Three years later, Albus, Scorpius and I were still inseparable. Of course, Albus and I were always going to be best-friends, but Scorpius was probably the best friend I had who wasn't related to me. We had finished our seventh year happily, and had pretty much just collapsed for a few months. You know after you’ve run a marathon and then you just can’t do anything else apart from gasp for air and roll around on the ground panting? Yeah, well that’s what we were like after our graduation party. We never fully recovered from it until about a month later, and spent our summer bumming around on one of couches, talking and drinking chilled pumpkin juice.
After that Sunday morning at Hogwarts, Hugo had pretty much stopped talking to me. I didn’t really mind, because I knew that he loved me and that I was still his favourite sister (Not that that was really a great feat or anything, seeing as I am his only sister). I think he just felt a little betrayed that I could switch from hating one of our enemies, to being his best friend. After I had mouthed back ‘Whatever,’ to him, he had rushed upstairs and written letter after letter to Uncle Harry, Aunty Ginny, mum and dad, explaining the situation to them. I think everyone apart from my father found the whole situation hilarious. Dad and Hugo had actually become closer of the situation, writing each other letters almost twice a day to bitch about the Malfoy’s. Mum had put a stop to that pretty quickly after she had found out. I think she was proud of me and Albus for accepting Scorpius, and had had many a talk with me about how “fine-looking,” Scorpius was. We had giggled over everything that had happened, and she had even shown me the first letter Hugo had written her about Scorpius being friends with us:
Dear mum and dad,
I hope everything is okay with you, and that everyone else is well also. Hogwarts is pretty boring, but don’t worry, we (my friends and I) have a plan to change that very soon. We’ve organised the best prank ever, on the spawn of Draco Malfoy himself. I can’t wait! I’ll write more to tell you how it goes later.
Mum and dad-
It was so good! But then Minnie went ape on us, and I have a detention every Saturday for a month. Oh well, it was totally worth it. Rose went ape on me too, but that’s okay. She’s probably just mad she didn’t think of it.
Mum, dad-
ALBUS AND ROSE ARE FRIENDS WITH SCORPIUS MALFOY.
And I think he likes Rose. I mean...seriously, this is not cool.
We still teased him about it constantly.
We had all graduated and found jobs; I had become a Healer, and Scorpius and Albus had become Aurors. For what, I don't know. There weren't any "bad guys," out there anymore, but they were still well paid and happy. Albus and Scorpius were living together in flat closer to the ministry, while I had bought myself an apartment above Flourish and Blotts. Although I didn't see them as much as I would have liked to, we still caught up for coffee every morning, and had dinner at one of our flats every night. Albus was dating a one of Lily's friends, but Scorpius and I hadn't dated anyone since seventh year. I had finally grown used to being around him - my heart still beat faster, and I still tingled when he touched me, but it was getting better.
I had been offered a transfer to America, and against my better judgement, I had accepted. I had only done so, because I would learn a lot more, a lot faster. Plus, I would be paid better. I had only told my parents, and I think they had taken the news rather well. Mother had congratulated me and hugged me tearfully, while dad had rushed out of the room, choking out the word; "Bathroom,".
My calendar stared at me from my fridge, and I groaned. It was the 17th, and the big purple circle around the 21st of June was becoming harder and harder to ignore. I suddenly fought the urge to rip it down and destroy it. I sighed, and resumed packing up my possessions into boxes. I was selling my beloved flat, and had advertised it everywhere I could. I pulled of a framed photograph of Albus, Scorpius and I off my mantle piece and sighed fondly. I was in the middle of them both, laughing and rolling my eyes, as Albus was jumping up and clicking his heels together. Scorpius was smiling normally, but chuckling and exchanging glances with me. It had been a perfect day - our last day at Hogwarts, actually. I wiped away a tear I didn't know had been rolling down my cheek, and sat down, burying my head into my hands. I wished childishly that I could go back to being 11 and start all over again, but my more mature side of me knew better.
Standing up, I put it back on the shelf – I would pack it last – and moved on to my bookshelf. I could do it quicker by magic, but something about being able to do it manually that made it feel more worthwhile. I was flicking through Plight of the Phoenixes’ by Wallace Wondermight, when I heard a loud banging on my door.
“Coming,” I yelled, wiping my tear-streaked face and running my hand through my hair as I walked towards the door. The person banged again, and I pulled it open angrily about to yell at them. My hurriedly planned speech about privacy and patience faded from my head, as I saw Scorpius, holding out an advertisement for my flat, looking down at the ground, his hair flopping down so I couldn’t see his eyes.
“Are you coming in?” I said weakly, all colour having faded from my face. I felt weak, but I knew that I had to tell him and Albus eventually. He strode in, and paced around the room once before looking up at me. His expression shocked me – I hadn’t seen it since he confronted Sarah for cheating on him.
“Why are you selling?”
“I – I’m moving...for work,”
“Where to?”
“...The States,” I stopped as he froze, and let out a gush of air, “But,” I hurried on, “ – it’s only for three months, and then I’ll be back...hopefully, and – “
“Why?” He cut me off.
“It pays better, and I can learn more, faster,” I recited.
“If you need money, I can do that for you, you know I will,”
“Scorpius, you know I could never accept your money,”
He ducked his head again, “Don’t go,” he whispered.
“Beg your pardon?”
He looked up, his blue eyes serious: “I don’t want you to go,”
My heart froze, and I felt my hand move up to my mouth.
“I’m sorry Scorp, but I have to – don’t worry, you’ll have Albus, you’ll be fine.” I tried to muster a smile.
He banged the wall with his hand, and I jumped.
“Don’t you get it Rose?”
I shook my head, soundlessly.
“I don’t want Albus. I mean, he’s like the brother I never had, but he’s not everything to me. You are. You’re everything to me. I want you, not your cousin.”
I froze.
“Scorp...” I tried to speak, “Scorp, I – “ I stopped, unsure of what to say, and knew at once that that pausing was the wrong thing to do. He looked at me, hurt, and smiled weakly.
“You don’t have to feel the same way back, Rose, just – please don’t go. Albus needs you,” he paused, “I need you,” he whispered, before walking to the door, and shutting it carefully behind him.
If it wasn’t for the advertisement for my flat floating to the floor of my living room like a leaf, I would have never known that he was there. I banged the wall, where he had, and pressed my face to the now indented wall, my body wracking with dry sobs. My throat was closed up, and my eyes were burning, but I couldn’t cry.
I was furious with myself: I was furious that I had accepted the job, and I was furious that I hadn’t been able to tell him what I wanted to.
But I didn’t move. I couldn’t move.
I just pulled myself away from the wall, my thoughts as clear as ever, and went around, packing everything in my flat determinedly. Sure, I thought to myself, I was a coward. And yes, I was running away. But I didn’t have any choice. I had already told the hospital that I had accepted their transfer, and they would probably fire me (or at least reconsider my position) if I told them I wanted to withdraw my transfer.
I wrote two letters before I left:
Albus,
Sorry I didn’t tell you. I just didn’t know how I could ever face you.
See you in a bit, it’ll go faster than you think.
-Rose
Simple, and to-the-point, I thought as I licked my quill thoughtfully; that’s how Scorpius’s letter needed to be too.
Scorpius,
Wait for me. Please.
-Rose
You couldn’t get more straightforward than that, I smiled humourlessly as I attached them to an owl, kissing both letters for luck. And, with my heart heavy, I apparated to the hospital, hoping that Scorpius would wait for me, and that he wouldn’t move on. I felt like the most selfish person in the world, asking him to wait while I followed my dream, but I tried to push my guilt out of my mind. It would all be okay in the end, wouldn’t it?
Three months later, I returned to London, a relaxed smile on my face. America had been everything I had needed, and more. I had graduated my course with flying colours, and I was now a high-ranked Healer, the youngest yet to enter St. Mungo’s. As I hugged my American friend’s goodbye, and watched them floo back to California, I wiped a nonexistent tear away from my eyes. My chest was tight, but I hadn’t cried since I had left London three months ago.
I stepped out onto the bustling muggle street, and frowned as the cool wind hit me. Ew, maybe I should have stayed in California? I grinned, shaking my head, and continued on my way, to my parent’s house. I blushed, and looked down at the ground bashfully as a handful of men looked me up and down, before smiling and nodding at me approvingly. Although I was still single, it was nice to feel wanted. I tightened my beige coloured trench coat around my slim waist, and continued on my way, my black high-heels clicking along the ground determinedly.
I stepped around the corner, into a side alley, and walked until I was out of site of curious passer-bys, and then, stepping forwards and pirouetting gracefully, I apparated to the two people, I wanted to see most.
“Mum, dad!” I screeched as I stepped into the familiar entrance hall, “Are you here?”
“Rose?” I heard my mum call back, and I smiled as she bustled out of the kitchen, her apron covered with flour and her hair bushy. “Oh Rose,” She cried, running forward and embracing me tightly.
“Ron, Hugo,” She yelled as she pulled back, “Our baby’s home!”
I blushed as she hugged me again, and smiled up at my father, who was standing on the floor above us, looking down, in shock over the banister.
“Hi daddy,” I called weakly, and my voice seemed to wake him up. Mum and I laughed happily, as he tripped his way down the stairs, before opening his arms and smiling at me widely. I launched myself into them, and relaxed as I smelt his familiar aftershave.
“I missed you, dad,”
“Missed you too, Rosie,” he muttered back gruffly.
“So where is my elusive brother?” I laughed gleefully.
“At your Aunty and Uncles house,” Dad replied automatically, stroking my hair softly.
“Are you hungry? I’m making cookies?” Mum asked, bustling back to the kitchen.
“I’m starving, that would be great mum!”
She frowned, and looked over her shoulder at me: “Yes, I thought you looked a little too skinny. Did the Americans’ feed you?”
I laughed. “Yes mother,”
We spent the afternoon making cookies together, and laughing, just like we did before I had left. While mum and I just applied the usual white icing, dad made his cookie as exuberant as possible, giving it blue eyes and long red hair.
“It’s my mini-Rose!” He exclaimed proudly, as mum muffled her giggles with her hand.
“Dad,” I pretended to be hurt, “Are you going to eat me?”
“NO!” He replied, shocked, clutching the cookie to himself as though it had feelings.
Hours later, I sighed contently, full of cookies.
“I think I’m going to say hello to Hugo now,” I decided out loud, standing up, and throwing my trench coat back on, over my jeans and white tank top.
“Okay love,” Mum replied.
“Be careful!” Dad cried from the kitchen.
Mum and I exchanged raised eyebrows and silent giggles, and I pulled on my shoes again, before turning on the spot for the second time that day.
“Hugo? Aunty Gin? Uncle Harry?” I called happily, entering their house automatically.
“Rose?” Hugo’s head appeared around the door of the kitchen, and I grinned at him. What was it with my family and the kitchen?
“I’m home, brother,” I joked in my ‘gangster-voice”.
“Ah, Rose!” he screamed in a high-pitched voice, that was most unlike Hugo, and I raised my eyebrow at Aunty Ginny who had appeared smirking, as Hugo launched himself at me like an eleven year old coming home from Hogwarts for the first time.
“Woah boy,” I joked, hugging him back tightly. It was weird to have someone so much taller then you sink into you, and I braced my legs to prevent myself from falling backwards. High heels were probably not the most practical shoes to wear today, I thought to myself, as Hugo was pushed aside by Aunty Ginny.
“Rosie, how have you been?” She cried, embracing me also.
“I’ve been wonderful thank you,” I replied, my voice echoing around the house.
“So the States were good to you?”
“The States were amazing,”
“No, you know what’s amazing? Your shoes. Please tell me you bought me a pair!”
We giggled together like a pair of teenage girls, until Uncle Harry appeared at the top step of his stairs.
“Welcome home, honey,” He said gruffly in his deep voice, and I cried happily, running up the stairs into his arms. He had always been my favourite uncle, I thought, as I sunk into his arms.
“It’s good to be home,” my voice was muffled.
I pulled back after awhile, my eyes watery. “Is James or Albus home?” I asked gruffly, my voice three octaves lower than usual.
He smiled understandably, as knocked on James’ bedroom door, one arm still wrapped around me.
“Yes?” James’ face appeared, lighting up as he saw me.
“Rosie!” He launched at me, and I laughed gleefully as he rocketed us backwards, throwing Uncle Harry a mock-scared face as we crashed into Albus’s bedroom door, breaking it down.
“James!” I laughed, as we landed on his brother’s bed. “Get off me, you poof. Albus is going to kill you when he gets home!”
“I missed you, love,” He muttered into the bedcovers above my head.
“Brilliant, I missed you too. Now, get off me,” I whispered dangerously, and I felt James being ripped off me.
“Wow, that was easier than I thought,” I laughed as I brushed my coat off, only to be pushed down again.
“What the fu – “ I broke off as I smelt Albus’ familiar after-shave.
“Oh hi,” I laughed bashfully.
“I don’t think I’m going to let you leave my sight again,” He muttered, pulling us both up into standing position.
“Don’t you dare let me,” I laughed back, pulling away and smiling happily at my two cousins. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the familiar angel-like hair of the boy I craved to see the most. I turned, smiling, only to see not Scorpius, but a photograph of him. I sighed unhappily and turned to look at the two grinning brothers.
“So...what’s new?”
Two days later, Scorpius still hadn’t come to see me. I didn’t know whether to be relieved or upset. I still hadn’t figured out what I would say to him. I knew that he had waited for me – I had questioned Albus until he had told me that the conversation was becoming to disturbing for him. I groaned, and rubbed my fingers through my hair roughly. I knew what I had to do, I was just too stubborn to do it.
But whatever, Scorpius was more important to me than my pride. So, I screwed up my nerves, and walked to his and Albus’s flat. Praying that Albus wouldn’t be home, I walked up the familiar stairs, and banged on their door. My heart stopped as he opened it. His eyes were half shut, but widened when he saw it was me. It looked like he hadn’t shaved for days, but the look suited him. I swallowed nervously.
This was not going how I had imagined it would. In my head, I would whisper ‘You waited,’ and then we would hug and kiss and – well you know what comes next.
Instead I muttered shyly: “Can I come in?”
He blinked, before opening the door, “Sure, sure.”
I too, paced around the room, just as he had more than three months ago, and stopped, opposite him, on the other side of the room, just a coffee table separating us.
“How was America?”
I ignored his question: “I – I don’t know how to say this,”
“Look, Rose, I get that you don’t feel the same way, and that’s fine, I can obliviate you if you want,” He grinned weakly at me, and I sighed, and rolled my eyes.
“Do I have to do everything?” I thought out loud, as I kicked off my high-heels, and stepped onto the coffee table, walking across it until I was standing right in front of him.
“Looks like I’ll be wearing the pants in this relationship,” I grinned, pressing my forehead to his. “If I didn’t feel the same way, I would have never asked you to wait for me, idiot,” I concluded, as I bent down to capture his lips on mine.
He responded immediately, and wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me around so I was on the ground, and he was taller than me again. After awhile of bliss, my lungs started protesting, and I pulled away sharply, gasping for air. His hand cupped my face, and mine cupped his, as our noses touched.
“You complete me,” I whispered, as though I was telling him a secret, “You make my heart beat faster, and my skin tingle, and you’re tall and I’m short. You’re a Slytherin, and I’m a Gryffindor, you’re a Malfoy, and I’m a Weasley. You’re my complete opposite, but that’s what makes you so amazing. You’re everything I’m not, and by myself, I’m not perfect, but when I’m with you – I feel perfect.”
“I don’t know,” he chuckled, pressing his lips to mine in a chaste kiss, “You’re pretty perfect to me.”
“Thank you,” I sighed.
“For what?”
“For waiting,”
“I – I wouldn’t have waited for anyone else but you, you know that right?”
I sighed happily, and pull him to me again, only this time to be interrupted by Albus slamming the door open and declaring; “Honey, I’m home!”
I pulled away immediately, glaring at him.
“Oh effing Merlin, that’s disgusting. Now, I’m happy that you too are together, but when I come home, I do not want to see you shagging my cousin, is that clear Malfoy?”
“Crystal clear, Potter,” Scorpius smirked back, just as I cried,
“We weren’t shagging!”
“We will be,” Scorpius said, biting my neck.
“Oh bloody hell!” Albus spluttered, placing his hand over his eyes, and stumbling his way to the bedroom.
“Oh Scorpius, that feels so good,” I sighed, smirking at Scorpius as Albus spluttered again, and crashed into the wall.
Scorpius caught on; “Mmm, Rose, where did you learn how to do that?”
I broke into peals of silent laughter, as Albus cried, “My ears!” And slammed his bedroom behind him.
“I think I love you,” He whispered, striding towards me, and hugging me.
“I think I love you too,” I kissed the bare skin of his chest, and enjoyed how he hissed. “By the way,” I kissed it again, “– I’m not moving to America anymore. But I do need a place to stay?”
“My flat is yours,” he whispered, kissing my forehead.
“No it bloody well isn’t!” Albus yelled through the door
“Oh Scorpius,” I moaned, winking at him.
“Oh Rose,” He moaned back, sticking his tongue out at me.
We heard a bang, and a moan from Albus’ bedroom, before bursting into laughter. He pulled me in for another faint-educing kiss.
“I could get used to this,” I mumbled against his lips
“I already am,” He whispered back.
IT'S OVER! Finally. I'm not sure if I should write a sequel or not..what do you think? I'm way too obsessed with this story already, haha.
Please review, and tell me what you thought.
And tell me if you want a sequel to this!
Thanks!
- E
Printer Friendly Version
