The combination of lovemaking and staying up until the early morning hours sent Scorpius into the kind of deep and dreamless sleep he'd experienced as a kid when he and Felix had played jungle explorers all day. He slept so hard, it took Rose shaking his shoulder as well as calling his name for him to awaken. She wore shorts and a camisole top—she'd been up for a while. He ran his tongue over his teeth. The morning after strength brushing/flossing mint still worked. He sat up and kissed her before asking hopefully, "Brunch in bed?"
"A parliament of owls on the terrace."
A Slytherin would have said a flock of owls. Parliament sounded too Muggle. "You think it's more than thank you notes."
She nodded. "A lot of people spend Sunday mornings drinking tea and reading the Daily Prophet."
"They should go out on Saturday nights and sleep in."
Rose glanced at the terrace doors. "Antares is hiding in his burrow."
And Felix was cowering by the Niffler door. Scorpius got out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans. At first glance, the terrace appeared covered with square and rectangular pieces of litter: thank you notes dropped off by owls from the Owl Post Office. The owls that waited for replies looked familiar except for one—a barn owl with yellowish beige feathers that would appeal to a Hufflepuff. He quickly attended to Maleficus, giving him rehydrated caterpillars to enjoy while Scorpius dumped the rolled up message onto the table and retied the case to the snowy owl's leg.
"That's a good idea," Rose said. She'd cast a Locomotion Charm to send all the thank you cards to their room and was retrieving a letter from her Uncle Bill's great horned owl. "Let's not read any them. That way I can pretend my family is happy about the article, and Aunt Fleur wants to know where I bought my dress."
"I'll send a reply later, I promise," Scorpius told Maleficus.
The owl turned his head toward Rose and snapped his beak before showily flapping his wing to launch himself into the air.
"He likes me as much as Lucius does," Rose said, taking the message from her parents' owl.
Scorpius replied, "At least Grandfather acknowledges your intelligence and beauty." The unfamiliar barn owl didn't have a message case attached to his leg. He stood on the kind of padded manila packet used to hold photographs. Scorpius gave the owl a treat. Unexpectedly, it flew away.
She retrieved the message from her grandparents' owl and said, "Go home, please, all of you. I'll respond later."
The owls obliged.
Rose asked, "Is the packet from Crispin?"
"There's no writing on it."
"Is that why you aren't opening it?" Rose pointed her wand. "Specialis Revelio!" No trace of magic revealed itself. She said, "Finite Incantatem!" and then cast Shield Charms for them both. "That should cover everything from curses to itching powder."
He still didn't reach for the packet. His heart thudded against his chest.
"You're starting to scare me," Rose said. "What are you afraid is in there?"
"Another mistake." Speaking the words broke the paralysing grip of dread. He ripped open one end of the packet and shook the contents onto the table. The Lifestyle section of the Daily Prophet was folded to show the lead photograph and the caption beneath it.
The New Trio?
The rest of the layout was exactly as planned, the photographs and article detailing young, attractive Slytherins partying in style to celebrate life beyond Hogwarts. It didn't matter. Everything the article tried to accomplish was overshadowed by the photograph of Scorpius, Rose, and Albus.
"I didn't check the negatives," Scorpius said. "I got rid of the picture, but I took Crispin's word about the negative." A mistake even Harry Potter couldn't fix.
Rose said, "Crispin was tired. He could have put the negative in the wrong packet by accident."
"Or he opened the door to someone who hit him with a Memory Charm."
"Like we planned to do to Teddy. Oh, Merlin, I can see it happening, but how would they know he was developing photos last night?" Rose picked up the paper. "This shows Slytherins being tolerant. Not living in the past. Is that really so bad?" She looked at the damning photograph more closely. "I can barely see your dimple."
The security wards chimed, and then someone pounded on the front door. "Rosie! It's Al."
"Let him in," Scorpius said. He silently chanted, "Diminuendo," to shrink his grandfather's message case to a size that comfortably fit in his pocket and went into the bedroom to finish dressing. Albus and Rose came in while he was pulling on his riding boots. Albus wore a Weird Sisters t-shirt with tuxedo trousers, and his eyes were bloodshot. He and Merry had apparently continued the party at her flat and he'd stayed over.
"I almost shit myself when I saw the paper," Albus said. "Merry's dad put it on the tray next to the teapot."
"You had breakfast in bed?" Scorpius looked at Rose. She rolled her eyes.
Albus said, "Yeah. He didn't knock before entering. It was awkward." He laughed without humour. "Like that trio photograph. What are we going to do about it?"
"It's too late to demand a retraction," Scorpius said.
"That's the worst thing we could do." Rose held up the paper. "This shows three mates having a drink. Make a fuss and it'll look like we we're trying to hide something. Imagine those headlines in the Intruder."
"That isn't what I meant." Albus rubbed his eyes. "I should have said how do we find the bastard who set this up?"
Scorpius said, "You and Rose can interview Crispin. Cast Revelio Charms to see if there are hidden Recordbralls, spy cameras, or traces of Dark Magic in the flat. Interview the neighbours. Did anyone notice that Crispin had visitors? If they did, can they describe them?"
"I'm not an Auror. I'm a trainee," Albus said. "I don't have the authority to question the neighbours, and I look like a dog's breakfast."
"Borrow my clothes and ask Teddy to help."
"Where will you be?" Rose asked. "Riding the motorbike to Wiltshire?"
He nodded. "Help me pick out a jacket?"
With the door shut, the walk in wardrobe offered the privacy Scorpius needed to say, "I saw something last night. Something I need to show you."
Rose's expression became serene. Images rose in his mind.
Edgar in the Goyle library offering Kyle and Aaron cigars . . . Edgar saying, "Don't worry about Malfoy."
Scorpius closed his eyes.
Rose hugged him. "They could have been talking about anything."
"I didn't bring up Kyle's memory. He was already thinking about it. That's why I have to see my grandfather." Scorpius didn't want to let her go, wanted to take her with him, feel her arms around him as they flew over the countryside. She could have tea with his parents and grandmother.
The rap of knuckles against wood snapped him back to reality. If Lucius was in a vengeful mood, Scorpius wasn't allowing him to take it out on Rose.
Albus's voice came through the doors. "If we want Teddy to help, we'll have to get to the flat before Victoire or his Auror mates pop round. She'll have him carrying her shopping bags down Diagon Alley, and his mates will have him playing darts and listening to Quidditch on the wireless in the Iron Shackle."
"We'll be right out," Rose said. She handed Scorpius a jacket. "I like the grey stripes.'
He took a folded pair of her jeans off a shelf. "I like it when Teddy doesn't see your legs."
.
The trip to Malfoy Manor gave Scorpius time to detach from the emotions that made it hard to think logically. He visualised the Occlumency chest covered in snow that held his memories and placed the distracting feelings inside. By the time he'd landed outside the manor's wrought-iron gates, he felt self-assured enough to drive his enchanted motorbike down the gravel drive instead of parking outside the gates.
Stevens waited for him on the front steps, dressed impeccably in a three piece grey suit. "Shall I engage the Invisibility Booster on your motorbike, Master Scorpius, to ensure it remains operable for your return home?"
Scorpius cast the charm. "I take it Grandfather's read the paper and isn't pleased."
"An understatement. I—" Stevens hesitated, and then said, "I recommend opening a dialogue on more neutral ground."
"My parents are home." He'd assumed that they were in London because they hadn't sent an owl.
"In their private quarters."
They'd already had a row with Lucius about the article, by Stevens's tone. If Scorpius went inside, they'd insist on defending him. Make the situation worse. He couldn't allow it. He had to speak with his grandfather alone. "Tell him I'll be waiting to talk at the castle." He Disapparated.
He was shutting the secret panel after using a Vanishing Charm on his Loki Scamander outfit when the door opened.
"Looking for toys? You do seem to enjoy playing games." Lucius ducked his head to enter. "Perhaps I should burn this place down to remind you that actions have consequences." His grandfather's eyes were molten steel.
Scorpius said, "Perhaps you should. I made a mistake. I authorised photographs without checking the negatives."
"You trusted the photographer." Lucius's expression revealed his opinion of that: Scorpius had been foolish.
"Yes." It was easy to admit his failures when he wasn't worried about his grandfather's opinion. "The person who used a Memory Charm on Crispin to give the Daily Prophet an extra photo counted on it."
"Do you know who that person is?"
Once Lucius had a name, he would have a target. Scorpius said, "I need you to see someone's memories. I can put the images in your mind." He held out his hand. "You gave a wizard's handshake that you wouldn't use Legilimency on your family. I'll give a wizard's handshake that I'll only share what I saw."
"Fair enough."
They shook hands. Scorpius clenched his jaw against the sting that was only a hint of the pain he would feel if he didn't keep his word. "Look into my eyes whenever you're ready."
"Don't rush me." Lucius shot him an irritated glance.
It was all Scorpius needed. He brought Kyle and Aaron's memories to the front of his thoughts and planted them in his grandfather's mind.
Lucius's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
"They're using me against you, trying to undermine your influence with the Knights. Implying that you suffer my choices because you're weak, that new blood needs to rise up and take control. They don't have enough allies to do it openly, so they arranged to have a photograph do their dirty work."
Lucius arched an eyebrow. "They? Don't you mean Edgar? Kyle and Aaron are his minions. Gregory must be so proud."
"Indeed."
"You sound blasé about it."
"A side effect of Occlumency. I needed to think, not feel."
Lucius regarded him curiously. "You came here to do more than apologise."
"We have to discover what they're planning. Discrediting you isn't enough. They have to prove they're worthy to replace you."
"Edgar," Lucius snapped. "Avoid saying his name all you like, but it doesn't change the fact that your best mate has betrayed you."
"I'm sure he believes his actions are justified." Scorpius held up a hand when his grandfather began to speak. "It isn't effortless, you know. Containing emotions. Don't make it harder for me by arguing and casting blame. We need to move forward."
"How?"
"You're going to go to the club. If there are any photographers hanging around, hoping for a reaction story, you'll give them one." Scorpius could picture the scene. "When they ask for a statement, say you're pleased with the article. For too many years, Aurors and Magical Law Enforcement have gotten away with profiling Slytherins as Dark, and this should help end their sanctioned prejudice and harassment."
"That's quite a speech."
"Brief, yet inflammatory. The tabloids will run it, if not the Prophet." Scorpius evaluated his grandfather's idea of weekend casual attire: a white dress shirt unbuttoned at the throat and crisply pressed trousers. "A green tie and traditional wizard robes will photograph well."
Lucius asked, "Will you be selecting the tie personally, or do you trust Stevens to do it?"
It did sound as though he was trying to teach a snake to swallow prey. "Whatever the two of you choose will be impeccable." He envisioned his grandfather giving his statement and entering the club. "The reading room where members smoke their pipes. That's where you should go," Scorpius said. "The article will draw everyone of influence there to discuss it."
"I'll be snubbed."
"Not if you mention the press outside and the statement you gave them. Imply that you orchestrated the article to manipulate public opinion." Scorpius smiled. "Your adversaries won't be able to deny it."
Lucius returned his smile. "I take back every word I wrote in that letter."
Scorpius handed his grandfather the diminutive message case. "I didn't read it."
"Good." The message case vanished. Lucius checked his pocket watch. "We should meet later. Your father will stop his hysterics if I tell him you're bringing Miss Weasley to the manor for dinner."
"Eight o'clock?" Scorpius asked.
"Drinks at seven."
"We'll be here," Scorpius said.
They walked outside.
"Do you believe I'm weak to suffer your choices?" Lucius asked.
"No," Scorpius said conviction. "I think you're waiting for your long-term investment to pay off."
His grandfather said, "Preferably before I die."
They both chuckled.
"I like you like this." His grandfather's expression was wistful.
"I know," Scorpius said. "I'm more like you." He Disapparated.
.
On the trip back to London, he weighed the pros and cons of taking Rose with him to visit Teryn. Rose would make Teryn feel at ease. Chat with her while he used Legilimency. But he would have to wait at the flat for her to return. If he went to Crispin's place, he'd have to deal with Albus and Teddy. He wasn't ready to tell them about Edgar.
Scorpius parked his bike on the roof of Teryn's building and Apparated to the front entrance. Before he could knock on her door, it opened.
"Aahh!" Teryn shrieked. She started to close the door, blinked at him, and then laughed. "You startled me. I had my mind on takeaway."
His stomach rumbled. "What kind?"
"Kebabs."
He cast a Confundus Charm. "Buy enough for two. Whatever you like. We'll talk over lunch." He handed her some Galleons. "My treat. I'll wait in the flat."
Her brows drew together. "Inside my flat?"
"Yes, I'm tired from the party."
"Oh. All right." She left with a confused smile on her face.
He went into the flat. What he was looking for wasn't hidden. It sat on a shelf in the bathroom cabinet: a single bottle of Incognito Potion. The Venetian red label had a drawing of an elaborate mask beneath the black lettering. The gilded cork matched the gold mask. George Weasley had a flair for marketing to customers. Scorpius shut the cabinet and glanced into the rubbish bin beside the toilet. It was empty except for three golden corks in the bottom.
Scorpius searched the rest of the flat. No bottles. Nothing of Edgar's lying around. Not even a Quidditch Illustrated magazine on a bedside table. Why? Did Marianne suspect that he was cheating?
Teryn returned with lamb shish, chicken shish, and aubergine kebabs. "I got the aubergine ones so our lunch wouldn't be terribly unhealthy."
His stomach gave a loud grumble. He said, "As you heard, nutrition isn't my top priority right now."
She grinned. "I'm starved too!"
They devoured the shish kabobs on the sofa out of the takeaway containers.
"I know you hoped Edgar was here," Teryn said, "but he got an owl after we came back from dinner and, um, spent some time together. His mother was feeling poorly and calling for him, so he had to go home." Her expression brightened. "It was so funny how different we looked using the Incognito Potions. We walked down Diagon Alley and browsed through the shops."
"Did Edgar drag you through Quality Quidditch Supplies?" Scorpius made eye contact as though he was interested in the answer and cast a Legilimency spell.
A girl with straight mouse-brown hair and freckles and her partner with dark blond hair and pale blue eyes stood before a display of racing brooms. Average height, average build and average features made the couple remarkably unremarkable.
Teryn finished telling him about the racing brooms. He asked where they'd gone to dinner.
"The Gnome and Jarvey," she said. "Edgar laughed at me for wanting to try pub grub, but it was brilliant and there was live music."
Scorpius searched her memories. She'd bought four bottles of Incognito Potion. He found the moment Edgar received his summons to go home to Mother.
A barn owl with yellowish beige feathers on its back and uppermost wings scratched at the window. Teryn raised the sash to let the owl hop onto the bed.
The owl was identical to the barn owl that left the anonymous packet. Scorpius waited for Teryn to finish telling about the Irish folk singer at the Jarvey and asked, "The owl that brought the message. Was it his mother's?" The horned owl he remembered delivering post to Edgar at school was elderly. If it had died recently, Millicent could have replaced it.
Teryn flushed red. "No," she said sadly. "It was his wife's."
.
.
A/N: I'm starting to wonder if writing crises for characters bleeds over into writers' lives. :P Last Saturday, leaving the mall, a guy spaced and ran a red light and hit my car. I'll be fine after a few chiropractic visits, but he totaled my cute car (it wasn't even a year and a half old! Wah!), and dealing with all that mess turned me into a procrastinator about responding to reviews, although of course I read them all immediately. Thanks to Arcoiris, asiastana, fynnsmom, Guest 1, Guest 2 (aka Swedish Potato!), Mme bookworm, Needle In A Haystack, Nocturna Mae, rosesnlilies, Rose of the West, .1, trinityblue76, and VandyFNP.