"if you're looking for an angle…" - Scorpius Malfoy

"How are you feeling?" Rose Weasley asked him with the right amount of concern in her voice for it to pass off as genuine. He knew different however. He knew people, knew her better than anyone, and he knew that she was silently fuming, confused, considering her allegiance. It didn't matter that they were family, it never had really. The Weasley's and the Potter's, the biggest con of them all, he though wryly. None of them could stand each other if they were being honest with themselves. But they stuck together, they hung out with each other, they joked, took the piss, backed each other up. Because that was what was expected from them. The Weasley's and the Potter's, the symbols of Gryffindor pride, the symbol of the light. Here they were for all to see.

And here they were.

"I'm fine." Albus replied curtly, weaving his way through the corridors, moving slower than usual. His injuries had yet to heal, he was still a shell of his former self. He was having the nightmares again, the ones he hadn't had since he was a first year. His father, his mother, his brother. The Potter's. And those eyes, the eyes of the girl who he couldn't get out of his head, in fact he didn't want to. He'd heard about what she'd done to Dom, strung her up, called her a cunt, threatened his whole family. All it gave him was a sense of pride in the woman. She was everything everyone else wasn't.

He was probably in love with her, he thought.

Maybe.

He had nothing to compare it to.

But for now, such thoughts had to be forgotten. He had finally been released from the hospital wing and had managed to complete a day of lessons, not that he needed them. He had been capable of acing next years NEWTS since the age of 13. But that wasn't enough anymore. It wasn't enough to just be a genius. Not when Scorpius Malfoy and now Eleonora Jago existed on the same plain, but so far in the distance, so far beyond him. And now it was public knowledge. Albus Potter was third best. Gryffindor was inferior. Rose did not want to take this lying down.

"We have to hit back Albus," she was saying. "Do you even realise the damage you've done by losing that duel?"

He sighed inwardly, wishing it would all just go away. Why him? Why did it have to be him. Why couldn't his surname have been Jones or Chang or Brown or Macmillan?

The worst thing was though, he knew she was right. As much as he had claimed to Eleonora just how sick of all of this he was, as much as he knew himself to be above it all, it had still happened on his watch. It was still embarrassing and dangerous. They all had to live here.

"And what do you suggest cousin?"

"I dunno, but it's got to be big, bigger than anything ever seen before in this castle."

"Don't forget what this castle has seen Rose," Albus warned. "War and death, everything. So don't get too ahead of yourself."

"Whatever," she dismissed as they came to the fat lady, muttering the password and climbing through the hole. "It needs to be big Albus." she threw over her shoulder.

Albus sighed as he followed her in. He just wanted to sleep, just wanted to rest. He clambered into the common room uneasily, brushing himself off before he looked up to see his whole house staring back at him and Rose, who was looking around suspiciously.

"What's going on?" Rose demanded loudly

The sea of angry faces parted to reveal a smirking figure on an armchair by the fire, legs crossed, cigarette in one hand, firewhisky in the other, crowned in a haze of smoke.

"So Albus," Scorpius Malfoy grinned. "I want to hear all about your first day back."

There was silence in the common room. Even Scorpius Malfoy had never been this bold. To walk straight into the lions den, with seemingly no backup and not a care in the world was exactly something he would do, but still.

"Everyone out," Albus growled. "MOVE!"

The crowd of Gryffindor's began to slowly and reluctantly disperse out of the common room.

"Weasley stays, at least for this first part." Malfoy instructed towards Rose who had yet to leave Albus' side.

"She stays then so do I." Tommy Finnegan scowled, moving to her side.

"Sorry Finnegan, it's a no from me on that one I'm afraid," Scorpius dismissed. "You are not at all necessary here …. Well actually I'm not sure there's ever been or will be a situation in which your presence is necessary …."

"I swear to God Malfoy …." Finnegan raged, drawing his wand.

"Oh God, he's actually drawn his wand!" Scorpius exclaimed to Albus and Rose. "He's actually done it! Just how thick are you Tommy, I mean, really? Cos, it's bordering on the mentally deficient I think."

"Shut up Malfoy." Rose growled.

"Is that what you're into Rosie?" Scorpius sneered at her. "You like them a bit special?"

"You fucking …" Finnegan attempted to slash his wand but as he brought it down it had disappeared, leaving him clutching at air with a bewildered expression.

"Now, where could that have gone!" Scorpius mock exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Give him it back Malfoy." Albus sighed.

"As you wish." Scorpius shrugged, flicking his wand and causing Finnegan himself to vanish into thin air like his wand, much to Albus and Rose's shock.

"The fuck?" Rose began to shout.

"Relax," Scorpius replied casually before taking a sip of his drink. "Just a teleportation spell. Him and his wand are just outside the door."

"Teleportation spells aren't possible." Rose frowned.

"No, they are not possible for people who aren't me." Scorpius smirked back.

"You astound us again with your capabilities Malfoy," Albus said dryly, doing his best to hide how impressed he was, causing Scorpius to laugh and nod his head appreciatively. "Relax Rose, Tommy will be fine. Now, what is this little amateur dramatics show all about then?"

"I wanted to hear about your first day back!" Scorpius pouted. "Make sure the old brain and body are still up to scratch."

"I'm touched by your concern."

"Well, when I hear my old pal Albus Potter is in a spot of bother, I have to stop by and see if I can be of any help."

"Shall we cut the bullshit Malfoy?" Albus cut in, so very tiredly. "What is it that you're here for?"

"So, I do admit that I have perhaps another motive for coming here. Three others in fact."

"A whole three?" Albus gasped sarcastically.

"Yes indeed." Scorpius smirked.

"Get the fuck on with it Malfoy." Rose said angrily. It was clear that she was in no mood.

"You know what your problem is Rosie?" Scorpius sneered. "You lack basic manners."

"You're the problem here Malfoy."

"No, I am the solution."

"Solution to what?"

"Everything." he smiled broadly.

"You're an arrogant prick Malfoy, who's gonna get it. You think Gryffindor are going to take this lying down? You think ….."

"That's exactly what I think you're going to do Rosie." Scorpius interrupted lightly. "Your house is going to lie down and accept that you have lost. You will not retaliate. If you do, I will bring the whole of Slytherin down on you so hard that you won't ever be able to get up from underneath us."

"Pull the other one Malfoy," Albus attempted to sneer back, but his heart wasn't in it, not really. "Everyone knows you don't lead your house, so what's this about?"

"It's cos his little sidekicks gone rogue," Rose smirked, thinking she had the upper hand. "Everyone knows you two have um 'broken up' as it were. He's making his move, making sure she doesn't take his place."

"Mine and Elle's relationship is none of your business Weasley," Scorpius snapped back, showing a hint of anger for the first time. "And do you really think it's appropriate to label her a sidekick after she just duelled and beat your cousin here?"

"What's going on here Malfoy?" Albus questioned again tiredly, so sick of it all. "Rose is right. After all these long years, you're stepping up now? Assuming the leadership that we all know you should have claimed when you first set foot in this castle? It could have all been yours years ago, I know that and you know that. All those years of isolation, of indifference? No, come on Malfoy, I know you. You've never wanted it. Never wanted this. There's always another motive with you, always something below the surface. So what is it you really want, because again, I don't buy it. I really don't, and I can't be bothered to sit here and work it all out. So for once in our relationship, can we just be fucking honest with each other?"

Scorpius looked at him for a while, those cold grey eyes appraising him. It was awful to see a hint of pity in them.

"She really did a number on you didn't she Albus?" Scorpius said quietly after a long pause.

"I'm fine." Albus repeated what he had been repeating for what seemed like forever, but even he knew he sounded unconvincing. Eleonora Jago had broken him, maybe in a good way.

"You disappoint me Potter," Scorpius sneered, his sympathetic eyes being replaced by steel. "But then again, that's just what you do isn't it? You let down your house, your family, your friends. Such a disappointment."

"Shut up Malfoy." Rose attempted to interrupt before Albus raised a hand to stop her.

"What do you want Malfoy?" he repeated.

"To see this," Scorpius grinned back. "You, alone, defeated, fucking broken."

"Well here I am," Albus spread his arms. "Here I am, get a good look."

Scorpius smirked at him and dropped his cigarette on the carpet, using his shoe to stub it out, eyes never leaving Albus'. And then, he was back to business.

"I meant what I said. Gryffindor will not retaliate. Take this as a warning. My motivations are my own and they will stay that way. Now, let's move on to the more serious business. Firstly, you will tell your sister to stay away from Elle…."

Albus couldn't hide the shock and surprise on his face. Lily? What?

"Oh," a evil smile grew on Scorpius' face. "Don't tell me you didn't know? Oh yes, Lily and Eleonora have been playing out their own version of Romeo and Juliet right under your nose."

"You're lying." Albus managed to splutter out, looking across at Rose for support, who just stared back blankly. "You knew?"

"No, I didn't know, but I thought something …."

"AND YOU DIDN'T FUCKING TELL ME!" Albus exploded, could feel his heart burn, his head ache.

"I thought it was just a crush on Lily's part, I had no idea anything was going on!" Rose replied in a small voice.

"GET OUT!" Albus yelled, but Rose stood stock still, seemingly terrified.

"I must say, you're not taking this at all well," Scorpius chuckled. "Makes me think that maybe…."

He tried to stop it, he really did. Tried to arrange his features to neutral, tried to wish away his outburst. But Albus could only watch as the realisation dawned on Malfoy's face.

"…No fucking way!" Scorpius exclaimed, his face lighting with amusement and surprise. "Oh God, this is too much, too fucking much! You …. Her? I did not see that coming!"

"What's he talking about Albus?" Rose asked, but Albus couldn't respond. How could he have been so stupid? What was he thinking?

"Time to go Rosie I'm afraid," Scorpius managed to choke out through his laughter. "Me and Albus here need to talk some things through, Oprah style."

"But….."

"Seriously, leave now before I just make you leave myself. Have some dignity for fuck sake." Scorpius laughed at her.

"You're a prick Malfoy," she shot a him before making for the door with a glance at Albus. "A grade A fucking prick!"

Then she was gone and it was just Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy alone at last.

The way everyone suspected it would end.

"So, Potter….." Scorpius smirked mischievously after a while.

"So what Malfoy?" Albus said angrily.

"Just what the hell were you thinking!" Scorpius laughed. "Fucking Eleonora fucking Jago? Are you mental?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Albus responded, but again he wasn't convincing anyone.

"Yes, I'm sure you don't," Scorpius grinned sarcastically. "Jesus Potter. That's so fucked up. Firstly, you know she's gay right?"

"Bi." Albus shot back quickly causing Scorpius to laugh at his desperation seeped tone.

"No, she's gay. Trust me, I know her better than anyone has or ever will. I know that girl better than anyone has ever known anyone. And she's gay. Sure, she's messed around with blokes, but that's just her. Curious. Nothing more than that."

"Fine."

"And secondly," Scorpius pressed on, thoroughly enjoying himself. "She's a bloody Slytherin, your sworn enemy, my best friend. God, you Potter's are such clichés….."

"Are you coming to a point here or shall I just throw you out?"

"Like to see you try. Well yes there's a point. I want your sister to stay away from Elle as I said, your fault for sidetracking me with your pathetic little crush."

"Why?" Albus asked, but he was ready to do exactly as Malfoy said both for practical and personal reasons. He couldn't see his sister with her. He couldn't.

"Because it will not end well for either of them. We know that, I'm sure Elle knows that, but I'm making sure. Even I can concede that Lily doesn't deserve to be drawn into all this. In my opinion you should get her as far away from all this as possible, send her to fucking Beauxbatons or something, let her live a life you know?"

"And does Eleonora know you're controlling her life?"

Albus knew he'd finally hit a mark when Scorpius winced slightly, not at all obviously, but he had. He took a long while to respond.

"I'm doing it all for her," he said quietly. "She'll see that eventually…."

"Fine, it's done." Albus attempted to wrap up. He could see the hint of distress on Malfoy's face, the first time he had ever seen any weakness in the man in front of him. He could understand. Eleonora had got under his skin as well.

But Lily?

He was torn between anger and understanding. If he took a step back, he would be able to see it more clearly, he knew that. Would be able to comprehend how it had all happened. I mean, of course she fell for her. Why wouldn't she? She represented everything their family wasn't, represented a certain danger too. Poor, sheltered Lily never stood a chance against that. Maybe he should have been more hard on her, he should have forced Lily to toughen up, to step up with her family. She was a Gryffindor right? It was in there, she just needed the push. But they hadn't. Him, James and Rose, they'd never took her seriously enough. Allowed her to hide, protected her from anything, never allow her to make the same mistakes they had. Because they loved her more than any, maybe they wished they could all be more like her. He knew Lily saw her shy and weaker nature as a character flaw, but the truth was that it was her main strength. Her kindness and her compassion not allowing her to start fights and begin wars.

But Eleonora Jago?

What right did she have? He was Lily's brother, they were her family, but Elle? She had no right, no right to drag her into this. Felt anger at the girl, undoubtedly blinded by jealously, but also justification. The fact that Scorpius Malfoy was here at all betrayed the fact that something was going on, something serious. Lily could not be involved in it. He wouldn't allow it.

"Well, if that's everything ….." Albus sighed, gesturing to the portrait hole.

"So eager for this conversation to end Albus," Scorpius sighed. "I'm starting to think that this relationship is all one way…."

"You haven't embarrassed me enough for one day?"

"You've embarrassed yourself Potter," Scorpius snapped back. "This is all on you, you know that right? Which brings us on to this duel…"

"I lost, she won. End of." Albus dismissed, not willing to dredge it up again. He'd had enough of that.

"Wrong, not end of," Scorpius corrected. "You see, despite the fact that you are a bit dim, you have in the past been known to be correct occasionally. Only occasionally mind. You know it was supposed to be me, right? I was supposed to duel you and beat you, not her."

"What difference does it make?"

"All the difference in the world. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that you have no idea what happened. In fact, I have a pretty good idea myself, but I need some confirmation."

"What are you talking about?" Albus said wearily. He just wanted to sleep.

"You think Rufus Edwards has the balls to switch me for her in front of my face? You really think he'd be that bold? I know how Rufus works, and that is not his style. He went through an awful lot of effort to get me to agree to it, so why would he switch it at the last minute to someone who shouldn't have had a chance? You should have beaten her Potter, you were expected to beat her. Now that means that somebody has a vested interest in keeping Slytherin house in check, keeping them at the bottom of the pile, whilst at the same time attempting to get into my head. This was no accident. This was planned."

"I'm sick of these games and riddles Malfoy. What has any of this got to do with me?"

"Think about it Potter, who does Rufus answer to? Who does he spend his days keeping sweet?"

"I don't ….." Albus trailed off, as he answered the question in his mind and saw exactly where Malfoy was going. "Ah ….. The Wolf himself."

"Exactly. Teddy Lupin. Unity needs Slytherin to be at the arse end of this castle. They need us beaten, persecuted, all of that. Because if we aren't then they have no cause. They need the support. And Hogwarts is their main recruiting ground."

"So, Teddy told Rufus to switch duellers. He tried to fix the whole thing."

"That is what I suspect," Scorpius confirmed. "And this puts me in a bit of a bind you see. Because Teddy Lupin has disappeared and I really need to make him see the error of his ways but I can't find hide nor hair of him, none of my contacts can. Now, if I had a couple of weeks, I would be able to get to him, but alas, my time is precious. That is where you come in Potter."

"What?"

"I need you to set up a meeting with him. God, I'm getting a sense of de ja vu ….Anyway, from what I gather, he is particularly fond of your sister if you're looking for an angle…."

"Why the fuck would I help you Malfoy?" Albus responded angrily. The cheek of this man. Destroy his life and then ask for help?

"Because of what I said earlier. If you help me do this, then you can disregard those comments. Things will go back to how they were. You're right, I have no interest in leading my house in this castle. I have no interest at all. And if you do this for me, then I won't. I'll step back, let the status quo slowly re-emerge. It will take time, but it will happen. How could it not? Without me, Slytherin has nothing."

"It has Eleonora."

"I speak for Elle on this as well." Scorpius replied, but Albus saw through the lie.

But he knew he was being given a lifeline. It hurt, it was humiliating, but it was a lifeline. Scorpius was right, if Slytherin was left in Rufus' hands then they would slowly disintegrate again and Gryffindor would be back on top. It was how it had always worked. And Albus couldn't pass that up.

Then came the clincher. Scorpius Malfoy was playing him like a fucking violin.

"I want it set for Saturday. Feel free to tag along if you have nothing better to do." Scorpius offered with a grin.

He wanted to see him. He wanted to see Teddy Lupin just once more. Wanted to ask him why, ask him how he could turn his back on all of them. He knew Malfoy knew that, but he was powerless to stop it.

"I might just do that Malfoy," Albus yawned, disguising his unease. "Now, please tell me you're going to piss off now…"

"Just one more thing," Scorpius said, his expression turning. The room got colder, the firelight seem to dim until his eyes were grey specks in the darkness. "Whatever you saw in her head, whatever you were witness to in the last moments of that stupid duel, you will never, ever repeat it to anyone, understand?"

"Of course I won't." Albus replied, offended that even his enemy would think that of him.

"Good. Because if you do, then I swear to God I will kill you, understand?" Scorpius finished.

Albus was afraid of him, he realised that now. Not because of the threats, he'd had plenty of them before, not because of what he could do. No, he was afraid of Scorpius Malfoy because he finally understood the lengths he would go to for Eleonora Jago. Perhaps he'd been guilty in the past of seeing them as a sort of forced marriage, two individuals who clung to each other because they had no-one else, two lost souls who just happened to share some common interests. But now he saw how wrong he had been. Scorpius Malfoy and Eleonora Jago were forever entwined with each other and they would always be so. Petty crushes and other friendships were so insignificant in comparison. He found himself even more jealous of them.

But the thing that frightened him most?

The thing that scared him most was that when it came to her, Scorpius Malfoy had no limits. And one day the entire world was going to pay the price for that fact.