Of Hallucinations and Losing Bets

"Rose?" he asked again.

She said nothing in reply, instead choosing to regard the blond man before her carefully. He looked well, she noted. His hair was still in that dreamy mess that she so loved to run her fingers through. Those grey eyes were still deep bottomless pools of mercury. His face still had that Malfoy calm. But something about him was different- he seemed sad. She supposed it was her fault, really. She should have read the book earlier instead of being so stubborn as to avoid it for three whole years. Well, he shouldn't have been an idiot and broken up with her either.

They were both at fault.

Equally.

"Great!" said the blond, sighing. "I have got to hallucinate, now haven't I? Why can't I bloody understand that she's not coming back! Ever! She isn't mine, she never was. She's too good for me. for anyone. But I still love her." He fell silent as he sank to the ground, spent, and closed his eyes. "Hallucinations. Really."

"Umm… Scorpius?" questioned Rose, tentatively. "Are you all right? Is this a bad time? Should I come back later?"

His eyes flew open. A look of pure terror clouding the clear grey. "I said all of that out loud, didn't I?" he asked, his pale skin going pink.

Rose nodded, seriously, not cracking a smile.

"Well, then, I'll have you know that it's all true. Every word of it."

Rose nodded again, not knowing what to say. She kneeled down, taking care to fold her cloak around her.

"So, Rose, to what do I owe this pleasure? Are you getting engaged? Who's the lucky man?" Scorpius spoke clearly, with the casual eloquence characteristic of the Malfoys, yet with the dejection of a broken heart. His eyes searched her left hand, looking for the tell-tale sparkle of a diamond.

Rose laughed softly, the sound carrying not further than Scorpius. "Of course not Scorpius! I'm not getting engaged. I just found this in the book" Explained Rose, pulling out the crumpled parchment from her pocket, knowing instinctively that he'd understand which book she'd meant. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Scorpius looked at the parchment sadly. "Rose." He whispered, "Merlin! It's amazing to be able to say that and watch your eyes sparkle. I believed that quote then. I still do." He said, motioning to the paper in her hands.

"I'm glad you do!" replied Rose, smiling now "I'm glad you do." She moved forward on her knees and held Scorpius' face in her palm. "I've always been yours. I'll always be. Just as you'll always be mine, and only mine. Don't you ever forget that."

"Are you saying that… that you'll- you'll agree to… Rose? Will you- will you marry me? I mean, not just now of course, I understand that you might want to be just friends right now, and then maybe court later. But sometime in the future, when you're ready, will you be my wife?" asked Scorpius, a look of hope, thankfulness and love brightening his features.

Rose felt her breath catch in her throat. Scorpius finally looked the way she remembered him to be- Handsome, intelligent and caring; and most importantly- he looked happy. "Scorpius! Who says court anymore? In casual conversation that too! Of course I'll marry you, but I'd like to skip the first step please, let's jump straight to 'courting' if you don't mind. I couldn't possibly wait that long to… umm… you know…" Rose trailed of blushing.

"Snog? Ah ha! I knew it!" Scorpius smirked, for the first time in three years.

"Yes, well. I think we should head back to the Manor know. I really want to Floo Mum and tell her the good news. She's probably going to laugh and say 'I told you so!' or something like that. She always maintained that you never meant to break up with me."

"Hermione knows me well. How'll your Dad take it? I should have asked him for your hand first shouldn't I have? Oh no! He's probably going to Avada me the moment her hears."

"It's okay Scorpius." Rose laughed, "My 'hand' is mine to give. Dad and Mum'll just give us their blessings."

"So you say" Muttered Scorpius darkly as he stood up and gripped Rose's hand, pulling her to her feet.

"Don't worry. He loves you, you know. So does Mum. Can we please hurry back now? I really missed the lovely dinners that your Dad cooked."

"So living alone as an Auror who can burn water does have its negatives! That's why you came back, is it? Got sick of eating macro- microwab- microwavable meals?"

"What can I say? The way to girl's heart really is through her stomach."

"Oh very funny!"

Rose merely smiled at the face she hadn't seen in the past three years. She felt warm and comfortable and light for the first time in that long. She felt blissful.

Scorpius saw the change in her face, he noticed the peace settling onto her pretty features and as they turned the corner and neared the gates of the orchard. The setting Sun threw its golden light on her brilliant red hair. And Scorpius stopped in his tracks.

Rose stopped too, confused, she asked, "What is it? What's wrong Scorpius?"

"You're beautiful."

"You're not too bad yourself!" she teased laughing.

"I am devilishly handsome Madam, and I'll thank you to remember that!" said Scorpius smirking as he let go of her hand and set off at a sprint to the Manor. "Last one in is a dead Flobberworm!" he yelled.

"You're on Scorpius! I bet I'll beat you this time!" Rose hollered back.

"In your dreams Rosie!" Scorpius shouted over his shoulder. "I win, and we get married next month, you win and you get to pick the date!"

"All right. Now stop distracting me!" Rose hissed through clenched teeth.

"Sorry love, being distracted is an occupational hazard of being the girlfriend-oblique-fiancée of the brilliant Scorpius Malfoy!"

"SHUT UP!"

Scorpius smirked and ran on. He stopped just by the kitchen window of the Manor and Rose hurtled to a halt just a few moments later.

"Next month it is, then." He said pulling the panting Rose against his chest. He kissed her flushed cheek as they walked into his house. "As a matter of interest, had you won, when would you have picked?"

This time, Rose smirked, "I would have picked tomorrow- a small, quiet wedding with just our families. I've been away from you too long."

"Damn!" swore Scorpius, "I should have thrown the race."

"Now, now, Malfoy, what makes you think you need to throw a race in order for me to win? Race you to your Mum's parlour!"

And the redhead was off, the blond giving chase- carefree and happy- a wedding in glowing in their horizon…

~littlegirlgonemad~

Author's Note: Well, that's it, then. The first multi-chaptered fic I've finished.

Last chance for you all to review.

All those who've Favourited/Alerted the story without reviewing PLEASE review. Just a word will do, really.

Please!