Disclaimer: Nothing here that you recognise is owned by me. Credit goes to JK Rowling for her world.

Chapter 5

The comforting smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled his senses and Scorpius slowly opened his eyes, cringing as the bright fluorescent white lights assaulted his sight. Where am I? Ah yes, St Mungos.

His eyes adjusted to his surroundings and he looked down to find Lily Potter seated on a chair by his bedside. She appeared to be asleep with her mouth wide open and her head rolling to one side. What an unflattering sight. Scorpius wrinkled his nose in disgust but at the same time, he couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Just look at her, her mouth wide open, snoring like an old geezer with sleep apnoea, what a sight. Scorpius cleared his throat loudly and Potter woke up with a jolt.

"What the fu- oh! You're awake!"

She looked delighted to see him and reached forward to help him as he struggled to sit upright. "Be careful, the healer said you'd broken your arm in 30 different places and it'll take some time for the bones to heal back properly even with skelegrow potion so it's in a sling for the next few days at least". She gestured to the cast that encased his wrist all the way to his shoulder.

He swatted her hands away from him and continued to struggle on his own to get into a comfortable sitting position. "I'll live", he responded dryly.

He tried to busy himself with adjusting his bedding but kept feeling distracted by Potter's eyes staring into him.

"Stare any harder and you'll burn a hole through me Potter", he looked up to meet her gaze and smirked as her face coloured.

"Oh uh I didn't mean to stare", she replied, turning her gaze to her feet.

"What is it Potter? It's unlike you to hold back, just spit it out".

"I just wanted to say thank you, that's all", she replied and he couldn't help but blink in surprise. "If you hadn't shown up at the alleyway I would have likely not made it out alive".

Scorpius cleared his throat. "I'm glad you know that Potter, a little bit of self-awareness never hurt anyone".

Her expression very quickly turned into a scowl which made his lips tilt upwards into a smirk. It was so entertaining to rile her up.

The door to the ward slid open and in sauntered Hugo Weasley. "Nice to see you up", the red head remarked. "Although many might have preferred your unconscious form, I'm sure".

"Don't you have better things to do?" Scorpius scowled.

"What's more important than checking in on my patient?" Hugo Weasley placed his hands on his hips dramatically. "Speaking of checking up on patients, Lily, you'd better go check in with Uncle Charlie".

Potter was immediately on her feet, looking panicked. "Why? What's happened to him?"

"He's about to go burn down the ward because they won't let him into the consultation room to be with Padma. Right now all that's standing in his way is Pugsley, a junior healer who might just resign once Uncle Charlie's done with him".

"Oh god", she exclaimed. "Say no more, I'd better go and save that poor healer".

Both men watched until Lily left the room before Scorpius turned to the red headed man standing in front of him.

"Are you the only healer in St Mungos? Why do I always have the misfortune of bumping into you everywhere I go?"

Hugo grinned, "I call the coincidental bumping fate but this time I volunteered to be your healer".

Scorpius gawked at him, "you what?"

"I couldn't just let the saviour of my precious cousin's life be placed in someone else's hands", Hugo exclaimed. "Don't you worry, I'll take good care of you!"

"God if I'd known this was the consequence of saving Potter's life, I wouldn't have done it I assure you", Scorpius grumbled.

"Look, I'm grateful for what you did and it means a lot to me and my family. Lily is my favourite cousin and probably the most precious out of all my family members to me. We are indebted to you", Hugo said completely ignoring the look of horror on Scorpius's face.

"What the fuck Weasley, I didn't even save your life and you're getting all disgustingly mushy and sentimental".

"Look", Hugo said with a sigh. "Lily has been through hell and high-water thanks to that fuckwit and it's really messed her around. I'm just grateful that you've been looking put for her".

"I have not been looking out for her and just so you know, I'm not making it a habit, Weasley-"

"Hugo", the red head corrected.

"Fine Wea-Hugo, it was just a couple of times, let's not get too excited".

Hugo didn't respond but the look he shot Scorpius indicated that he thought otherwise. Scorpius shifted, not at all liking how the other man was looking at him. It was a look of observation and curiosity. Like he was trying to figure Scorpius out.

"Now aren't you going to leave me to rest? I am a patient you know" he snapped.

"Oh right, yes I'll leave you to rest. You'll be discharged soon, now that you're up. Let me know if you need anything, I can have it delivered to you once you go home. Food, painkillers or even play witch magazines? Although maybe that's not a great idea. You may not be able to use your right hand for a while given the injuries…" the healer trailed off looking thoughtful.

"I'm ambidextrous", Scorpius smirked and Hugo Weasley looked at him with what Scorpius could only describe as sheer envy.

"Some people are born so lucky", Hugo muttered to himself, shaking his head as he left the room.

Scorpius sighed deeply, feeling the exhaustion settle deep into his muscles. His whole body felt stiff and he tried to use his one good hand to prop himself up and sighed. How did he end up like this? He had been freely enjoying his life of luxury and debauchery only to have it all thrown up in the air. Next thing, he'd been ambushed by red heads and was now completely outnumbered and surrounded by them. Complete and utter madness. A knock on the door jerked him from his thoughts and without waiting for a response, the door burst open and his mother rushed through.

"Scorpius darling!" His mother's beautiful face was etched with worry as she examined him. His father stood beside her and whilst the elder Malfoy didn't examine Scorpius with the same flurry, his face looked more serious than Scorpius had ever seen.

"How are you feeling?" His father asked, looking at Scorpius's heavily casted arm.

"I'm fine", Scorpius replied waving a hand dismissively at his fretting mother. "Mother stop fussing, I'm alive and well".

"How did this happen?" Astoria's voice was shrill and Scorpius winced.

"Astoria", Draco said gently. "Look at him, he's alright. Let's give him some space".

"It was an attack", Scorpius said carefully, trying to read his parents' faces, particularly his father's. "A death eater attack".

Draco's eyes darkened but apart from that, his face was impassive. Astoria on the other hand frowned openly.

"Death eaters? I thought they were all wiped out".

"Well not sure who attacked us then", Scorpius replied. "They definitely looked like death eaters though".

Another knock on the door made all three Malfoys look towards the entrance of the room. This time the person that walked through the door was someone that neither of the Malfoys expected.

In walked Harry Potter himself, his dark robes billowing behind him. His eyes tried, his hair ingloriously ruffled. Astoria blinked rapidly as though not believing that the man himself had entered the room. Draco inclined his head in greeting and Harry nodded in acknowledgement.

"Do you need to speak to me?" Scorpius moved, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

"At some point I would need to take a statement from you Scorpius but not right now. Although I must thank you for what you did for Padma and my daughter. Without you, they probably wouldn't be alive right now. That was incredibly brave and very impressive magic I witnessed from you".

"Not a problem", Scorpius replied.

"I was hoping however, if I could speak to you both", Harry turned to Scorpius's parents.

"Yes, I was actually hoping for the same", Draco replied.

"I'll go and take a walk and stretch my legs. You guys talk as long as you want", Scorpius said, getting up from his hospital bed. "I could use some fresh air".

"Thank you", Harry replied and Scorpius excused himself making his way down the long corridor of his ward.

He deliberated whether he should go find Hugo Weasley to entertain himself before he remembered Potter. Lily Potter had gone off to try and keep Charlie from causing trouble. He could already feel the nuggets of drama unfolding and so he decided, he would go and find Potter and Charlie and be gladly entertained by the drama there.


Lily rounded the corner and was met with her uncle's angry shouts.

"I want to see her! Why won't you let me in?"

"Uh sorry sir, you can't enter the consultation room at the moment because you're not a family member or her guardian".

The junior healer, Pugsley, was doing his best to stand in between Charlie and the consultation room that Padma was in. Lily had to commend his bravery for standing his ground. She had seen bigger, stronger men crumble before her uncle's temper.

"What?" Charlie hissed dangerously and the junior healer flinched under the older man's burning gaze. This was the moment to intervene, Lily deduced and jumped in quickly.

"Uncle Charlie" She called out, making a grab for his arm as he nearly lunged for the poor healer. "I'm sure she'll be out soon, why don't we wait a minute or so".

"I need to see her. I need to see if she's alright".

"But you're not her guardian or anything", Lily explained gently. "They have rules for this sort of stuff".

"I'm all she has", he replied and Lily saw it all. The raw intensity of her uncle's emotions laid bare.

"Yes I know but"-

"I don't know how badly she's hurt and if they don't let me in, I'm going to fucking burn this place down to get to her".

"She'll be fine," Lily comforted. "She was a little banged up when the medics got to her but she'll be fine".

Thankfully they were spared from Charlie trying to burn the place down to get to Padma because the object of their conversation emerged from the consultation room evoking a sigh of relief from Pugsley.

"Padma!" Charlie exclaimed, rushing to her. "Are you alright?" He ran his hands over her shoulders trying to examine her for any signs of injury.

The bruise that sparked their earlier pub brawl had now progressed, coloured a deep purple hue. Charlie growled, actually growled as his fingers hovered over the discoloured skin, careful not to touch her skin.

"Bastard! I'm going to fucking find him and incinerate him with dragon fire from every dragon that's in our sanctuary".

"I'm fine Charlie", she replied with a small chuckle, a smile lingering on her lips.

"Are you sure? Is there anything they can do about that bruise?" Charlie's fingers touched the skin just on the boundaries of the discoloration.

"It's just a bruise", she said gently. "I've had worse burns working at the reserve".

"You don't know how worried I was".

Charlie let out a sigh letting his fingers drop to her shoulder where they curled around her shoulder blades. His thumb rubbed soothing strokes up and down the tip of Padma's shoulder and the older witch smiled at him. Lily almost felt like she was intruding on a special moment.

"Let's go home", Padma said as her hand reached up to cover his.

Lily caught the charged look that passed between them and began to back away slowly. Smiling to herself, she walked off in the opposite direction to the pair.

She walked along the wards aimlessly and was surprised to find that her feet had led her to the maternity ward. She stood in front of the large glass window that let her peek into the nursery. Her heart constricted at the reminder that she had been so close to having a baby herself. She smiled sadly, looking at the beautiful new born bundles wrapped in blankets of sky blue or sunset pink.

Her eyelids burned as she felt salty tears well in her eyes. She and Lysander could have been parents by now. She placed a palm over her belly unconsciously and felt her chest constrict.

"Lily? What are you doing here?"

No, no, no no. Why did she have to see him here of all places? What kind of sick cruel twist of fate enabled them to meet here, in the nursery, the last place she wanted to see him. Seeing him sucked the warmth from her body. He didn't have any right to be here in the presence of these innocent babies when he had-

"Lily?"

Keep it together Lily. You can do this. Breathe, don't let him see you weak and affected.

"Just visiting" She managed to get out.

"How've you been Lily? I've been thinking about you".

Again the same thing. Thinking about her after he'd caused everything. After he'd- oh god. Not now. The air was becoming thin. She felt her chest tightening further. She couldn't respond, she would vomit all over him if she did. This wasn't the time to have a panic attack. Keep it together, keep it together.

"I'm here for us to have a check up and make sure the baby is doing well".

Lily choked back a sob. Baby. He had no idea, no fucking idea what had happened to their baby. Their baby who did nothing wrong except to be cursed with them as its parents. She was crumbling, her head was beginning to pound and she felt her vision blur. She needed to leave, she needed to be dragged away from Lysander. She needed to escape him. The bile rose and she swallowed thickly to push it back down.

"Lily are you alright?"

Lysander reached a hand out to touch her and she felt the horror bubbling in her chest. She would break, she would crumble if he touched her. She tried to move a step back but her feet felt like lead. Oh please, please Godric take me away from here.

A firm hand on her elbow turned her away from Lysander and she came face to face with the dark grey storm brewing in her saviour's eyes. Malfoy. She was on her way to having a full-fledged anxiety attack in front of Lysander and Scorpius fucking Malfoy if she didn't get out of there- fast.

"I've been looking everywhere for you", Malfoy drawled, completely ignoring Lysander standing behind her. He didn't loosen his grip on her arm. "When you didn't come back to the room I almost sent a search party out for you".

"Malfoy?" Lysander asked, his face set in a confused frown.

"In the fucking flesh Scamander. I know I'm rather good looking but if you're done gawking at me, it's time for us to take our leave. I have some rather important business to discuss with Lily here".

Without waiting for an answer, Malfoy tightened his grip on her arm and steered Lily in the opposite direction, leaving Lysander staring after them.

"Work with me Potter", Malfoy hissed into her ear and she was only vaguely registering what was happening. "You're like dead weight on legs. Right, left, right left, lift those legs up and down and move them".

Lily's body felt heavy and she struggled, dragging her feet, held up by Malfoy's grip on her arm. She felt her airwaves closing and she tried gulping in mouthfuls of air.

"Potter", she heard Malfoy call her from a faraway place. "Potter keep it together".

Then a firm hand cupped her chin, fingers on either side of her mouth scrunching her lips together. Her vision focused and she found herself staring straight at Malfoy. His eyebrows furrowed, face set into a frown as he peered at her.

"Breathe Potter, can't have you passing out on me again, although it does seem to be a habit of yours".

She wrenched herself from his grip on her face and rushed to vomit into a nearby rubbish bin. She reached into her bag for her handkerchief, wiping her mouth.

"I hope you either brush your teeth or eat some gum after this. Don't want you breathing your vomit breath all over me", he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"Oh fuck off Malfoy", she rasped, her voice throaty and raw.

"You didn't look like you were particularly interested in chatting to Scamander over there, shouldn't you be thanking me?"

He had a point.

"What the fuck do you want anyway? Why did you come looking for me?"

"Well, your father is in my room talking to my parents and I thought I would come and tell you the good news".

"My father? Talking to your parents?"

Malfoy only shrugged in response. "Probably telling them what a wonderful son they have. A selfless, martyr-"

"And what's the good news", she asked suspiciously.

"Well, I've come to tell you that since I'll be an invalid for the next few days", he held up his arm wrapped in a cast. "You'll be looking after me".

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head, "what?"

"You heard what I said '', he replied coolly.

"No. No no no no no. Not doing it, end of story. Why can't you go home and have your servants wait on you hand and foot? What about Cookie and Brownie? Don't you have two house elves for a reason?"

"I can't go home because my contract says I have to reside at the reserve. Besides, I've sent Cookie on a holiday", he waved his hand dismissively. "And as for Brownie, don't even get me started. I am not in the mood to deal with an injury and an emotionally sensitive, volatile elf at the same time. I can barely look after myself in this state let alone prevent Brownie from torturing herself at every available opportunity".

"You're fucking joking", Lily said flatly.

"No, Varian needs Brownie too".

"And since when did you send your house elves on holidays?" She frowned, her eyebrows furrowed together.

"Since they get 30 days of annual leave every year and Cookie needed to see his elf family? I don't know? Look, I don't ask my elves why they want to take leave! I'm a gracious master!"

"Well whatever, I don't care Malfoy, I'm not getting involved in this", she snapped, turning to walk away from him.

"Well Potter, do you remember how I got injured?" He examined his fingernails carefully. "I believe I was trying to save your miserable life. Didn't you thank me not too long ago and now you're refusing to help me".

He looked up to meet her glare before continuing on dramatically. "The innocent me who was trying to be just a good Samaritan and who ended up getting injured while trying to save you. Where's your gratitude Potter?"

Lily groaned before letting out a sigh, a long and suffering sigh. He was right. He did save her sorry backside during the attack and she shuddered to think what could have happened without him intervening. He'd fended off the advancing death eaters until her father arrived.

"Fine", she snapped. "I'll do it".

He beamed, "excellent".

"What does looking after you mean?" She asked with the same frown on her face.

He smirked, an evil cunning smirk and Lily wasn't sure she would like whatever answer he was going to give her.

"It means whatever I want it to mean", he drawled, moving closer to her, his hot minty breath caressing her ear.

"Whatever lewd disgusting thing you're thinking in your head, I'm not doing it", she growled.

"You sure?" He grinned devilishly and Lily gulped. "You might just enjoy yourself", he replied, trailing a finger along her jawline.

She slapped his hand away, eyes flashing angrily. "Fuck off Malfoy. I'm warning you, anything perverse and I'll feed you to the dragons myself. We have plenty of them and all I have to do is accidentally leave you unattended in an enclosure".

"Maybe I can have bonding time with your best fucking friend Norberta then", he smirked.

"You're such a fucking asshole", Lily exclaimed.

"And you have smelly vomit breath on top of being a potty mouth", he said looking at her pointedly.

Her hands fisted at her sides and he placed his un-casted hand to his chest. "Were you going to hit me Potter? Me, the injured patient?"

"Argh!" She cried in frustration before stalking off, leaving Malfoy behind.

"Where are you going, Potter?" He called out.

"Away from you!"

"See you at my room in 15 minutes, you'll need to take me back to the reserve, don't forget!" he called out, chuckling as she groaned loudly.

Maybe it would have been better if Malfoy had just let the death eaters Avada her. Helping Malfoy and being what sounded like his personal slave for the next few days would be worse than death. It was only then that she realised that Malfoy hadn't said anything about her panic attack. He was probably just too excited to make me suffer and get me to be his personal maid, priorities probably. She was lucky that this time, her panic attack hadn't developed into a full-fledged one and she was actually surprised that she'd managed to come out of it quickly. Although, vomiting in front of Malfoy had been pretty embarrassing.

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She still had time before having to begin the sordid task she had guiltily condemned herself into doing but first she needed a coffee.


"Where have you been Scorpius?" Astoria asked as returned to his hospital room.

"Just went for a walk around", he replied. "What did Potter Senior want to talk about?"

"Nothing overly important", Draco replied nonchalantly. "Just told us about what you did for his daughter and thanked us".

"Oh"

"He told us you saved his daughter's life", Astoria replied. "Do you know his daughter?" Draco trained his observant gaze on Scorpius.

Scorpius shrugged casually. "She was in Slytherin with her brother so I saw her around in Hogwarts but never really interacted with her. Don't know much about her, but she also works in the reserve as a dragon healer".

Draco was watching him carefully and Scorpius cleared his throat choosing to sit back down on his hospital bed. His father's scrutiny made him feel uncomfortable. He wasn't sure even sure why.

"Shall we go then?" Astoria asked. "I can help you change out of your robes so that we can go home. I'll feel better knowing that we can help you out for the next few days while you're recovering".

"No, that's quite alright mother. I have someone coming to help me in about half an hour or so".

Astoria looked at him in surprise. "Who's coming?"

"One of the reserve staff".

"The reserve staff?"

"Yes mother, I do have to go back to the reserve anyway. My contract says that I've got to stay there unless in extenuating circumstances or else be in breach of the contract".

"I believe this is an extenuating circumstance", Draco said. "I'd be willing to let you come home to recover".

"Come now father, surely you didn't think so little of me. I'm a man of my word, I should return to the reserve. Besides, I have work there that needs tending to".

Draco eyed him but said nothing even as Astoria implored him to persuade Scorpius to return home with them.

"He said he'll be fine, Astoria. Besides he said the reserve staff are helping him out", Draco said. "Good that he's getting support there".

"But Draco-"

"I'll be alright mother", Scorpius coaxed. "Don't worry, I'll floo you daily to let you know I'm alive and well, if it'll make you feel better".

Astoria gave a resigned sigh. "Wonder who you get your stubborn streak from".

"From you of course", he replied, giving her a light kiss on the cheek which earned him a small smile. "Now that you've seen me, you can be on your way knowing that I'm fine".

"Scorpius-"

"Really mother, I'll be alright. Don't worry if there's anything I'll get Varian to help me".

"For the last time Scorpius, are you absolutely sure you don't want to come back with us?" Astoria looked at him with pleading eyes.

"I'm completely sure. Besides I'm about to get discharged, I just spoke to my healer".

"Alright son, we'll take our leave then", Draco said.

With a firm shoulder grip from his father and several hugs from his mother, his parents left him after he promised his mother again that he would floo them daily.

He leaned back into his hospital bed with a smirk thinking about how he'd manipulated Potter into helping him. He was such a Slytherin and she was such a sucker. His brain ignited with all the things he would make Potter do. Make him coffee, make him food, make him coffee, clean his room, make him coffee, scrub his floors on her hands and knees…

For the hundredth time that day, someone had knocked on his door and without waiting for his response, Varian entered the room.

"A little late to the party aren't we? Everyone's already come and gone", he smirked at his best friend.

"And here I was worried that something terrible happened to you, but I guess give your razor sharp wit is still intact, you're fine", Varian rolled his eyes.

"What about my injured hand? Can't you see I've become an invalid?", Scorpius whined pathetically.

"You'll live princess", Varian said with a shake of his head. "Now when do you get discharged?"

"I'm about to be discharged soon", he said and Varian frowned.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Don't you want to rest a little longer".

"I'm fine although seeing your concern for me is rather heart-warming", Scorpius smirked. "Always knew you harboured some secret romantic feelings for me, you've just been expressing it a lot recently".

"Shut up".

"Potter will be here soon, you might want to get going".

Varian eyed him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"She felt indebted to me for saving her life yet again so she's volunteered to help me when I go back to the reserve".

Varian narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure? Not because you blackmailed her into helping you or something like that?"

Scorpius contorted his face into mock outrage. "Me? Never! I guess she feels that she owes me".

"Alright, now that I know you're fine, I'll head back to the office. There's something urgent I need to tend to. I'll come by tomorrow morning and help you change if you need me to".

"You're just obsessed with me aren't you", Scorpius shook his head pleased to see Varian roll his eyes.

"Fuck off idiot".

"Don't you worry though, I'll have Potter attend to my every need". He shot Varian a sly look and the latter groaned.

"Score, please behave. You know I'm no good at Criminal law", Varian warned and Scorpius merely chuckled in response. "And be nice to Lily".

"Oh first name basis now are we?"

"Shut up".

"Oh and Varian", Scorpius called out just as his friend was about to exit the room.

"Yeah?"

"Can you send Cookie away for 5 days on holiday?"

"What?"

"Send him to go and see his elf family or something. He's worked hard, he deserves annual leave".

"But he didn't ask for any".

"Just send him on a paid vacation will you? I don't want to get in trouble with SHREW".

"It's SPEW", Varian corrected.

"Whatever, just send Cookie on leave today and make sure he doesn't try to shut his head in the oven because he very likely will!"

"Sometimes I will never understand you", Varian replied with a sigh.


"It's not hot enough".

For the 3rd time that hour, Lily was going to murder Scorpius Malfoy and having an entire arm in a cast would be the least of his problems. This was not something she wanted to be doing on a Sunday morning. Malfoy had put her to work as soon as she'd woken up that morning. He'd made her pick out his clothes when Varian had come to check in on him. She then had to make him breakfast, cutting up his food into bite sized pieces that he could spear with a fork and place into his mouth. Then she had to do the same for lunch, then make him his afternoon coffee. She was going to scream.

This was the 3rd coffee she'd had to make in the staff tent. Apparently the other coffees had been either too strong, too weak and now the coffee wasn't hot enough. She was about to tear her hair out, or Malfoys, she hadn't decided yet.

"What do you mean?" She growled. "How much hotter did you want it? The temperature of molten lava?"

"Well it's lukewarm at its best at the moment", Malfoy replied haughtily.

"Give it here!" Lily snatched the cup of coffee from his hands and took a sip of the dark liquid. "It's a great temperature!"

"Well I want it hotter", he replied.

"Well you can get fucked".

"Is that the way you talk to your saviour? Someone who nearly got killed trying to save your life?"

"Argh!" she exclaimed loudly, throwing her hands up in the air but nevertheless she went back to the coffee machine, the guilt eating at her.

"And for Salazar's sake Potter, be gentle with the coffee machine, it's the most expensive thing in this squalor".

She scowled, deliberating if she should spit in his coffee but the risk was too high. Malfoy was watching her like a hawk.

"What are you both doing in here on this beautiful Sunday", Charlie called in a sing-song voice, a spring in his step as walked up to them. "You should both be out, enjoying the afternoon sunshine!"

"What's so fucking beautiful about today?" Malfoy asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Just a good day", Charlie shrugged a beaming smile on his face as he took his place in front of the coffee machine, summoning two mugs.

"Uncle Charlie, you have a little something on your collar", Lily said, moving to wipe the smudge on his collar. "It's lipstick".

"What shade do they call that I wonder?" Malfoy smirked. "Patil pink? Or Padma purple?"

Lily's eyes widened and she gasped, "did you and Padma…"

Charlie's cheeks coloured and he cleared his throat, focusing instead on making the two cups of coffee.

"You sly dragon", Malfoy smirked, a note of admiration in his voice. "It's about time".

"Don't you two have better things to do?" Charlie raised an eyebrow.

"We have to check on Syel and move her out of the enclosure. Aren't you coming with me?", Lily put her hands on her hips.

"Take Scorpius with you, I have other things to do", he replied.

"You mean people to do or should I say Padma?" Malfoy replied in glee, earning a glare from Charlie.

"One more word from you and I'll have you on dung duty for the rest of your time here", Charlie warned as he picked up the two fresh mugs of coffee.

"Wait, so you're really not coming?" Lily called out as her uncle made his way to the exit.

"No, take Scorpius", Charlie called back, kicking the tent door open with his foot before walking out into the sunshine.

"Come on Malfoy", Lily sighed. "Let's go and see Syel".

"Syel?"

"She's a pregnant Ayida dragon", Lily explained as they left the staff tent. "She's one of the few species of dragons that don't lay eggs and gives birth like a mammal".

"Ayida", Malfoy looked thoughtful. "They're a species from the African continent, a 2 legged serpent and dragon cross breed considered to be almost extinct. They're usually poached for their spiked ridges and claws and known as a descendent of the rainbow goddess during ancient times for the rain and rainbows they brought".

"That's right", Lily gaped at him. "How did you know that?"

"I just happen to be a wizard that's far superior from the mediocre ones you're used to, Potter".

Lily scowled, wanting to wipe that smug smirk off his perfect face. One day, one day I'll wipe that stupid smirk from his perfect fucking face.

"Can't go one day without inflating your own ego huh".

"Look Potter sometimes the truth hurts but the sooner we accept it, the better it is for everyone".

"For fucks sake", she muttered darkly, instantaneously brightening as they entered the Ayida enclosure.

"You're not going to say this dragon is your best friend too are you?" Malfoy sneered.

"She's not but she's Ryu's best friend", she replied with a small smile. "They get along so well".

"Is he the father?"

"No", Lily chuckled.

Malfoy studied the enclosure for a while and Lily wondered if he was really taking things seriously.

"So how are you going to deal with the pregnant Ayida dragon?"

"In terms of…" she trailed, her head tilted back in question.

"Given that you appear to have five female Ayida dragons in total with one of them being pregnant, isn't that a danger to the pregnant one?"

Lily opened her mouth to respond but Malfoy carried on.

"Usually female Ayida dragons have a pack mentality. They're like the popular clique in school so especially given how rare it is for Ayida females to reproduce, the rest would probably outcast and mistreat the pregnant female so she would have to be removed for her safety".

Lily swallowed her astonishment and cleared her throat, becoming conscious that she was gaping at him again.

"Um yes, that's right. Because Syel was the leader of her clique, we thought she'd be alright and she had been right up till recently and we've had to separate her within the enclosure until we could find another space for her".

"So you're going to move her now?"

"Uh yeah it's not hard, Syel's used to me since I've been checking up on her regularly", Lily explained as she entered through a small opening in the wards separating the pregnant dragon's enclosure from the other Ayida dragons.

"How was she introduced to Ryu?"

"Syel was the first and only Ayida we had at the time and she came a year after Ryu did. We didn't have anywhere to put her at the time. It was so easy because Ryu had never been introduced to a female dragon and he was very intrigued by her. They both love water so they got along fabulously. Later we worked with another reserve and tried mating her with a Damballah dragon, the Ayida male counterpart".

"Then you got the other Ayida females and by that time Syel would have been a queen with two powerful male dragons scent on her. Easy to see it", Malfoy reasoned and Lily had to blink away the little butterflies fluttering in her chest.

"Exactly", she responded eagerly. "She was instantly the queen of the pack of Ayida dragons when we got the others from an abandoned herd".

"What changed?" Malfoy asked. "Why did they suddenly become antagonistic?"

"Hard to say but Uncle Charlie reckons it's because she became pregnant during the third mating try and the rest didn't. Might have been resentment brewing for a while and recently blew up".

"Hmm" he replied thoughtfully.

Malfoy then surprised her by walking forward in the direction of the pregnant Ayida. Lily wasn't sure how many more times she could be surprised by the blonde walking a little head of her.

Syel looked up from where she was digging into a small pond for fish, staring intently in Malfoy's direction.

"Malfoy, don't move", Lily hissed, "let her assess you properly".

He ignored her and Lily felt the panic bubbling in her throat. Malfoy was going to get himself killed. Ayida weren't aggressive but pregnant Ayida dragons could be territorial. A new addition, whether object or person, had to be introduced and assessed by the dragon first. This was going to be a disaster.

"Malfoy", she called out again but he didn't stop. "Fuck", she pulled out her wand ready to cast a shield, not sure how accurate her aim would be since he and Syel were just several metres apart. Enough distance for a strong shield charm? Oh Godric, Malfoy's going to get killed.

Lily watched in horror as Syel charged over to Malfoy but he remained calm and held up his injured arm wrapped in the cast. The dragon came to a halt before him, sniffed it, sniffed Malfoy and then let out a low whine before stamping her clawed foot into the ground, rubbing her snout against his injured arm.

"What"- Lily gasped.

"Maternal instinct", Malfoy replied with a smirk as Syel rubbed her head against him. "They're fiercely maternal but they also become protective of injured or helpless creatures that aren't predatory, it's why the females tend to stay in a clique right?"

"Of course", Lily replied, hitting her palm to her forehead. "Mummy Ayidas won't see you as a threat because you're injured".

"Told you I was invalid and needed to be looked after", he grinned at her. An actual fucking grin on his face.

He made for a real sight with the gentle breeze ruffling his platinum hair into his eyes with Syel trying to show her affection for him.

"Were you worried about me Potter?" A devilish smirk curling at his lips.

"No", she muttered. "I was worried that if you got eaten, I'd be the first person suspected in your death".

"You do have a point", he agreed.

Syel nudged him in his good side and he nearly stumbled forward. "She wants a pat", Lily replied with a chuckle.

Malfoy slowly held up his good hand but didn't make a move to pat the dragon. He looked hesitant about it but the dragon ducked her head under his outstretched hand, forcing a pat from Malfoy.

"Oh Syel", Lily exclaimed with a laugh.

"Now what?"

"Now, we move her to Ryu's enclosure", Lily replied with a smile, a sparkle in her eyes.

Scorpius felt a warmth spread through his belly as he recalled the look of surprise and admiration on Potter's face earlier. The smartest thing he'd done had been to request a list of all the dragon species housed at the reserve. The second smartest thing he had done had been to read up about the dragons he hadn't known much about.

"How'd you know so much about the Ayida dragons?" Potter asked.

She was walking on the other side of the dragon and craned her neck to look over at Scorpius.

"Impressed are you Potter?" He asked, his lips curling into a half smirk.

"Honestly, yes", she replied, her honesty surprising him.

"Beginning to see all my good qualities now?"

"Let's not go that far, Malfoy", she replied with a smile in his direction. A smile that was doing funny things to his insides. "So tell me, how'd you know so much about the Ayida dragons?"

"My father used to say that during the time of Merlin, my ancestors were known as dragon masters. They would work closely with dragons to assist Merlin with uncovering the secrets to magic but that's probably just something they told all their descendants to make them feel important".

"Does your dad like dragons?" She sounded careful, cautious but curious.

"A little too much", he replied as Syel nudged him with the side of her head wanting him to pat her again. "My father has a large extensive collection of books in his library dedicated just to dragons".

"So you read all those books?"

"Why all the questions Potter? One might think you were interested in me", he raised an eyebrow at her and the warmth in his belly spread upwards as she blushed under his gaze.

"Sod off", she mumbled.

"Just to answer your question, when I was young, my father would read me books about dragons as a form of a bedtime story. I just re-read a couple of them recently".

"Your father would read you bedtime stories?" Potter asked incredulously.

"Why? Didn't your father?"

"No he- he did but I just couldn't imagine your father reading bedtime stories to you".

"Because we're evil, cold hearted Malfoys?" He hadn't intended to sound harsh in response but it had just come out that way. Her question had rubbed a sore spot that festered into an insecurity of his. "Because we should have been reading dark magic books from knockturn alley over raising hell on earth?"

Stop Scorpius, you know that's not what she meant. Don't take it this far. He didn't listen to the voice within.

"Or is it because my family isn't like your family of war heroes? We're vile and heartless, looking for the first opportunity to raise Voldermort and wage war on the innocent?"

Potter flinched at his words, recoiling slightly, any sign of cordial conversation between them gone.

"I- I no that's not what I-"

"Whatever Potter", he snarled "I don't care". Syel gave a low distressed whine and Scorpius stroked her head tenderly. "Sorry". He leant down to whisper to the creature. "Didn't mean to startle you".

He looked up to find Potter staring at him, meeting his eyes before looking away quickly. They settled into silence, reaching Ryu's enclosure where the male dragon was basking in the evening sun. As soon as Ryu sensed their presence, he gave an excited huff, gliding around animatedly before making his way to them. Syel also stamped her feet excitedly as soon as she caught sight of the male dragon.

"Go on", Potter urged with an approving smile as Syel turned to look at her.

To Scorpius's immense surprise, the dragon then turned to look at him as though waiting for his approval.

"What are you looking at me for?" He asked and the dragon gave a low rumble. Scorpius sighed, "Well if you must require my permission then go, go on".

Syel stamped her feet happily, moving to meet the excited Ryu, gliding around in the air.

Without waiting for Potter, Scorpius sat himself down on a rock. Potter moved to join him, both silent as they watched the two dragons meet happily.

"He hasn't seen her since she was mated", Potter mumbled to herself as Ryu sniffed around Syel's belly before letting out a low vibration, nuzzling it affectionately. Potter let out a soft sigh, a smile forming on her lips. He looked away quickly, determined not to let his gaze linger too long on her, lest she become aware.

"About earlier", Potter began, turning to look at him but he cut her off.

"Forget it Potter", he said. "I'm not that fragile that I would break because of what you thought of me and my family".

She looked like there was more that she wanted to say but decided against it and kept her mouth shut. Instead they focused their attention on the dragons playing happily together.

A drop of water landed on Scorpius's nose and he looked up to see the clouds darkening, to cover the sun. Another drop landed on his cheek and he turned to look at Potter who was also frowning at the sky.

"It's raining", she remarked.

"No shit", he sneered.

"It's them, they're creating the rain", Potter breathed, pointing to the two dragons.

A loud humming echoed around them as Ryu encircled Syel, who was nodding her head and stamping her feet, purring softly. She glowed in a sphere of light and wind as Ryu encircled Syel, his silver scales glinting in the evening sun.

"What are they doing?" Scorpius asked.

"It's a guardianship ritual", Potter breathed. "Ryu's claiming guardianship over Syel's unborn. He's vowing to protect them both".

"Why is he doing that?"

"I don't know, it's actually an ancient dragon mating ritual amongst the Damballah and the Ayida but Syel and Ryu- they're not mates", she whispered, eyes still glued to the two dragons. "I've never really seen this before".

Scorpius hadn't realised that both he and Potter had risen to their feet. When did she move so close? Or was it him? Their shoulders inches apart as they watched the magnificent display, rain pouring down over them, saturating their reserve uniforms. Neither of them cared as the rainbows shone through the rain, reflecting off the water droplets.

Ryu let out a loud happy roar that echoed around them. It was a sound that filled Scorpius's soul with liquid warmth. With a final explosion of light, it was finished, Syel's belly glowing from within, the after effects of what appeared to be a newly forged bond with Ryu.

The silver dragon glided towards Scorpius and in a strange moment Ryu's blue orbs met Scorpius's own stormy grey ones. Scorpius stilled, an unexplainable force rooting him to the spot against his will. Then he heard it, a deep voice, as old as the universe itself, vibrating within Scorpius's very core. Feelings of warmth and images of bright sunshine filled his mind. It was a message, a personal message through a golden thread of connection, just between Scorpius and Ryu.

"He's happy", Scorpius said, not taking his eyes off Ryu. "That we brought Syel to him".

"Of course", Potter replied. "They're friends".

Ryu nudged Scorpius's injured hand, humming as his eyes turned from blue to mercury before letting out a puff of breath, the heat warming the blood underneath Scorpius's skin. Then slowly, uncharacteristically, the dragon gave his injured casted hand a lick, engulfing it in saliva.

"Ugh, what!" Scorpius exclaimed. "Now I've got dragon cooties on me".

Ryu let out a snort, before gliding back to Syel, leaving Scorpius staring after the silver scaled beast.

"Let's go back", Potter said. "Everyone will be wondering where we went and besides, I really need to get out of these robes, they're sopping wet".

"Need a hand?" Scorpius asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"No", Potter replied flatly.

"How about you give me a hand instead, since I only have one that works at the moment".

"I should have fed you to the dragons when I had the chance", she muttered darkly as she quickened her pace, trudging through the mud to get back to the staff living quarters.

"What is it with you red heads and feeding people to the dragons! Oi wait for me Potter!" he called after her as she tried to put distance between them.


Lily dried her hair, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. A hot bath had done her a world of good and she briefly wondered how Malfoy was managing. He'd been lucky enough to have Varian pop over in the morning to help him change but now-

It's not your problem, she told herself. He did save your life though, a niggling at the back of her mind reminded her. The least you could do is go and check in on him.

"Malfoy!" She called out, rapping on the male keepers' bathroom door with her knuckles. "Are you alright in there?"

"Fuck", she heard him curse from the other side.

"I'm- I'm coming in", she called out and entered the bathroom, something she immediately regretted.

Inside a large round Jacuzzi looking bathtub in the middle of the bathroom, big enough for a small village, was Malfoy. Malfoy, who's chiselled bare chest was visible from the navel up, peeked out of the soapy water as he sat on the built-in ledge of the tub, leaning his back against the wall of the tub. He had soap bubbles dripping down from his hair into his eyes and he was trying to wipe them away, unintentionally making things worse for himself.

"Fuck these muggle bubble bath soaps, making me fucking blind", he exclaimed and Lily giggled.

"My oh my isn't this a pathetic situation", Lily remarked. "If only the daily prophet could see you now".

"Fuck off if you're not going to help me", he snapped. "My eyes are burning and I'm not in the fucking mood Potter".

"What happened?" She approached the tub, thankful that the soap bubbles hid all his important bits.

"I tried to wash my hair but doing it with one hand is making things difficult", he responded. "And now I've got soap everywhere, in my fucking eyes and ears and fuck me I even have soap in my nose!"

She hid her giggles behind her hands. "Here", she offered as she knelt on his left side, leaning around his shoulder. "Let me help, close your eyes for a bit or you'll get more soap in them".

She grabbed the showerhead attached to the tub and gently rinsed his face, wiping the excess water off his face with her hands. He opened his eyes and she stilled, her hand hovering over his cheek, her face inches apart from his. Good Godric his eyelashes were so long. Had they always been that long? And his eyes, looked like dark rain clouds with flashes of lightning-

"Never seen such a handsome male this up close before?" His lips curled upwards and she scowled, aggressively spraying water directly into his face. "What the fuck Potter!" He spluttered.

"That's what you get for being a prat! Now are you going to fucking behave and let me wash your hair in peace or shall I leave you to go blind from the soap?"

"Fine, fine", he grumbled.

She squeezed some soap into her hands before massaging his scalp with it, a weird shiver running through her as he sighed, sitting back on the inbuilt ledge of the tub, leaning his head into her as she knelt behind him on the floor of the bathroom.

"You may be a lot of things, Potter, but you're definitely good with your hands", he remarked appreciatively.

"You'd better not have meant that in a lewd way", she snapped.

"It's a compliment Potter, just take it as it is", he replied. "What else can you do with your hands, I wonder".

"Oh you really want to see what I can do with my hands?" She asked sweetly before taking the showerhead and again aggressively spraying him directly in the face with cold water.

"Fuck's sake Potter", he exclaimed as she dissolved into giggles behind him.

"You should see your face", she said between peals of laughter. "All scrunched up like a Mandrake".

She expected him to insult her or splash water at her but she definitely didn't expect him to turn around and give her an evil smirk. He reached towards her to grab the shower head from her with his free arm, tugging her towards him. She squealed as she lost her balance, falling into the tub with him. The tub was a lot deeper than she anticipated with her feet unable to touch the bottom. She tried to surface but her robes were heavy, dragging her below. Malfoy's injured arm hooked around her waist, pulling her up above the water and straight into his chest.

"You missed the ledge", he said smarmily.

She coughed and spluttered, wiping the water from her face, smoothing her hair back from her face. Her breath hitching as she met his smouldering gaze. His arm was still around her, holding her firmly, taking her back to the time when he'd saved her on the Quidditch pitch.

"Not laughing now are we Potter", he taunted with a smirk, his face inches from her.

No she was most definitely not laughing. She could feel his warm breath against her lips as he spoke, her heart speeding up. Her eyes darted to his lips and she licked her own unconsciously. His eyes were bright and his cheeks tinged pink and her body moved of its own accord. She leaned in and gently pressed her lips against his. That's one way to wipe the smirk off his face. She could tell he hadn't expected it when he stilled for a moment staring at her in shock when she pulled back.

"What"- he began but she didn't give him a chance to continue as she moved in again, moulding her lips against his, her hands looping around his neck, her eyes fluttering shut.

He reacted to her touch, pulling her in closer until her breasts were pressed into his chest. She sighed inaudibly as his fingers buried themselves in her hair, tugging her head back as he placed hot, wet kisses along her jaw. She let out a soft moan of pleasure, one that seemed to ground her, jolting her back to her senses. Her eyes flew open in a panic, forcing her to face the reality of Malfoy's lips scorching a trail down the side of her neck. In one swift motion, she kneed him to the groin and he let out a loud curse against her neck, his hold around her loosening as his hands went down to cup his assaulted area.

"What the fuck Potter", he bit out through gritted teeth.

"That's what you get for dragging me into the water", she replied sweetly, hoisting herself up on the ledge and out of the tub.

She raced to her room, slamming her door behind her. She leaned against it for a moment, a hand over her chest to calm her racing heart. Replaying the scene in her mind, she groaned, her head falling into her hands. She lay in her bed hours later, tossing and turning as her mind cruelly replayed the feel of Malfoy's lips against her. She had a problem, she deduced as the sun reared its head over the horizon to start the new day. Her problem was that she didn't really hate the feel of Malfoy's lips on her lips and on her skin. Only in the confines of her own mind would she admit that she had actually quite enjoyed it, maybe a little too much. She flopped onto her belly and groaned into her pillow, wishing her bed would swallow her whole so that she didn't have to face Malfoy ever again.

Author's note: Thank you all! I realised it's been a year and I really wanted to finish this and update it before work gets too hectic. I've had a busy year with moving to a new state and starting a new job and just being so god damned unwell with pneumonia and bronchitis for a better part of 12 months but I'm back now! Please please review as your reviews spur me on to write more and quickly! Lots of love and light to you all!