Chapter 57
"You know you can't avoid talking about it forever," Rose said, looking up at the stars. They were snuggled up in the back of Scorpius' Ute. Rose was a little concerned when she saw the blankets and spare clothes he had in the back. It was obvious he had been sleeping out there on his own most nights, avoiding Hugo and making it easier to get more work done. It reminded her that she still needed to talk to Hugo.
"About what?" Scorpius muttered, but knowing exactly what she was talking about.
"You know what?" she replied, shifting up onto her elbow to look at him. Scorpius sat up, and ran his hands over his face and through his hair.
"He was just so still," he eventually let out. Rose could see the tension building in his shoulders, affecting his whole posture. He was trying very hard to let her in, which she was grateful for. "Just lying there…still," he uttered, staring out into the distance. She sat up and watched as his eyes glazed over as if he was back there again, becoming glassier and glassier the longer he imagined was back there. "I have never seen anyone that still before…it scared me." Rose raised a hand to his back, soothingly rubbing up and down. "I just kept thinking that this couldn't be happening." She didn't interrupt him; it was best to let him get it off his chest. "That he still has so many things to make up for…to Mum."
"Only to your mother?" Rose asked with a knowing smile, after he didn't continue. Scorpius' eyes found hers again and she was glad to see a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. It quickly faded though as he looked down.
"I know what you're getting at, Rose, but you don't get it," Scorpius replied. "I don't want or need anything from him…I am good without him, I am happy without him," he added, searching out her gaze again. His eyes bore into hers as though his stare alone could prove what he said.
"I know," Rose nodded. "I understand, but all I am saying is that you may one day," she told him with a smile as she reached out to grasp his hand. "Not now, but sometime in the future… just maybe, you could be better with him…happier with him." Scorpius looked into her eyes and could see the hope in there. The hope that what she was saying was the right thing to say, hope that what she was saying could become true. She was optimistic. He almost laughed at the thought of someone other than his mother being optimistic when referring to his father.
"He's a bastard, Rose. There is no point in denying that or defending him," he said rather bluntly.
"I wasn't," Rose let out a frustrated sigh. She didn't know what to say to him. She knew that he had to go back to St Mungo's, to see his father and comfort his mother, because if they haven't done so already, she had no doubt that Astoria would be informed about what happened soon.
Alison spotted her boyfriend further down the hallway, talking to a healer with a concerned expression upon his face. He was completely focused and taking in everything she had to say.
"Thank you very much, Healer Adams," Albus said as Alison approached them.
"Anytime," the Healer replied, before making her way back down the hallway.
"What was that about?" Alison asked, stepping in front of him with a confused expression on her face. Her confusion grew as he quickly took her hand in his and lead her down the hallway. "Albus, what's going on?" she asked, now a little scared by his behaviour, but allowing him to pull her along behind him. "Albus!" Once he found a private empty room, he opened the door and pulled her inside. "What's going on?"
"Draco Malfoy has been rushed in as a critical emergency. Scorpius brought him in and then left again," he explained.
"Oh Merlin, what happened?"
"The healer says that it looks like the injuries were self-inflicted, which means it wasn't Scorpius' fault."
"Do you really believe he would have done something like that?" Alison asked clearly shocked.
Albus hesitated before replying unconvincingly, "No...not really…I don't know."
"Albus!"
"What?" Albus exclaimed. "If anyone could drive Scorpius to that point, it would be his father. For as long as I have known him, their relationship has always been rocky," he tried to explained.
"Scorpius wouldn't do that," Alison said definitively. There was a pause, neither knowing what to say or do. Albus could tell that Alison was a little disappointed in him for suggesting such a horrible thing about their friend. He himself felt sick as soon as the thought had crossed his mind, but it wouldn't leave. "Are you going to inform Astoria?" Alison asked. "She is staying with your parents, right?"
"Yes, but I convinced the Healers to keep me informed and to hold off contacting next of kin for a little bit," Albus answered. "I think it's what Scorpius would want." Alison just nodded in response.
"I'm gonna go," she finally said after a while.
"What? Why?"
"Because you have things under control here and I think at least one of us should make an appearance for Dom."
"Right," Albus agreed dismally.
"Send me a Patronus if you need me or if Scorpius shows up," Alison said as she opened the door that led back out into the hallway.
"Yeah, same," Albus replied as he watched her leave.
"He can't have always been a bastard," Rose said.
"He has," Scorpius replied.
"I don't believe you," she responded. "Come on, you can't tell me that he was like that when you were a little boy."
"Well, that was a long time ago. I don't remember," he said, so obviously trying to lie.
"Rubbish," Rose disagreed with a chuckle. "Scorpius, I know we have never been really close before, but I still know you well enough to know when you're lying." Scorpius sighed and ran his hand through his hair nervously.
"Okay, no he wasn't always a bastard," he mumbled, looking down. "There was a time where he was the best father ever…" he spoke now as though accepting that he was going to have to talk about it and tell her. Scorpius looked up at her with a smile hiding in the corner of his mouth. "…and we were the best family ever."
"Tell me?" she asked. And he did. He told her about the first time he rode a broom. His father had brought him his first proper broom but his mother wasn't happy about it.
"What do you think, son?" Draco asked as he knelt down next to his son.
"I love it," a young Scorpius beamed, looking down at the broom he held in his hands. It was light but slightly taller than him. "Thank you so much."
"You're most welcome, Scorpius," Draco chuckled as he stood and ruffled his son's odd golden hair.
"Honey, can I speak to you for a moment?" Astoria asked her husband much too kindly. Scorpius didn't pay his parents much mind as they left the room. "Draco, what were you thinking?" Astoria whispered sternly from just outside the door.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked confused.
"You can't give him a broom."
"Why not?"
"Because he's much too young for flying and Quiddich."
"Nonsense, you're never too young for Quiddich," Draco claimed. "This was definitely proven at the United vs Cannons game. His face lit up so spectacularly, even cheered for both teams, he was so excited."
"Yes, I know, it was fantastic but I just worry is all," Astoria maintained.
"I know, but-"
"I mean, what would waiting a year or two matter. He is still very young, Draco, and-"
"But I can do it," Scorpius interrupted, drawing his parents' attention as he stepped out from behind the half closed door where he was eavesdropping.
"Yes, he can," Draco said proudly, placing a strong hand on Scorpius' shoulder. Scorpius turned to look up at his father, beaming brightly.
"Oh sweetie, I don't doubt that you can," Astoria said as she knelt down, ignoring her husband and drawing her son's attention again. "But I just think it would be better if for now…you didn't try," she tried to reason with her son. However, all she was met with was the same amused disbelieving expression upon both her son and husband's faces. She knew that even to her own ears she didn't sound very convincing, but she wouldn't give in. "I am serious, you two," Astoria said sternly, her hands on her hips. "Scorpius, is only five-"
"And a half!" Father and son argued in unison, but Astoria ignored them and continued.
"I will not have him gallivanting around on a broomstick putting him at risk and that's final."
Later that night, Scorpius was awoken by the voice of his father. The pale man knelt beside his son's bed with the small broomstick in hand and a defiant smile.
"Hey, you wanna take it for a spin?"
Scorpius had leapt from his bed, eager to fly like the players he had seen at the Professional Quiddich game. He slipped on his slippers and headed straight for the door. That was until the sound of his father's voice brought him to a halt. "Scorpius?"
"Yes, Dad?" he whispered, turning around to see his father holding up his scarf and sweater.
"Forget something?" Draco teased with a chuckle. Scorpius rushed back over and quickly took the sweater and scarf from his father before rushing towards the door again.
When they had finally reached the small pitch at the back of the Manor, Draco had immediately started teaching Scorpius the basics of flying. He had even managed to hover a few times. After about an hour Draco said it was time to go back to bed. The next night Scorpius was awoken again, then again the next night and every time Draco and Scorpius would both sneak back into bed at about midnight. They continued the routine for months before Astoria had finally given in.
"Did your mother ever find out?" Rose asked with a giggle.
"I'm not sure, but she may have suspected and never said anything. Not much gets past her," Scorpius replied with a great smile. He didn't know how nice and refreshing it would feel to actually talk about the good times with Rose.
"I bet she knew," Rose smiled back at him.
"Probably," Scorpius said softly.
"Tell me another one." And he did. He told her about the mini camp outs their family would have in the Piano room. He told her about the family music jam sessions they would have on a Sunday afternoon. He told her about gardening with his mother and grandmother. He told her about how he always fell asleep to the sound of his father's voice; often potion instructions, Astronomy and Herbology facts were the last bits of information he would hear before his eyes closed. She told him about how her mother would do the same and about her favourite memories in the kitchen with her grandmother. He told her about how his father taught him to play chess, and she told him how her father taught her. He told her about all the little things that were great back then. All the things he taken for granted, and wished he treasured more before it was too late.
"What happened to make him change?" Rose asked, curious to know what had changed Draco from the wonderful family man he was in Scorpius' childhood.
"My Grandmother died when I was 9," Scorpius answered, deflating and laying back down against the blankets. "It all went downhill from there," he added as he tucked his hands behind his head and let out a deep sigh. Rose watched him for a little while without saying a word. His eyes seemed focused on the sky above them, but he didn't cry or show much emotion on his face. She recognised his mask and almost took comfort in the fact that she had recognised it. She was beginning to get to know him, the real him; the Scorpius who would hide behind this mask of emotions that she was sure he had learnt from his father. Rose smiled at the thought before she lay back down next to him, her head resting against his muscular arm. They lay together in silence, with just the sound of their breathing and the night breeze. Rose figured that if he wanted to talk about what happened next, he would when he was ready.
"You know, I don't think I ever truly understood how Mother could put up with him afterwards," Scorpius spoke so softly, there was no doubt that Rose was the only one who could hear him. "I mean, I understand 'your mother dies' you sink down into a funk for a bit, but he just seemed to never rise above it again. He turned bitter about almost everything. I didn't, for a long time, understand how she could put up with it and stick with him for so long."
"And now?"
"Now, I understand and I wished she had stayed with him a little longer," he said honestly. This time Rose could hear the emotion in his voice. She turned on her side, wrapped her arm around him, and hugged him tight.
"Rose?" Scorpius whispered after a long while, his voice stirring her from her light slumber.
"Hmm?" she mumbled as she snuggled closer to him. Rose tried to tell herself it was just for warmth, but she knew better.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything," she replied softly, closing her eyes.
"Is Ben still around?" he blurted out as though it was a large breath he was holding in. Rose's eyes shot open, her heart felt like it was going to beat out her chest as she stilled in Scorpius' arms. She knew why he would be curious about Ben, and the reason thrilled and scared her at the same time. "Rose?" Scorpius shifted up onto his side to look at her. Rose gazed up into his hopeful eyes, noticing the dried tears on his cheeks from earlier and gathered her nerve.
"No," she replied, "he isn't around." Scorpius didn't say anything but continued to stare at her with a twinkle in his eye. "I mean, he is still around…you know, living and all," she rambled nervously after he didn't seem to react or say anything. "It's not like I killed him. So, he is still around, just not…around…me."
"That's good," Scorpius chuckled at her nervous rambling.
"It is?"
"Yeah, it is," he confirmed as he smiled down at her. She easily returned the smile with one of her own as she reached up to caress his cheek. She leaned up towards him, her eyes focused on his lips, while she simultaneously tugged him towards her. When she was a breath away, Scorpius pulled away from her. "Not like this," he whispered. Rose's eyes grew wide, immediately thinking she had made a complete fool of herself. Then she frowned, knowing that she couldn't have misread the signals that much, but nonetheless, moving away from him. She threw the blanket off and jumped down off the truck. Scorpius was quick to follow her. "No! Rose, wait!" Scorpius called after her.
"What?" she yelled, turning back to face him.
"Don't go," Scorpius pleaded.
"How the can you even say that after what you just did?" Rose shot back coldly.
"Because I didn't want you to leave," Scorpius replied, his voice rising.
"Forgive me if I am a little bit confused about how that could be, Malfoy," Rose spat his name in a way he hadn't heard since he had got back, a way in which only Rose could. Scorpius knew he had to fix this and fast.
"At least let me explain," Scorpius appealed.
"Oh please, by all means, explain," she retorted, her hands of her hips. "Explain how you can be so heartless to lead me on. Explain how all your actions and behaviour this morning, tonight, and pretty much since you returned suggest that me kissing you would be at the very least bearable for you, and yet when I try to you say no!" she finished a little out of breath. Scorpius would be lying if he said that seeing her all frazzled, red faced and out of breath again didn't make him want to kiss her even more than he did before. He sighed and shook his head, deciding that he didn't want to anger her any more than he had done already.
"I didn't say no," Scorpius answered calmly. "I said not like this," he clarified before Rose could argue. He slowly moved towards her as he watched her back track the conversation in her mind, her adorable thinking frown etched on her face. He nearly lost his self-control completely when he saw her anxiously nibble on her bottom lip. He couldn't hold back his smirk because he knew that meant she had remembered exactly what he had said. "There is a difference, you know," he added playfully.
"It depends on how you look at it," Rose said stubbornly, not wanting to let him off the hook too easily.
"Well, look at it this way," Scorpius insisted. "I didn't want our first kiss to be in the back of an old dirty truck, while we were wrapped in smelly, itchy blankets and I had been very unmanly crying minutes previous." He stepped closer and slid his hand into hers, entwining their fingers, his gaze never leaving hers. "You deserve better than that," he whispered into the space between them. Rose glanced down at their joined hands, a smile creeping onto her face. Closing her eyes for second to just smile and saviour the feel of his hand in hers, hoping she wasn't dreaming and that his words were real, that this was real. Lips softly pressed to her forehead reminded her that it was in fact really happening. She let go of his hand and slid her arms up around his neck, drawing him into a tight hug. He responded by wrapping his arms around her, lifting her up off the ground as he held her snugger against him.
"What makes you think that I am the kind of person who would care about those things," Rose said over his shoulder.
"It just wasn't right," Scorpius replied. "And I want it to be, not only right, but perfect," he added, pulling his head back to look at her, but still holding her in their embrace.
"It being you and me isn't enough?" Rose asked as she locked her legs around his waist, her raised brow questioning, and her eyes mischievous.
"Of course it is, I just-"
"Good," Rose cut him off, and before she could think about it too much, she dove in and pressed her lips to his.
Greetings :)
Again I am sorry for taking so long to update, but life is incredibly busy at the moment. I really hope you like this chapter and that it explains Scorpius' past and Draco a little better. Please let me know what you think and give your feedback.
I will be doing my best to write and update as soon as I can :) so please stick with me :)
