Twists of Fate

Chapter 18: Enraptured Hours

Scorp stepped into the Ministry that Monday with a gigantic grin, a plan in mind, and determination written all over his face. Wizards and witches sent him odd glances over their shoulders as they walked by, wondering what normal wizard could be so happy on such a dreadful Monday morning. Scorp, oblivious to it all, waved eagerly at a passing stranger. He stepped into the lift tapping his foot rhythmically to the music.

He stepped out of the lift and strutted down the hallway, waving optimistically towards Robert Finkle, another member of his department. Robert a large old man in his late 60s returned his wave and threw in a toothless smile.

Scorp opened the door to his office, unsurprised to see it already occupied.

"Good morning, Al," He said cheerily, barely even glancing at his best mate, who was twirling around in Scorp's chair.

Al jumped at Scorp's unexpected presence, nearly tumbling out of the chair. "Scorp!" He cried in surprise. "I didn't think you'd be coming in today. I've been trying to owl you all weekend, but you didn't reply. Rose told me everything and I wanted to check on you."

"I was busy. Besides I'm fine." Scorp replied nonchalantly. Setting his things down on his desk, he motioned for Al to move out of the way. Al complied quickly, scrambling out of his seat to move to the chair directly across the desk.

"You're fine?" Al questioned unconvinced. "You're completely fine knowing Rose is engaged to be married to someone that isn't you?"

When Rose burst into Malfoy Manor over the weekend and delivered her news, his initial reaction was to be crushed. After she left, Scorp apparated himself to a muggle gym. For hours he stood in the backroom mercilessly throwing his fists at a punching bag. Over and over again until his knuckles started to bleed and his skin became chapped. Only when his knuckles were so raw that he couldn't possibly hit the bag anymore, did he leave for a muggle bar, where he drowned his sorrows in whiskey for the rest of the night. When he woke up the next morning, Scorp decided there was no room for pity only for action. He knew as soon as he got back that he still loved Rose. He knew that they would eventually find their way back together. With the encouragement from Mr. Weasley, he planned to take things slowly. Let themselves get familiar with one another again, before confessing his feelings. Her engagement didn't change his plans. They only sped them along.

"She's engaged, but she isn't married. Not yet anyway." He muttered so quietly, the words barley graced Al's ears.

"What are you talking about?"

Scorp shrugged. He had been thinking about it since Rose told him the news. She was engaged but not married. That meant he had time. Time to convince her that she was about to make a big mistake. They belonged together. He was certain of it. She still looked at him the way she used to when they were together. He still felt that buzz of attraction every time they accidentally touched and was certain he wasn't the only one feeling it. He couldn't be.

Rising from his seat, Al placed his hands on Scorp's desk leveling him with an intense look. "I came in here this morning all worried that you'd be a complete wreck after hearing the news, but instead you're muttering to yourself, dodging my questions, and acting like everything is okay."

"It is okay, Al," Scorp replied reassuringly. "So Rose is engaged? Big deal. What matters is that she and I are still friends."

Albus studied him. He'd known Scorp for most of their life. He could read him as easily as he could Rose, but right now he was uncertain. This wasn't the Scorp he knew. The Scorp he knew loved Rose and wouldn't give up on her so easily. The Scorp he knew would be inconsolable right now and in desperate need of firewhiskey.
"Friends, huh?"