Hello dear readers. Today I present you to the official English translation of Rojo y Negro by MonicaAlejandra55.
This is NOT a work of mine; with Monica's permission, I will be translating this enchanting story she has written. When I first read it, it captivated me, it's just so complete and well-developed -but it was a bummer that it was available only in Spanish. I really think this story deserves a much bigger audience; it's almost as if it was written by J.K. herself. It's amazing like that.
I will be translating this ongoing Rose/Scorpius fic on my free time, and one chapter will probably take me around 2 to 3 weeks. Translation has to be very precise, so the essence of the story is not lost. Proof-reading and grammar corrections have to also be done. Also, work and university cannot be left behind. So bear with me.
I really hope you enjoy this fic as much as I (and many, many other Spanish readers) have. It truly evokes the mysticism and geniality of Harry Potter, with its own magical twist engraved in each word.
Chapter I
The Accident
The last thing he could see, besides green, was red; intense, chaotic, violent red, rushing through the woods. Vanishing like a mirage.
Scorpius didn't stop to think about the trap he just fell for, he stood rapidly and retook the race: his legs raced over tiny boulders, dodging small roots that twirled sunward above the dirt. Close to him, a few feet away, he sighted his prey fleeing like a deer; her red mane wriggled around, her blue eyes anxiously turned to check if her opponent was threatening to catch her, the wind blowing against her face...
-Rose. -he managed to loosen from between his lips as he accelerated.- Rose.
He didn't feel threatened; she was too slow for him. At a moment's notice he felt those fiery locks brush against his face. He then rapidly held her wrist, and pulled it downwards, trying to make her fall.
Sunlight peeked through some branches, bathing Rose's hair, making it look like fire burning atop her head.
She almost tripped headfirst, but she rapidly balanced herself and ran, ran behind Scorpius who in a heartbeat had set at least two yards between them. She felt the day's warmth unleash inside her as she pushed forward, though she knew it was a lost game; she'd never been a sportswoman. That, and almost everything else, she inherited from her mother. Cheating had been her only and last resort, though this was not a test of wits, but speed and strength. And in that, Scorpius Malfoy was king.
Soon she emerged from between the thick, gloomy branches of the Forbidden Forest and saw her exhausted, sweaty and half fainting self on Hogwarts grounds. A couple of yards from her, she spotted a sweaty, agitated Scorpius with a formfitting sweat-drenched shirt and a disheveled Slytherin tie. On his right hand rested the white stone. Beside him stood Professor Malone.
-I'm sorry Miss Weasley, but the indisputable victor of the second task is Mr. Malfoy.
Rose felt as if the air was missing, and the last thing she saw was Scorpius' priggish, lofty smile.
Then everything turned black.
I shall be known as Red
Two months before
-Rose, dear, come down! Food's served!
-One moment, grams!- she replied from upstairs - Have you seen Ulysses?
-No, sweetie.
Rose looked under her bed, but only found dust. She then roamed the room whilst softly whistling to call her cat's attention, to no avail. As she left the room she stumbled upon a pile of foreign Quidditch magazines. She winced before carrying them laboriously to the room her brother had decided to occupy during the holidays.
-Rose, get a hurry on! I'm starving, and grams won't let me try anything if you're not here! - complained Hugo from downstairs.
-Ulysses is nowhere to be found! - cried Rose as she hurried for the stairs.
-What?
-Ulysses! He's gone!- annoyance showed in her voice. Hugo never cared for the cat, in fact, he could barely stand it.
Rose came downstairs with dismay and some concern. Spending the holidays at her muggle grandparents' home was something she found quite comforting and pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were warm and humorous, and the neighborhood was peaceful, filled with trees and multi-coloured flowers. However, this vacation Hugo was forced to come along. Hugo was fond of his muggle grandparents, but he found it more appealing spending his vacations with Molly and Arthur. During holidays away from Hogwarts, the Burrow became host for family congregation: Albus, Lily, James, Dominique, Roxanne, Fred, Victoire, Teddy, Molly and Lucy settled there and they usually spent some fantastic vacations together. Rose knew that Hugo was to be extremely irritating during these vacations because deep down he did not want to be here with the Grangers, but at the Burrow with the Weasleys and Potters. He didn't enjoy distancing himself from the magic world and almost considered it a punishment not being able to utilize magic during his leisure months. Rose, unlike Hugo, thoroughly enjoyed those months away from the magic folly for she could catch up with certain readings and breathe tranquility and peace. She loved her cousins, but the Burrow usually wasn't a suitable place for studying, and now more than ever was she focused on increasing her magical knowledge. After all, this would be her last year at Hogwarts.
-There isn't trace of Ulysses.- Rose said ruefully, though she could not help but giggle at her grandpa serving the table sporting a feminine apron.
-He will come around, dear. As he always does.- said her grandfather tenderly as he pointed Rose's place at the table.
Their grandmother was sitting across from Hugo -who was very informally resting one foot on the chair- and looked ecstatically at the meal.
-Everything looks delightful! How I would've liked to learn how to cook...- Mrs. Granger said.
Rose smiled. If there was anything that contented her, it was how odd her grandparents were, despite being muggles. At the Granger's, grams barely knew how the kitchen was laid out.
-I thought I'd die from starvation waiting for you.- Hugo said mockingly to his sister as he lunged over the plate. Despite being in his fifth year of Hogwarts and therefore being two years younger than Rose, Hugo was taller and more athletic. He had walnut brown hair and big chocolaty eyes, like his mother.
Rose looked at him with reproach. Those vacations had not been as relaxing as previous ones, and Hugo was the one to blame. Since basically he wanted not to be there, he did not even bother to acquire the postures that were required to live in a muggle neighborhood. At times he vociferated about Quidditch, disregarding where he was and who could hear him; other times he found himself playing with a quaffle and accidentally throwing it into a contiguous yard. It was always Rose who had to fetch it and explain to the neighbors it was an Australian sport of little fame.
Notwithstanding those things, she had learned to tolerate Hugo's carelessness without complaining much. However, her patience was drained when she noticed that in more than one occasion, Hugo left the windows open not caring a whit that Ulysses could escape. Now, she was sure, that if Ulysses went missing Hugo was the culprit.
-Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Rosie.- said Hugo casually as he vigorously ate. -He probably is playing with his cat friends. He'll come around later.
Rose looked at him with her piercing blue eyes filled with chafe.
-That is precisely the problem, Hugo. -she said, trying to control her temper. -I don't know if you've noticed but, Ulysses is no ordinary cat. What do you think a muggle would do if they suddenly see him appear in their kitchen camouflaged on a teapot?
Hugo looked at her, imperturbable.
-A muggle? They'd probably think they suffer from schizophrenia and go to a doctor. Hold your hippogriffs, Ulysses will be fine.
-How can you be sure of that?! -exclaimed Rose, losing what little control she had.
Her grandparents stopped eating to look at them, confused.
-We can ask our neighbors if they have seen him, dear. -said her grandmother softly.
-Hugo, you have been leaving windows open when I specifically told you not to! -Rose exclaimed furiously.
-It's damn warm here!- he exclaimed- Have I not the right to cool off?!
Rose was about to yell back at him, but a loud meow coming from outside silenced her.
-Ulysses! -cried Rose as she ran for the street door.
Once on the porch she fumbled for the light switch. She was so excited about finding Ulysses she almost pulled out her wand to cast Lumos, though she corrected herself quickly.
-Ulysses?- she called.
Another meow could be heard not far from the porch; Rose managed to spot her gray cat's ears rapidly moving through the foggy street.
-There you are, little one.
Rose quickly crossed the Granger's front lawn and saw how on the sidewalk across from her, Ulysses' yellow eyes lit up with the porch lights.
-Come, kitty, come.- she called him dearly, crouching on the street.
Ulysses swiftly ran towards her, she smiled broadly. Then the roar of a speeding car wiped the smile from Rose's face.
-ULYSSES!
She watched her cat freeze midway, eyes wide open staring at the fast-approaching, bright headlights. She immediatly jumped for him, ignoring the upcoming danger. As she put Ulysses between the safety of her arms, the black truck swerved towards them. In a heartbeat, she raised her arms instinctively as if to ward off the inevitable as she smelled the stench of overheated wheels and burnt asphalt; shivering at the sound the wheels made against it as the truck forcibly came to a stop, less than an inch from her face.
-ROSE!- Hugo cried as he watched everything from the porch.
But she didn't hear him. Brake's echoing still ringed in her ears and her breathing was agitated, almost spasmodic. She could not believe she was alive. She looked up and grazed her nose with the truck's bumper. She remained still, though her body was shaking uncontrollably.
From the passenger side emerged a guy who she did not recognize at first, beams still blinded her eyes.
-Are you alright?! Did we hit you?!- he cried as he swiftly approached her with obvious concern. When he faced her, concern gave way to surprise. -We...Weasley?
Rose looked with confused eyes at her interlocutor, and it was only then that she recognized him.
-Nott?- she inquired, astonished. -Wh...? You?
Alexander Nott ran a shaky hand through his chestnut hair and looked over at the truck.
-Scorpius, you won't believe this! It's Rose Weasley! And she's alright!- he yelled, but saw himself interrupted by Hugo, who had arrived at the scene and held Rose between his arms.
Nott was forced to take a step back from the force of a thrust.
-You almost killed her! You and your Slytherin friend!
Alexander raised his hands in the air as a sign that he was not looking for a fight.
-It was a damn accident, Weasley.
Driver's door opened and shut with a loud slam, letting out a tall, blond male with metallic blue eyes. Rose, from where she was, was able to identify those features, that silhouette, that unique way of walking; it could only belong to one Slytherin: Scorpius Malfoy. As her eyes scanned him, she noticed how his pupils dilated, making his eyes appear murky. She shuddered.
-Drop it, Weasley. -said Scorpius, clearly stirred up. -It's Rose who we owe an apology to, not you.
But Hugo wouldn't withdraw. Whether it was true that he loathed Slytherins, his hatred worsened when it came to names like Nott and Malfoy. Specially Malfoy.
-What the hell are you doing here, anyways? -said Hugo violently. -Does by chance your father, Sir Draco Malfoy, know you like to use muggle neighborhoods as playgrounds?
Scorpius stared at him with indifference; without hatred or apathy, just utter indifference. His eyes traveled to Alexander's, and with nothing left to say, he uttered:
-We shall leave.
Alexander walked towards the truck and before hopping in, he looked at Rose and nodded slightly with his head, as if he was apologizing. Scorpius, however, went inside completely oblivious of her and her brother.
Rose could hear the engine start, and moments later she could hear it from afar. It was only when it was gone that she managed to snap out of her shock.
I shall be known as Black
30 minutes earlier
-This better be worth it. -Scorpius said as he touched a wall with his pointer, observing how the bricks rearranged to show an apperture big enough for him and Alexander to cross over.
-Believe me, it's worth every second. My birthday gift will be the best you've received so far, Malfoy. It's mainly to compensate for previous ones.
Alexander was first to cross over; he seemed excited. His chestnut hair was straight and messy, and he had an upturned nose. He was almost as tall as Scorpius. They both moved down a dark alley, the night was thick and hazy. Both wore black winter jackets but they were surprised that there, in the muggle world, was not as cold as in the magical world at the time. Soon they reached a quiet street, adorned with some dim streetlights and colorful small houses. Scorpius looked around curiously as he walked. He had been to the muggle world with Alexander several times; since they were kids they enjoyed venturing into everything that was forbidden to them. However, he could not help but be surprised by the simplicity, yet complexity, of those people that managed to get by without the help of magic.
-How much longer do we have to walk?- Scorpius said, clearly annoyed and somewhat bored. -I have to be home by nine for the reception or my mom will throw one of her fits.
-Right, I forgot. What were Astoria's exact words? Oh, right: "A Malfoy cannot become 17 and not have a socialite party". -Alexander said mockingly.
Scorpius ran his hand through his blond hair, throwing it back, but a few strands fell back on his forehead. If there was anything he hated, it was those stupid socialite meetings their parents found entertaining and uplifting. He did not know anything as dull as those events: they were "parties" where rich men smoked in large pipes and laughed at comments regarding Ministry of Magic's policies, or commenting on business, while women roamed around with intending to show their expensive jewelry and dresses. Conversations were mainly trivial and were about subjects that he didn't even have knowledge about. They were unintelligent and dull. Once before, he had corrected one of his father's friends on a statute of the Ministry, and since then he did not want to listen to any more nonsense.
-If you look at the bright side... You'll get more presents. -Alexander said, still mocking Scorpius.
-Not interested. -he replied. -They could not possibly give me something I don't already have. Let alone something I do not want to have.
-Point taken. -said Alexander as the two crossed a park at a steady pace. -What could your parent's friends give you? I mean, probably a bunch of sophistic...
-Sophisticated and unbearably boring stuff. -Scorpius completed. -Boring and useless.
-Alright, but I can assure you mine is everything but boring.
Alexander turned into a dark alley; Scorpius followed reluctantly. Deep down, what he wanted most was for the night to be over and, better yet, for those stupid holidays to finally be over so he could go back to Hogwarts and use magic. His fingers tingled every time he thought about how close the moment was where he could use his wand again. It was what he wanted most, what he needed; that adrenaline rush he felt every time he cast a spell, to be what he really was, a wizard. Holidays always ended up being torture due to that non-use of magic outside Hogwarts law. He could never truly enjoy them.
-And there it is...
Scorpius could not utter a word. He fixed his metallic eyes on the machine that appeared before him; yes, of course he had seen one of those before. It was one of those muggle vehicles that he had always found fascinating, but he had never seen one so big and imposing. It was a black, double cab pickup truck. He slowly approached it and ran his hand over the hood, enthralled, fascinated by what he had in front of him.
-See? Told you it was worth it. -said Alexander, triumphant.
Scorpius looked straight into Alexander's eyes, his hands still running over the vehicle. -Where in the bloody hell did you find this thing?
Alexander shrugged. -His owner usually leaves it here. I took the keys. -he said as he pulled the keys out of his pocket. -Fancy some speed?
Scorpius grinned.
-You know it. Hand those over.
Alexander threw the keys at him; Scorpius caught them swiftly, excited. They both jumped inside, thrilled.
-This will be great. -intervened the brunette.
-You were right, Nott. This is the best gift I've received.
He introduced the key in the only place possible, turned it, and so the engine started with a smooth hum. Both were shaking with excitement. Scorpius then proceeded to experiment with the pedals; the truck replied with a deafening roar. Alexander experimented with the gearshift, and pulled it down. The truck started moving.
They both screamed with excitement when they felt the vehicle vibrate as it moved forward. Scorpius felt as if his heart was about to pop out of his chest. His whole body shivered for the unknown and the adventure he was living. At the beginning they drove slowly, advancing through the streets, figuring out the correct way to operate the truck, but then Alexander realized houses and lampposts were being left behind much faster. Scorpius was accelerating.
-Scorpius...
-It's time for this to be worth it. - and so he sunk his foot down on the accelerator.
Houses were almost invisible from the speed they have reached. Alexander was scared, but at the same time possessed by that same adrenaline rush Scorpius was feeling. He was laughing and jumping on his seat as they sped their way through streets and avenues. They were having the time of their lives; addicted to speed, careless, risky. Suddenly, the night turned a different color. A bright, radiant red...
-Scorpius! STOP!
Frightened, Scorpius hit the brake as hard as he could, getting a hold of the steering wheel, but the truck swerved violently and he almost lost control of it. Yes, he had seen that red mane before his friend told him to stop; a feminine figure crouching in the street a few feet away. He heard the deafening creak of the wheels forcibly coming to a stop against the asphalt, burning it, until the truck finally stopped short, and both him and Alexander hit their heads against the dashboard. Scorpius' blood turned cold, and he shivered uncontrollably. Hands still on the wheel, he raised his eyes. Through the foggy windshield, he noticed how the bright headlights illuminated an intense, curly, indomitable red hair surrounding a pale, tremulous face. He saw a pair of shocked, bright blue eyes and pale, delicate hands on the truck's hood. Scorpius sat still on his seat, staring at who almost was his victim, incredulous to the fact he had been about to kill someone. He watched her breathe spasmodically, confused, blinded by the beaming headlights.
He hadn't even noticed Alexander had stepped out of the vehicle.
-Scorpius, you won't believe this! It's Rose Weasley! And she's alright!
It was then that Scorpius understood why those features were so familiar to him. He hadn't recognized her before due to the strength of those damn bright lights and her face being distorted from shock. But he did see someone he recognized immediately: Hugo Weasley. He took his sister into his arms and pushed Alexander back. From there, he could see Alexander raise his hands. Of course he recognized Hugo Weasley, after all, he dealt with him more than with Rose. During the last six years of Hogwarts, he had never shared a class with Gryffindor. Almost all his subjects he had to share with Ravenclaw, so despite being in the same year as Rose, at times he didn't see her for weeks. Though it was a different story with Hugo: he was one of Gryffindor's beaters, and Scorpius, being such a great chaser as he was, had had more than one encounter on the field with him.
As soon as he descried Hugo, he knew there would be trouble.
Hugo was one of those so-called "Gryffindor militia". While their parent's story was something read in history books, it was a story that had repercussions in the present. Potters, Weasleys and Lovegoods, among many others, were born to heroes, and widely respected in Hogwarts, and in the magic world overall. Malfoys, Notts and Zabinis were a different story, well, mostly all of Slytherin. They were still seen as death eater's children and whose present was stained with their parent's past, where they didn't even participate. Despite Hogwarts being a school where Slytherins were just another group of students and did not discriminate them for their pasts or beliefs, it was still a fact that other communities of the magic world loathed them just for being sorted into that house, or having a blood-stained name linked to a dark past. Hugo was one of those people. And Scorpius never bothered to give him something that made him think otherwise; he never really tried being nice to him. Or anyone.
Scorpius got out of the truck and faced the brunette who, despite being in fifth year, was almost as tall as him. He was not surprised; after all, he had a giant for a father, or at least that's what Draco had told him. His father had been explicit that one time he described Ron Weasley: "A clumsy redhead giant". But Scorpius knew how his dad could be over-exaggerated, specially when he did not like someone.
-Drop it, Weasley. -said Scorpius, clearly stirred up. -It's Rose who we owe an apology to, not you.
-What the hell are you doing here, anyways? -said Hugo violently. -Does by chance your father, Sir Draco Malfoy, know you like to use muggle neighborhoods as playgrounds?
Scorpius didn't feel threatened by the question. He doubt Hugo Weasley would go through the trouble of looking for his father just to tell him he had seen him on a muggle neighborhood. He knew that that comment was meant only to irritate him. However, it did not have any effect on him, which probably bothered Hugo even more. Scorpius wasn't the kind of person that got upset about inconsequential things.
-We shall leave.
They both got into the truck in silence. Once inside, as he turned the engine on, he looked at Rose and saw her loose from her brother's arms; she looked calm, but her hands were still shaking. As he drove away, he saw them walk towards a house where a yellow-eyed cat seemed to be waiting for them.
-I can't believe we are this unlucky. Not only we were this close of killing someone, that someone, from all the people in this world, was Rose Weasley!
Scorpius didn't utter a word, he seemed sunken in his own thoughts.
-If Weasley, not Rose, but Weasley, loosens his mouth to say where and how he met us, we'll be in big trouble. -Alexander seemed quite stirred, continuing with his mologue. -I mean, my father won't give a rat's ass, but I know my mother will make a huge deal about it; as for your parents, I don't even want to think about what Astoria would do if she knew you were in a muggle neighborhood driving a stolen vehicle at who-knows-how-many miles.
Scorpius glanced sidelong at his friend, somewhat annoyed, and then set his eyes back on the road. His pupils slowly went back to their normal state, and now that metallic blue colour reigned over his gaze once more.
-Hugo Weasley won't dare open his mouth, he ain't nothing but an immature little brat. -said Scorpius, jaded. -Probably he will tell his bloody annoying friends, so what? And I really doubt McGonagall will eavesdrop it. Or do you really think the son of Ron Weasley, war hero, will ask for a private interview with Draco Malfoy, former death eater, to tell him where and how he met me?
This time Alexander kept quiet. It wasn't common to listen to Scorpius refer to his father's dark past, and him, as one of his closest friends, knew how delicate that subject was to him.
Awkwardly, the brunette cleared his throat, and after a few seconds of prolonged silence, he finally spoke.
-She's cute.
Scorpius seemed dislodged at the comment.
-What in earth are you talking about? -he said as he parked the truck back in the alley.
-About Rose Weasley, obviously. It's unbelievable but, it's the first time I see her up close. Of course I'd seen her before and always agreed with everyone that she was attractive, but now that I was a couple of inches from her... Blimey! She's gorgeous.
Scorpius looked at him selflessly.
-Yeah, she's cute; like half of the girls in Hogwarts. She ain't my type.
-Oh, that I know. -said Alexander teasingly. -Your type has a name: Megara Zabini.
Scorpius flashed a broad smile, but didn't turn to look at Alexander.
-She'll be my girl, it's just a matter of time.
-Don't you find it a bit cliché being in love with you childhood girlfriend? I mean, we've been together since we wore diapers. It's almost incest.
They crossed a courtyard lit with flickering lampposts.
-Almost. -Scourpious remarked, cunningly, and he then spoke in a more sincere tone. -She's the only girl that I can keep an interesting conversation with without losing interest, boring myself to death or feeling like I'm exchanging words with a meerkat. Megara will be my girl. Everyone knows it. It's a universal truth. Besides, she has a fancy for me, it's evident.
-How can you be so sure?
-Because if she didn't, I wouldn't really crave for her or want her as my girl.
Alexander smiled and soon they found themselves in front of the brick wall that connected both muggle and magic worlds. Alexander sighed before placing his pointer on the correct brick, and somewhat discouraged he told his friend:
-Time to return; high society awaits.