A/N: Hi all. I know I have been slack with updating and I apologise. Things at work have been quiet hectic of late with staff changes, Head Office doing check ups and then Christmas portfolios have to start being organised and then on top of that I have to study for my diploma… argh! A nightmare, I swear! Anyway, thankyou all for being patient and sticking with the story and reviewing constantly!

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot.

Chapter Nineteen: Til Death

"Prosecutor Dadens, you may begin," nodded the head of the Wizengamot.

A severe looking woman walked forward, not making any eye contact with Scorpius until she a few feet away from him. Her cold hazel eyes bore through him until Scorpius couldn't help but turn away. She stalked forward and stood before him, hands on her tiny hips.

"Scorpius Malfoy… your record shows that you were involved in the beating of a defenceless and homeless man," Dadens began her voice as cold as her demeanour, "How long ago did this happen?"

"Just under a year ago now," answered Scorpius.

"Under a year ago. So, within a year a beating increased to murder, you say?"

"No I don't say that. I never laid a finger on Henry Wilson until I tried to save him."

Scorpius let out a small breath, praying for Rose to come screaming in that she had the contracts. Dadens nodded and stepped in a small circle, "How did you know Henry Wilson?"

"I… he occasionally worked for my grandfather."

"How often?"

Scorpius shrugged, "I don't really know… once a year maybe? It depended on what needed to be done."

"Had any of Henry Wilson's previous jobs involved you in some way?"

"No."

"Had he crossed you before hand?"

"No. His business was with my grandfather, not me."

Dadens walked over to her bench seat. Extracting something from a file, she walked back over and held out a photo to Scorpius. It was of him and Rose involved in an intimate moment. Scorpius looked up to Daden, saying nothing.

"This photo of you involved with Rose Weasley – your fiancée, was found on Henry Wilson. Did you find out about this photo before killing him?"

"No."

"You are under oath, tell the truth!"

"I am!" exploded Scorpius pulling at the chains binding his arm, "I DID NOT KILL HENRY WILSON! IT WAS MY GRANDFATHER! HE HIRED AND MURDERED HIM!"

"Silence!" ordered the Head of the Wizengamot, "That is enough Prosecutor Dadens, turn in the photo to be officially entered in the case's records."

Scorpius took a deep breath, looking down at the wooden ground. He needed Rose to arrive and he needed those contracts.

"Stay here," ordered Ron to his daughter, "James, keep her here."

"No!" hissed Rose, "I'm going in. Please Dad!"

"Rose, if they can't have the contracts, killing you is the next best thing! With you gone, Scorpius will probably go back to them."

Rose lowered her wand thinking over her father's comment. Perhaps he was right. Wasn't staying alive for Scorpius more important than anything else? Scorpius had told her he wouldn't cope without her, she was all he knew.

"Fine. I'll stay here," muttered Rose in annoyance as crashing sounds rang down the hall, "Go!"

Rose and James stood back and watched their family and friends quietly move down the hall, all in positions ready to attack. The pair kept their eyes on the hall, wands poised ready to strike.

"LOWER YOUR WANDS!" came Harry's ordering voice, "NOW MALFOY!"

Rose and James swapped looks their bodies tensing. It was killing them both to not be able to see what was happening. Rose stepped forward a tiny bit. Her fingers twitching as they gripped her wand. The sound of an echoing bang shook the walls around them. China in the oak cabinets rattled with a rose designed cup shattering to the ground.

Both Rose and James ran through the room and along the wall, stumbling to a stop at Hilda's doorway. Ron sat slumped against the wall, a bloody gash on his forehead as dust settled around the room, showing the far end wall had been blown out.

"DAD!" screamed Rose falling to her knees beside him as James ran out to the yard where Harry and the others were over powering Lucius' and Draco. Rose shook her father roughly letting out a relieved breath as he gave a groan.

"Rose," he murmured opening his eyes to see her, "I told you to stay back."

"I couldn't. I was worried beyond anything else. Are you okay?"

"Just another knock to the head. Nothing major."

"Dad, you're bleeding badly... concussion most likely... you'll have to be kept in over night to be sure there isn't any form of major brain damage," said Rose, mainly talking to herself as she visually inspected the gash.

"DUCK, ROSE!" bellowed Hugo from the yard.

Rose turned her head in time to be slammed full force by a blinding light before the darkness took her.

Scorpius felt the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He had to know where Rose was, where the contracts were. The worst case scenario kept repeating through his mind. Rose being captured by her grandfather and tortured until she gave in to the contracts whereabouts.

'No,' Scorpius told himself, 'No matter what, Rose would never give in.'

"Mr Malfoy," said Reese, "How long have you and young Rose Weasley been dating?"

"Two years and six months now," answered Scorpius promptly.

"Is she your first girlfriend?"

"No."

"First serious relationship then?"

"Yes. We are engaged."

Reese nodded, "Now, you and Miss Weasley kept your relationship a secret for two years from your families. Why is that?"

"My family are prejudice towards those who aren't of pureblood. We knew coming clean would cause them to retaliate in numerous ways. I never imagined it would lead to this."

"How long has your father and grandfather detested the Weasley family?"

"For as long as I can remember. Many people say it is because my family is bitter of their happiness at having the simple things in life."

Reese nodded again, "No more questions... however I would like to call forward a witness."

"You may," nodded the Head of Wizengamot.

Reese turned and looked directly at Astoria, who seemed stunned, "Mrs Astoria Malfoy."

Prosecutor Dadens rifled through her papers but stopped at a slip of paper. She looked to Astoria and shook her head in annoyance before turning back to the front. Astoria slowly stood and made her way to the witness seat next to Scorpius.

"Mrs Malfoy. Would you say your son has ever done anything criminal in his life?" asked Reese, "Remember, you are under oath and if you lie we all will know."

Astoria sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering, "Scorpius has always been a level headed and good son."

"Were you surprised at his long term and serious relationship with Rose Weasley?"

"Yes and no. Yes because I always thought he would listen to his father, but then I wasn't because... because Rose Weasley is the type of young woman who... who is smart and seems to be extremely loving and loyal. That is the type of person I have always imagined my son with."

Scorpius looked at his mother in silence. She glanced at him and managed a small, proud smile. Despite its size, the smile meant the world to Scorpius. His mother had never turned her back on him. She was playing a silent game of her own all along.

"Then Mrs Malfoy, did your son murder Henry Wilson?" asked Reese.

The silence in the court room was tangible. Everyone was waiting, almost on the edge of their seats for what Astoria Malfoy was about to say. Would she dob in her husband and father-in-law? Or would she convict her son for a crime he never did nor could ever do?

"Knock him out," spat Hugo glaring at Lucius Malfoy who was bound to the ground by invisible magic.

Hugo raced back to Hilda's destroyed room, bypassing her rummaging through her safe. Ron was leaning over his pale daughter, shaking her over and over.

"Rosie, Rose wake up! Wake up!"

"Dad," whispered Hugo kneeling down to his knees, "I-is she?"

Ron leaned back in hysterics, "I don't know! She looks it, feels it! But it doesn't seem right! The spell... it wasn't green!"

Hugo touched his sister's skin, it still felt warm... but didn't dead bodies go cold then warm again? Hadn't Rose said that some time ago, when she loved to rattle of useless facts to him like their mother?

"Rose?" whispered Hugo gently shaking her, "Wake up Rose. We need you. Scorpius needs you."

A cold laugh echoed through to the pair of men. Hugo and Ron turned to stare at Lucius laughing up at the pale blue sky, his son remaining silent beside him. All eyes were on Lucius.

"What do you know?" demanded Lily towering over Lucius her wand pointed at his chest.

"She's not dead. She is in the deepest coma imaginable. But she will die, if you don't find the reversal spell in say... two hours," chuckled Lucius, "Only a Malfoy knows the answer. But the one who can save her is in court trying to beat a murder charge."

"Get her to the hospital," said Harry shooting a spell to silence Lucius, "We'll go to the Ministry and save Scorpius. Have you got the contracts?"

Hilda held them up, smirking at Lucius and Draco, "I told you only a Flint could open that safe, didn't I?"

"Come on Dad," said Hugo lifting his sisters into his arms, "We need to save Rose."

Ron stood, weakly with Albus running over to help his uncle. Both Hugo and Albus left with their apperating passengers.

"Let's go," said Harry binding Lucius to him with Dean on the other side.

Terry and Dina were on either side of Draco who looked paler than normal, figuring the truth was confirmed and about to be let out of their deep closet.

Everyone in the court swivelled their heads to the back doors as they swung open with a bang. Scorpius let out a prayer of thanks as Harry and Dean walked in with Lucius between them. Behind them was Terry and Dina followed by Hilda, Matilda, Lily and James. No Rose or her father, brother and other cousin.

"What is the meaning of this Mr Potter?" demanded the Head of Wizengamot.

"We have proof that the rumoured contracts exist and Mr Lucius Malfoy and Draco Malfoy are responsible for the death of Henry Wilson," said Harry, "Just as Scorpius has been declaring all along."

"It's true," said Astoria, "Lucius Malfoy did kill Henry Wilson and my husband... he was forced into pinning the blame on his own son."

"YOU WICKED WITCH!" yelled Lucius, "I KNEW YOU WERE NEVER MALFOY MATERIAL!"

"Pity your wife didn't figure that out before you helped her die, Lucius," snarled Astoria.

A murmur rippled through the court with Scorpius looking at his grandfather stunned.

"What? You killed Grandma?" he said, "Why? How could you?"

"You let her in on your romance with Miss Weasley. Did you think Adam's father learnt the mind searching charm on his own? Your grandmother accepted it and would have persuaded your father into accepting it. I couldn't have our family's blood stained by a half-blood, could I? I had to stop it and the first step was killing the persuader."

Scorpius turned away in disgust.

"The contracts, please," spoke up the Head of Wizengamot.

Hilda scuttled forward, her clothing ripped in places from the battle. She handed the two contracts over and hurried back to Matilda's side. The contracts were passed around the members who examined them talking amongst themselves.

Scorpius looked back to his friends mouthing one word, "Rose?"

They all shook their heads as the Wizengamot fell silent.

"Given this new, shocking evidence we hear by clear Scorpius Malfoy of the charges laid against him. Instead, we find Lucius Malfoy guilty of murder and hear by sentence him to life imprisonment in Azkaban. As for Draco Malfoy, you are sentenced to one year in Azkaban for your involvement in covering up this heinous crime, however we have taken in consideration of your father's controlling influence and have suspended your sentence with a three year good behaviour bond. Scorpius Malfoy, you are a free and innocent man. Court adjourned."

Scorpius watched the chains drop from his arms as he stood up and hugged his mother.

"I never gave up on you," she whispered to him, "You must believe me."

"I do."

"Go find Rose."

Scorpius grinned and ignored his grandfather's looks as he was led away by four guards.

"Scorpius," said Draco intercepting his paths to the Weasley clan, as Harry started speaking to Hermione and Ginny, "Before Harry or anyone could bring down your grandfather he placed Rose in the Til Death Coma. She has an hour or so left. They've taken her to St Mungo's."

"Til Death? What?" said Scorpius.

"Only a Malfoy can end it. It's a family created curse. If you don't get to her in time, Rose will die."

Scorpius felt the joy drain from him as his legs nearly gave way. Draco caught him and instantly apperated them both to St Mungo's first floor. The foyer was packed with bustling bodies, jostling for their way through. Draco literally dragged his son to the front counter.

"Rose Weasley," snapped Draco.

"Second floor," replied the woman in a bored tone, not even looking up.

"Let's go," said Draco racing alongside his son to the elevators.

Draco stopped the elevator closing with his arm and both jumped in. Scorpius looked at his father and frowned a little.

"Dad, why are you helping me? I know you don't like the Weasley's."

"I know what it is like to lose the one you love. It's a pain I'd rather you never experience."

Scorpius said nothing. He knew his parents loved each other, regardless of what other people thought, but he knew their love wasn't as passionate as his was with Rose. Who did his father love madly?

The doors slid open and both ran out to the nurse's station. She took one look at Scorpius and gestured to the room across from the desk. Scorpius ran in, surprising a pale Hugo.

"They made it," said Hugo to his father before looking at Scorpius with a pleading expression, "Save her, please."

Scorpius moved around a Healer and stood still at the sight of Rose. She was ghostly white, no movement coming from her. He walked forward and touched her limp hand. It was warm, but not normal body warmth. Opposite Scorpius was Ron, gripping onto his daughter's hand silently crying.

"What do I do?" croaked Scorpius turning to his father, "Tell me."

"Love her," said Draco, "It is the one weakness of the curse. It was made out of hate. The opposite of it is love."

Scorpius gently touched Rose's face, wanting to see her cheeks flush again with happiness, the one smile that she only ever gave him, the twinkle in her eyes when her cheeky streak came out to play. His Rose. He wanted his Rose with him always.

"Rose," he said gently kissing her forward, "Wake up. It's me. I'm free because of you. Don't leave me now."

He squeezed her hand in hope but no change happened. He looked at his father helplessly who gestured for him to go on and try again.

"Come on Rose," begged Scorpius sitting beside her and leaning forward towards her, "I need you. Please, please don't leave me, us, your family want you."

Still no change and with time ticking away so quickly Scorpius could feel desperation overcoming him.

"Rose! Don't you dare leave me here without you! We battled this case out to be together! Not have you leave me here on my own! You are what I fought to live for! Dammit Rose!"

Tears began to fall down his cheeks as Ron spoke up.

"Ten minutes left... please Scorpius."

Scorpius leaned down; his forehead touching Rose's cooling one. His tears were falling down onto her face.

"Merlin Rose," he whispered gently kissing her cold lips, "I love you. Don't leave me."

Scorpius closed his eyes, swallowing a lump in his throat. His father pressed a hand to his back briefly before stepping out to let the people close to Rose be there. The Healer's trickled out also as Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Lily, James, Hilda and Matilda arrived.

"Rose!" cried Hermione rushing around to Ron's side sobbing, "Oh my darling girl!"

"Please Rose," whispered Scorpius kissing her once more, "I love you... you are my soul mate... my one and only."

Her body went ice cold, so suddenly that Ron gasped and let her hand go. Scorpius kept his body touching hers feeling his warmth flood into her body. Her breath, tickled his face as the sudden cold became warm again. Leaning back a little, her blue eyes looked at him confused.

"Scorpius?" she said, "W-what's going on?"

"You nearly died!" cried Ron standing up to look at his living daughter beaming, "But you're okay... my Merlin you are okay!"

"A-and you're free?" asked Rose looking at Scorpius.

Scorpius smiled, "Free of charges. I'm all yours."

Rose sat up, hugging Scorpius happily as she let out sobs of relief, "It's over... it's finally over!"

One Year Later...

"Do you, Rose Weasley, take Scorpius Malfoy to be your lawfully wedded husband, til in death do you part?"

Rose smiled at Scorpius, her eyes full of love and devotion, "I do."

"And do you, Scorpius Malfoy, take Rose Weasley to be your lawfully wedded wife, til in death do you part?"

Grinning, like he was the luckiest man alive, Scorpius answered, "I do."

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. Please greet Mr Scorpius and Mrs Rose Malfoy. You may now kiss."

With the hundred or so guests clapping Rose and Scorpius shared their first kiss as a married couple before turning to the audience grinning. Around them the scenery changed to a reception with them standing behind their table.

"So," said Scorpius, "How does it feel to be married, Mrs Malfoy?"

"Wonderful," grinned Rose kissing him again, "You don't think we rushed things?"

"Are you kidding me? We were wondering if we ever would make it to this day last year! This is a dream come true."

"It is," nodded Rose as Fred and Matilda Weasley came over to them with three months old Juliet Weasley in a levitating carrier, "How is my Goddaughter?"

"As good as ever," smiled Matilda, "Congratulations!"

"Yes, you both made it," smiled Fred, "And before Teddy and Vicky."

Rose looked over to her vain cousin and smiled, "Well a month from now she'll be married."

"About time," muttered Matilda with a grin to Rose, "And for you both."

"Well you know, we had a court case holding us up, but these things happen," joked Scorpius.

The reception continued throughout til the night with dancing, stories given through the speeches by former teachers who suspected the relationship all along.

"But now," said Lily smiling at the couple as she reached the end of her speech, "We must bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Malfoy for their honeymoon to Rome. And as my grandmother said, she hopes they come back carrying extra luggage."

Rose's mouth fell open as she laughed with a look to her chuckling grandparents.

"So, have a great honeymoon and we'll see you back here happy as always in two weeks."

Rose and Scorpius stood holding hands smiling to one and other and the guests. They walked towards the crackling fireplace, heading to their future, one both had battled for and won in the end.

As Scorpius remembered his grandmother saying long ago, "Love always win's in the end."

The End

A/N: Yes. It is finished. I hope you all enjoyed the final chapter. It was hard trying to find a perfect way to end it. But then I thought, well getting married was something both had wanted for such a long time. I hope your questions were answered well enough. I don't know if I will be writing another fan fiction at this stage... we'll have to see what the future brings!

Thank you all for your reviews. They are why I endeavoured to finish this fic between work commitments.

Til next time... maybe...

Love yas!

Love Coz!