Chapter 15

Secrets of the Servant

It was late May. The sun filtered through the clouds. Spring may have arrived, but Al's hope had been extinguished. His nightmares had got worse. He was barely sleeping. Barely eating. As Rose and Scorpius were on the Gryffindor table, they couldn't berate him during meal times, but Rose in particular, noticed something was off. Albus kept on itching his right palm, his wand hand, when he thought she wasn't looking.

Scorpius was sitting by the Gryffindor fire in the Common Room, researching ingredients for another Potions project (which he was partnered with Albus for) when Rose spotted him and walked over.

"Don't you think there's something up with Al?" Rose asked, as Scorpius put his book down. Scorpius shrugged.

"There's always something up with Al." he said, "That kid has problems."

Rose scowled at the Malfoy. "That kid as you put it so crudely, is your best friend."

"Yeah, I know, don't bite my head off!" Scorpius said. He sighed. "He's being a bit… distant. Do you think he's still bothered about being sorted into Slytherin?"

Rose sat down, she put her head in her hands. "I don't know. I mean, things have calmed down a lot now, especially since the Quidditch season has started. Even James doesn't prank you anymore."

Scorpius smirked. "Probably cos I beat him in that flying race and he's still pissed."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Probably. You know you could still ask to sub on for the team. They could really use you Scorp, you're good. Very good." She said, encouragingly.

Scorpius shrugged. "They hate me, Rosie." He said.

"You're in Gryffindor." She reminded him, "Grow a backbone."

Scorpius scowled. "Don't remind me. Christmas is coming up soon and I haven't heard a peep from my father or mother. I don't know how to face them."

Rose sighed. "I'm sure they'll understand. Anyway, if not, you can always come to mine for Christmas."

Scorpius raised his eyebrow. "No offense, Rosie, it's not that I don't like you, but I don't particularly want to be the only Malfoy in a Weasley infested house."

Rose narrowed her eyes but nodded in agreement. "Fair enough. Do you know what's really been bugging me though?"

"What?" Scorpius asked, frowning with concern. He wouldn't admit it, but he owed Rose a lot, she had stuck by him these past few months.

"Al for one, but also…" Rose shivered. "The Aurors in the dungeon. You know Hagrid said about the dark entity."

Scorpius nodded.

"I know what he meant."

Scorpius' eyes widened.

"Meet me in the library Saturday afternoon, after the Quidditch." She said. "Find Al."

"He's probably in the forest or in a secret passage way, he's always alone now." Scorpius said.

"I don't care. If this carries on, I will tell Professor Longbottom." She said.

Scorpius nodded in agreement. "I'll see you there."

Meanwhile, that Thursday afternoon, Al was wondering the castle's grounds. He wanted to be alone. He hated being around people. He hated hiding and lying to them. He was not fine. Dark circles hung under his eyes as he walked in the dusk. He knew it was watching him. But he didn't care. He checked to see if Hagrid was in his hut, and he sprinted to the edge of the forest. He found a clearing. It was strangely pretty in the dark. Al smiled and he sat on the floor, cross-legged. He listened to the noises and felt the cool air on his face. He reached into his pocket and gently took out the Resurrection Stone. He turned it thrice in his hand. He opened his eyes.

"Grandma." He breathed.

His Grandma Lily stood before him. He stood up, shaking slightly as she smiled sadly at him. Her green eyes shining in the dim light in her ghostly form.

"Albus, darling." She whispered. "You can't keep doing this. You need to tell someone."

"No." Al snarled. Her eyes widened, taken aback by his sudden rage. "No." he said more calmly. "It's mine. I found it! I found you!"

Lily's eyes fell. "You did, but I was always with you." She pointed to his heart. "I have always been with you."

Al sniffed. Tears trickled down his cheeks. "It's not fair, grandma." He said. "It's not fair. Why did you have to go? Why did Severus have to go? Why did Uncle Fred have to go? Why do I…"

"Why do you what, sweetie?" Lily asked, dread filled her heart. Her grandson was in pain. Something was eating his soul, she could see darkness around his heart.

"Never mind." Al froze in fear as he heard a twig snap in the forest. He glanced at Harry's mother. "I've got to go."

"Bye darling. Don't call me again. It's not fair to you…or to me…"

Al's heart clenched. He nodded robotically, and Lily disappeared.

The next day, Al, Scorpius and Rose were in the dungeons. Professor Finch was going through the ingredients for the Cure of Boils.

Rose was partnered with Iris and Scorpius and Al were together. They were copying the notes Professor Finch was writing on the black board.

"Now class." He said brightly. "I believe this calls for a competition."

The class frowned. Some laughed. Professor Finch ignored it. "Would one student from Slytherin and one from Gryffindor please come to the front."

Scorpius nudged Al. At first he shook his head, but then he spotted Bellatrix's sneer.

"Impress me."

Al ignored the voice. Without raising his hand he marched purposefully to the front. Rose frowned.

"We have a challenger." Professor Finch exclaimed. "Now who would like to be his opponent?"

"I will!" Rose said.

Al scowled her way. Ignoring his expression, Rose got to her feet.

"She's nothing compared to you."

Al shivered. He knew what the voice was doing… but he couldn't help but agree with it… she was nothing compared to him. He was the Master of the Resurrection Stone… wait… did he just think that?

"Now. I have set two cauldrons for you. You have ten minutes to prepare this concoction." Professor Finch pointed to the board, which had all of the ingredients for the Cure of Boils. "I have all of the ingredients set out for you. The winner will receive twenty points for their house. Good luck! Begin!"

Al gathered the ingredients with seemingly inhuman speed. Careful not to show the mark on his palm, he crushed and cut all the appropriate ingredients and simmered the solution. After eight minutes he poured the liquid into the vile. Rose had almost finished, but she was not as fast as Al.

"Merlin's beard." Professor Finch cried. "Twenty points to Slytherin." He said, after he inspected Al's potion. Al smiled triumphantly. Rose scowled at him. Scorpius groaned inwardly.

After the lesson had finished, Professor Finch pulled Al aside, Scorpius hung around at the exit, Rose was chatting with Iris, ignoring the two boys.

"Albus, are you okay?" Professor Finch asked.

Al was taken aback, he hadn't expected the Professor to ask him that.

"I'm fine." He insisted.

"Have you been taking the draught I gave you?" Professor Finch asked, concern deep in his eyes. Al nodded his head. "Has it helped?"

Al didn't really know. His nightmares seemed to be getting worse, but he didn't want to offend the Professor. Professor Finch was the only one he could trust. He couldn't tell anyone else. Not even Neville, and certainly not his father.

Instead of telling the truth, Al nodded, "Yeah. Yeah I barely get any anymore."

Professor Finch smiled. "Good to hear. Now if they do return, I'm afraid I'll have to report it to Madam Pomfrey."

Al's smile wavered. He sniffed. "They won't. Thanks Professor."

"Don't worry, Albus. Are you going to the duelling club next week?" Professor Finch asked.

"Yeah, it'll be good to see my dad again."

Professor Finch smiled thinly. "I'm sure. See you next week Mister Potter."

"Yeah. Thanks Professor." Al gathered his books and walked out of the classroom. Scorpius kept to the shadows, letting his friend go by, he glanced back at Professor Finch, who was busy sorting through his supplies. Scorpius frowned. Something seemed off about the Professor. He should tell Rose… maybe later…

Rose was becomingly increasingly worried about her cousin. However, it was Saturday, and that meant, Quidditch. Scorpius, Rose and Iris were cheering for the Gryffindors, although Scorpius admittedly was cheering less enthusiastically than the others, since he hated half of the people on the Quidditch team.

Albus was sitting next to a manic Gregory. He was howling for the Slytherins, along with the rest of the house. Al, meanwhile, was barely focused on the game.

The crowd gasped as James Potter was almost knocked off his broom by a bludger. Al smirked, the rest of the Slytherins cheered. Wait… James… Al's throat tightened. Was he just pleased that his brother almost got injured?

The game was tight. It was 80-60 to Gryffindor. The Gryffindor chasers had possession of the Quaffle. Suddenly, there was a shout and the golden snitch could be seen fluttering like a humming bird, zooming through the crowd, and onto the pitch. Milly Bennet, the Gryffindor seeker, shot towards the snitch like an eagle. The Slytherin seeker was a few metres behind her. The crowd was on their feet. The other seeker was nearing Bennet's broom. He was about to try and knock her off course.

Al glanced up. He scowled. Ever since he was sorted into Slytherin he hated Quidditch matches. The rest of the school would constantly hiss and jeer at the Slytherin players. Slytherin supporters were targeted for pranks. He narrowed his eyes as Bennet was just about to reach for the snitch. He clutched his right hand… and let go.

There was a piercing scream as Bennet's broom disappeared. She flew through the air, tumbling like a cannon ball. The crowd gasped, even the Slytherin students froze. McGonagall shouted a few words. However, she crashed to the ground, although McGonagall's spell softened her fall, the girl was out cold.

Rose gasped as Milly crashed. Her broom had just vanished. Just vanished. How was that possible? The students around her were nervous. Iris looked as though she was going to cry.

"Is that supposed to happen?!" She bit her lip. Scorpius scowled.

"No you idiot, of course that wasn't supposed to happen."

"Scorpius." Rose shot a warning glare at her friend. "Sorry Iris, for his rude behaviour." She said. Rose then turned her gaze to the Slytherin crowd. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted Al, it was pretty easy, as he was the only one sitting down, but she could swear she could only see pleasure on his face. She grabbed her binoculars and zoomed in on him. She gasped. She could see a strange mark on his hand… he quickly covered it up. Her eyes widened… Al looked… guilty.

"Scorpius." Rose said to Malfoy, who was doing his best not to strangle Iris.

"What." He snapped.

"Let's go to the library." She said.

"But the match?" he said, annoyed.

"Will continue without us, come on!" She grabbed his hand, sending Iris an apologetic look, she led Scorpius away from the frightened students. The two first years ran through the grounds, over the bridge (that had been rebuilt after the Battle of Hogwarts) and into the empty castle.

"It's bad Scorp." Rose said, Scorpius could see her eyes misting up. Although Rose got on his nerves, he hated to see her upset.

"What's wrong Rose?" He asked.

"It's Al." She said shakily. "It's bad Scorp, really bad… I think he's in danger."

Rose then ran ahead, Scorpius shouted,

"Rose! Wait!"

She ignored him, she sprinted down corridors and up the staircases, and finally, the two arrived at the library. She ran to a section and then pulled a thick book out from a shelf. She put it on the table and Scorpius took a deep breathe.

"What the Hell, Rose!" He cried.

"Shh!" Rose said. "We're not supposed to be here."

"I know. Holy Hell Rose! We're meant to be at the match!" Scorpius spat back.

"But exactly." Rose said, biting her lip she opened the book, flicking through its pages rapidly, she then stopped, pointing to a page. Scorpius gulped, a picture of a dark, cloaked figure and a symbol with three tear-like shapes stared back at him. "Hell." Rose said.

"What?" Scorpius laughed nervously. "There's no such thing."

Rose shrugged. "You could say. But I know for a fact there's such a thing as a dark entity made entirely of Dark Magic. A shadow."

"Is that what you've been researching all this time?" Scorpius asked, incredulous, "A fairy-tale."

"You heard Hagrid." Rose snapped back. "It's real. And it's here, in Hogwarts, why do you think McGonagall has all of these Aurors everywhere?!"

"I dunno…" Scorpius' eyes widened in horror. "It's serious isn't it?"

Rose nodded.

"I think Al is being manipulated." Rose said, Scoprius opened his mouth as though to argue, when Rose pointed to the three way mark. "I saw that exact mark on Al's wrist Scorp. He's possessed. We've got to tell McGonagall!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Rose." Scorpius retorted. "Al is fine! He wouldn't harm anyone."

"Al wouldn't, but the demon would!" Rose shouted. "Don't you think it's odd that Al has barely talked to us since Christmas? He barely eats, I know he doesn't sleep and…" Rose's lip wobbled, "I don't trust Professor Finch. He's changed. Ever since Christmas, he's been watching Al…"

"Well Al's his favourite student. He would, wouldn't he?" Scorpius said, but even he felt unsure of himself. Even though his problems with his family were over, his friends were far from safe. Scorpius knew Rose, and he knew him enough to know when she was worried.

"We've got to tell McGonagall. I don't care if there's a match going on." Rose whispered.

Scorpius nodded, he put a comforting arm round his friend. "Let's go."

Rose nodded, they turned out of their hiding place in the library, when they ran straight into Professor Finch.

Rose opened her mouth, but no words came out. Scorpius' eyes narrowed as Professor Finch crossed his arms, glaring at the two Gryffindors.

"Now what are you two doing inside when the whole school is outside supporting the Quidditch players?"

Rose couldn't speak. This was too unreal. How was he here? How did he know they would be here?

Scorpius stood in front of Rose, similar to when he protected her from Hunter a number of months ago now.

"You aren't Professor Finch." Scorpius accused. The Professor smiled nastily.

"I don't know what you're talking about Mister Malfoy." He snarled.

"I've suspected you for some time." Rose spoke up, glaring at the man. He hummed.

"That's a very serious accusation you two are making." He said.

"I saw the polyjuice potion in your desk." Rose said.

"You've been through my property." Professor Finch growled. "That's an offence, Miss Weasley. I was making Polyjuice to my sixth year class, explaining the dangers of this potion, and the fact that it was used in the war for disastrously deeds." He said, Scorpius saw him inching towards his wand pocket. Scorpius grabbed Rose's hand. She took a sharp intake of breathe.

"Who are you?" Rose asked. She and Scorpius inched backwards, fighting to stay calm.

"I am Professor Finch." The Professor said calmly, his eyes narrowing.

"No you're not." Rose squeaked. She was terrified. There was an evil gleam in the Professor's eyes… they were almost manic.

The Professor laughed. "I knew you were clever, Miss Weasley."

"Granger-Weasley." Rose spat, she always became argumentative when she was scared.

"Ha, Granger-Weasley." The man said, he sneered, "You are too smart for your own good."

Rose couldn't speak, Scorpius knew she was in shock, he stepped protectively in front of her, shielding her from his fowl words.

"Stay back!" Scorpius shouted. "I'm warning you! My father'll…"

"He'll do what, Malfoy?" The imposter laughed. "Your own father hates you. You two are going to pay for your insolence, you don't know who I am, I'm going to bring this place crumbling down! And the Potter brat will be lost!"

Scorpius and Rose shrank back in horror… particularly Rose, who looked as though she was going to cry. Scorpius glared at the man with such hatred one wouldn't thought possible. But then, the boy smirked. The imposter raised his eyebrow. "I knew you weren't Professor Finch." Scorpius said triumphantly, he nodded to Rose, who produced a muggle device from her robes.

"What's that?" The man asked, and then his eyes widened as Rose pressed a button, and Professor Finch's voice came through: "…I'm going to bring this place crumbling down! And the Potter brat will be lost!"

The imposter growled. He was about to fire a spell at the two students, when a cold voice spoke behind him. One that sent chills through both Scorpius and Rose's bodies.

"Don't do any permanent damage." The voice said. "They will be useful."

Scorpius and Rose looked pained as they saw Albus, but it wasn't his voice. Al looked in pain… as though he was fighting something… his eyes were yellow…

"Fight him Al! Fight him!" Rose cried, she charged at the imposter, who fired a stunning spell at her. Rose then flipped backwards into the air, and landed on the floor with a crunch.

"NOOO!" A piercing cry sounded… it wasn't Scorpius though… it was Al… his natural green eyes were back, and he was glaring at Professor Finch.

"I trusted you." He said. "And all this time… you were helping it."

Professor Finch scowled as Al gained control.

"We need to continue this elsewhere I'm afraid." He then whispered something, a soporific melodic spell, and both Al and Scorpius felt whoozy, as though they had drunk too much of their parents' butter bear, like at Christmas.

The imposter smiled as Scorpius hit the floor with a thud. That would hurt. He thought. Serves the Malfoy brat right. He then caught Albus gently, and levitated the boy's body.

"Don't worry Master, we'll soon have our vengeance." He said.

The imposter then spotted a terrified pair of pale blue eyes. No… he thought… no he was so close.

"Bellatrix." He said firmly. Her eyes widened.

Even though he was someone else… Bellatrix recognised that tone… she recognised that look…"D…dad?" She whispered. "How are you wearing P…Professor Finch's body…w…what are y…you doing with A…Albus?"

"Something which doesn't concern you." He sneered.

Bellatrix couldn't believe it. She recognised her dad's mannerisms anywhere. Even in another body.

"Please don't do this." She begged. Nott came over to his daughter. He sighed.

"I'm sorry, Bella." He said.

Bellatrix began to whimper. "Please dad, I p…promise… I want to help you."

Nott narrowed Professor Finch's eyes. He smirked. "Of course you do." He leant closer. "But breathe a word of this, Bella, and you know what I can do, I'll throw you out on the streets, snap your wand!"

Bellatrix nodded robotically, her stomach clenched with fear. She could not defy her father. She was his father… he cared about him didn't he? She denied that she saw the mania in his eyes.

"Good girl." He patted her cheek and she walked out of the library. Professor Finch carried his prize to the dungeons, and whilst he did, the cheers of the resumed Quidditch game could be heard from the school grounds.