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Rosa Granger-Wasley was perfect. She had wonderful curly red hair, brown eyes, and one of the best NIEM'S grades at Hogwarts. She graduated first in her magical law class, all while avoiding using the family names and always making it clear to Hermione that she didn't want help because she was the minister's daughter, she wanted to earn things on her merit. And despite everything, she succeeded. Rose was perfect.
Albus... He was complicated. He wasn't as genius as his cousin, he just had a lot of aptitude for Potions, his grades were average, and the boy got his fair amount of detentions in his years at Hogwarts, yet he chose to pursue a career as a medimage. He was good at it, most people didn't count on it. The middle child of the Potters a healer? Peculiar. But extremely well accepted.
The fact is that the two, despite the same age, were nothing alike. Perhaps during childhood the imaginary thread of the cousins' world was what kept them friends. But that ended.
Because Rosa was perfect. She had the popularity, the grades, and most importantly... she had Scorpius. And although Albus had felt pain the moment he saw the two of them kissing on the lakeside during his senior year, he swallowed it all. Because that was just one more of the countless things she would have and he wouldn't. She would have the person he had loved since he was 13, his roommate for 7 years, his best friend. And Potter had... Well, he had the duty to keep the rings for the wedding that would take place two days later in the imposing Malfoy house, after much bickering between the couple's parents.
At Malfoy's bachelor party, Albus poured a huge glass of firewhiskey for him, and a beer for his friend. He laughed at the jokes, waved to the blond's work friends, and asked them not to make any double entendre jokes because that "hot woman" was his cousin, no one there needed to realize how affected Potter was by the wedding. At the end of the party, he looked after Scorpius.
The former sonserino almost threw up all his dinner, and had to lean on the green-eyed brunette to make it up the stairs to his room, as they were both too drunk to use magic. Inside, as he sat on the bed, he held Albus' arm.
—What if I'm making a mistake?
—What do you mean, Scorpius?
—What if it's a mistake for me to marry Rosa, Al?
There were many things he could say, the main one being, "YES YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE, I AM YOUR BEST FRIEND AND YOU SHOULD MARRY YOUR BEST FRIEND," but the brunette just laughed, denying it with his head.
—You're kidding me, right?! You've been dating for years! Full 24 hours for marriage and you with doubts? Go to sleep. —Then Albus tried to cover the blonde, getting another squeeze on his arm.
—But what if it's a mistake, Al?
—Scorpius... —The man sat up in bed, staring at his friend. The younger Malfoy's blond hair was longer, reaching down over his stormy eyes. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen, even though he had been involved with other people over the years. But for some reason Albus tortured himself, always returning to Scorpius' S. S stake. -You love each other. You have been crazy about her since we were eleven. She's the right choice for you, you're just afraid because it's really scary. But you don't have to know exactly what you're doing, it's okay to be afraid. It doesn't mean it's the wrong decision.
And then the blond's eyes grew heavy, and slowly he began to soften his grip on Albus. And there he was, Scorpius Malfoy passed out drunk. A sight that made the other laugh, as he left the room and headed towards his own quarters to sleep.
The next morning, Albus Potter put on his formal clothes, straightened his hair and entered the room where his cousin was getting ready.
Rosa was in front of a huge mirror, surrounded by Lily Luna and Hermione, the latter was finishing pinning a flower in her daughter's hair and staring at the reflection as if it were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, small tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Albus' younger sister has a discreet smile, but also looked about to cry. Potter could have sworn that Ron had run away a few minutes earlier as the brunette made his way to that room.
The redhead looked at her cousin in reflection and turned to him, smiling and putting her hands together in front of her body.
—What do you think?
—That you look perfect. —Albus smiled, the woman looked really beautiful.
He moved closer and kissed his aunt's cheek, then his sister's. Then he twirled Rosa around, holding her shoulders and making her look again at her reflection in the mirror. And then he twirled Rosa around, holding her shoulders and making her look again at her reflection in the mirror, he slid his hands down her shoulder and then her arms, always smiling and getting a giggle out of Rosa because there was something of that childhood friendship there. Then he smiled and hugged her from behind.
—Ready, future Mrs. Malfoy?
—Dad would kill you if he heard that. — She laughed, putting her hand on Albus's arm, but looked confident and calm. —Ready. And him?
—I'm on my way to see this now, and I just came to bring you a package… —Abus then pulled Rosa's arm away, letting her see a delicate flower necklace with several precious stones clearly embedded in it. The woman's surprised expression was everything, in love with the jewel and also with her future husband.
Albus turned away before his aunt and Lily could start talking, deciding that it was time to go check on his best friend. And what a good time to do that! Malfoy was hugging his father when he entered the room, eyes red and face wet. Draco looked no different, with loose strands of hair and a face red from crying. The two seemed wrapped up in very beautiful feelings, Potter almost wished he could take a picture.
—Potter, I can see you in the mirror. —Draco grumbled, letting go of his son.
—Uncle Draco. — He laughed, approaching with the ring box in his pocket. Scorpius smiled at Albus. —We're ready to start the show.
—Well... I'll leave you two alone for a moment. —The music began to play from afar, as Draco walked away. The brunette boy stepped closer to his friend and took the little box from his pocket. —Scorpius son?
—Father?
—You're sure, right?
—Yes... I am. —Then he smiled, watching his father leave the room.
Once alone with him, Albus took the ring box from his pocket and approached his friend. Instead of the best man helping his fiancé, the loosened Albus's tie and began to straighten it, with a discreet little smile. Potter laughed.
—I need to learn how to fix my own tie now.
—You haven't learned in the last twelve years, are you going to learn now? Ahem, that's good Potter.
—You need to trust me, Malfoy.
The two men looked at each other for a second, green in the gray. Albus felt a twinge of pain... He hated going back to square S. But he slipped the rings into his best friend's pocket, then walked away.
—Come on, let's marry my cousin.
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Rosa's entrance was beautiful, she walked in her rose-colored dress through the mansion gardens with a huge smile, holding tightly the bouquet of blue petunias. She smiled at her parents and uncles, waved discreetly to Teddy and James in the crowd of guests. Albus had not seen a more beautiful bride until that day; after all, she was Molly's first granddaughter to marry. And the old lady was crying in the front row, her hand on her chest and tired because she had taken care of the smallest details. Ron looked very pleased as he entered with his daughter, closing his expression only as he handed Rosa to Scorpius. They made a cute couple, but it was still hard for the older Weasley to swallow.
—Family and friends...— began the lady, smiling.
Albus' mind then began to wander, hearing nothing. Just staring at the smiles of Rosa and Scorpius, until...
—WAIT —Everyone stared at the redhead, surprised by her. Rosa held up the hem of her dress and turned her back to her fiancé, staring at her parents. Hermione arched an eyebrow. The two seemed to talk through glances, in something that lasted seconds. The bride turned to Scorpius. —I'm sorry, Scorp. I... I...
—You?! —Draco and Scorpius almost screamed, the older Malfoy getting up.
—Albus! I can't! You two are too stupid. -She shook her head in denial, turning away from the officiant. —I can't marry you!
—Hey hey, what about me? —Albus left the room, walking over to his cousin. —If you want to cancel the wedding, it's not my fault.
—Merlin...
—EVERYONE KNOWS YOU LIKE EACH OTHER! — Someone in the guests shouted, causing his face to heat up quickly.
He faced his friend.
—Come on, let's get you out of here… —But before he could grab Scorpius's hand to pull him out, Malfoy held his tightly. —Scorpius? Are you okay?
—What if...what if I like you?
Then the middle Potter took a deep breath, as Rose slapped her own forehead and Draco put his hand on her waist.
—AND YOU WAITED UNTIL THE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING TO REALIZE THIS? I JUST ASKED YOU ABOUT!
In the end... Rose Granger-Weasley was really perfect. She decided to throw the bouquet at Scorpius, rolling her eyes. Men were stupid, no matter how old they were. And then the redhead started walking away from the altar, being followed by a fast paced Hermione. The rest of the guests were watching the soap opera.
—So... I cancel the wedding? —The hostess stared at the boys.
Albus and Scorpius looked at each other, confused.
Beside her husband, Ginny leaned toward her husband's ear and whispered:
—You owe me fifty gallons.