The Inquisitor's Son
Part Two: Malfoy Manor
Dr. McKellan had kept his word. Scorpius wasn't left alone. The nurses rotated to keep him company and Dr. McKellan check up on him constantly. The police officer returned with a social worker and together they took Scorpius' statement. He claimed to not remember most of it because he couldn't give a complete one.
The nurses were kind. Knowing that it was just after Christmas, and that it was also his birthday, they had pulled together to get him a present. Not knowing that Scorpius wasn't a Muggle child, they had given him a remote control helicopter. He only played with it to make them happy. He never felt so alone in his whole life.
The police were trying to find someone, any family that might be around. Strangely, there was no public record of the Malfoys. It would take a few days before the news of the murders of Draco and Astoria Malfoy would reach the Ministry's long reach. The Ministry was also running on minimal staff with the holidays going on. It took a week before anyone had come looking for him.
A tall man came wearing in a suit and looked to be in his early twenties. He had introduced himself as Theodore Lupin. He had the type of appearance that one would soon forget as soon as one saw him. When he entered Scorpius' room, the nurse who was watching over him stood up in alarm. Clearly the nurses had become protective of Scorpius.
Teddy was flanked by Dr. McKellan and DCI Larson. Scorpius was sleeping. "Flora, this is Teddy Lupin. He says he's Scorpius' cousin," the doctor informed her.
Teddy had never laid eyes on Scorpius before. Teddy had seen him only in passing in public places, but they had never said a word to each other. He noticed how small Scorpius looked. Teddy was relieved to see him breathing steadily. It hit Teddy that Scorpius was the same age as Albus Severus Potter.
"He's just starting to heal, Mr. Lupin," said Dr. McKellan. "He lost almost half of his blood supply. It's hard to say how he managed to survive the whole ordeal. His heart had even stopped. We had to jump start his heart." Teddy paled at the doctor's words. Dr. McKellan concluded, "The wound on his abdomen cut through his liver. There was bile that got into his surrounding organs. The wound just stabilized for now. He's lucky to be alive."
"We need official identification of his parents," brought up DCI Larson. "Obviously, your cousin is in no condition to do that."
Teddy nodded. "Sure," he whispered. Teddy only came because of the reports that Aurors were monitoring from the Muggles. He didn't think it was actually true. Teddy knew who Draco and Astoria were. He would have to identify the bodies, if only spare Scorpius from it. Before Teddy left, he walked up to Scorpius, who was still sleeping. "I'll be right back," said Teddy. He followed the police officer out of the room.
So many questions filled Teddy's mind. Why were they even on what looked like a Muggle holiday? DCI Larson spoke, "His father was a brave man. He died protecting him."
"Any leads?" asked Teddy, mentally rebuking himself for sounding like the investigator he was. He was just supposed to be an ordinary citizen.
"Nothing so far. Scorpius doesn't remember much. I'd push harder, but the nurses would put me in the hospital."
"How did they die?"
"Exsanguination. They bleed to death. By the looks of things, his mother had died first. His father held on a bit longer. We had to take Scorpius' clothes into evidence. I've only seen a few murder scenes, but never one as brutal as this. There was so much blood."
Teddy could feel his stomach turn. He walked on with the officer leading the way. It was going to be a very long day. Over the next few hours, Teddy had a lot do. He had to make arrangements such as transporting Scorpius from the Muggle hospital to St. Mungo's and filing reports. The worst duty was going to be informing his grandmother's sister about her son and his wife were dead. Teddy waited around for Scorpius to wake up. The nurses let up their vigil but were nearby.
Scorpius opened his eyes. He turned and saw the unfamiliar face and with no one else in the room, he immediately panicked. He had the call button in one hand, clicking it as he pulled away from Teddy. He wasn't saying anything just whimpering.
"Whoa, calm down, Scorpius," said Teddy straight away. He reached out to touch him, and regretted it as a pair nurses came rushing in. "I'm your cousin, Teddy."
"I don't know who you are!" exclaimed Scorpius. One of the nurses, a male nurse, looked ready to pin Teddy to the floor.
"I'm your grandmother's sister's grandson," said Teddy. He would have said anything to stop that look of fear on Scorpius' face. "I've come to take you home."
"He's bleeding again," said the female nurse. "Hugh, get the bandages and tell Dr. McKellan."
Teddy could see the blood seeping through the bandage. It was obvious that the wound was magically inflicted. "I'm sorry we had to meet like this, Scorpius. I don't know if you even know me. My grandfather was Ted Tonks. He married your grandmother's sister Andromeda."
"Muggle relatives," said Scorpius quietly.
The nurse gave him a questioning look. Before he could say anything else, Dr. McKellan came in with Hugh who was carrying some medical supplies. Teddy stood aside as the doctor examined the wound. "He's healing fast, but the still needs to take it easy," explained Dr. McKellan.
"He needs to be transferred to London where the family he—physician can attend to him," Teddy informed him.
"I don't recommend it. He has been put through quite a trauma," said Dr. McKellan. "He's too delicate right now."
"I understand that," said Teddy. He hadn't expected Scorpius to be so willing to stay around Muggles.
Scorpius looked like his father, but he had inherited some of his mother's softer features. His father was angular and pointy whereas Scorpius was blessed with more angelic features. Teddy thought he had more of a male version of a Veela than Victoire's brother Louis. Teddy could wager money that Scorpius would attract a lot more attention as he got older.
Teddy excused himself. By now some of his owls should be arriving at the Aurors' Headquarters. He apparated away from the hospital in a secluded spot. Not to the Aurors, but to his godfather's house. Teddy entered through the backyard as was his custom. He called out, "Harry!" He walked around, not wanting to go to the house with this. He had little choice.
"Teddy!" greeted Albus, startling Teddy into knocking over an umbrella stand.
Teddy quickly recovered as he tried to smile. "Hey Al, where's your dad? I need to see him."
"DAD!" hollered Albus. "Teddy's here!"
Harry Potter. The famous hero appeared at the doorway. "I heard you come in Teddy." He gave his godson a warm smile.
"I was at the office. Something's happened," said Teddy as he cleared his throat. His usual warm, funny nature was dulled. His hair was a dull brown at this point.
Harry already could see that there was something wrong. "This way," he said.
Teddy followed Harry to his study. As soon as the door was shut, Teddy announced without delay, "Draco and Astoria Malfoy are dead."
Harry looked expressionless at first. "What?" he asked.
"They were murdered on Christmas while on holiday in Cornwall," replied Teddy. "Their son survived but he's in a hospital right now. The doctor won't let me move him."
Harry sank further into his chair. "Christmas was more than a week ago," he said.
"The Muggles didn't know who he was or who his family was. He was in a coma for two days. I only got wind of it because I was checking the Muggle reports for any activity. I didn't believe it myself until I got to the hospital. I had to identify their bodies and they're being transferred to St. Mungo's. Scorpius Malfoy is on his own. I've got to tell his grandparents. What do I do?"
"I'll go tell the Malfoys. Try and keep this quiet until we have more information and tell Dean Thomas that he'll have to go in and talk to the doctor." Harry realized that he hadn't said the wrong word. Or did he? "Scorpius Malfoy is at a Muggle hospital?"
Teddy nodded. "They saved his life."
"How did they die?" asked Harry. "And why would Malfoy take his family to Cornwall?"
Teddy had an answer for the first question and answered it. Upon hearing it, Harry was completely shocked. It was just sickening to hear just how much blood there must have been. "How much did Scorpius lose?"
"Almost half. The doctor was amazed that he was still alive. They had to do a blood transfusion and shock his heart when it stopped."
"Let Dean Thomas go and prep him for transfer."
"How do we get permission? The Muggles made it clear that we had to get a guardian to approve it."
"Get the paperwork ready and I'll have the Malfoys sign it," said Harry.
Teddy got up. "Lucius Malfoy's going to have a fit when he finds out that the Muggles saved his grandson."
"I'll let them know."
"I have to go and get Healer Thomas," said Teddy.
***
Harry remembered the last time he had been to Malfoy Manor. It was over twenty years ago. It was still a foreboding and massive place. He walked up to the front door and knocked. The door was answered by a house elf.
"Please tell Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy that Harry Potter is here to see them about their son," he said. She looked at him fearfully and then went to fetch them. "Thank you," he called after her. Harry had noticed how she neglected to invite him inside. He stood on the front steps for a while before Mrs. Malfoy came.
Narcissa Malfoy had saved Harry's life once in order to get news about her son. "Hello Mrs. Malfoy," he said.
"What brings you here, Mr. Potter?"
"I am sorry to inform you that something has happened to your son and his family," said Harry.
Narcissa stared at him. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembled.
"Draco and his wife are dead," answered Harry.
Narcissa's already pale features had turned to ash. "No," she cried.
"I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry," whispered Harry. He went on, "Your grandson is alive. He is under the care of an excellent physician."
Harry had been so focused on Narcissa that he hadn't noticed that the house elf and disappeared and Lucius Malfoy had arrived.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Lucius. "How dare you come here, Potter!"
"Lucius, he said that something's happened to Draco. He and Astoria are dead," sobbed Narcissa.
Lucius' features didn't soften at all at the news as his wife looked as if she was ready to collapse. "Are you certain?" asked Lucius.
Harry answered, "Yes, they were positively identified and their bodies are being transferred to St. Mungo's for further autopsy."
"Transferred? From where? Cornwall?" asked Narcissa.
Harry nodded. "Yes, your grandson was almost fatally injured during the attack. He's in stable condition at a hospital in Cornwall. We're trying to get him transferred to St. Mungo's."
"What hospital? There isn't a wizarding hospital near there!" exclaimed Lucius.
"A Muggle one. They were the ones who saved your grandson's life and he has been in their care for over a week now."
Narcissa was shaking as tears flowed from her eyes. Lucius made no move to comfort his wife rather he was fixated on what Harry was saying. Harry felt pity for Narcissa as the house elf grabbed her hand to keep her steady. She was saying something, but it was incoherent. Lucius blatantly ignored his wife's distress. "He is under the care of those non-magical savages? What did they do to him?"
"He almost bled to death. They had to do a blood transfusion on him and his heart had given out. They got it to start again."
At this Lucius was even angrier. He roared, "They used their inferior blood on my grandson?! Not a drop of magic was used?"
Harry was getting angry at Lucius anti-Muggle fixation. "If it was so inferior, then why did it save his life?" he asked quietly. "I will take my leave of you now. I will send further information as to when the transfer is complete. Until then, the Aurors will be investigating this crime."
"You had to be the one to come, didn't you, Potter?" snarled Lucius Malfoy.
Harry stepped away from them. He said in a very calm and sincere voice, "Believe me, Mr. Malfoy, I take no pleasure in any of this."
Author's Note: Lucius Malfoy hasn't changed much. He is still a bastard and it will only get worst as the story progresses. I have put up a character list on the journal for anyone who is interested in knowing the players in this piece. It's going to be a long story, and these first few stories are kind of staggered in length. If anyone is curious, they can take a look at the character list which does contain spoilers for the story. Special thanks to kittenonabroomstick for giving the first review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Him and all of the original characters belong to J.K. Rowling. Please use this story with my permission.
