Sorry for not posting sooner.

Without further ado; enjoy the last chapter.

Chapter 9 – Amazing Poker Player/Genius

Monday, 10:30 PM, September 24nd 2023 – Prefect's Bathroom, Fifth floor, Hogwarts

"I love our Monday rendez vous." Rose hummed as she slipped into the huge pool-like bathtub that was filled with rose-fragranced bubbles.

"And I love every chance I get to see you naked." Scorpius said and swum over to the edge where she sat.

As he reached her Rose embraced him in a tight hug. Scorpius submerged his head underwater and nuzzled his face in her chest, an action that made Rose shriek with laughter. As he resurfaced Rose was still laughing. She ran her hands through his wet hair and pulled him into a kiss.

"I'm amazed by how many perfect moments I can have with you. They seem to never end." Scorpius hummed as he cupped her face to dive into another snog.

They only parted from the snogging-session when they heard someone clearing their throat behind them. Scorpius turned around and to his annoyance he found Albus and Melania standing at the entrance to the prefect's bathroom, both wearing bathrobes.

"So this is where you slithered off to without inviting us." Albus grinned.

"Did it ever cross your mind that there was a reason as to why I didn't invite you?" Scorpius sneered.

"I'm sure it was, but you're not the owner of this bathroom." Albus said casually and dropped his bathrobe to reveal a pair of the most hideous swim-trunks Scorpius had ever seen.

"No Al, don't get in. You're not invited to this!" Rose snarled at her cousin.

"Don't be rude, Rose. This bathtub is big enough for us all." Albus said unconcerned.

"You do realise we're naked, don't you?" Scorpius asked.

"Well, as long as the bubbles are plentiful, I'm good with it." Albus said and rearranged some bubbles to cover up more of Scorpius and Rose.

"You're way too comfortable interfering with my love-life, Al. How did you even find me?" asked Scorpius annoyed.

"Never underestimate the power of the map, mate." Albus grinned. "The water's lovely. Come join us Mel."

"In a minute, Al, I just want to give the Prophet a quick scan first." Melania said as she sat down in one of the chairs beside the pool-like tub.

"Please tell me you're not staying." Rose said and looked from Albus to Melania in disbelief.

"'Course we are, cousin dearest. Having a night-time swim was an excellent idea." Albus said in his silkiest, softest voice.

"No, get out!" Rose shouted and splashed Albus' face with water.

"Have you gone mental? What are you doing?" Albus yelled and splashed water back at Rose.

The fight was then at large between the two of them, splashing water all over the bathroom. Scorpius rolled his eyes at his girlfriend and best mate. Instead of trying to break up the fight he sat down by on the elevated part by the edge.

"Anything interesting in the Prophet today, Mel?" Scorpius sighed and turned to Melania.

"Oi! Fellas, listen to this! It's an article about you dad, Scorp. And it's written by… oh my, this is almost too good to be true!" Melania laughed.

Rose and Albus immediately stopped their fight and listened as Melania started to read out loud;

Draco Malfoy – Unknown Talents

- By Ginny Potter, Sports Editor

We all know Draco Malfoy (42 y/o) has more than one string on his bow. In the year 2000, only 20 years old, he was nominated entrepreneur of the year in Witch Weekly for preventing Malfoy's Apothecary to liquidate as he streamlined the making of the Calming Draught. As the Calming Draught is given to people who suffered shock, trauma or emotional outburst you can only imagine demands were high after the Second Wizarding War.

His inventions didn't stop there; in 2009, at the age of 29, Malfoy's Apothecary launched the Contraceptive Potion. The potion allowed young witches and wizards under the age of 17 to engage in protected intercourse without violating the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery – as was the case before when contraceptive charms were the only option. What made Malfoy's Contraceptive Potion a huge success on the market was the unique quality of the potion, which allowed both witches and wizards to drink it to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Not only did Malfoy aid young witches and wizards, he also took a stand for gender equality and some say it was this attitude and these inventions (among with many more) that led him to the position he's earned in 2017 (37 y/o) as Head of Ministry of Magic Research Committee. One could almost claim he is a genius.

Other than a neck for potions and innovation Malfoy is also quite the athlete. We all remember his short but very promising career as seeker for the Wimbourne Wasps (2003-2006, 23 – 26 y/o). His quidditch career only lasted three seasons due to Malfoy's son being born and he prioritized his family over the sport, but during his time in the Wimbourne Wasps won the Leauge Cup once (making their nineteenth win in total) and made it to the semi-finals the two other seasons.

Perhaps it's his innovative mind combined with his competitive nature that makes him such a brilliant poker player as well. If England were to have a poker tournament I sure would bet my Galleons on Mr Malfoy, as he truly is an amazing poker player/genius.

"What the bloody hell was that about?" Albus asked when Melania had finished.

"It really had nothing to do with sports at all!" Scorpius said.

"Al, does you mum secretly fancy Scorp's dad?" Rose asked and crooked an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't put it past her. Your dad's really fit, Scorp." Melania said unconcerned.

"Do you have any idea how many girls have come up to me over the years and said 'you know, your dad's really fit'? Really, it's quite annoying." Scorpius huffed.

"But he is fit, yeah! Can't deny that, Scorp." Melanie said.

"Cheers, Mel. My whole life girls have been telling me he is better looking than me. It's been miserable growing up with girls always taking the opportunity to tell me that they actually fancy him over me." Scorpius said annoyed.

"Come on, Scorp, I mean, that's rubbish! You dad is only down hill from here. You on the other hand, you have your fit days ahead of you." Albus tried to console his friend.

"So you do think my dad's better looking than me, don't you?" Scorpius said and crooked an eyebrow.

"Well, let's be honest. The Malfoy genes are something you grow into, really. The features can be a bit harsh and pointy on a boy. Much more flattering on an adult." Melania shrugged.

Scorpius sighed in annoyance and rolled his eyes at Melania.

"Oh, knock it off you two." Rose said to Albus and Melania.

"Well, I don't hear you denying Draco is more fit than Scorp." Melania said and smirked at Rose.

"Come on! Don't drag me into this! No matter what I say it won't pan out good, now will it? Not only is Draco my possible future father-in-lay, he's also my sort-of-stepfather; so I can't say he's fit since that would be really twisted. But I can't deny he's fit neither; Scorp is the spitting image of him and I obviously find Scorp fit, yeah? Vicious circle, you know." she said and turned her attention to the different washing oils by the side of the pool.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Rose, your mum's really fit too." Melania said absentmindedly as she flipped through the rest of the Prophet.

"Why would that make me feel better?" Rose asked and gestured wildly with her hands.

"Well, you're the spitting image of her, apart from the hair colour." Scorpius smirked and swum up to give Rose a kiss.

"And except for your temper, that's all uncle Ron as well." Albus grinned; a statement that made Rose hurled a bottle of washing oil at his head.

Albus ducked and gave her a look that said 'told you so'.

Tuesday, 6:00 PM, September 25nd 2023 – The Three Broomsticks, Hogsmaed

The days seemed to go past way to fast and suddenly it was Tuesday evening and Scorpius found himself sitting at a table at the Three Broomsticks. As the bell above the door rang signalling the arrival of Ron Weasley, Scorpius rose from his chair and fiddled nervously with the cuff of his sleeve.

"Good evening, Mr Weasley. It's so nice to finally meet you. I'm Scorpius Malfoy." Scorpius said and smiled sheepishly as he shook Ron's hand.

"Well, Scorpius. You decided to come and meet me, even tough you're breaking curfew and leaving the grounds without permission. How interesting." Ron said and eyed Scorpius intently as they sat down at the table.

Bollocks. He should have known this was a test. He took a deep breath before he spoke.

"The way I see it it's all about priority, isn't it? Rose is the most important person in my life; I would do anything for her, including breaking school rules. I'm sure you'd agree with me, Sir." Scorpius answered in a calm and collected manor.

"Guess I shouldn't be surprised; you being a bit of a trouble maker. After all, as I understand it you were involved in Rose's detention a couple of days ago, weren't you?" Ron said and peered at Scorpius.

"Well, I'm sure it's nothing like you imagine it, Sir." Scorpius said and rubbed the back of his neck.

"To me it sounded like you were snogging my daughter in the library after curfew." Ron growled.

"You see, we were studying and I was helping her with her Defence Against the Dark Arts paper when - " Scorpius begun but Ron cut him off.

"Save it, I don't want to hear it." he said and held up a hand to stop Scorpius from talking.

Scorpius took a deep breath again.

"I've got the feeling this got of to a bad start. Can I have another go?" he said and took a sip of his Butterbeer Madam Rosmerta just fetched them.

"How come you asked me here tonight?" Scorpius asked.

"Thought I should get to know you better. Rose sort of sprung the news of you two on me before she left and I need to know if I should invite you for Christmas or not." Ron simply said.

"Well, what do you want to know?" Scorpius asked and leaned back in his chair.

"I don't know. I've never met any partner of my children. I guess I'd like to know what your intentions with my daughter are." Ron shrugged.

Scorpius just stared at Ron. Was he being serious? Had he come completely unprepared for this or was this another test?

"Well, I intend to treat her right and make her happy." Scorpius answered a little uncertain.

"Are you asking me or telling me that?" Ron said and raised an eyebrow at Scorpius.

"I'm telling you, Sir. I'd even go as far as to say I intend to marry her, if she would do me the honour." he answered a little more firmly.

"You intend to marry her? How old are you, Scorpius?" Ron said and he almost chocked on his Butterbeer at Scorpius bold statement.

"I'm seventeen, Sir. But I don't think that's relevant. Rose is the most brilliant person I've ever met and I know she's the love of my life." Scorpius said and leaned forward in his chair.

"Of course it matters how old you are, you've barely started your life, Scorpius." Ron said.

"With all due respect, but how old were you when you knew when you wanted to marry Hermione?" Scorpius asked.

He knew this question would be rather bold, but as Ron didn't seem to have an answer for Scorpius he continued.

"I think you know exactly what I mean when I say 'when you know, you know', don't you?" Scorpius smiled.

"You really are bold, aren't you?" Ron said and Scorpius saw a hint of a grin forming in the corner of Ron's mouth. "Well, Scorpius; what do you think of Quidditch?"

"Well, I play chaser in my house team and have done since my second year. I follow the British and Irish Quidditch League and my favourite team is the Chudley Cannons. I know they haven't won the league since 1892, but they are due for a comeback soon, don't you think?" Scorpius said.

"Well, I think you're absolutely right! They are due for a comeback! I just think I've got one more question I'd like to ask you; are you sure you're Malfoy's biological son?" Ron asked and eyed Scorpius suspiciously. "I mean, I know you're the spitting image of him, but you two couldn't have two more different personalities."

"I'm quite sure Draco is my father, yes." Scorpius chuckled. "But I was lucky to inherit the best of him as well as the best of my mum. You shouldn't judge him to harshly, Mr Weasley. One of my dad's greatest qualities is that he will always put the ones he love first and family is very important to him. It is for me as well."

Ron watched the man sitting opposite him a while before he spoke;

"Well then, Scorpius. I think all I've got left to say is; welcome to the family."

Well, that's it.

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Cheers!