Parts (4-7)
VI
Chapter 2
A Dark Start
Part 1: News
Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy had been having a great summer, his parents had been true to their word about letting him have a friend stay with him. He'd intended for his best friend, Michael Sanford, to stay with him for a while but an offhand comment from his girlfriend on the platform had resulted in his parents offering for her to stay instead. He was quite sure his father had done it on purpose, Michael had been turned into a werewolf at the end of their Third Year and only his mother seemed completely comfortable with having a werewolf over. He'd managed to convince his father to agree to Michael for Christmas though, on the condition his OWL results had been good. Scorpius didn't consider himself the smartest person in the world but in his experience, doing the work and paying attention in class tended to be enough so he was quite confident he'd pass at the very least.
Not that he was complaining about having gotten to spend time with his girlfriend – especially since she'd just finished her Seventh Year so short of failing all her NEWTs, she wouldn't be returning this year with him – but he just worried about Michael, his friend struggled with his condition and had even taken up drinking until Scorpius had been suspended taking the fall for him. It didn't help Michael was Dyslexic, making it hard to communicate though letters since Michael struggled to write and Scorpius struggled to read his words. Apart from that, he'd been enjoying his summer though.
His girlfriend was of course, Molly Mavis Weasley, he'd had a crush on her since his First Year and had been dating her since his Third. He loved her. He'd stayed several times with her family at the Weasley Burrow so he was very happy for her to spend time with him at the Malfoy Manor now, it wasn't she like a home to go to now anyway. Her mother had been killed in his First Year and her father just last Christmas, both of them had died at the Shadows hands or Soul Eaters as they called themselves. She had extended family – she was a Weasley - but considering she was of age now she didn't intend to stay with them but rather with Gray.
The world was at a state of war with the Shadows, muggles and wizardkind alike as they seemed to want to rule the whole world not just one part. So far they'd already claimed Greece and Turkey in its entirety, a feat not even Voldemort had accomplished. The Shadows were led by the Shadow Master whose identity and appearance remained unknown, they did however know he was Voldemort's son and Marius Calderon's brother. Calderon had been an assistant at Hogwarts, helping out in every way possible and had fought to protect the school at every opportunity from the Shadows. He was also Scorpius' cousin, Calderon had – and disturbingly, probably the Shadow Master too - been Bellatrix Lestrange's son, Scorpius' grandmother's sister, and Scorpius had looked up to him, considered him a friend. Until the truth had been revealed, someone had tipped off the Aurors and they'd arrested him.
The Shadow Master had undoubtedly orchestrated it, he'd attacked Hogwarts a few months ago and while Gray had had a hand in tricking the army into retreating, Scorpius didn't think it would have mattered if Calderon hadn't engaged his brother. Both Riddles wielded incredible wandless magic, whatever walls most people had being broken due to being raised in Azkaban followed by being 'taught' with torture. The Shadow Master also had a weapon that had belonged to his ancestor the infamous Herpo the Foul, it was called the Scepter of Night, named because when in use it brought darkness. It was powerful in its own right – from what Scorpius had gathered, it comprised of what would be considered two wands by today's standards – but also let the user safely channel more magic then they would usually have, the Shadow Master already being used to channeling more than usual and being able to rip the magic from others' souls made for a devastating combination as the fallen countries proved. And that was even with the armies, people and Specters, the Shadows of Dementors capable of destroying souls, spying almost invisibly and possessing people depending on the color of their soul.
Shadows riddled the Ministry, including plenty of Aurors making it difficult for them to fight back. And that was where Gray came in, former Headmaster Pip Varanian had been framed by the Shadows for trying to take over Hogwarts since being a metamorphmagus made it easy for them to hide the fact he'd been possessed the whole time. Calderon, Scorpius and his grandfather – who'd had his soul destroyed in the process – had thwarted the plan but Varanian couldn't prove his innocence, he'd escaped his arrest after Shadow Aurors tried to kill him and had started fighting them instead. He'd made an alliance with Scorpius due to the fact he'd been in danger at time, they'd been fighting them ever since with other people slowly trickling in to join them. They were still a small group but a group nonetheless, Varanian had finally christened them Gray in the midst of the attack on Hogwarts.
Scorpius spent a lot of free time at Varanian's hideout instead of at home, Varanian having given him a Portkey that could take him there. For the first time in a long time, he'd been balancing his time much better between home and Varanian due to Molly's presence. Her being there made it easier to get away, Molly was of age and perfectly capable of apparating so they could claim to be going somewhere. Molly was actively helping while the most Scorpius could do was train, he was still bound by the Trace and his August birthday didn't help. He could use magic at the hideout though, Varanian had set up enchantments to avoid the Trace. Thus he could practice mostly dueling, Occlumency and continue his animagus training. Wyatt Grant, another member of Gray, was an animagus and had been helping him, Aurelius Ashain – also an animagus - also had sometimes recently if Wyatt was busy.
Since Michael was a werewolf, only animagi could safely be around him during his transformations and Scorpius was determined to become one to support his friend. He thought it might help, Michael had a habit of attacking himself during transformations. He had been training since he was fourteen. According to both animagi, he was getting close though as the transfigurations were becoming more severe. And painful. He wasn't going to give up though, he'd get it. He knew he would.
But aside from all that, he also was spending more time at home with Molly. She'd been given her own room that was about as far as his could be, he thought this was quite unnecessary and he could only hope the ensuite bathroom made up for the extra corridors she had to walk to get down to breakfast. He'd shown her the manor and the grounds where his grandfather's white peacocks used to roam, the gardens, the skies – Molly was an avid Quidditch player and had been their Captain since her Fourth Year – and the village nearby. Scorpius had almost forgotten what it was like to just be home, he spent so much time trying to get away after all. This also meant more time with his family too.
There was his grandmother, the widowed Narcissa who had asked if Molly was pureblood – which she was, the last pureblooded Weasley due to her sister's squib status and her cousins all being half-bloods to some degree – then seemed satisfied and went back to hanging out alone. She seemed to have come to peace with her paranoia about the Shadow Master being Voldemort's son, for one mild moment he'd considered she might've known about her sister's children but he figured she'd have said something surely when the whole thing first came to light. He supposed she was just stressed, the war took its toll. His father, Draco, was being his usual respectable and distant self although he did make an effort to converse with Molly at least. Still, it was his mother, Astoria, who did the most talking. She was easily the most sociable Malfoy and the former Ravenclaw seemed to get on well enough with Molly, Scorpius took this to be a good sign. Especially considering his parents had encouraged him she'd break up with him when she graduated, they were going to try making it work long distance though. Then of course there was his baby brother, Sol, who was only twenty months old and was enjoying his new found ability to walk. Enjoying life in general really, he was just happy and bubbly, always smiling and laughing which always seemed to lighten the mood. He also had taken a liking to Molly, even recognizing and attempting her name.
She'd been there for his sixteenth birthday at the beginning of August where she'd gotten him another leather jacket which was his favorite item of clothing, he'd been surprised and excited to find his chocolate cake had icing Thestrals gliding over it to spell out 'Happy Birthday Scorpius.' It had ben Molly's idea apparently, she knew he was fond of the strange creatures most found disturbing if they could see them at all. They'd gone to a Quidditch match to celebrate, naturally in a sky box. Since becoming Seeker, Scorpius had found he enjoyed playing much more than he liked watching and hadn't even followed the teams since his abduction. Nonetheless he didn't regret it, Sol got to go to his first Quidditch match – he was quite excited by the action despite not being old enough to comprehend it – and it broke the ice very much with his father and girlfriend. His father did still enjoy Quidditch and it was a subject Molly was very passionate about, she became very animated when talking about it and they got into an intense discussion about it. It left Scorpius to chat about the weather with his grandmother and help his mother point out things happening to Sol.
The only particularly bad thing that happened – unless you counted the news of the Shadows taking Turkey which was bad but didn't happen to Scorpius personally – was being triggered by Molly during a snogging session, memories of his abuse at muggle hands invading his mind and scaring him off. It was particularly upsetting that it hadn't happened in a while and he was beginning to think he was alright, it forcibly reminded him that as much progress as he felt he made, he was still marked by his painful past. Molly had been good about it, of course she had but he didn't ease the unbearable shame he felt and he was sure it bothered her too even if she didn't say anything. After all, who could be happy with a boyfriend who could freak out if you touched him? Kissing wasn't supposed to be a difficult experience. He noticed her being more cautious after as well, he wondered if Orous had ever had that.
Despite being pleased with his summer, he also got the impression that Molly felt similar to he did when he stayed in the Burrow, that it wasn't bad but it was also a very different way of doing things like Malfoys would never dream of coming down to breakfast in pajamas like Weasleys did. It made him nervous, he was serious about his relationship with Molly and could very much see them married someday – in the far, far future – where they would live together, probably even in the Malfoy Manor. Could it ever work with the differences in their families and lifestyles? He wasn't sure and thankfully, not even he was paranoid enough to worry that far ahead, there were plenty more obstacles before that to worry over he was sure. For starters, there was no future for anyone while the Shadows were still there. He was also starting to get worried about his OWLs, they still hadn't arrived with two weeks until September.
He was in a house he remembered well, a muggle dwelling but he didn't spare it much of a glance. He already knew where he was going. A man with a flash of emerald for eyes rushed out of one of the doors, gun aimed at him. Scorpius just held up his hand though, there was a bang as the gun was fired but the bullet shot straight back through the man who'd fired it and sent him flying back into his own grave. He kept walking, starting his ascent of the stairs and a stocky man with a sadistic expression stepped out. Scorpius raised his wand – which for some reason was dripping in blood – and ended the man with a blinding flash of green, his body toppled out of sight and he wasn't given another second of thought.
He continued his ascent and reached the attic door, guarded by a frail, aging man with white hair. He raised his wand, there was a snap and the man screamed as his leg twisted violently into another direction. He flicked his wand again and again, again and again. Each time a sickening snap and a body part jerking the wrong way, finally the man just collapsed in a broken, sobbing lump. Scorpius stepped over him to get into the attic, the man dying before his hand touched the door. He pushed it open, revealing a small boy handcuffed to a bed that Scorpius immediately made his way towards. The boy was only wearing a white t-shirt and underwear, his legs were bruised and bloody, his arms not much better. His extremely dark auburn hair was matted and filthy, tears were streaming from the dark chestnut eyes. Scorpius raised his wand, the handcuffs snapped.
"Why?" the boy sobbed as he rubbed his wrist, Scorpius tilted his head curiously, "Why didn't you protect me?"
Scorpius woke with a start, his body lurching upright as he gulped down breaths. It was the third time he'd had that dream, it was starting to really disturb him. He ran his left hand through the head of sweaty white-blond hair that had plastered itself to his forehead, sighing as he moved it back down to look at the scar on his wrist, pushing away Michael's friendship bracelet to look better. One continuous line wrapped around it, two more either side that were more disjointed. A link binding himself to the Shadow Master along with the four other boys - Orous Knox, Maurice Rivers, Lorcan and Lysander Scamander - bearing the same scar, Calderon had sealed it somewhat but couldn't erase it.
He moved his fingers over to the palm, scarred by a symbol that was also an arrow, the rune Tiwaz that he'd been given in his First Year when activating the Blood Runes. There was a fainter diagonal line going through it, a result of his palm being cut when the Shadow Master had been revived in his Second Year. To think, he could've ended the war before it began if he'd just had the guts to kill, he shoved aside that guilt. That was also his ring hand, he had the Portkey ring that looked like a wedding band and above it was the silver Thestral ring that Calderon had given to him which he kept – much like the friendship bracelet – for sentimental value not for any practical use. His other hand was worse off, that and the wrist was a blotchy mess of pale skin that raised and grooved in random places, a result of a burn he'd received pulling Varanian out of the fire in his Fourth Year. Thinking of Varanian's poor, horrifically charred body, he considered he'd actually gotten off quite lucky. The war was not as easy to walk away from as his parents believed.
Seeing it was light, he decided to just go ahead and get up. He washed and dressed before leaving, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror as he did so. He was taller now with a slender frame, his father with only a few inches on him and like his father, he did have similar pale, pointed features but his face was more youthful. His hairline was not receding like his father but letting a fringe flop over his forehead with a parting to the off-center side, Scorpius hadn't needed to start shaving yet though. He had the same dull gray eyes as his father as well but unlike him, had a small scar on his chin inflicted by Michael after turning into a werewolf during his Third Year. Hmm… Maybe my parents do have a point about me coming back every year with more scars, Scorpius mused to himself as he headed down to breakfast.
To his surprise, an official looking owl was sitting on the table and it leaned over to place its message down on the table in front of it in a very careful way, as if the contents were delicate. His name was on the envelope and Scorpius had a pretty good idea of who it was from, he knew a Hogwarts letter when he saw one. He picked it up and noticed it felt a bit heavier than usual, likely from the added results. He let out a relieved breath that they'd arrived at least, he expected the results had been ready awhile but the Headmaster resigning and having to make staff changes might have delayed them with the usual book list part. He braced himself, hoping he'd get good enough marks for Michael before he tore into the letter to read:
Ordinary Wizarding Level Results
Pass Grades
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)
Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy has achieved:
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Divination: E
Herbology: O
History of Magic: A
Potions: E
Study of Ancient Runes: E
Transfiguration: O
Scorpius scanned them and rescanned them, then scanned them a third time to make sure he was reading them correctly. He thought they were good enough for his parents, his lowest grade was the Acceptable for History of Magic but he thought his parents should be pleased with that considering how boring the subject was. He was slightly disappointed by his grade in Study of Ancient Runes, he did greatly enjoy the subject but his suspension had taken its toll and the teacher being off injured from the Hogwarts attack had made it harder to catch up as well. Unlike pretty much all his friends – and pretty much everyone in his year he thought – he hadn't gotten a career in mind so he wasn't looking for any specific grades, he was just going to take the subjects he liked and try get a good amount of grades to fall back on.
"Those your OWL results?" a very familiar voice questioned and Scorpius spun to see his girlfriend entering the room, she was beautiful with sky blue eyes and crimson curls that framed a flawless face.
"Yeah," Scorpius admitted and showed her the page, she glanced at it and grinned.
"Well done, Scor, they're really great," Molly congratulated him and pecked him on the lips, "I reckon you have your Mother's brains."
"Thanks. I'm surprised your NEWTs aren't here," Scorpius told her, glancing around as if an owl would be hiding somewhere but Molly waved a piece of paper in front of his face.
"They did come, I just beat you to it."
"How'd you do?"
"Four Outstandings and three Exceeds Expectations," Molly told him a shrug, "Could've been better but not bad."
"Well I'm sure they're not called Nastily Exhausting for no reason, you did good," Scorpius offered with a smile and kissed her gently back, he did think she'd done well especially considering her father's death and everything from last year to distract from her studies.
"Those your OWL results?" another family voice asked and Scorpius turned again to see his parents coming in with his baby brother toddling along between them, looking like he wanted nothing more than to tear off from their hands and run.
Scorpius nodded and their expressions became serious, he kept his face blank as he handed them the page. They looked so worried as they read it while Scorpius turned his attention back to the envelope which was still oddly heavy, he pulled out the booklist and was happy to see several Alchemy books were listed. It was an elective subject for NEWT students which was only taught if there was enough interest, Scorpius had signed up for it and could only assume there had been enough interest for there to be books on Alchemy. He had originally put his name down at his friend's pleading but had actually come to be quite interested in the subject, it had saved his friend's life when his soul had been damaged. The Alchemy teacher, Rayan Fintan, had seemed quite amicable as well so he was looking forward to it.
The envelope remained heavy though, Scorpius scowled and noticed there was another piece of paper in there. He was wondering whether it was some kind of extra NEWT related letter as he pulled it out, dislodging something and a shiny silver badge with a large 'C' on it fell into his palm. Scorpius started in shock and dove into the new letter.
Dear Mr Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been awarded Captainship of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
You will now take on the responsibilities and privileges of Quidditch Captain, it is your job to arrange tryouts and practices (to book the pitch, please speak to the Flying Instructor Viktor Krum once term has resumed), choose and manage players as well as dealing with any Quidditch related issues, you will also be expected to show good sportsmanship including shaking hands with fellow Captains. You will now have access to the Prefect's Bathroom, the location and password of which will be given upon arrival at Hogwarts.
Please bear in mind, you may have earned the place of Quidditch Captain but it can be taken away subject to severe misconduct or failure to fulfil your duties. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to your Head of House.
Yours sincerely,
Astor Myon Koray
Deputy Headmaster
"Well done!" his mother exclaimed happily and Scorpius felt her arms wrapping around him tightly, Sol tried to bolt but his father grabbed his hand instead, "Five Outstandings! That's brilliant, I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks," Scorpius offered as the brunette pulled away, grinning from ear to ear and even his father gave him an approving smile.
"And what's that you got there?" his father wondered and Scorpius held out the badge.
"I erm… made Quidditch Captain apparently," Scorpius admitted uncertainly, he hadn't expected to be chosen and in truth, wasn't even sure what to do. His mother beamed even more as she pulled him into another hug.
"And Quidditch Captain too! I'm so proud of you my little boy," his mother told him cheerfully and Scorpius had to question her wording, he was taller than her now after all.
"Astoria, would you stop smothering the boy?" his father chastised her immediately. Naturally, because hugging you child like a normal parent wouldn't be very proper. His mother complied and pulled away, her smile remained and she touched his face lovingly. Molly watched on with an unfathomable expression yet somehow, he knew she was missing her own parents.
"So proud."
"What would you like as a reward? A new broom? We could get you one of those Fallstars that Molly has got, I believe they should be out now to the general public."
"No," Scorpius shot it down immediately, he didn't care if his broom was outdated. It had been a gift from his grandfather. Who was dead now, "Just let Michael stay at Christmas, that's all I want."
"That's for your OWLs and it's not much of a reward."
"Do you not value people over possessions, Mr Malfoy?" Molly wondered curiously and his father seemed taken aback by the question, opening and closing his mouth several times as if trying to think of what to say.
"Well yes but-"
"Those his OWL results?" his grandmother asked as she joined them, sparing his father from having to answer.
The last two weeks of August passed by fairly uneventfully, they went to Diagon Alley to get his things where Sol and Molly got to experience the joys of being a Malfoy. Namely, the dirty looks thrown their way due to the dark reputation associated with them. Molly also had to try very hard not to look shocked by how much money was in his family's vault, what was she expecting? A small pile of Sickles and a single Galleon? No one with a vault had that little money, he was sure. Molly also seemed shocked when they headed into Knockturn Alley to look for some of the more obscure Alchemy books, he didn't like Dark Magic either but was Knockturn Alley really that bad? It wasn't like they were after anything bad. There were still a handful of Aurors patrolling Diagon Alley and everyone going in and out was subject to being searched, Molly managed to get all except his father a pass from it due to being the niece of the Head Auror and all. Molly treated him to a notebook that she joked he could use to schedule training sessions like she had when she was captain.
Unfortunately, he didn't see any of his friends walking around getting supplies. Closest he got was to meet Caitlin Birch, Freddie's girlfriend and mother of his child, who worked – and lived - in Diagon Alley, she'd been on the Quidditch team for a while so Scorpius knew her, she was nice enough. The only friend he met was Abby Longbottom, it was hard not to when her mother was Landlady of the Leaky Cauldron. She was with her boyfriend and he with his family so they didn't speak much though, she did assure him her brother was doing better. Varanian had told him about Florian's attack on the poor kid's birthday, although still weren't sure whether trying to kill Longbottoms had really been his motivation. Especially when he seemed to have been after Lysander or possibly Terra Pentakel as his primary goal, the Shadows Varanian spied on had no idea what he'd been after either.
The last day of August, he went to see Varanian for the final time before he'd be back at Hogwarts. The hideout was in a fairly isolated stretch of farmland, from the outside it was a large dilapidated wreck but inside it was nicer. It was also busier these days, Varanian making the group official had also prompted him to make more use of the people who wanted to help. The hallway was a burnt orange, the first door on the left was Roman Rivers' room. The father of his friends Orous and Maurice as well as being Molly's maternal uncle, he'd been a wreck since his fiancée's death in the Hogwarts attack and Scorpius hadn't seen him but had heard him crying from inside. There were plenty of other rooms, most of which weren't occupied but there if needed. There was a trapdoor that led to Varanian's basement, he'd started locking it recently though, apparently valuing his privacy more with extra bodies around. The corridor led straight through into the kitchen, which was where he surprisingly found a man with dust-colored hair and reddish brown eyes. Austin Latimer, his friend's father.
"What's up, Scor?" Austin offered cheerfully, twirling a wand in his hand. Which was strange considering Scorpius knew he had been expelled and lost his wand, something he desperately craved and had developed his own wandless magic due to his lack of one.
"What are you doing here?" Scorpius wondered in confusion.
"I live here now, I've been approved to be a part of Gray," Austin explained in a somewhat sardonic tone.
"You don't sound very pleased," Molly pointed out cautiously and he counted things off on his fingers.
"Well I can't leave because then I'm stuck fending for myself against Shadows who want to kill him for refusing to join them, that's just awesome. I could now be arrested for being part of a vigilante group. I get a wand – finally - but I have to teach everyone how to do wandless magic. There's no alcohol allowed for no reason. I'm bored out of my mind."
"Don't you want to do your part in the war?"
"Not really," Austin admitted with a dismissive shrug before Dominique "Dom" Ashain – nee Weasley – rushed in to throw up in the sink, Austin cringed in disgust, "Ugh, couldn't you do that somewhere else?"
"Clearly not," Scorpius insisted while Molly went over to help her cousin, Austin shrugged again callously, "How's Lat?"
"Out with our insane golden eagle, you just missed him. He's really into all this fighting Shadows stuff, helping people and making a difference. All that jazz."
"Maybe because he's a good person."
"Or it's just another way for him to be suicidal," Austin pointed out seriously, making Scorpius rethink his answer lightly. Latimer – his first name was Tobias but he tended to go by his last name – had attempted suicide in the past.
"I'm fine," Dom was saying, drawing her attention back to the girls.
Dom may have married an Ashain but her hair was still Weasley red, she was naturally attractive due to her Veela heritage – still had nothing on Molly - but not so much when wiping vomit off her chin. Another member of the group also took that moment to walk in from behind Scorpius, Annie Thorne, she was his friend Michael's maternal aunt and a former paramedic. Her muggle-born status and the Death Eaters taking Hogwarts when she should have been taking her first year had meant she didn't get to go, she'd only found out she was a witch recently. She was a former paramedic and Varanian had been teaching her after she saved his life, she was often Scorpius' sparring partner and recently seemed to have given up her alcoholism. Her hair was a reddish-brown that was tied back up in a way he didn't know enough about girls' hairstyles to describe, her eyes were a sharp blue like her brother. Michael's father had merged his soul with a Specter, he left behind a trail of bodies and they hadn't found him or figured out how to stop him yet. Another reason he'd wanted his friend around.
"People usually puke when they're fine," Annie quipped as she pulled a bottle of water from the fridge.
"It's just a bug, I-"
"Nope," Annie cut the younger woman off, leaning back against the fridge to drink the water, "You're pregnant."
"I'm not pregnant!" Dom gasped in shock, Annie gave a disinterested shrug.
"Well ignore the medical professional if you want but I'm right and you're wrong."
"I'm not pregnant!"
"Do wizards and witches really think saying something over and over again makes it true?"
"Wouldn't surprise me," Austin offered and chuckled to himself while Dom just looked concerned, "Wizards can be unbelievably dense sometimes."
"You're a wizard," Scorpius pointed out and Annie seemed to notice him for the first time.
"Yeah but I'm a muggle-born so I wasn't raised cut off from common sense."
"Pip's not here if you were looking for him," Annie explained to Scorpius, much to his disappointment. She alone called Varanian by his first name. He wasn't sure if they got along on it, they seemed to bicker frequently yet they smiled more around each other, "He and Wyatt went with Hal, they're checking out Auror safe houses to try find Calderon."
"Still no luck with that?" Molly wondered and Annie shook her head.
"Warning Hal, we managed to stop the Shadows taking him but since then they've upped protection. Hal guards him but he doesn't know where, Potter brings them in shifts so they don't know the location and he's not even the Secret-Keeper. We know it's not a Shadow or they'd have got to him but any other Auror is still open season, or maybe our mysterious Minister," Annie told them before clapping her hands, "Chop-Chop, people. Austin, don't you have people to be teaching wandless magic too?"
"Fine," Austin stated acidly and stood, heading off and gesturing for Dom and Molly to follow. Molly pecked him on the cheek in goodbye.
"I'm not pregnant," Dom insisted, sparing a look over her shoulder as she left.
"You keep telling yourself that," Annie muttered before pulling something out of her pocket and tossing it to Scorpius, he caught it easily – he was a Seeker – and saw it was a kind of weird, blank coin, "Give that to Michael when you see him tomorrow, tell him if I can do it then he can."
"What is it?" Scorpius wondered.
"Sobriety chip. I conjured it myself," Annie offered before setting down the bottle, "Watch yourselves, I know Michael doesn't give a shit about much right now but you do so take care of him. The Shadow Master may be in Turkey right not but there's still plenty of Shadows here, not to mention Florian and Jack."
"I will," Scorpius promised and she nodded with a smile, her wand appearing in her hand as she pushed herself off the fridge.
"So do you want to spend your last day moping Pip's busy or duel?"
"Duel," Scorpius grinned back.
Part 2: Reunions and Separations
"What so you're not going to give me any advice at all?" Scorpius complained of his girlfriend as they strode through King's Cross station.
She, Sol and his parents had come to see him off for Hogwarts, his grandmother had said her goodbyes before they left the Manor. He was pushing his trolley of things, Free – his owl – was joined by Sol who was enjoying being pushed around on it, Scorpius did a wheelie with it and his brother whooped and laughed in ecstatic delight. He smiled slightly to himself, wondering if he'd ever been amused at something as simple as that. Molly had her own things with her as well, slung over her shoulder in a bag that had been magically extended as she was joining Varanian right after he left. His parents were following behind them, having their own conversation.
"No," Molly insisted determinedly while Sol threw a look back over his shoulder, looking hopeful and trying not to smile as if wanting another wheelie, "You are the Captain now, not me, you need to figure it out on your own not have me telling you what to do."
"You couldn't even give me a hint?" Scorpius wondered hopefully while Sol whined, suddenly looking very much like a small puppy.
"Do you really want to be the one Captain who, instead of taking their own initiative, is just doing what his girlfriend tells him?"
"Yes. No. Maybe?" Scorpius guessed from the changes in her expression, she shrugged unhelpfully and he shook his head in defeat before Sol babbled something unfathomable but was surely his way of asking for another wheelie, "Alright, alright."
Scorpius picked up the pace as they reached the barrier, Sol shrieked with delight as he did a wheelie through while Free squawked disapprovingly instead. He fed the bird a treat to make up for it and stroked him through the cage while the others followed though, Sol tugged on his sleeve though and pointed to the scarlet engine standing there gleaming as always. He babbled something else random that only he could understand, looking awestruck.
"That's right, a train," Scorpius emphasized despite Sol's sentence having been not being remotely close, he still babbled something incorrectly.
"You're so good with your brother," Molly offered with a smile that turned sad, "If only I had that with my sister."
"How is Lucy?"
"Still furious with me, at least she's with friends," Molly shrugged and scooped up Sol who immediately pointed out the train to her as well, babbling nonsensically, "Do you want to get a closer look at the train, huh Sol?"
"Why don't you find your friends?" his father asked, stopping Scorpius from going after Molly as she wondered off towards the train to show Sol, "We'll get this stuff on the train."
"Err… Sure," Scorpius agreed, slightly surprised his father was so willing, "Thank you, Father."
Scorpius left them to it, he slipped away into the crowd to search for familiar faces or Molly, who he'd lost track off. He caught sight of a snatch of white hair though and headed towards it, finding three of his friends. One was the emerald-eyed Vern Dursley, the orphaned muggle-born had been taken in by the Potters, a Badger amongst Lions. He had a head of stringy brown hair and had shot up over the summer, surpassing his companions in height as well as fleshing out his wiry frame with some more muscle. He was standing – and holding hands - with his girlfriend, Olivia Nott, a brunette Slytherin in the same year, and the sons of Roman Rivers. He noticed all four of them now had a shiny badge pinned to their chests.
Orous Knox was an albino, as a result his skin was beyond pale and his eyes were a bloody crimson which both made the dark circles beneath his eyes more prominent. His hair was whiter than snow naturally rather than from age, it had a slight wave to it. He was in the year below Scorpius and a Hufflepuff like Vern, unlike his Gryffindor twin beside him. Maurice Rivers had regular Caucasian skin and light brown hair that also had a slight wave to it, his features were misleadingly soft and his oceanic eyes were burdened by the same tired shadows as his brother. His hands were scarred by layers of words from his time in the Shadow school that had taught him to be a soldier, one was clasped around the necklace he wore around his neck. Maurice was deaf, the necklace translated words to speech for him to read.
"Scor!" Orous greeted him cheerfully in a deeper voice then the last time he'd seen him and gave Scorpius a hug, he pulled away with a tired smile, "So you made Quidditch Captain too, huh?"
"Too?" Scorpius repeated and glanced at the badge on his friend's robes, noticing it too had a 'C' engraved. He returned the smile, "Well done, mate. So the rest of you..."
"Prefect," Olivia offered, grinning proudly and gesturing to the 'P' badges her and her boyfriend wore. Along with Maurice, much to Scorpius' confusion as he'd been taking OWLs with them last year. His lifetime of Shadow schooling had put him ahead of the usual, he'd been in Scorpius' classes since Christmas due to outstanding performance. Did this mean he'd failed them and wouldn't be doing NEWTs?
"I'm still technically a Fifth Year despite being in your classes, I sleep in their dormitory and count as one of them I think," Maurice explained as if reading his mind, "Of course I made Prefect. I'll be doing NEWTs, I got straight Outstandings on my OWLs."
"Well done," Scorpius congratulated him, not sure why he was surprised, "I only got five, one Acceptable and the rest were all Exceeds Expectations."
"That's still good," Vern offered encouragingly, "You did better than Albus. And James for that matter."
"Kyle and Maxie too," Olivia agreed, she had too two older brothers. One had graduated the year before last and one was in Scorpius' year, she had a younger as well who was a Second Year. As if on cue, a short, brunette boy rushed over to her and she smiled at her brother in greeting, "Hey Aloysius, you kn-"
"Dad has to leave for work, he wants us to say bye now," Aloysius – presumably – blurted out breathlessly.
"Ah right, okay. Catch you guys later," Olivia offered with a wave, giving Vern a peck on the cheek and hurrying off with her brother.
"You guys still going strong?" Scorpius asked conversationally.
"Real strong," Vern confirmed with a blush and a nod to which Maurice averted his eyes darkly, no doubt thinking of his own, dead girlfriend.
"Hey!" Abby's voice called and they turned to see a girl with a long braid of blonde hair approaching with her boyfriend, Sequoia Pentakel, who had his arm around her. The Ravenclaw was tall and had numerous scars from the werewolf attack that Scorpius had saved him from, brown hair and sharp blue eyes. He was the Captain and Seeker so technically a rival, Scorpius had always found him to be friendly enough though, "How is everyone?"
"Fine," they chorused minus Maurice, who apparently had had enough of seeing couples.
"I've got to go help Cade with the trunks," Maurice said instead and went off to which Orous rolled his eyes, watching his brother leave darkly.
"How's August doing?" Vern asked of Abby.
"Alright considering," Abby admitted nervously, "Gabrielle does work as a Healer, she managed to get to him in time. He has scars where the chains burned him but the rest is healed, his hair is still growing back though so don't make fun of him for being bald or having no eyebrows."
"I wouldn't do that," Vern laughed, as did the rest of them at the memory of him shaving his hair off a few years ago to make Olivia feel less self-conscious about James cutting hers off. Except Pentakel, who wasn't part of the group and wouldn't understand.
"Erm… Am I missing the joke?" Pentakel asked worriedly.
"I'll tell you later," Abby assured him gently, rubbing his chest soothingly which drew Scorpius' attention to the myriad of badges. He was Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, a Prefect and… had a new badge.
"You made Head Boy?" Scorpius wondered in surprise and Pentakel grinned nervously as he nodded, "Congratulations."
"Thanks. I just wish my parents were alive to see," Pentakel sighed with a melancholy expression before recognition flickered, "Congratulations yourself, good job making Quidditch Captain."
"Orous did too."
"Well done," Pentakel offered the younger boy with a smile, "Guess we'll be shaking hands on the pitch soon. Good luck."
"Thanks," Orous nodded and returned the smile weakly, "May the best Captain win."
"As long as it's not Grozda," Abby pointed out and they laughed again, even Pentakel this time although Scorpius couldn't help but feel she hadn't meant it jokingly. She and Albus were not fond of the others' dates.
"What about Grozda?" Albus questioned, appearing beside Scorpius and making them jump. The middle Potter boy had his father's emerald eyes but not the glasses, his hair was jet black though and untidy too. He and Scorpius were the same height, this wasn't enough to match Pentakel though.
"Wondering if she made Head Girl," Pentakel lied as Albus folded his arms, glowering at the taller boy.
"Oh right, no, she didn't."
"Sequoia made Head Boy," Abby pointed out proudly and Albus seemed to resist the urge to scowl.
"Well Grozda doesn't need to be Head Girl, she's perfect and awesome just how she is."
"Where is she anyway?"
"Talking to her friends," Albus grumbled under his breath, eying Pentakel, "Don't you have friends to talk to?"
"I'm doing that, Abby's a friend too," Pentakel pointed out to which she smiled.
"You know Abby is just a nickname, right?"
"Yeah."
"Do you know what it's short for?" Albus asked of him confidently, Abby's face flushed scarlet and Pentakel looked somewhat uncertain.
"Abigail?"
"Nope! Its Abigaia," Albus confirmed happily, "Don't you think her boyfriend should know that?"
"I erm…"
"Sequoia, could you help me with my trunk please?" a younger girl who bore a strong enough resemblance to him to be his sister asked.
"Of course," Sequoia agreed and gave Abby a kiss goodbye as he went with her, "I'll see you on the train."
"See Abby? He's all wrong for you," Albus pointed out as if it were obvious, Abby looked incredulous.
"What? Because I didn't tell him my embarrassing name?"
"Didn't you see his reaction? He didn't laugh at all! He has no sense of humor."
"Just because he didn't laugh at my name?! Maybe his sense of humor is just more mature than yours!" Abby protested irritably, "Not everyone has the maturity of a five year old-"
"I do not have the maturity of a five year-"
"You do too have the maturity of-"
"Err… Hi?" a small voice asked, effectively ending their argument and the group turned to the newcomer, "You're Michael's friends, right?"
It was a girl and not even a student, Scorpius recognized her as one of Michael's sisters. She looked around Antonius' age, her long dark hair was tied back in a ponytail and he thought she bore a strong resemblance to her mother. Or at least, half of her face did. The left side had been decimated by Greyback's claws, the livid scar lines tearing down from her forehead to her chin which destroyed half her mouth, one nostril and left grooves in the closed eyelid. Presumably the eye was beyond repair, leaving her with a lone azure orb on the good side. She was only his half-sister, Michael's mother – Crystal – had had him as a teenager then later had four children with her abusive – now dead – husband, Bob.
"Yes," Albus confirmed, looking taken aback at her speaking to them while she twiddled her thumbs, "And you are his… sister?"
"Agnes," the girl introduced herself.
"And what can we do for you, Agnes?"
"I erm… I just wondered if erm… may-maybe Michael had told you what I've done wrong to make him hate me?" Agnes asked nervously, looking very desperate, "I can't make it up to him if I don't know what I've done wrong."
"Michael doesn't hate you," Scorpius assured her and she looked extremely disheartened.
"He acts like he hates me."
"Agnes!" a gruff voice barked and Agnes jumped in surprise as her elder brother approached her, "Go back to Crystal, you know you're not supposed to wonder off."
Michael Sanford had once been the shortest of their number but he'd had a hell of a growth spurt the previous summer, he was taller than them all but part-giant Corin now. His soft childish features had hardened and he looked more mature, he had a scar running from his forehead to his cheek that Scorpius had inflicted on him accidentally back in their Second Year. That eye was a prosthetic and was golden as it picked up on his werewolf condition, the other was a dazzling hazel like his mother. His hair was a tangled mess of blond-brown hair flecked with red and an increasing amount of gray, his facial hair was new though as he had a full beard. He still wore the friendship bracelet Scorpius had given him, he also still wore a locket and dog tags that had belonged to his family.
"Merlin's beard, Michael, you have a beard!" Albus burst out in shock as he saw him, his jaw dropping, "Can't you have a summer where you don't dramatically change your appearance?!"
"Nice to see you too, Albus," Michael quipped before Scorpius embraced his friend.
"It's good to see you," Scorpius offered before they pulled apart, Michael smiled before noticing his sister.
"Agnes! What did I just say?! Go back to Crystal!"
"Sorry," Agnes muttered and scampered away, he noticed Albus patting his face as if expecting a beard to suddenly sprout.
"Any particular reason why you hate your sister?" Vern wondered curiously.
"I don't hate my sister," Michael insisted, looking surprised, "Why would you think that I do?"
"Because she came over to ask us if we knew what she'd done to incur your wrath, she thinks you hate her."
"I don't," Michael reiterated and hesitated a moment, "Maybe I've been a little distant with her but it's for their own safety, I'm a werewolf after all."
"How did you get a beard?" Albus asked, finally giving up patting his face, "I want a beard. Girls love beards."
"I don't know, it just… grew."
"But I'm older then you, why don't I get a beard?" Albus whined and Abby laughed, "What?"
"Just… nothing, you're so childish," Abby shook her head, "Come on, we should be saying goodbye to our families and getting on the train. It'll leave soon."
"I'm not childish," Albus protested as she went off in the direction of the plump Landlady he knew to be her mother, standing with a bald, eyebrowless teen that he could only assume was August, "How was I being childish?"
"Give it up, Al," Vern offered as he clapped him on the back.
He used it to lead his cousin away - while Albus continued to insist he was mature - to where Mrs Potter – and surprisingly, the Head Auror himself – was talking to Lily. He thought she'd gotten taller as well, she did look more like her mother with brown eyes and Weasley red hair but the unruliness of it was distinctly Potter as were the glasses she wore. Orous scurried over to where Maurice stood with the tall, bald firefighter he knew to be Cade Knox, the twins' widowed stepfather. It was actually a good thing, their mother had been a Shadow and had been as far from a loving wife and mother as she could get. It took him a second to realize he was alone with Michael, he pulled out the chip and handed it to him.
"From your aunt, she says if she can do it then you can," Scorpius told him while Michael studied it, he was surprised to see the blank coin formed lettering when his friend touched it so it read '9 hours.' This made Scorpius think of something, had it been charmed to show the last time the person who touched it had drank? It would explain why it was blank for Scorpius but not for Michael, it would also mean he'd been drinking much more recently then Scorpius would've liked, "Have you been drinking again?"
"Yes," Michael admitted quite readily and his tone became defensive when Scorpius' jaw dropped, "I never said I was going to stop drinking, just not while in Hogwarts. Check my trunk and bags or whatever if you don't believe me, I didn't bring any alcohol and I deliberately used the last of it last night. Wasn't even enough left to get me drunk. I'm not going to drink in school, don't worry."
"Is that why you didn't want to come to my house? Because you wanted to drink?"
"It might've contributed," Michael shrugged and Scorpius couldn't help but feel hurt, "I thought I was going to flunk my OWLs anyway, it's not like it mattered. There's always next year."
"Or Christmas," Scorpius pointed out and Michael tilted his head curiously to one side, "Since I did well on my OWLs I can have you over for the Christmas break. How did you do on your OWLs by the way?"
"An Acceptable for Arithmancy, two Outstandings for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures then the rest were Exceeds Expectations."
"Michael, that's great," Scorpius offered encouragingly with smile, momentarily forgetting his hurt and clapping his friend on the shoulder, "And you thought you'd fail."
"I did," Michael said seriously, "I couldn't even look at them, I was so nervous I couldn't even read the damn thing so I gave it Crystal to read and when she started to tell me I threw up all over the kitchen table. I'd gotten a muggle job cleaning dishes because I thought I'd not be allowed in the wizarding world when I failed my OWLs."
"Well you did it, you beat your Dyslexia for OWLs and you can do it again for NEWTs then you can get a wizarding job."
"When did you get so positive?" Michael scoffed, looking somewhat amused and Scorpius shrugged sheepishly.
"I guess I've just been having a good summer."
"Well that makes one of us," Michael sighed and the train whistled, "We really should say goodbye to our families now."
Pyrrhus Florian waited impatiently, pacing around the small kitchen. He was in a lousy mood, it had taken him a lot longer to recover from the injuries Alaric had inflicted then he'd wanted because werewolf wounds were unhealable curse wounds. The broken bones had healed by now and he had some nasty scars where his 'wing' had been torn by the claws, his shoulder still smarted though and he didn't have full mobility with it. He wasn't sure he'd ever regain full mobility, the bastard had almost completely severed his arm. Carver was on board with his plan though at least and even had drawn some of his half-siblings into helping, it was a small consolation considering how far he'd been set back. Damn Alaric, he'd pay for what he'd done. Pyrrhus had the perfect revenge planned for him. Not that that really helped in the current moment, he still had things to do first.
He was distracted by the sound of the door and immediately transformed back into a moth, flying out to watch the family returning from dropping the werewolf boy off to Hogwarts. There were four little ones, two girls and two boys. The middle two ran upstairs to play, the youngest went into the front room to watch TV and the eldest also went upstairs, just in a calmer fashion with her head hung and her expression melancholy. The mother went into the kitchen to start making lunch, that was who he was after and she'd just made it easy. She was only a few years older than he was, very beautiful with dazzling hazel eyes and milky skin. Her long hair was tied back, a blond-brown color with flecks of red and strands of gray. She was very thin, maybe even unhealthily so which was even weirder considering she'd carried five children.
She wore old frumpy clothes, probably to try draw attention away from her better features which he attributed to her abusive ex-husband. Either he'd made her dress that way in paranoia of her drawing the attention of other men and it stuck or she'd dressed that way herself to try keep her husband's attention off her and it stuck. She looked sad and stressed, he was just going to make her feel even worse. He did feel a pang of pity for what she'd been through – no one deserved that - and another of guilt for what he was about to do, nonetheless he had no choice if he wanted to end the war so his son could live in peace and she was a bad person anyway. Everyone was a bad person. He swooped down and reverted back into a human behind her as she went to open the fridge, he drew his wand.
"Crystal Sanford, I presume?" Pyrrhus questioned, she must've jumped about a foot in the air and as she spun to face him. She opened her mouth to scream and he struck her, more forcefully then he'd realized as he knocked her to the ground with blood trickling from her mouth. He could hardly apologize though, he needed to be threatening. He hauled her back to her feet and she gazed at him with frightened eyes, "I just asked you a question, I don't think that requires a scream. We wouldn't want to disturb your little ones after all so tell me, are you Crystal Sanford?"
"Yes," Crystal admitted fearfully but without screaming as he held her there against the fridge with one hand, the other aiming at her neck. He jerked his head to indicate it.
"And you know what this is?"
"Yes."
"So you know the things I can do to you with this?"
"Please, I'll do anything you want," Crystal pleaded as he met her terror-filled eyes, "Just don't hurt my children."
"Jack Thorne."
"What about him?" Crystal whispered and his attention was drawn to the dog tags she wore, he lifted them up with his wand.
"Whose are these?" Pyrrhus asked curiously as childish memories filtered back in.
"My Father's."
"He was a soldier?"
"He was a hero, died before I was born," Crystal told him and he let them drop again.
"I used to think that too, you know?" Pyrrhus commented to her thoughtfully, "When I was a child. I loved History, I used to think soldiers were heroes for keeping us safe, that they were good men and women, honorable, admirable. But you know what?"
"What?"
"I was wrong," Pyrrhus admitted and felt tears pricking his gritty eyes, "It's not admirable or honorable being a soldier. They hurt people, they don't protect them. It's a lie. Everything's a lie. There is no good and bad, there's just bad. Everyone is just bad."
"I don't believe that," Crystal whispered and he felt a spark of anger, he struck her again and she whimpered in pain as her head the fridge.
"Then you're a fool, Crystal Sanford, you should know that," Pyrrhus snapped at her as she looked back him with tears brimming in her eyes, "How many times have you been treated with kindness and how many times with cruelty? How many times was that kindness been done without ulterior motive? People are bad, people are always bad. They hurt me, they hurt you, they hurt everyone."
"What do you want?" Crystal asked pleadingly.
"Jack Thorne."
"He's not here."
"But you know where he is, don't you?" Pyrrhus questioned and her eyes bulged in horror.
"No! No, I don't," Crystal insisted fiercely, sounding very genuine, "I haven't seen him in months and I have no idea where he went or how to contact him."
"Don't lie to me!" Pyrrhus snarled and struck her again, this time deliberately violently and she cried out in pain, "Where is Jack Thorne?"
"I don't know!" Crystal shrieked and he hit her again, and again on the other side to knock her bloody face back to him, "I swear I don't know! Please."
"How many times have you begged for mercy and actually been given it?" Pyrrhus questioned and when she didn't answer he struck her again, there was a crack as his fist collided with her nose. He knew it was broken, "Answer me!"
"Nub!" Crystal cried and he flicked his wand, snapping her nose back into place.
"What was that?"
"None, I said none!" Crystal sobbed, shaking in fear but he still held her there.
"Then what makes you think I will?" Pyrrhus asked her and struck her again when she said nothing, trying to avoid her nose because her words still needed to be understandable, "Tell me where he is or I can keep this up all day! If you get too badly hurt then I just can heal you and start again then heal you and start again, you're only prolonging your pain and wasting time I could be spending with my little boy! So tell me, where is Jack Thorne?!"
"I don't know!" Crystal insisted yet again and he rewarded her with a barrage of blows, he did feel a slight rush of power but it was overwhelmed by how sick he felt with himself and how much his heart screamed it was wrong. He hated it. And his hand hurt. He grabbed her to slam her back against the fridge and she flinched, tears streamed from her eyes mingling with the blood on her face. She didn't look beautiful anymore, "Bob, please, Bob, please."
"I'm not Bob!" Pyrrhus protested, "Tell me where Jack Thorne is!"
"Bob, please, Bob, please, Bob, please," Crystal kept pleading, her eyes half-squeezed and half-swollen shut as she stayed lost in her own little world. He threw her to the ground behind him in frustration.
"So this is what you do now, huh? Beat on defenseless women?" a familiar voice questioned and Pyrrhus in terror to his left, seeing his stocky, older brother standing there with his arms folded.
"You're dead, Joel," Pyrrhus pointed out fearfully, feeling extremely disturbed.
"I may be dead, Pyrrhy, but I still exist in your mind, in your memories and so I will be with you until the day you die," Joel explained as a cruel smirk crept onto his face, "Then you'll be in hell with me, baby brother, and I can torment you for all of time."
"Shut up, Joel, you're a liar and you're dead. I'm in hell, you're just nothing," Pyrrhus spat at him as he turned back to Crystal crying on the floor.
"So you gonna back to wailing on the hot chick here? I can get behind that. Reminds me of that fun game I used to play with you when we were kids, what was that called again? Oh yeah, 'Beat-the-Crap-of-Pyrrhus.'"
"I hated that game!" Pyrrhus snapped at his brother, turning back to him with tears pricking his eyes again at painful memories. Joel's smile only widened.
"I know, that's what made it so fun."
"Mummy!" a new voice cried.
Pyrrhus turned in terror, for a second fearing it was another hallucination but it was her son, the youngest. It gave him a new idea, he waved his wand over Crystal to heal her and instead strode over to the little boy. For a wonder, he didn't run but just stood there staring at his mother with fearful eyes and trembling. Pyrrhus grabbed his shoulder and turned back to Crystal who seemed to have been snapped out of her episode due to the healing, he pointed his wand at the boy who burst into tears immediately.
"You gonna hurt the kid now?" Joel wondered with interest as he walked back into view, "You know how much I love hurting kids, Pyrrhy. Reminds me of another fun game I used to play with you when we were kids, it was called-"
"SHUT UP!" Pyrrhus screamed at Joel, Crystal was frozen as she stared unblinkingly at her son, "Tell me where Jack Thorne is or the kid gets it."
"I don't know," Crystal repeated, slowly and precisely as if he trying to make it sound as clear as possible, "I swear, I don't know. I would tell you if I knew, that's my son. I don't know where Jack is, I really don't."
"Well that's rather unfortunate then because you're my only link to him so here's how it going to go, I'm going to take this little guy here and you're going to get in contact with Jack Thorne."
"No!" Crystal cried as tears bled from her eyes again, "Take me instead, just let Bertie go. He's four years old! He's innocent! Don't take my son!"
"Oh I'll give him back to you, don't worry," Pyrrhus assured her with a smile, "Every day that passes without you finding your boyfriend, I'll send you back a piece of little baby Bertie here. Find him for me and I'll give you him back as a whole, or whatever's left of him by then. And if you tell any kind of Law Enforcement or Gray then I'll give him right back in tiny pieces after killing him as painfully as possible."
"I DON'T KNOW WHERE JACK IS!" Crystal screamed at him and Bertie cried harder.
"Well you better find him then. And find him fast," Pyrrhus told her before disapparating with the little boy.
Part 3: The Train and Pain
Scorpius bade goodbye to his family and Molly before stepping back onto the Hogwarts Express, he went to get a compartment with his friends but found himself sorely disappointed. Abby, Michael, Maurice and Vern all had to go off to the Prefect's compartment and their train patrolling while Orous had apparently promised Lily he'd sit with her and her friends for the journey. The compartment felt rather empty with just him and Albus, they were joined by Rose Weasley and Corin Maxime-Hagrid who he'd missed on the platform.
"It's because of the extra security," Corin explained in his very deep voice despite being the year below him, he was Professor Hagrid's son with his ex-girlfriend who was Headmistress of Beauxbatons. Unlike his father, he was as skinny as a beanpole and clean-shaven, he had the same glittering black eyes and his hair was dark though and the wildness seemed tamed although he seemed to have let it grow a bit. Due to his part-giant heritage, he was very tall and inching closer to seven foot, "With the Shadows taking countries, it's a nightmare traveling between England and France."
"They insisted on going through all our stuff before letting us through and that was after going through it all to get onto the train in the first place," Rose complained, flicking her long, bushy Weasley-red hair back over her shoulder. She had the trademark freckles too and her father's eyes set in her mother's features, she hadn't changed a bit of the summer. She was dating Corin and had spent the last few weeks in Beauxbatons with he and his mother, hence why she had to travel back with him by train in one of the other platforms before coming onto Nine and Three Quarters, "It was most frustrating."
"Not as frustrating as the news they're cancelling the Triwizard Tournament," Corin said with a sigh, the last one had been four years ago and Abby's older sister had won it but it hadn't been held in Hogwarts so Scorpius hadn't seen it, "They think it's too dangerous with the Shadows. I was so looking forward to my Mother being around."
"Damn," Albus muttered with a scowl as he slouched back lazily, "I so wanted to enter that, my birthday's in October so I so could've. And I could've won too, just like my Dad."
"I don't think so, Al," Rose laughed to which Corin smirked and Albus threw a moody look at his cousin.
"So how was Beauxbatons anyway? As great as Corin claims?"
"Oh it was wonderful, you should see-" Rose started to answer enthusiastically but stopped as the compartment door slid open, revealing the sallow-skinned Slytherin girl that Albus was dating. Grozda Krum.
"There you are," Grozda greeted him with a smile, Albus sat bolt upright immediately as a grin filled his face.
"Grozzie! There's my wonderful, beautiful, uber-talented girlfriend," Albus greeted her as he jumped up to sloppy-looking kiss her on the cheek, she blushed either at the praise or the kiss, "You remember my-"
"Yes, of course. Scorpius, Corin and… one of your cousins Weasley," Grozda cut him off, nodding to each of them in turn, "I hope you had a good summer."
"I stayed in Beauxbatons, I was just about to Al about it," Rose spoke up, "Why don't you sit and join us?"
"Vell, that sounds interesting but I cannot," Grozda shot her down and turned back to Albus, taking his hand, "Come on, you can sit with me on the train and ve can catch up."
"Wh-Couldn't we do that here?" Albus wondered, looking slightly reluctant to leave them and Grozda looked taken aback for a second.
"Not if you vant our kisses to catch up as vell," Grozda offered lowly and Albus seemed surprised before grinning as he let her lead him out.
"See you guys on the carriages!" Albus called behind as if it was an afterthought.
"Can you believe her?" Rose moaned, slumping back and folding her arms crossly, "Slytherins are so selfish. First Lenore kept dragging Maurice away and now Grozda's got my cousin, honestly, what is wrong with people in that house?"
"Lenore died trying to protect the school and students," Scorpius reminded her firmly, feeling compelled to defend the dead girl and Rose at least had the decency to look a little guilty while Corin hung his head ashamedly.
"I know and that was brave and all but she was still annoying when she was alive. Not that she deserved to die or anything for it, it's sad and all that she died," Rose protested defensively, "So anyway about Beauxbatons, it was wonderful and you should see-"
"Hold that thought," Scorpius interrupted, getting the feeling he was going to have to hear what didn't begin like a very interesting account very much. Corin had told them many, many times before how wonderful Beauxbatons was in appearance and how it was done, "I'm really hungry, I'm going to see if I can find the Trolley Lady."
"Oh well, alright."
Scorpius got up and left without another word, sighing as he found himself alone in the corridor as the train chugged alone. He wasn't hungry nor did he plan on finding her, instead he scanned the compartments for signs of Orous. He did know Lily and her friends even if they weren't his own friends, with any luck they'd let him sit with them and if not then he supposed he'd have to just suck it up and listen to how beautiful Beauxbatons looked yet again. Thankfully he found them fairly quickly when spotting a compartment of light and red hair, Orous was sitting with Lily, Hugo, August, Lorcan and surprisingly, the younger Scamander twin as well. Nervously, he pulled the door open and the six heads swiveled in his direction.
"Can…Can I please sit here by any chance?" Scorpius asked politely.
"Sure," Hugo agreed readily, the mass of bushy red-hair moving up slightly to allow Scorpius to take a seat.
"Any particular reason why?" August inquired dully, he seemed to have put on a conical had to hide his baldness which would've been better if the hat wasn't too big and resting where his eyebrows should be.
"Rose started telling me about Beauxbatons so… Now I'm here," Scorpius explained truthfully, Hugo and Lily laughed.
"You should read her letters," Lily offered in way of explanation.
"It's actually good you're here," Lorcan spoke up in a gruffer voice then he'd had before, the anxious boy sounding unusually excited although he still had his wand in hand as always, "Lysander remembers."
"Lysander remembers?" Scorpius repeated, slightly confused.
"His abduction, he remembers."
"Oh, really?" Scorpius questioned, turning to the other twin who nodded sheepishly.
"When the Shadows came after Florian, they returned his memories."
"Why'd they return them?"
"No idea," Lorcan shrugged but didn't seem too concerned.
"Do you…" Scorpius started to ask of Lysander but decided against it, he wouldn't like to be asked to talk about his abduction after all.
"It's alright," Lysander assured him with a strained smile, his voice was smooth and softly spoken unlike his twin, "I don't mind talking about it."
"Are you sure?" Orous asked in a gentler tone and Scorpius noticed for the first time that he was holding Lily's hand.
"Yes. Not much to say really," Lysander admitted and took a deep breath, "After they took us from the park, they took Lorc away to the muggle because he kept fighting them and trying to protect me. You were so brave, I don't know why you didn't make Gryffindor like me because you're much braver then me."
"Because the hat fears being lit on fire. And with good reason," August quipped and shifted uncomfortably, everyone but Hugo and Lorcan looked at him in confusion. The Ravenclaw rolled his eyes, "Never mind, continue."
"So… they took me to this room. It wasn't bad, it was quite nice really. Fancy. There was a nice bed and an ensuite bathroom, the faucets all looked like they had the decoration engraved by fairies. I was handcuffed to the bed at night but at day I was free, well confined to those two rooms since it was locked but free. I could go to the toilet, bathe and get a drink of water whenever I wanted. It was only when I had company it was bad," Lysander continued and paused for a moment, taking another breath as if it this bit was harder to recount, "S-Sometimes they would bring me food, not a lot but sometimes. But most times it was bad. Half the time they would beat me, they'd always heal me before they left but it still hurt when it was happening. And in my memories of it happening. The other half the time they would use the Cruciatus Curse, that was… was not very nice."
"It's okay, Lys," Lorcan assured his brother and reached out to pat him on the shoulder, he managed one tap before his hand recoiled as if burned and he was breathing heavily, anxiety scribbled on his face. Lysander gave him a smile.
"Thank you, Lorc, even the smallest steps will shake away those nasty touch gremlins in time."
"And that's it?" Scorpius wondered curiously, drawing back the Scamanders attention, "I mean, I'm sorry you through that but why erase your memory?"
"I was really sad about it," Lysander admitted ashamedly, "And I missed my family, my friends and my home too. I use to cry a lot. Brutus Ashain took pity on me, he said I wouldn't have to remember if I couldn't cope with it so he took the memories away and they drifted like clouds."
"I guess maybe Brutus decided you were old enough to cope now?" Orous guessed, exchanging a look with Scorpius who could only shrug, "Wonder why he didn't want to erase our memories."
"Well your mind already got scrambled - you know like eggs? – when your soul got broken up so maybe he just didn't want to risk making you worse?" Lysander prompted and Orous shifted so uncomfortably that Lily gave his hand a comforting squeeze, Lysander apparently didn't notice, "Do you like your eggs scrambled, Orous?"
"No."
"A shame," Lysander admitted, sounding slightly disappointed, "I do. I think they taste lovely with ketchup."
The conversation shifted to more pleasant things when Hugo brought up Quidditch, an easy icebreaker and pathway to lighter things. They couldn't discuss anything more serious with Lysander there, he may remember and seemed to be making an effort to build bridges with his brother but that didn't mean he was automatically part of Gray. He still thought regaining his memories suddenly was a bit strange as well, was it really that simple? He wasn't going to trust him with things like that, he didn't even know if Lysander was interested. Scorpius didn't think he was based off the conversation, he was more interested in innocent things, a myriad of creatures that Scorpius was sure didn't exist and girls. Scorpius found himself starting to feel rather left out, Orous was friends with Hugo and dating Lily so knew them well and was more familiar with the others whereas Scorpius was not.
He excused himself the same way he had with Corin and Rose, deciding to just suck it up and listen to the beauty of Beauxbatons. However, he found they were snogging quite passionately and politely pretended he hadn't seen as he moved along. Now what? He glanced out the window, the sky had darkened by now which he took to be a good sign that they were possibly closer to their destination then to London. He went to the toilet for something to do despite being not being desperate but, it was on his way back that he heard it. A choked sob. He felt compelled to make sure the person was alright so he towards it, finding the source was a little girl standing out alone in the corridor.
She was a First Year, already in her unsorted robes that were actually quite shabby looking and ill-fitting as if they were hand-me-downs or had been bought second-hand. She had a wild, tangled mess of red hair that looked like it had never seen a brush, it hung loosely to her shoulders and fell over her face. She stood with her arms wrapped protectively around her, looking very alone and pitiful. She looked up when he approached her, revealing a delicate, freckly face and large, cloudy gray eyes that were red from crying.
"I-I'm s-sorry, I didn't disturb you, did I?" the girl asked in a small, soft voice and looked almost frightened of incurring his wrath.
"No, it's alright," Scorpius assured her and gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile, trying to figure out what to say next, "I'm Scorpius, what's your name?"
"Martha."
"Are you okay, Martha?" Scorpius asked her gently and she wiped her eyes with her sleeve, "You shouldn't be standing out here crying by yourself."
"All the compartments are full," Martha told him, gesturing down the length of the train.
"You could try asking to sit with some people, maybe some other First Years."
"I tried but they laughed at my robes and I'm scared to try any others," Martha admitted, her eyes tearing up again, "I can't help it, this is the best my foster parents could afford."
"Where are your real parents?" Scorpius blurted out before realizing how stupid a thing it was to ask.
"I don't have a Mum and my Dad died recently."
"Hogsmeade?"
"Yeah," Martha nodded and the tears dribbled from her eyes, "Sad thing is, he didn't even live there. He was just shopping."
"I'm sorry about your Dad," Scorpius said gently, hoping it made up for asking and she wiped at her eyes with her sleeve again.
"Thank you."
"Come on, Martha, let's find you a compartment," Scorpius offered, holding out his hand to her and her face screwed up fearfully.
"What if they laugh at my robes?"
"Then I'll jinx them into the middle of next week," Scorpius assured her and she gave the weakest of smiles before taking his hand.
He led her down the length of the train, glancing in compartments for signs of friendly-looking First Years for Martha to sit with. Finally, he spotted not exactly what he was looking for but close enough. Only one First Year girl but she was sitting with people he knew, he slid the door open and the three occupants turned to him. Byron Knight was a Slytherin but nonetheless a kindhearted boy going into his Third Year, he'd been a victim of James Potter's brutal bullying the previous two years and had a brother in Scorpius' year. His friend with him, Pollux Koray, was a Ravenclaw and son of the Astronomy professor who'd end up severely hurt standing up to James for Byron which left his lungs damaged. They were why Hogwarts was finally rid of the plague known as James Potter, he'd been expelled. The girl was new, she bore a strong resemblance to Pollux though and he'd guess a sister.
"Hi Scorpius," Byron offered kindly with a smile, he wasn't looking unhealthy thin anymore but he did still look tired. He was pale with straggly brown pair, a scar on his neck and was known to have two prosthetic legs due to the werewolves attacking Hogsmeade. Pollux was the one who looked gaunt and exhausted now, he eyed Scorpius with more pragmatic confusion. He knew them but they weren't friends, in fact he didn't think he'd ever spoken to Pollux.
"Hi Byron, Pollux and erm…" Scorpius trailed off as he looked at the girl, she – unlike Martha – wore pristine robes and had straight, shiny dark hair with some it tied back but long bangs. She was olive-skinned like her father and brother with the same deep, dark blue eyes.
"My younger sister, Auriga," Pollux provided in a rasp and the girl smiled nervously, "She's starting this year."
"Nice to meet you," Scorpius offered and gently pulled Martha into view, "This is Martha, she's also starting this year and doesn't have anywhere to sit. Any chance she could sit with you?"
"No problem," Byron agreed without a moment's hesitation.
"See, there's some friendly people in Hogwarts too," Scorpius assured Martha with another smile and the girl looked wistful before returning the smile weakly.
"Thank you, Scorpius, you're a good person," Martha told him before taking a seat beside Auriga, he turned to leave but Byron spoke again.
"And Sc-Scorpius, could you do me a favor?"
"Err… What?" Scorpius wondered in confusion and Byron shifted slightly, his expression saddening.
"Ju-Just be nice to my brother, would you? He's really stressed and I know NEWTs is supposed to be rough," Byron explained and gazed at him anxiously, Scorpius didn't see any reason to not do so. His brother was alright and he had no idea if they'd even be in any of the same classes.
"Sure, if I see him."
"Thank you," Byron said with relief as Scorpius left, closing the door behind him and seeing Auriga had already started talking to Martha with a kindly expression. He hoped it was a good sign.
He continued on his way back to one of his friends and did actually run into the Trolley Lady, he bought himself a Pumpkin Pasty to not make a liar out of himself. She assured him they weren't that far from Hogwarts though, changing compartments had actually probably made him miss her. He rejoined Corin and Rose when he saw they were just chatting – and seemed to have lost track of time as they didn't comment on his long absence - and could focus on eating his pasty while Rose marveled at the beauty of Beauxbatons for him, he would definitely be hearing that later on. It was much warmer in their compartment then Orous' though, he had to open a window.
"Scor, I'm freezing," Rose complained when he did so and Corin immediately slammed it shut.
"I'm hot," Scorpius protested with a slight cough as the words caught in his throat.
"Deux beats un," Corin told him determinedly.
"I love when you speak French," Rose complimented him and giggled as Corin launched into a long French spiel to which Scorpius rolled his eyes, why had he not gone back to Orous again?
It was a really warm night, he didn't see why they could complain. Scorpius was relieved when the train finally pulled to a halt and he could head, he'd started to sweat by the time he had to make his way through the throng to get outside. He found himself walking on shaking legs, the heat was in his heat and making him dizzy.
"You okay, Scor?" Corin asked him as they made it out on the platform, the part-giant putting a hand on his shoulder to steady him.
"The heat," Scorpius complained with a cough, his voice sounding raspier, "So stuffy in there."
"Sorry but Rose said she was cold, I had to be a Gentleman."
"Uh-huh," Scorpius muttered as another cough ripped through him, "Let's just get a carriage."
"Alright."
Scorpius wondered through the platform, trying to keep pace with his friends. The noise wasn't helping, all the loud people and Professor Hagrid yelling for First Years. It was all dark and disorientating. The cold hair was piercing and he found himself shivering violently before he'd finished reaching the carriages, he heard Rose laugh.
"Still think it's too hot?" Rose addressed him and Scorpius shook his head, it was half true. He felt cold. But hot too. He made to follow Rose in but was stopped, "Corin, Orous, Vern and I are in this one and it's already full. You'll have to get the next one."
"Okay," Scorpius nodded, almost collapsing as he stepped back out with a more violent fit of coughing overtaking him.
"You okay, mate?" Albus' voice offered and he felt his friend clap him on the back.
"Swallowed the wrong way," Scorpius croaked.
"You sure?" Michael's voice told him and Scorpius felt a hand pressed up against his forehead which was slick with sweat, "You're too hot."
"I'm fine," Scorpius coughed as he brushed it off, not wanting their return to be marred by him coming down with something.
"Oh my god, Albus, is that a hickey on your neck!?" Abby gasped and Scorpius tried to look up but felt too dizzy to see straight.
"Yes," Albus answered her proudly while Michael helped Scorpius into a carriage, "Grozda was very happy to see me."
Being in a carriage helped, not having to stand eased his dizziness. He was still shivering and sweating, hot and cold wrestling inside him as if trying to decide which temperature he should feel. His cough was worsening as well, by the time they reached Hogwarts Abby and Albus' bickering conversation – that Maurice chose to ignore, not touching his necklace – had been drowned out by his coughing. His mouth, throat and chest were all feeling so raw they hurt as the five of them climbed back out of the carriage into the night. With that returned his dizziness along with the urge to throw up and he felt a strong hand grab his arm, he tried to turn to see who but the world spun well out of control and the hand steadied him.
"You're coming to see Marigold, right now," Michael told him gruffly, apparently the owner of the hand. Scorpius walked mechanically, allowing himself to be led into the light. He gave up seeing with his own eyes, everything was spinning so badly he had no clue.
"But I wanna see the Sorting," Scorpius complained in a hoarse rasp, he was curious where Martha and Auriga would go. He didn't care about the food though, he felt nauseous and weak, "During the feast."
"You can see it after you see Marigold, you need medical attention."
"Yes, Mother," Scorpius tried to quip sarcastically but getting the words out was difficult, they stuck in his throat and hindering air from reaching his lungs as he needed to start gasping for breath while his heart was pounding in his ears. He was so tired, his trembling feet so heavy, "Michael…"
Scorpius felt his body collapse, Michael and - probably – Albus tried to keep him walking but he couldn't take another step, he was too busy trying to breathe. Instead they laid him on the ground on his back which again quelled the dizziness, he saw a flash of purple light and recognized Michael's wand over him. He could see his friends' faces, he tried to stay focused on them as another violent fit of coughing kept him from passing out.
"What's wrong with him?!" Albus demanded as Scorpius' body started shivering more violently, he could feel sweat rolling off him in waves.
"His organs are failing," Michael told him, looking horrified while Scorpius just tried to breathe, "He's dying."
"Do something!" Abby shrieked as another light shone over him, Scorpius continued to shake helplessly. He felt as if he was drowning in his own sweat, he couldn't breathe.
"I-I can't!" Michael shot back, sounding horrified now, "He's been poisoned and until it's neutralized, I can't do anything!"
"It's not that far to Marigold, we-"
"He won't make it to Marigold! It's acting too quickly!"
"Save him, Michael!" Albus yelled, sounding on the verge of tears, "Don't you let him die, don't you dare!"
"This isn't helping!" Orous snapped, he sounded like he was crying but the world was too blurry to see.
He felt like his body was burning from the inside out as he drowned on the outside from icy water, he wanted to scream but his throat couldn't even let him breath let alone do that. Was this really it? Was he going to die? But… But he'd just been fine. He'd just been fine, he'd just had a good summer and he'd been fine. He hadn't stopped the Shadows yet, he still needed to stop the Shadows, he had to make things right. He hadn't even said goodbye. He didn't want to die.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. What's happening?" Maurice questioned quite calmly.
"Maurice!"
"Move!" an unfamiliar adult voice barked in an unusual accent, "You all block the corridor, move out of my way! Is there not rules about this?"
"My friend's dying!" Albus' voice cried, he sounded like he was sobbing now.
"Oh do not be so overdramatized," the newcomer complained before apparently catching sight of him, "Or maybe you are not. Move!"
Scorpius heard a scuffling of feet and became aware of someone crouching beside him as his body arched painfully, his eyes rolling back into his skull and his scream silenced before it could leave his throat. He felt himself violently falling back, his feeble gasps for breath weakening. He felt something tearing at the clothing on his chest, freaking him out as he could only think of the muggles. He lashed out randomly and felt his fist hit something that muttered in a different language, it sounded like curses.
"Be calm. Do not hit me or I shall not save your life," the newcomer complained.
His arms forced to the ground magically and held there, he couldn't fight back as his chest was exposed to the air. He felt suddenly very afraid. Where his friends still there? Weren't they helping him? Was this a dream? A nightmare? He felt something thin and sharp touch his bare chest, a stick? A wand? He could feel it gliding over his skin, every mark sending a chill through him. He could hear alien muttering again, this time quieter and calmer, more like chanting rather than cursing.
"What are you even doing to him?" a voice that sounded like Rose's asked as he felt the stick leave him yet he was still very are of where the marks were, even as he could feel himself drifting.
"Everyone who is not me, be silent," the accented newcomer snapped and in the next instant, Scorpius felt something poured onto his chest.
He felt it crawling over the invisible lines left by the wand and the muttering returned, there was a sharp pain as the liquid seemed to slice into him. He couldn't scream but he felt it, he could feel the liquid moving around inside him, feel it running through his veins. It was not pleasant, it was like ice melting and making his blood run cold. So cold it hurt, so cold he almost didn't notice he was breathing again. Then it felt it retreating back, congregating in his chest again before it erupted out.
Scorpius screamed as he felt it rip back out of his chest, his body lurched and his eyes snapped back. He collapsed back onto the ground, breathing heavily and staring up at stars in the air despite the fact he was in Hogwarts and it wasn't the enchanted ceiling. The stars were not stars and clumped together back into a lump of liquid, shifting above him before it moved out of sight. His eyes would've followed it but he felt too weak to move, he just wanted to lie there and breathe for a minute.
"Sc-Scor, are you okay?" Albus' voice asked.
"I'm alive," Scorpius said slowly as this fact dawned on him too, relief washing over him.
"Great, now then the world can rejoice," the accented newcomer quipped sarcastically and Scorpius felt someone grab his hand to haul him to his feet, "Now get up."
"I'm still not feeling great," Scorpius admitted shakily as he stood on unsteady legs, still with the man's support.
"That is why you get up, you need to heal. Come on now," the newcomer insisted and Scorpius felt himself being led only to stop again, Scorpius could only stare at the ground as his stomach churned inside, "No. Everyone else, goodbye."
"But he's our friend," Michael's voice protested.
"I don't care, it is possible to walk to the Hospital Room without friends. Buh-bye now," the newcomer brushed it off and Scorpius swore he could hear him rolling his eyes, "And move! Are you English allergic to moving or what? Thank you!"
Scorpius felt himself being led again, he heard his friends offer their assurances of seeing him later and a scuffling of feet. By the sounds of it, a small crowd might've gathered to see his… episode. The sounds died away and then it was just him being led by his savior, at first he thought he was just going at a slow pace purely for Scorpius' sake but the sound of the man's footsteps were very uneven. With his eyes on the ground, Scorpius realized why. The man walked with an extremely severe limp, so bad it made Latimer look like a champion runner. Scorpius wondered why, then realized he was focused on a limp instead of the fact he'd almost died just moments ago.
"So I… I was poisoned?" Scorpius wondered, recalling the conversation.
"Yes," the man told him disinterestedly.
"Who tried to poison me?"
"I don't know, I was just trying to get food to eat when everyone is blocking the way because you are dying," the man explained, sounding almost annoyed by it, "I have no idea who you are, why would I know who tries to kill you?"
"I'm Scorpius. Scorpius Malfoy," Scorpius introduced himself.
"I will not know who tries to kill you from knowing your name," the man insisted and Scorpius thought he rolled his eyes again, "I know it was not me and that is all."
"Okay well then… What-What did you do? I thought I was going to die, I heard my friend say it."
"I put the liquid in you, the liquid bonds with the poison then I draw the liquid out, it takes the poison with it and stops it from further killing you," the man explained, "It undid some of the damage it was causing at the time but you still feel bad because it cannot heal the damage already wrought, that is why you need to heal still."
"And you just carry some of that poison-saving stuff around with you all the time?" Scorpius wondered curiously and the man gave an annoyed grunt.
"It has other uses then stopping poison," the man insisted as they came to a halt, "And this is your stop, Scorpius Malfoy."
Scorpius risked raising his head and saw that sure enough, they had reached the Hospital Wing. He turned back to his savior, opening his mouth to thank but froze when he saw his face. He was of average height with dark chestnut eyes and extremely dark auburn hair that looked to have dulled with age but was still thick, devoid of grays and wavier then any Ashain. For a second he had a vivid flashback of a memory, Ashylos' memory of his death and the young son. He was a small boy no longer, he could pass for Professor Ashain's brother. He was also no longer smiling and didn't look like it was a common occurrence, his expression was grim and his eyes were tired, his face worn. Still, Scorpius had no doubt he'd just been saved by Ashylos' last son. With a wave of soul-crushing guilt he saw the innocent young boy again, he'd saved his life after Scorpius had destroyed his father's soul.
"Tell the Healer what occurred and he will see to you, Scorpius Malfoy," Ashylos' son told him obliviously before turning to leave, "Try not to get poisoned again."
"Wh-Where are you going?" Scorpius called after as he limped away.
"To get food, I told you. Unless someone other is dying in the way."
Part 4: Guilt Trips
"Agnes, I need to go out for a while," Crystal Sanford told her daughter seriously as she pulled out the pitifully few notes she had in her purse to give to her, almost surprised Agnes couldn't hear her thundering heart or the panic screaming in her ears, "Here's some money. Don't answer the door, don't answer the phone and if anyone comes for you then take your brother and sister out the backdoor. Go straight to the train station, get to London and go to the Leaky Cauldron because that's where I'll be."
"Why are you going to the Leaky Cauldron?" Agnes asked as she cautiously took the notes, looking very much like she was aware more was going on.
"Because I need to go to Diagon Alley. Do you understand what I told you?"
"Yes," Agnes confirmed as she pushed the notes into her pocket.
"Use what's there to feed the three of you lunch, dinner too if I'm not back by then. Make sure Ivy and Flynn are in bed on time, teeth brushed and that they haven't destroyed the house. Leave the lights off and close all the curtains as soon as I leave, do you understand?" Crystal continued, hoping she'd covered everything. That last thing she wanted was for something else to happen to her children while she was gone.
"Yes."
"That's my girl," Crystal told her with as much of a smile as she could muster as she hugged her daughter tightly, she was lucky to have such good children, "Stay safe."
"Where's Bertie?" Agnes asked in a whisper as she pulled away as if afraid to ask.
"That's why I'm going to Diagon Alley, to find him," Crystal assured her and saw a flicker of fear in her daughter's good eye, Bob's eye, "Just tell the others he's with me because he should be. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Crystal left her daughter without another word, not wanting to waste any more time as she got in her car and drove off. She truly did have no idea where Jack was, she hadn't seen him since he'd revealed what he'd done and she had no way of finding him. His apartment was rented to someone else now since he'd taken off and stopped paying rent, she'd tried his phone and a random man had answered, apparently he'd found it in the trash. Normally it might sound strange but Jack throwing his phone away after leaving them sounded perfectly plausible, he hadn't needed it after all. Considering what he'd said, she doubted Annie knew and had no idea where she was either. Her only hope was that there was some magical way to find someone, hence why she was headed to Diagon Alley. If Jack had meant what he said then he should be open to helping her get her son back and if he had… had lost himself then she had no trouble with handing him over to save her son, she had no idea what the man wanted with Jack anyway. Honestly, she didn't care. Saving Bertie was all that mattered right now.
He wouldn't need to be saved if you weren't such a terrible mother! Bob's voice snapped in her mind and she flinched as she felt tears prick her eyes again, How could you let this happen?! How could you let our child be taken?! How could you let that psycho take my son?!
Crystal wiped at her eyes, as much as she would love to break down crying, she had to save her son. She had to at least try, she'd do everything in her power to. And driving to Diagon Alley was more productive then crying on the kitchen floor, she'd have plenty of time to cry after she'd exhausted all options.
Oh, you mean when he's sending Bertie back in little pieces?! Bob's voice barked and she choked on a sob as she recalled the psycho's threat, This would never happen if I was alive, I warned you everything would go wrong without me because you're a complete failure. This is your fault, Crystal, this is all your fault. If you weren't such a stupid slut then he wouldn't even think you know where Jack is. You're so stupid, weak and stupid.
"I know I am," Crystal muttered in agreement, wiping her eyes again as she pulled the car to a halt.
And pathetic, Bob's voice spat as she got out, fumbling to lock the car before heading into the magical pub, Don't forget pathetic. I'm freaking dead but you're still scared of me, you still can't escape me. What is wrong with you?! No one else fears dead people, you fucking idiot! Every decision you make is bad, everything you do is stupid. It's no wonder Michael hates you
Crystal tried to ignore it as she headed out into the courtyard where the Aurors were waiting, they searched and scanned everyone going in or out. She let them do it despite her discomfort with it all, answering their questions politely and pleasantly. They didn't seem to suspect anything, putting a brave face on might be one thing she didn't completely fail at. The voice was right though, she was pathetic and Michael did hate her. He avoided her these days, spending all his time in his room and staying away, if she spoke to him than he was always short with her and distant. He was upset and angry, her sweet little boy was gone. Not that she blamed him, Michael had every right to hate her and be upset with how his life was. She'd failed him probably worst of all.
You did fail him the worst, Bob agreed as the Aurors finished up and let her through, You failed to even put a roof over his head, you failed him on a basic level, you failed to give him a stable environment, you failed to protect him from Robin, you failed to protect him from me, you failed to protect him from bullying and all the crap he goes through in Hogwarts. You're not doing much better with the little ones, you failed to protect them from being scarred for life by the werewolf and now you let that bloody psychopath take your baby boy!
Crystal couldn't disagree and could only try put it out of her mind as she flitted around Diagon Alley, asking for a way of finding someone. She was disappointed to be having no luck, she'd been hoping for a magical solution but the best they seemed to offer was good luck charms and the magical version of a private investigator. If the man was after Jack and had come to them then she was sure he'd probably searched himself first, somehow she doubted another wizard would have any better luck, especially not in time for her son to be returned… intact. She wasn't sure she could afford that anyway, she was still struggling to make ends meet and buying school supplies had really cleaned her out.
You really are a worthless failure, you stupid whore, Bob's voice spat into her ear, Every other mother in the world seems perfectly capable of providing for her children. And not letting them be destroyed physically, mentally and abducted. You can't protect them, heck, you can't even protect yourself
Someone suggested she try Knockturn Alley though for some less commonplace solutions, she didn't see why not. Anything was better than nothing at that point. She located the alley and found it less impressive then Diagon, the buildings looked shabbier and it was darker. The people seemed darker too, most she passed where in dark cloaks and many seemed to be trying to cover their faces as if hiding they were there. The faces she did see didn't seem friendly either, glaring eyes and lips curled in sneers, murderous expressions through her way. It all made her very nervous, still she'd have to start asking them about finding someone too. She stopped outside of a "Borgin and Burkes" near a group of cloaked figures whispering amongst themselves, trying to decide which of the run-down buildings was a good place to start. Maybe she should just start here?
Before she could even turn back to the door, a hand grabbed her arm roughly and she tried to scream as fear stabbed through her heart but she couldn't. The world around her went back and she felt as if she was being forced through a tube, abruptly she found herself back in another alley and lurched as if to throw up. The hand steadied her and nothing came out, there was nothing to come out as she'd had to skip a few meals lately to make sure her kids were well fed. The wave of nausea passed and she remembered her situation, she pulled herself away from her attacker fearfully and surprised he didn't try stop her. He was a man with a course, lined face that looked so worn she wondered if he'd ever slept, his hair was brown and his eyes cerulean blue. He was dressed rather scruffily and like a muggle, his clothes were stained in dirt.
"Wh-What did you do to me?" Crystal tried to snap but it came out more as a fearful stutter, her fear starting to increase. He didn't look friendly.
"Saved your life, Bambi, so you can relax," the man offered darkly, "Knockturn Alley is not for muggles."
"H-How did you know I'm a muggle?"
"You make it so obvious, you're dressed like a muggle-"
"You're dressed like a muggle!"
"I can dress like a muggle because I have this," the man scoffed and yanked up his sleeve, showing a faded scar, a mark of a snake coming out of a skull's mouth, "You on the other hand, stick out like goat amongst sheep, so skittish and out of place. Stay away from there."
"I can't," Crystal admitted as the man pulled his sleeve back down, he rolled his eyes.
"Those people near you were just about to jump you, the only reason they hadn't yet is because they were arguing over how they should kill you," the man told her, looking unfazed while her heart skipped a beat, "The Ministry try to lessen the old prejudices but Knockturn Alley is where people with the old prejudices like to hang out, it's a dark place for dark people and dark magic. If you don't want to die then stay away and if you do want to die, there are better ways to kill yourself."
"But I have to go back," Crystal protested again, feeling her eyes tear up again, "It's my only chance, I need to find a way to find someone and I had no luck in Diagon Alley."
"Have you tried an owl?" the man wondered tiredly as he folded his arms.
"An owl?"
"They can find whoever the letter is intended for, unless the person put up magical defenses to avoid being found."
"Isn't that a bit slow?" Crystal questioned curiously as she bit her lip nervously.
"Depends where the person is and on the owl."
"Well what about if the person doesn't respond?"
"Put a tracking spell on the envelope, you can't use regular post owls for that though."
"My son took the owl with him to Hogwarts, I won't have it until he writes," Crystal pointed out unhappily and thought saw a flicker of grief in the man's eyes at the mention of the magical school, "If he writes."
"I have an owl you can use," the man volunteered, "He's fast and well-trained."
"And you'd do that? Just let me use your owl?"
"No, but I'll give him to you then you can use your owl. You must take good care of him though."
"You'd just give me your owl for free?" Crystal wondered in surprise and the man shrugged.
"I have no use for him now and I don't care about money anymore, he's yours if you want."
"Will you do the tracking spell for me too?" Crystal asked, hardly daring to hope as she met the man's eyes.
"You realize it's illegal, right?" the man prompted and Crystal looked away for a moment, considering this and then considering her lost little boy.
"Will you do the tracking spell or not?" Crystal reiterated and the man cocked his head to one side for a second before nodding, "Thank you. You really have no idea-"
"I really don't care. Just hurry up," the man cut her off, already walking and she hastened to keep up.
"My name's Crystal by the-"
"You don't give people your name in Knockturn Alley, Bambi," the man interrupted yet again.
"We're not in Knockturn Alley," Crystal pointed out, quite truthfully as she realized she recognized the shops, "So what's your name?"
"John," the man admitted after a moment's hesitation, she was pretty sure it was fake though.
"Is that-"
"That is my real name," the man insisted before she could even ask.
She fell silent and went with him, he insisted they go back through the checkpoint separately so no one would think they were together so she had to wait. It occurred to her that this could very well be a trap, he was from Knockturn Alley so he could very well be the one wanting her dead and luring her away. She also didn't turn away though, if it wasn't a trap then it was her best chance of finding Jack so she could save Bertie. She had to take the risk. She headed through after another person had gone after John as he'd instructed, exiting the Leaky Cauldron to find him waiting with a hulking, horned owl with black and white coloring and menacing yellow eyes. It squawked loudly.
"Here," John offered, handing her the cage along with a bag, "In there is the last supplies for him and some notes on caring for owls, there's also an envelope with a blank piece of paper in it. When you write your message, wear gloves and do not let the paper touch your flesh or it will track you not the person you're writing to. Send the message from your home so the owl will know that is where he should return to. Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes," Crystal agreed uncertainly, surprised at how quickly it happened.
She opened her mouth to thank him and ask the owl's name but he disappeared with a sound like a thunderclap. Well… That was that. She bundled the owl into the car along with the bag and headed back, she'd write the letter and send it off as soon as she got home. Hopefully, Jack would be close enough for the owl to reach him soon. Crystal made it back home and carried the owl back into the kitchen, she was surprised to notice a small box on the kitchen table. She walked over, wondering whether one of the kids had left it or stupidly if John had put it there for the owl or something.
Crystal opened the box and screamed at its contents, almost dropping it and passing out in one breath. Her shaking legs gave way and she staggered back, slumping to the ground as sobs escaped her. It was a finger. A bloody, severed little finger. A four year old's little finger. Bertie's.
Scorpius still felt his head spinning and not from the poison as he went in to speak to the Hogwarts Head Healer, Marigold. He was a tall, thin man and looking rather odd with his hair half-white and half-black where he apparently had decided to abandon dying it but wait for it to grow out anyway. He grumbled a lot but Scorpius thought he had proved himself a good person, he'd lost a finger resisting when tortured for a way into Hogwarts too. Scorpius let himself be fussed over by Marigold, magicked and dosed with potions but he was paying little attention, instead letting his mind wonder to Ashylos.
"…Did I ever tell you how I died?"
"No."
"It was during Grindelwald's early uprising, I was living in Europe at the time with my son, Rojer. The boy was seven, like I mentioned his mother died and I was raising him alone…"
"Scorpius?!" Marigold barked, snapping Scorpius back to reality.
"What?" Scorpius wondered tiredly.
"I asked you if you've had anything to eat or drink today."
"Oh right, just breakfast and a Pumpkin Pasty on the train. Why?"
"Trying to figure out how you were poisoned," Marigold offered and pushed him gently back down with one hand while summoning a bottle of some potion with his wand with another, "I didn't say I was done, I'd like you to stay here for observation for a bit and I'll need to speak to Vipera. This should give you a good night's rest, give your body a chance to recover."
"I don't want to go to sleep," Scorpius complained as he kind of wanted to see the Sorting but drank the liquid after seeing the stern gaze on Marigold's face, he'd barely moved the flask away from his lips when he felt his eyelids becoming heavy.
"What happened to your son?" Scorpius recalled asking the spirit.
"I do not know. After death I was imprisoned wholly in the Scepter, I had and still have no way of knowing what became of him. He probably is dead. I had hopes of finding him or at least finding his fate after the Scepter business was dealt with, when I revived. Odds are I will never know now…"
Scorpius was surprised to open his eyes and find it was the morning, he'd expected an uneasy sleep or at least dreams but got nothing. He was feeling physically better though, much stronger. Mentally though, the guilt hit him with the force of a speeding train. For what he'd done to Ashylos, for what he'd done to Rojer. Images of the happy child still overlapping the unhappy limping man, he didn't deserve to have had his life saved by the son of a man he'd killed. Or rather destroyed the soul of. A good man. Who'd helped defeat one of the most infamous Dark Wizards of all time, who'd been willing to sacrifice himself to save Professor Ashain, who'd been so brave in the face of utter destruction. And his son had saved him after that, after what he'd done. He felt sick with himself.
Marigold let him go that morning, it was Sunday so it didn't really matter as they'd not be starting classes until tomorrow. He trudged down to the Great Hall in misery, his feet finding the way even though his mind was occupied which he took to mean that his subconscious had a good grasp of the place even after having been away for the few months of summer. He spotted his clump of friends at the end of the Gryffindor table, they always needed to sit at the end near the teachers due to Maurice's deafness and needing to be close to translate announcements. They looked incredibly relieved to see him, Albus even hugged him.
"Don't ever scare us like that again, mate," Albus said seriously as he pulled away, clapping him on the shoulder as he did so, "W-"
"You'll never believe what I found out," Scorpius cut him off and they all leaned in to listen as he dropped his voice, "The guy who saved me, he was Rojer."
This didn't have the impact he'd hoped for though, they all stared at him blankly.
"You know, Ashylos' son," Scorpius emphasized, "The one who was a child when he died that I saw when he showed me the memory of his death."
"Ah damn, that Rojer," Albus quipped sarcastically and slapped his leg in mock frustration, "We should totally have remembered that guy that only you saw!"
"Yeah," Abby laughed but quickly stopped herself.
"I'm serious," Scorpius protested, "He's Ashylos' son."
"Did he tell you that?" Rose asked with an eyebrow rising.
"No but I recognize him and when I told Marigold that Rojer saved me, he seemed to know who I was talking about."
"Hehe, Marigold," Albus chuckled to himself.
"I'm serious!"
"Well maybe it's not Ashylos' son, Rojer is just one of those common wizard names," Rose offered with a half-shrug.
"He does have the Ashain features though," Maurice pointed out, much to Scorpius' relief, "They're pretty distinctive and strong standing."
"Thank you," Scorpius said with relief as he sighed, "He's Ashylos' son, I'm sure of it."
"And so what if he is who you think is?" Albus wondered and Scorpius could only gape at him, "He doesn't seem to know or care what you did to his Father, what does it matter?"
"It matters! I killed his Father," Scorpius protested, dropping his voice again as he felt the guilt churning into his gut again, "I destroyed his soul."
"You, and Antonius, and Brutus," Corin reminded unhelpfully.
"Don't you think there are more important issues to worry about right now?" Michael asked of him, speaking for the first time and looking the most anxious.
"Like what?" Scorpius complained and Michael looked incredulous, as did most of his friends.
"Like who tried to kill you!" Michael snapped at him angrily, "You nearly died, don't you get that? You would have died if that guy hadn't walked in and done his voodoo magic, there was nothing I could do, nothing any of us could do."
"Oh, who cares about that?" Scorpius brushed it off dismissively, "There's a war going on, people are always trying to kill me. Rojer is the thing to worry about here, what am I supposed to do?"
"Nothing," Albus insisted.
"Why would you need to do anything?" Maurice wondered and Scorpius felt like slapping his face in exasperation, why was he the only one who could see how big a deal this was?
"Because I killed his Father," Scorpius protested as the guilt prodded at the tears in his eyes, "I took away his only parent and then he turns around and saves my life. I need to apologize and make it up to him, tell him the truth."
"You saw this kid when Ashylos showed you his physical death, right?"
"Right."
"And Ashylos was killed by Grindelwald's men a few decades ago, right?"
"Right."
"So what does it matter if you destroyed his soul? Rojer had already lost his Father decades before you wiped out his soul, you didn't take his Father from him," Maurice pointed out quite rationally, "Rojer was an adult long before you were even born, your actions had no effect on him so you really have nothing to obsess over or any point in mentioning it to him. It doesn't matter. Your assassination attempt on the other hand…"
"I don't care about that! This Rojer thing is serious, how am I supposed to face him in class?"
"He's not a teacher," Corin told him, much to Scorpius' confusion, "He wasn't at the staff table or introduced or mentioned, reckon he's the new assistant to replace Calderon."
"So did they find out anything about the poison?" Abby pressed, apparently everyone but him determined to gloss over this majorly important thing, "Did Marigold say anything?"
"I didn't ask," Scorpius admitted glumly as he went to put food on his plate for breakfast.
"Well why not?" Albus complained.
"I told you because I don't care! I'm more worried about this Rojer thing," Scorpius insisted and paused despite himself, how did he know his food wasn't poisoned?
"No, you're just on a guilt trip about Ashylos," Michael prompted and looked between him and his plate, "Aren't you going to eat?"
"Not hungry for more potential death."
"Alright," Michael nodded and switched plates with him just like he'd done back in their First Year when Scorpius hadn't wanted to eat, "There, mine is half-eaten and I'm not dead yet so it's not poisoned. Or its slow acting, then we're both dead. So eat up."
"Thanks," Scorpius offered and smiled despite everything as he looked at his friend, a sliver of the old Michael that made him all the more determined to help him.
