One month later, Rose and Scorpius eloped. Scorpius had reasoned it all out. The complications of inviting Lucius Malfoy to a wedding attended by an entire clan of blood-traitors were just too overwhelming. However, the complications of not inviting Lucius Malfoy to the wedding of his only grandson were also overwhelming. It was better to avoid the issue entirely.
Rose didn’t admit to herself that she was relieved not be paraded in front of people when her abdomen was already noticeably protruding.
The Saturday they had chosen to have the wedding dawned clear and bright, a perfect June day. She and Scorpius had finally agreed the night before to send Patronus messages to their parents and Hugo last-minute, inviting them to Ministry Courtroom 4 at 10:00 a.m. They had reasoned that the invitation might at least lessen the anger that was bound to ensue.
Lily had come to help Rose dress, and Albus had taken Scorpius out for breakfast. These were the only two cousins who knew about the wedding and would serve as best man and best woman (Lily considered –Maiden of Honor†to be an insulting title).
As Rose pulled on the knee-length ivory sundress that she and Lily had purchased a few weeks before, Rose was shocked to find that it was already quite tight.
Lily collapsed in giggles when she came into the room. –You look like a German barmaid.†Rose’s chest had undeniably grown several sizes in the intervening time.
–Fix it,†Rose pleaded. –You know I’m hopeless with fashion spells.â€
–I know. It never ceases to amaze me that someone as brilliant as you with translations can’t do a simple re-sizing charm. See? Not a problem,†Lily reassured her, putting the finishing touches on the dress adjustments.
In the end, the dress hung perfectly, its empire waist mostly hiding Rose’s slightly swollen stomach. The two girls worked to neatly pin Rose’s auburn hair, leaving a few loose curls lying against her shoulders. –Gorgeous,†Lily pronounced. With a little makeup and some light perfume, Rose was ready to go.
–Half-an-hour early, too!†Lily exclaimed. –You might have just made history as the first bride to be ready for her wedding early.†Then she sighed. –Normally, I would suggest morning mimosas to pass the time, but you’ve got two good reasons not to drink.â€
–We could still drink orange juice out of champagne flutes,†Rose suggested. –And if you happen to tip a little champagne into yours, I’ll pretend not to notice.â€
–Hmm. Well, maybe I will. But only in honor of your nuptials, of course,†Lily giggled.
When they arrived outside Courtroom 4 at 9:59 a.m., it was to find Ron glaring from one side of the corridor and Draco glaring from the other. Rose would not have been shocked if a duel had broken out suddenly between them. Astoria and Hermione were desperately trying to fill the hallway with pleasantries: –Oh, why thank you! Yes, I got this necklace from Draco a few years ago,†and –I heard that you got those reforms for centaur rights passed. Quite impressive.â€
Scorpius was nowhere to be seen, though Rose noticed Hugo and Albus lounging in the doorway at the other end of the hallway next to the loos. –Mum, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy,†Rose said nodding at everyone and accepting hugs and kisses from her parents.
Scorpius finally appeared in the doorway, walking with Albus and Hugo down the hall to meet them. –Rose,†he said, his face lighting up, –you look lovely.†He leaned toward her as if to kiss her, but at the throat-clearing that erupted from both sides of the corridor, he pulled back and settled for taking her hand instead.
They all proceeded into the courtroom when the judge appeared, Draco and Ron taking up positions on opposite sides of the room.
They had signed all the papers ahead of time but had arranged with the judge to have a very short ceremony so that they could exchange vows. The ceremony in the courtroom passed in a blur.
Rose was aware of her shoes pinching her feet, of the tiny crack in Scorpius’s lip that said he had chewed worriedly on it all morning, of her father’s barely-contained distress, of Lily’s smile beside her. Then came the moment when she, Rose Hermione Weasley, had to pledge her faithful love to Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy. As she slowly repeated the vow, Scorpius’s eyes darkened to the color of slate that she saw only during especially intimate moments. And then it was her turn to listen to and accept his vow as she squeezed his hands in encouragement.
The ceremony itself had been surprisingly brief considering all it symbolized, Rose thought, as they walked down the aisle of the courtroom. Then again, her commitment to Scorpius had been made years ago when she had moved in with him knowing that she would do everything in her power to work out their relationship.
As everyone straggled back into the hallway, they looked awkwardly at each other. –We could go out to eat,†Hermione suggested. –It seems like we should have some kind of celebration now.â€
Scorpius looked at Rose for her thoughts. She said, –Umm, that’s lovely of you all, but I’m not really feeling so well this morning. I think maybe a reception at a later date…â€
Knowing how bad the morning sickness had been, everyone nodded and began to trickle away after offering their congratulations. When it was just Rose and Scorpius, he said, –I’m sorry you’re sick, this morning of all times!â€
–Actually, I’m fine. Really. I just couldn’t face a painfully polite lunch,†Rose replied.
–Or a volatile one,†Scorpius agreed. –What a diplomatic avoidance of potential disaster!â€
–We could still celebrate, though,†Rose suggested. –I’m feeling great now and we have lots of…er…celebrating to catch up on.†She raised one eyebrow suggestively.
–Hmm. Who needs lunch, after all?†Scorpius asked rhetorically.
They took a taxi back to their flat; Apparition was not a good idea when pregnant, Rose had learned when she had finally gone to see her regular Healer. Splinching was more of a danger when a witch was carrying a fetus in her body, apparently, and Flooing made her queasy. Rose had never appreciated the smoothness of Muggle travel more.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Scorpius reached up under Rose’s dress, slowly caressing her recently-enhanced curves. –I’ve been dying to do that all morning,†he breathed.
–Easy access. Could you wear dresses more often?â€
–Scorpius.†She stopped him before he could pull the sundress over her head.
–What?â€
–I’m…I’m going to get a lot bigger than this.â€
–Yeah,†he said absently, running his hands up and down her back.
–Do you…do you mind?â€
–Mind?†His hands stilled, and he looked at her incredulously. –Merlin, Rose, I’d be concerned if you didn’t get any bigger. And,†he winked mischievously, –I can’t complain when you get bigger in some very exciting areas, if you catch my drift.â€
–Just wanted to…be sure,†Rose gasped as he pulled off her dress and began thoroughly kissing some of those areas.
–Rose.†He lifted her up, carried her into the kitchen, and set her on the counter so that they were at eye level. –I’m sure. I’m sure about this. All of it.â€
Rose decided not to think about whether he was trying to convince her or himself with those words. Instead, she let the passion of the moment wash away all doubts.
–Happy marriage,†she murmured as she wrapped her legs around him.
–A boy and a girl,†Rose said wonderingly as they left St. Mungo’s two months later.
–Right,†Scorpius grinned. –Should I get a cab?â€
–It’s not too far. And Merlin knows I need to get some exercise,†Rose replied, looking down at her bulging front. –Walking is good. Or maybe I should say waddling is good.â€
–Rose!†Scorpius sounded indignant. –You never waddle.â€
–Well, I did break a chair the other day,†Rose said as they both dissolved into laughter. It had been a bit rickety to begin with, and Rose was getting too big to lower herself gracefully into any seat. The sudden weight of her collapsing onto it had been too much for the chair. Fortunately, Scorpius had been at home and alert enough to cast a cushioning charm.
–So, thoughts about names?†Rose asked when they had stopped laughing.
–Whatever we name them, could we please make sure there’s a good way to shorten it? My parents were shortsighted in that regard. I’ve always hated ‘Scorpy,’ and ‘Scor’ isn’t much better.â€
Rose stifled giggles at the distaste in Scorpius’s voice, saying, –Names with obvious nicknames. Check.â€
–I’ve always liked Gemini for a boy. Jim or Jemmy, you know, for short,†Scorpius mused.
–Gemini!†Rose clapped her hand to her mouth in horror.
–What?â€
–I can’t believe you want to inflict constellations on your children, considering the teasing you endured in childhood!â€
–Not just any constellation names,†Scorpius protested. –Constellation names are fine as long as they’re somewhat normal. I mean, okay, my parents should have put a little more thought into Scorpius. But it’s nice to have names that have a story, don’t you think?â€
–A story?â€
–Well, at least a heritage. Something that connects them with other generations of their family.†They had stopped at a red light and were waiting for the crosswalk signal.
–Your family, you mean.â€
Scorpius stared at her in confusion. –Rose,†he said carefully, –it will be their family, too. And it’s your family now.â€
–Oh. Right. Excuse me for forgetting,†Rose fumed. –It’s my family now, a family that is trying to pretend that I’m not part of it.â€
–Look, I know that my grandparents have refused to let us visit at Malfoy Manor when they’re there…†Scorpius began, but Rose interrupted.
–You mean they’ve refused to let me visit at Malfoy Manor. You have an open invitation so long as you don’t bring ‘that Weasley girl.’â€
–Let me finish!†Scorpius exclaimed. –I know my grandparents haven’t been friendly to you. But no matter what my grandparents think, our children will still be part of the Malfoy family. They’ll have the Malfoy name. They’ll inherit Malfoy money.â€
–And I would be just fine if they had nothing to do with the house of Malfoy!†Rose snapped. The crosswalk had gone from –Walk†back to –Don’t Walk,†but Rose and Scorpius had stopped on the sidewalk and were now facing each other angrily.
–Do you really mean that?†Scorpius asked softly, his shoulders slumping.
Rose blew out an exasperated breath. –Ugh. No, I guess not. But kind of.â€
–Rose, I’m part of the Malfoy family, whether I like it all the time or not. I’ve had to come to terms with that.â€
–Oh, I know,†Rose put a hand to her aching back. –Look, this is silly. We’re standing in the middle of the sidewalk having a row.â€
Scorpius glanced around. –Let’s go to that café across the street,†he suggested.
Scorpius offered to order for both of them and steered Rose to a table where she sank thankfully into a chair. It was getting harder to stand or walk for extended periods of time. The weight from her front made her back hurt. She glared at the woman at the next table who was staring at Rose’s belly.
Rose had discovered that people looked at her stomach instead of her face now, and it infuriated her. –Like I’m just a walking womb!†she had exclaimed to Scorpius in frustration more than once. Wizarding robes were better because they offered a little more concealment, but they were not practical for August weather…or for walking about Muggle London, for that matter. Today she had on a long, loose grey top and stretchy, comfortable black capri leggings.
When Scorpius returned, balancing two scones, a black coffee, and some herbal tea, she eagerly reached for the food. –I thought you might be hungry,†he grinned as he nudged the chair across from her out with his foot and sat down.
–Mmmm,†she replied, breaking off a corner of the scone. –Malfoy, you might know how to get me riled up, but you also know how to be endearing.â€
–It’s not so hard these days,†Scorpius smirked boyishly. –Food and…†He broke off as he noticed the woman at the next table staring at them again. –Hmm,†he cleared his throat, changing his comment. –Food and back rubs.â€
Rose glared possessively at the woman who was looking appreciatively at Scorpius’s tall frame and tousled hair. Usually she didn’t care when women noticed Scorpius—he was handsome, after all, and she was proud that he was with her—but today she felt unsure of herself and their relationship.
–Okay,†Scorpius sighed, completely unaware of the interchange. Rose turned her attention back to her husband as he said, –I think the break was good, but we really should go back to our discussion. We were talking about you not wanting our children to have anything to do with the Malfoys.â€
–It’s not that,†Rose protested. –It’s just that your family has money.â€
–You never seemed bothered by that before.â€
As she intercepted another glance from the woman beside them, Rose lowered her voice. –I wasn’t. But now I’m realizing that your grandparents have money and are willing to use it manipulatively against me. They might try to buy the twins’ affection. And our poor babies will constantly be judged by what your grandparents did in the war.â€
–I know,†Scorpius conceded, –but the Malfoy name isn’t all bad. The Malfoys built a potions import business. They funded lots of research at St. Mungo’s, and they gave money to Hogwarts for repairs.â€
The woman beside them finally got up to leave, and Rose let out a breath of relief. It was a strain to argue in whispers so that they wouldn’t violate the Statute of Secrecy.
–I know,†Rose reassured Scorpius. –It’s not that I think the Malfoy family is all bad. I’m just angry right now. And I feel protective, I guess.â€
Scorpius nodded. –Totally understandable. But I want my children to have a connection to my family, to have history and heritage, even if it’s not all something to be proud of.â€
–You mean you want our children to have a connection to your family?†Rose emphasized.
–Rose. You know I know they’re our children. But I know that they will have a connection to your family. You’ve got so bloody many relatives that they can’t help but hear stories and feel a bond with the Weasleys. I guess,†Scorpius admitted, –I guess I’m afraid that they might feel less proud to be Malfoys. Merlin knows that I’ve felt that way at times.â€
Rose acknowledged the possibility of Scorpius’s worry. –I see.â€
Scorpius stretched slightly and then leaned towards her. His eyes had shadows beneath them, and Rose remembered that he had worked quite late last night in order to take time to be with her for the Healer’s appointment this morning.
–I’m sorry,†she whispered, lacing her fingers through his.
–We knew this would come up again and again,†Scorpius said, –family and all. We just work it out one moment at a time.â€
–Yeah,†Rose responded, –but could we work it out some way other than Gemini?â€
–All right. I will nobly sacrifice my dream of a son named Gemini.†Smirking at her, he asked, –So how would you feel about Columba for the girl?â€