Author's Note: This chapter is told from Scorpius' perspective.


I stopped dead in the middle of the path. At first, I thought it was a shadow or the clouds passing over the moon. As I moved closer to it, it became more undeniable that it was a breathing thing. A cold-looking grey skeleton winged horse. My heart rate picked up. I looked around, Kenny was already in the carriage with his nose in his book. Abby and Rose were walking behind me singing some offbeat song. They were all in perfect view the carriage yet no one seemed to bat an eye at the weird creature.

The horse-thing snorted. I stepped back, my mind flashing to the story of Father being attack by a wild hippogriff. The creature was just as big as a hippogriff and not as friendly looking as Buckbeak had been when Hagrid let me pet him. That felt like years ago.

"What's pulling the carriages?" I directed my question at Rose. Abby was more likely to give a sarcastic joke answer.

"Thestrals," Rose said, coming up beside me and staring at the carriage. "There's a herd that runs wild in the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid lets them pull the carriages. He likes to give them a purpose at Hogwarts."

"Aren't thestrals like a grim in Divination? Bad luck."

"That's a myth." Rose shook her head. "They can only be seen by people who have experienced death in their life and have accepted it."

I pressed my lips together.

"Shame really," Abby called down to us from the carriage. "I would love to adopt one, but the whole invisible thing... imagine how many times it would step on your foot."

Rose nudged me. I didn't laugh.

"Scorpie?" she said in a knowing tone. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

"I-," I lowered my voice to a whisper. "I can see it." Only Rose knew about Grandfather, the nightmares and all that bull. I intended to keep it that way.

"Will you two hurry up!" Abby called. "It's freezing and I'm hungry!"

"Come on," I said, tugging Rose's hand.

"What does it look like? Like the drawings?" Rose pestered as we climbed into the carriage. "Was it smiling or frowning?"

Rose sat beside me and watched me expectantly. I automatically rested my hand on her thigh, the gap between her skirt and her socks, and squeezed. She shivered in response. I tried to think of her body under that skirt, not about Grandfather Lucius and that ugly animal.

Abby poked Kenny in the arm trying to engage him in another muggle vs. wizard argument. The carriage lurched forward as it started moving.

"Scorpie?"

I only replied because Abby and Kenny were distracted so it felt safe. "Like a boney, grey horse with black pits for eyes. It had batty wings and a normal horse expression."

"Are you going to tell your dad?" Rose asked.

"No," I said without hesitation. "Why would he need to know?" I could picture him- and especially Mother- arriving at Hogwarts as soon as the letter about the thestral arrived. Hugging me and questioning me and making a scene in front of everyone. I sighed to myself.

Rose brightened. "Don't look so gloomy. Seeing a thes- such a thing- is good. It means you are after processing it enough to understand," she pressed her lips to my ear like she was kissing me. "Death."

She pulled back to let the word sink in. I pressed my own lips to her ear the same way. "So my boggarting skills might improve."

She twitched and giggled like she usually did when my mouth or breath was on her skin.

"Maybe," she said. The same way Father had said it. Except this was Rose. Rosie rested her head on my shoulder. "I'm not an expert, Scorpius. I don't know if boggarts have any connections to that creature. I'll look it up in the Library tomorrow."

"You don't have to," I said. "I'll find out soon enough."

"But I want to," Rose said. "I'm curious now."

"You really don't have to," I stated trying to sound as nice as possible. I couldn't look at Rose or the devil-horse-creature, instead, I looked up. It was night now completely different to the bright warmth on the train, Rose's thigh goose-pimpling from the cold proved that. The dark churning clouds had blocked out the moon overhead. Abby's muggle-nonsense and Kenny's passive approach across from me suddenly didn't seem all that funny.

I suddenly wanted to roll my eyes like a child- a Slytherin product. 'Yeah, yeah, bloody yeah we get it.' Everything was starting to feel repetitive. I felt for my wand with my other hand in my pocket. I wouldn't be surprised if the death eater attack replayed itself. It wasn't the possibility of death that scared me. I needed more time I wasn't prepared. I didn't want to see thestrals, I didn't want to practise boggarts. I wanted to lock myself into a room and practice every single violent, destructive hex, jinx and curse until it became a part of my muscle memory. A simple reflex. I wasn't ready I needed more time.

Just then, just to confirm my thoughts, just to give me the middle finger the first raindrop landed in my eye.

Great.

That stung.

"It'll be okay, Scorpius."

"I thought it was my job to say that to you."

Rose didn't reply to that. "I wonder if the house elf wages have increased yet. I've been meaning to start a petition but with everything… it's Hogwarts now, start of the year, I'll start tonight."

I nodded, yeah, Rosie, keep talking.

The carriage creaked to a halt. Abby and Kenny were the first ones out. Abby joined the crowd like a fish to water and dragged Kenny by his robes with her. Rose was next still talking about the house elf rights, her voice rising above the pitter patter of the rain. The colour of her hair was darker thanks to the rain, almost black, I liked it.

I followed her about to twist a wet strand around my finger, tug it playfully and tell her what I thought. Making her cheeks glow as bright as the torches outside of the castle was one of my favourite past times.

She smiled at me like she knew what I was about to do-

"Everyone the queen has arrived!" A nasally voice yelled out. I turned expecting to see Potter feeling up one of the Slytherin girls.

"Longford," Rose muttered, like a curse word. Her eyes were narrowed at a group in front of us. That prick Ravenclaw Longford had gotten taller over the summer (nothing on my height) and his nasally voice deepened and got more nasally- I couldn't mock that, I was starting to get more and more on the same frequency as Father as the days passed. Like the rest of Malfoy's, the natural, I'm better than you tone.

"Has the Voldemort returned yet, Weasley?" Longford called, with a grin. His group backing him up with sniggers. "Are we privileged enough to know-"

"Leave her alone!" I stepped in front of Rose. Rose gave me a hard shove out of the way in response.

"Mal- freaking- foy?" Longford looked like Christmas had just arrived early. "This just got interesting."

"It's not worth it. He can't even hold his wand the right way around." she scowled and proceeded to shout. "My uncle didn't go missing for your entertainment!"

Longford ignored her. "Switching sides are we, Weasley?" the entire crowd filing into the castle seemed to stop to watch this. "That's why the Weasleys are keeping everything to themselves. They've joined the death eaters-"

"Shut up!" Rose and I yelled at the same time.

"Well, Malfoy, we all know your dad's got the working tattoo to prove it," Longford said amused.

I lunged forward. Rose gripped the back of my robes digging her heels into the ground, barely holding me back.

"Don't you dare say a word against my father!" I shouted.

"Scorpius, stop there are teachers!" Rose hissed. "I'm not getting a detention because of them."

The group laughed. "Tell the prophet Malfoy and Weasley! An ugly dwarf, really, Malfoy-"

I broke loose from Rose. Practically seeing red, I raised my wand and pointed it at Longford.

"That's exactly what that prick wants, Scorpius," Rose said, from behind me like an angel on my shoulder. The curse- a cute one that makes your eyeballs roll back your head until someone breaks it- crawled back down my throat. Damn, Rose. The annoying angel.

"You wanna fight, Malfoy?" Longford hissed. He was close now. But not without back up. Ravenclaw logic crossed with Gryffindor's stupid will to prove themselves.

"No," Rose answered for me. She was in front me in a second. "Not all of us are bullies."

"No, Longford," I said, suddenly feeling giddy. "I don't want to fight. I want to duel."

Longford opened his mouth to reply. Rose jabbed me in the ribs- yes, the witch who blew up a freaking wall. Potter appeared on top of one of the carriages surrounded by his cronies like a glorified hero portrait.

I huffed. "For Merlin's sake-"

"If anyone's going to fight Malfoy it's going to be me."

"Why? Just why?" I snapped back. He was making a mockery out of my fight- duel, DUEL.

I winced at his getup: black eyeshadow covering his face down to his cheekbones, what looked like a nose ring and contour stronger than my mother's.

"I don't have my reasons." He said mysteriously and annoyingly. And raised his wand. "Sic-"

"Stupefy." A voice came behind me, knocking Potter from the carriage with a loud thump.

Rose.

"Piss off, Potter." she snapped. "Does anyone have any other spells to throw?"

Longford raised his wand-

"Miss Weasley and Mr Malfoy- again! You have to be kidding me!" Professor Flitwick broke through the crowd. "This is a school. Not the Triwizard's championship! My office now!"

"Professor," Rose started. "We were attacked-"

"I do not want to hear it, Weasley." Professor Flitwick scowled. "I've seen quite enough. Inside all of you!"

"Professor!" Rose hurried after Flitwick.

Unable to help myself, I was suddenly face to face with Longford.

"Leave Rose alone you don't know the half of it," I said darkly.

"Ohhh, someone has a girlfriend," Longford smirked. "Prepared to defend her- show what you've really got? Let's duel then, Malfoy-"

"Tonight," I said through gritted teeth. "Midnight. Right here."

"Mr Malfoy, my office now!"

Longford cocked his head at me. "You sure? Do you know the spells by memory, Malfoy? That's a-"

I gave him a hard shove. "You're either in or out." I snarled before turning on my heel.


"Professor Flitwick, we didn't provoke it," Rose said for about the tenth time. I rested my head against my hand. We had definitely missed the sorting and probably the feast now. "Longford started it. He wanted a fight-"

"He said vulgar things about our families." I inputted.

"Yes, that too." Rose nodded, on the edge of her seat her eyes wide. She was trying her hardest to make Flitwick understand. But the old man was still frowning at us.

"Longford has a spotless record if I do recall correctly and all those Ravenclaws are model students but you two-"

Rose interrupted. "I got Os and Es in all of my exams this summer." There was a dark edge to her voice. "I am more than just a model student. I am one of the top witches in the year- I work for what I get-"

"Miss Weasley, please control yourself. This is not about your grades." Flitwick scowled. "As I was saying, yourself and Mr Malfoy have a history if the records I have consulted in the Hospital Wing are right."

"That was ages ago." I frowned. "You can hardly still hold us to some stupid spells we fired when we were eleven."

"These are desperate times- Malfoy, must you roll your eyes?" Flitwick snapped. "I understand you've had a hard time, Miss Weasley, this summer. You can speak to me if you need to but attacking-"

"Sorry," I cleared my throat. "But, Professor, are you bias against Slytherins?"

"Sorry, Malfoy, but has something significant happened to your family?"

"Every Tuesday thanks to the Ministry. My point is you didn't even check to see if Potter was alright. He fell off a bloody carriage. His neck could be split in two for all we know." I glanced at Rose and met her glare. I raised my eyebrows at her: oh, yeah, I just did that. Deal with it.

Professor Flitwick pressed his lips together, his patience running thin. "Thank you, Malfoy, I will take note of your concerns. I personally don't think your new found friendship with Miss Weasley is worth it. It is an insult to your parents especially Harry Potter-"

Rose's face had contorted, her mouth had fallen open. "Sir, please I just…"

I sat up straighter. "That is personal. Yeah, you are a Professor but that doesn't give you the right to upset Rose."

"Malfoy, calm down. I'll be speaking to your head of house about this." He said. "Detention-"

"Sir, please you don't have the correct evidence," Rose said. "I want to be a prefect next year. I'm not going to be knocked off track because some people were dropped on their heads when they were born."

Flitwick looked shocked.

I cursed softly under my breath. "Rosie."

"Yes, Mr Malfoy, speak up if you have something to say."

"I think Rose said it all."

Rose was now turning red. She twisted her hands on her lap. She looked at me suddenly, 'did I say that?' she mouthed while Flitwick ruffled through some papers on his desk.

I gave her a discreet thumbs up.

She pinched the bridge of her nose before transitioning into a full-on facepalm.

"Detention," Flitwick ordered. "As I was saying. Two weeks worth might do you two good. Malfoy, I'll order yours with Professor Crepsley. Weasley, my office seven o'clock every evening. It will give you some time to reflect. And a letter will be sent home to your parents."

Father and Mother will love that.

"What will the letter say?" Rose looked up.

"The usual," Flitwick said. "I'm sure it has happened before."

Rose looked to me. I shrugged.

She pressed her lips together with frightening pressure. I sighed, here goes nothing, "Actually, sir, I have something to admit. It's been eating me up inside since we walked in here."

Flitwick's ears pricked. "Yes?"

"Leave Rose out of this. It was my fault. I started it, I called Longford a… 'mudblood' then I threatened to hex Rose if she didn't stupefy Potter-"

"Scorpius, stop." Rose hissed. "You're going to get yourself expelled. Sorry, Professor, he is lying to protect me. He didn't do any of that."

Flitwick sighed. "If you are sure, Miss Weasley, I think it's about time you went back to the feast."

As soon as we stepped out of the office Rose jabbed a finger into my chest. I winced.

"Don't you dare try to 'protect' me like that again." Rose scowled. "I'm not a five year old that can't face the consequences of her actions."

"I was thinking of that letter-"

"I was thinking of you being expelled and getting your wand broken in half-"

"Flitwick is probably going to put my name in that letter. You are going to be disowned!" I said, overdramatic but it felt like the only way I could get my point across.

She snapped back. "That's my problem then. Just as this bloody skirt is my problem." She stalked off down the corridor. I sighed and followed her. The corridor was dark, silent and empty.

"Don't tell me you have to pee again," I said coldly. "Lift it up for Merlin's sake don't pull it down it's not Arithmancy."

Rose scowled and opened the door to the nearest broom cupboard, pulled a face at its small dusty interior and stepped inside closing the door behind her.

"How mature and subtle," I said to the door.

"Oh, shut up, Scorpius!" she called from the other side.

"Oh, shut up, Rose!" I mimicked her voice. Before opening the door, no locking charm if she truly wanted me to bugger off she would've locked it, she was more than capable. I squeezed in beside her, she was waiting, scowling, with her arms folded.

I shut the door, leaving us in the dark.

"My skirt ripped when I turned to hex Potter," Rose said sourly.

"I didn't see it."

"My cloak covered it. And it ripped a bit more when I sat down in Flitwick's office." Her voice was turning into a whine.

I pulled out my wand and murmured 'Lumos.' "Let me see," I said. "You might have imagined it."

"Have you ever thought you ripped your pants, Scorpius?"

"Several times," I lied. She snorted. She knew it. But what could I say at a time like this? Maybe if I kept her focus on the skirt, she would forget about Flitwick and our possible impending doom. She turned around and let me push the cloak aside.

Hello, butterfly knickers.

"Nothing," I said, a laugh shaking my voice.

"Nothing?" she scowled.

"Intact," I replied. "Remind me again what underwear you're wearing." I kissed her neck as a flush of colour ran up it.

"Scorpie," she murmured. "Quit lying it's not going to help me feel any better."

"I know what will." I smiled. It was all too serious, I pushed aside a rusted bucket and sat down with my back against the wall and my legs stretched out reaching the other side. I tossed my wand from hand to hand waiting for her to give in and sit on top of me.

After about ten seconds, she was sitting on my knees.

"Are you aware how weird that looks?" I raised an eyebrow.

She gave me a look and scooted up about an inch.

"Still weird," I remarked.

"Do you want to go to dinner?" she asked, shifting trying to get her balance.

"Not unless you want to," I said, emphasising the distance between us by stretching out my arm helplessly.

Rose sighed. "I don't want to deal with my skirt in public yet. And no sign of Andrew. I wonder if this is going to be a bad year. I wish we were in third year again it was much simpler. I had a crush on you, you had a crush on me it was innocent and my skirt fitted me. All we wanted to do was hold hands."

"I think it would be more insulting if I pushed you away and just wanted to hold hands with you," I said trying to soften my voice. "We hold hands more than anything anyway. Remember when we used to go into the broom cupboard, you'd sit here," I pointed directly at my lap. "And the kissing would begin."

Rose pulled a face. "That was before…"

"Before what?" I prompted.

Rose blushed. "Don't get mad. It's not you- well it kind of is."

"What?"

She pointed her finger at me, then up at the ceiling.

I snorted with laughter. "What does that even mean?"

She sighed. "You're making it awkward."

"It wouldn't be so awkward if you told me."

She pointed at my lap, then did the same thing again-

"My dick?"

She nodded, her face was very red now. "It's not as innocent as it used to be."

"My dick?"

"Our relationship!"

My face and ears started to feel hot. "I can't control it! I'll slow down then." I ran a hand through my hair. "If I was going too fast or making you uncomfortable you should've said something. We can go back to holding hands if that's what you want."

"But I like it." She murmured, climbing fully onto my lap. I sucked in a deep breath.

"Let's snog before the world ends." I beamed, my lips brushing against hers. She held onto the back of my hair. I could feel her heart pounding. She kissed me, her hips moving against me. I put a firm hand on them to keep them still and in place. Dreams- or what I thought my dreams were at the time- did not need to be played out.


Ages later we sat shoulder to shoulder in a silent corridor eating sweets instead of dinner.

"This is a good night," Rose said her voice pinched with wariness. She didn't want to jinx it. She wasn't trusting the universe to hold itself up.

I squeezed her thigh with my free hand. My wand hand.


I didn't bother changing into my pyjamas that night. I sat on my bed in my uniform. With a liquorice wand in hand, I practised the spells I had spent the summer learning.

I didn't tell Rose for obvious reasons. This didn't really involve her, this was selfish. I wanted to prove to myself that I could duel and defend myself.

I had the entire thing planned out in my head. Longford was going to go for the flashy spells with the long complex names. I'd go for the one-strike-does-all curses and protego.

Andrew had come back, I went to the Owlery after I left Rose expecting a skirt or a letter but he came back with nothing. That wasn't good enough.

I scrawled a note to my mother.

Dear Mother,

Don't show Father this. I'm writing to you about a 'girl' issue and you're the only one who can solve it. Rose's skirt is too small. She couldn't get a new one because her family is on lockdown. Just trust me her parents are unreasonable when it comes to clothes and other secondary things beyond breathing. Can you please get a skirt- I think she's a medium, one of your old ones could do? She will pay you back.

Scorpius.

P.S Rose doesn't know I'm sending this. She's not the type of person to ask other people for help. So you're really doing it for me.

I started to pet Pumpkin. He was curled up at the end of my bed in a furry ball, snoring. Now all I had to do was watch for the hands of the clock in the boy's dorm creep closer to twelve.