Chapter 38
Hermione stirs from her sleep a week later. She has been doing everything that the healer said to do. George even carried her down to the living room where she and Belle had a Doctor Who binge while he went to check in with Fred.
"So how's it going with Scorp?" she asks as she sees Belle sit down on her bed. The new couple is rarely apart on Belle's days off.
"Good. We went and did our shopping for school today. He had already pre-ordered his things, so we just picked them up and I showed him that he could get his clothes cheaper in London, than in the Alley."
"Glad to hear it." Hermione pats her hand. She and George had discussed how their daughter was much happier than she used to be. She startles when someone knocks and enters.
It's Scorpius, Hannah and Narcissa. Cissa rushes over.
"Oh! My dear you should've called on us. Belle told us about you being almost done with your bed rest. It was the first I had heard of it. What happened Hermione?" The blonde socialite sits on the bed next to her.
"George rushed me to St. Mungo's when I said I was in pain after Arthur's party. Belle was already in bed. I was pregnant, but the embryo had implanted in my tube instead my womb. Wayne Hopkins operated to deal with it. While inside, he found massive scarring, so much that he theorized that it was the reason why we could only have Belle. Now, it is completely true. Wayne took out my tubes, uterus and cervix. As Belle told you, I'll be off my bed rest, but on limited duty at the shops. I have to keep my feet elevated and avoid stress for a while longer. I'm starting to wonder if he is colluding with George to keep me calm." Hermione jokes.
Cissa asks about a few things, tidys up her blankets and sits back down. "Now tell me where your mothers are?"
"My mum calls everyday and skypes me at night. George says that she's been calling him also. Molly knows due to George, Wayne/Ginny and Fred, but she hasn't come by. Angie and Fred told us that she actually critiqued me for making the decision to stop the pregnancy." Hermione tells her with welling tears. Cissa hugs her. "You call on me, do you hear me?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Hermione whispers. She then looks to Belle and Scorpius. "Scorp, two things. I want to thank you for helping Belle out of her funk. Also, did Teddy respond well to the potion?"
The blonde teen smiles. "Your welcome, Mrs. Weasley, but it's my ultimate pleasure. As for Teddy, he's doing well. Auntie Andi is worried, but she knows that he's in good hands with the extended family. Ted's going to be coming back on the weekends until he finds his mate. We've been spending time with James and he's talking with Mr. Potter more."
"Good. We'll stop over to see them as soon as I'm off my restriction." She turns to Hannah.
"Congrats on your engagement. I hope you got my card." Hannah laughs at the idea of Hermione being worried. "Yes, I did. Thank you. Now, call me if you need anything." She pats Hermione's hand.
The Malfoy party leaves and Belle goes to work. George returns and climbs into bed with Hermione. "Hey there, my girl." He coos to her as he pulls her into his arms.
"Hi George." Hermione nuzzles into his chest. "What happened at work today?"
He groans and pulls her closer. "Love, it was horrid. When word got out that I was back for the day, the store was mobbed with people wanting to know about why I was gone. Most were understanding that I wanted to be here for you, that is but one. Apparently, Alicia had been showing up everyday, to find me gone. Angie has tried to talk to her, but Fred said that Leesh is wearing them both thin." He takes a deep breath. "I'm coming to think she sees your illness as a way to wedge in."
Hermione reaches out and clamps onto him. "She can only if we let her. Personally, if she keeps this up, I'll pull myself out of this bed and beat the living daylights out of her." She growls.
George sits up and pulls Hermione into is lap. "It will not come to that, Baby. I'm happy where I am. You focus on getting better and we'll deal with Leesh together." He kisses her neck and shoulders. "Come on, time for a bath. We both need one, I'd say. Remember no stress. I'm sorry that I brought some to you, but we both know that we will encounter her due to Angie's tight friendship." He strips and gently helps Hermione into the tub. She sits between his legs and leans back against him. George washes them both and helps her out. He towels her off and then himself.
Scorpius takes Belle to the Potter's. When she walks in Belle is welcomed as family, as always. Uncle Harry walks right over and wraps his arms around her.
"Scorp, get used to sharing this girl with certain people. Belle is my goddaughter, as Teddy's my godson. That means that I take hug priority just under her parents. Then there is you and everyone else. That is why, Belle and James are such good friends."
He looks down to his "oldest girl" and picks her head up. "And you, I've talked about it with your parents. I don't care what Molly thinks, she is wrong to ignore you. Especially, to do so for Victoire. As for Richard, don't ever believe what that boy tells you. He doesn't deserve even to be in the same room as you." Harry hugs Belle tight and releases her to Scorpius.
"I've been telling her the same, Mr. Potter."
Harry laughs. "You don't know me well, Scorpius, but the only people who call me mister, are people who I only deal with in the business world. I don't expect you to call me Uncle, like Belle, but call me Harry."
Scorpius is surprised. "But, you're the "Savior"."
"Yeah, but I never wanted to be. I just did what I needed to do. I'd rather be James and Lily's father, Sue's husband, Belle and Ted's godfather , than be "Harry Potter"."
Scorpius nods. "I understand, Harry."
Teddy walks out, towing a small thin girl. She has deep brunette hair and bright blue eyes. "Hi guys. This is Cormia Alters. When I went back, we passed each other in the library." He kisses her temple.
Belle steps forward. "Nice to meet you, Cormia. I am Belle Weasley. This my boyfriend, Scorpius Malfoy." The blonde beams at his girl for announcing it out loud like that. It was progress. "Nice to meet you." He drapes an arm about Belle's shoulders and holds out a hand to shake with the girl.
Teddy smiles as Cormia blends in so well with his friends and godparents. They have a good day hanging out with each other. He told her right away about his father and himself. She laughed. "You father is famous and there is a potion Ted. I'm not worried." She told him. They have been together since and he hasn't had a bad moment.
Scorpius escorts Belle home and wishes the elder Weasleys a good night. He apperates home for dinner with his family. He relates his good news about Ted.
In bed, he wishes that the next day would go as seamless. They would be up against everyone's expectations. Luckily, James will be there for them. It will be odd to everyone that Belle, him and James will sit in the same compartment.
Hermione's first day upright again, is the day they take Isabelle to King's Cross. They meet Draco, Hannah and Scorpius at the portal, then the group meet up with the Potter family. This is Lily Catherine's first year. The four kids get on the Express together and the six adults go to the Gilded Feather to eat with Luna, as her husband is to report back to work as Herbology professor.
James finds a compartment to sit in. The three friends sit near the window, while Lily goes in search of her friends. Belle can't help but think that this will be a long trip.
Scorpius wraps her in his arms. "My dear, don't fret. James and I are here. No one is going to be upsetting you." He kisses her head. James smiles at them and goes back to his book. It was about his father's life. James now understands why his father is the way he is.
"Hey James, can I borrow that when your done?" Belle asks from Scorpius embrace.
"Sure thing, Belle. When have I ever been able to keep either of you from a book?" He jokes.
The compartment door slides open. Rachel Goyle is on the other side. She enters without a word and sits on Scorpius' right side as he has Belle on his left and is curled around her. James looks up and decides that he is going to ignore her as Scorpius and Belle are doing so.
Rachel is confused. Why isn't that boy falling at her feet? Daddy said that he should be drooling over her. Scorpius Malfoy is the sole heir of Draco. That means that he will have money enough to keep her in the things she likes. Plus, once Rick found out that Belle Weasley didn't want him again, he became no fun whatsoever.
Scorpius turns farther away from the new girl. His father had warned him of her attempt. He also knows that other girls will be lining up. Too bad for them, because he found the one for him. Belle is going to be in the same boat, because their dates have mostly been in the Mundane world.
Belle decides that she doesn't want Rachel to become their generation's Alicia. She reaches up and kisses Scorpius' jaw. He smiles down at her. James laughs, knowing what his best friends are up to.
"Alright, I've seen you two cozy up all summer, am I going to see it all year also?" He raises a brow in jest.
"As much as Belle lets me as long as we live." Scorp looks down at the woman in his arms and beams. "I am very proud to be hers." He says aloud while staring into her eyes.
James looks over Rachel. "What can we do for you, Miss Goyle?" He flips through the photo section of the unauthorized biography of his father. When she doesn't answer, he looks back up to see her shocked eyes.
"I was told that I was to be betrothed to the Malfoy heir. After searching the train, I find the very one snuggled up with Weasley." Rachel whines in what she feels a pretty way.
Scorpius turns around suddenly. "I'm the only going to say this once. My father and grandfather know that I will not go along with a betrothal. My father told me about the meeting. They both tried to tell your father many times that I was with someone, i.e. Belle. He didn't listen. I am not going to leave someone who I see as my future for someone I have no interest in, let alone the fact that I don't believe in betrothals. I have one question for you. It helps me find out about people."
Rachel seeing this as a ray of hope, nods. Anything to land this man.
"It is well known about my family. What is your opinion of my bank account?" Scorpius watches her face for every minute change.
Rachel is surprised to be asked such a question. What was he trying to get at? "Your bank account, I would imagine, is brimming." She answers honestly.
Scorpius smirks and pulls Belle closer. "There is no question that I would likely receive anything I ask for. That doesn't mean that I have an overstocked vault. My father set up trust vaults that I can touch at certain ages. My vault has about fifty galleons in there. My grandfather's money is still many years away from me. I also rather give my girl something I made, grew, or put a lot of thought into. Expensive do dads are ridiculous. I don't date and most definitely won't marry gold diggers." He turns back to Belle. "As I said this summer, my love, I am not going to be lured away."
Rachel huffs and storms out, slamming the door. "Well, that's the first one. Who do you think will be next?" James asks, amused by the the soap opera-like life of his friend and cousin.
"I would rather it be no one, but I have a feeling that we'll be visited by Rick." Belle groans.
James looks up at the door as the couple across from him starts snogging. It takes a matter of minutes for Rick Corner to open the door. He relishes the prick's shocked face. James looks over to see what he is. Scorp is wrapped around Belle, but still only has one hand on her back and the other on her cheek. Her hands are buried in the blonde's hair. She must be scraping his scalp because James can hear the deep quiet moans coming from his friend.
So could Rick. He came early, without his parents, because he knew that Belle was early for everything, thanks to her mother. Rick saw James through the glass and opens the door. That is when he notices his ex, who he wanted back, in the arms of a tall, blonde mystery man. It can only be one person, Scorpius Malfoy. Rick's parents wanted him to take the boy under his wing, so they could get in with Draco and his parents.
Rick clears his throat. "I came to talk in person about us, but I can see you later." Rick is uncomfortable with his former girlfriend in the arms of a richer, more attractive man.
Scorpius stands up and reaches out his hand. "I just want you to know that you lost the best girl in our year. She will never need to come back to the abuse that you and your friends heaped on her." He tells him after Rick shakes his hand.
"Malfoy, that doesn't mean a thing to me. What matters is her opinion." Rick puffs out his chest.
Belle stands and slips between the two. "Enough posturing. I can speak for myself. Richard, I told you already. It gets tedious to repeat myself, but here goes. I am not taking you back. I have found someone that listens to me, respects not only me, but my friends and family, treats me well and is attracted to me. That, looking back, is something that you never really expressed.
In your eyes, or more so your parents', I was the one to ask out, because of what it would gain them. If you were to be stuck with me, you thought you should get something for the sacrifice. When the first real chance came, you jumped ship.
I admit, I was devastated, but it lasted long enough for everyone to affirm what I saw and discounted. I spent a few days in a funk, then I realized that I wanted to be treated better. That was when I met Scorpius. He's the one that I want and need in my life. You are the past and I'm looking forward to my future."
"Who do you mean "everyone"?" Rick gasps at Scorpius grinning at Belle before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. This is their year's "IT" couple.
"My parents; Dad has many colorful names for you that my uncles help him develop. James goes without saying. His parents, especially Uncle Harry is quite vocal about you being a leech sucking the life out of me. My grandparents Granger can't stand you. Social climbers piss them off. Uncle Siri wishes you were a Black, just so he could kick you out. Need I go further?" Belle squints at him like he's a bug under her shoe.
Rick turns around and leaves. It is humbling to hear that the pillars of their society hold him in such contempt for the way he treated Isabelle.
James pats Belle on the back and sits back down. Scorp hugs her from behind. "That's my girl! Good job standing up for yourself, Belle." He whispers in her ear, making her shiver. Scorpius rubs her arms to warm the goosebumps.
The train ride is quiet after that. James reads and the "super" couple snuggle. They pull into the train station and walk up to the carriages. The three seventh years share the ride with a second year Hufflepuff. She is awestruck.
"It's OK, we will not bite." Belle smiles. "I'm Belle, this is James and Scorpius." The girl swallows and nods.
"I know who you are, the daughter and sons of major players in the war. I'm sorry, but I never thought that I would meet you." The girl fights with her hands.
"My name is Catherine Moss. I'm a half-blood. My mother is Tracy Davis. She met my father when he helped her when she went through the Muggle door at the Leaky and got lost in the busy city streets." She explains.
Belle chuckles. "You don't have to explain yourself, Catherine. So, are excited for your second year? What classes are you looking forward to?" She tries to engage the girl in conversation.
The boys converse about the coming year, letting the girls talk. Within minutes, Belle has been able calm Catherine down and get her to laugh. Both boys smile at them. James helps Catherine out of the carriage while Scorp does the same for Belle.
Catherine's classmates' eyes bug out when they see who she is walking with. When Professor Longbottom steps up, both Belle and James hug their uncle and tell him that Catherine had been separated from her friends. He thanks them, then leads Scorpius away to enter with the first years to be sorted.
Belle and James separate to the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables. They watch as the new first years walk in behind Professor "Uncle" Longbottom. Scorpius helps calm the kiddos down and cheers for each one as they are sorted, especially when Lily gets sorted into Ravenclaw. She goes and sits with Belle, who hugs her tightly. When his name is called, he sits and fits the hat on his head. Belle can see the tears welling his eyes. He had told her about how he always wanted to go to his parents' school. She smiles up at him and waves when his eyes scan for her. He grins. She hears Rick's growl.
The whole Hall holds their breath as they wait for the hat to make it's decision.
"Lad, I haven't had such a hard choice since Harry Potter himself." The hat mutters. "I really don't think your parents' house is right for you. You have shown more courage than I have ever seen in a Malfoy, but you are also outrageously intelligent."
Scorpius takes a deep breath and waits for his placement.
"Gryffindor!" The hat calls. Scorpius gently hands the tattered artifact to Professor Longbottom who thanks him for his help. "Congrats on going to the Lions and dating my oldest little girl."
"Ah, another uncle! Belle is in good hands, Professor." He smiles at the man.
Headmistress McGonagall stands. "Welcome first years and Mr. Malfoy. Welcome back to our second through seventh years. The feast will start in a moment, but I have one more piece of business. It is my pleasure to announce our Head Students. They are the children of our world's greatest heroes. Please congratulate our Head Girl, Miss Isabelle Susanne Weasley and like his namesake grandfather before him, our Head Boy, James Sirius Potter."
The Hall explodes when four people; George and Hermione Weasley and Harry and Susan Potter; walk in. "As you can see we have guests to award their children their badges. Please welcome the Weasleys and Potters." Minerva claps in welcome.
"That is a better welcome than the last time I was here unexpectedly. No offense Neville and Headmistress." Harry chortles. Sue whacks his arm. "Hush!"
"Well that was not a good night for many. Luckily, these children were not born yet." Minerva chuckles.
"Well, I know of at least one child that was here at the time, but I'm not naming names." Harry winks to the Weasleys. Hermione rolls her eyes.
Belle and James walk up. Scorpius stands whistles while clapping. James helps Belle up the steps and their parents award them their badges.
"We are so proud of you both!" Hermione has tears pouring down, so does Sue. The men smile grandly. This was a big deal in both families. "I called your grandparents. They said to pass on their pride in you two." Hermione hugs both kids.
That night, Isabelle finds her mother's pensieve and a pack of memories in the bottom of her trunk. She smiles and brushes away a couple of tears.