"We have never pretended to be anything but selfish" - Scorpius Malfoy


Word quickly spread of the incident by the lake involving the two warring factions. Eleonora noticed that they were being given an even wider berth than usual by most students as they went about their week and that whispers followed them wherever they went. She had to admit it had been an uncharacteristically aggressive move on hers and particularly Scorpius' part that day, but she was still surprised at the ripple it had caused. The fact that Scorpius had called Albus Potter out by name, seemingly inviting retaliation, just added to the rumours. She had only caught a glimpse of the Potter boy once since but it had been fleeting. Word in the corridors had it that he was furious, but so far nothing had been heard from the Gryffindor camp. Plenty had been from Rufus Edwards and his followers though. Scorpius and herself were getting a decidedly mixed reception in the Slytherin dungeons. Those fiercely loyal to Edwards had been sending them death glares all week, but most were treating them like conquering heroes, much to the dismay of the Unity leader. Edwards had been using all his wannabe politicians diplomacy to defuse the situation before it got out of hand. Eleonora had even seen him apologising on their behalf to Finnegan the day before and he had now finally caught up with them after Herbology.

"Scorpius, Eleonora, a word please."

Eleonora groaned loudly, causing Scorpius next to her to chuckle.

"Yes Rufus," the Malfoy answered. "What can we do for you?"

"Walk with me." he said striding off towards the forest causing both of them to roll their eyes.

"Did he just say 'walk with me'?" Elle sniggered. "Prick."

Scorpius gestured for her to follow him. They caught up with Edwards outside the empty hut that apparently used to be the home of the Hogwarts gamekeeper, war hero and half giant Hagrid. It had been abandoned for the entirety of their school live however, and was a favourite spot for those who didn't want to be overheard, be it plotting pranksters or amorous couples. Eleonora had a feeling that this was going to be a more serious conversation than the walls were used to. After a couple of minutes silence she could take no more.

"Can we speed this along then Edwards? It's just that have I have literally anything else to do today than spend a moment longer than necessary in your company."

"Enough Elle." Scorpius interjected.

"Inside." Rufus stated.

The trio entered the hut and sat down at the large table in the middle of the room. Eleonora put her feet up on the chair opposite just as Edwards was about to pull it out, giving him her best Malfoy-esque smirk and Scorpius took out a cigarette and lit it, quickly filling the room with smoke.

"I'd rather you not do that around me Malfoy," Edwards said haughtily. "It even says it kills on the packet for God sake."

Scorpius took a long drag, just staring at Edwards for a moment who gazed unflinchingly back.

"As you wish." Scorpius sighed, crushing the embers underfoot.

"You two done measuring your dicks now?" Elle interjected.

"Quite," Rufus sneered at her. "I've been patient with the both of you but this time you have gone too far. You cannot go around attacking Weasley's in plain view of everyone! You know this."

"To be fair, we stopped Warrington from attacking darling Rosie," Elle informed him. "You should be grateful."

"Grateful?" Edwards raged. "You might have stopped Gale but then you fucking went and did it yourselves!"

"All in all a mixed day for us then." Scorpius laughed.

"It's not funny Malfoy. Do you even realise what you've done? Who cares if Warrington starts something with the Weasley's? He'll get himself battered and no-one will say anything more about it. The two of you though? The most feared wizard in the castle and his crazy sidekick? People notice. People start to talk. And people start plotting ways to bring you down. And the Unity group that is trying to do so much for this house gets drawn into it, despite the fact you have no affiliation with us whatsoever. We are guilty by perceived association. Can't you see that? Or let me guess, you just don't give a shit."

There was a long pause.

"To be honest, all I got from that was that I'm described as a 'sidekick'." Elle ventured.

Rufus let out an exasperated sigh and slumped back into his chair.

"Look, Rufus," Scorpius spoke up. "Tommy Finnegan tried to threaten us. Tommy fucking Finnegan! The boys so dense that light bends around him."

"What's your point?"

"The point is that you've made us all look like fucking cowards with your wands down rule! I'm all for reining in some aggression, but when it gets to the stage where someone like Finnegan is coming at someone like me without hesitation then something is seriously wrong."

"And how are we supposed to ever be accepted in wizarding society in the future if we don't make these sacrifices now?" Edwards questioned angrily. "The reality of the situation in the world we live is that the Slytherin is always guilty therefore we have to be whiter than white. Did you see yesterday's paper?"

Scorpius had seen it. Elle had showed him it at the breakfast table yesterday and it had shocked him. The headline story was that of a twenty year old former Slytherin student who had apparently murdered a man in broad daylight last month. The thing was that anyone who knew Joanne Joyce knew that it was all bullshit. Scorpius remembered her as a quiet, shy and sweet girl who wouldn't even harm an overly annoying Cornish Pixie. What's more, the story just didn't add up. The facts presented made little sense when put into context with the witness statements that the Prophet had also printed. To any Slytherin reading, it was a pure fit up.

"Of course I saw," Scorpius brought himself out of his head to continue the conversation. "And I feel bad for her, I really do. But I am not willing to let myself be abused by people who I don't even need a wand to beat."

"For God sake Scorpius! How selfish can you be?" Rufus exclaimed.

"We have never pretended to be anything but selfish Rufus." Scorpius replied quietly.

There was a long silence as both sides lost themselves in thought. It was broken by an unusually serene Eleonora.

"Look, Edwards, I don't fucking like you. You know that. But I do respect what you're trying to be. It's just that you're going about it the wrong way. By encouraging everyone to just take all the shit they give us then you're going to create a culture of weakness. I'm not just going to take it and nor should any of us. You're not going to change anything in this castle whatever you do. Maybe in the future, when you're out in the real world you can make a difference. But here and now? No."

Rufus appeared to ponder her words. Elle looked at him, really looked at him for the first time today, and she was shocked at how tired he seemed. His eyes that normally burned with passion were dim and every small movement seemed laboured. He sighed and then let out a quiet laugh.

"Did you really offer Rose Weasely sex?"

All three of them laughed before Rufus continued.

"Look, whether I agree with you or not, which I don't for the record, it appears I have little choice anyway," he sighed. "I've had this same argument, although not as eloquently, with the Unity members all week. It seems that most of them agree with you. This is not a dictatorship so I'm going to have to bow to the pressure and reverse the mandate. I've given up on hoping you two will act with any self control or thoughts towards others, but hopefully the rest of our house will not take this as a sign to hex any Gryffindor on sight."

Elle glanced towards Scorpius, raising her eyebrows. Neither of them had thought that they would cause such discontent amongst the normal pack like mentality of the Hogwarts Unity movement. They had underestimated their own influence within their own house, for however much people cheered on Rufus Edwards, everyone knew that Scorpius Malfoy was a name to be both feared and respected. Eleonora Jago too maybe. Edwards voice drifted into her consciousness and she was surprised to hear her thoughts being echoed by the boy in front of her.

"You are both leaders in this house whether you want to be or not. People look up to you. Both of you. The examples you set will be followed however much I may encourage otherwise. So I am asking you now, please, to try to stay out of trouble. And try to keep our other housemates out of trouble as well if that is not too much to ask."

Scorpius looked at Rufus intently before nodding his head slowly.

"Okay. You reverse your wands down mandate and we will try to stop anything from getting too out of hand."

"Will you reconsider your position on Unity as well?"

"Don't push your luck Edwards," Scorpius grinned. "I'm not built to be a follower."

"Fair enough." Rufus replied and stood up extending his hand towards both of them, quickly and firmly shaking before leaving through the front door with a final wave.


Eleonora stood up and went to the window, checking that he was really gone before turning to Scorpius.

"What the hell just happened?"

"I don't know."

"He looked tired."

"Yes, well….." Scorpius trailed off and lit a cigarette, offering the pack to Elle who declined this time.

"What?" Elle questioned. "What is it?"

Scorpius watched as the smoke formed patterns in the huts air before replying.

"I think we may have just been witness to a carefully planned and brilliantly executed piece of theatre."

"You didn't buy it either then?"

"Not for a second," Scorpius frowned. "You have to admire him though. He was so convincing."

"What's his game then?"

"I've no idea. That was all a performance to get us on his side. Playing the weakened leader to make us believe that he needs us when it couldn't be further from the truth. Massaging our egos so we let our guard down."

"And you just went along with it. Why?" Elle frowned. "What is to be gained from aligning ourselves with someone we know is trying to play us?"

"Maybe nothing. But how are we supposed to figure him out if we just shut him down? And to be honest in the short term, we might need their help if Potter comes at us hard."

"Really poor choice of words there Scorp." Elle snickered.

"Just no Elle," Scorpius groaned. "What's the time?"

"Quarter to. We've got Potions next."

Scorpius groaned again. Really not what he needed right now.

"Hey on the plus side it's the weekend after." Elle attempted.

"Thank God. Oh and by the way we have to go to London tomorrow. The Goblins have something for us."

"Fine. But I swear if one of them tries to feel me up again I will be hexing them straight to St Mungo's."

Scorpius laughed and stood up.

"You could do worse you know." he said slyly.

"Twat."