Chapter 39: Ron's Reaction

    After everyone had to process this for themselves, they all looked over at Ron. He looked like he just got hit by a Buldger.

    Everyone was dead silent. That just happened. That really just happened. The secret was out now. Everyone knew. Rose's entire family knew now that her and Scorpius were dating. Rose's face was beat red. She was so nervous. No one said anything. What were their reactions going to be? For the first time in a very long minute, Rose looked up. Her eyes fell on her family staring at her in shock. She tried to not lock eyes with anyone, but she failed at that. Her eyes locked with an identical set. Ron's. Rose just wanted to sprint out of the room when this happened. Oh God. Ron. Her father looked like he fell 100 feet from a broom by a Buldger. His face was the same shade of red as Rose's. His mouth was open too.

    Everybody looked at each other waiting for someone to say something. After another minute of silence, Hugo muttered something under his breath, hoping no one would hear.

    "Finally." Hugo said under his breath so no one would hear. But, due to the silence in the room, everyone heard. Hermione slapped him on the arm.

    "Ouch, what was that for!" Hugo said to his mum. But, no one was listening to him, because someone else said something.

    "Finally?" Ron said very quietly. When he said this, all eyes were locked on him. Everyone was just waiting. What was he going to do? As her dad said this, Rose locked eyes with the same eyes that she had. The expressive, ocean blue irises.

    "FINALLY?!?" Ron said again, this time a little louder. Him and Rose finally made real eye contact. He stared into his daughters eyes, which were identical to his. He couldn't believe what he just heard. No, he wouldn't believe it. It couldn't be true. Right? Then, his memory tracked back. Teddy and Victorie's wedding. Her and the Death Eater's son were dancing together! How come he didn't put it all together before! Then, when Rose got injured last year. Madame Pomfrey did say, "If it wasn't for Mr.Malfoy, she would be more injured right now." Ron knew for sure that this was from Draco's son. Scorpius was not a common name. He just couldn't believe it.

    Rose and the rest of her family all stared at Ron. Oh Merlin! Rose just wanted to crumple. It was out now. There was no going back. All Rose could manage to respond with was a very small nod. Although it was very small, Ron understood completely what it meant. He couldn't believe what was happening. It was actually happening. He knew eventually Rose would get a boyfriend, but never in a million years he would have thought that it would be Scorpius Malfoy. He needed to know more.

    "Explain." Is all Ron could manage to say. He had a million questions. He needed to know the answer to them all.

    Rose's insides fell when her dad said this. There were no excuses left. He knew. There was no going back now. Everyone stared at her waiting for her response.

    "Me and Scorpius are seeing each other." Rose said in a low, quiet, little, flat voice. To her dismay, Ron heard this loud and clear.

    "WHAT?!?" Ron yelled. Everyone was startled by the volume of his voice. This was it. They all were intrigued to see what was going to happen in the next few minutes.

    "Me and Scorpius are seeing each other." Rose said, but this time, a little louder. She was trying so hard not to cry. She knew what was coming.

    "WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL! HOW COME I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS SOONER! HOW LONG! OH MERLIN'S BEARD ROSE! I THOUGHT YOU KNEW BETTER! GOING OFF AND DATING THAT DEATH EATER'S SON! DRACO'S PROBABLY TRAINING HIM NOW TO BECOME THE NEXT VOLDEMORT! I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" Ron yelled at his daughter. Everyone was in even more shock when these words came out of Ron's mouth. Then, everyone went to stare at Rose, to see her response.

    That was it. Rose couldn't hold it in any longer. She let it all out. Her anger and sadness.

    "DON'T YOU EVER CALL HIM THAT! OH, MAYBE THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T TELL YOU! I KNEW YOU WOULD REACT LIKE THIS!" Rose screamed back. Everyone watched in awe, shock, and curiosity, at Ron and Rose scream at each other. What was going to happen next?

    "ROSE, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU GOT YOURSELF INTO! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAS HAPPENED! HIS FATHER CONTRIBUTED TO ALL THAT!" Ron loudly responded.

    "DAD, THAT WAS OVER 20 YEARS AGO! PEOPLE CAN CHANGE! YOUR JUST HOLDING A GRUDGE! YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT SCORPIUS!" Rose yelled with a sob.

    "ARE YOU CLUELESS! HIS FATHER TRIED TO MURDER SOMEONE! DO YOU REALLY THINK I WAN'T MY DAUGHTER WITH THE SON OF THAT!" Ron said back defensively.

    "SCORPIUS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THAT! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH, WILL ALL PEOPLE ASSUMING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS! FIRST, HE LOST HIS MUM! SHE WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO SAW HIM FOR WHO HE TRULLY IS! HE'S NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL! HE'S KIND, POLITE, AND WOULD NEVER TRY TO BECOME A DEATH EATER! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN THINK THAT! THEN, GITS LIKE YOU ASSUME ALL OF THESE STUPID THINGS ABOUT HIM THAT AREN'T TRUE! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT HURTS HIM? NO! YOU DON'T! SO STOP TRYING TO SAY HE'S THE NEXT VOLDEMORT! YOU KNOW WHAT! YOU'RE JUST BITTER! IMAGINE SOMEONE SAYING YOU COULDN'T BE WITH MUM BECAUSE SHE WAS MUGGLE BORN! THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT YOUR DOING TO ME RIGHT NOW!" Rose yelled at the top of her lungs. That was it. She couldn't hold anything in anymore. She was furious at her father for thinking those things about Scorpius. He was the absolute polar opposite of everything he described. She was so angry if that was what all people thought of her boyfriend. Hot, angry, tears spewed form the corners of her eyes as she was screaming at her father.

    Everyone had their mouths open at this point, as they watched Rose and Ron scream at each other. They had no idea that was all going on.

    The last sentence that Rose said hit Ron like a ton of bricks to the stomach. Those words that came from his daughter's mouth were so powerful. He honestly didn't know how to respond. If his parents wouldn't let him be with the love of his life because of her parents, he didn't know what he'd do. Is that seriously what he was doing to Rose right now?

    When Rose screamed this to Ron, Hermione didn't know how to feel. She hated that her husband was acting like this to their daughter. Rose was 100% correct about everything she said. Hermione genuinely knew that Scorpius was perfect for Rose. She hated that Ron was acting like this. Rose was right. Hermione couldn't imagine not being with Ron. She was very lucky that his parents accepted her as a muggle born. Still, back at that time, even though it was getting better, pure bloods still had issues with muggles and muggle borns marrying into their families. That was basically what Ron was doing, but the other way around.

    It was a minute before anyone said anything. Rose knew that Ron was going to come back with something cruel. She just couldn't take anymore. She was already standing up, shacking with anger. It was so hot in this room. She felt like she was going to explode. That was it. Rose stormed out of the room, and out into the back yard. When she opened the door, she immediately felt the cold temperature hit her tear stained face. She almost sprinted as far away as she could, out into the orchard that was covered in a blanket of snow. She spirited to her favorite spot, over the hill. Where her and Scorpius shared a very passionate snogg a few months ago.

    "RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY!" Hermione said as Rose ran away. She was so angry at her husband for making their daughter feel like that.

    Everyone sat there speechless. No one had any idea what to say. Everyone was afraid to say something. They just all looked at each other, shrugging, waiting for someone to spit something out. Then, Albus said something.

    "You know, what you did to her was cruel. No, I will not stop talking." Albus said angrily out loud, as Harry and Ginny both gave him looks that expressed don't say anything.

    "You have no idea how happy Scorpius and Rose are together. I haven't ever seen either of them this happy, well, ever since I've known them. Scorpius has been my best mate for 6 years. I think I know him pretty well. I would have told you all if something fishy was going on. He's been here before! I can't believe you thought the idea that he's the next Voldemort! Just listen to yourself! Maybe this is why Rose put off telling you! Because you'd react so ridiculously!" Albus said loudly to his uncle, before whipping his coat on, and leaving out the back door to try and find Rose. Ron's words didn't only affect Rose, but they affected Albus as well. Scorpius and Rose were his best friends. He couldn't let someone talk about them like that!

    After Albus slammed the back door shut, everyone looked at each other and then to Ron, giving him glares. Then, someone else decided to say something. It was Lily. Ginny and Harry gave her a look too, but she ignored it.

    "I agree with my brother. What you did to her was wrong. Her and Scorpius have been together since June, and they were good friends before that. She would explain to me how worried she was to tell you, because you'd react like this. You really have no idea how perfect those two are for each other. Really, you couldn't ask for anyone better for Rose. From what you guys have told us about his father, Scorpius is nothing like him, really." Lily said to her uncle.

Ron really had to take in these words. These words from his niece and nephew hit him, hard. They made him think. But, another voice was heard.

"I know I'm not family, and I really don't have the right to talk about this but, I think you need to hear it. I've only been here for a few months, and even I've noticed, and outsider, how happy Scorpius and Rose are together. A month ago, me and Al went on a double date in Hogsmeade with them, and truly, I have never seen two sixteen year olds in love and happy as much as they are. I'm sorry, but I thought that needed to be said." Caroline said calmly to the room.

Ron took Caroline's words into contemplation. He really was hard on Rose. But, he just couldn't help it. It's DRACO MALFOY'S son for Merlin's sake! The same Draco Malfoy that made fun of him all through his Hogwarts years, calling him poor and pathetic. But, what made his blood boil the most I'd how he treated Hermione. Calling her Mudblood all those years. His aunt, almost tortured Hermione  to death, and he stood there and watched! It wasn't that easy for him to forgive. He couldn't. He just couldn't.

Then, some of the other cousins said some things. The ones who knew, of course. Most things they said were very similar, such as, you were to hard on her, or, why did you say those nasty things to her? Then, lastly, someone said something else.

"You know Dad, those words were pretty hurting. I was on the same page as you when I first found out. I thought it was crazy. But, I just gave it time. Scorpius actually does make Rose pretty happy. Isn't that all that matters? Her being happy? Regardless of who it is." Hugo said to his father. This was one of the few times that Hugo was actually serious about things. He didn't show it much, but he did have some of Hermione's brains in him. He thought this would be a good situation to show it off. He did truly care about his sister's being.

Ron just sighed to himself after his son finished. All the words that everyone said. They were all true. He screwed up. Bad. He never meant to hurt his daughter like that. That was one thing about Ron. He had a very short temper. He hated himself for making his daughter feel so upset. He really didn't realize she was that passionate about Malfoy. Well, he supposed if this situation was all humble-jumbled, and flip-flopped, he would feel the same way if one of his parents said something like that about Hermione.

After about 10 more minutes of family members giving Ron glares, Rose and Albus came back in the house. Rose gave her father a death glare, but she wanted to resume with the day. It was Christmas after all. Everyone noticed when she walked in that she looked like she had been balling her eyes out. Rose grabbed the other envelope and tiny box, and decided to save them for later when she was alone. She didn't want to start another argument.

***

The rest of the day went somewhat normal. The Weasley-Potter's carried on with Christmas dinner. But, Rose wouldn't speak to anyone. She was still furious at her dad. After dinner and dessert, and people trying to avoid the subject on what happened earlier, it was time for everyone to go home. Rose said goodbye to everyone, but that was it. She stepped into the Floo, and muttered her location. After a minute of traveling through the Floo Network, Rose landed in the living room fireplace of her house. Once she was home, she bolted up the stairs, and slammed her bedroom door shut behind her.

She didn't want to talk to anyone. She just wanted to be alone. This day had been crazy. She expected her dad to take the news harshly, but not that harshly as he did. It really ruined Christmas for her this year. Trying to change her mood, Rose remembered that she still hadn't opened Scorpius's gift yet. She took the small box out of her pocket, and begun to unwrap it.

When she finished unwrapping it, she lifted the lid off the box, and revealed a beautiful, diamond, Scorpius bracelet. It was stunning! Rose loved it so much. The tiny diamonds reflected the moonlight coming through her window. She quickly slid it on her wrist, and admired it. It truly was beautiful. She loved how thoughtful Scorpius was. It was probably really expensive, they were real diamonds. But, as much she insisted that she didn't need anything expensive, she knew Scorpius wouldn't listen to her. She absolutely loved it. It fit her wrist perfectly. She loved Scorpius.

Rose then went over to her desk, and grabbed a piece of parchment, to write a thank you letter to Scorpius.

Scorpius,

Oh my gosh! I love the bracelet! It's beautiful! I've said in the past to not get me anything expensive, but, clearly you won't listen to me. So, I'm going to stop complaining and accept it. I truly do love it. I hope you had a good day today. I miss you, and I can't wait to see you again when we get back up to school. I love you!

Love, Rose

Rose folded up the letter and sealed it into an envelope. She just couldn't tell Scorpius what happened today. Not yet. It was still to fresh. Besides, she would rather say that to him in person than a letter. Rose set the sealed envelope back down on her desk. She didn't want to go downstairs now and give it to Pig. Her dad was down there. She didn't want to see him at the moment. After she set the letter down, she walked over to her window and opened it. She didn't care how cold it was outside. She brushed off the snow that was on her spot, and sat down on the slope of the roof. When she sat down, she looked up at the clear night sky. She automatically spotted the Scorpius constellation.

A half hour later, Rose heard a knocking noise coming from her room. She was to lazy to get up from her spot, so she yelled "Who is it!" Even though, she had a general idea. She just sighed to herself. She really didn't want to speak to her father right now. But, she knew eventually she would have to.

"It's your dad." Ron said outside the door. This whole day had been killing him. He hated that he hurt Rose so much. He had to make things right. He couldn't live with himself knowing he upset Rose. Ron heard an instant groan from the inside of the room, which made him feel awful.

"Come in." Rose groaned. Still, she was still to lazy to get up from her spot. She really did not want to see him, but it was better to just get it out of the way.

When Ron walked into the room, he noticed his daughter sitting in her spot on the roof. She was looking up at the sky. When his eyes landed on her face, he just wanted to crumple. Her face blotchy and tear stained. He did that to her! He felt horrible.

"I know mum sent you up here to apologize. Well, to bad, because your'e not forgiven. It's not my problem that your wife is mad at you for hurting your daughter." Rose said in a very snippy tone to Ron.

"I know you think your mum sent me up here, but she didn't. For real. Now, come in, it's cold out there, I want to talk." Ron said as his daughter moved from her spot and came through her open window. Once she was back inside, she closed the window, and sat down on her bed.

"What?" Rose continued to say in a snippy tone. She really didn't want to see her father right now. She just needed a minute for some fresh air.

Sitting down next to her, Ron said, "I came to apologize. You don't have to forgive me. I wouldn't expect you to. I was awful today. I said some pretty bad things." Ron started.

"Yes you did, your point?" Rose said, rolling her eyes.

"Hold on, let me finish. What I'm meaning to say, is, I'm truly really sorry Rosie. I hurt you severely today. That's not okay. I'm your dad, I'm not supposed to make you feel like rubbish. I totally overreacted. Your cousins and brother had to talk some sense into me after you left. That made me realize how bad I made you feel. And, if this Malfoy makes you happy, then, well, he makes you happy. As long as your happy, that's completely okay with. Now, I'm not going to lie to you, it's going to take me a while to get used to. And, eventually, I'll come to it. But, for now, all I need is some time to process it. Look, Rosie, I have felt awful all day about what happened. I know you probably can't forgive me, but I am really sorry." Ron said very meaningfully to Rose. Rose had to take this all in. She really couldn't forgive her father for what he said, but, this did make her feel a little better. Ron looked at her with hopeful eyes, waiting for her response.

"Um, I can't forgive you. I'm sorry. Those words you said about the boy I love. There's no taking those back. Yes, dad, I love him. You're not going to stop me from loving him. If you would just give Scorpius a chance, and not judge him because of who his father his, you will actually see who he truly is. He's smart, kind, polite, and would never hurt anyone. Ever. If you just see him for who he actually is, you may like him. Now, despite all of that, what you said just now did make me feel a little better." Rose said, starring into Ron's eyes that were the same as hers.

"Well, that was all I needed to hear. That automatically made me feel better for what I said earlier. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. It's out. And, if I suppose if you do love this bloke, then I will just have to support it. Now, before I ramble on for any longer, are we good?" Ron asked hopefully to Rose.

"Yea, for now, we're good." Rose said as she hugged her dad. Ron felt a huge wait lifted off his shoulders, as his daughter's tiny body wrapped around his. Ron instantly hugged her back, planting a kiss on her fore head.

So, finally, Ron knew. It was out know. All of Rose's family knew that she was the girlfriend of Scorpius Malfoy. The best part of all, was that they all supported her. This was amazing for Rose. She didn't have to hide her reaslteonship anymore! She was so happy, and even more happy that she was Scorpius's loving girlfriend.

Author's Notes:Hey everybody! So, finally, Ron knows! This is how I pictured our king's reaction to be. I hope you enjoyed it also. Now, for Quidditch chapters, @lymphocytet4 pointed out to me that points scored by the Quaffle are worth 10 points instead of one. I can't believe I didn't catch that! Thank you for pointing it out to me! In the future when I write more Quidditch chapters, I will make sure I fix this. Anyways, I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter, and thank you for all the votes, reads, kind comments, etc. I hope you have a good rest of your day, and stay safe and healthy my fellow Harry Potter enthusiasts!

-christinahpfan12