Chapter 28

New Year's at the Potter's

Alison and Rose were in the kitchen; Rose was tending to the food preparations while Alison tried to help with what ever she could, but it was difficult to do anything with Rose wanting to do it all. Alison ended up helping ice some cupcakes and watching the oven making sure nothing burnt; after all Rose would accept nothing less then perfection. After everything was ready, they sat down for some tea and a well deserved break. With a flick of Rose's wand, the dishes were being washed without assistance. They sat down at the table, sipping their tea and talking.

"So, Scorpius is leaving," Alison started the topic, unsure if it was a good idea.

"Hmm," Rose nodded, looking down at the mug in her hand. She slowly and methodically traced her finger around the rim while she asked, "How did Albus take it?"

"Not too well," Alison sighed. "But I think he is putting on a brave face, just like someone else I know." Rose looked up at her best friend, her hand freezing on the mug.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, I know you're not okay with this either," Alison answered.

"I'm fine," Rose said defiantly.

"I don't believe you," Alison said casually as she took another sip of her tea. Rose sighed.

"I just feel bad for Al and my family, that's all," Rose insisted.

"So change his mind," Alison said as she leant forward. Rose just laughed.

"And how do you suppose I do that?"

"Ask him to stay."

"I can't," Rose mumbled.

"Can't or won't?"

"Both. Besides, what makes you think he will listen to me?" Rose argued. "I have never been able to affect his actions before."

"Oh Rose," Alison sighed, "You really don't have any idea." Before Rose could question Alison, she was already up and moving towards the exit. Rose finished her tea before leaving to get ready herself, her thoughts swirling around a certain blonde.

11:45pm, December 31st

It was only about 15 minutes until midnight when Rose finally spotted Scorpius through the mass of people crowed into the Potter home. He was in a conversation with her Uncle Harry, Albus and Alison, when he suddenly looked up, catching her stare. She quickly diverted her eyes and headed straight for the door, squeezing her way through the crowd. The Potters' house was massive; however, only extension charms allowed the amount of people there to fit inside. They didn't have much room outside and due to the weather most people stayed inside the warm cosy walls of the house; but Rose wasn't most people.

What Rose loved the most about the Potters' backyard was the way it sloped down at the back. If you sat on the top you could see the lights of the city, sparkling in the distance. As Rose sat down to look at the view, she heard the back door open and close again. Not long after, someone sat down beside her; she knew who it was.

"Hi," Scorpius said.

"Aren't you all for breaking the rules this week?" Rose said with her steady gaze still on the view in front of her, not daring to look into his dazzling blue eyes.

"Well, you know me," Scorpius said, turning his stare away from the beautiful redhead. "Never been one for following the rules."

"You have done pretty well for the last few months," Rose commented.

"I surprised you?"

"Yes," Rose said while holding back a smile. "Who knew I'd actually have an effect on you."

"You have always affected me," Scorpius countered. Rose turned her head to find his blue eyes boring into hers. She didn't realize how close they were. His stare was so intense that a shiver ran down her spine. Her eyes drifted down towards his lips before she realized where her thoughts were going and diverted her gaze.

"Yeah well, you won't have to worry about that anymore," Rose said as she nervously stared down at her hands, which fidgeted fretfully on her crossed legs. She looked up again at the sound of his laugh.

"Rosie, you really have no idea," he said, shaking his head, laughing to himself. He looked back at her to find Rose's quizzical stare.

"Perhaps, you'd like to clue me in?" she said with a stern tone; he knew she hated not knowing something. Scorpius just shook his head. He didn't know what to say to her, when he wasn't even sure himself.

"Never mind, forget I said anything."

"No," Rose replied, anger rising. Scorpius could see that flash in her eyes, the one she would get when she was about to rise to a challenge. He had seen it many times in the past, but he didn't want to fight with her. "Tell me, Scorpius, what am I missing?"

"Nothing Rose!" Scorpius raised his voice, before controlling his frustration. "Nothing," he repeated softly. "Rose, you are perfect. It's me who has to change, remember?" he added, looking straight into her brown eyes and smiling. She blushed and slightly smiled, making him even happier. Rose didn't want to fight either; she let it go.

"Just don't change too much," Rose said as she lightly bumped her shoulder against his.

"Okay, which bits should I keep?" he asked with his familiar cocky smirk. Rose found herself smiling brighter because of it; she hadn't realize how much she missed his smirk the last few months. "Come on Rosie, what don't I need to change?" Rose decided to play along.

"Well…firstly, you can keep your sense of humor. You're pretty funny when you're not embarrassing me."

"Oh well, I think I'm pretty funny then too," Scorpius replied cheekily, nudging Rose. Again Rose found she could not stop herself from laughing. "So, what else?" he asked, once their laughter ceased.

"Umm," Rose thought for a beat as she held his gaze. "What little kindness and loyalty you have, don't lose it," she said honestly, her gaze never faltering. He tilted his head a little in question. "I mean, the kindness and loyalty you show my family. It's more then any average Slytherin should have and it's a very fine quality."

"That's a complement, right?" Scorpius chuckled.

"Maybe," Rose deflected, standing and moving towards the other side of the small garden. Scorpius followed her lead. "But don't go getting a big head, you might not fit on the aero plane," she added with a smile as she looked back at him.

"How did you know I was taking Muggle transport?" Scorpius asked, and she could hear the surprise and intrigue in his voice.

"Because I know you, and you would never pass up a chance to ride in a plane," she replied, as she made her way to the old swing set that she and Lily had played on countless times. The chains let out a soft creak, when she lowered herself into one of the swings. Scorpius lent against the frame, hands in his pockets, casually smiling at her carefree attitude. "In fact, I can see you now, standing with all of the other five year-old's, nose pressed up against the glass as you excitedly watch the planes move on the other side," Rose continued, giggling at the picture in her head. Mirth danced in her eyes as she looked up at Scorpius, and in that moment, he felt the happiest he had ever felt in his whole life. He felt as though a weight was being lifted off both of their shoulders; he felt free, infinite and pure bliss. "What?" Rose asked, bringing him back from his deep thoughts. However, she was still smiling beautifully up at him, even if her eyes were questioning where he had just gone to.

"Nothing, but I guess you're right," Scorpius said, moving towards the second swing. However, when he sat down, the chains let out a rather loud screech compared to the soft creak it made for Rose. Rose and Scorpius were silent until they looked at each other, only to burst out laughing.

Rose wrapped her hands around the cold chains to steady herself from her laughter. She began to rock backward and forward before entering into a relaxing swing, while Scorpius just stole glances at her from his spot next to her. He couldn't take it anymore; he could not leave it like this.

"Rose," he started. His serious tone caught her attention, causing her to stop swinging and look at him. They both knew it was coming; they had to talk about what was really happening between them. "I want to know before I go on this trip, if there is a possibility that…that we…I mean, you and I…" Scorpius stuttered, turning his eyes down, cast on the ground beneath them. He took a deep breath before exhaling slowly and closing his eyes. "I want to know if we could be friends."

"I don't see much point since you're leaving within a few hours," Rose said solemnly. Scorpius opened his eyes and glanced over at her.

"I don't see a reason why not. I can write, like I am for Al and Hue," he replied. Rose could hear the desperation in his voice, but she didn't look at him; she just simply shook her head. She could not be his friend without asking him to stay and she couldn't do that to him. He needed to go and she needed him to go. They both had to move on.

"Fine, but I just want to know that I am leaving on good terms with you," Scorpius settled. He stood up and moved to kneel down in front of Rose. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes, just as she gazed into his. "I want, no, I need to know that you are no longer angry with me? That the past is behind us?" Rose did not answer straight away. They both just stared into each others' eyes, searching for the answer. They heard the count down start, inside the house. Scorpius thought his chance had passed; he sighed and hung his head. Rose reached out and lifted Scorpius' gaze back to her own, one hand caressing his cheek.

"I am not angry with you," Rose whispered. The moment the count down reached one, Rose leaned down and gave him a lingering kiss, much like she had in 4th year, but closer to the corner of his mouth than his cheek. When Rose pulled back, cheers could be heard from inside the house as the guests welcomed in the New Year. Rose simply smiled at Scorpius as she traced his jaw.

"Happy New Year, Scorpius," she whispered, with a blush rising in her cheeks. Scorpius nodded, before copying her actions and leaving a lingering kiss on the edge of her mouth.

"Happy New Year, Rose," he whispered back. Scorpius stood and offered his hand to Rose. She accepted it and rose from the swing. Neither Scorpius nor Rose let go of each others' hands as they made their way over to the back door. Scorpius stopped and turned to face Rose, letting go of her hand. He was about to say goodbye, when he found her arms being wrapped around his waist as she hugged him. He rested his chin upon her head as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Enjoy your self-exploration," Rose mumbled against his chest. "And if you do not write to Hugo, I will find you and hex off you favourite appendage," she added, leaving his embrace, giggling in an attempt not to show any emotion. "Goodbye," she said as she started towards the door.

"Until next time, Rose," Scorpius replied. Rose stopped and turned back to him.

"You can't just say goodbye?"

"Goodbye is a bit gloomy. Until next time is more…hopeful," he answered with his signature smirk.

"Yes, well…I'm realistic. Goodbye, Scorpius." And with that she turned and walked back through the door entering the party. Rose was pretty certain that once he had seen the world, he would never want to really come back to this life, or to her.

Sorry about the delay in uploading this chapter. I had written it another way originally, but it just didn't feel right so I changed it. Plus I was away for a few days with no internet or phone reception :(

But I'm back and I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

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