Before they left, Rose pulled out a notebook and quill and asked for a tour of the flat. Barrabatta happily translated as she and her mother went from room to room, pointing out all things that needed fixing or refurbishment. Scorpius remained at the table, sipping tea out of the Niffler sized mug. He pretended that the silence was restful. The urge to talk about anything—the weather, the upcoming Quidditch season, why Sendak chose to live in London instead of a troll mountain village—was hard to resist. But he did. A meaningful silence was always better than meaningless words. It took strength to sit in silence. Scorpius checked his watch. Only five minutes had passed. He glanced at Sendak.

The troll said, "Cannons. Why can't win?"

Sendak followed Quidditch! Scorpius smiled. "Some say they doomed themselves when the club changed its motto from 'We shall conquer' to 'Let's just all keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best'." The blank look in the troll's eyes told Scorpius that he was talking too fast for comprehension. He paused, and then said, "Skinflint owners. Poor management."

"Like here," Sendak said.

"Yes. But at least this building has the chance to change."

"Unless . . . you buy Cannons."

Scorpius laughed. "That would be a waste of Galleons. And I dislike those orange robes." A thought struck. "This building will need a change of name. What should we call it? Iron Mountain, Flats at Iron Mountain, any preference?"

Sendak didn't speak for a few minutes, and then he said, "Iron Mountain . . . Villas."

.

Hours later, when he and Rose were propped up on pillows in bed, making to-do lists, he told her the building's new name. "It could be worse," she said. "It could be The Chalets at Iron Mountain, with the lobby decorated like a ski lodge."

"The lobby does need redecoration," Scorpius said.

"Not a lodge theme. Trolls don't ski."

"Murals," Scorpius said. "Crispin can use Sendak's mountain photographs to create murals to hang in the lobby." A seating area would keep the children from using the lift doors as a back rest. He drew a rough sketch. The time he and his mother had made a secret trip to a Muggle playground, he'd been impressed with the recoil of the paver tiles. Those could serve as a rug to soften the concrete floor. The hairy tarantulas would race in comfort.

"Who's that?" Rose pointed to the drawing of small boy turning a somersault in the air.

"Me." He told her about the trip to the Muggle playground. "I didn't realise magic was making me bounce, not the rubbery pavers."

Rose giggled. "I bet you were so cute."

He said, "I admit, the drawing doesn't do me justice."

Rose's giggles cut off. "There's an actual photograph? I want to see it! Owl your mum and tell her to bring it with her on Saturday."

"No. I'm not listening to your family make 'son of a bouncing ferret' jokes. Not with my dad around." The harshness of his tone startled him. "I'm sorry," he said. "I heard the story from Grandfather. He told me not to make professors angry or I'd end up a second generation laughingstock."

Rose said, "My father laughed at yours. Yours laughed at mine. I think school rivalry kept their minds off Voldemort's return."

Scorpius considered her theory. "No. They hated each other."

"OK. They did. But they don't now. People change." Rose used her quill to draw a heart around the bouncing boy. "If your mum brings the picture, I promise not to let anyone else see it."

But she'd see it.

Rose asked, "Don't you trust me?"

"That isn't it." He had to tell her. Scorpius forced the words out. "I'm not sure I want you to see what I looked like when I was four."

"Why? You had to be the most adorable little boy ever." Rose playfully tugged a strand of his hair. "I can tell from the drawing that this was long. Is that it? You think I'll laugh if you had mini-Lucius hair?"

"You'll be laughing for another reason. I left the worst part out of the drawing." He lowered his quill to parchment and made the necessary adjustments.

Rose didn't laugh. She tossed his notes onto the floor so she could straddle him and press kisses all over his face. "If you don't owl your mum, I'm going to do it. Tell me you'll do it. Oh, gods, you had curls." She devoured his mouth.

"Tomorrow," he said when she let him come up for air. "First thing."

.

Scorpius awoke to the sound of Felix whimpering. He sat up. Felix stood in front of the Niffler door, staring through the glass. Scorpius got out of bed. Something on the terrace frightened his pet, and he had a sinking feeling that he knew what it was.

Owls from Rose's family, accepting their housewarming invitations.

Once he'd gathered all the letters and sent the owls away with treats, Scorpius gave a short "all clear" whistle. Felix scampered out to do his morning business in the furthest planting box. Scorpius delivered the pile of letters to Rose, who was sitting up in bed, stretching. She said, "The alarm just went off."

He sat on the bed and handed her half the pile.

Rose opened an envelope. "Roxanne's bringing stuffed mushrooms."

An odd thing to do. He read a note from Albus. "Merry hasn't decided what kind of trifle she's bringing, but put her down for trifle." Two acceptances, two stated intentions to bring food: the trend was disturbing.

Rose said, "Aunt Ginny, which really means Kreacher, is making a kale salad."

Scorpius opened another envelope. "George and Angelina will pick up an antipasti platter." He frowned. Were they trying to avoid eating food prepared by Malfoys?

"My aunt and uncle haven't attended a family dinner together in ages," Rose said, all smiles. "I hope this means the couple's therapy is working." She noticed his expression. "What's wrong?"

He said, "I remember the acronym BYOB from Muggle Studies, but nowhere on our invitation was a request for guests to bring their own food."

"It's a family thing. Everyone brings a dish so no one has to spend a whole day cooking." Rose's tone softened. "The times we went to the Burrow, did you think Granny Molly had conjured all the food herself?"

"Yes."

"You aren't . . .offended . . .are you?"

Scorpius shook his head.

Rose said, "I suppose Slytherins don't bring a dish to family dinners."

He smirked at the thought of how aghast his Greengrass relatives would be if his mother brought a cake to a Christmas party. "Not the ones I know. They value appearances too much." Grandmother Narcissa, who used to share family stories instead of reading Wizard Tales, told him that after her parents hosted a dinner party, she and her sisters would have to eat porridge for breakfast for a full month. And there would be no sugar for tea or butter on their cucumber sandwiches, much less sweets.

"I'll make a list of what they're bringing so you can send it to your mother," Rose said.

He read Fleur's note that she and Bill would bring bottles of sparkling wine from her family's vineyard in Montlouis. "Along with my request for the playground photo?"

"Unless you'd like me to send the owl." Rose started to open a letter and then stopped.

"Is that from Lupin? Are you worried that he's bringing a poison-detecting ring?"

Rose leaned toward Scorpius and traced his upper lip with a fingertip. "No, rock star, I was wondering if we should buy an owl together." She smiled a little. "It's the next step of a relationship after getting a pet."

He had to admit it was inconvenient, at times, sending owls from work or waiting until his parents sent Bubo with a letter to ask something in his reply. "Not a big one that would scare Felix."

"Of course. We want him to feel safe." Rose kissed him and asked, "When do you want to go shopping?"

He had meetings to reschedule, property and furnishings to buy, contractors to hire, and work to supervise. What was one more item on his agenda? "Are you free for lunch?"

.

They met at noon in front of Eeylops Owl Emporium. There were a few other customers in the small, dimly lit shop. Scorpius didn't feel quite as conspicuous as he would have if no one else strolled between the magnificent cages looking for just the right owl. He updated Rose on the progress he'd made: property bought with Grandfather's approval, elf-run Lift Repair Company on the job, painting crew at work, furnishings set to be delivered within the next two hours. "Barrabatta chose bubble-gum pink for her room colour."

"Can we trade jobs for the rest of the afternoon? I'm stuck in House-elf sensitivity training. Don't ever compliment an elf's ears, by the way. It's like complimenting a witch or wizard for being well-endowed." Rose halted in front of a tall gilded cage. "Snowy owls are beautiful."

Scorpius glanced down at the scar on the tip of his right index finger. He didn't want another Maleficus. "Too big."

"We could get a Scops like Pigwidgeon. Magic extends the owl lifespan up to three times the normal length. Pig is old now, but he still makes local deliveries."

Scops owls were small. Mainly insectivorous. No worries of Felix being carried off. "I'd like something different."

"A species of owl owned by no one else in our families?"

He raised a brow. "Sure you haven't been taking partner sensitivity training?"

Rose gave him a cheeky grin. "I'm self-taught."

"And brilliant." He looked around the shop. "What are you sensing right now?"

She took his hand. "That you have a specific owl in mind." Her fingers squeezed his gently. "I want to buy an owl with you. I don't have any preferences about species, although I admit I like small and cuddly ones best. Large ones intimidate me."

"Me too." They shared a smile.

A wizard with a feathery moustache resembling a Whiskered Screech Owl's approached them and asked if he might be of service. Scorpius asked if the Emporium had any burrowing owls.

"One," said the wizard. "After the article about that Creevey fellow came out in the Prophet last year, we had several enquiries. I'd hoped it might start a new trend." He led them to a back room. "But as you can see, the habitat takes up much more space than a cage, and the permanent spell work required unfortunately adds significantly to the cost."

The habitat resembled a square planting box over a metre tall, filled with grass. The high canopy attached to the box was enchanted to resemble what Scorpius presumed was a South American sky. The air within the confines of the box shimmered faintly. "Temperature Regulation Charm?" Scorpius asked.

"To approximate the climate of the lowlands of Brazil," the wizard said. "Along with top notch Fide spells to ensure the owl bonds to his owners and never leaves his habitat unless directed."

The owl popped out of his underground burrow.

"He's got white eyebrows," Rose said. "I love him."

"The supercilium plumage feature does look like eyebrows," the wizard said. "And you're correct about the sex of the owl. Males are a lighter sandy colour in their upperparts and spend more time above ground during the day."

Scorpius watched the owl hop onto a rock. He couldn't be more than twenty centimetres in height. Not a practical size for carrying post. Dennis Creevey hadn't cared about that. Neither did Scorpius. He, too, wanted an owl that was curious and always shifting poses, alert and exploring. An owl that reminded him of his hero: an owl that could be a companion and friend.

"There's room on the terrace," Rose said.

The wizard beamed. "An ideal location."

The tiny owl bent his neck at a comical angle and stared at them with inquisitive yellow eyes. Scorpius turned to Rose. "We need to choose a name."

"Antares is the most brilliant star in the Scorpius constellation."

A fact he would never repeat around Felix. Scorpius told the wizard, "I want Antares and his habitat delivered this evening."

The wizard appeared ready to cry in happiness. "I'll ring up the sale."

.

Scorpius and Rose dropped by Iron Mountain Villas after work to see the redecorated lobby and take the lift to Sendak's flat. Scorpius knocked on the door four times. Barrabatta grinned as she let them in. "Mum couldn't hear you. She didn't hear Crispy either. She says wizards have baby hands. Come in! See my room. Everything else is soft earth tones. Looks good in Crispy's pictures, but my room has the most colour!"

Yes, it did. Scorpius had not known that so many shades of pink existed. Even the faux crystals of the chandelier resembled pink amethyst. He complimented her on the choice of wallpaper. The black and white pattern with roses looked striking on the wall behind the bed.

"Pink roses for my friend Rose," Barrabatta said. She picked up a paperweight off her desk. "And a scorpion for my friend Scorpius." A golden scorpion hung suspended inside the Lucite block. "It glows in the dark."

The way she held the paperweight, grinning, with the rose wallpaper in the background would make a striking photographic image. Scorpius asked, "When did Crispin leave?"

"Hour. Maybe more. Crispy had to send pictures to the Daily Prophet."

"Why do you call him Crispy?" Rose asked.

Barrabatta shrugged. "He smelled like cheese and onion crisps."

Scorpius told Rose, "We need to approve the photographs Crispin sends to the Prophet. Can you send your Patronus?"

She nodded. "But he's a professional. We should trust his judgment."

"It isn't his artistic judgment I'm concerned about," Scorpius said. "Do you need a few minutes alone?"

"Unless you know an Instant Happiness Charm."

Barrabatta followed him out of the room. She asked, "Why not send your Patronus?"

"It's a secret."

They returned to the lounge and sat in chairs across from each other. Barrabatta asked, "What's a Patronus?"

Scorpius had just finished explaining when Rose walked into the lounge. "Crispin delivered the article and the best photographs to the editor a half hour ago. He said Malfoy Enterprises will look great, no worries."

Barrabatta grinned. "And I will look great too!"

There was nothing for Scorpius to say except, "Great."

.

His parents, Stevens, and Mrs. Stevens were supervising the instalment of the owl habitat on the terrace when he and Rose arrived home.

"You didn't tell me they were coming over," Rose said. She hastily tucked in the hem of her blouse and slipped on her shoes.

"It slipped my mind." Like a lot of other things. How could he have overlooked requiring final approval of photographs? He said, "Why don't you take a bath and relax? I'll go watch Antares settle in."

"He's my owl too. I want him to bond to both of us."

The sharpness of her tone matched the way Scorpius felt inside. He said, "I could use a moment of bonding with you."

Rose wrapped her arms around him. "Non-Slytherins call this a hug. Experts say we have to do it for thirty seconds to de-stress."

He held her close and then closer. The seconds passed too quickly. He said, "If we shower together, we can conserve water."

"Conservation is important." Rose stood on her tiptoes to peer over his shoulder. "No one's noticed us. Let's go!"

.

When they stepped out of the bedroom doors to the terrace, Scorpius's stress levels had lowered to the point of drowsiness. He smiled to see that his parents had turned the lounger so they could lay on it and watch the burrowing owl in his habitat instead of the city lights.

Rose said, "Good evening. Thank you for taking care of Antares for us."

His parents rose to greet them. "It took all the willpower I had not to stroke his feathers," his mother said. "And I am not an owl person."

"Antares, is it? He's an amusing little fellow." His father chuckled. "I can't wait to tell your grandfather his name."

"Are Mr. and Mrs. Stevens with you?" Rose asked.

Scorpius admired how neatly she'd avoided saying that she'd seen them earlier. He said, "If they're doing the marketing, I hope you told them to bring back takeaway for dinner."

"We did," his father said.

His mother said, "The sooner you two pet this darling owl, the sooner I get a turn."

Scorpius took Rose's hand. Together, they went to meet their owl.

.

An odd sound woke Scorpius early the next morning. It was like the flapping of wings, if birds were made of paper. He opened his eyes to see a magical red envelope hovering above the bed. It must have entered through the Niffler door. "Rose, love, you need to wake up," he said. It was her name on the envelope. Only she could open it.

"Did the alarm go off?" she asked sleepily.

"No," he said. "Lily sent a Howler."

"What?" She rolled onto her back. The red envelope dove toward her face. Rose grabbed it. "Ow, it's hot!" She ripped open the envelope. Lily's voice came screeching out.

"I COULD HEX YOU RIGHT NOW, COUSIN! IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT I'M IMPRISONED IN A BORING CASTLE DOING BORING SCHOOLWORK FOR BORING PROFESSORS. NOW I'M STUCK HERE WHILE YOU THROW A FAMILY PARTY AT YOUR POSH NEW FLAT! AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME ABOUT IT! I HAD TO HEAR ABOUT IT FROM DOMINIQUE! SHE WAS POSITIVELY GLOATING!

A pause, and then:

"You deserve this, Rosie."

"Felix, come!" Scorpius said the instant he heard Lily's voice lower to a volume of steely retribution. Before she'd finished saying "deserve," Felix had jumped onto the bed. Scorpius threw covers over his pet and said, "Stay!"

The Howler exploded into a cloud of sandy powder flecked with specks of red. Wherever the powder landed itched like fire.

"Don't rub it!" Rose said. "You'll make the itching last longer! Uncle George uses rose-hip hairs in his itching powder." She cast a Vanishing Spell to clear away the powder, but his urge to scratch remained.

He jumped out of bed. "Cold shower. It will close our pores."

They stood beneath the rain shower set on Polar Plunge, teeth chattering.

Scorpius said, "I n-never thought I'd want your nails raking my skin in a n-non-sexual way."

Rose said, "I want to r-rub against you so badly." She stamped her foot. "Li-lily is off my favourite cousins list!"

The itching was starting to subside. He said, "You're her favourite cousin. That's why she did this."

"I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I'll owl and tell her I'm sorry." Rose scratched her arm.

He asked, "Did that make the itching worse?"

"No," Rose said happily.

Scorpius adjusted the water temperature to Caribbean. "You scratch and I'll rub."

.

When they returned to the bedroom, Rose said, "Felix! He's probably gasping for air." She pulled off the covers and patted the Niffler's sleek fur. "Poor sweetie."

After rolling onto his back for a tummy rub, Felix hopped off the bed and scampered out the Niffler door. He immediately raced back inside.

Not good. Scorpius opened the door to the terrace. To his surprise, only one owl perched on the dining table. Maleficus stared toward the owl habitat. Antares was peeking out of his burrow, with only his eyebrows and eyes visible through the grass. Maleficus accepted a treat and made a show of launching into flight. Scorpius gave Antares a couple of rehydrated caterpillars and opened the packet from his grandfather. There was a note and a folded section of the Daily Prophet. He read the note as he went back inside.

My dear boy, this is not how I expected you to grace the front page. I am exceedingly amused.

"Oh, shit," Rose said when she read the note. "I'm afraid to look."

So was he. "Together, then?"

The headline wasn't too bad.

Malfoy Enterprises Coming Up Roses

The lead photograph of Barrabatta in her remodelled room was every bit as stunning as Scorpius had feared. A "before" picture made his jaw drop. He and Rose sat on the sofa, listening to Barrabatta. "Who took that?"

"Eke, I'm sure. She's the one who took all the mountain photos."

Scorpius skimmed the article. "Good deeds are good business. Glad that's emphasised. Your social care advocacy is mentioned. You're referred to as my consultant."

"Not partner?"

"It's heavily implied." He tapped the headline.

Rose groaned. "My dad will go spare."

"Let's ward the Niffler door against Howlers."

The wards weren't necessary. No more owls came. Scorpius and Rose kept checking, just in case.

His parents and Mrs. Stevens arrived mid-afternoon. Grandfather Lucius required Stevens to serve at the Manor until he and Grandmother Narcissa left to attend a dinner party that evening. Mrs. Stevens headed for the kitchen. Scorpius's mother kissed their cheeks. "Saw the news article. So proud. How is my grand-owl settling in?"

"Fine," Scorpius said.

"We stopped by the Emporium." His mother took a realistic-looking grasshopper out of her purse. "When you poke it, it hops." She and Rose went to the terrace to watch Antares hunt his new toy.

"It's indestructible," his father told him. "He won't tear a piece off and choke."

"I wasn't worried," Scorpius lied.

"Of course not." His father took a rectangular block of wood out of his pocket. "I brought you a housewarming gift." He waved his wand. The block of wood transformed into a white dining table: The table from their private quarters at the Manor. "We never used the Expansion Charm. It should come in handy today. There are so very, very, many Weasleys."

Not to mention the Potters and Scamanders. "We'll sit at the end near the barbeque," Scorpius said.

His father looked relieved, and then his expression clouded. "Any, er, family reaction to the Prophet article?"

Scorpius shook his head.

"Keep your wand close." His father chuckled a little, as if he hadn't meant to say the words aloud. He patted Scorpius on the arm. "I'll keep mine close too."

"Thanks."

Mrs. Stevens announced that it was time for lunch.

.

Guests were invited for drinks at seven with dinner at eight. The doorbell rang at 6:30. Scorpius's parents and Rose were on the terrace. Scorpius answered the door expecting to see Rose's father.

The visitor was Harry Potter.

"Ginny thinks I'm at the corner market getting pumpkin seeds to garnish the salad," Potter said. "I stopped by to have a quick word. Out here, preferably."

Scorpius stepped into the outer foyer and shut the door.

Potter said, "Either you're brilliant, or you're mad."

.

.

A/N: Oops, I did it again (argh, Britney Spears earworm attack!). After the conversation with Harry, the party begins. Really, really. That's good news, right? *smiles nervously* The title of this chapter, like the title of the article in the Prophet has a double meaning. Hope no one is going spare.

Special thanks to drcjsnider for suggesting I use The Apology as the title for ch 24. Another round of thanks go to everyone who read and reviewed my Father's Day one shot Professor Doom and Son inspired by the book Darth Vader and Son. As always, I heart the readers who reviewed the last chapter. alix33, Arcoiris, ctc, drcjsnider, fynnsmom, glassycry, Needle In A Haystack, nobodsyperfect2133, Nocturna Mae, Raylis, Rose of the West, scribbleeexx,trinityblue76 and VandyFNP!