"You can come down now." Ginny called.
All three Potter children rushed down the stairs. Scorpius was standing next to Ginny.
"Scorpius will be staying with us."
"Yes!" Lily and Albus, the youngest called out.
James however was worried, he knew Scorpius well and something was up. He just knew it.
"James go and get the camp bed out for Scorpius to sleep on."
"Come on." James said softly to Scorpius, nodding his head towards the stairs.
They got the bed out in silence. Scorpius's movements were slow and methodical. He still wore his jacket as he sat down on the edge of the bed, eyes glued to the floor. Ginny brought up Scorpius's bag; she gave Scorpius a sad look but didn't say anything. Once his mother had left James spoke.
"Why don't you take your jacket off mate?" James reached over to tug on the sleeve.
"No!" Scorpius almost shouted, pulling away. "No" He then softly corrected
After a tense minute he spoke again .
"I'm gonna change for bed."
Scorpius stood up and went over to his bag, pulling out his PJs. James told him how to get to the bathroom and Scorpius nodded. Scorpius was glad to find out that he didn't need to pass by Albus or Lily's bedrooms. He didn't think that he would be able to handle their delight in him staying with them. In the bathroom Scorpius double-checked the lock before he took off his jacket. The front of his t-shirt was drenched in blood. Carefully Scorpius eased the fabric away from his body, wincing as the fabric pulled at his chest. Once the fabric was loose Scorpius reached down and started to pull up the t-shirt. He fought the urge to scream as he pulled the shirt over his head. Slowly, afraid of what he would see in the mirror he opened his eyes. Seven deep gashes were cut across his chest with bright red blood still oozing out of the top three. Scorpius took a sharp intake of breath. He slowly and painfully bent down and looked around in the cabinet for some gauze. He found some and ran it under the tap. He then lifted it up to the skin above the first gash and slowly wiped the skin clean, gasping as water dribbled down his chest and into the cuts. He continued to do this until he was satisfied that the cuts were clean. He then grabbed a roll of gauze and wrapped it around his torso. It wouldn't do much but at least his shirt won't stick to the wounds. Grimacing Scorpius pulled on a clean shirt and his pajama bottoms. He straightened, sighed and opened the door. He wrapped his bloodstained shirt in his jeans and then wrapped his jacket around the jeans. No one would ever see the t-shirt but even so he protectively held the ball of clothes close to his chest. Walking into the room Scorpius saw that James had changed and was putting his clothes in a hamper. Scorpius shoved his into the deepest corner of the bag, praying that it would never be found. He then collapsed/sat on the edge of the bed. To any other person Scorpius would have just looked downcast and tired but his distress was obvious to James. James waked over and carefully sat next to the Scorpius. He slid a comforting arm around the other boy. James felt Scorpius tense up, the solid muscles sliding into place, ready to run.
"You know, its okay to be comforted."
They sat in silence for a while, before Scorpius gasped and tears started pouring out of his shaking body.