Look at me! An update already! Thanks for all the great reviews. This one starts off with a little fun in the surf with our favorite four, then goes to more of the party. Enjoy!
~HM
Chapter 22
The four friends hit the beach and as soon as their bare feet met the sand they took off towards the water. Scorpius grabbed Rosie's hand and dragged her into the surf, but Rosie shrieked and tried to pull away from him. "It's freezing!" she yelped.
"Don't be such a baby," Scorpius teased and gave her a tug. "It's better if you just jump in."
"Yeah right," she said then yelped again when a wave hit against her legs. "I need some time to get use to it."
"Okay that's it," he said firmly and stepped towards her.
"What are you doing?" she asked warily and then gasped when he bent over and plucked her off her feet. "Scorpius!" she laughed when she was thrown over his shoulders. "Are you mad?! Put me down!"
"I will once we get deep enough."
"No! Scorpius! I'm going to kill you!"
Albus shook his head hopelessly while he watched his friend carry his cousin into the surf. "I swear he has a death wish."
"He's just flirting with her," Mia said with a shrug. "Come on…help me collect seashells."
Albus gave her a weird look. "Seashells?"
"Mmm-hmm," she said cheerfully as she bent over and picked one up. "My mum says keeping seashells by your windowsill attracts Shnooker Doodles."
Albus raised a brow. "And that's a good thing?"
"Of course," she said cheerfully. "They bring you good luck."
Albus couldn't help but smile as he watched her examine a seashell, then gave a grimacing look before chucking it back. Apparently that seashell wasn't good enough. "Well…when you put it that way," he said taking her hand. "Who am I to deny you good luck?"
Mia blushed with pleasure as she looked up at him shyly. "Really? You don't think it's stupid?"
"Not at all," he said lacing his fingers with hers. "I think it's kind of cool. So…what do Shnooker Doodles look like?" he asked as they started to stroll along the beach.
"No one really knows," she said with a sigh as she enjoyed the feel of his warm hand tucked in hers. "Mum thinks they're invisible, but I'm not too sure."
"And what do they exactly do?" he asked truly interested. "To bring good luck?"
"It's more of a vibe thing…and they don't visit just anybody…according to legend it's very rare and you have to be pretty special for them to visit you."
"Well, if there was anyone out there they'd visit, it would for sure be you," he said while they paused so she could pick up a seashell.
She looked up at him as she stood back up. "You think I'm special?"
"Of course I do," he said with a grin. "You're not like any of the other girls."
"And that's a good thing?"
"It's a great thing," he said squeezing her hand. "Is that shell a keeper?"
"What?" she asked still dazed from his words.
"The shell you just picked up," he said taking her other hand to open it revealing the shell. "Hmmm…it's cracked…and not very big."
Mia frowned and nodded in agreement. "Yeah…not having much luck."
"Don't give up on me now," he encouraged. "Still a lot of beach to cover. Hey, here's one." He bent down and dug out the shell that was half buried in the wet sand. It was a lot bigger than he thought and had a nice shiny pink sheen to it. It had a spiral look to it and it almost covered his entire palm.
"Oh, it's perfect," she breathed as she reached up to take it.
Albus held it away before she could take it. "I found it, so that makes it mine, right?"
Mia blinked as she stared up at him. "You're not going to give it to me?"
"Maybe," he teased with a grin. "But you'll have to give me something first."
She tilted her head to the side. "Like what?"
He gave her hand he held a tug to bring her closer to him. Her long blond hair was blowing from the breeze and her big blue eyes were wide and curious. "A kiss?" he asked softly and confidently although his insides were jumbling with nerves at the idea of her turning him away.
Mia's insides were doing a few jumps as well as she shook her head clear, certain she didn't hear him right. "You...want me to kiss you?"
"Yes," he said bluntly. "I very much want you to."
Mia bit her lip nervously. "I…I thought you only saw me as your pal."
Al let out a shocking laugh. "How could you even think that after what happened at the Yule Ball?"
She shook her head. "No, that was different. You had kiss me because of the mistletoe."
"Maybe," he said letting go of her hand so he could touch the side of her face. "It didn't mean I didn't enjoy it." He smiled softly as he held the shell up in question. "So…what's it going to be?"
But Mia didn't even give the shell a single glace, her blue eyes couldn't move away from Al's piercing
green ones. He wanted her to kiss him while they stood in the surf with the wind whipping around them. She couldn't
have asked for a better setting. With hands that shook, she placed them on his bare shoulders and leaned slowly up on
her toes.
Albus stood still as he waited anxiously as she lifted her mouth closer and closer to his. Ever since that night at the Yule Ball he had wanted this. Their first kiss was too quick for his taste and extremely awkward considering most of the school was watching them. However, it was long enough for him to know that it was Mia who he wanted to be with….Mia he wanted as more than a friend. He didn't want to scare her off so he always kept their relationship at a strictly platonic level even though it was killing him inside. Now, he was only a few short moments away from stripping away any platonic feelings between them.
Mia's eyes fluttered close when her lips finally met his in a timid kiss that lingered. He cradled the side of her face with one hand as he slowly snaked is arm around her waist with the other. He pulled her close against him with their mouths still fused firmly together. He pulled back an inch but only went back for more as he nipped her lips sweetly again and again.
Mia couldn't believe it was happening. That Albus was actually holding her in his arms, kissing her as if she was the most cherished person in his life. She let out a dreamy sigh as she reached up to touch his cheek, before sliding her fingers in his soft hair. So far he was being a gentlemen and kept the kisses innocent and closed mouth, but a greedy part of her wanted more, so she tilted her head and slightly parted her lips.
He felt his heart jolt when she opened up for him and let instinct take over and touched his tongue teasingly to hers. He felt her practically melt in his arms as she slid her tongue smoothly against his, causing him to tightened his grip on her. He tasted her deeply, but still kept the kiss gentle and sweet…just like her.
After a few more soft nips of the lips and urgent merging of tongues, they finally pulled away breathlessly. "Well," Albus said after a moment as he touched his forehead to hers. "That…was definitely worth giving up my priceless seashell."
Mia smiled after he gave her one more kiss before holding out the shell to her. "I didn't kiss you because I wanted the seashell, Al."
He lifted a brow. "No?"
She laughed softly. "No." She took his hand that held the shell and closed his fingers over it. "You keep it. I don't need any luck, I already got to kiss the boy."
Albus grinned as he gently ran his fingers through her windblown hair. "You're sweet, you know that?"
She blushed as she gave a shrug. "Maybe…but it's nice to hear you say it."
Albus took her hand again and kissed their joined fingers. "Come on…let's keep looking."
And as they strolled together hand in hand, Albus slipped the seashell into his pocket, knowing he'd keep the shell forever.
While Mia and Albus walked hand in has along the shore, a fierce tackling war was erupting between Scorpius and Rosie. It started when Scorpius snuck up behind her and tackled them both into the water. She came up laughing, but a war had begun. She put up a pretty good fight and even managed to dunk him at one point.
She jumped on his back, causing him to grunt out a laugh as he stumbled forward but managed to hold his footing. He then hitched her up higher on his back, grabbing her legs for support. He lingered a bit, casually walking through the water as he enjoyed the way she relaxed and put her chin on his shoulder
"Are we calling a truce?" she teased.
"Maybe," he said turning his head so he could look at her. She was sporting the cutest smile and her brown eyes were twinkling with pleasure. She was close enough to his face where a kiss would be as easy as a simple shift of the lips. It was tempting…especially when her eyes fell on his mouth. "Then again," he said huskily. "It be even more fun to do this."
Rose let out a loud shriek when he fell backwards into the water. They untangled underwater and she came up sputtering curses. "Oh, I should have seen that coming," she said with a scowl, then narrowed her eyes when she noticed the mischievous look in his eyes. "Malfoy…I don't like that look you're giving me…you better not try anything funny."
Scorpius just grinned before slowly slipping underwater.
"Oh, bloody hell," she said nervously as she backed away cautiously. She knew he was coming to her for a surprise attack underwater and anxiously searched around to feel for him. A hand grabbed her ankle and she couldn't help but scream like a girl. She was laughing now as he poked and squeezed her legs under the surface. "Malfoy! Stop! Stop…oh I'm ticklish there!" She kept right on laughing and squirming in protest while he continued his assault.
Then her laughter died and a gasp escaped her when she felt fingers brush the small triangle silk that covered the most intimate part of her body. She felt her whole body tremble at the touch as Scorpius quickly came up sputtering out apologies.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said urgently as he held out his hands. "It was an accident…Frecks…" Her face was so pale and her eyes so wide that even more guilt swarmed him. "Frecks…I didn't mean to…I mean…you know I would never deliberately…"
"Touch me like that?" she finished for him. She knew it was stupid but for some reason she couldn't help but feel a little hurt at his words. Did he really have to use the word 'never' so forcefully…like the idea of being intimate with her was ridiculous? "Don't worry, Scorpius…of course it was an accident. I am fully aware you only see me as your best mate. You would never touch your best mate that way…so forget about it." She looked away, not wanting to see the look of pity in his eyes anymore. "I'm going back to shore…stay if you'd like."
"What?" he asked dumbly as she started to head to shore. "Frecks," he said grabbing her wrist and yanked her back around. "Wait just a damn minute…I never said I…"
"Let me go," she demanded as she tried desperately to free herself from his firm grip.
"No." He moved both hands to her arms to keep her with him. "What's this crap about me seeing you as my best mate?"
Now, for some odd reason, that offended her. "Are you saying I'm not?"
"You bet I am…Al is my best mate…believe me when I say that you are nowhere near my best mate."
"And I should be flattered by this?" she asked still riled up. She really wished he would let her go so she could leave and die of embarrassment in peace.
"I hope so," he answered as he softened his grip, but didn't let her go. "Look…I meant what I said…I didn't mean to touch you that way…it would have been inappropriate if I had."
"Really?" she asked confused. "What if I was another girl you wanted to flirt with?"
"First of all…I was flirting with you…in a more respectable manner…secondly…you're worth more than a cheap feel, Frecks."
Rosie shifted her eyes away uneasily when she started to feel foolish for acting the way she did. Her insecurity took over and she reacted irrationally. Here he was, apologizing profusely like any other decent guy would do and she responded like a rejected idiot. "I'm sorry, Scorpius…I acted like a prat…let's just forget…"
"No, I'm not done yet," he said bringing her back when she tried to leave him again.
"What is it?" she asked with a sigh.
"It may have been an accident, Frecks," he started as he touched her slightly damp cheek. "But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it…because I did. I enjoyed all of it…not just the accidental inappropriate graze, but…everything else. You have really smooth legs, Frecks, did you know that?"
She blinked up at him. "Pardon?"
Scorpius grinned. "Your legs…they're fantastic."
Rosie's eyes widened when he slid a hand to the small of her back and glided her towards him until her body was pressed up against his hard body. "Scorpius," she said shakily as she tried not to think about the feel of her bare stomach rubbing against his. "You don't have to do this."
"Do what?" he asked as he watched his finger caress the cluster of freckles on her shoulder.
Her body trembled at the light touch. "Pretend you're interested…just to spare my feelings."
"Is that what you think I'm doing?" he asked, slightly amused while he turned his attention to her other shoulder. "Your freckles are adorable…always been a sucker for them."
"Now, I know you're lying," she said with a roll of her eyes, but then fluttered them close when he surprised her by bending over to kiss her freckled shoulder. "I don't get it," she whispered as her body shivered at the feel of his lips brushing her skin. "You can have any girl you want."
He trailed his lips slowly up her neck. "Can I?" he murmured in her ear, before kissing the soft spot under it. "Well." He lifted his head until their eyes met and their lips were only inches apart. "Does that mean I can have you?"
Rosie felt lightheaded…she could feel her heart bound hard against her chest and she couldn't seem to start shaking. She felt wonderful. Since she couldn't seem to perform the simple task of talking, she answered him by giving him a nervous smile and a short little nod.
Scorpius smiled as he bent his head towards her. "Brilliant," he murmured seconds before their lips touched and absorbed.
A soft moan escaped her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They clung together as if their lives depended on never letting go. Deliriously happy, Scorpius tightened his grip around her waist and lifted her off her feet. She let out a delighted laugh against his mouth, but he muffled it by gliding his tongue between the seam of her lips. She never missed a beat and opened for him, sliding her tongue over his again and again.
"You're a good kisser, Frecks," he told her then shivered when she lightly bit his bottom lip.
"I am?" she asked as she lifted her dangling legs and wrapped them around his waist.
"Oh, yeah," he groaned and leaned in for another quick sample. "Very good."
"Thanks," she said extremely pleased. "You're not so bad yourself."
Scorpius gave her hair a playful tug. "Gee, thanks."
She let out a laugh. "Sorry…you were great. Had a lot of practice, Malfoy?"
He shrugged. "Maybe…but they were nothing more than a simple act of boredom."
"Not me, though…I'll always keep you entertained."
"Thank Merlin for that."
"That was my first kiss you know."
"I know," he said smugly and laughed when she punched his arm. "Okay, maybe I didn't…but I secretly hoped."
"I'm glad you were my first."
Scorpius wanted to add, 'and only,' but reframed himself. They were too young for that and he didn't want to scare her. A part of him though couldn't help but hope she was it for him. He couldn't imagine being with anyone else. "Me, too," he said instead, before giving her another sweet kiss. "We should probably head back," he muttered against her lips.
"Hmmm," she agreed but found herself sinking deeper into the kiss.
"Rosie?" he breathed into her mouth, then teased his tongue with hers.
"Yes?" she asked out of breath when he slowly pulled away.
He grinned at her. "Race you to shore."
Rosie yelped when he dropped her suddenly in the water. When she resurfaced she found him swimming to shore. "Malfoy!" she cursed. "You are dead!"
"I'm really scared, Weasley!" he countered back.
With a smile on her face…she dove after him.
XXXX
The sun had set and the stars were now twinkling up in the sky. The older guests had left after dinner and birthday cake, but most of the younger adults were still around, gathered at a table, talking, laughing and drinking. Harry was impressed that Natasha was still here, considering her due date was just around the corner. Draco had even asked if she wanted to go home, but she refused.
"I'm having a great time…and I'm not tired at all."
Luna and Neville and Ted and Victoire were the only other couple that was still around, even Fred and his wife called it a night. Freddie stayed behind though and was currently sitting on Danny's lap in the hot tub. James and Sammy were in there with them as well as the inseparable four, Albus, Mia, Rosie and Scorpius.
Harry wondered what exactly happened out on the beach. Ever since their return, he noticed how Scorpius never seemed to leave Rosie's side. Same with Albus and Mia who were cozied up together in the hot tub. Scorpius had Rosie practically in his lap, while she rested comfortably against his chest. He had a feeling they were no longer just friends.
Nora was surprisingly still up splashing around in the baby pool. It was way past her bedtime but Harry and Hermione let it go for this one night. "She's having so much fun," Hermione had said. "She can stay up just for tonight…then let her sleep in tomorrow."
Harry watched her now, sliding on her belly through the water. Every once in awhile, she'd get out and walk to the edge of the big pool to watch Lily and Braiden play keep away with the basketball against Hugo and Jack. She'd clap and give a little cheer to both sides and then trot back to her pool.
"She's going to sleep like a rock tonight," he said to Hermione when he noticed she was watching Nora as well.
"I know…she's been non-stop all day."
"She's precious," Natasha said setting down her fifth virgin strawberry daiquiri of the day. "If we are blessed with a girl, I'd want one exactly like her.
"She's pretty cute," Draco agreed with a smile. "I'm thinking of stealing her and running away to some foreign country."
"You steal my girl, you die, Malfoy," Harry warned playfully.
Draco chuckled. "Guess I'll just have to deal with my own child."
"You do have a fifty-fifty chance that it will be a girl," Luna pointed out.
"True, but I have an inkling that it's a boy," Draco said. "We both do."
Natasha smiled as she rubbed her swollen belly. "Yes, it seems I'm destined to be surrounded by men for the rest of my life."
"Aren't you the lucky one," Neville said with a laugh.
Natasha laughed as well. "Yes…very lucky. I'm also destined to pee every five minutes until I go into labor…so if you'll excuse me."
Draco immediately darted to his feet to help his wife to her own, while Hermione stood as well. "I'll go with you…I have to go myself. We'll use the one in the pool house…it's closer."
"Good idea," she said and smiled when Draco gave her a quick kiss. "We'll be right back…Luna, Vic? Want to join? We can talk about the boys behind their backs."
"I'm in," Victoire said jumping from her seat.
"Sure, why not?" Luna said and got up as well. "We'll be right back."
"Does that mean we can talk about you girls while you're gone?" Harry asked.
"As long as it's good stuff," Natasha said with a wink.
"Honey, you know I'll only say good stuff about you," Harry said grabbing her hand as she passed and kissed it. "Leave that loser, Malfoy and run away from me. We'll go to Tahiti and I'll treat you like a queen."
Natasha laughed and risked hurting herself by bending over to kiss his cheek. "It would be tempting…if I wasn't head over heels in love with that loser, Malfoy."
Harry sighed. "Can't blame a guy for trying."
Draco narrowed his eyes when the women walked off. "You just love flirting with my wife, don't you?"
Harry grinned around the lip of his beer bottle. "Uh-huh," he said with a chuckle before taking a sip. "I know it gets under your skin."
Draco shook his head with a laugh. "You're an ass, Potter."
He winked. "Right back at you, Malfoy."
"Hey, Uncle Harry?" Freddie asked leaning over the edge of the hot tub. "Do we have anymore fresh towels? Some of us want to get out."
"Umm…Yeah, I think Hermione has a fresh load in the dryer. I'll go get some."
When he left Danny pulled Freddie back into the water and nuzzled her neck. "So, did you bring it?"
Freddie grinned. "I sure did…it needs a lot of experimenting till Christmas."
Danny hummed against her ear. "I'm always up for a good experiment. Where is it exactly? Maybe we can sneak out of here…head down to the beach."
"It's over by the chairs…in my bag," she said turning around to point, but then her eyes widened when she saw Nora grabbing her bag. "Nora, no!"
But it was too late. With a delighted giggle she dumped Freddie's bag upside down and all her belongs came clattering onto the concrete. One item however, never hit the ground, and Nora jumped and clapped at the mistletoe that danced around her head before darting off.
"Oh, no!" Freddie groaned as she quickly climbed out of the hot tub.
"Is that mistletoe?" Draco asked ducking as it swooped down at him.
"Yes, it's…it's an experiment. It won't stop until it chooses someone…oh, come here you stupid plant!"
Instead it flew through the open patio doors and into the house and only moments later a loud curse from Harry erupted from inside. Freddie slapped her hands over her face in agony while everyone else staggered to their feet and ran inside.
Draco and James were the first to make it to the laundry room to find Harry standing by the dry with a scowl on his face and a mistletoe dangling above his head. "Why exactly is there a mistletoe above my head? It's the end of July?"
Draco snickered. "Oh, this is priceless."
"Uncle Harry, I'm so sorry," Freddie said once she pushed her way through to the room. "Nora turned over my bag and it fell out. It's a project I'm working on…for next Christmas."
"Let me guess….I'm stuck here until someone kisses me."
Freddie winced. "I'm afraid so…and it's…well…kind of a more…risqué kind of mistletoe. A simple peck won't be enough."
Harry's brow rose. "Really? Malfoy…go get your wife."
"Kiss ass."
Harry chuckled. "Just kidding." He then let out a sigh. "James, go get Hermione, will you?"
James' eyes widened. "Aunt Mione? You…You want to kiss Aunt Mione?"
"Well, yeah, who else do you suggest?" he asked throwing up his hands. "Malfoy is being a spoil sport in not letting me borrow his wife…Mione is the only single adult here. So go get her."
"All right," he grumbled as he turned to go get her.
"Gee, dad, are you really stuck?" Albus asked peeking his head around Draco.
"Pretty much. Why don't you guys make yourself scarce, okay? I'm sure Hermione will be embarrassed enough as it is."
"Fine by me, I don't want to see you guys snogging." He turned away and nodded his head to his friends. "Let's go back outside."
Not even a second later, Hermione appeared behind Draco with a confused look on her face. "What's this all about?"
Harry just grinned and pointed at the mistletoe. "I'm stuck. One of Freddie's new projects for Christmas was turned loose and it picked me."
"Er…you have to kiss him," Draco said. "Apparently more than a peck for it to work…it's the risqué version…according to Freddie."
"Sorry to do this to you, Mione," Harry said as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the dryer. He still couldn't move his feet but he was close enough to the dryer to lean his body back. "Draco wouldn't lend me his wife."
Draco scowled. "I'm going back outside…to my wife. You kids have fun."
Hermione watched him leave…still in a daze on what was going on, then turned to see Harry still sporting a sexy grin. "Let me get this straight. If I don't kiss you…really kiss you…you'll be stuck there?"
"Yup." He chuckled softly while shaking his head. "Ah, irony…don't you just love it?"
**************
I know, I know…another cliffy. I can already see the reviews in my head. It's not pretty. I couldn't resist though, every write loves writing a good cliffy. Don't worry…my goal is to try to have the next update this weekend. Hang in there…and go easy on me!