Chapter 11 - November 2027
While carrying Lyra, I duck under the opening of the fireplace on the ground floor of the apartment building and Scorpius following soon after.
Scorpius asks in a quiet tone, "Rose, why don't you let me carry her?"
I paused on the first few steps, torn between crying from guilt or punching him. I couldn't believe how useless I was, Scorpius did everything he could and brought her back. As her mother, I should have watched her better. I let her down and he made it all better as usual. It is completely frustrating and his offering to help more is only irritating me more. Lost in thought I continue up the stairs without replying to Scorpius.
I left the door open as I knew Scorpius would be right behind me. After putting Lyra in her bed and closing the door, I see Scorpius sitting on the couch. He had already turned on the lamp in the corner of the room, spreading a dim warm light. I sit on the couch adjacent utterly exhausted from the roller-coaster of a day.
"Rose, what I'm going to tell you is very important," pausing he checks for my attention, he's more serious than I have ever seen him in my life, "the Aurors and Mr. Potter believe it would be best if you and I move into a house under surveillance for your protection. I am, as of now, Lyra's and your bodyguard."
I sigh, "they aren't going to get the best of me again. I have set up magical barriers around the building and apartment already…"
Before I could continue Scorpius interrupts, "Could you, for once, let someone else help you." He shook, I imagine out of anger, as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Logically I know that I am tired and emotional, that didn't block my anger from raging. "You have no right to say that. You were never there for the hard part. Don't be so fuckin' self-righteous. I don't rely on anyone because I make the mistake of letting you get me pregnant at seventeen, and then you left."
Scorpius did not respond straight away, creating a heavy silence. "You think that night was a mistake? That we were – are, a mistake?" He stood abruptly.
The realization dawning on me about what I had actually said. "Wait, Scorpius…"
He starts to walk towards the hallway, his voice like dry ice that burns, "No Rose, now I know where we stand…Tomorrow you and Lyra will be moving so be prepared, I will be on guard."
I reach from my seat on the couch to turn off the lamp. My throbbing head and the pain behind my eyes prevented any thoughts from growing. I got comfortable on the couch and drifted off the sleep as I thought of the man outside the door.
Someone's calling my name…the adrenaline throws my body upright and eyes open.
"Rose, you have to get your things and get out now. The death eater faction from yesterday is breaking into the building." Scorpius then walks around and starts grabbing picture frames and other possibly important objects. I can hear the crack every time a spell is broken from outside the apartment. I leap over the couch and ran straight to Lyra's room. The emergency bag at the top of her cupboard was one of the bags my mum had enchanted with an extension. Lyra's things essentials were already packed so I grab her favourite toys and shoving them in the bag. She's still asleep and is moody after waking up.
"Scorpius, take Lyra," Running from the room to throw everything important from the rest of the apartment into the bag. It was a mess of paper, sentimental trinkets and clothes. In the kitchen, I grab Lyra some food and her cup, as Scorpius rushed in, "We're leaving now." Without a word we apparated, our surroundings changed to a raining country road.
I took my coat off to cover Lyra, looking at Scorpius, "We need to get under cover now." She can't get sick now or here of all the times.
He nodded and lead us to the house a few meters down the road. It seemed pretty isolated, no another house seemingly for a few kilometers. Scorpius pulled out the key and let us in. I had thought it was someone else's house but…
"Yes, it is a safe house that Mr. Potter told me about before we left for your apartment." I almost ask how he knew but he smirked, "I could see what you were thinking a mile away."
I check Lyra and ignore his arrogance. She sat on the couch with wet feet and legs. "Mummy, I'm cold, n hungry."
My heart skipped a beat for "Oh sweetie," I pick her, "let's have a bath and warm you up. Then we'll eat." I turn to Scorpius, who has wet from the rain, sitting in at the table. "Could you please organize the food?" I grab what I needed from the bag and toss it to him.
"Sure," He raises eyebrows in surprise.
After breakfast, Lyra played with her toys in the living room as I sat at the table watching her. Scorpius sits adjacent to me, it dawns on me that I have work on Monday. How will that work? I can't take time off at a time like this, but I can't leave Lyra.
"Scorpius, I have work on Monday…"
"Actually Mr. Potter also specifically instructed that you are on extended leave for the time being."
I couldn't believe it, did I not have a say in any of this. Again, it seems I am not good enough, I can't manage to raise my daughter and have a career. Fuck why? Have I not dedicated one hundred percent of myself? I stood and started pacing the length of the living room.
"Rose, everything is under control so just relax and enjoy some time with Lyra," Scorpius sighs.
He was right of course, "I'm going to send a Patronus to Esme letting her know I'm ok."