Two Years Later

July 2031

The smell in the Diggory ward was just the same as Rose remembered - a clinical, chlorine scent with hints of fried magical spark that stung her nostrils. Looking down at the occupant of the crisp, white bed, she frowned deeply.

Scorpius was fast asleep, knocked out by whatever the mediwitch had given him, his pale skin matching the linen bedsheets, the scars from years past highlighted on his high cheekbones.

It was just a small side effect from the cursed dark artifacts they'd been hunting on their latest mission with the Auror office, and his healers had said he'd be fine. She repeated this mantra, willing herself not to slip back into the memories of years past, finding him passed out in a similar room to this one. Rose pinched herself to retain her sense of reason.

"I can find you a spare bed if you'd like, Auror Weasley," the attending healer offered kindly.

"I'm all right, thank you," she replied, gazing down at her boyfriend of two years. "If you don't mind, I'd just like to stay with him for a little while longer." Rose blushed, though she knew she had no cause to be embarrassed.

"I'll leave you," the healer said with a soft smile.

When she was gone, Rose leant over the bed and brushed Scorpius' light coloured hair back from his eyes. It was growing a bit long, she noted.

"You prat," she softly scolded, with no real hint of malice. "You're not supposed to go injuring yourself."

She sighed, subconsciously rubbing light circled on his cheekbones with her fingertips. Scorpius' eyes moved under his closed lids, and he let out a soft sigh in his slumber. Rose smiled.

"I'm not ready for you to leave me yet," she said, feeling rather choked up and emotionally exhausted after the long day. "We've got so many more things we need to do together." She laughed, looking out the window as she spoke. "I want to move in with you, and start a life with you... and you haven't even asked me to marry you yet!" She snorted, feeling ridiculous. There was a beat as she watched the sun set outside the hospital window, before she felt movement stirring beneath her hand.

"I didn't want to pressure you," came Scorpius' voice, so softly. Rose jumped, the heat rushing to her cheeks as she realised he was awake and had heard her little rant.

"Scorpius, I-" She floundered for a moment as he watched her with amused eyes. She hit him gently on the arm when he made no attempt to hide his smirk.

"Can you reach into that pocket over there?" He asked, suddenly serious, nodding to his discarded Aurors robes hung haphazardly over a chair.

Rose padded over to the robes and reached into the deep pocket, her hand finding a small box within. Her heart seemed to cease beating in one swift moment as she drew it out to see a miniature black ring box.

"I planned on doing this better," he sighed form the bed, scooting himself so that he sat upright, his grey gaze steady and unwaveringly trained on her. Rose looked up at him, eyes wide.

"Well, open it," he said, suddenly shy. Rose slowly opened the box to reveal a sparkling white diamond ring. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Rose," he began, his eyes gauging her expression carefully. "I know we said we'd go slowly, but the past two years with you have been more than I ever thought-"

"Yes." Rose said, meeting his eyes. A grin was rapidly spreading across her face.

"I- sorry?"

"Yes, I'll marry you." She said, flinging herself on top of him, arms wide. He winced in slight pain and Rose made to back away, but Scorpius grabbed her to hold her firmly in place.

"You didn't let me finish," he admonished, smirking up at her. "I had a whole speech planned, including a list of ten reasons why I'd make an excelled husband, in case you needed convincing."

Rose felt as if her face may break from grinning so widely.

"Tell me later," she said, snuggling into his arms. "We've got all the time in the world."

Scorpius said nothing, but replied by kissing her firmly and soundly.

A/N: THE END!

A million and more thanks to those who have stuck with me through this story! It's my first complete multi-chapter fic, and I genuinely could not have done it without the encouragement from all of my readers. I never dreamed I would have had the positive reaction that I have had, and every one of your comments has warmed my heart (even the one with constructive criticisms - I need those too!)

I'm currently working on TWO multi-chap fics (another reason I've been so lax in updating LaF lately, sorry guys): one Scorpius and Rose with CC cannon (saw the play a few months ago, by the way. Anyone else? Let me know. I have THOUGHTS) and a Maurader-era one as well. Both are going to be much longer than LaF, with more character and plot development. I will hopefully begin uploading in the New Year, but I'd like to have at least a ten-chapter head start before uploading so that updates come a bit more frequently.

Thanks again for reading, leave a comment, and have a LOVELY holiday season, everyone!

MD xxxxx