Chapter 5

A/N: Well down to the end now. I'm sorry for such a long time between updates, unfortunately RL messed with my schedule and julymorning's enough to make the wait longer than I would have liked.

One last huge thank you to julymorning for betaing, to drcjsnider for the challenge, and to my reviewers. Lastly, thank you to The Petulant Poetess staff, for running a top notch site and working through the queue as quickly as you do.

Rose Floo'd Lily and asked if she could come through.

"So, what is going on now?" Lily asked.

Rose replied, "I figured out the clue. It was Amortentia. They somehow had a vial containing my smell for Scorp, and his smell for me. Then they asked us to compare it to Amortentia."

"Shit. Did they smell the same? For both of you?"

"Enough alike to prove to them that we are attracted to each other."

"So that is why you are fucked: because they aren't going to give this up."

"Pretty much."

"So, how do you feel about Scorp?"

"I love him. You know that. He's my best friend."

"Rose, you know what I'm asking."

"I can't think about that right now, Lily. I just can't. What if he doesn't feel the same?"

"What if he does?"

"But what if he doesn't? His friendship means too much to me. I can't lose that."

"No one says you have to."

"Really? And how many of your ex-boyfriends do you speak to?"

"That is beside the point. We aren't talking about me. We are talking about you and Scorp. Oh, and for the record, I know for a fact that you and Scorp are both on very good terms with just about everyone you've ever dated. Heck, half the time you end up hooking them up with someone else. Usually one of Scorp's exes, so don't give me that excuse."

"Only one time... Okay, twice, and they were perfect for each other!"

"Rose, focus! Let me ask you this, and I want you to think about this before you answer me – how does Scorpius make you feel, when he isn't pissing you off, that is?" Lily smirked.

Rose contemplated Lily's question. "He makes me feel happy, safe, calm, passionate, and loved."

"So, I'll go back to my first question: how do you feel about Scorp, and what do you want to do about it? Don't answer me. Go home and think about it. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"All right, I will. But no matter what I decide, I don't want it to be influenced by my parents' scheming. Scorpius and I are getting together tomorrow to counter-plan. Why don't you join us?"

"Okay. Sounds like fun."

"Great. See you tomorrow, then."

The next day, Rose, Scorpius, Lily and Hugo met up at Fortescue's to begin counter-planning.

Rose started: "Right, so, I filled in Lily and Hugo last night on what we have figured out to date."

"Excellent, and you are going to help us steer clear of any traps, trips, or hazards set down in front of us by our parents," Scorpius said to Lily and Hugo.

Lily replied, "Will do, and should you get trapped, tripped, or tied up in any fashion, we agree to set you loose. Don't we, Hugo?"

"With or without photographic evidence?" Hugo asked and was promptly swatted by Rose and Lily. "Kidding, only kidding. So, what do you think the rest of Mum and Mr. Malfoy's plan is?"

"Well, they still have the Amortentia. They might use that," Rose said.

"I don't think so. Mum would never dose you with anything that strong," replied Hugo.

"I agree, I don't think they would risk dosing us with that. Besides it's too risky. We would have to take it while looking at each other for it to work. There is too much chance for error. I could see them dosing us with something less potent, like something from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes that you have to say a charm over or put a hair in or something so that the correct person is targeted," Scorpius said.

"So, how do we protect against that? It's not like we can only eat or drink things that we fix for ourselves for the rest of our days!" Rose exclaimed.

"I don't think we need to worry about the rest of our days. I figure they are going to strike at your birthday party."

"Well, I guess that makes sense, but still, it will be hard to keep control of what we eat or drink during the party."

"Fortunate for you, then, that Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes also sells counter-measures for most love-inducing items."

"I guess it's a good thing we didn't buy anything yesterday, then."

"So what if it isn't some type of love potion?"

"I think that is our best bet, but we should keep our eyes open for anything unusual."

"Agreed."

As the day of the party got closer, Rose and Scorpius noticed that their parents were acting more and more bizarre whenever they were in vicinity. For people who had been quite adept at hiding their original intent, they now seemed to be flaunting the fact that they were planning something in front of Rose and Scorpius.

"I don't like this at all. What are they up to?" Rose said to Scorpius.

"They are just trying to throw us off."

"Well, they are doing a good job of it. I swear, I jump whenever I walk into a room and my parents are there, even if they aren't huddled over 'nothing.'"

"I know what you mean. But your party is only a day away now. Chin up, it's almost over."

"But it won't be over, will it? When whatever they have planned fails, they will just come up with something new."

"Well, there is bound to be a lull, and when they start up again, we'll face it together. Please don't worry, love. I want you to enjoy your birthday, not be stressed out over some unknown plot. Everything will be fine, I promise you."

"When you say it like that, I find it hard not to believe you. Thanks, Scorpius, for everything. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't my friend."

"Your welcome, and that is something you will never have to worry about. No matter what happens, Rose, I will always be your friend."

***

Scorpius spotted Rose sitting on a bench in the garden. He sat down next to her, intentionally budging her in the shoulder. Rose moved over, giving Scorpius more room.

"Taking a breather?"

"Yeah, too many Weasleys in a small area. I needed some room to breathe. Your mum sure knows how to organize a beautiful party."

"So why do I get the impression you aren't enjoying yourself?"

"I'm just feeling somewhat melancholy. I'm thirty. I haven't had a decent relationship in ages, if ever. Everyone knows it, proof of which is the plot to get us together, whatever the plot may be." Rose expelled a frustrated breath.

They sat for a few moments in silence, then Scorpius heard the music coming from the house. Mum had planned for everything; apparently, it was time for dancing.

"May I have this dance?" Scorpius asked while nudging Rose again with his shoulder.

"Of course," Rose said, smiling back at Scorpius.

As Rose moved into Scorpius' arms, she thought over the events of the last few weeks. She realized that the times she was the happiest were when she was with Scorp. If she were honest with herself, the same was true for the last few years. Finally, things clicked into place, and she realized she was in love with him. "Scorpius?" Rose said, looking at his shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too," he said, giving her a little squeeze, his tone casual.

Rose tipped her head away from his shoulder and looked him in the eye. He was looking at her intently, as if he was trying to convey a million thoughts at once. Rose looked back at him and, with all the emotion in her heart, said it again. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he said, pouring all the intensity she had seen in his face into his words. Slowly, Scorpius closed the distance between them and lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was tender, giving, and so soft that Rose could have gotten lost in it forever. Scorpius broke the kiss in an attempt to gather his wits, but one look at her lips and he was undone. Their second kiss conveyed all of his passion and hunger for her. Rose was consumed by the kiss. She couldn't think. All she could do was respond with all the passion in her being.

Hugo chose that moment to come into the garden looking for Rose. He spotted Scorpius and, before he processed the scene in front of him, said, "Oi! Scorp. Did you find Rose yet? Oops, apparently you did. I guess I'll leave you alone, then, shall I? Right." Scorpius and Rose were so caught up in each other they didn't even notice him. Hugo went back into the house beaming madly.

"So, did you find them?" Hermione asked.

"Yep."

"Are they coming in?"

"Nope."

"And why not?"

"They were otherwise engaged." So as not to embarrass Rose in front of the whole Weasley crowd, he cut off his mother's next question by whispering how they were otherwise engaged in Hermione's ear.

Hermione, at hearing this, gave out a loud whoop and ran to hug Astoria.

"Let's get out of here," Scorpius said to Rose. "I need to get you somewhere private, now."

"Can't... party... family... can't leave," Rose said gaspingly, trying to recoup her bearings.

"Fuck the party."

"I'm fairly certain that isn't what's on your mind at the moment."

"Leave with me, and I'll show you exactly what's on my mind, right now," he growled.

"Ehm, Rose, I believe your mother is looking for you." Rose looked over Scorpius' shoulder to see her Uncle George with his back to them, looking up at the sky.

"Thank you, Uncle George," Rose said, taking a few more fortifying breaths. Rose moved away from Scorpius and headed towards the door. When she realized that Scorpius wasn't beside her, she turned around, looking for him. He was standing where she had left him with his back to her. "Scorpius, are you coming in?"

"He'll be with you in a few minutes, love," George said.

George walked over to Scorpius and gave him a small bottle. "Here, take a swig of this, not more than a mouthful."

"What is it?" Scorpius asked.

"Wood-Be-Gone. It's something I've been working on for young men with overactive... imaginations."

"Any side effects?"

"None that you or my niece will be unhappy about, I assure you, which is why it's not on the market yet. If I can't eliminate the side effect, then I'm going to have to market the product differently. Actually, I'm hoping I can isolate what is causing the side effect so I can market a different product."

"What's the side effect?" Scorpius asked, trying to determine for himself if the side effect was worth what he thought the potion would do.

"Well, let's just say that once the potion wears off, nothing will happen... prematurely," George quickly added, seeing the gleam in Scorpius' eye. "Take too much, though, and 'nothing' will happen for several hours, which can be quite uncomfortable."

Scorpius decided that George hadn't steered him wrong yet; as far as it came to Rose, and took a small swig. He immediately felt the tightness in his pants lessen.

"That should wear off in about forty-five minutes. Oh, and Scorpius? If you hurt my niece, I'll hex you in a way that it will shrivel and fall off, are we clear?"

"Crystal, sir."

"Good boy. Head back to the party. Your mum is going to smother you to death, but I believe she and Hermione have come up with an exit strategy for you both. They should have your out of here quick enough."

***

Rose woke up to Scorpius holding her arms over her head with one hand while nibbling on her ear. The hitch in her breathing alerted him to her wakeful state, and he shifted his focus to her mouth. After what seemed like an eternity to Rose, Scorpius moved his hands down her flesh and began exploring her body again in earnest. Rose tried to bring her hands down to tangle them in his hair but quickly discovered that her index fingers were attached to something. Rose turned her face away from Scorpius giving him ample opportunity to attack her neck, while she twisted her head around to confirm her suspicions. Indeed, her index fingers were attached to each other by fuchsia and gold Chinese finger-cuffs; however, the set now attached to her was about three feet long and wrapped around one of the slats in Scorpius' headboard.

"Scorpius?" Rose said in a breathy moan as he had now moved his oral exploration of her body down to her breasts. "Why do you have me tied up in a way that I can easily escape?"

"Well, love, two reasons," he said as he changed his focus yet again. "Firstly, I know how much of a control freak you are, so you are completely in control of your bondage. Secondly, I want to see if I can distract you so completely that you will be unable to focus the small amount of attention required to release yourself from your confines." And with that, he set about distracting her quite thoroughly.

Fin