Disclaimer: For the last time, I'm not JK…

A/n: This chapter was also written for Professor Flitwick's prompt of the day library – January 9th - "Why didn't you tell me that to start with?"

Chapter 5: The dreadfully sappy epilogue

"Scorp! Rose is here" his mother's voice floated up the banister to his room on the second floor, which he was thankful for for once. He adjusted his tee shirt in an attempt to smooth down the invisible wrinkles on them. No matter what he tired, he couldn't seem to make the Hippogryffs stampeding in his stomach settle. There was really no reason for him to get all anxious, he told himself, it was just like every other Weasley Christmas bash he had ever attended. And the family actually liked him fairly well too.

But this was the first time he was attending as anybody other than Al's friend. More precisely, as Rose's boyfriend. The fact thrilled him and frightened him all at once. Not that being in a relationship with Rose was anything to be feared. It was the best thing ever, but he knew her family unfortunately well and if the howlers he had received during the first week were anything to go by, he was doomed.

"Scorpius!" his mother's impatient tone broke his frenzied reverie and he took a deep breath that was supposed to comfort him, but only succeeded in making him sneeze. He wasn't superstitious by nature, but Scorpius suddenly felt his legs turn into lead. Stop thinking about it, he chanted repeatedly as he walked down the steps quickly, lest he run and hide in the safety of his room.

The two women in the room spared him a glance before they began talking about something he couldn't hear because of the buzzing in his ears. Only Draco, standing to the side of the room, paid him any mind and even that was only to give him a nod of approval before he immersed himself in the Prophet.

"Aren't we running late?" he interrupted their talk rather bravely, and Rose turned to him, grinning.

"You look positively nauseated, I thought I'd give you time to settle" she replied matter of factly standing up anyway.

"Let's go, Scor" she took a hold of his hand, literally dragging him through the distance between the drawing room and the front door.

"Come by as often as you can, Rose. Don't be a stranger" Astoria greeted warmly as she saw them off at the door. Draco didn't even bother, which irritated Scorpius. Didn't he want to see his son, his sole heir, one last time?

"Of course Astoria" already on first name basis, were they? Savvy.

"Grab my hand firmly Scor and don't let go" Rose warned as she turned to apparate. Not that he wasn't already gripping onto her for dear life. But barely had they apparated when he let go of her, momentarily stumbling. They weren't standing in front of the Burrow as he had expected. Instead, they were now standing at the entrance to the newest restaurant in Diagon Alley.

"What…But…" he looked questioningly at her but she only smiled, indicating that he should enter the place. He did after a moment's hesitation, and was immediately attended to by a waitress who seated them at a booth by the window. Scorpius didn't notice anything much about her but Rose's furious muttering caught his attention.

"Are you trying to complement me or something?" she laughed before they were faced with the waitress again. It was a few minutes before they were alone enough for her to comment.

"The waitress. Didn't you notice?" her tone was incredulous but he shook his head. He was still too shocked by the sudden change of location and was expecting armed Weasleys to pour out from the corners of the room at any second. And no, he wasn't even joking.

"What about her?" Rose shook her head in exasperation but he thought he saw a hint of pleasure in her eyes.

"She was ogling you the whole time" she stated it as if she was describing something disgusting, and the comment drew him out of his trance. His sarcasm wasn't far behind.

"Jealous?" even through the dimming lights; he could see her eyes narrow threateningly.

"Yes. I don't share" she stated with a note of finality that had him laughing.

"I don't understand what's so damn funny about all this" she stated, her annoyance apparent on her face.

"If you're going to act this possessive everytime we go out,…"

"I am that selfish, now get over it." she was flustered but when the waitress came back with their orders, managed to act complacent enough. Scorpius tried to act as aloof as possible, lest he trigger her wrath.

"Why are we here, by the way? Not that I don't appreciate the chance to avoid meeting your family, but that was what we had agreed, right?"

"Contrary to what your arrogant mind is telling you, I am not doing this for some alone time with you. The party was cancelled because there was some repair at the Burrow and Grandma Molly refused to change the location. She feels that once we start it this year, we might continue and she wouldn't get to see her grandchildren at all." She explained, making sweeping gestures with her spoon.

"Why didn't you tell me that to start with? Would have avoided me all this anxiety!" a minute passed in silence.

"So there is no party?" he asked, relieved immeasurably. He might postpone his untimely death yet.

"Not so soon, Mister. There is going to be an unofficio party at Godric's Hollow since Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny generally spend Christmas nights at our house. But it'll be just the cousins, friends and my bro so it should be small enough" he knew that by small enough she meant a minimum of fifty.

"Sienna will be there?"

"Yeah, but don't tell Al. it's supposed to be a surprise" she warned, her eyes flashing red from the lights.

"Fair enough. Pay back for letting me sulk and brood" he replied, satisfied. Now that the looming threat of facing her parents had passed, he could actually breathe and look around to appreciate her effort.

"I didn't know they had music here?" he seemed genuinely amazed, pleasantly surprising her. She had thought he'd know.

"Just thought I'd make up for that day when you refused to leave my side" her smile showed him that she was glad he had done so, but the thought behind it shook him, though not for the first time. Over the time he had known her, she had done more than a few things that had completely thrown him. Like this one. He understood the thought behind it. Rose primarily was the kind of person who wished to keep everybody happy. She was slightly adamant about the way she went about showing it but once you got passed that, she was genuinely the most caring person he had seen.

"You don't like it?" she was just too adorable when she acted all insecure like that.

"Silly, of course I do. Let's dance" he drew her to the middle of the floor, and soon they were lost in their own world, forgetting that other people even existed. It was just too easy to get lost in her eyes, the unfathomable depth of them. The glow in them was blinding, her happiness apparent for anyone to see. He couldn't help but wonder if he could be arrogant enough to think that he made her feel so. The thought was empowering and brought a smirk to his face. She raised an eyebrow but he just shook his head. She'd probably whack him on the head if he told her. He hadn't realized how much time had passed until he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to look into the amused yet harried face of his best mate.

"You might like her a lot, but that's my cousin you're making goo goo eyes at and I might have to hex you into oblivion if you don't stop that at once. Everyone's waiting" with that stimulating warning, he turned back and headed out of the restaurant, leaving them alone. That was when he noticed the host of ginger haired people looking interestedly, or in some cases murderously, at him.

"Sorry, I told one of them to come get us. I never thought…" her explanation was cut off as he kissed her, in plain sight of the rest of her family. He could sense her shock through her lips and withdrew with a smirk on his face.

"You don't seem tense anymore?" she accused but he only laughed at her expression. She could be so cute at times.

"As long as you're with me, I'll manage" he draped a hand around her shoulder and together, they went out to face her family; together.

A/n: Done! I mean, I never thought I'd EVER get to the point of finishing it but, wow! If you liked this story, which in all likelihood is impossible, do leave a review. Afterall, this is the last chance you get to tell me how crappy a writer I am!

See ya!