothing anymore. Rose Weasley is a lovely girl and Scorpius could only be so lucky if he were able to capture her attentions".
"She is not worthy to carry on the line," Lucius would not let it go.
"That's not up to you to decide, father," Draco said knowing that he would never change his mind. "His happiness is all that matters to me".
Rose heard two pairs of feet stomp off in opposite directions and was left in silence with only her thoughts. 'Scorpius would be lucky if Rose wanted him?' That didn't make any sense. She had shown him how much she wanted him last night and he pushed her away. 'He's terrified of continuing the Malfoy line?' Draco had said. 'What does that mean?' Rose needed answers.
Rose looked at the stack of journals in front of her. The answer to years' worth of work may have been hiding in those pages. Her brain told her to stay and continue her research, but her heart had other plans. For once in her life, Rose chose to do the illogical, unreasonable thing.
"Ritzy?" she called. The house-elf popped into the library in an instant. "I need to leave now. Please tell Mr. Malfoy that I said thank you for allowing me to read these journals".
"Missy? Master Draco told me that you could borrow the journals for as long as you wish. He says that he hopes he's helped." Ritzy bobbed her head along as she said that as though parroting a speech word for word.
"Oh thank you, that's wonderful," Rose smiled broadly, "Please thank him. I'll return them as soon as I can." Rose flew out of the library and ran to the fireplace. With a shout of her parent's address, she was gone in a blaze of green fire.
Elsewhere in the manor, Ritzy popped into another room. "I's done as you asked Master Draco. Missy Rose is gone and she took the books with her."
Draco tented his arms of his desk and leaned forward to rest his chin upon his long fingers. "Where has she gone?" he asked already confident that he knew the answer.
"She flooed to Missy Minister Granger's house," Ritzy happily reported.
"Excellent," Draco smirked, "now we just have to hope those kids can finally figure it out."
At the same moment, Rose Weasley tumbled out of the fireplace into her parent's kitchen.
"I've been expecting you, Rose," her mother said as she reached down to help Rose up.
"Mum, I've got to get to Boston. As quickly as possible. There's no time to explain but I need to see Scorp now." Rose rushed.
"Yes, Draco told me hours ago to expect you". Rose cocked her head at her mother and gave her an incredulous look. Hermione laughed, "You didn't think it was coincidence that Draco picked a fight with his father in front of the library where you were sequestered, did you?"
Rose swore at the crafty, underhanded, sneaky, wonderfully meddling Slytherin. "Then you know why I have to get to him. I need answers!" Rose pleaded.
Hermione smiled at her daughter, "I've set up a portkey for you and packed a bag with some essentials. Please send me a message or two while you're there. And Rose," Hermione turned serious, "listen to what he has to say. Don't just jump to your own conclusions midway through. Be open with him. You need to trust him".
Rose sighed as the portkey in her hand lit up indicating she'd be whisked away in 10 seconds. "I will, Mum. I need to know. I just hope that he can trust me too."
Hermione laughed, "Draco thought that Scorpius might be reluctant to share. So he persuaded me to give you a little assist". She handed her daughter a small vial of clear liquid.
"Veritaserum? Mum, that's illegal!" Rose exclaimed.
"Sometimes it's very advantageous to know the Minister!" Hermione said with a wink as Rose was pulled away.
-AN Thank you for reading and reviewing. No one has guessed what is happening exactly right, but several of you are picking up on the right hints. Enjoy!