Scorpius Malfoy, head boy, Slytherin, top of the class of graduates at the school of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry; walked across the stage to shake hands with MInerva McGonagall, then pivot for a photograph to be taken. Scorpius was met with rounds of applause, more than he expected as a Slytherin and son of Draco Malfoy.
When the ceremony was over and everyone had had their moment and he was walking up to his dorm to collect the last of his things before the farewell feast, Scorpius was thinking about what Rose was missing for what seemed to be the millionth time in the last six months. He wondered if she was okay, if she knew she was missing graduation, if she was thinking about him the way he was thinking of her.
Scorpius reached the head dorms shortly after leaving the ceremony. He nodded a greeting at Emma Colen, a ravenclaw, who had been Rose's head girl replacement when she had gone missing and was currently heading to her own room to gather her things before going home with her parents. He'd packed his things that morning meaning he only had to change his clothes before meeting his father in the Great Hall. He had just shut the door to his room when he noticed a strange owl at his window. Scorpius quickly bounded over to the window to retrieve the letter, but froze in shock when he saw his name on the outside. It was a beautifully neat and elegant script that he would recognize anywhere for he had been receiving letters with his name on the outside in this same writing every break since fourth year. Scorpius' stomach fell as he fell to his knees, this letter was from Rose.
When he had finished reading the letter Scorpius stared again in shock, a tear rolling down his cheek before he realised he was crying and could swipe it away. He noticed his hand shaking and the quiver in his voice as he whispered out to the suddenly oppressive silence in the room, "Rose is dead."
Followed by the numerous questions flying through Scorpius' head but the main thing that escaped in a sob was, "NO. Rose can't be dead. She just isn't."
If someone had been a fly on the wall in that room the anguish and despair on that boys face would be enough to reduce them to tears. They would have watched as he read over the letter once again and awful realisation flooded his features. The boy had just realised he was a father and his baby was alone in a country across an ocean. Horror in his eyes he jumped up barely pausing to grab his trunk and flew out the door.
Scorpius was like lightning shooting through the halls, making his way into the Great Hall in what must have been record time. It only took a moment to locate his Father who just so happened to be chatting with who he knew had been here for Albus, did not come with her. Scorpius was once again rushing, feeling his heart pounding. He skidded to a stop in front of them, slightly panting and gasped, "This letter is from Rose. I know where she is, we have to go! We have to go now!"
Hermione Weasley was speechless, but Draco Malfoy was not and immediately demanded, "Where? Where are we going?"
"The ministry, then Canada."
Draco was starting to protest at the sudden change of plans and fervour in his son's eyes, but had already wrapped her fingers around Scorpius' wrist and began dragging him out of the hall. Draco's eyes got wide for a moment in anger before following.
Scorpius was expecting them to go outside and off the grounds so they could apperate, instead she led the two Malfoy's upstairs. None of them said anything until they reached the Headmaster's office, and without pause barged in before declaring, "We will floo to the Ministry, it'll be faster than apperating and I can floo straight to the right offices. Although, before we go anywhere I'm going to need to see that letter."
" are you sure? I think we're wasting precious time talking. We should go."
"Scorpius, why won't you let me see it?"
"You just don't need it, okay?"
"It's from my daughter isn't it? I have a right to see what my daughter's written after disappearing for six months!" As she spoke 's voice got higher and higher until she was shouting at him. Scorpius began clutching the letter in his right hand; he couldn't let them see the letter because they wouldn't believe in her the way he did, they would believe she was dead. He needed them to believe she was alive the same as he did. Within moments Draco, who had been a silent shadow up until this point, snuck up behind Scorpius and ripped the letter out of his hand and retreated behind the Headmaster's desk. Scorpius was on his heels trying to get Rose's letter back, when , thinking quickly, stunned him.
Scorpius tried to get up just as quickly as he was stunned, but his efforts were in vain as he was soon immobilised and his father was already reading the letter. Scorpius watched as stood behind his father and began reading the letter over his shoulder. He saw his father finish and shaking hands reach out to hold the letter herself, tears carving a steady path down her cheeks already. She was sobbing in earnest with the letter clutched to her chest as she discovered her baby was dead.
The hex was wearing off, and when Scorpius could move his mouth he shouted, "She's not dead! I know she's not, I would feel it if she was. She is the love of my life. You have to believe she is alive! Please."
Scorpius was begging on his knees for something he knew may never come, but he also knew he had to try.
Draco Malfoy saw his boy, his son, on the floor begging for something that seemed impossible. His boy was in denial.
Although saw the anguish, hers was still too great to care much. Draco walked slowly to Scorpius and put a hand on his son's shoulder in a rare comforting gesture. He said to him with tears in his eyes, "Scorpius, I'm sure there's some truth there, we can't be sure until we find her. We also have to find your baby. Your baby, you're a father now and you have to make sure that baby is safe. Okay?"
"O-okay."
chose that moment to interrupt clearing her throat, "Yes, let's go and find my grand baby."
So all three of them stepped into the fireplace one by one Hermione, Scorpius, and Draco.