Parts (41-45)
II
Chapter 11
Winter Break
Part 1: Christmas Cheer
Brutus was glad to get home, he'd had enough Death Eaters and Shadows and chaos for one day. He went straight to his brother's room but Atticus wasn't back yet, or at least not in his room so he started checking the other rooms Atticus could possibly be in. It was times like that that Brutus wished they had a smaller mansion, the place was a labyrinth to comb through looking for anyone or anything.
He heard a cry and raced towards it immediately, his wand had slipped into his hand automatically. He rushed into the room only prepared with a few curses perched on the tip of his tongue. Only to see it was empty except for his father, Aurelius was sitting up on the couch and rubbing his eyes.
"Where did they go?" Brutus hissed quietly scanning around for any sign of intruders but seeing only a still room, every little thing in its appropriate place.
"They?" his father wondered sleepily looking around frantically and fearfully.
"Why did you cry out if nothing was wrong?!"
"Nightmare. I only sat down for a second I swear, I didn't... I didn't mean to fall asleep. Dammit. What time is it? How long was I out? Death Eaters could have overrun the house by now, oh no what have I done? Stupid, stupid sleep. I need to go secure the house and scout for any signs of intruders escaping or hiding or waiting to attack outside, after I check on Mother and Father and the house-elves."
His father looked extremely upset and Brutus regretted snapping at him, he went to stand before being overcome by a harsh hacking cough so violent it forced him to sit. Brutus went over worriedly, in time to see his father cough up some tiny pieces of something white. He fell back against the cushions looking utterly exhausted, his eyelids were fighting to close over bloodshot eyes, deeply sunken into sickly gray skin stretched over his skull, his extremely dark auburn hair was matted with dirt and Brutus thought the tattered black robes hadn't been cleaned in a while. His father was trembling but still went to stand up again, Brutus grabbed his father's wrist and pulled back onto the couch as he sat beside him.
"Maybe rest for just a moment, eh?" Brutus offered guiltily.
"A moment can make all the difference in the world!" his father protested, "a lot can happen in a moment, it only takes a moment to die, a moment to cast a non-verbal spell."
"You just coughed up those white bits, a moment to rest will do more good than harm."
"Oh that's nothing, it happens sometimes since I started only eating in my animagus form. An eagle's diet isn't the easiest to digest as human, or at least not the bones."
"Why in the world are you doing that?"
"Because food I hunt for is obviously not poisoned whereas food just lying around is vulnerable to sabotage, it also gives me a chance to scout the grounds for intruders. And I get along with those vultures now, they keep a lookout for me when I'm inside, of course they think I'd be better off just living as an eagle but that has its disadvantages like being unable to use magic if I'm attacked and or talk to you and Atty when either of you are actually around anyway. Of course another disadvantage is that I am a registered animagus so they'll know to look for a golden eagle and attack me when I'm vulnerable without magic."
"That's... really not healthy," Brutus pointed out gently while his father started gnawing on his fingernails, fingernails that Brutus realized were already chewed into the pink, he moved his father's hand away from his quickly as he was pretty sure that wasn't healthy, "you have to relax."
"How can I relax?!" his father burst out as tears leaked from his eyes, "there's a war going on! We could be attacked at any minute and even we're not, you and Atty go out into the midst of the war every day! On opposite sides of the war no less! Its only a matter of time before you both get hurt and killed, the war's going to destroy the both of you, take your lives and take your souls too."
"That's not going to happen," Brutus protested trying to sound reassuring while not thinking about the Shadows of Dementors.
"Atticus!" his father exclaimed and Brutus' head turned so quickly his neck hurt to look in the direction of the door to catch a glimpse of his brother hurrying by.
"Hey," Atticus called with a dismissive wave without missing a step as he left their sight.
"Hang on," Brutus growled to his father as he jumped up to go after his brother, Atticus was already halfway up the corridor, "Atty! Hey! Where are you going?!"
"To bed," Atticus grumbled without stopping and Brutus grabbed his arm to make him stop, Atticus cringed and Brutus noticed bandages peeking out from his sleeve on the arm he'd seen injured when Tommy had shown him the hospital through the Shadow's eyes. He let go immediately. He hadn't been able to notice though that his brother was looking unusually disheveled, even a few tears on his clothing and smattering of a dirt, "I haven't really slept the last couple of days, been working. Did you want something?"
"What happened to your arm?" Brutus demanded despite already knowing the answer.
"Just a... scratch," Atticus said slowly until Brutus scowled, "okay fine a burn but not a bad one, I just didn't want father to know in case he freaks out and worries. Its stupid really, now I have to take a few days off minimum according to stupid Cistro just because some stupid idiot didn't follow protocol."
"You could've died and your reaction is 'damn I have to miss a few days of work?!'"
"Well... yeah, what did you expect it to be?"
"You're such a workaholic," Brutus muttered shaking his head in disbelief to which Atticus looked offended.
"My job is important to me, I worked to hard to become an Auror and I like being an Auror and I want to do whatever I can to end this war and get rid of every last blasted piece of Death Eater scum," Atticus told him defensively and Brutus' eyes drifted subconsciously to the place his Dark Mark rested, he dreaded to think what Atticus would say if and when he found out. Was blood thicker than water?
"Do you even know what today is?"
"Um... Tuesday?"
"Christmas! And its not even Tuesday."
December flew by for Scorpius, he had to admit the task of being the one to go around asking everyone what their holiday plans were was the one task he didn't miss as being Calderon's assistant. Especially when everyone could be against him. It did make Scorpius sad seeing the decorations around the castle and the trees though, last year he'd helped Calderon do it. He really did miss that, he really missed Calderon. Nearly dying seemed to have changed public opinion of him, he hadn't really realized Gryffindor had been shunning him for losing so many points earlier in the year until people started apologizing for it because catching the Snitch and winning the game made up for it, especially after 'dying' to do it. Everyone was talking about it, Calderon was the name on everyone's lips as a hero along with the one-eyed boy who'd revived the dead. Gryffindor was an extremely fickle house.
In general lessons were winding down with less work or homework, most students would be glad for that but Scorpius liked things to keep his mind from dwelling on things. It wasn't all bad though, he could cast silvery wisps with the Patronus spell if he focused on the positive thoughts from memories like he had been. The downside was how exhausted it left him and how much his wrist hurt, he seemed to be only one who had that problem but then he dared not ask Professor Ashain about it because it would mean telling him about his wrist. Considering what he knew about the Shadows' involvement and that the wound probably had been caused magically... he didn't actually want to think about why.
He didn't seem to be waking up in a sweat as often, that was also a plus. He was also glad that he didn't have to worry about his friends losing their memories over the holidays like he had last Easter at least, although he did feel bad for Michael staying at Hogwarts alone again. In a way he wanted to invite Michael to stay with him but he wasn't sure his parents and grandmother would agree to a muggle-born staying with them, even if he didn't have to keep his time free for Varanian. Michael would just have to stay at Hogwarts for another Christmas considering he shot down Jack and Albus' offers, Scorpius thought he really should've given Jack a chance though. He wasn't perfect but he did seem to care about Michael at least, more so than the people Michael actually lived with. Plus Jack had a motorcycle.
Too soon Scorpius found himself packing up his things for Christmas, unlike Albus who again couldn't get everything to fit without Michael's help before Reuben and Angelo slyly asked for Michael's help as well since he'd done such a great job last Easter. Then they were heading off to the last breakfast he'd have with his friends for two weeks, Michael had graciously decided to sit with them at a reasonable time instead of waking up and eating extremely early like usual. The girls were late though, they had to patiently wait for them.
"Sorry we're late," Rose apologized as her and Abby sat down with them, "packing is a nightmare, how do you make everything fit so fast?"
"Ah we have Michael for that," Albus offered with a grin.
"You have got to learn to fold things, fits much better than things bundled up in a ball," Michael pointed out.
"Forget that," Corin butted in beaming, "this is going to be such an awesome Christmas! After we get to Kings Cross I'm getting another train back to France where I'm being picked up to go home, I'm spending the holidays with Mother back in Beauxbatons where the Yule Ball will be happening, I get to go to it, Mother is buying me new dress robes. I know dances are boring but how often can you say that you got to go to the Yule Ball when you were eleven? Plus its kind of nice, the Triwizard Tournament is the reason my parents met and Father is coming to stay to spend Christmas in France. Isn't that great?"
"I might see you then, Corin," Abby added, "we're visiting my sister on Christmas there, I don't think we're staying for the Yule Ball but before then I'll be in Beauxbatons."
"Well you're in for a treat, Beauxbatons is such a beautiful place. Way better than this dump, right Maurice?"
Maurice wasn't actually paying attention to their conversation, he hadn't really been paying much attention to them since November and his falling out with Corin although Corin seemed to be making an effort to mend fences as the holidays had drawn closer, Michael made sure they still sat with him and would try coax him into conversation with little success. Maurice wasn't actually eating, his plate was empty and he was simply resting his head on his hand and staring at with eyes lost in thought. Corin prodded him to draw him back to reality and repeated what he'd said when Maurice dragged his hand to his necklace.
"Right Corin, whatever you say," Maurice agreed disinterestedly.
"Do you guys think the Ball will get my parents to fall in love again and get back together and get married and I won't be a bastard anymore?" Corin asked wistfully and Scorpius felt a pang of sympathy but it was Michael who spoke.
"No. Don't get your hopes up or they'll just be crushed, people break up for a reason," Michael pointed out and Corin's face fell slightly but he nodded in understanding.
"What are your plans for Christmas, Maurice?" Rose inquired of the deaf boy before his hand could leave his necklace again, "your father planning on crashing our Christmas and starting another fist fight with my uncle like he did Aunt Audrey's funeral?"
"We don't do Christmas," Maurice answered blandly.
"How normal."
"Hey Michael," Calderon greeted his friend brightly and Scorpius jumped having not noticed the former assistant coming over to them, he was only wearing his muggle clothes and the silver dragon necklace that Scorpius had gotten him last Christmas, "happy holidays everyone else. Just wondered if you're still staying for Christmas?"
"Yeah," Michael nodded and frowned, "why?"
"There was only three people staying this year including you, considering everything with Hogwarts people want their children closer to home I guess. Last week someone said they were staying with a friend instead and the friend's parents consented to it, this morning I got an owl from the parents of the second changing their minds and agreeing the child is going back. I just wanted to check that you are still staying."
"I am. I'll be the only student left at Hogwarts? Does that happen often?"
"Not really often, if it does happen then conventionally the Head Master simply rules they have to go back home."
"You're going to make me go home?" Michael wondered looking almost fearful.
"I said conventionally the Head Master blah blah blah, when do I do anything conventionally?" Calderon pointed out with an insane grin that Michael returned, "you're more than welcome to stay but you have been warned, company is thin on the ground. See you at the carriages."
Scorpius offered him a wave of his hand in goodbye and hoped that Calderon was actually telling the truth and would be at the carriages, he would rather like to say goodbye and wish him a good Christmas. He did feel worse for Michael being alone though. Breakfast went back to normal conversation, discussing their Christmas plans and Abby worrying about her father getting his new arm, Maurice stopped paying attention again though. Then they were heading down to the carriages to go, Abby, Albus and even Corin took turns hugging Michael goodbye. Vern came over to them to give Michael a present and say goodbye as well, he wished them all a merry Christmas which earned him an unnecessary glare from Albus.
"Merry Christmas, Michael, take care," Rose offered as she threw her arms around him.
"You too," Michael said quickly as he pulled away equally quickly and grabbed Scorpius' arm, leading him away from the others, "I need to talk to Scorpius in private about something, back in a minute."
"What is it that can't be said in front of the others?" Scorpius wondered as they walked out of earshot, it was only then he noticed the crimson tinge to Michael's cheeks, "why are you blushing?"
"Not used to be hugged so much," Michael told him uncomfortably before becoming serious, "its just about Maurice and I know the others don't particularly care much for him or his well-being, well except Corin but still. I just wanted to ask you to sit with him on the train, make sure he's okay... I think he's having a tough time of things, feeling like he failed his father for not getting that Patronus and not looking forward to the holidays so just... you know keep an eye on him on the train, remind him that he's not alone."
"Well... okay, Rose is sitting with Copper on the train and she's the one who really has issues with him. Albus and Abby can probably live with it."
"Thanks. And have a good Christmas, Scorpius."
"You too. Or as much as you can anyway," Scorpius offered and braced himself for being hugged but Michael just nodded and started walking back to the others, Scorpius went after him, "you're not going to hug me?"
"Well you don't like being hugged, you cringe every time," Michael pointed out with a shrug and Scorpius met his mismatched eyes again, one hazel and one grotesque slit that Scorpius had destroyed, looking at his friend's eyes and the jagged scar ruining his face made the guilt gnaw at him. He hugged Michael before he could change his mind, he seemed surprised but smiled.
"Merry Christmas, and be careful with those Aurors around," Scorpius told him seriously as he pulled away, Michael nodded again before looking amused.
"Did my father give you that jacket?"
"Yeah. Why? Does it bother you?"
"Nah, just be careful because its probably stolen. When I was five he gave me a load of stolen gifts for Christmas, got to watch them get taken away by the authorities," Michael explained with a weak laugh and a shake of his head, "you have to laugh at these things."
Scorpius returned the smile and waved bye as he was beckoned over to the carriages by the others who were climbing or already into the one while Corin seemed to have, minus Maurice who was stopped by Michael. Scorpius was amazed to see Michael make gestures with his hands like Corin did, Maurice's usual neutral expression was shattered by his stunned amazement before the faintest hint of a smile breezed his face. He nodded and said something that Scorpius was too far away to hear.
Scorpius petted the Thestral pulling their carriage, he really couldn't help but be drawn to those creatures and to like them. He did look for Calderon, he was helping people load up like last year but they weren't on the last one so Scorpius supposed he'd have to wait to speak to him until they got onto the platform. He climbed into the carriage and realized his friends were watching the Thestral, he gestured for Maurice to join them as some Slytherins had barged their way into Corin's carriage which made the first year glower as it pulled away.
"What's up with them?" Maurice wondered jerking his head at the others before Calderon came over and got the Thestral to start moving.
"Still not used to them and why are you even here?" Rose said sounding increasingly angry as the three turned back round to face them.
"I told him too, Corin already left," Scorpius answered before Maurice could.
Rose shot the deaf boy a dark look but didn't say anything, she didn't have to really as Maurice didn't say anything else for the whole carriage journey and they mostly talked like he wasn't there, he may as well not have been because he let go his translator necklace and gazed ahead. Rose did most of the talking, she was sitting with Copper on the train but them on the carriages to be fair so took every opportunity to talk excitedly about Christmas. It was a much better atmosphere than last year and it helped take his mind of worrying, Michael's absence was noticed though. He hovered around the platform waiting for Calderon instead of boarding the train immediately, Rose promised to see them when the train stopped before heading off to find Copper while Abby and Albus went to find seats - it was cold outside - and... he wasn't sure where Maurice vanished too.
"Calderon!" Scorpius exclaimed when he noticed the former assistant finally arriving with the last carriage, rushing over to greet him and throwing his arms around him immediately.
"Hey Scor," Calderon offered as he pulled away, "I'm not going on the train this time, Ticcy is again but I'm not. Just making sure things are all set. Have a good Christmas."
"You too, and a good New Year."
"Here, I was going to owl this to you but since you're here," Calderon said as he pulled out a small package and handed it to him, "don't open it until Christmas though."
"Thank you," Scorpius told him, feeling both extremely honored to have gotten a present from Calderon and curious as to what it was, "you'll get yours by owl."
"You don't have to get me anything," Calderon waved it off and someone whistled, one of the porters loading things up, "best go see what that is. Take care, Scor."
"See you Calderon."
Part 2: Exchange
It was the first time that Scorpius had actually sat on the Hogwarts Express with his group of friends, he realized as the Hogwarts Express came to a stop at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, it made him feel incredibly normal for once. The journey had gone quickly, mostly games of exploding snap and discussing holiday plans. Corin was over the moon with excitement as were Abby and Rose - before she went to sit with Copper anyway - as she was seeing her Granger grandparents that Christmas too, Albus seemed less enthusiastic at the prospect of James' friend being there and was worried his father might miss Christmas for work and Maurice didn't say a word the entire journey, generally everyone seemed to have forgotten he was even there but Scorpius noticed his hand on his translator necklace the entire time, his expression was as unhelpfully neutral as ever though.
Scorpius himself didn't say much about his plans, despite knowing the letters were - probably - no longer being monitored he still kept his letters to home short and without too much information or detail or questions, he hadn't asked about Christmas. In truth he wasn't bothered, plans and presents didn't matter compared to Varanian and trying to help the Scamander twins. They tried to hurry off the train as soon as it stopped to avoid the crush of students pouring out, he part managed to succeed as he wasn't as swamped as some.
He scanned the platform for his parents but it wasn't his parents he saw first, it was Maurice's father he noticed. His black hair was no longer wet and dripping, it was scruffier than Calderon's but neater than Potter's. He was staring at something unblinkingly with an unreadable expression and Scorpius followed his gaze to see that Orous was the target of his eyes, the albino seemed to have met his dad as some man was talking to him with a smile as he hugged Orous. And Roman Rivers was just watching him, it didn't exactly help his innocence cause. Maurice started to walk over to him, hand signing with Corin before Roman's arm shot out to grab his son's arm and yank him to him so much so that it looked like it hurt Maurice. Corin just gave him a dark look.
"We're going now, boy," Roman announced coolly regardless that Maurice didn't have his hand on his translator necklace, he led his son away without another word.
"Scorpius!" his mother called and Scorpius barely had time to look in her direction before being engulfed in a hug, "we're so glad to see you."
"Its only been a month and a bit," Scorpius mumbled, although he realized as he said it that it was probably more about the last Quidditch match than it was the length of time.
"Hey Al," Vern greeted his cousin nervously, "I'm getting picked up with you and dropped off at home so... yeah, do you know where Uncle Harry or Aunt Ginny or whoever is picking you up are?"
Albus rolled his eyes at his cousin and wished him a good Christmas as he went off with Vern to locate an adult, Abby and Corin followed suite and bade him farewell - both of whom insisted on hugging him. He would have liked to have said goodbye to Maurice, Molly, Rose and Professor Ashain but hadn't the chance with Maurice, couldn't see Molly or the professor and Rose seemed busy introducing Copper to her father and a woman with bushy brown hair - he assumed it was her mother - so Scorpius just allowed himself to be led away by his parents as they questioned him about how school was. He wondered why they asked him, he would only have to go through it all again to his grandmother when they got home anyway, it would be easier and less time-consuming if he only had to explain everything once. It was frustrating, didn't they realize it wasn't safe for them to be around each other? He could die and they could lose their souls like his grandfather. He couldn't sleep that night for worrying about them and spend most of the next day worrying too as he waited for Varanian to contact him.
"Have you thought about what subjects you're going to be choosing for your electives?" his father asked him at dinner the next day.
"Not really, we don't have to choose until Easter," Scorpius pointed out truthfully, he had too much on his mind to be thinking about menial things too far away.
"Well I wouldn't recommend Care of Magical Creatures for your own safety."
"I rather enjoyed Care of Magical Creatures, its a fascinating subject," his mother told him seriously and his father smirked.
"Well you're a Ravenclaw dear, you think all subjects are fascinating."
"Not all subjects, not History of Magic and erm..." his mother trailed off and seemed to struggle to think of one and instead changed tactic, "there's nothing wrong with enjoying classes, Draco."
"I know, dear."
"I'll think about it more closer to the time," Scorpius interrupted, "can't we talk about something else? What day can I go into Diagon Alley to get my friend's Christmas presents?"
"Oh, you can't," his father told him becoming serious again, "after what happened last time... we just don't think its very safe. Instead you can write a list of who you want to buy for and what gift you want for them, one gift per person this year so your mother and I can be out of Diagon Alley as quickly as possible."
"You can't be serious," Scorpius stated in surprise but his parent' expressions were written in stone, "that's completely unfair! I need to be there, you don't know what there is unless you're there and only one present each? They'll think I stopped caring!"
"That's the way its got to be, we're sorry Scorpius but its for your own safety."
"We don't think Diagon Alley is safe for us either which is why we want to get in and out as soon as possible, its just we're adults who have more experience, more knowledge and are actually legally allowed to use magic if anything happen," his mother added and Scorpius nodded reluctantly, he still wasn't pleased but he understood their reasoning and didn't think they were likely to change their minds.
He didn't hear anything from Varanian all that night or the next morning either, the flash of gold from the ring on his finger kept reminding him of what he'd been determined to do. As he looked at it then though a thought crossed his mind, maybe Varanian just hadn't realized Scorpius was out of Hogwarts yet? He took out his wand and pressed the tip against the ring.
"Varanian?" Scorpius spoke aloud feeling almost stupid now they weren't practicing it together, what if it didn't work? What if Varanian didn't reply? What if Varanian couldn't reply because something had happened to- His thought was interrupted by a familiar heat feeling on his finger.
Not now, the words appeared clearly and Scorpius smiled despite himself that it still worked before feeling annoyed.
"Then when?"
Later. Busy, came Varanian's unhelpful reply but Scorpius supposed it was better than nothing. He just hoped Varanian would actually keep to it and reply.
"Scorpius, are you awake?" his mother's voice called from outside his door.
"Yes," Scorpius answered reluctantly, hoping she hadn't heard him talking to himself.
"Your father and I are going to Diagon Alley today, if you want anything for your friends and family then write your list now."
"Alright."
"Also breakfast is ready, we're having pancakes then going so be quick."
Scorpius struggled to think of gifts on the spot and still wasn't happy with his selection when he handed over the list to his parents so they could go, one thing didn't seem to be enough either as he'd asked for another charm - a 'C' for 'Captain' - for Molly's charm bracelet but that didn't seem like enough. He hoped his friends wouldn't be too bothered by the lack of presents, he'd have to make it up to them. His parents were actually gone most of the day after that, for the most part he spent it with his grandmother playing Wizard Chess and chatting about trivial things to pass the time. She seemed to be doing a bit better at least.
When his parents did get home it was late so they just had dinner and went to bed, saving the wrapping of the presents for the following day. It was during that time that Varanian contacted him, midday tomorrow they were set to meet on the outskirts of the Malfoy lands. Scorpius was so nervous that he barely slept, drifting in and out of dreams he couldn't remember that left waking in terror soaked in sweat. A part of his mind kept trying to get him to back out of it, he didn't have to tell Varanian about his wrist or Orous after all and he didn't with a hundred percent certainty know that the Shadows were involved. He knew he would tell Varanian though, it was the right thing to do at the end of the day.
Hogwarts was a huge castle, sometimes it was easy to forget that when the corridors were full of students with their voices and footsteps echoing around even if you couldn't see them. You never forgot that over the holidays, Michael had noticed, the corridors seemed too wide and the ceilings too high. Too empty. The number of Aurors had diminished greatly and had the staff, four had left the same day as the students and others were leaving everyday once caught up on work or whatever reasons they had for their holidays being delayed. There was only one table in the Great Hall, Calderon thought it was stupid that Michael should sit at a table all by himself so joined the staff at meals and every meal there seemed to be less people there.
In fact there would only be four humans - ignoring Aurors - left in the castle at Christmas, since it was just Michael only the Headmaster- or Acting Headmaster in their case - and a healer were required to stay in Hogwarts for the holidays. Only one living professor was staying aside from that, making it just the four of them which was a lot less than last year. Michael was just glad that the professor staying wasn't Grant, not that he really had a right to complain about who was there, he didn't have to be there after all Albus and Jack had offered to let him stay for Christmas but he'd refused the both of them.
He felt like he had to, aside from the idea of spending Christmas with James and Carver being off-putting, the thought of imposing on the Potters after his father had offended Mrs Potter to the point she'd used magic on him and that it was partially his fault that James had gotten suspended just seemed wrong, he'd done enough without them having to let him stay with them for two weeks. And Jack... Jack just wouldn't show up, Michael didn't trust him and he couldn't risk it with his stepdad, Bob had made it perfectly clear what he would do to Michael and - even worse - his mother if he bothered them again before summer.
Michael was heading down to Potions to drop off an essay - thanks to Calderon he was given extra time to finish his assignments with his Dyslexia - whether Vipera was still there or not, the door to the classroom should at least be unlocked to leave it on her desk. He detoured only when he heard music, he was sure it was a song he recognized from his 'muggle' life and went to investigate. Calderon was the cause, the multicolored music notes hovering around him as he cartwheeled down the deserted corridor, his dog racing a long beside him.
"Um... What are you doing?" Michael questioned uncertainly, Calderon stopped when he saw him as did the music but the lights remained.
"Cartwheels," Calderon shrugged, "castle's pretty much empty so hardly any paperwork or people needing things so I'm taking the hour off and celebrating before something else comes along to chain me to the desk."
"By doing cartwheels?"
"I like moving. Why, how would you celebrate?"
"I... I don't know, cartwheel away," Michael admitted and motioned for Calderon to continue.
"Thank you," Calderon offered with a grin and a flourishing bow.
"Ah, there you are!" a voice interrupted before Calderon could continue, Michael turned to see Aubrey Rivers the Arithimancy professor coming over to them, Calderon rolled his eyes. Rivers eyes graced over Michael as he reached them, he didn't say anything but he didn't mask the disgust in his face. Michael had noticed it since losing his eye, it wasn't just Rivers who looked at him like that either, Michael hated it. That was another reason it was good to stay in Hogwarts, he didn't want Albus' family or Jack to look at him like that and the thought of his mother looking at him like that actually made him want to cry, "I was looking for you, you smart, powerful, talented, handsome, highly-esteemed and completely not mad Ac-"
"What do you want now, Rivers?" Calderon interrupted tiredly, folding his arms and looking at Rivers with a an uncharacteristically stoic expression.
"Ah, so attentive and knowledgeable to the needs of your st-"
"Rivers."
"Well I was wondering if you would consider giving me a raise because its Christmas..."
Michael took that as his cue to leave as Rivers began a droning explanation about it being a nice thing to do at Christmas since he and Calderon were so 'close' and he admired Calderon, it was blatant sucking up and Calderon was plagued by the same request - or similar - at meal times, either that or Rivers hit on Vipera with equal success. Vipera had a rather sarcastic way of turning him down and Rivers seemed not to understand sarcasm or was simply worse at taking hints than Calderon was. He reached the Potions classroom, the door was already open and was slightly surprised to see Vipera was in fact still there, she did have a bag beside her but was scribbling at papers on her desk.
"Hello Professor," Michael said as he knocked on the inside of the door frame, she looked up and cast him a small smile, "brought you that essay on the Hair-Raising Potion."
"Thank you, Michael," Vipera told him and gestured for him to come over so he could hand it to her, she skimmed over it briefly with her intent green eyes before putting it down on her desk, "you know, one thing I find frustrating as a teacher is seeing students with a lot of potential who just won't try to succeed, one thing worse is seeing a student with a lot of potential who just can't succeed despite trying. You're clearly a bright boy, its a shame to see you unable to live up to your potential simply because Wizardkind aren't good for accommodating things like Dyslexia and I am unable to give you enough attention without neglecting the rest of the class."
"Its okay, I suck at pretty much subject not just Potions specifically so you shouldn't feel bad."
"Would you like to do better at Potions?" Vipera asked curiously, "I'm willing to give up some time a week to tutor you if you're interested, of course you'd have to give up free some time as well."
"That would be great," Michael agreed immediately, he would take all the help he could get if it meant not failing Potions. He doubted he'd ever be as good as Albus, Rose, Scorpius or Nott but any chance to do better at magic was welcome. Maybe if he did better than his crush would like him. No, no she wouldn't, he reminded himself firmly, look in a mirror for starters.
"Good then, we can work out the times when I get back as I'm leaving in about an hour. I'm spending Christmas with my brother and his family, you see," Vipera paused to gesture to her bag, "but will be back a few days before term restarts so we can talk then-"
"Are you still here?!" a voice snapped from the doorway, they looked over and saw one of the Aurors peering in, "you said an hour, an hour ago! We need to secure the room."
"Well this young man just gave me his paper to mark so I'm busy," Vipera pointed out, the Auror looked red-faced with rage and stalked away muttering angrily.
"You don't really have to mark it before you go," Michael offered to which Vipera gave a sly smile.
"I'm aware. Those people just keep hassling me to leave already and its extremely annoying so I'm taking my sweet time to get back at them."
"Isn't that slightly mean?"
"They started it. And what can I say? I am a Slytherin and you shouldn't rush a lady."
"Fair point. Happy holidays."
Scorpius had to force himself to eat at breakfast, he wasn't hungry for nerves but he was afraid of his parents getting suspicious if he didn't. They didn't think it was odd he wanted to go for a walk although advised he put on something warm, not be long and not go too far especially as it was Christmas Eve. The part of Scorpius' brain that wanted him to not go shriveled up in disappointment that his parents hadn't forbade him from leaving, not being able to get away wasn't backing out exactly. Wishing he could stamp on that piece of his brain, he trudged off to go meet Varanian. He arrived a few minutes early but it was barely two minutes later when he heard a pop, his wand was in his hand nervously as he spun to face the tawny haired former headmaster and relaxed.
"Not too bad reflexes, although perhaps a bit rusty from when I last saw you," Varanian commented offering out his hand.
"Nice to see you too," Scorpius retorted sarcastically as he took the fugitive's hand, although he was at least pleased that Varanian was still alive. Varanian didn't say anything about it though as he apparated them to outside his hideout before they went inside and retreated back down to the basement, "so we need to talk."
"I know, I'll go first. I have actually found out some things," Varanian began seriously gesturing for Scorpius to sit on the bed which he did, "about the hierarchy of the Shadows, at the top is the Shadow Master followed by his three... well I call them Lieutenants who are in charge now the Shadow Master is incapacitated. One is focused solely on carrying out the Shadow attacks and is the one the Shadow Aurors answer to, I don't know who he is yet but I do know he is definitely undercover in the Ministry in a position of power - less than Minister, more than run of the mill Auror - and is also the youngest of the trio. The other two are responsible for the rest, they take it in turns managing the Shadows and controlling the Specters because unlike the Shadow Master, they aren't good enough at controlling Specters to do both. These two are older, have been with he Shadow Master since the beginning and at least one of them is a former Death Eater.
"After that the hierarchy is less set in stone but there are Shadows that have leadership roles but still answer to the Lieutenants - mostly the elder two because the younger is busy undercover - and seem to have kind of areas they're in charge of, for example Roland Seraph is sort of responsible for kind of training and choosing people for missions because he knows the Shadows' skill sets, Greyback is sort of a Leader for attacks or at least makes sure they are carried out as the undercover Lieutenant wants, there is another Leader sort of responsible for torture and other things who is also a former Death Eater - not sure which one - and there are at least two other sort of Leaders but I'm not sure who they are or what they do. Beneath the Leaders are the Shadows who willingly are Shadows and the Shadows who are coerced."
"What do you mean by coerced?"
"I mean people who have loved ones threatened or kidnapped so they'll help or have their own lives threatened or souls, for the long term coerced ones they are possessed by Specters. Like your grandfather, the Specter isn't controlling them so no black eyes but is there to take their soul if they disobey. Now, there are Shadows that have infiltrated the Ministry - and by infiltrated I mean probably were already in their positions and just joined the Shadows, this is the Ministry we're talking about - although I'm not sure how widespread the corruption is or who they are as they're very protective of their identities but there is at least two and even those non-Shadows could be influenced by the Shadows without realizing they're playing into the Shadows hands, the Minister for Magic is definitely not a Shadow but can't speak for the rest. Aside from Ellisar, there's at least four other Shadow Aurors but I've only identified two of them. I've been working on a spell to detect the corrupted wands they use, if I can nail that then identifying them will be so much easier.
"And about Hogwarts, one of the teachers is a Shadow who is also a sort of Leader but I don't think its Grant. I'm not sure how but the attackers escaped Marius'... power wrath thing that he does, except for the one that died obviously and they've been hiding out in the castle or the grounds because they can't leave Hogwarts without Marius knowing it because of some kind of protection he put in place. They and the Shadow Aurors are being coordinated by the teacher to keep an eye on you and Marius and some other persons of interest, I don't know how or who. The recent attempt on your life is a sign of the unrest in the ranks, its been six months since the Shadow Master was put into a coma and they're scared, they're getting more desperate and unruly. From what I hear, the Shadow Master can't survive forever in this coma. If he dies their movement is finished, the others can't keep control forever."
"Well that's good at least but why don't you think its Grant? It has to be him, he hates me," Scorpius pointed out and Varanian looked away from him.
"Well... Because I did some digging and... I think Grant's reason for hating you has nothing to do with the Shadows, its possible he is still one but hating you isn't a good reason to suspect him."
"Why does he hate me then?"
"I don't think its important."
"I want to know."
"No you don't."
"Tell me, Varanian!" Scorpius demanded irritably and Varanian looked at him expressionlessly at the sound of his name, "I have a right to know!"
"Your grandfather murdered his wife," Varanian told him after a minute of hesitation and Scorpius felt as though he'd been physically slapped in the face but Varanian continued nonetheless, "as part of his immunity and switching sides he had to give as much information to the Ministry as possible, names of Death Eaters and their crimes as well as his own crimes which he was pardoned for. One of those crimes was killing Grant's wife, she saw something she shouldn't of and your grandfather was charged with taking her out. He killed her. And then got away with it. Grant has never been happy with this, he launched petition after petition for the immunity to be revoked and his wife to get justice but the Ministry never budged, I guess eventually he gave up. I think he hates you for the crimes of your grandfather, not for anything you've actually done."
Scorpius just sat in silence for a moment, digesting the new information. His grandfather had killed someone as a Death Eater, killed an innocent woman just for seeing something. At the back of his mind he knew his grandfather had killed someone, the Shadow Master had something to that effect but he'd still always thought it had been justified. Not someone innocent. But then what could he expect? If his grandfather was capable of torturing Calderon as an innocent child then why not killing an innocent woman?
"Did... Did he kill anyone else?" Scorpius asked so quietly that he half-hoped Varanian hadn't heard him but he wanted to know.
"Yes."
Scorpius fell silent again. His grandfather had killed others, probably just as innocent. He hadn't been close to his grandfather when he was alive but after death, Scorpius had stopped seeing anything beyond his grandfather's sacrifice, forgotten about the things he had to have done. It was no wonder Grant hated him, how many other people had relatives killed by his family? How many of the people that disliked him for being a Malfoy disliked him because they had personally wronged them? He couldn't blame them. If the Shadow Master had relatives then he wouldn't take too kindly to them either.
"It doesn't change anything," Scorpius said to himself more so than Varanian, he couldn't bring himself to ask how many others and who, "he gave up his soul to save our lives, to stop the Shadow Master, to do something good. He gave up his soul to do the right thing, that's what matters."
"I know."
"Did my grandmother or father do anything like that?"
"According to the Ministry neither of them did... But your grandmother's a gray soul according to the Shadows, they were complaining about it stopping them from risking attacking you at home. I don't know who or why or how."
"Okay," Scorpius nodded, feeling somewhat relieved as well as concerned. Had his grandmother's kill(s) been justified? He shook his head of it, it didn't matter. His grandfather had made up for what he'd done as far as he was concerned, he'd gotten his redemption even though Scorpius still hated the things he'd done. There were things Scorpius hated that he'd done, he hoped his grandfather had felt bad about some of it too. It was time for Scorpius to make up for one of his own if he could.
Part 3: Search and Rescue
"Varanian... You know how I was... abducted," Scorpius began awkwardly staring at the ground nervously, "two weeks before my tenth birthday."
"Yeah," Varanian said slowly.
"And last year there was another boy who went missing, also two weeks before his tenth birthday."
"I heard."
"And this year the Scamander twins went missing, also two weeks before their tenth birthday."
"I also heard."
"Do you think they're connected?" Scorpius asked, trying to work up the courage to talk about it but he could barely hear his voice over the pounding of his heart, it felt like it was about to explode and a part of him hoped it would so he would be dead and not have to talk about it.
"Its a plausible possibility," Varanian said equally slowly, sounding puzzled by where Scorpius was going with it, "the Aurors think so, Potter's a family friend of the Scamanders so finding them also ranks high on the list of priorities. I don't know anything about it though."
"I do... And I think its something to do with the Shadows," Scorpius continued with a gulp, he curled his hands into fists on the bed and stared unblinkingly at the ground, he couldn't bring himself to look up at Varanian as he told him everything he'd fought so hard to keep a secret. He told him about the dreams of the boy, the voice of that same boy talking to him, the severing of the connection, he told him about the scar on his wrist, about not knowing how he got it, about the pain, about the fire, about the bruising that wasn't bruising and he told him about what he'd realized about Orous, what Orous had said, about Orous' wrist being the same., he even told him about killing Marvin and being saved by the same guy with the deformed hands. He told him everything, once he got started the words just started tumbling out followed by the tears, he only noticed that when he stopped speaking and realized he was crying, he wasn't sure when he'd started but the lump in his throat got his tongue all tied up when he tried to continue.
"Its okay," Varanian offered in awkward but kind tone that differed from his usual tone and Scorpius felt a hand patting his shoulder in an equally awkward way as if Varanian was attempting to comfort him. That thought actually made him stop crying, the man he'd spent the previous year hating and wishing all kinds of ill-fortunate on was trying to make him feel better. It was almost laughable.
"It can't ever be okay," Scorpius told him quietly.
"I know. Its just a lie people use when they're trying to be comforting, take it."
"You're a jerk," Scorpius pointed out as he wiped his eyes, it made him recall what Varanian had told him about the scars being too sensitive to touch.
"I know it," Varanian agreed readily and Scorpius wiped his eyes harder, feeling ashamed of crying in front of him.
"Thank you," Scorpius said taking a deep breath, "so I wanted to try and save the Scamander boys from the Shadows but I need your help and I'm not sure where to start, I mean if they used the same muggles and the same house for Orous and I so it seems likely they'd use the same again but I don't know where that is."
"Well first, would they use the same people if two of them are dead or is there more?"
"Yes, Linden."
"Okay then its worth checking out. Did you ever see the house from the outside?"
"Yeah but I don't know where it is."
"It doesn't matter, if I can get a clear enough picture of it in my head then I can apparate there."
"So you'll help?" Scorpius wondered hopefully looking up at Varanian.
"Of course, we'll do this now and worry about what the hell the Shadows are doing to your wrist later. Now I can do Legilimancy, I'm not very good at it but I should be able to do enough to see your memory of what the house looks like then apparate there and check it out," Varanian explained and looked at him with a flicker of uncertainty in his silvery eyes, "if you're up for that, you need to be focusing on the memory because it reads the memories at the surface of your mind."
"I'll do it," Scorpius agreed standing up nervously, "so what do I do? Just close my eyes and think about it?"
"Yeah," Varanian nodded and withdraw his wand, "concentrate on that house as much as you can, I'd rather only do this once."
"Will it hurt?"
"No but you'll probably be overwhelmed by the memory for a minute, very vividly which can be a little uncomfortable."
"Okay," Scorpius said with a nervous gulp, having your mind read wasn't something he'd ever imagined wanting done and really he wasn't keen on it but if it would help the Scamander twins then he had to try it, he'd just told Varanian his secrets anyway. He closed his eyes and thought of that horrible house.
"Are you ready?"
Scorpius nodded without opening his eyes, concentrating on the house he usually tried so hard not to think about because he wanted Varanian to see it, despite that he was still crystal clear in his mind. He heard Varanian muttering a spell and it all happened so fast, his wrist flared up in searing pain and he cried out, he felt rather than saw the explosion of magic that threw him back against the painfully solid wall and then he was knocked into unconscious.
"Oh well I didn't realize," Atticus admitted guiltily as he looked at the ground, "I'm sorry, Brutus, I've been busy."
"Too busy to remember Christmas, does family really mean nothing to you?!" Brutus snapped at him angrily, trying not to feel like a hypocrite as he'd forgotten it too but then he didn't feel too bad as he knew he loved his family even if he'd forgotten Christmas whereas he really had no idea what was going on in his brother's head.
"Of course family matters to me! But... I really just didn't realize, the days just kind of run together, I thought I still had time."
"Well you don't have time! Not when you spend every waking second working, you're risking your life to please a dead woman who didn't give a damn about you-"
"Just because your mother was a heartless bitch, it doesn't mean that my mother was!" Atticus interrupted angrily.
"She let Death Eaters torture you instead of giving up a bunch of filthy mudbloods!"
"And she was right to do it! Sometimes sacrifice is necessary for the greater good, if she'd told the Death Eaters what they wanted so they wouldn't hurt us then they would have killed those people - and yes people, their lineage doesn't stop them being people! - saving thirty odd people was more important that us, its basic math. I burned my arm saving those two Aurors and I would do it again in a heartbeat, sacrifice is necessary sometimes."
"See how she warped your mind! Its not justifiable! So what, if Death Eaters tortured your son then you'd let him suffer and die rather than giving up some mudbloods?!" Brutus demanded furiously but to his surprise Atticus laughed.
"Well that's a stupid question because I'm never having kids," Atticus pointed out and Brutus blinked in shock, his anger forgotten by this revelation, "so I never would have to choose."
"You don't want kids when you're older?"
"Of course not, I'm not a father-type person, I wouldn't know what to do with little ones and really it looks exhausting running around after them anyway," Atticus explained and tilted his head to one side curiously, "why? Do you want kids when you're older?"
"No," Brutus lied quickly, "I was just making a point. Most people are jerks and there's not a lot of people you care about, their lives are more valuable than other people."
"I'm not saying they're not valuable, I'm just saying that sometimes you can't be selfish when there's more at stake. We'll just have to agree to disagree on that one, I'm afraid. Please, I don't want to fight with you."
"Alright," Brutus agreed reluctantly, he didn't want to fight either, he just wanted Atticus to be safe. He pulled his brother into a hug, "Merry Christmas, Atty."
"Merry Christmas, Bruti."
"I told you never to call me that," Brutus grumbled as he pulled away from his smirking brother.
"Well it is Christmas apparently so let's grab father, raid the liquor stores and drink until my arm doesn't hurt anymore and you can see the imaginary presents I'll get you tomorrow," Atticus offered to which Brutus laughed.
"Good plan! And maybe if father's drunk we can get him to eat food he didn't catch."
Scorpius could feel the bruises from the wall and cringed slightly as he opened his eyes, finding he was lying on the cool concrete. He saw Varanian on the opposite side of the room, lying in a similarly uncomfortable sprawled position to Scorpius as if he too had been flung into the wall that tossed him there. Scorpius got to his feet and staggered over to Varanian and kneeling beside him, he was breathing but his eyes were closed and he had to be unconscious because he'd never seen Varanian looked so unstressed and at peace, the strain on his face was gone. Scorpius almost felt bad for having to wake him, the shadows beneath Varanian's eyes indicated he could probably use the rest. Then again, the concrete floor and sleeping from being knocked out probably wasn't the healthiest thing in the world.
"Varanian?" Scorpius whispered gently reaching out to shake Varanian's hand but got no reaction so he tried being more forceful, "Varanian? Varanian!"
Varanian flinched away from his hand and his head shot up, he winced as his eyes fluttered open, blinking rapidly and breathing heavily as he looked around in confusion. His head lolled and for a second Scorpius thought it would just drop to the ground and he'd sink back into oblivion, Varanian seemed to hold on to consciousness though as he got himself into a sitting position, cringing at the movement and leaned back against the wall for support.
"What happened?" Scorpius asked worriedly.
"I don't know," Varanian answered putting a hand over his eyes, "I tried to read your mind and then there was light and I was thrown against the wall. Where is my wand?"
"Err... here," Scorpius told him as he scanned around and saw it lying a few feet away, he retrieved it and handed it to Varanian.
"How long was I out?"
"I don't know, I was knocked out too. I only just came too."
"Okay," Varanian sighed and pulled a battered pocket watch out of the inside of his jacket, flipping it open to peer at it, "its eight... In the morning."
"We were unconscious for a long time," Scorpius stated slowly in surprise, realizing his family would be beside themselves with worry but there were more important things on his mind, the Scamander family had been suffering for a lot longer, "did you see the memory at least?"
"I think so, yeah. I'll apparate you back home then go straight there."
"No!" Scorpius snapped louder and harsher than he'd intended and Varanian looked slightly surprised, "I... I want to go, I want to help."
"You've helped already, I can take of it. They may not even be there."
"No, Varanian, I have to be there, I have to help them."
"I understand that you want to help but this is going back to somewhere with bad memories and having to face one of the men who hurt you, do you honestly think you can handle that?" Varanian told him seriously, "you were terrified of being anywhere with muggles alone for a short period of time."
"Aren't you the one who says to face your fears? And I did go alone amongst muggles for a bit, I did face my fear before, I'm never going to stop being afraid if I don't face it. I need to do this, I didn't help Orous last year because I couldn't face the truth and maybe if I had these twins wouldn't have been taken at all, I know this doesn't make up for it but I still have to try, I still have to help in any way I can," Scorpius explained truthfully but Varanian's expression refused to give anything away, "two pairs of eyes is better than one and I know the place, I know where they'd be and I know what Linden looks like. Please Varanian, I can do this, I know I can... I'm a Gryffindor and... well we're brave aren't we? I can handle it... And the more time we spend arguing over it the more time those boys are suffering."
"Okay," Varanian agreed with a sigh, "but first we're going to refresh your memory on what I taught you, don't be afraid to use magic in self defense and if the Ministry notices then just say you were kidnapped again and were protecting yourself. And if we get there and you freeze up or something then I'm taking you straight back, no arguments, no questions. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
They ran through the exercises that Varanian had taught him before, Scorpius still wasn't perfect at them and Varanian complained he was rusty but not as bad as he'd thought Scorpius would be - which Scorpius decided to take as a compliment - before heading out. If Scorpius thought his heart had been beating hard before, it was nothing compared to then, he felt like it had moved to his brain and was trying to break its way out of his skull to run away. He didn't feel like running away himself though or shying away, it was something he had to do. He just hoped the twins wouldn't be too badly hurt or have had the magic from their souls taken and put back like Orous had.
"Are you still okay to go through with this?" Varanian asked him as they reached the place Varanian usually apparated them from or to, "its okay if you've changed your mind, there's no shame or cowardice in it."
"No, I'm okay," Scorpius told him firmly and held out his hand, waiting for Varanian to disapparate with him.
Varanian's expression remained unreadable but he took Scorpius' hand a second later, then came the sensation of being squeezed into a tube and they were there. Standing outside of the place of Scorpius' nightmares, it was such a plain house, nothing to draw attention to it anymore than any of the other houses on the street but Scorpius knew different. Varanian glanced at him as if gauging his reaction but Scorpius' expression was as unreadable as the fugitive's and they calmly approached the door, Varanian rang the bell but Scorpius noticed his wand was already out in his free hand. Scorpius followed suite.
It seemed so unbelievably fast, Linden must already have been downstairs because the door opened quickly, Linden didn't have time to speak or even blink before he was thrown backwards into the corridor. Varanian had his wand trained on him and entered wordlessly, flicking it as he went and causing ropes to bind the old man's hands behind his back to stop him from running away. Scorpius scurried in after and closed the door behind them, afraid of people in the street seeing.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Linden demanded sounding almost angry but his eyes were wide with fear before he spotted Scorpius, recognition glimmered in them and a sick smile drifted on his face, "you're looking good. Its so great to see you again, I missed you my boy."
"Don't speak to him," Varanian growled and flicked his wand again, there was a loud crack and Linden's leg seemed to snap in the wrong direction, he howled with pain and Scorpius found himself extremely unsympathetic, "where's the twins?"
"You broke my leg!" Linden screeched blinking back tears, "make it better! I know magic can do that! It hurts!"
"Good."
"Its not good for me!" Linden wailed and Varanian flicked his wand again, Linden's screamed as his other leg jerked in the wrong direction, "for god's sake stop! What did I ever do to you?!"
"Everything," Scorpius snapped forcing away the memories and Linden looked at him again, Varanian must have flicked his wand again because there was another crack and Linden screamed again.
"Tell us about the twins or I'll just keep breaking bones," Varanian told him threateningly and Linden recoiled fearfully.
"I'm not a bad person, you know, it not my fault, how could anyone resist a deal with free children?" Linden wondered and Varanian flicked his wand again, causing another crack and another scream from Linden, tears were spilling from his eyes by then, "please, I can't tell you anything or they'll kill me! I don't want to die!"
"If you don't tell me anything then I'll kill you after I'm done torturing you," Varanian promised coldly and Linden quivered fearfully, Varanian went to move his wand again.
"Okay, okay, I'll talk!" Linden screeched desperately, "just stop, please, stop. My middle son was a wizard so I know about all the magic stuff, out of the blue these people came to me and offered me a deal."
"The Shadows?" Scorpius guessed.
"Is that what they're called? I think their other name is more fitting but alright, whatever you want, Shadows then. They offered a deal where they help us kidnap children and keep them prisoner, they just have to be suffering."
"What the fuck kind of sick deal is that?" Varanian wondered with a look of disgust.
"Its because of those things, the Specters that hide in the shadows, watching, waiting... They feed off pain and suffering or they need it or something but the Master they're bound to isn't in pain or suffering so the Master has to satisfy them somehow, the Master binds themselves to someone by doing something to their wrist then lets them suffer so the Specters are happy but the Master stays in control, the children don't even notice or something like that. They experiment with different ways of doing it, the last three years its been with children - specifically twins - they want them released to test other ways of using the connections. Except for you, you don't have a twin although I wish you did, you were chosen to make some relative sell their soul to save you."
"My grandfather sold his soul to save me?" Scorpius repeated and despite himself felt tears pricking his eyes.
"Or something like that," Linden shrugged awkwardly and shot Varanian a worried glance as if afraid that answer wasn't satisfying enough, Scorpius had to push aside his guilt at his grandfather selling his soul for him to focus on something else and his concerns about the revelations on his wrist.
"Orous has a twin?"
"Yes. I never laid a hand on him though, never saw him, he was already bound and suffers another way."
"So where are the Scamander twins?" Varanian questioned, his wand was still trained steadily on Linden.
"I-I only have one of them, because I'm the only one left they didn't think it was safe to leave them both with me so one was off somewhere else and one is with me. They just swapped them last night, this kid hasn't even woken up yet."
"Where do they keep the other boy?"
"I don't know," Linden cried and Varanian flicked his wrist again, there was another crack and another shriek from Linden who squeezed his eyes shut against the pain, "I swear I don't know! I swear! I'm running out of bones to break, please stop, please."
"Is the one boy upstairs?" Scorpius asked quietly and Linden nodded without opening his eyes.
"And that's all I know, just heal me now please and let me go."
"No," Varanian stated coldly, "we're going upstairs to get the boy and when we get back down, I want names and descriptions of every Shadow member you've had contact with, information equals healing so think about that. Come on."
"This way," Scorpius offered, grateful to be away from Linden as he led Varanian upstairs, passing by the rooms he recalled Orous running past. The bad memories felt like insects crawling across his skin trying to get in but he couldn't let them, he had to be strong, "so what are you going to do with Linden?"
"Heal him and hand him over to the authorities so he can punished for his crimes."
"Really?"
"I don't like torturing him regardless of what he did, plus him being able to walk makes it easier to hand him over."
"What if Shadow Aurors kill him?"
"What if they do? You're not concerned for his life?"
"No," Scorpius admitted truthfully.
"Are you still okay?" Varanian asked and Scorpius nodded, he was okay if he didn't think about it. He noticed that Varanian looked almost ill though.
"Are you?"
"Just never tortured anyone before," Varanian pointed out quietly as Scorpius stopped them at the door to his prison, it was predictably locked but Varanian seemed aware of Alohomora.
Scorpius shuddered at the room, he'd hoped against hope he would never have to step foot in it again but there he was willingly entering. He was scared, he glanced at Varanian just to make sure he was still by his side and gripped his wand tightly just to make sure it was still there. It looked almost exactly the same as from his memories and his dreams of Orous there, the only difference was it was slightly more tidy and there was a different boy handcuffed to the bed.
Scorpius recognized him vaguely from the memorial in May, his hair was really a dirty blond then but he didn't look as bad as Scorpius had thought in truth, his clothes looked dirty but he didn't seem visibly injured or starved for food, Michael looked worse than he did when he returned to Hogwarts after the summer. He seemed to be sleeping as they approached him, Varanian flicked his wand and the handcuffs unlocked and fell off, hitting the ground with a clunk and Scorpius saw the same scar on his wrist that he and Orous bore. It was then that the boy's amber eyes flicked open sleepily.
"What's going on?" the boy asked with a yawn.
"We're here to take you home," Varanian said gently but the boy just looked dazed before he smiled as he sat up.
"That sounds nice. Who are you?"
"My name's Pip, what's your name?"
"Lysander," the boy offered still sounding half asleep, "that's a nice name, Pip, your eyes are the same color as my mama's, did you know that?"
"No I didn't, come on now," Varanian told him and Lysander nodded as he went to stand, staggering for a moment before falling forwards, Varanian caught him though but Lysander remained leaning against him with his eyes closed, a smile still on his face, "come on, Lysander, you can sleep when you're away from here, alright?"
"I'm really tired, they gave me sleepy juice because they were moving me to a different place... Selwyn said I could see my brother, can you see my brother, Pip? He looks just like me."
"Come on, stay awake, we have to go and get you home."
"I'm sorry, Pip, my eyes don't want to stay open and my legs don't want to work."
"How about I carry you then?"
"Why not just apparate him now?" Scorpius asked in a whisper.
"This place probably has anti-apparition wards," Varanian whispered back and opened his mouth for further explanation, only to be interrupted by the sound of Linden screaming, he exchanged a fearful look with Varanian's concerned one.
"Okay," Lysander agreed drowsily and Varanian scooped him up wordlessly before rushing out, Scorpius on his heels as they moved as fast as Varanian dared with the ten year old in his arms.
Linden was dead by the time they got back downstairs. His broken body no longer breathing, his heart no longer beating. Scorpius tried to feel sympathy, he really did but the best he could muster was sadness over not hearing the names and descriptions of Shadow members. Varanian just muttered something about going and continued on to the door with Scorpius at a faster pace, Scorpius realized it was probably because both Varanian's arms were occupied holding Lysander which meant using his wand would be difficult. Scorpius kept his very ready and kept his eyes very alert, there was no sign of who had killed Linden though.
As soon as they got outside Scorpius grabbed Varanian's arm and he apparated them away, Scorpius recognized the street as the one leading to St Mungo's. There was a bench outside that Scorpius took to wait on while Varanian shifted his appearance and slipped inside to drop off Lysander, Scorpius wasn't sure that Lysander was still awake as he hadn't reacted to being side-along apparated. It was only after Varanian left him alone that the weight of his failure crashed down on him, Lysander's brother was still out there.
Part 4: Christmas Gloom
It was strange being back in his own bed after spending four months in the Hogwarts Hufflepuff dormitory, Vern was usually the first one up - with Orous - and the first one to go to sleep - because he needed to be up early with Orous - meaning there was always sound. You were aware of the sound of them breathing or shifting in their sleep, Chad had a habit of talking in his sleep rather loudly as well and Orous was frequently plagued by nightmares that woke the others - minus Chad who was an unusually heavy sleeper - up as well. But at home it was just him alone in his silent little room.
Vern had been taking advantage of the lie ins he never got to have at Hogwarts during the holidays but overall he actually found himself missing the school and his friends, which he'd never thought possible when he first received his Hogwarts acceptance letter. In fact he'd cried his eyes out when he read it, he hadn't wanted to be a wizard, it was a Potter thing not a Dursley thing, Dursleys were normal. He'd suspected it before, strange things happened around him sometimes but he always managed to cover it up or blame it on a Potter, he'd thought even if he was magical that hiding it would mean no one would ever find out. But no, in fact according to Corin there was a book at Hogwarts that recorded the names of all magical children born in England and unless they died before eleven they would be sent an acceptance letter so he'd been doomed since birth.
Hogwarts itself wasn't so bad, or at least not as bad as he thought. The practical lessons were the worst, using his wand scared him in honesty, being capable of doing things like that was frightening and whenever he succeeded it scared him even more but the non-wand lessons he liked. Potions, Herbology and Astronomy he enjoyed, History of Magic wasn't the most interesting but preferred it over the wand-using subjects. Flying had terrified him at first but the more lessons he had, the more he liked it and Quidditch was just amazing to watch. Except when Scorpius had nearly died, that was bad. James and his friends tormented him daily which he also hated but he just did his best to ignore it, he didn't want to get his cousin into trouble after all.
He woke up on Christmas morning in a good mood though, he spared a few moments to mentally wish his friends could have a good Christmas - especially Orous, the poor boy could use something to cheer him up and Michael, because he was all alone - before getting up. Everyone else seemed to have already woken up but they were still in pajamas, looked half-asleep and from the sounds of the kettle boiling, Vern thought they weren't long awake. He rubbed his eyes sleepily as he came down the soft carpeted steps, it gave him a good view of the living room where the assorted Dursleys were gathered.
His grandma Petunia was staying with them over Christmas and she had taken up her resident position in the pink armchair in front of the fire in a pink nightgown to match, his dad seemed to have her around as much as possible since Vern's grandpa and namesake Vernon had passed away. His parents must have been in the kitchen but his siblings were gathered, there were three Dursley children and Vern was the youngest of the lot. His brother was the eldest was Malcolm, a year older than James, he had blonde hair like their dad only his was long as apparently it was cool, he was tall and lanky although a lot of that stemmed from his long neck. His sister, Daisy, was in the middle and the same age as James, she was chubby - although you'd die if you pointed that out to her - with blonde hair and watery blue eyes that were engrossed in her phone.
"Happy Christmas, son!" his dad greeted him brightly as he came out of the kitchen, Vern smiled as his dad absorbed him into a hug, his dad was a big man, not fat but muscled as he was a boxer by trade.
"Happy Christmas, Dad," Vern echoed as his dad pulled away and ruffled his hair while his mother, Millicent Dursley, came out of the kitchen with a tray of drinks.
She was a lanky woman with sharp sapphire eyes like her eldest son and the stringy brown hair that Vern alone had inherited, she eyed Vern fearfully and he felt his heart sink a little. His mum had always found magic terrifying, he knew she dreaded interaction with the Potters and had actually passed out one time when James had been showing them Exploding Snap. Ever since Vern had gotten the letter, she'd looked at him with the same fear in her eyes and barely interacted with him at all, it was almost like she was avoiding him. He wished she wouldn't, he was still the same person he had been before, he didn't understand why she treated him different.
"Great It's awake, can we open our presents now?" Malcolm asked with a strange smirk and his sister's eyes shot up from up from the phone, Malcolm had always been teasing but since Vern got the Hogwarts letter it had been even worse and his sister had joined in.
"Yes, Daddy, can we please?" Daisy pleaded putting the phone away, their dad looked surprised but pleased as he smiled, usually it was a struggle to get her to tear her eyes away from it.
"Of course, have at it, I'll get the camcorder," their Dad agreed brightly and nodded to the towering tree that was dwarfing Grandma Petunia, beneath which was the hoard of Christmas presents.
His siblings dived at the tree and Vern joined them as the process of giving out presents began, some for Grandma Petunia, some for Mum, some for Dad, an awful lot for Malcolm, even more for Daisy and... where were Vern's? He frowned in confusion as he looked under the empty tree, the adults also looked puzzled while his brother and sister seemed to be having trouble fighting off laughter.
"Where's my presents?" Vern wondered, he wasn't trying to sound selfish but it was strange.
"Shouldn't you be able to magic them up, wizard boy?" Daisy asked him.
"Mummy and Daddy didn't get you any because you're a freak," Malcolm added acidly.
"That's not true!" their Dad protested, "where are your brother's presents?"
"I don't know," Malcolm smirked.
"Malcolm!"
"He really doesn't know! We put them in the trash yesterday... could be anywhere by now," Daisy explained and their Dad looked too stunned for words while Malcolm burst out laughing.
"You threw out my presents?" Vern repeated in shock.
"Serves you right for being a magical freak."
"Its just a shame we can't throw you out in the trash too," Malcolm pointed out darkly and Vern couldn't stop the tears from spilling from his eyes as he staggered to his feet.
"Malcolm!" his Dad yelled furiously but Malcolm just cast him a 'what-did-I-do?' look, "I-"
"I didn't ask to be wizard!" Vern interrupted tearfully, "I was just born with it and its not my fault I was born! And... And magic isn't even that bad, at least some of them are nicer than you!"
Vern didn't wait for a reply or to see what happened, he just ran upstairs to his room, slamming the door and throwing himself down onto his bed as he sobbed. His siblings hated him for being a wizard, his cousins hated him for being a Dursley, what did they expect from him?! He was crying so hard he didn't even hear his dad come in, not until he felt himself scooped up in his dad's protective arms, he buried his head in his dad's chest and cried while his dad stroked his hair gently. Usually his mum was the one who comforted them when they were upset, he thought she must really hate him to not be there.
"Come on, Vern, its okay," his Dad told him soothingly, "we're not opening any presents until we get you yours, you can have twice as many as Malcolm and Daisy, both of whom are grounded for the rest of the year. And you do have some presents, you got some in the mail from people with names I can't pronounce."
"I-Its n-not about the pre-presents," Vern pointed out quietly, trying to speak through his tears, "I d-don't w-want my f-family to... to... to h-hate me."
"Your family doesn't hate you."
"Y-Yes they do, M-Malcom and Daisy and Mummy and Gr-Grandma Petunia and you and if Grandpa Vern-Vernon was still alive then h-he would hate me too."
"Now that's not true," his Dad protested as he hugged him closer, "you're my son and I love you, so does everyone else. I'd be lying if I said that I've had the best experiences with magic but that in itself isn't a bad thing, I wasn't a very nice person to Uncle Harry when I was younger, I wasn't a very nice person in general but an experience with magic made me realize the kind of person I was and I've tried to be a better man than I was but too much had happened to ever really be close and I think your relationship with your cousins suffers because of that but that doesn't make them or magic bad. Honestly I think your brother and sister are just jealous of magic, you already had magic and I think that's why you never disliked the Potters like they do, they're just jealous that you born with something they can never have, you're part of a world they can never even see and nothing can change that. Your Grandma Petunia actually volunteered to talk to them, I think she understands what its like to be jealous of a magical sibling even if she would never admit but she wouldn't have done that if she didn't care about you you. It'll be okay, Vern, I promise."
"What about Mummy?" Vern asked weakly but his father's speech had stopped his tears, his eyes were stinging from them though.
"She's just surprised, I don't think she ever imagined having a wizard son when I first told her about my cousin being a wizard. She'll come around, it just takes her time, she didn't speak to me for two months when she first found out about magic but love conquers all. Don't feel bad about who you are because I'm so proud of you, so proud."
"I love you, Dad."
Michael woke up to his empty dormitory to the pile of presents at the end of his bed, despite spending Christmas alone in Hogwarts the previous year and that year he'd actually gotten more presents than he had since before his great-grandmother died, with her gone their financial situation had crumbled with his mother being too sick to work. It hadn't mattered though, just having his mother still alive was the only thing he wanted.
Last year it had been mostly gifts from Scorpius but that year there was more of a variety, a book on Quidditch from Abby, the most recent addition of a book on healing magic from Scorpius, sweets from Albus and Rose, satin wizard robes from Corin, a figurine of a lion from Vern, his own Wizard Chess Set from Orous and surprisingly he'd also gotten a leather bound notebook with his initials stitched on the front from Maurice, a single real wizard Galleon from Jack and a beautiful knitted sweater of a Gryffindor lion from Albus and Rose's grandmother. He just wished he could afford to get anyone anything but he truly had no money, except the Galleon he'd gotten from Jack. It was only when he'd got through all the gifts that he noticed a blue envelope beneath it all.
He blinked in surprise and picked it up tenderly, knowing who it was from before he'd even seen the words on the front, his mother was the only person who would write on blue paper because it was easier for him to read on different colored paper with his Dyslexia. Sure enough his name on the front in his mother's crystal clear handwriting, crystal clear being a joke because her name was Crystal. He felt tears prick at his eyes as he thought of that, the wave of homesickness catching him off guard. He hesitated before opening the letter, Bob's letter coming to mind as he unfolded the pastel blue paper.
Michael,
I hope you are doing okay, I heard about what happened to your eye and I can only hope it doesn't hurt too much, if it does then please tell the wizard doctors about it so they can help you. They also told me about magical prosthetic eyes, I don't know how you feel about it but I've been looking into it as much as I can, its really quite amazing. Cost of them is an issue but I have been saving money and if I can pay for it gradually instead of just in one chunk then it won't be a problem. Because of that you're coming home at Easter so we can see the wizard doctors about it, its good to have a professional opinion and even Bob can't argue with that so we can talk about it then in April.
Take care of yourself and try to stay safe, I'm sorry you can't come home for Christmas again but Bob is insistent and you know what he's like, especially since you're coming back for Easter. Its not so bad I hope, at least you're away from him. The little ones send their love and Bertie said his first word! Alright it was juice not hi but I'm sure the sentiment is there. We'll see you in a few months, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Lots of love,
Mum
Michael read and reread it through until the letters starting hurting his eyes, he wiped away the tears but more were already coming. He knew it was probably pathetic to miss his mother but he would just have to be pathetic, he missed his mother and his little brothers and sisters and as much as he loved Hogwarts, he still missed them, despite Bob he wished he was home. Because of Bob he wished he was home, he should be there to protect his mother and help with the little ones, it was selfish of him to be in Hogwarts with loads of presents when his mother was in work - they paid extra on holidays - and the little ones were opening their meager stock of gifts with the babysitter. He missed his mum so much.
It took him awhile to calm down but he did, he always did, things could get tough, things could be terrible, you could break down, you could be upset, you could be angry so long as you remembered to pick yourself up again and keep on fighting. He shouldn't be upset, he'd see his family again in April which was sooner than summer even if he didn't want a prosthetic eye then he could still be home for a bit. It wasn't all bad, his mother clearly didn't hate him for losing his eye and being scarred like Bob had said. He was feeling better about his eye though, reviving Scorpius with CPR had reminded him that he wasn't completely useless even with one eye, it wasn't the end of the world and he could adapt. The holidays were halfway over pretty much so it wasn't too long before his friends returned as well, he'd be glad when he knew Maurice was away from his father.
Feeling slightly better about things he got dressed - including his sweater from Mrs Weasley - and headed out, he'd been psyching himself up since everyone left and had promised himself that on Christmas he would do it and he never broke a promise, Sanfords never break promises willingly. He wished Merry Christmas to the Aurors he passed, some just blinked in surprise, some shot him a dark look and others smiled as they returned the greeting. Michael made it outside and went to retrieve one of the school brooms, his allocated healing time had passed and he had to get back on the horse - or in this case broom - at some point. He still didn't think it was particularly smart, he only had one eye left so he should be more careful lest he wind up completely blind but on the other hand he liked flying and he needed to see if he could still do it. Stupid and ugly that was him anyway according to Copper, Michael disliked the Ravenclaw but had no doubt he was right on that occasion at least.
He took a deep breath as he got out one of the brooms and mounted it, he closed his good eye and kept his bad eye open wide but still saw only nothingness. He wondered if that would ever stop unnerving him, every time he would start to wonder for the briefest of moments what was blocking his vision before remembering the eye just couldn't see. With a magical prosthetic eye he wouldn't have that, it would mean he really would be losing his current eye though, permanently, having it hacked out or however they removed eyes in the magical world and he still despised the thought of having an eye that could see through solid things like the guy Albus mentioned, that would be worse than not seeing anything.
He tried to push it out of his mind as he kicked off into the air, he'd meant to only go a little off the ground but his broom - or possibly just subconsciously - had other plans. He shot up into the air like he'd been shot of a cannon, whooping with childish delight as he soared in the air, spinning around and speeding across the grounds. It obeyed his slightest touch, effortlessly skimming the clouds and veering through the skies, why had he waited so long again? He yanked the broom to a halt, it did stop just at a different position than he'd wanted and he was drifting lazily to the lift but Michael considered it a win. He gazed down on the spectacular castle beside the deep glittering lake and the equally deep dense forest, the sight never got old.
He glanced across at the pitch, it was still a makeshift ice rink with a hole in it as the Ministry wanted to study it more before they let Calderon change it back. His one eyed gaze traveled the castle as he allowed himself to glide slowly towards it, noticing an odd gathering of bodies by the base of the Northern Tower. He moved over to it, drawing closer he saw they were an assortment of Aurors, Calderon and Harry Potter standing beside a lumpy blanket that looked like it was covering something.
"It was an accident!" one of the Aurors was saying desperately, "we just were doing our sweep of the castle as normal and she was just ranting insanely about a dark presence and needing to talk to someone, we told her to calm down and she just screamed we couldn't see it and backed away even though we were on other side of the room. She just tripped on the edge of her dress, fell through the window, we ran to help but by the time we were at the window she had already hit the ground."
"What's going on?" Michael wondered worriedly when he was within range, Calderon looked upset and Mr Potter just looked solemn.
"Professor Sybill Trelawny is dead," Calderon told him sadly after a moment's pause.
"Go back to your flying, Michael," Mr Potter offered dismissively, "you don't need to see this."
Scorpius was still sitting miserably alone on the bench when Varanian came back out and sat beside him, he recognized him from his clothing because he was wearing a different appearance than the one he'd gone into the hospital with, which was also different to his regular appearance. The streets were snowy and there was a chill in the air, Scorpius didn't feel cold though.
"How's Lysander?" Scorpius asked him.
"He's okay actually," Varanian told him, his voice still sounded the same even with his altered appearance, "they're countering the effects of the sleeping drought, aside the scar on his wrist, there's not really any physical injuries and he's skinny but still a healthy weight. I think we got him before Linden could do any damage, whatever the Shadows did to him left no marks or physical damage and mentally he seems alright so hopefully it wasn't too bad for him. He says it wasn't, that the kidnappers didn't hurt him and gave him a nice room with an en suite bathroom, was given regular meals and mostly they just talked to him from outside the room."
"How long were you in there?" Scorpius wondered, realizing he must have lost track of time in his depressing thoughts on his failure and imaging the horrible things that the boy could be going through.
"Longer than I'd have liked - I hate St Mungo's - but I wanted to make sure he was alright, slipped away while they were working on Lysander to disguise myself as one of the healers to get information. One of the healers knows the Scamanders and recognized him, got onto his parents to get them there quick but also means Aurors will be there soon so we should be gone. I figured you'd use the ring if you wanted me back and whenever I checked on you, you were still here. Are you okay?"
"We failed."
"We saved Lysander. And got some information."
"But we didn't save his brother."
"But we saved Lysander."
"Saving one isn't good enough!" Scorpius snapped bitterly, "they still have the other one... Lorcan, they still have him. We failed, we didn't make a difference, we may as well have done nothing for all the good it did."
"Come with me," Varanian demanded standing up, Scorpius blinked in surprise and was hauled to his feet by Varanian, he took a hat from his jacket and pulled it onto Scorpius before leading him inside.
It was the first time he'd been in the hospital since he'd been rescued, it really was a day for revisiting places. It hadn't changed, still had that clinical feel and was crammed with people. He just followed Varanian, wondering why in the world he'd dragged Scorpius in there. Finally they stopped and Varanian simply gestured to the bed across the room from them, it was Lysander's bed, he recognized the boy immediately and recognized the woman hugging him as his mother, Luna. There was a man there too, he had a very square jaw and wild curly hair, his eyes were a striking shade of amber the same as Lysander, he assumed the man was the father. The couple looked overjoyed, they were smiling through their tears and Lysander's face looked ready to break from the smile on his face as he clung to his parents happily.
"Tell me again how that wasn't worth it," Varanian told him but Scorpius couldn't reply so he simply nodded, seeing the family semi-united made him crave his own, "it may not be as good as saving them both but saving any child or innocent life is worthwhile, we'll find Lorcan too and if the Shadows are holding anyone else captive then we'll also find them and save them then we'll kill those bastards for kidnapping and killing people in the first place."
"Okay," Scorpius agreed with another nod as Varanian led him away again, "guess we made their Christmas."
"Its Christmas?" Varanian repeated with a jolt at the word, his shock evident on his face that morphed slightly back to himself before returning to the changed one. Scorpius hadn't realized Varanian had been in such a good mood until he saw how much his face fell when he realized it was the holiday, even his posture seemed to sag sadly as he hung his head in misery. He spoke next in a voice the fraction of the volume, "yeah, I guess we did."
"Sorry," Scorpius muttered, sincerely regretting mentioning it was Christmas.
Varanian didn't say another word as they continued through the hospital, or when they made it outside. He didn't speak he apparated him in silence back to just outside the Malfoy lands and headed towards the manor, shifting his appearance again and taking back the hat. Scorpius wasn't sure why but he didn't want to question him, they stopped just outside the front door.
"Give me your ring, there's something I've been meaning to do to it and I'll give it back when I'm done," Varanian said in a business tone and Scorpius silently handed it over, his finger felt extremely naked without it, he hadn't taken it off since he'd been given it, "I'll give them your cover story, just go with it."
With that Varanian knocked on the door. The cover story was that Scorpius had gotten lost and suffered from the cold, Varanian had found him barely conscious and taken him to his home where Scorpius had fallen asleep on the couch. Not knowing whether he was a muggle or magical child - meaning he was unsure which authority to contact - he had simply let Scorpius rest and waited until he woke up to see who he was, after that Scorpius had been fed before they set off to find Malfoy Manor which they had. His parents seemed to buy this story - then again, they had no reason not to - and Varanian made his leave as soon as he could.
His parents and grandmother still spent a long time doting on him before they seemed convinced he was alright, it was slightly annoying but Scorpius endured it. Considering the likes of Michael not being able to be with his family at Christmas, the likes of Calderon not having any family at all to celebrate with, the likes of the Scamander family being one short as well as Lorcan not knowing whether he'd ever see them again and the likes of Varanian having lost his family. He was lucky just to have a family that loved him at all and he was grateful even if it could be tedious, it was worth it having people who cared about you at the end of the day.
That was more valuable than any of the gifts he got. Calderon's gift was the first one he opened, he'd been curious since the train what it was. It was a silver ring of a Thestral lying across the top, coming with a handwritten note saying:
Since you suddenly like rings. Merry Christmas, Scor
Scorpius smiled as he put the Thestral ring where his Varanian ring usually went, it fitted very snugly and his finger no longer felt too bare.
Part 5: Family at Christmas
Albus was not enjoying the holidays. James and his friend Carver were not making life easy for him, every time he turned around he was pranked or tripped or had what he was holding knocked out of his hand. He'd considered telling his mum but he wasn't exactly a taddle-tale, besides they were always told to be gracious to guests and Carver was the perfect guest around his parents and Lily, so polite and nice. He wished Michael had accepted his offer to stay with him, having a friend around would make things more bearable at least.
His dad was so busy working that he still barely saw him as well, that morning they'd only just started to open their presents when his dad had been called away for something urgent. He'd promised to be back later but it wasn't the same, it was two years in a row then that his dad hadn't been there for present opening. His mum hadn't looked pleased and for a few seconds Albus had allowed himself to feel hopeful that she could convince his dad to stay, to his - and James and Lily's - disappointment it seemed to have gone the other way around, his dad must have convinced her it was important because she didn't look upset when she came back from the kitchen, she did look concerned though but didn't say why.
They were going to their grandparents as usual, Albus supposed his dad would just have to meet them there again. Uncle Charlie was already there as was Uncle Percy with Molly and Lucy, Uncle Billy and Aunt Fleur were already there with Dom and Louis too but Vic wasn't, she and Teddy had moved into an apartment together for their Auror training so had to come in their own time. After being hugged several times by the adults they were shooed away by his mother who wanted to talk to the other adults alone, he went over to sit with his cousins instead who seemed to be in mixed spirits. Molly and Louis were cheerful enough as they chatted about Quidditch while Dom and Lucy didn't look particularly happy.
"What's up?" Albus asked as he sat down with them and forced a smile while Dom started scribbling down on parchment, James and Carver went over to Molly and Louis to complain about Scorpius and Latimer being on the team, "its Christmas, turn that frown upside down, Luce."
"I can't," Lucy told him monotonously, "I have no magic and my mother is dead."
"Aurelius says its not the end of the world to have no magic," Dom piped up while still writing, "muggles have perfectly happy lives without it, you can still be involved with the magical world. Aurelius' brother Romulus was a squib and he actually wanted to be the first squib Minister for Magic, he wanted to create better cooperation between the muggle and magical world, he thought Wizardkind would be less prejudiced against muggles, muggle-borns and squibs if they were less cut off from the muggle world and had more of an understanding of what it was like. He wanted to turn his lack of magic into a strength to make the world a better place. You have to be less negative, Lucy."
"Judging from everything that happened its pretty obvious Romulus failed."
"Unfortunately he died before he turned seventeen. But my point is you shouldn't act like its the end of the world that you have no magic, it sucks but you have to adapt," Dom pointed out and Lucy gave a derisive snort but said nothing, Dom seemed unfazed as she simply carried on writing.
"Writing a letter to your boyfriend?" James wondered mockingly to which Dom blinked in surprise.
"No its for Aurelius, why the hell would I write a letter to my boyfriend? Then he might write back, he's really nice but really boring. Aurelius is much more interesting but still really nice, Christmas is a difficult time for him and I wasn't allowed to invite him to spend Christmas with us - even though I'm of age now so I should be able to invite who I want - so I'm writing him as much as possible to try keep his spirits up."
"I will give you money if you stop talking about Aurelius," Lily complained to which Dom raised an eyebrow.
"Well in that case maybe I should give you money to stop talking about how you get to go to Hogwarts next year."
"Its only eight months and one week away now, not a year."
"My point precisely but whatever, I'm going to send this and then see what the adults are talking about."
"Everyone gets to go to Hogwarts but me," Lucy whispered miserably while Dom stood up and left.
Albus felt left out after that, Lily chatted with Lucy as they were quite close, James chatted with his friend Carver and Molly continued chatting with Louis about Quidditch practices but Albus was alone. Glumly he wondered if Michael would have came if they hadn't fought near the start of term, on one hand he'd forgiven Scorpius for ruining his face so he couldn't be the type to hold a grudge but on the other they hadn't exactly resolved their issue, Michael had never said he forgave him.
Maybe Albus would apologize again and see what Michael said, the Quidditch World Cup was in the summer and he was hoping he could invite him and Scorpius to that, Rose and Abby were already going so he didn't need to invite them but he'd have his friends which would be awesome and if Michael saw his family weren't so bad then maybe he'd come for Christmas, Albus wouldn't have to endure James and Carver all by himself and Michael wouldn't have to be all alone, win-win. Although if Professor Vipera was staying for Christmas than it was completely the opposite and Michael was the lucky one, he sighed dreamily, she was so beautiful.
Uncle George and Aunt Angelina arrived next with Freddie and Roxy, Roxy joining the girls in chatting while Freddie joined Louis and Molly. Before they'd finished hugging each other though, Teddy and Vic arrived with Andromeda, they all joined the adults in the kitchen. Albus was still feeling very left out, kicking himself for not convincing Michael to stay with him for Christmas and wishing Uncle Ron wouldn't make Rose be the last one there. Finally Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione arrived with Rose and Hugo, after hugs and hellos the adults also joined the others in the kitchen while Hugo and Rose joined him, at least he was glad to see that Uncle Ron seemed to have recovered from his attack last year. Carver was looking very out of place in a sea of Weasley sweaters.
"About time," Albus grumbled to his cousins, "why is everyone taking forever today?"
"Well you know Dad," Rose shrugged, "besides we're having dinner later today because Aunt Gabrielle is working this morning at St Mungo's so there's no rush, that's what Mum said, probably why they're not really cooking yet."
"Then why do we still have to be here at lunchtime?!"
"Someone's grouchy today," Hugo commented unhelpfully and Albus shot him a frustrated look.
"And where's Cel then?"
"Working with Uncle Harry."
"Yeah," Rose nodded and sat up a little straighter, "one of the professors at Hogwarts died earlier this morning, the Aurors might have had something to do with it so its a big deal."
"Not Professor Vipera, please tell me its not Professor Vipera?!" Albus burst out fearfully, not daring to breath until Rose shook her head.
"No, some Trelawny woman."
"That's such a relief!"
"Erm... some lady still died," Hugo pointed out and Albus scowled, that had probably sounded a lot more callous than he'd meant it too.
"I know and that's very sad."
Thankfully he was spared from having to try to guiltily explain himself further by someone else stepping through the fireplace, it was Albus' Dad and he would have ran to hug him if a silver gazelle hadn't taken that moment to bound in from... Albus hadn't been looking. It was incredible, it seemed wispier than Ashain's Patronus but Albus was still impressed. And jealous. He couldn't wait to nail that spell and see what his Patronus animal was.
"Someone found Lysander," the gazelle spoke to them in Aunt Gabrielle's voice, "he's alive and alright, Luna and Rolf are already here with him. Come as soon as you can, Harry, you wanted to be informed. I'm sorry I didn't contact you sooner, I was taking care of him. No sign of Lorcan but Lysander is alive and well. Repeat, Lysander is alive and well."
Maurice took a deep breath as he opened the door and left his neat minimalistic bedroom, heading down the corridor to the kitchen where predictably he knew his father would be. Sitting at one of the stools at the pass through, the apartment they'd been given since moving to England wasn't particularly big and lacked a study for his father. Roman Rivers was pouring over papers for his work, scribbling away although his eyebrow twitched which tended to be an indication he was aware of his presence.
Maurice walked over and deposited the stack of parchment beside his father, he paused only to flick his brown eyes at the pile before going back to his work. Maurice put a hand over his translator necklace, focusing his energy to make it work, he knew it worked because he could feel it vibrating slightly between his fingers and feel it sapping his strength. He already felt physically drained and sore from the blood quill, why not mentally drained as well?
"I completed the essay you asked me to write about my failure," Maurice said, or hoped he said anyway, the amulet didn't translate his own words but he trusted himself to speak by then, his father and his first school had done a good job of drilling it into him and making sure he spoke as articulately as a hearing person. His father's lips moved in reply and the solid white words formed around his head for Maurice to read.
Good, his father told him simply and flicked his wand with his free hand, tossing the parchment into the flames of the nearby fire to be torn apart.
"You're not going to read it?"
No
"But I spent days writing it. What was the purpose if you didn't want to read it?"
The purpose of writing it was to make you think about why you're failing and ways to improve it. The purpose of the blood quill is to punish you for your failure. There is no point to my reading it. Its your job to succeed without my help
"Okay," Maurice nodded trying not to feel bothered, his father had a point and his father was right. It was necessary he suffered to succeed, he just wished it didn't hurt so much and that his father didn't seem to care. His father pulled out a book about Patronus' from the drawer beside him and dumped it beside his papers.
Next task is to copy that book out with the blood quill. Let the words sink in on how to do it
"Do I have to right now? Its Christmas."
I'm aware of the date Maurice. It has not significance to us
"Corin's going back to France to be with his mother, his father is going to because its the Yule Ball. The Weasleys and Potters have a big celebration."
Why would I know what the Weasleys and Potters do. Percy always convinced my sister to force me to stay in that hellish Hogwarts for the holidays. He made it brutally clear to me as a child that I wasn't welcome
His father's words were no different as the necklace failed to take into account like tone of voice or sarcasm and didn't punctuate beyond pauses but from the expression on his father's face, he was angry. Maurice was tempted to back off but what did he have to lose really? He was going to have to write with the blood quill again regardless, he was stinging all over already. Not just his hands and wrists, Michael didn't know - not even Corin knew - the blood quill scars extended far beyond his wrists.
"Did you ever consider that the reason I have such trouble with the Patronus charm is because I don't have happy memories to call on?" Maurice wondered, his father paused again and glanced at him expressionlessly, "its all studying and practicing and writing, even if I succeed at anything its not good enough so its not really a success or a good memory."
Do you ever consider the reason you have so much trouble is just because you're not trying hard enough
"I always try as best I can, I'm the top of my class for everything except flying and Orous is only as good as me at practical spells."
I told you not to say that boy's name in front of me
"Well I'm not calling him the boy, he's my friend," Maurice protested defensively and his father gave him a dark look but it wasn't something he would sway on.
The Patronus spell is important. It casts aside Specters. You need to be able to do that so you can protect yourself. I can't protect you. Maurice. I can't. Not forever and probably not even now. Not from Shadows and not from Specters. At the end of the day the only person you can count on is yourself. I can't save you. Your friends can't save you. There's a war going on. A war that is going to shake this world and no one can avoid it and no one can protect you from it. You're going to have to pick a side along with everyone else and whatever side you pick you'll be in danger and you damn well better be prepared
"I understand that, I just don't understand why we can never do... good things or anything fun. What's the point in fighting to survive this war if all there is this all the time? Why can't we just for today do something normal and together and nice and not... not painful with the blood quill like the other people do."
Because you're deaf. You're not normal so you don't get to do normal things like we would if you could hear
"And we never do Christmas presents either."
Materialistic possessions are meaningless. They won't help in the war and only cloud your focus. I give you things you need to survive
"I know but this is giving gifts to others not yourself, I think the concept that someone means enough to you that put effort into getting them something is worthwhile," Maurice explained and his father just looked at him with an unreadable expression, "I went out and got my friends gifts at Diagon Alley the other day for the first time."
I don't recall giving you permission to that
"I didn't realize I needed your permission," Maurice pointed out truthfully, his father had never specifically said that he needed permission to leave the house, he clearly hadn't noticed Maurice had even left either so he didn't see why his father looked angry.
I told you before not to look at me like your mother. Its bad enough you're related to that bitch without looking like her and reminding me of her. Getting your friends gifts was foolish. You shouldn't get attached to people who are just going to die in the war
"They won't die."
Two muggle-borns and a half-breed won't last long. Malfoy and the boy are pure-bloods but they're pretty much doomed to die
"What makes you think Orous is a pure-blood? He could be a half-blood, he knows his father was a wizard but not his blood status," Maurice offered and his father gave him a strange look that replaced his anger.
I would think he has to be as naturally talented with magic as he is, especially with his albinism. Now get to work or you can copy the book twice instead. You've stalled long enough and I have work to do
His father seemed to have decided the conversation was over, he waved his hand dismissively and went back to what he was writing. Normally Maurice would have picked up the book and walked off but there was still one thing and really his main reason for going to see his father in the first place, finishing the essay was just an excuse. He did pick up the book so it was out of the way and pulled an object out of his pocket, placing it down where the book had been. It must have made a sound because his father looked back up at the object, it was a globular glass paperweight he'd bought for his father with the Roman Colosseum inside.
"I got this for you. I didn't know what you'd like so I got you this paperweight, I thought it might be useful because you have so many papers that you're always writing. I got one with the Colosseum because its ancient and you work with ancient artifacts and things, also because its Roman and you're name's Roman," Maurice explained awkwardly but his father's expression remained completely blank as he simply stared at the paperweight, Maurice hoped he was speaking loud enough to be heard, he should be but his father didn't look like he was hearing him, "Merry Christmas, Father."
Maurice turned to walk away, letting go of his necklace to free himself from the draining feeling. He wished - not for the first time - that he was closer to his father and that his father actually liked him, if he was good enough then his father would like him but nothing ever was, even when he managed a Patronus there'd be something he could of done better. There always was. He felt a hand grasp his wrist, he tried not to cringe as it made the words he'd just cut into his skin sear with pain as his father pulled him back to face him. He looked at Maurice for a second, opening his mouth but no words came out, or at least none that Maurice could hear. Roman shook his head and let him go abruptly, waving him off again to go back to his punishment.
Maurice suppressed the urge to cry - crying was weak and he couldn't be weak, not even when he was alone - as he returned to his neat little room, sitting down at his desk with the spare parchment already ready. He flipped open the book and picked up the blood quill, he took a deep breath and braced himself for the pain as he put pen to parchment once more and watched his blood spell the words being engraved on his skin and into his mind. Sometimes he wished he was anyone else but him.
Abby had been looking forward to the holidays but had also been worried about how it would go with her father getting his prosthetic arm, she thought she'd only just gotten used to seeing him without his left arm before he got the prosthetic. It was made of some dark wood but was magically charmed - of course - to make it more useful and as much like a real arm as possible, it had been crafted to be able to bend and rotate similar to the way a real arm could but could actually go further such as being able to rotate his elbow three-hundred and sixty degrees. Her dad had had trouble controlling it at first but the healers insisted he just needed to get used to it, he was still quite clumsy but was getting more better as the days passed.
She was glad, she'd had fears it wouldn't work or something would go wrong but it was usable and her dad just seemed pleased to be able to use his left side again. She did like being home for the holidays, she missed her younger brother - August, mother and now sister while she was in school and even though Nick and her dad were in Hogwarts with her, it wasn't the same, she didn't get to speak to Nick much and the most she saw her dad was in class when he was 'professor' not 'dad.' But seeing her parents and August reminded her always just made her hate the Shadows even more for nearly taking them from her, she never had been a particularly hate-filled person before but she truly hated the Shadows with a ferocity she surprised herself. She tried not to think about though, there was nothing she could do about it.
Christmas had started off good, they'd traveled by Portkey to Beauxbatons to see Heather and while Abby was disappointed to be unable to see the outside of the building - not yet anyway - but it was nice inside. She hadn't put much stock in Corin's exaggerated bragging on how wonderful Beauxbatons was but at least in appearance, he hadn't been wrong. The school seemed designed to impressed, the walls were flawlessly free of blemishes or scratches or marks, the decor all seemed extremely neat and very bright, lots of light and lots of stained glass windows. They'd also received word via patronus that Lysander had been found and was alright, it was great news except for Lorcan still being missing. It was only when they were leaving that things had gone south, her dad had wanted to thank Madame Maxime for allowing them to be there to see Heather before they left but something had been troubling her and naturally the adults had wanted to talk about it privately.
And so Abby and her brothers were waiting in immense boredom - they didn't have their gifts or anything to amuse themselves as their mum had put them back in the magically extended bag to bring back - for the conversation to finish. It had been over an hour.
"Well this sucks," Nick announced usefully, "there's a school full of people having fun dancing at the Yule Ball - including our dear sister - and we're stuck sitting on these stupid steps with nothing to do and no end in sight. Everyone else in the world is probably having a great Christmas but no, we're left alone and forgotten."
"Don't you think you're exaggerating slightly?" Abby wondered before Nick jumped up abruptly, "what are you doing?"
"Well I'm not going to sit around bored out of my skull for another minute, that's for sure. I'm going looking for something interesting, either of you care to join me?"
"Mum and Dad said to wait," August pointed out tow which Nick smirked and started walking away.
"If Mum and Dad want to be listened to then they shouldn't ditch us. So you two coming or not? We can see how Heather's ball is going, its probably started by now."
"We're not invited to that," Abby protested but Nick seemed not to hear, she exchanged a look with August who seemed to share her sentiments before racing after Nick, "didn't you hear me? We're not invited to the Yule Ball we can't just show up. And I don't think Heather would want us there anyway in case we ruin her day or evening. Whatever."
"Interesting reasoning. My counterargument is, better than being bored."
"Please, Nick, I don't want to get in trouble, I might get banned from going to Hogwarts next year," August whined and Abby started to hear music.
"You won't get in trouble, if we get caught then just say I tricked you into following me so you were doomed."
"How did you do that?"
"Simple, pretended I didn't hear so you'd run after then walk with me until you got lost and couldn't find the way back by yourself," Nick explained with another smirk and the trio came to a halt, August's big eyes looked around fearfully and Abby realized that was actually what Nick had done. She didn't know the way back from where they were, she wasn't even sure where they were as she hadn't been paying attention. Abby shot Nick a glare, August realized this too as he angrily whacked his brother's arm but Nick only laughed.
"You snakey ass!"
"Least you're not bored," Nick offered and continued walking with them forced to tag along.
"How do you even know where you're going?" Abby asked him frustratedly.
"Following the music."
It didn't actually take them long to get to the Yule Ball, the music got louder as they got closer as did her and August's protests for Nick to lead them back. He didn't. Abby was hoping someone would know how to get back if Nick still refused, at least they were hovering in the doorway just watching people dance instead of barging in and managing to ruin the dance and make fools out of themselves at the same time. She spotted Heather, dressed in the same pink dress as she'd shown them earlier with her blonde hair all done up beautifully in curls as she danced with some good-looking guy, Abby sighed as she wished she could look that pretty when she was Heather's age, she was so bland she blended into the background so that no one ever noticed her. August still looked bored though.
"Abby? What are you doing here?" Corin's voice questioned and Abby jumped in surprise as she noticed him coming over to them, he was looking rather elegant in his dress robes not that he didn't always hold himself with an air of superiority anyway.
"Nick got bored and dragged us here," August answered casting their brother a dark look.
"We're just having a nose," Nick confirmed, Corin looked at them curiously for a moment before shrugging while Nick watched the dance, "damn, you are so lucky to get to dance at this thing. I wish Molly was here."
"Why don't you dance?" Corin offered.
"Because we're not invited," Abby reaffirmed to which August nodded and Corin smiled.
"Well you are the siblings of the Hogwarts champion so as the Headmistress of Beauxbaton's son, I formally invite you three into the dance. Knock yourself out."
"I still can't, Molly's my girlfriend and she's not here," Nick pointed out regretfully.
"Well then ask someone else to dance, dancing isn't cheating," Corin assured him before taking out his wand and flicking it at Nick, immediately her brother's clothes became more formal looking and Nick looked intrigued as he studied the hall, "go ahead, it'll be fun."
"Do any of them speak English?"
"If they don't just ask someone to dance in French. Voulez-vous danser avec moi? Simple."
"Voulez-vous danser avec moi?" Nick repeated and Corin nodded, Nick grinned and ran his fingers through his hair to make it neater before going over to pretty girl standing alone. Abby was too far away to hear the conversation but the girl beamed at whatever Nick said and led him onto the dance floor.
"Is that true about it not being cheating to dance with other girls?" Abby asked disapprovingly of Corin who remained beside them with a wild grin.
"I have no idea," Corin told her brightly with a shrug, "it doesn't matter. If it is true then Nick's alright and nothing changes, if its not then Nick and Molly break up so Scor can go out with her instead. That would be better, would cheer him up."
"It wouldn't cheer Nick up," August pointed out darkly giving Corin a glare that didn't faze him, "dancing is stupid. Do you know how to get back to our parents?"
"Later. Me and Abby are talking. Did you have a nice Christmas?"
"Until our parents started talking to your mum and all this happened, yeah. You?"
"No. My parents had a fight."
"Was it because you're sneaky and mean?" August questioned and it was Corin's turn to shoot the boy a dark look.
"No it wasn't."
"Do you know what happened to worry your mother?" Abby asked as much out of curiosity as to keep the peace, someone had to do it without Michael around.
"Yes, a teacher at Hogwarts died. She may have been killed by Aurors so its kind of worrying," Corin explained, "Scor will be pleased though, he never did like those Aurors and turns out he was right to not to."
"You said may have not was. We don't know for sure."
"Well we should ask Michael when we get back, since he's there and all he'll probably know. On the bright side, if we're in just as much danger from the Aurors then they may not even keep them around. Would be nice to not constantly have them everywhere."
"That would make Scorpius even happier," Abby pointed out thoughtfully and sadly, she was afraid to ask which teacher had died. They stood in silence for a moment as Corin shifted nervously.
"So... Abby... Would you erm...would you like to dance with me?" Corin asked awkwardly and anxiously, Abby blinked in surprise, she had not been expecting that. Corin's face went beetroot red as he stared at his feet, "you know just as friends. Since your here and I'm here. When are we going to get to see another Yule Ball after all? Or at least one that I'm not a gazillion feet tall freak that no one would ever dance with. It just seems a waste of you being here and me having learned to dance. And its better than dancing with someone you know than with strangers. If you want. Me, I couldn't care less. Its not a big deal."
"Well I would but I don't really know how to dance."
"I can teach you," Corin offered hopefully as his head shot up, he cringed back, "I mean, if you like. It'd pass the time and you'd know for next time."
"I'm not dressed up nice though," Abby admitted glancing down at her skirt and Christmas sweater in comparison to the pretty dresses the other girls were wearing, Corin seemed surprised.
"You don't need to dress up nice to dance, you look nicer than most of them even without a fancy dress," Corin told her and Abby felt herself blushing furiously as was Corin, August was looking amused, "nevermind. Forget I said anything."
"Okay," Abby said quietly offering Corin her hand before she could change her mind, he looked surprised before smiling as he started to lead her onto the dance floor while August groaned and muttered something about hating dancing, "teach me how to dance as friends."
"Oui, mademoiselle. Joyeux Noel et bonne annee."
