Chapter 15: The Lure of the Ring

Rose's POV

She knew she had broken every single mirror and window in the Prefects bathroom, but she could hardly muster the thoughts to care about that now. Her throat dried and closed in on itself completely as she ran, her robe long discarded in the bathroom, her barefoot feet slipping and skidding on the castle's cold stone floors. Perhaps she was having an allergic reaction, she thought, for it was certainly what it felt like. Her head was feverish, her chest was tight with something inexplicable. She had completely shattered every single pane of glass in that bathroom, without thinking, without knowing what she was feeling, simply by feeling.

"Rose!" he called after her. It wasn't the first time she had been chased down a hallway by Scorpius Malfoy. She wondered how she kept getting into this situation. "Stop, Rose – I can explain –"

He didn't have to explain anything, of course. She knew from the moment it ended that their kiss hadn't meant anything. They were forced to kiss each other for the amusement of others, and as soon as that duty was completed, he left the wardrobe so quickly you would have thought Rose had grown scales or something.

Then why did her heart feel like it was about to crush in on itself? Someone was sitting on her chest, she was sure of it. She heaved slightly, stopping at the end of the long corridor, grasping a stone bannister. She wasn't used to running this much. Scorpius was at the very end of the corridor, quickly making his way towards her. "Why are you following me?" she spat, and raised her wand. "I'll clean up the glass later –"

"I don't five a fuck about the glass!" Scorpius shouted, the air in the corridor stilling with his words. Thank Merlin they were alone; as it was quite late at night, and Professor Tulis probably wouldn't be happy with the two Prefects having an open confrontation in the hallway outside their dorms.

Her wand was aimed, she was ready to protect herself, come what may. She knew Scorpius would never hurt her, but she had to be on edge because of her own tumultuous emotions. She had no idea what she was capable of, and at this point, after the shattered glass and sinks breaking, it could be anything.

Scorpius halted in front of her, as if a force field was keeping him from coming any further. "Lower your wand, Weasley." he commanded. She did not listen to him.

"I don't want to talk to you, I don't care what you have to tell me." She choked, the hurt and anger in her voice spilling like the water in the taps she had broken in the bathroom.

"Would you please let me explain myself?" he begged, still not daring to move closer. Had she really cast some sort of shield? He was looking at her as if he wanted, more than anything, to step close to her, but something was keeping her from doing so.

"Leave. It's not safe to be around me." Rose said, feeling a boiling tear roll down one of her cheeks. Was she actually crying over this loser? She closed her eyes, finding her eyelashes to be moist. Images flashed behind her eyelashes, of Scorpius and Gertrude, naked, in the bathroom, their slicked skin slippering over one another as they shared what she and Scorpius had that night in the wardrobe – but more –

"That oath I took. The one about my estate? Gertrude knows about it. She was trying to interject herself–"

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" Rose lashed out, not understanding any of his words. She wanted him to turn his heel and leave. The fact that he was still standing there, trying to explain his kiss with Gertrude to her, was degrading. It ultimately meant that he was trying to calm her down, after she had a very visible, intense emotional reaction of jealousy. An intense ringing peaked in her ears, so high pitched that for a moment the word seemed to fuzz and then clear, and then vibrate. She opened her eyes once more, looking at sCorpius, at first thinking she was causing the awful noise.

Scorpius, however, looking as dashing as ever in the cool moonlight, was doing something. He was wearing the signet ring, as always, except now he was pressing the glowing emerald stone on the silver band with the tip of his wand. Rose felt like her head was about to burst from the noise, but then, it stopped. Her arm fell to her side like she was made of putty.

"What are you doing?" she asked, but it came out weakly.

"There are so many things you don't know. About me. About my family. Things I don't know if I have time to explain." he stated, finally moving towards her. Whatever he had done with his ring, it affected the forcefield she created. It completely nullified the barrier between him and her.

"What is that thing?" she asked, staring at his ring, the awful noise now just a distant memory to her. She felt so weak. Like she could have collapsed. But she stood rigidly, holding herself tightly as he came nearer and nearer to her.

"It can banish certain kinds of magic." he answered curtly, his hands raising to her as if they were about to touch her face. "I can answer all of your questions, I just want to go somewhere safe."

Her legs were jelly, she was sure of it. She didn't know if she could move, much less trek to another part of the castle with him. But more importantly, she didn't want to go anywhere with him. For the first time since knowing him, there was a dangerous aura surrounding his presence that she didn't want to cross. "You have a magic ring that can take away my only way of defending myself." she said, raising her eyes to stare into his silver ones. "Like I would go anywhere alone with you!" she growled.

"I know it seems stupid to listen to me," he said, his eyebrows sinching together with frustration. "But explaining myself is my only chance of making things right with you."

"Why would you want to do that?" she croaked. They were supposed to hate each other. Pretending to be friends, dancing partners, Prefects who never fought.

"Because you're important!" he said firmly, jerking his hands to emphasise his words.

"Look, I don't care why you kissed Gertrude, that's your business. I'm sorry I saw it and reacted. Just leave me alone and it won't happen again."

Scopius stood in front of her, his hands falling at his sides in defeat. "I will leave you alone if that's what you want. Just say the word."

Rose said nothing, she only stared at him.

"There is one thing you have to know. I didn't kiss her. She kissed me. She walked into the bathroom as I was leaving the shower and forced herself on me. My family has a very powerful inheritance, and it would be hers if she were able to woo me. That's why she wants me, and that's why she hates you."

Rose couldn't help it. She chuckled, a humourless, dry reaction to such a ridiculous situation. "She kissed you because you have money?"

Scorpius' eyes darkened. "Not just money. Power."

Power. Like the power to completely render a smart witch like her defenceless? With the single touch of a ring? She knew, of course, that the Malfoys had always had money and influence, but something in his voice made her consider that it went deeper than that. An ancient power, awakened in this young man and his signet ring.

From all around her, a crisp scent filled the air. The wind began to rip against the windows all around them, and the whole castle seemed to shriek under an unknown pressure.

"The storm," Rose said, curiosity overcoming her as she stared down the strange, beautiful boy before her. "It was you? You caused that?"

Scorpius shook his head. "I don't know what it was. It could have been someone trying to find me. Someone trying to find you."

"Me?" she asked, heart racing. "Why would someone want to find me?"

"I told you, you're important. Not just to me." The wind picked up, blowing large gusts so powerful that Rose caught the feeling of one blow past her leg. "I have to turn the ring's aura off now. Will you promise not to blow me across the room or stab me in the heart with a shard of glass when I do?"

Rose's teeth clenched. "I can promise no such thing."

Scorpius chuckled darkly, pointing his wand yet again to the centre of the stone. Rose fell forward, the ringing in her ears so much more intense now as her magical abilities fell into her body once more. She laid on the ground, heaving as she looked up at Scorpius. He dove to help her stand.

"Get off." she said, gruffly standing and brushing herself off. "I will never forgive you for taking my powers away. That's probably the stupidest thing you've ever done, Malfoy."

The wind calmed outside, the night returning to its normally peaceful state.

Rose deliberated for a moment, standing there as she carefully watched the darkly clad Scorpius in front of her. She couldn't begin to make sense of all his blabberings, about how she was special, about how he never wanted Gertrude to kiss him, and how he'd rejected her advances. Perhaps this wasn't the time or place to discuss such things. But now that she had her powers back, she felt ready to defend herself if need be. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't report you and that cursed ring to Professor Tulis." She said, back straightening.

Scorpius shook his head lightly, the soft platinum waves grazing his cheek. His hair was still slightly wet from the shower, and if Rose sniffed, she could smell his oaky shampoo.

"She wouldn't believe you. My family has had the power and influence to keep this ring a secret for far too long. There is no one in the wizarding world at the moment who even suspects this ring to be possible."

That couldn't be good. A secret being kept from the wizarding world's elite could definitely not be anchored in a pure motive. A swell of panic rose in her throat, her mind wondering about just how far the Malfoy's could take this power. "I'll go straight to my mother," Rose said, her hand instinctively flicking to her wand once again. "You can't just take away my magical powers and expect me to stand here and not say a word!"

"That wouldn't be wise." Scorpius growled, his shoulders tensing. "You can fight me as much as you want, but you can't stop what's coming." He walked up to her, and she did nothing as he barely touched her face with one hand. The hand wearing the ring.

"What's coming?" she gasped, not entirely sure he hadn't taken her breath away with the power of the ring. He stared into her eyes, dipping his head so his nose touched hers. She was unable to move a muscle. The wind around the castle picked up once more, roaring louder than it had before. It whipped so loudly against the panes that Rose recoiled from Scorpius, worriedly glancing outside.

"This isn't good." he stated, looking in the same direction with some difficulty. He seemed lost in thought. "I should leave. I need to head back to the manor."

"What? You were just about to explain all this nonsense to me–"

"Do you not want me to go?" he asked, his voice ripping into her, causing a strange sensation beneath her belly.

"You are insufferable." she said, standing just as she was as he came uncomfortably close.

"I have to go, but when I come back, I will explain everything. And nothing will harm you. Nothing will ever harm you again."

She thought of raising her wand to him again, but decided against it, knowing he had the ability to whisk away every spell she had worked so hard to learn. She thought of crying out, but no one would suspect Scorpius Malfoy, handsome, cool, and intelligent, to be a threat to Hogwarts. She felt completely helpless as he backed into the darkness, throwing something on the ground which exploded into smoke, enveloping him in a misty essence. A spell of disapparition, contained in a bag which allowed for easy carry into the school. His body began to fade away until he was gone.

Her chest heaved against the cold stone wall. You can't stop what's coming. Nothing will ever harm you again. His words ricocheted in her mind, the oxymoron giving her a headache.

What. The. Hell.

Scorpius' POV

His mother was pissed.

He sat in his normal chair in the dining room, the thick, black wood of the long table laid out before him like a deep and mysterious lake. His mother's chestnut hair gleamed under the candles in the room. Her face, slightly flushed from chastising her son, was pulled into an uncomfortable point.

"If I had only known sooner the Shanghai students were visiting the school, I would have time to protect you and your mate."

Scorpius winced at the word he was still not used to. "Please stop calling her that."

His mother continued, not hearing him. "If she really is as special as you say she is, then we can't be the only ones protecting her. The school will have to be made aware of the imminent threat. It is embarrassing for us, of course, that we took so long to tell everyone, but I am sure Minister Granger will understand."

Scorpius gulped nervously. "Really, mother. I am sure the Chinese students are not coming for the ring. We don't need to tell anyone about this until it is absolutely clear who the prophecy is about–"

"It is about you, my boy!" His mother shouted, her white hands gripping the chair she stood before. "And you are everything to me, regardless of who your counterpart ends up being. But more importantly, you are our future. You are what is keeping this family from descending into madness again." Her voice was tender now, regret filling her eyes as she saw how she had startled Scorpius.

He was still, his clenched hands popping against the silver band of the ring. It felt hot against him. Immeasurable power. Imminent threat. A love to assuage the dissatisfied masses. The words of the prophecy rattled in his brain. His throat dried, and he looked at his mother, the sharp face which had once been smooth and carefree. Years of caring for his sick father had really done a number on her. Combine that with the terrifying magic surrounding the house, the curse that had awoken after the wizarding war, and she was hardly a shell of the kind woman she once had been. He stood abruptly, closing the distance between him and his mother. He hugged her, smoothing the back of her head with his hand.

It took a moment, but eventually, she leaned into her taller son. A small sob racked her body as Scorpius attempted to comfort her. After a few moments, he pulled away, his face attempting to muster seriousness. He knew what was next, what they had to do.

That night, they would work tirelessly on the enchanted box, which would seal the ring until it was safe to wear again. The ring's small wooden chamber needed to be enchanted many times by skilled magic, or else the ring would be at risk of being broken into. If they could keep Draco alive during the time it had to be held, then everything would be alright. If he happened to pass in his sleep, over the next couple of days…

…god help them all.

Rose's POV

The following day, she woke at dawn to clean the Prefect's bathroom. It was a complete mess, every window having been shattered, and every sink having been broken. She hoped no one would walk in while she was cleaning things up. It was Sunday, however, so most of the Prefects were going to sleep in.

The repair charms did a lot of good. With a couple dozen flicks, and a very tired wrist, eventually she was able to clean up most of the mess and seal the broken plumbing. Her eyes strained against the morning light leaking into the bathroom. She had, afterall, gone to bed very late, writing in her journal.

At some point during the cleaning process, Gertrude herself interrupted. She strolled in, hands clasped behind her back, her long, shiny black hair straight and beautiful.

"Don't even begin to pretend I don't know what's going on between the two of you. As soon As Scorpius' family finds out he's been shagging a half-breed, you'll be banned from ever entering that manor." she said calmly, her proper voice echoing around the empty bathroom.

"I seriously have no idea what you're talking about." Rose said defensively. "Malfoy wouldn't even tell me what all this stupid nonsense is about. He only said that you were a massive bitch who wanted to steal his inheritance."

Gertrude swung her head back and laughed. "I am a bitch who wants his inheritance. And if you knew what it was, you'd want it, too." she tilted her head, sizing up Rose for a moment. "Or maybe you wouldn't. You seem like the type to not care about money. Clearly." Gertrude's eyes lapped up her ragged appearance; the comfy pyjamas she was wearing and the messy bun on her head. Two long tendrils of red locks poked out round her face. She blew one away in annoyance.

Money? Maybe Gertrude didn't know about the ring, after all. Apparently all she was concerned about was the fortune, not the vast amount of power contained in the piece of emerald jewellery.

"I don't like Malfoy at all, in any way, shape or form. I never have. So why don't you just leave me out of your stupid games?"

The logical approach didn't seem to be working, as Gertrude shook her head quietly. "You're much more of a threat than I originally thought you were, Rose. No man would pull away from me like that normally. Not even with the distraction you caused. You've already bewitched him." She sighed, still staring at Rose with something akin to envy and annoyance. "Impressive. Maybe, in a different life, you and I would have been friends."

Rose squared her shoulders and looked directly at the Slytherin girl. "I would never be your friend." she said, her voice raising. "And what's more, I actually don't think you deserve Scorpius. He's too good for you." She could hardly believe the words that were coming out of her mouth, but there they were. And she was honest. Scorpius was way too good for Gertrude. He was noble, elegant, intelligent, and…alluring. She may not have trusted him, but in that moment, she could fully reconcile that this snake in front of her was unworthy.

Then who is worthy, Rose? A small voice in her head said. She shook it away rapidly.

She flicked her wand, and a bathroom stall door shut. "You don't want to see what else I'm capable of, Gertrude. Leave."

Gertrude hesitated, looking as though she would argue, but then decided against it as she saw Rose's wand perched in a ready position. She snorted in response, and then she was gone.

She released her calm demeanour, turning to glance at her reflection in the bubbling decorative fountain. She looked at her bedraggled appearance, wincing at the sight of herself. So many people had told her Scorpius looked at her in a certain way. Perhaps it was disgust, she thought. But then again, it wouldn't explain why so many people were also thinking they were shagging. Maybe it was how they interacted together – after all, hate was so often confused with love.

It was even starting to confuse her, a little bit.