Chapter 22

8 weeks later, Monday

"Hey Zoe, I have to leave early today, could you cover for me?" Rose asked as she wrapped her waiter's apron around her waist and began to serve a customer. Zoe, who had just arrived, did the same thing. "One Big Breakfast with French Toast, please," Rose called out to the kitchen staff as she stuck up the order on the board and went to get the customer's coffee.

"I don't know Rose, how early is early?" asked Zoe, who was also making a coffee. The girls effortlessly worked around each other as they spoke, like they had been doing it for years, when in reality it had only been a month.

"Like half an hour or three quarters of an hour," Rose replied hopefully.

"Oh fine, but you owe me and you should be glad my mum isn't coming in today."

"Oh thank you so much," Rose said as she gave her a one-armed hug before she scurried back to the serving counter. They continued to work tirelessly until the morning rush was over, when the line died down and there were just the casual-one-off-walk-in customers.

"So, why do you have to leave early today?" Zoe asked as they wiped down tables.

"Oh, I just have to get a few things in order," Rose said from the opposite table. When Zoe gave her a confused look, she explained. "My parents are coming for dinner tonight," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Ohh," Zoe said in understanding, "so what have you got planned?"

"Planned? What do you mean planned? It's my mum and dad."

"Oh come on Rose, I know you. Everything will have to be perfect," Zoe said as she carried three dirty plates back towards the kitchen; Rose following her with a couple of dirty mugs.

"It doesn't; they're just my parents." Zoe threw Rose a disbelieving look over her shoulder before pushing through the swinging door of the wash house.

"Okay so maybe I do have something planned," Rose said giving in, "but is that really a crime?"

"No, of course not," Zoe said as she and Rose placed the dirty dishes on a clear bench, "I just asked what it was."

Rose then went on to explain everything she had to do to prepare and cook for dinner. She was in the middle of describing the taste of her dad's favourite sauce that she always made him, when someone interrupted her.

"Wow, that's sounds absolutely divine," a male voiced said. Rose and Zoe turned their heads to see Jerry, the dishwasher, and a young man who Rose had never met before. He looked about her age, not overly muscular but healthily toned. He had short black, curly hair, which looked like it was made to run your hands through. He wore a sweet smile that Rose was sure had made many girls weak-kneed. "Hi, I'm Nate," he said to Rose, sticking out his hand to her, "Nate Rider." Rose just stood there, studying him as he awkwardly held his hand in front of her. Zoe quickly saved the situation. She reached out and shook his hand instead.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," she said as she shook his hand. "I'm Zoe and this is Rose," Zoe gestured towards her while Rose continued to stare at Nate. Eventually, she was snapped into action as Zoe nudged her in the ribs.

"Ahh… yes, it's nice to meet you… Nate," Rose stumbled as she tried to remember his name, "I'm…umm… what she said." Zoe was desperately struggling to hold back her laughter, muffling her giggles behind her hand. The old man, dishwasher Jerry, looked confused as to why Rose, a usually well-spoken young woman, now could not even string a sentence together. However, Nate just smiled at her.

"Ahh Nate, I have to show you the kitchen before we can get to work," Jerry said.

"You work here," Rose blurted out, instantly embarrassed, with a blush rising in her cheeks.

"Yeah, he's on dish duty with me," Jerry replied for him.

"Well, it was very nice to meet you, Rose," Nate said, grasping her hand and lifting it to his lips.

"Likewise," she replied a little awkwardly, as the action reminded her of the only other time she received such courteous treatment. He didn't pick up on her tone and kept his gaze on her as he backed away.

"You too Zoe," he said as he followed Jerry through the kitchen door. Once he was gone, Zoe turned to Rose and nearly squealed.

"Oh, he is so into you! You should ask him out."

"Maybe," Rose replied in a daze, still curious as to why she was thinking of Scorpius. She had thought she'd put it all to rest. Over the last 6 weeks Rose had unofficially employed her mother and Alison as Malfoy avoidance informants. However, she never asked about him and what he was doing, just where he was going to be. They would let her know if Malfoy was expected to be attending a function or an occasion in which they could possibly cross paths. Her life was finally moving forward; she had started culinary school at Le Corban Bleu last week and had been working at Zoe's mum's café for about a month. On top of that, she was very excited to be taking an extra course in cake decorating. Everything was going fine; but she couldn't stop the little doubt that swept through her mind saying that maybe she had maybe a mistake.

"Hello, earth to Rose," Zoe said waving a hand in front of her face, snapping her back to the present.

"Huh?"

"I said, you should ask him out for a drink," she repeated with a mischievous look in her eye.

"I don't think so, Zoe," Rose dismissed walking back out, to clean some more tables. "I don't even know anything about him; I can't just ask him out."

"Sure you can," Zoe said, following Rose but not attempting to help clear the tables.

"No, I can't," Rose replied in a condescending manner. "It would just be too awkward."

"Oh, I got it!" Zoe exclaimed a little too loudly, drawing the attention of some of the customers. "I am such a genius," Zoe added excitedly. Rose gave the customers an apologetic look before making her way out the back with more dirty dishes. Zoe obliviously continued and followed Rose through the swinging door. "You could ask him to join you and a bunch of friends out for a drink; that way it wouldn't be a proper full-on date and you won't feel as awkward about it," Zoe explained as Rose stacked the dirty dishes on the bench.

"Really? And I suppose you know some friends that are willing to volunteer," Rose said amused at the suggestion, as she walked back out and leaned back up against the counter.

"Oh, come on," Zoe said, crossing her arms as she stood across from her. "We can invite Ali and Al, Teddy and Vic, and I'll bring Louis…It will be fun, we can use it as an excuse to catch up with the new Mr and Mrs Lupin."

"Zoe, I don't know," Rose whined, "I am really busy. I really don't think I have the time for a relationship."

"Look Rose," Zoe grew serious, "I really think this would be good for you; you need to get out and have a good time. Ever since…" She trailed off. Rose knew what she wanted to say, and it was partly true, she had been working so hard since she cried her eyes out over Scorpius the day she told him to walk out of her life, but she was fine now and there was nothing wrong with being busy and working hard. Just as she was about to voice this, Alison entered the café and walked up to them in a huff.

"Ali, what's up?" Rose asked, noticing her disgruntled manner but happy to have a change of subject.

"Oh, don't worry; it's not a big deal," Alison brushed it off with a wave of her hand. "So, what's new?"

"Rose is refusing to go out with a guy," Zoe said getting straight back to their earlier conversation. Rose let out a frustrated sigh.

"What. Why?" Alison asked, immediately turning to Rose.

"Because she's busy," Zoe answered rolling her eyes.

"I just met him today and only briefly, I don't have the time or the effort for a relationship at the moment and he hasn't even asked me out," Rose justified. "So, I don't see the problem here."

"Okay firstly, who said he had to ask you out?" Alison replied. "You're a modern woman, ask him out."

"And secondly, who said anything about a relationship?" Zoe chimed in. "You're not asking him to marry you, you're asking him out for a drink." Rose looked unsure. She didn't know what was holding her back, but something was.

Alison took her hand, breaking Rose out of her thoughts.

"I agree with Zoe. I really think it would be a good idea to go out and have some fun," Alison said in a soft voice. Rose's eyes flicked between her two friends. They were worried about her and she didn't want them worrying about her; her mother had that covered.

"I'll think about it," Rose gave in.

"Yes!" Zoe exclaimed excitedly. "Okay cool, I'll organize it for Friday."

"Ahh, I said I'd think about it, that's not a yes," Rose said.

"I know but that doesn't mean we can't catch up with Teddy and Victoire whether you come or not," Zoe replied sending a challenging smile towards Rose before turning to Alison. "Alison, can you and Albus make Friday?" Alison's smile dropped at the question. Rose could tell something was going on between her best friend and her cousin.

"Sure," replied Alison plastering on her best fake smile. Zoe wasn't fooled but knew that Rose was the only one Alison would open up to properly.

"Great," she said as she moved to serve a customer. Rose looked at the time; it was time for her to go. She had to stop by the markets to get a few things and thought that this would be a good time to chat with Alison.

"Hey Zoe, I'll see you tomorrow," Rose said, untying her apron and grabbing her bag from behind the counter.

"What about 'new guy'?" Zoe asked, ignoring her customer.

"Tomorrow," Rose called back over her shoulder as she grabbed Alison by the wrist and pulled her out the door.

"So, are you going to tell me how Albus is acting like an idiot this time?" Rose asked as they walked through the special Muggle 7 day farmer's market that they had eventually Apparated to. Alison sighed.

"I don't think I can tell you."

"Why?" Rose asked shocked. Alison always told her everything.

"Because, Merlin forbid, I might mention his best friend," Alison said frustrated. Rose immediately felt guilty. She had unintentionally put this 'Taboo' on anything to do with Scorpius and that was unfair to Alison, especially since he was still going to be in Alison's life because of Albus.

"Okay look," Rose stopped walking and turned to Alison. "I am sorry that I put you in this position and I know that it is pretty much impossible for Scor-… for Malfoy not to come up in the occasional conversation because, whether I like it or not, he's apart of your life and my family's. So please don't hold back on me because of my issues. I am still first and foremost your best friend." Alison gave her a smile which Rose gratefully returned.

"Thank you," Alison said as she pulled Rose into a hug.

"So what did he do?" Rose asked when they pulled back.

"He and Malfoy have been out every night for the last three weeks," Alison started. Rose noticed how she purposely used Scorpius' last name and still felt guilty at how her friends had to adjust around her. However, she was still thankful and let Alison continue. "Albus says he is just helping him out. You know, helping him move on, but I don't see why it has to be every night. We both work during the day and then he is out all night, every night with Scorpius." Alison continued with a torn look on her face before Rose could fully process the information. "I know I am not one of those girls that need to be with their boyfriend twenty-four-seven but I would at least like to see him for one night during the week."

Rose knew that she shouldn't really care if Scorpius was going out all the time but she just did. It meant that he was moving on and she was still stuck regretfully moping, working hard and trying to forget. "So, where are they going and what are they doing when you say 'going out'?" she asked trying to sound causal while examining a tomato.

"That's the thing, I know that he is going to night clubs and bars with Scorpius trying to pick up women; and I trust Al, I know I do, but…"

"You can't help but wonder if he's moving on."

"I guess I am just feeling a little insecure. I don't know, maybe I am overreacting but I just feel like he is pulling away from me."

"Listen, Albus has always been oblivious to people's feelings; does he even know that you feel this way?"

"Of course, I have tried talking him via Floo and Owl but he just keeps saying Scorpius needs him right now."

"Well, now I definitely have to ask out Nate and come on Friday," Rose said, "that way Al has no choice but to have a night out with you." Alison just smiled. She knew that even though Rose would deny it, she wasn't doing this for Alison or just because her friends were pushing it; she was doing it because she didn't want Scorpius to have the upper hand. 'Even when they aren't on speaking terms, they're still competing', Alison thought.

"He could still say no," Alison mumbled.

"Not if he wants to be able to walk again;" Alison laughed at Rose. "No seriously, as long as he knows Victoire and I will expect him there, then he will be."

The two friends continued to laugh as they walked through the markets.

Sorry it's been a while. I hope you haven't given up on this story. Anyway, that was chapter 22 and that we can see some upcoming conflict between the perfect couple, Albus and Alison. Plus, Rose is all work and no play. I hope you are all looking forward to this night out it should be entertaining.

Again I apologize for the slowly update, but it will be like this for a little while because of Uni. Plus, I am studying a Bachelor of Education and I have my first prac coming up. So busy, busy. Anyway, I will try to update as often as I can :)

Many thanks to my beta, peacock33 :)

Please review, follow or fav :)