Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Chapter 7: Detention
As soon as Scorpius entered the library with Lily by his side, he met the cold hard gaze of the School's librarian Madam Swats. She was wearing her usual drab clothing that did nothing for her. Grey dress robes covered her bulky frame and made her look insipid. Mousy blonde hair was scraped off her stern face into a severe bun and her hawk-like expression clearly stated that she was expecting trouble.
Arms folded tightly she began pacing past shelves after shelves of ancient looking books until she reached a table containing a collection of instruments. "You will handle each of the tomes with the greatest care and you will not disturb anyone do you hear me? I will not tolerate you being a nuisance." She informed them in a low menacing tone which she couldn't really pull off. There wasn't an ounce of Slytherin blood in her, so that came as no surprise. "This will be all you need to get the job done. Restoration equipment and an inventory of the entire library's collection apart from the restricted section are provided. You do not have permission to enter there." She finished with a hard look in Scorpius' direction.
It took a lot of effort for Scorpius not to roll her eyes. He'd only entered there once with out a professors permission and that wasn't even to look at any of the ancient manuscripts there. He was there to see Rose and she had had permission.
Once the librarian waddled back to her post, the duo got to work. Since the library and paperwork was organised in alphabetical order of subject, it was logical that they began in the Ancient Runes section.
They stiffly agreed that Lily would climb up a ladder and check through the book on each row to see which of them need repairing. She would then tell Scorpius what needed doing and the books would be piled on the nearby desk. Scorpius had set up their work station and made a list of tasks the needed to carry out from the information Lily gave him. He recorded which book had been defaced, how and the page number.
Once they'd acquired a reasonably sized pile, they would tackle the task of restoring them. Ink blots and small tears would be easy to repair. The problems would arise when they needed to replicate missing pages; they hadn't worked out how they were going to fix those books yet. Those books were returned to the shelf until such time that they'd be able to duplicate the misplaced sheets.
Scorpius fumbled over the parchment recording the list of all library books owned by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry relating to the subject Ancient Runes. It was awkward to handle since when unravelled, it was longer than his six foot two frame. He hadn't meant to unravel it in the first place and he kept stepping on the part which trailed on the floor.
Scorpius knew he was wrong to assume that his week couldn't get much worse. The fates were seriously out to get him and he wondered what exactly he'd done to deserve such a punishment. He was stuck this close to her for the rest of the year. How the hell was he going to get through this when her mere presence unsettled him in a way which made him loose part of his mind?
He heard her chuckle and he glowered at her. She bristled instantly in response. "Just roll the damn thing up again and then unravel it a bit at a time. Don't you have any common sense?" She snapped.
His instinct was to get defensive and retaliate but he resisted. Scorpius knew he'd provoked that response with the glower he sent her way. He turned his attention back to the parchment but it was no use, he needed an outlet for his frustration.
An aggravated growl escaped his lips as he turned his frustration on the man you'd condemned him to what was going to seem a lifetime of torture. "Can you believe that man? He's nuts, a complete barmcake. How does he expect us to do this without magic?" He complained, knowing that the verbal release was not enough. He needed a physical release. Tossing the parchment on the ground, he stamped on it several times. He knew he was being childish but at least it helped. He was feeling slightly better when he knelt next to the parchment and slowly rolled it up.
The redhead was smirking again and Scorpius knew she was about say something that would have him testing the limits of his poorly contained anger. So much for feeling slightly better, he thought ruefully as she opened her lips to point out. "Stop whining like a little girl Malfoy. We can use some magic."
He remained silent, he just couldn't catch a break, could he?
He felt the colour drain from his face as he battled for control. "But not anything that can help with that." He gritted out stiffly not looking up from the parchment. Better he let her believe his behaviour was caused by the parchment. She didn't need to know that it was actually a result of his close proximity to her. She'd give him that cat got the cream expression and he didn't know whether he could refrain from loosing his temper then. He willed himself to gather the strength to get through the next few hours. He so did not fancy telling his parents or grandparents that he'd been expelled at the beginning of his final year.
He tried to concentrate on the task at hand but he heard movement from Lily's direction. She was definitely up to something. He braced himself for the attack. "Suck it up Malfoy and do it the muggle way!" She jibed cockily knowing that he wouldn't take it well.
He didn't, but not for the reasons she believed. She thought he found carrying out task without magic demeaning. He actually didn't see muggles in the way his grandfather did. That she had used that stereotype to taunt him was what actually irritated him. That she of all people couldn't see past the façade just added to his frustration.
He stiffened and played on the character he'd worked on creating for himself over the years. "This is so demeaning." He muttered. He knew her gaze was on him as he stood up and moved to the table so that he could further examine the parchment. He always knew when she watched him.
"I forgot to say, that book was ok, what's the next one on the list?" She asked returning to the task at hand. Scorpius was pleased with the new direction and read the next title to her. Lily's fingers searched for the book, she tapped the empty slot where the book should have been. "It's not here, has someone checked it out?" she asked in an unpleasant tone.
"How should I know?" he spat retaliating to her tone. The task they'd been given was beyond reason. The atmosphere between them was getting to him. "I wasn't given that information. I can't work under these conditions, it's impossible."
"Then b-bye Malfoy. Bugger off home!" Lily goaded further.
His jaw tightened and he gave a short sarcastic laugh. "You're not going to get rid of me that easily."
Lily met his gaze with an triumphant one of her own. She looked so smug and he swore if she said another word he was going to loose it. He stared at her warning her to keep quiet. She didn't listen to his silent plea. Chin raising so she looked down her nose at him she said: "Then shut the hell up, be a man and move to the next book."
That was it. He reached inside his robes, his hand itching for his wand as he fought the urge to hex her.
"Na-ah-aa!" She chimed cockily shaking a slender finger at him, "I wouldn't get out that wand of yours, Madame Swats may see." She stopped and an impish expression on her face, "In fact…Do it! I dare you! Go get yourself expelled."
His nostrils flared at the threat. Was she seriously provoking him so that he'd get expelled? He wouldn't rise to it. His gaze turned acid. It should have had her hissing, fizzing and melting on the spot but she was too stubborn to back down.
"Chicken" She hissed.
He tried to block her out and ignore her taunt as he returned to their detention task. He felt her watch him for a few moments. He slammed his fist against the table. Better it than taking it out on her.
Clumps of dust dislodged and fell from the bookcases around him. The large dust moats floated down to him and he had to shake them off.
Lily laughed from her position on the ladder. "You look absolutely ridiculous." She scoffed and reached for the next book from the list, the ladder swayed unsteadily.
That was the final straw, he lost his fight for control. As her fingers were just about to brush the spine of the book she reached for, Scorpius was below her grabbing her ankle and tugging her sharply. She fell from the ladder and half screamed in surprise.
He had sense enough to catch her at least, but that's where it ended. He slammed her against the bookcase with enough force behind it that the bookcase wavered unsteadily. Several books fell from the shelves.
The sound of the falling books hitting the floor below them should have had the librarian running to the scene but no one came. Scorpius knew why she wasn't there after her threat that she wouldn't stand for any misbehaviour from them. The caretaker Mr Grimes was there stealing all the witch's attention.
He was both pleased and displeased by that. Pleased because she wouldn't catch them so they wouldn't be expelled and displeased because she wouldn't catch them and stop him.
"Ouch, Dammit. What was that for? You nearly fractured my skull." She complained and tried to step out of the way. He knew he'd probably hurt her but he didn't really have the energy to spare on that right now. He was trying to regain control of himself.
He moved forward wedging her between the bookcase and the hardness of his body. With that route blocked she tried to shimmy around him but his fist in her hair had her standing still. She winced again.
She attempted to force him to release her by digging her nails into his arm. He retaliated by tightening his grip in her hair and she winced again.
Good! She needed to know she couldn't provoke him like that and remain unscathed. With a deep breath he willed himself to gather the strength and control he needed to not to hurt her again.
Her arms fell to her sides in defeat. He bowed his head so that his lips were close to her ear. "Pity, next time I'll throw you harder." He warned quietly, coldly.
As his icy breath brushed against her neck she gasped and a shudder ran through her body. She didn't seem to notice it but he did. Their bodies were too close not to. He nudged her chin up so that she met his eyes. Her stubbornness was back flickering in her golden gaze. There was also fear in her eyes as well as strength. She seemed to study him then loose herself in her own thoughts.
Scorpius took the opportunity to study her in return. Her breathing had quickened and become shallower but it didn't seem to be related to her fear. Some other emotions flickered in her gaze which he was sure she wasn't aware of. Admiration; Something he had done had impressed her.
Disgust flickered in them but Scorpius knew that it had nothing to do with him. It was logical that she'd been wondering where the librarian was so that she could rescue her. Since she was with the caretaker, Lily was probably experiencing a visual no one should have to suffer.
She seemed to be trying to focus on him. As she did so, another emotion flickered to the surface that confused him. He did not just see that flicker in her eyes, did he?
The trace of it had disappeared but he was certain it had been there. For a brief moment she had reacted to him in a way he never thought probable and she wasn't even aware that she had done so.
That was interesting.
Maybe something good could actually come out of these detentions in time. A lot of work needed doing and she needed to learn to open her mind. But it would be an interesting challenge to take on.
He was having much more pleasant thoughts towards Lily, their barmy Headmaster and Duanne. She may flirt with his best friend all she wanted but he knew she wasn't as immune to him as she believed.
He stepped back, letting her pass and motioned for her to head towards the table. "You deal with the lists." He said it as an order but really he was aware that she would be a little tender. He no longer felt the strong desire to see her suffer. He wondered how long the feelings would last.
He repositioned the ladder and climbed up.
The librarian and caretaker chose to walk passed them then. Skulking eyes slowly taking in the scene. They'd obviously heard him slamming Lily into the bookcase and had come to investigate. It took them long enough, Scorpius mused and he reckoned Lily was thinking the same. She was gazing towards them bitterly.
One look at the duo told Scorpius exactly what they'd been up to. Now he had a visual he couldn't get out of his head. In an attempt to try he glanced over to Lily. She was glaring accusatively at him. She seemed to think the only reason he'd let her go was because he'd heard them coming. He shrugged. He was not at all eager to disillusion her from that conclusion.
He'd let her go because his body had reacted to that brief emotion she'd worn clearly in her eyes. If he hadn't stepped back he would have given in to the urge to kiss her. Not something he thought she would appreciate in her present state of denial. One day he'd test her though. Once he believed she was ready.
They worked together quietly for an impressive ten minutes. Lily had unconsciously seethed the whole time. Standing on the ladder the wrong way around, he leant backwards to remain balanced as he studied her. She was oblivious to it. "This is all your fault." He pointed out.
She dropped her quill and brushed a lock of crimson hair back off her face. "What is?" She huffed meeting his gaze.
He waved his hand impatiently between the pair of them. "Us being threatened with expulsion." He responded in a tone that meant that it should have been obvious.
Lily cocked a brow in his direction. "All my fault? How'd you work that out?" She asked heatedly gripping the edge of the table until her knuckles hurt.
He smiled. "It just is." He told her matter-of-factly, "That temper of yours always lands us in detention. You need to learn how to keep your cool." He finished in a condescending manner quite aware of how hypocritical he was being. His own temper was beyond control at times. Still, she'd provoked him once, it was only fair that he got a chance.
Lily crossed her arms and legs defensively. "You provoke me."
"Do not" he objected.
Lily gaped at him in disbelief. "You insult my friends. How is that not provocation?" She asked aghast picking up the parchment in an attempt of using it as a prop to aid her self-control.
He was smirking again. He knew it but he couldn't stop it. It was a typical Malfoy habit that was hard to break. "If you had better friends then my comments wouldn't bother you. Some witches and wizards are better than others; you're old enough to know that." His tone was sarcastic enough that she should see through it.
She didn't.
"Oh and I suppose you mean you pure-blooded, inbred, power hungry, prats?" Lily snapped, glaring at him over the top of the parchment. "That way of thinking is very death-eaterish of you. Maybe I should mention it to my Father or my Uncle Ron. They lock death-eaters up in Azkaban! I'm sure you'd make a lovely addition to the collection. I hear a lot of your dad's old friends are in there. I bet they'd love to make you their bitch."
She may have scored another point with that comment but she sure as hell wouldn't like the consequences. He'd make sure of it.
Scorpius leapt off the ladder and launched himself towards her with the speed of a firebolt. She scuttled backwards in her seat in fear and attempted to climb free from it. She knew perfectly well that she'd pushed him too far this time. He could see the realisation in her eyes as he advanced. Her legs got tangled and the chair went skidding across the stone slabs and she fell to the floor in a heap.
He saw her panic.
His hand reached for her.
"What's going on here?" Came the alarmed shrill of Madame Swats. The commotion had her skidding along the aisle as fast as her stubbly legs allowed her. caretaker Grimes wheezed behind her.
Scorpius froze in place. He had no answer ready. He had no idea what he'd intended to do if he'd got his hands on her.
Taking him by surprise, Lily grabbed the hand he still had outstretched towards her. "Nothing Miss, I just tripped that's all. Mr Malfoy here was just about to offer me a hand." She was saying before he even had time to react.
He stared down at her and she smiled up. He stood there frozen for a few seconds as he digested the fact that she was giving him a way out of this. So she should. It was her damn fault they were in this mess. She nodded encouragingly at him her eyes wide and unguarded. Scorpius wondered if she knew that her eyes could be read as easily as a book. By him at least.
He could quite easily loose himself in them where he'd discover things about her she didn't even yet know. Just like that, he was able to reel in his anger and keep it contained. He tightened his grip on her hand and yanked her to her feet.
Lily smoothed down her clothes looking a little disorientated.
They both turned towards the librarian. She didn't look convinced by their performance but they presented her with no concrete proof of any other explanation. She and the caretaker waltzed away muttering incoherently. Scorpius guessed she was reeling over the fact she didn't have enough evidence to have them expelled yet.
Once alone again, Lily turned to him and he gave have her the smallest of nods. Better let her make of that what she will.
She returned to their previous conversation but calmly so not to get a rise out of him. "I'd choose my friends over yours any day."
He appreciated what she was trying to do so he kept his own tone conversational. His next comment wasn't meant as an insult towards her or his friends. He just wanted to goad her into taking chances on others she wouldn't usually consider. "And that's why you'll never amount to anything except being the little girl of The Harry Potter" It was a statement of fact. She always did what she thought her parents and the rest of her family wanted her to. She needed to step out of the mould if she was ever going to distinguish her self in her own right. It would be great character building on her part if she took more chances.
Although he had meant it as advice, she didn't take it that way. Not when it came from him. Her eyes burned as her temper flared. She became rigid and her hands balled into fists. He watched the transformation mildly.
So much for their truce. "Now, now! That temper of yours is in danger of being inflamed." He warned, "I may not be as chivalrous as you. I may let Madame Swats catch you. That way I wouldn't have to deal with you anymore."
Her body shook involuntary. "Well, if you curbed that serpent tongue of yours, you wouldn't suffer the burn of my wrath." She retorted.
"Always dramatic." He retorted removing the last book from the top shelf as he resumed the task at hand.
She turned her nose up at him. "Don't you know it."
Sliding back down the ladder, he walked towards her carrying the last book from the shelf than needed restoration work to it. He added it to the top and the pile and took the seat opposite her. He picked up a potion designed to remove inkblots and dapped at the book which lay open on the table. "Speaking of serpent tongues, you've got a good one yourself. I can see why the Sorting Hat would have wanted to put you in Slytherin."
She gaped at him in disbelief and then replaced it with a menacing glare. Sparks shot out of the end of her wand. At least he'd managed to get one point in their battle tonight, he mused while she assessed the damage done by her wand.
He smiled and continued. "You know you really deserve to be knocked down a peg or two. Acting so high and mighty all the time, you're just a little girl of no importance." Maybe pointing that out would spur her on to change.
She didn't seem to like it but at least she took his comments on board. "Oh and you presume to be the one who does it? The same could be said for you. Are your parents proud of having a daughter? I'd have expected a pair like them would have wanted and heir to carry on the family name. I'd have expected them to drown you at birth, it's a pity really."
She could say what she liked about him but not his parents. She had no idea what they were like, her word were fuelled by years of prejudice. They sat on opposite sides of the same table glaring each other and clutching their wands. Both daring the other to make the first move with their eyes.
Madame Swats caught on to the edgy atmosphere and coughed loudly. They each glanced towards her distractedly. The librarian moved herself closer to them so that she could observe them for the rest of the evening.
The two students grimaced and went back to work in silence. Scorpius enjoyed the peace and quiet but the silence seemed to get to Lily and make her feel uneasy. "Are you going to ignore me now?" She inquired quietly.
He looked up and studied her for a moment, "I see no need in humouring you any longer. There's little point in engaging in conversation"
Lily nodded "That's fine by me!" She lied. "I can get through this dratted detention by mentally preparing my self for my next Quidditch practice."
"You're going down this year Potter" He told her dryly without looking up from the library book in his hand.
"We'll see" Lily retorted nonchalantly not wanting to get into a heated debate about which house was better.
After that comment silence fell between them once more. They continued their detention until the clock struck nine and head back to theirs common room completely ignoring the existence of the other. Scorpius knew that at least three disgruntled housemates waited for him there, he was so not in the mood. He half wondered whether Goyle or Warrington would be up for a sparing match.
He needed to release a weeks of suppressed anger some how.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this story. Thanks for reading.
