It's been about 2 years since I've uploaded and for that I'm so sorry. Nothing like quarantine and a friend finding your account and hounding you to update to get one going. I really hope you guys haven't lost interest and enjoy this chapter. As promised, Al and Scorpius debut in this chapter.

As Scorpius Malfoy followed his, in retrospect unwisely chosen, best mate Albus Potter to Rose's office he couldn't help but dread the awkwardness that awaited.

Not that Rose Weasley and himself were on bad terms. No – such an assumption would be completely incorrect. However, it would also be incorrect to say they were friends. Actually, they weren't even particularly friendly, and he felt that it was necessary to elaborate that it was not for his lack of trying.

Thing is, Rose had not been overly fond (not even slightly, actually), of his and Al's fast friendship. Having met right after the Sorting Ceremony during their first year at Hogwarts, the duo, thought to be 'destined to be enemies', on account of their parentage, found themselves to be quite dynamic. On the momentous day that both, the son of a Death Eater, and the son of a war hero (tragically sorted into Slytherin), escaped a group of rather daft bullies, their odd friendship was cemented, and the rest- well the rest was history.

While, predictably, many were personally offended by their camaraderie, there was no one quite as aggrieved as Rose Weasley, to whom it appeared as if her best friend had been stolen.

Many speculated that her bereavement must be due to some blood prejudice against the Malfoys, which, in light of the fact her parents are Hermione and Ron Weasley, was absolutely absurd. Yet, to the ever vigilant Albus Potter, having inherited not only his father's looks but obliviousness too, what was purely jealousy and hurt at the loss of her closest friend, appeared as just that- prejudice. And as per his upbringing, bigotry was a heinous crime, one he never expected his cousin and best friend to commit.

It didn't help that Al could professionally compete in grudge-holding if it were ever made a sport. In fact, Scorpius often wondered where he got that horrible quality (none of his parents obviously considering that Harry Potter had not been drunk when he christened him Albus Severus Potter- he checked). He would often find himself counselling his mate on his inability to forgive which, consequently, made both their lives difficult, because, unlike Al, Scorpius was incredibly intuitive. Where Al would misjudge and jump to conclusions, Scorpius would somehow always successfully gauge one's intentions- it's what made them such a dynamic pair.

Hence, to Scorpius the jealousy had been quite apparent, but woefully dull and daft, Al had not picked up on it, taking her honestly harmless snide comments and constant derogation aimed at Scorpius, as bigotry. Worst of all, quiet and reserved Scorpius, grateful to even have a friend, had never felt compelled to correct him.

Long story short, Al blew up at Rose in a grand shouting match in the Great Hall, to which she retaliated with an expected Granger-Weasley fiery verbal attack, marking, for a few years, the end of what once was a beautiful friendship.

Al had missed her dearly, that much was obvious to Scorpius, but he did his best to hide it, for Scorpius' sake. The thought of that always filled him up with a warm rush of affection. It meant the world that his friend stood up to his family to defend him. He never forgot it.

Rose, on the other hand, completely wilted. Gone was the usual fire burning in her eyes, and the self assured aura that had usually engulfed her. She was very clearly miserable and lonely, now choosing to hang around her innumerable cousins like a sad shadow. The scene never failed to evoke a strong sense of guilt in Scorpius, reminding him of how he was complicit in making the lives of both old friends miserable. Nonetheless, in true Malfoy fashion, he ignored his conscious and let Al carry on holding his grudge against Rose.

Things turned around in their fifth year, when Rose approached- no, ambushed- the two in the Owlery, where she stood resolutely in their path as she choked out a rather rushed, but no less sincere, apology taking full responsibility for the falling out. It had been the ultimate test of his friendship to stand next to Al, despite the extreme awkwardness the exuded from the entire affair, as Rose practically pleaded for Al to forgive her.

He never forgot how she had, with immense dignity, something both himself and Al lacked greatly, said, "You don't have to forgive me. You shouldn't forgive me, but for what it's worth, I am so very sorry about my behavior, and if I could go back, I'd do everything differently."

Rose Weasley had risen in his eyes that day.

He, however, felt he had sunk deeper- especially when Rose turned to him and apologised.

"And Malfoy, I'm so sorry for the way I treated you- nothing excuses that."

Rose Weasley apologised to Scorpius Malfoy, who pretty much deserved to be thrown off the Astronomy Tower.

But, as established, Albus Potter can truly grab a grudge by both hands, and not let go, and as a result, while no longer outwardly hostile towards her, he had not truly forgiven her.

His best mate was a half-witted troll; he was sure of it after that.

Things smoothed out after the incident, but it wasn't until well after graduation that Al and Rose truly reconciled and rekindled their friendship, and Scorpius- well, his shame compelled him to avoid all contact.

The point of this elaborate recounting was to establish why Scorpius Malfoy dreaded being in the same room, much less going on a field operation, with Rose Weasley.

However, as a professional, Auror Malfoy would ignore his feelings, in true Malfoy fashion, and handle the situation with as much grace as he could muster (which wasn't much, but he would try).

The two made their way along the long corridors that ran through the Data Analysis Offices within the Auror Department; Albus unaffected by the call to Rose's office, while Scorpius attempted not to hyperventilate. It was a long and silent walk, with the only the sound of their shoes scuffing against the carpet heard. Silence, although rarely existing between them, was welcome, especially since the first rays of dawn had only just escaped from behind the horizon and neither had the energy to move their jaws to converse.

Finally, after silently trudging along the hallway for what felt like forever, the duo stopped in front of the dark polished door, with a plaque announcing Rose's name and occupation. Soft tones of conversation drifted out, causing Scorpius to throw an apprehensive look at Al, who, seeming to not share the same concern, twisted the door knob without a second thought.

Inside was a decently spacious office. The curtains were pulled back, allowing a stream of sunlight to light the room up and wash it with warmth. A well-worn sofa was pushed against the wall on the right, just below the window, and a dark wooden coffee table was set in front if it. A little ahead of the small sitting area, stood the two occupants of the room- tall and magnetic, Harry Potter's quiet aura commanded immediate attention, as he stood, leaning on the arm pressed to the cluttered desk in the middle of the room.

Across him, with a shock of deep curly copper, twisted loosely at the nape of her neck, equally impossible to ignore, stood Rose Weasley. Pale and as freckled as he remembered, she leaned lankily against the wall across from Harry, hip resting against her desk, arms folded belligerently, face turned away from him unhappily. The atmosphere made Scorpius feel as if he had interrupted a private conversation. One, which clearly, wasn't going very well.

At the sound of the door creaking open, Harry looked up, and smiled tiredly at the two of them, beckoning them in with a short tilt of his head. Rose also responded, albeit subtly, to their presence- simply following them with her stormy eyes. Otherwise, she made no motion to acknowledge their existence.

"Lovely to see you boys on time," Harry started, glaring without any heat at Al, famous for his tardiness.

Lacking even a hint of shame, Al replied with similar informality, "Consider yourself lucky. I don't wake up this early for just about anyone."

Rolling his eyes, Harry ignored the quip and turned to him, nodding in greeting, "Auror Malfoy."

Scorpius responded in like, smiling lightly. Then, fuelled by his incessant need to avoid awkwardness, he hastily stuttered out another greeting, "Ms. Weasley, lovely to see you."

At her name, she fully lifted her head, and probably realizing how sulky she appeared, forced a smile. "Thank you Auror Malfoy. Lovely to see you too."

Al snickered.

The little bitch, Scorpius thought to himself, but kept the light easy smile plastered on his face.

Seemed like Rose had a similar idea because she pinned Al with a stick eye and threw an agitated "Shut up Smellbus."

This time Scorpius snickered.

Al rolled his eyes playfully before moving towards her, compelling her to push herself off the wall and meet her cousin midway. She pulled him into a warm familial embrace and Scorpius swears he shed a tear.

Kidding. It's important to remember that Scorpius is also an overdramatic asshole and not the most trustworthy narrator. Nonetheless, it was sweet, but apparently not sweet enough, because Harry cleared his throat loudly moments after they hugged.

They continued embracing. Scorpius knew it was only to spite the old man.

He cleared his throat again.

"Uncle Harry," Rose's voice was muffled as she spoke over Al's shoulder, "there are cough drops in my desk if you need them."

Rolling his eyes for the umpteenth time, Harry sighed loudly and sat down on the sofa across the two cousins, shooting a look at Scorpius, who simply shrugged in response.

"Whenever you guys are ready." He sighed again, propping his elbow on the sofa arm, and resting his face in his open palm. Normally, it would be very disconcerting to see the Head of the Auror Department look as thoroughly bored and annoyed as Harry did, but having spent a lot of time around him during his off-duty hours, Scorpius was accustomed to the look, which, especially around his children, was bound to make an appearance at some point.

Scorpius just stared out the window at the blue sky that had emerged from behind the blanket of haze that swept over it while the sun was rising.

Rose and Al prolonged the hug for a few more moments, before breaking apart, followed immediately by Rose's innocent, conversational question.

"So how's it been little cuz?"

Knowing full well that Harry was very close to ripping his hair out, Al responded loudly, "Oh it's been swell. Just found this new farmer's market near my flat last weekend. I'll take you there some day. Found some darn good-"

"That's it," Harry rose suddenly, "personal chit-chat time is over."

Scorpius tore his gaze at the sky he had been staring at absently. He could've sworn one of the clouds was shaped like Daisy, his tabby cat. But before he could dwell on it or get excited about it, his attention was called back to the occupants of the room.

Rose took a few steps away from Al, throwing a mischievous smile at a highly irritated Harry, who simply stared back, nostrils flared delicately as he observed her impassively from over his round, thin framed glasses.

"Alright, let's proceed to what we're here to talk about. The assignment."

Al and Scorpius, already familiar with the details and nature of it, simply nodded, regarding Harry and Rose quietly, hoping to hear how she would fit into the scheme. What Scorpius didn't expect, was for Rose's expression to turn sour, twisting into a grimace as she, almost instantaneously, resumed the brooding which they had interrupted earlier.

"For the last time, Mr. Potter," she bit out coldly, "I am not interested."

Al, for once in his oblivious lifetime, picked up on the screaming tension and stiffened slightly in his place across Scorpius, eye's widening behind his spectacles – like a deer caught between quarrelling uncle and niece.

"Okay?" Al dragged out softly, turning to pin his father with an equal parts confused and accusatory look, "I thought she was on board."

Harry signed heavily, pressing the pads of his index and thumb to his eyes, pushing up his glasses in the process.

"Well, Al, your cousin is being difficult."

"I'm being difficult?" Rose cried out immediately, incredulity dripping from her words. "We had a deal."

"And now I cannot in good faith continue to abide by that agreement. It's a matter of great sensitivity, and logistically, there's no one else who can do the job." The intensity of his gaze made Rose look away in indignation. Harry continued, "You know this Rose. Why are you being stubborn."

Rose's looked up suddenly to meet her uncle's eyes, "You know too Uncle. You know why."

Her words had a startlingly impact on the mood, which became subdued compared to the cackling energy that sparked between their former heated words.

Al stared at his shoes. Scorpius became curious.

A beat passed between them before Al spoke up.

"Look Rose, Dad's right." He walked past Harry and Rose as he talked, awkwardly shuffling around them as he reached for the sheets on her desk.

"There's no one else that can come with us, and Malfoy and I-" he pointed his thumb over his shoulder at Scorpius (in a very 'get a load of this guy' manner), "-aren't clever enough to pick up magical data analysis in a few days." He moved some sheets around, stopping at some gridded parchment with inky graphs etched on them.

"What the hell even is this gibberish," he held it up to Rose incredulously.

Still not facing Harry, her crossed arms slacked a little as she studied the sheet, "It's a wand's Geo Spell Mapping Graph. The coloured lines represent-"

She was cut off short by Al pulling out another thinner sheet of parchment and waving it around quizzically, "And what on ruddy earth is this-"

This time Al was cut short as Rose snatched the sheet from his grasp.

"Bloody hell Al," she gingerly smoothed it out, placing it back onto the desk, "that's an Impression – it's a record of enchantments from a wand."

She pinned him with an incredulous look, as if she couldn't comprehend his stupidity. Scorpius felt a rush of empathy – he often couldn't either.

"These things are delicate and fade easily. You can't wave them around like an imbecile."

Al, with his arm still raised from when he was waving the sheet and looking awfully stupid, set off to mark himself as stupider by opening his mouth, "Well, I'm not a data analyst. I don't know this shit."

Rose delicately closed the file she'd put the reports back into. "Well, you're supposed to already have a data analyst. How on earth have you been solving cases? Every field operative has one."

And they did have one. Only Gerald, the middle-aged analyst assigned to them since they started, was good for little more than tending to his growing pot-belly. If he'd been good for anything more, they'd waste less time following dead, completely bogus leads that he pulled out of so called 'magical data' (read: his ass).

"You know Gerald! He can't be trusted to handle something as sensitive as horcruxes. He'd probably spill some obscure condiment all over that delicate Expression thingie you just snatched from me – rather rudely if I don't say-"

"Horcruxes?" Rose finally turned back to Harry, who had been quietly watching his progeny embarrass him from the sofa. She then twisted herself back to face Al, "and it's Impression you moron, not Expression."

Al rolled his eyes. "Whatever it's called," he dismissed with a wave of his hand, "and yes horcruxes. Didn't you read the ruddy file-"

"No she didn't", Harry interrupted, looking at his son with exasperation, "she needs to agree before she can know the details."

Al made a silent 'o' with his mouth, finally looking a little chastened.

Scorpius continued to experience second-hand embarrassment.

"Horcruxes?" Rose repeated.

Harry shot Al another withering glare.

"Horcruxes," He confirmed with a nod. "I can only tell you more if you agree to join the field operation, but trust me, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

Even if Scorpius hadn't known what was going on, Harry's tone would have convinced him it was true.

"So," the man in question pinned his niece with an expectant look over his thin rimmed glasses, "are you in or not?"

Hope you guys liked it. Please let me know your thoughts and feel free to give any feedback you may have. Reviews really motivate me to write more so those are always appreciated.