Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter.
Note: Sorry these updates are taking so long lately. Life got busy, and classes are starting again for me. I promise though, I'm doing my best for you guys! Also, I'm really sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes. I try to edit these when I have time, but I'm so tired lately that I'm sure I've missed things! Anyways, read and enjoy!
Rebel Malfoy
Chapter Thirty-Five: What's Mine is Mine, Not Theirs
"I hate school!" Rex groaned as he dropped his head onto the table. "I hate classes! I hate homework! I hate exams!" He banged his head on the wood with every statement.
The guys were sitting around a table in the common room, attempting to get homework done, and revise a little for their N.E.W.T.s… It wasn't going that well.
"I can't even pronounce this potion, how the hell am I supposed to know how to make it, and what it does!" Mitch groaned.
"At least you don't have to remember ten ways a certain plant could kill you, and write an essay about it!" Lars muttered as he worked on Herbology.
Scorpius looked around the common room, hopeful. And he smirked when he found who he was looking for. "Hold on, guys. I might have saved our potions problems."
"And mine?" Lars asked as Scorpius got up.
"You're on your own," Scorpius quipped as he walked over to the fireplace. Sitting around it were the fifth years, along with Hugo as usual. They were laughing about something, and a large pile of candy laid across the table.
"Hey, Scor!" Hunter greeted as he noticed his approach.
Scorpius smirked, especially when he looked down to Lily, who was chewing on a licorice wand. "Hello. Mind if I steal you away for a moment?"
Lily raised a brow, but nodded and stood up. "What for?" she asked as she followed him back to the table.
"Scorpius has brought the savior!" Mitch cheered with a relieved grin.
"As you can see, we're having troubles with a potions essay," Scorpius explained as he pulled over an extra chair for her.
Lily nodded, and looked at Rex. "Has it killed Rex there?"
"Practically," Rex muttered without even lifting his head.
Lily took Scorpius book to see the page he was on. "You boys are having trouble with the Volubilis Potion? It's so simple!"
"To a genius, maybe!" Rex quipped as he finally sat back up. "We common folk don't get it!"
Justin sighed. "Can you help?"
Lily nodded. "Of course. What's the trouble, exactly?"
"Everything!" Rex groaned.
"Start with the basics, please," Mitch agreed. "Like, what does it even do?"
Lily rolled her eyes, but began to explain. Like the others, Scorpius listened attentively and took down notes to make his essay with. But he couldn't help but also admire his girlfriend as she spoke. She was definitely in her element, as she didn't even need his textbook to explain this potion to them. Actually, he was sure that she was telling them more than even the book could.
He was always amazed at how smart she was, not just with potions, but with any subject. He would admit that he wasn't the top of their class. He knew what he knew, excelled where he wanted, but he was no genius or overachiever. He loved how she was without even really trying.
Scorpius sighed as he looked back to his notes. There was that word again, coming back to his head. Love. After talking with the others and trying to get advice, he was still trying to figure out his feelings, and what exactly they were.
"Could you live without her?"
It had only taken him the rest of the night to come to an answer to Mitch's question. No. He couldn't live without her. Just the thought . . . it sort of hurt. Immensely. He hated the idea . . . He couldn't even really imagine it. He'd tried, but it seemed impossible to image. But . . . did that mean he loved her? Was that true love?
"Scorpius?"
Scorpius blinked as he quickly turned to Lily, who was looking at him. "I'm sorry?"
Lily sighed as she took his quill, and began to mark on his notes. "I said that you don't want to stir it that long in your directions. Stir it too long and it's bound to start bubbling and eventually overflow."
Scorpius gulped. "Oh. Sorry. My mistake."
"Scorpius! Scorpius, wait up!"
Scorpius stopped and turned in the hallway to see Hugo jogging his way. "Oh, hey, Hugh. What's up? I was on my way to Quidditch practice."
Hugo nodded. "Yeah, I figured. That's where Lil said she was going. But, I wanted to ask you for a bit of advice . . . away from the girls, your girlfriend and my cousin included."
Scorpius raised a brow as they began to walk again. "Advice? On what?"
Hugo adjusted his hat. "Well . . . the thing is . . . I'm trying to figure out a way . . ." He scowled, then looked at Scorpius with a serious look. "Can this stay between us for the time being?"
Scorpius felt his curiosity rise. What was so important to keep a secret that Hugo would talk to him about it and not Lily? "Of course. Now what is it?"
Hugo sighed. "I want to ask Lola out," he stated.
Scorpius stopped to look at him, but then laughed a little. "That's the big secret?"
Hugo scowled again. "Very funny."
Scorpius placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not laughing at you. Just that . . . well I'm not surprised by it."
Hugo looked at him with surprise now. "Really? You knew?"
"The attraction between you and Lola is obvious to many. I just figured it wouldn't be long until you made a move," Scorpius explained as they stepped outside. "But, I am curious. What do you need my advice on?"
"Well, I'm trying to think of a creative way to ask her out. Something she'll love. But I'm coming up blank," Hugo explained.
Scorpius chuckled once more. "Well, I hate to break it to you, but I'm no expert on how to ask girls out myself."
"Really?" Hugo questioned. "Well how did you ask Lil out?"
Scorpius scratched the back of his head. "Truthfully . . . I sort of never asked her out. We just sort of . . . happened, you could say."
"Oh," Hugo sighed, a bit dejected. "Well . . . think you could throw out an idea, at least? Because I've got nothing."
Scorpius took a moment to think. "The best thing to do is make it memorable. And for Lola . . . make it something sweet but unexpected. A surprise."
"Well that's obvious," Hugo mumbled.
Scorpius smirked. "I just mean, don't make it obvious that you're about to ask her out. Don't use any clichés."
Hugo nodded. "Hmm. I guess that's not a bad idea. Better than nothing, which was what I had. Thanks."
"Not a problem," Scorpius assured.
"So, one more question," Hugo said. They were approaching the pitch, but Hugo stopped him. "There's something else that's obvious to many. And that's that you seemed to get lost in thought whenever you're around Lily lately. Something up?"
Scorpius groaned quietly. But he looked at Hugo. "Can you keep this secret?"
Hugo gave a firm nod. "Of course."
Scorpius shoved his hands into his pockets. "I've had a lot on my mind lately . . . about love."
Hugo gave him a surprised look. "Love? Like, you love Lily?"
Scorpius cleared his throat lightly. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. I keep thinking about it, and all the advice I've gotten, but…"
"That's your problem!" Hugo interrupted, shocking Scorpius a little. "You keep thinking about it. My mum always said something to me when I would jokingly ask how she came to decide that she loved my dad."
Scorpius raised a brow. "Which would be?"
"You don't decide love. You don't think about it. Love is what you feel. So don't think about it, Scor. Just feel. Use your heart, not your head," Hugo advised.
Scorpius smirked a little. "Wise advice from someone that can't ask a girl out," he teased playfully.
Hugo laughed. "Well I got advice that from my mommy," he joked in return. "Love doesn't care about time, reason, or thoughts. It just is. You can't time it, you can't force it, and you definitely can't control it."
Scorpius shoved his hands into his pockets as he and Mitch walked into the common room. "I love free periods," Mitch said with a happy grin. "Best part of the day!"
Scorpius smirked. "Definitely a perk," he chuckled. And as he opened his mouth to ask his friend what he was doing with his spare time, he was distracted by something that made his mouth a bit dry, and his heart pound in his chest.
Lily was sauntering down the stairs of the dorms. She didn't have her robes over her uniform, which as usual he thought fit her well. He was sure that her skirt was shorter than regulation, something he appreciated her getting away with. Her hair wasn't up today, but instead down and falling around her shoulders in waves, her pink bangs brushing just above her eyes.
Scorpius grabbed Mitch by the shoulder. "What are you doing this break?" he demanded, not taking his eyes off Lily, who had stopped near the stairs to dig through her bag.
"Huh? Oh, well I figured I'd just take a nap or something. Why?" Mitch inquired.
Scorpius gave him a pat on the back. "I've got a better idea. Take a nap in your brother's bed. He'll be in class."
Mitch looked at him with confusion, but then followed Scorpius's eyes. He grinned slyly. "Ah. Sure, that sounds like a great idea." Then he gave Scorpius a pat in return. "Have fun."
Scorpius immediately made his way toward where Lily was now shouldering her bag. She noticed his approached, and smiled. "Hey! What are you doing here?"
Scorpius smirked. "I have a free period. And you?"
"Oh, I just forgot my textbook for History of Magic. I'm on my way there now," Lily replied, still smiling.
Scorpius's smirk grew in return as he took her wrist. "Actually, I've got a better idea," he said as he began to pull her up to his dorm.
She laughed. "A better idea?"
"I seem to be full of them today," he joked as he brought her into the empty room. He easily pulled her around in front of him, and slipped her bag from her shoulder. Then he placed his lips on hers as his fingers moved to remove the tie around her neck.
She giggled against his lips. "You're going to make me late," she teased as she pulled away.
But Scorpius kissed her again. "And?" Then he groaned lightly as he brushed her tongue along her bottom lip. "What lip gloss is that, it has a fabulous taste," he said playfully.
She smiled. "Berry," she replied.
"Wear it more often," he said before kissing her again, dropping her now undone tie to the floor.
"Scorpius, I have class in five minutes!" Lily insisted.
Scorpius let his lips trail down to her neck, which was bared more now that the constricting tie was gone. "Well I have a free period," he murmured. "It's only History of Magic. Skip." He could feel her pulse beneath his lips, so he bit it lightly before marking it.
She gasped lightly near his ear, and her warm breath almost brought a shiver down his spine. "It's my O.W.L. year, Scor. I might need the notes."
"Get them from Lola," he retorted. He wanted to move down a bit further, as he knew she was sensitive near the junction of her neck and shoulder. But he was surprised to find the top button of her shirt done. That wasn't like her… "Why'd you button up the top one? That's unusual for you."
He smirked as he felt her fingers moving along his arms, trailing patterns as they did. "It's a bit colder this month," she explained softly.
He brought his lips back to hers. "I'll warm you," he promised. He walked them forward, never parting from their kiss. When they came to his bed, he easily lifted her onto it, following after her. He placed his weight on his arm as he hovered over her, their kiss deepening. With his free hand, he trailed up her shirt, stopping at her side for a moment to massage gently. But then he continued up, letting his hand cup her breast over her bra, her heartbeat feeling quick and strong under his palm. He tried to let his hand slip to her side, but her shirt was a bit too tight, and hindered him slightly.
She pulled away from their kiss, although her hands still massaged his shoulders and neck. "Trouble?" she asked teasingly.
Scorpius just kissed her cheek, letting his lips trail back down to her throat. "Slightly," he muttered. He groaned lightly when her hands massaged a bit of a tense spot in his shoulders. A moan rumbled in the back of his throat as he felt her nip at his earlobe, her tongue brushing past the three piercings in his ear.
"Want a little help?" she whispered.
He scowled a little, confused as to what she meant, but he kept his lips on her skin, placing kiss after kiss. "What?"
She moved her hands away from him, making him scowl even more, but then he froze as he felt them brush against his chest with movement. Was she . . . was she undoing the buttons on her shirt? "Lily?" he whispered.
"Shh," she murmured, her hand still moving beneath him.
A bit slowly, he moved away from her neck, and sat back on his knees. And he could hear his heart beating in his ears when he finally saw her. There was a light blush on her cheeks, but she didn't turn away or hide from him. He let his eyes fall down to the light pink bra she wore, the soft and unblemished skin of her stomach. He brushed her shirt aside, exposing a bit more skin to his eyes, before letting his hand rest on her side, curling around her.
"Damn," he mumbled. Amazement. That's what he felt, along with a rush of warmth and desire pooling in his abdomen. She was more beautiful than any dream he could have had. He brought his eyes back to hers, and saw her usual passion and fire in her eyes, and it made his heart race even more.
Scorpius leaned back over her to kiss her again, their lips meshing in a heat of desire. He adjusted his position, moving one leg between hers, and pressed against her gently. He couldn't stop himself from letting his hands run over every bit of skin now exposed to him. With one hand he ran down her thigh to her knee, bringing it up to his hip, then letting his fingers brush teasingly back down to her thigh, her skirt brushing along his knuckles.
Soon he felt Lily pulling at the buttons on his shirt, undoing them one-by-one, which excited him more. The thought of skin-to-skin contact made that desire and arousal tighten in his gut, like a spring ready to explode.
Once she had finished, he quickly pulled his shirt off, tossing it away before letting his hands come back to her. Only now he felt her fingers on his bare skin, and instead of that pleasurable shiver, it made his skin feel warm and his blood rush beneath it. He was unable to help himself from leaving a few small marks on her neck, even knowing that later she'd be a bit annoyed. But now he was able to move his lips lower than he had before, and he couldn't help but take advantage. So caught up in the whirl of passion, he hadn't noticed that he'd let his hand move all the way up her skirt, until he felt his finger dance across the fabric of her panties.
She gasped softly. "Scorpius."
He groaned, his name never sounding so sweet, but fear and hesitance struck him. "Too fast?" he guessed.
"No, no," she said quickly, making him smirk a bit. "It's fine… it's… perfect," she panted. He groaned lightly, and let his lips move even further down, his chin bumping against her bra. He closed his eyes briefly when he felt he fingers curling through his hair, her nails scratching lightly.
He moved back up to look at her fully. Small pants escaped from her parted lips, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes half-lidded. She was absolutely beautiful. He smirked fully. "Still want to go to class?" he teased.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Shut up."
"Scorpius, my dear friend, I have kept quiet all day! Now are you going to tell me why I decided not to hang out in our dorm room this morning?" Mitch teased.
The two of them, Lana and Lars, were walking toward their last class of the day. And true, Mitch hadn't said a thing about this morning, but even Scorpius knew that eventually he'd no longer be quiet about it.
"What's he talking about?" Lana asked curiously.
Mitch patted Scorpius on the shoulder. "Earlier this morning I was told not to take a nap in my own bed, and watched as our little Scorpius and dear Lily disappeared upstairs instead."
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "Very nice," he muttered.
"Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid," Lana mocked.
Scorpius scowled. "Why would you assume that I would do something stupid?"
"You're a guy," Lana stated simply and with a shrug.
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "Well I didn't."
"What did you do?" Lars teased with a grin.
Scorpius avoided their eyes, but smirked. "We just snogged, that's all."
"Oh, but the smirk says more," Mitch joked. "What are you leaving out?"
"Nothing really . . . we just went a little . . . further this time," Scorpius said vaguely.
"What is further for you two?" Lana inquired with a raised brow.
But Mitch seemed to have an idea. "What clothes did you two take off?" he asked eagerly.
Scorpius gave him a playful shove, but continued to smirk. "Just a shirt. Which considering we share a locker room for Quiddicth practice, isn't much."
"But it is for her!" Lars said with a laugh. "Way to go!"
"Bra?" Mitch asked.
"Not that far," Scorpius muttered with a roll of his eyes.
"Boys," Lana mumbled with a sigh.
Scorpius turned, ready to make a joke, but stumbled when something bumped into his back. Quickly he steadied himself and turned around. He stopped and glared when he saw Potter, who was glaring in return, along with his crony, Tyler Creevey.
"Watch where you're going, Potter!" Scorpius hissed.
"You'd think someone with glass would be able to see someone in front of him," Lana mocked.
"Shove off, snakes," Potter retorted. "We've got better things to do than deal with you."
But Scorpius stopped him. "Oh, I doubt that, Potter. What could be more important?"
"Back off, Malfoy," Potter grumbled, his jaw tensed.
Scorpius just raised a brow. "Really? That's it? You're weaker than I remember, Potter."
"I have to agree," Mitch sighed dramatically. "It's been so long since we've done this. I guess we've just been busy."
"We can't blame ourselves, Mitch," Scorpius assured mockingly. He looked to Potter. "We'll just have to make up for lost time now."
"Tyler!"
They all stopped and looked to see Lucy Weasley hurrying toward their group. She seemed to notice the tension around them, but still smiled at Creevey as she took his hand. Creevey smiled at her in return.
Scorpius sighed as he shoved his hands into his pockets. He couldn't mock Lucy Weasley. While, yes, she was a Gryffindor . . . she was too shy and nice. She had never said anything bad about Slytherins, and he'd never heard of her and his girlfriend fighting. So he looked back to Potter instead. "As usual, Potter's the third wheel," he mocked.
Lana laughed. "Surprise. Who would want go out with a little boy who has to run to daddy to fix his problems?"
Potter glared at her. "What would you know, Goyle?"
"That you're weak, pathetic, and all together a loser," Lana said with a fake smile.
"What's going on here?"
Scorpius almost groaned at the sound of Rose's voice. He glanced behind Potter to see her approaching. "None of your concern, Weasley. We were just leaving," he grumbled. "Come on, guys."
"Wait, Malfoy!"
Scorpius stopped and looked at Rose with a bit of curiosity. She had never, in all the time he'd known her, wanted to speak with him. She usually walked away from him, or only spoke to stop a fight between him and Potter. "Yes, Head Girl?" he asked mockingly.
Rose narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you consider my little brother a friend?"
Scorpius and the others looked at her with surprise. He scowled a little. What the hell was she talking about? And . . . well was that venom in her voice? While she'd never sounded friendly when talking to him, he'd never heard such anger from her. "No shit," he retorted. "Of course he's our friend."
"Then do you even care what you're doing to him?" Rose demanded.
Scorpius looked at the others, who looked just as confused. "What the hell are you talking about, Weasley?" Lana retorted.
"His life is falling apart!" Rose hissed as she stomped toward Scorpius. "He's pushing away his friends and family, fighting with others in his own House. He has a real attitude problem with everybody, and he's acting out constantly! And it seems like all you do is push him to continue doing it!"
Scorpius glared harshly at her now, anger rising in his throat. "Maybe he's pushing you away because you suffocate him!" he snarled. "Just because he doesn't act like some prissy little Gryffindor doesn't mean he has an attitude. It just means he's his own person! So don't come crying and yelling at me, when you can't even look at yourself to see what you're doing to him!"
"I'm his sister!" Rose argued hotly. "I try and keep him from making stupid decisions and mistakes, and he just argues and storms off to your common room! And you have the gull to try and turn this on me?"
"The only thing we've done to Hugo is give him freedom," Scorpius growled. "We let him make his own choices, even if it turns out to be a mistake. Because they're his mistakes to make! And if he screws up, we'll be there to support him and help him back up. We're not going to tear him down for a simple mistake, and point out all his flaws, which is all any of you seem to be doing! And you call yourself his family?"
"What would you know about family, Malfoy?" Potter spoke up, glaring furiously.
"Apparently more than you!" Scorpius quipped. "I care for and support my family! I don't go around calling my sister a tramp and outcast her from the family! I don't make decisions for others! I don't demand that everyone act a certain way! What about you, Potter? Can you say the same? Because we all know that you can't!"
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy!" All of them jumped with surprise at the sound of the headmaster's voice. Scorpius whirled around, and sure enough, Professor Brown was walking their way, nothing but a friendly smile on his face.
Scorpius shifted his feet. Had the headmaster heard everything? Well, probably not everything. He doubted that suck-up Weasley would have ever raised her voice if she'd seen the headmaster was in earshot.
"Yes, Professor?" Scorpius asked warily.
Professor Brown patted him on the shoulder. "Mind sparing a moment to talk with me? I'll of course explain to your professor why you were late."
Scorpius nodded. "Ok. Sure."
"The rest of you better hurry to class before you're late," Professor Brown warned, still smiling at them. Then he led Scorpius. "Come along, Mr. Malfoy."
Scorpius waited until they were around the corner. "Am I in trouble, sir?"
Professor Brown raised a curious brow. "Should you be?"
Scorpius looked away. "Depends who you ask," he mumbled.
Professor Brown just laughed. "I'm asking you, Mr. Malfoy. Should I scold you for something?"
He sighed. "No, sir. So, you wanted to talk with me about something?"
"Yes, I did. Are you enjoying your seventh year?"
Scorpius scowled with confusion as he looked at the headmaster. "Um . . . well, yes, sir. I am."
"You're not upset that I've been pulling Lily from school to visit St. Mungo's, are you?" Professor Brown asked, seeming just as casual as if he'd mentioned the weather.
But Scorpius was still confused. "Well . . . it's not my choice if she goes or not. Besides, she loves going to see Duncan . . . This can't be what you really wanted to talk about it, is it?"
"No, but it's easier than what I want to bring up," Professor Brown said as he stopped walking. The corridors were empty now, classes having already begun. Brown sighed. "It is about Duncan though."
Scorpius looked at him. "What about him?"
"Well, he mentioned you joining Lily to visit him, do you remember?" Professor Brown inquired.
Scorpius shoved his hands into his pockets, his confusion gone, and a bit of . . . well sadness and guilt coming to his gut. "Yes, I do."
"And I also found out from one of his Healers, that you had written to them about his condition. Wondering if he'd be able to leave the hospital at least once so he could see a Quidditch match?"
Scorpius sighed. It was true. After making that promise to Duncan, he'd written to St. Mungo's trying to make it work. But he hadn't gotten a promising response, just a few which seemed to skirt the issue. "Yes, I did."
"I'm sure they didn't tell you how serious his condition is. I thought I would, but . . . I think you should know that it could be a burden to hear. Truthfully, while Lily has an idea, she's never been told the true extent of his condition," Professor Brown admitted. "So, would you like for me to tell you?"
Scorpius hesitated. A burden? How could it be a burden? And . . . how did Lily not know? Shouldn't she know, being as close to Duncan as she was? "Yes, sir," he said with a nod. "Tell me."
Professor Brown sighed. "His chances of living are less than five percent."
Scorpius felt his eyes widen, and it felt like a Bludger hit him in the gut, knocking the air from his body. "What?" he whispered.
"The odds are that Duncan will not live. His chances of living for another year are just above fifty percent, and every year after, the chances get smaller. Duncan's immune system isn't strong enough to rid his body of the disease. It's hardly strong enough to resist it. If it hadn't been for all the spells and potions the Healers have been trying, he wouldn't have lived this long," Professor Brown paused, the burden of this knowledge seeming to weigh heavy on him as well. "It may still be a little unknown as to just how long he has left, but the fact that he most likely will not make it, is not."
Scorpius ran a hand through his hair. "But the Healers are trying, aren't they? They're working on something, right?"
"Every day," Professor Brown said with a nod. "But . . . they're also realistic, and they're not too optimistic about the chances."
Scorpius sighed. "So . . . are you telling me this so that I can break it to Lily?"
But to his surprise, the headmaster shook his head, a firm look in his face. "No, quite the opposite, actually. I think it would be unwise to tell her."
Scorpius scowled. "You want me to lie to her."
"My brother, a Slytherin as well, always used to say that it's not lying if they never ask," Professor Brown said softly. But then he sighed. "Scorpius . . . Lily has a lot on her mind already, as you and I both know. Her family problems . . . they aren't getting easier for her, and on top of that it's her O.W.L. year. And . . . things around Hogwarts have been . . . different with the governors about. I don't think adding this knowledge onto her shoulders would do anything but make it worse for her."
Scorpius leaned back against the wall behind him. He was right. It was the last thing Lily needed to worry about. And if she knew, she'd probably blow off everything else and let it eat away her. He . . . he couldn't do that to her. "So why tell me?"
"Because when it happens . . . I just hope you'll be there for her," Professor Brown explained gently. "I've known that boy for so long now . . . I know how hard it's going to be for me when I get that horrible letter with the news. But . . . Lily and Duncan have made a connection that I honestly hadn't expected when I brought her to meet him that first time. And I know that it will crush her. And the last thing I want to do is burden someone else with this knowledge . . . but I think you need to be prepared for that moment as well."
Scorpius scowled a little. The idea of seeing Lily sad . . . he hated it. He hated seeing her upset, or tears in her eyes. And the headmaster was right. Duncan's death would devastate her. "I'll be there. I promise," he whispered.
Professor Brown patted him on the shoulder. "I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that. Now, let's get you to class. Don't want to keep you away too long. It is your N.E.W.T. year after all."
Scorpius sat on the couch in the common room late that night, his Transfiguration textbook in his lap. He was trying to study . . . but his mind was a bit occupied. The events of the day kept bouncing around in his head, not letting him forget. He was still angry at Potter and Weasley, and the audacity they had to blame him and be furious for Hugo trying to be his own person. And the news of Duncan's inevitable fate, and the possible devastation it could cause Lily . . . it worried him.
He was startled from his thoughts when he felt a weight suddenly, and heavily, drop onto the couch next to him. Scorpius turned to see that it was Hugo, who was glaring at the fireplace, his hat in a clenched fist.
Scorpius closed his book. Now was the perfect time to talk. "A bit late, isn't it, Hugo?"
Hugo just rested his elbows on his knees, hunched over as he now glared at the floor. "I just needed a break, and I apparently wasn't going to get that in my own dorm," he mumbled.
Scorpius looked at the clock. It was now officially way past curfew. He sighed. "You know, you're sister had some words for me about how you've been acting."
Hugo scoffed as he sat up, leaning back into the couch. "Just tell her to fuck off." Then he shook his head before shoving his hat back on. "I can't believe she would try to blame someone else for my actions. I would expect that from Albus, but not her."
"Well she was more blaming me for encouraging your actions," Scorpius commented. But then he sighed. "As much as her audacity pisses me off, I have to admit that I understand her concern for her sibling. Because, I am just as concerned for you as she is."
Hugo scowled as he turned to look at Scorpius. "What? You think I'm making a mistake with my life?"
Scorpius chuckled. "No. I'm concerned because I'm starting to think that you're just bottling up how you feel, and you're hiding the truth from us. What's going on between you and some of the arrogant pricks in your House . . . it's worse than what you've told us, isn't it?"
Hugo avoided his eyes. "I can handle it," he mumbled.
"I don't care," Scorpius quipped. He rested his hand on Hugo's shoulder. "It doesn't matter to me whether or not you can handle the pressure, and the fighting, and the emotional rollercoaster it puts you through. Even if you can handle it, I'm still here for you. Lily's still here for you. All of Slytherin House is here for you. You don't have to do it alone."
"I just . . ." Hugo groaned quietly. "I just want to be able to make my own decisions, and make my own mistakes. I get Rose's concern . . . but I want to live my life my way. Not how she thinks I should, not how my father thinks I should. But they can't seem to understand that! And . . . it's so bloody frustrating!"
Scorpius sighed lightly. "I sort of know what you mean. If my grandfather could, he would control everything about my life. From major life decisions to what I eat for breakfast. He would make all my decisions for me. But . . . he doesn't control me. And that's because I have the support of my parents. Even if it's a mistake, they support me. And I know that if I fall, they will do all they can to help me get back up."
Hugo looked at his hands, a somber look on his face. "You know . . . that's sort of what Lily's become for me. She . . . she never expects something of me. Like . . . like revising for O.W.L.s or studying for class. Rose, she's always on my case about how I can't slack off, she expects better of me. But Lily . . . yeah she may ask me to study, but I know that it's not because she expects anything from me, or has standards for me. She does it just for me. And if I say that I don't want to, she doesn't push it or get angry."
"I think Lily understands how horrible and irritating expectations can be," Scorpius agreed.
"And no matter what I decide to do, I know that she supports it. I could say that I want to drop out of school and live like a muggle for the rest of my life, and she'd support it. She may try and talk me out of something that stupid, but if I insisted that it was what I wanted, she'd support it. And she wouldn't be angry and bring me down. But . . ."
Scorpius raised a brow. "But what?"
"But how long can I rely on her? She has her own life and her own problems. I don't want to constantly drag her down with my own and feel like she has to carry me," Hugo admitted.
Scorpius smirked slightly. "That's the thing about family. Never feel like you can't rely on them. You want her to know that she can always come to you, and rely on your for help?"
"Of course!" Hugo assured.
"She wants you to know the same thing," Scorpius promised. Then he sighed, stood up and grabbed his book. He patted Hugo on the shoulder again. "Come on. Let's go up to the other fifth years, and see if they can make up some space for you to sleep there tonight. If not, then you'll just sleep in our dorm."
"So, what exactly are we doing again?" Tanner questioned as he sat on the floor, his back against the wall. The rest were a bit more alert. Rex leaned against the wall as well, but his eyes were trained on the library door. Justin ran his thumb absentmindedly over his wand as his eyes flicked between the door, and to the other ends of the halls. Lars and Mitch stood ready, and watched as Scorpius paced around, glaring furiously at nothing in particular.
"We're going to set some stupid kittens in place," Rex told him.
"They need to know that we expect them to not only treat our princess as a princess, but to think of her as one too," Mitch said lightly, with a bit of amusement. His eagerness for this was easily seen in his eyes.
"So . . . this is because some dumb little Gryffindors like Lil, right?" Tanner guessed.
"Why did you come without knowing the plan?" Lars mocked
"It sounded like fun!" Tanner argued.
"We learned today that two idiots have been keeping a few magazines with Lily on the cover, and having a few . . . inappropriate thoughts," Justin said carefully, eyeing Scorpius now.
Scorpius just glared harder. Hugo's words from earlier stuck in his head.
"You know, Logan Murdock's been wanking off to pictures of Lil in magazines."
"He's not the only one. Cody Thomas has a few of those magazines too."
Scorpius hadn't been able to think straight since. A blind fury raged in his stomach. He had been hesitant about her modeling before, but now he hated it! And he was going to demand she stop . . . But he truthfully wasn't sure how well that would go over.
"So who is it?" Tanner inquired.
"Logan Murdock and Cody Thomas. They're both fifth years, and are supposedly studying for exams," Mitch explained. "That's what Hugo said."
"Thomas? The Gryffindor Beater? Perfect! Set some fear into his heart before the game," Tanner laughed.
"And here they come," Justin muttered.
Scorpius stopped pacing, and turned just in time to see the two fifth years step out of the library. And they stopped dead in their own tracks, when they noticed the sixth Slytherins looking at them.
"Excuse us," Thomas mumbled, obviously hesitant.
But before they could start to try and walk away, Mitch clapped a hand on Thomas's shoulder. "Whoa! Why the rush?" he said in a mockingly friendly tone. "We've been waiting for you two for a while now."
Murdock glared weakly. "What the hell do you guys want?"
Scorpius glared back at him, but smirked. "We're going to take a walk. And we want you two to join us. Lars?"
Lars took a hold of Murdock's shoulder, stopping any escape. "Let's walk, boys," he instructed, and began to push them along.
Scorpius led the way, not wanting to get caught by other prefects or staff. So they walked in silence all the way down to the dungeons. It was getting late by now, and not many students other than Slytherins themselves wandered around the dungeons at night.
When they had reached a corridor that led to a dead end, Lars and Mitch pushed the two fifth years forward, and the sixth Slytherins blocked their only escape. Scorpius cracked his knuckles, not sure if he wanted to beat them with his bare hands, or hex them to oblivion! "So . . . I heard that you two are into fashion magazines."
The two Gryffindors looked confusion, and a bit frightened. "Fashion magazines?" Thomas questioned.
"What are you talking about?" Murdock demanded. "I am not interested in them!"
Scorpius crossed his arms, holding himself back. "But then why else would you have magazines with pictures of my girlfriend on the covers?"
Both of them seemed to understand the trap they'd fallen into, and the severity of their situation. Fear settled on both of their faces, and the shifted nervously, and eyed the only path out, which was completely blocked.
"Look, Malfoy…"
"I didn't say you could speak," Scorpius said calmly, still glaring.
Murdock shut his mouth quickly, obviously trying to avoid upsetting Scorpius any more. Bur really, that was no longer possible.
Scorpius moved a step forward. "Now, apparently you didn't get the message. Lily is my girlfriend. And, I'm not a pushover like Scamander. Nor am I a nice enough guy to believe in second chances. I choose to make examples out of people, just so everyone knows what happens when you cross my path, or mess with my girlfriend!" he hissed. He grabbed Thomas by the collar, and slammed him back into the wall.
Thomas grabbed weakly at his hands. "Look, Malfoy, we didn't…!"
"You still don't have permission to speak," Scorpius informed. "I personally don't care what weak excuses or apologies you have. If I hear another word out of you, your punishment worsens."
"I will say that we don't care if you scream though," Mitch assured as he walked forward, wand between two fingers. "In this part of the dungeon, no one's going to hear you. Slytherins might, but I get the feeling they won't take your side."
"Depending on who it was, they might even help," Lars mentioned as he grabbed Murdock by the scruff of the neck. "So, take that thought as a warning to keep it down, kittens."
"Please, just let us go!" Thomas pleaded. "We'll throw the magazines away! We'll do anything!"
Scorpius chuckled. "Oh, you think I trust your word? I'm not stupid, kid. But here's what you'll do. You have three days to give Lily those magazines, and apologize for your disgusting behavior and thoughts. Otherwise . . . well I'll make what's about to happen to you look like a fun picnic."
"What . . . What are you going to do?" Murdock asked quietly, as if he was afraid to speak.
Rex grinned as he pulled out his wand, and held it at Murdock's shoulder. "Well I've always wondered what happens when you perform a shield spell on someone that's already against a wall. Do they still get thrown back? Could it ever be powerful enough to break through the wall? I'm eager to find out."
"Well let's not make Rex wait any longer," Scorpius said, smirking once again. "Let's begin, shall we?"
Scorpius glared at the table in front of him. Part of him had thought that he'd feel better, at least a little less angry, after teaching those two little idiots a lesson . . . but he didn't. His muscles still felt tense, like he could snap. Anger boiled in his stomach like a storm.
"What the hell is she doing that's keeping her out? It's almost fucking curfew!" Scorpius snapped in irritation. He wasn't really irritated at Lily, or anyone really, at the moment. He was just . . . well pissed off in general.
"Probably revising for her O.W.L.s too," Mitch reasoned calmly. The others had kind of scattered away from Scorpius's anger, upon returning to the common room. But Mitch had stayed, willing to brave the storm. "But if I were you, you might not want to go to her with that anger pointed at her. You might lose your head, if I've learned anything about Weasley women."
Scorpius ran a hand over his face and then through his hair. "I know, I know," he grumbled.
"Maybe after your talk, go and cool off in the shower or something," Mitch suggested. "That much anger can't be good for the soul."
Scorpius just rolled his eyes, but turned his head when he heard the sound of the common room door sliding open. He felt himself tense a little more when he saw Lily and the other fifth year girls walking in, books in their hands.
"Excuse me," he mumbled as he immediately stood up.
"Watch the anger," Mitch reminded. "Unless you wanna be reminded how hard she can bite back."
Scorpius ignored him, and continued to make his way to where Lily stood with her friends. They had noticed him by now, and Lily looked at him warily, obviously noticing his mood, even at a distance.
He kept his eyes locked on her as he stopped in front of the girls. "I need to talk to you," he demanded.
Lily nodded silently, so he turned on his heel and headed for his dorm room. He opened the door for her, and once she was in, he couldn't help but kick it shut in his anger. Then he locked it, not wanting one of the guys to come barging in.
Lily put her books down on his bed, and turned to look at him, still calm. "What's up with you?" she asked.
Scorpius tried to take a deep breath, hoping to calm a little. He knew Mitch was right, that Lily wouldn't take him being so angry without a fight. But . . . it didn't help. "You're not modeling anymore," he stated firmly.
She didn't get angry, but she raised a challenging brow. "Um, I didn't know that," she said mockingly.
"Well now you do!" he snapped. "You're not being a model anymore!"
She crossed her arms, and now he could see the irritation he had expected from her. "And since when did you get to decide that?"
"When I became your boyfriend! That's when!" he snarled.
"So, that means that you get to control what I do?"
Scorpius could see the verbal trap she had laid for him. And while he was pissed off, he wasn't stupid enough to walk into it. Because if he said yes, her backlash would probably hit harder than a Bludger. "No, but I get to put a stop to you showing your body for fucking any little boy to see!" he yelled.
She stood straight now, and her irritation seemed to be growing into a real anger. "What did Hugo tell you?" she hissed.
Scorpius glared harder. "The truth! And really, I should have known. I knew what little boys thought!"
"You know, you make it sound like I'm naked in those pictures," she mocked, "or like they're actually doing something to me."
"They would if they could!" he ranted. "And you don't have to be naked for them to get ideas! And I'll be dammed if I'm letting a bunch of prepubescent boys run around with pictures of my girlfriend!"
"And you're going to tell me that I won't find one of my pictures in your trunk?" she challenged.
"I'm allowed to have them!"
"What makes you any different?"
"Because I'm your boyfriend, so that means your body's mine to look at!" Scorpius almost groaned. That did not come out right…
"Really?"
He ran a hand through his hair in aggravation. "You know what I mean," he retorted.
"No, why don't you elaborate!" Lily snapped.
"It means that as your boyfriend . . ." Scorpius paused to think of how to word it, but he knew that nothing was going to get him out of this. ". . . It means I get to make sure that little boys aren't going around and fantasizing about you!"
"They're going to fantasize whether they have pictures or not!" she argued. "They don't need one of my magazines for that!"
Scorpius wasn't sure if she thought that would help calm him down. It just made him want to go back and find those idiots again. "I still don't want them wanking off to pictures, real or mental, of my girlfriend!"
"Yet you can?"
"Damn right!"
"Why can you?"
"Because . . . because. . ." Scorpius felt so flustered and almost burnt out that he was almost exhausted. "Why are you defending them?" he demanded.
Lily rolled her eyes, but to his benefit, she at least seemed less irritated. "I'm not defending them," she replied. "I'm just trying to get you to realize that you're no better. Can you really look me in the eye and tell me that you didn't do that while I was still dating Lysander?"
Scorpius avoided her eyes, knowing that she was right. But . . . "Ok, fine. I did," he admitted. "But, if Lysander had ever had the balls to try and kick my ass for it, I'd have understood it. It's not my fault he was a pansy. But I am damn sure going to kick some little boy's ass if he even thinks about my girlfriend like that." No way was he going to be a pushover like Scamander!
Lily just sighed as she sat on his bed. "Lana was right, huh?" she mocked. "You really are a primitive ass."
He was happy that her anger was starting to subside, and while his wasn't really gone, he was more tired than angry at this point. "Is that a bad thing?" he quipped as he moved to stand in front of her.
She fell onto her back. "Well not entirely. I'm sure it'll have some uses that I can take advantage of in the future," she teased. "Plus, as I'm sure I've mentioned, that scowl of yours is quite attractive."
She placed her fingers on his stomach, and let them skip along his shirt, making him twitch at first, but then relax. "Good, because you're stuck with me."
Lily grinned with amusement. "This whole situation really bugs you, doesn't it?"
He scowled. "Yes. Call me selfish, but you're mine. My girlfriend, however you want to word it," he mumbled. He sighed. "It just irritates me. Especially when I know that even though I'm demanding it, you won't stop modeling." He wasn't stupid or hopeful enough to believe that she'd just give in. She was too independent and strong-willed.
She smiled brightly at him. "I'm glad you understand that." He rolled his eyes at her obvious amusement. "Hey," she took his hand and tugged him down to sit beside her. Then she sat up, and moved to straddle his lap. He blinked a few times, his anger beginning to subside to surprise, and that warm feeling that always built in stomach when she was this close.
"You should focus more on the fact that you actually get to touch me. Not getting angry over a bunch of boys that wish they could," she whispered, her lips just a breath from his own.
His heart raced in his chest as he leaned his forehead to rest against hers. "You might have a point," he admitted quietly.
She smirked at him this time, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Just focus on what's yours," she murmured.
He kissed her roughly then, his anger practically gone with the feeling of warmth and desire forcibly taking its place.