Chapter 5: Rumours, of course, as there always were
Hogsmeade, 10 January 2022
Draco wakes up to his wand buzzing next to him on the nightstand. He blinks, taking in his surroundings; he is in the Three Broomsticks, in one of the small rooms upstairs that Susan Bones – the landlady – kindly arranged for him and the Aurors.
He gets out of bed, letting out a small groan. He really misses his own bed, opposed to this lumpy haystack.
Last night was…horrible. Draco barely slept after learning the worrisome news about his son. Scorpius. He knows whatever it is, Scorpius cannot have anything to do with Travers's death, he knows it. But still, he cannot stop wondering. He cannot stop worrying over him.
Last night, all kinds of thoughts were filling his mind; mostly those featuring plans to make sure his son is kept out of harm's way. But there was something else as well…
Potter. Draco's past came to haunt him – it all came back to slap him in the face. During the past year, he has managed to avoid those thoughts, to bury them somewhere deep in the corner of his mind. And now the sodding git has made everything difficult. All was well when Draco was able to avoid the Boy Who Lived. After Astoria died, it was always Scorpius and Albus organising their get togethers either at his home or at Potter's. And Potter had stayed away from him after the pub, which Draco thinks was for the better. But now, Draco is expected to work with the bespectacled Saviour, and act as if nothing has happened between them. The bad, or the good.
He shivers as he thinks of both.
From the moment Potter turned him down when Draco offered his hand at the start of their first year, they became rivals. They became enemies. Their schoolyears were filled with bullying, fighting, competing and duelling. And Draco doesn't even deny it – within his own mind, of course – that he was jealous. Jealous of Potter. Because Potter seemed to have everything; fame, fortune, friends, and everyone worshipping the ground he walked on. He was even a decent wizard and able to perform some spells Draco and many others were only dreaming of. Apparently, he still is, as he has managed to move up in his career to be the Head of the Auror Office.
There are moments Draco wishes he could take back – moments he thinks he should apologise for. But then again, Potter never really apologised for trying to kill him during their sixth year. What Potter did, was speaking on Draco's behalf during the trials after the war, making sure Draco and his parents stayed away from Azkaban. What Potter did, was saving his life during the final battle, perhaps even more times than the two Draco can remember.
And there are moments he wishes he'd want to take back. That one night at the Leaky Cauldron – possibly the only time Draco has been out after Astoria's death, and possibly the first time in his life he has been three sheets to the wind drunk. Potter was there; he found Draco from the corner table, where he was nursing his fifth – perhaps it was the tenth – drink in the completely packed pub.
Draco vaguely remembers Potter saying something, asking if Draco was going to be all right. Or – Potter might've just told he had been dancing with Dumbledore, Draco couldn't say. He was quite inebriated.
How they had stumbled into the bathroom some time later, is still beyond Draco's grasp. He doesn't remember much of the night, but he remembers that. He remembers the intensity of that tragically bright green gaze and the concern in Potter's eyes, that quickly turned into something else. It was need. It was urgency. It was hunger. He remembers Potter's fingers pressing against his shoulder, his lips crashing against Draco's, greedily taking what they wanted. He remembers Potter pushing Draco against the door, keeping him in place, his hand against Draco's jaw the other one bruising his hip, and Potter's leg between his.
Not that Draco was objecting the slightest. In fact, he was enjoying it more than he had imagined he would with Potter. It had been both thrilling and so…right. Naturally he'd thought about the scar-headed man before the pub, but had always dismissed those thoughts almost immediately. Draco doesn't usually waste his thoughts on unavailable people, except, apparently when he has lowered his guard due to an excessive amount of alcohol.
What happened, was something Draco hadn't done before, even though he's been aware of his…preferences…ever since he was a young boy. What he felt with Potter, he hadn't felt with others; it was…arousing, and so…right. Like that was what he was supposed to do, supposed to feel, preferably for the rest of his life. And he knows that a large part of those feelings originates from the fact that sexually he somewhat prefers men. He lets out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh. He only prefers men, who the bloody hell is he kidding?
Draco sighs wearily. Why in the name of Salazar is he thinking about this? What happened with Potter, was embarrassing, desperate, and something he wishes neither of them will ever bring up. And since Potter is married – and was married then – it should be the case.
But based on Weasley's behaviour last night, Draco knows he ought not to relay on wishful thinking on the incident being truly forgotten.
He knows that he has a bit of time before the others wake up and they'll be starting a new day in the investigation – it is not yet five-thirty, and he assumes the Aurors are still sleeping – so he decides to make the most of it and step into a hot shower down the hall.
Draco makes it to the hallway, and just as he wonders which of the doors is the bathroom, someone trudges up the stairs.
"Oh! Hi. I didn't know anyone was awake yet," Potter says breathlessly.
Draco finds himself staring at Potter, who stands there, on the top of the stairs, looking windswept, his cheeks red from what Draco assumes is the cold air outside.
"What on earth are you wearing?" Draco asks before he can stop himself, as he stares at Potter's attire; a pair of loose trousers and a hoodie – hardly something one wears outside during the winter.
Potter trails a hand through his hair, looking somewhat sheepish. "I was, um, running," he mutters, and then gives a mild shrug. "Helps me concentrate. Clears my mind."
Draco nods slowly, and then starts to speak, but so does Potter.
"Could you – "
" – Can we – "
They both stop and stare at each other expectantly.
"What?" Potter asks quickly, his eyes moving across Draco's face, searching for something.
Draco clears his throat. "Could you show me the bathroom?" He asks, rather stiffly.
Potter looks away, his brows twitching. "Sure." He says and then nods his head at the door in the middle, on the right side of the hallway. "It's that one," he continues, and then gives Draco a strained smile before moving past him, towards the end of the hallway.
Draco wonders what Potter had wanted to ask. What exactly does he want them to do? He clenches his jaw and forces the question out, right as Potter opens the door to his room.
"Potter." Draco says stiffly.
Potter turns to look at Draco over his shoulder. "Yeah?" He asks, lifting his brows in question.
"What did you want?" Draco asks with a blank voice, watching Potter carefully.
The man in question chews the inside of his cheek before he speaks. "Never mind. I'll – I'll see you later, yeah?"
Draco nods at him and Potter vanishes into his room.
He lets out a long breath, knowing that it is going to be a long day.
An hour later, they are finishing their breakfast in the private chamber, both the courtesy of Ms Bones – who Draco hasn't really spoken to, not in school or after the war, but wonders how she ended up here, to run the pub. She seems friendly enough with Potter, and when Weasley arrives, with him as well.
It is somewhat uncomfortable, at first. Draco hasn't seen Weasley in what has to be years, let alone spoken to him. However, to Draco's surprise, Weasley is actually…civil. He gives Draco a polite nod, greeting him, before moving to shake hands with the Aurors and Potter.
The Aurors have been discussing their plans for the day throughout the breakfast, occasionally asking about the details of the scene from Draco. Potter has been using most of the time to make floocalls to a number of people: the Minister, the Auror office, their boss – who Draco has only met a handful of times after the war and after his hiring – and Weasley's mother, apparently.
Potter then takes Weasley to the side to take a look at the book – his daughter's book – and possibly to explain they will question the girl today.
Draco watches Weasley take in the news, the confusion and then the dread taking over his expression, but for some reason, he doesn't feel a bit derisive towards the ginger-headed third of the Golden Trio. He watches Weasley to make a number of floocalls as well, and wonders, if he should be informing someone about his son's situation. He already knows the answer. Why bring worry and trouble to others if nothing is certain yet?
He sighs, drinks the last of his tea before standing up and exiting the chamber, and goes to retrieve his belongings from his room upstairs before their departure to the school.
Apparently, the plan is that Berrycloth, Fungbury and Keir stay in Hogsmeade, while the rest – Potter, Quinn, Bones, Smith and Weasley – take their leave towards the school. The six Aurors currently standing by in the school will be given a break and much-needed time tosleep before they return back to the school for the following night.
The walk towards the school is a silent one, with Draco walking alone behind the group of Aurors and Weasley. He wonders why Potter's wife has not joined them.
"Malfoy," Potter says quietly, falling into step with Draco.
Draco glances at Potter; he looks quite authoritative with his perfectly tailored Auror robes, and the most serious expression. Potter looks nothing like the flustered and breathless version of him from this morning in the hallway. He looks nothing like the anxious boy from his schoolyears, and nothing like he had been two years ago, the last time Draco has talked to him before yesterday.
"Potter." Draco murmurs, looking ahead. The other Aurors seem to be minding their own business. "Isn't – " he clears his throat. "Is Mrs Potter not joining us?"
Potter is quiet for a bit before he replies, rather tightly, "Ginny's not staying in the village. She'll come straight to the school for the questionings."
There's something off with Potter's voice, and Draco thinks back to the previous night, when he left the couple to the chamber. Perhaps they'd had an argument, and Weasley had gone back to home. "Trouble in paradise?" He asks half-jokingly, giving Potter a wry look.
Potter looks away, a strained look on his face. "That paradise has ceased to exist over two years ago," he says very quietly.
What? Draco nearly stumbles on a small rock as his mind goes rocketing into different directions. When Potter doesn't continue, Draco clears his throat before he speaks. "You've lost me, I'm afraid," He says mutedly, trying not to sound too curious.
Because, of-fucking-course he is curious.
Potter swallows hard and gives a frown at Draco. "It's nothing," He mutters, and then nods at the school, as they approach its gates looming ahead of them. "Have you been here? After – after school?" Potter asks, changing the subject, and for a tense moment, Draco was afraid Potter was going to say 'after the war', but when he doesn't, Draco thinks the Hero of the Wizarding Britain might have some working brain cells, after all.
What did Potter mean about his marriage? That they are not, in fact, a happily married couple anymore, and haven't been that for the past two years? That they are not even together anymore? Draco doesn't know how to interpret Potter's words.
Two years ago. That sounds an awfully familiar amount of time, on Draco's opinion. Is there a possibility that certain events have had some impact on Potter's 'problems in paradise'? And if so, can Draco expect to be murdered in his sleep now that he's left the safety of his Manor's wards?
And why did Potter tell this to Draco? They are not friends, not at least on Draco's half. Why would Potter open up about his personal life to Draco?
He realises Potter is waiting for him to answer. If Draco has visited the place after he had attended the school?
Well, Draco didn't go back after the war, like some others did. He didn't graduate from Hogwarts. What he did before he decided to become a Crime Scene Investigator, was taking care of the Malfoy investments and fortune, which didn't really require a degree.
"No. I daresay I haven't," he says quietly, watching the castle in front of them with longing and sadness. There are too many good and bad memories he needs to swallow down and to be later examined in the confines of his room.
Potter nods. "We need to speak with the Headmistress first before starting the questioning. Do you mind if I am present when Quinn will question Scorpius?"
Draco doesn't think it could make anything worse, and since he thinks Potter thinks kindly of his son, and he knows that Auror Quinn will report everything to his boss nevertheless, he gives Potter a curt nod. "No. Go ahead."
Hogwarts, 10 January 2022
As soon as Albus and Scorpius walk into the common room from their dormitory to meet the many anxious faces, they see Slughorn beckoning them to him. Albus shares a look with Scorpius, before they walk up to their Head of House. Slughorn tells them that the Headmistress wants to discuss with both of them before they're allowed to head for breakfast, and says that he will accompany them shortly, after giving instructions to other students. Slughorn also tells them that the Aurors have cleared the school to be safe enough for students to have their meals in the Great Hall, attend classes and mandatory appointments, but that all other hours the students are expected to stay in their common rooms and dormitories, until the investigation is finished.
"What do you reckon she wants from us?" Albus asks quietly, as the two of them make their way down the stairs, towards the Headmistress's office.
Scorpius gives Albus a thoughtful look. "Perhaps she wishes to know if we saw anything," he says quietly.
"We did, didn't we?" Albus asks pointedly. "I wonder what rubbish Riley has told them, if they've already talked to him…" And they probably have talked to him, Albus reckons, since it was Riley, Westen and Woods who were talking to the Headmistress and a handful of professors before the rest of the school was informed about the incident.
Scorpius's jaw tightens. "We'll just tell them what happened; she bothered me about you, you told her and Riley to sod off," he says tensely.
There's a short silence as they start to walk along the corridor on the third floor. Albus watches Scorpius carefully. "So…should I tell them how strangely you've been acting since the train, or not?" He asks simply, as they turn a corner in the hallway.
Scorpius stops in his tracks, and turns to gape at Albus. "W-What?"
Albus's brows lift up. "That! I mean that! You're acting like you – like you know something about," then he glances around them before he continues, "what happened to Travers." he whispers.
Scorpius's eyes widen in surprise. "I don't know anything!" He almost shouts. "I'm –" Scorpius's voice suddenly dies away, his gaze fixed at somewhere over Albus's shoulder.
Albus quickly turns and sees Professor Fox, a tall man with wavy black hair and severe eyebrows – the Head of Gryffindor and their Defence professor – standing there, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Good morning, Mr Malfoy, Mr Potter," Fox says steadily, his sharp gaze moving between them. "I believe we have the same direction?" Albus and Scorpius stare at him blankly. "To see the Headmistress?" Fox adds.
Both Albus and Scorpius give him wary nods. Why is Fox joining them?
Fox gestures at the hallway behind them, "Shall we go, then?"
They walk the rest of the way in silence, until they reach the gargoyle, and all Albus can think of is what Fox might have heard from his and Scorpius's argument. Fox gives the password, and then they take the stairs up before stepping into the Headmistress's office.
As soon as the door closes behind them, Scorpius falters in his steps, and Albus realises the reason for it a second later, when he sees Scorpius's father, Mr Malfoy sitting in front of the Headmistress's table – along with – "James? Dad?" Albus asks, and then frowns, "Rose? Uncle?"
Indeed, his father and brother sit there, along with his cousin Rose and her father.
The Headmistress stands up and gestures for them to move forward. "Good morning, Mr Malfoy. Mr Potter. Cassius," She says and flicks her wand to conjure a set of straight-backed chairs – similar to the ones already occupied – in front of her desk. "Please, sit down."
Albus and Scorpius exchange a quick glance before they move forward and take their seats; Albus next to his brother, and Scorpius next to his father. Professor Fox moves to the side where Professor Flitwick is already sitting in a chair against the wall.
Slughorn shows up a moment later, panting slightly and gives the Headmistress a nod as she greets him, before he accompanies Fox and Flitwick.
The Headmistress clears her throat. "I have summoned you here, as it has come to our attention that all of you," she says, glancing each of the students in turn, "have had some contact with Miss Travers either during the train ride, or before that."
Albus rolls his eyes inwardly, wondering what exactly Riley has said, since he thinks it can't be anyone else. He remembers that neither his father or his Head of House has confirmed that it actually was Travers. "So, it is Travers?" He says before he can stop himself.
His father gives him a sharp look.
The Headmistress looks exasperated. "I'm sure all of you have already heard about it from your house Prefects or through the Hogwarts's grapevine. I will make the official announcement during breakfast."
"So, you think one of us did it, then?" James asks, narrowing his eyes at their father, looking somewhat offended.
Their father shakes his head to James. "Of course not. But all of you might have valuable information for the investigation. We need to know everything that has happened between all of you and Miss Travers. You can help us to figure this out, to find the reason for her death."
Albus's eyes move from James who seems confused and a bit shocked, to Scorpius who sits rigidly in place looking like he's going to chunder at any moment, to his cousin Rose who trembles under the protective arm her father has thrown over her shoulders, looking terrified. Albus tries to think if one of them could've done it, but he can't. He can't even picture it happening by accident.
The Headmistress eyes Albus, James, Scorpius and Rose. "And as each of you is either related to the Auror leading the case or to the crime scene investigator investigating it," She says, nodding at Albus's father, "Mr Potter has arranged an Auror to carry out the questioning. You will be accompanied by your parents and your Heads of House. Although, Mr Potter," she adds, looking at James, "as you are of age, you may decide if you wish to include your parents. However, since we are at school grounds, Professor Fox will accompany you nevertheless."
James swallows hard and gives her a shrug. "I don't mind if mum and dad are there."
The Headmistress watches everyone with a grim look. "Then, Mr Potter," she says, addressing Albus's father, "I believe you may proceed after breakfast."
They are all dismissed, and Albus's dad ushers them out just as he hears Rose inquiring if her mother will be there.
"Dad?" Albus asks, as they walk down the spiral staircase. "Mum's gonna be here, right?" He asks, glancing back at his dad.
His father gives him a nod. "She will. Now, I want to talk to both of you before you go to breakfast," he says seriously. "Come on," he adds, walking along the corridor, and stepping into the nearest class room – Muggle Studies, Albus thinks, but is not sure since he's not taking the subject – and throwing some charms against the door after both James and Albus have walked inside.
"Sit down," their father grunts, and waves his wrist to summon three chairs to them.
Albus and James glance at each other, before sitting down. However, their father doesn't. Instead, he starts pacing behind his chair.
"I want to know exactly what went through your heads when you organised a party at my house, and failed to ask permission for it," is what he starts with, and Albus can almost hear the groan James must be doing inwardly.
"Dad, it was just a party," James says coolly, and Albus cringes.
Their father gives James a furious look. "JUST a party, James?!" He almost yells. "Just a party? I suppose you were all sober at this party, hm?" He asks, lifting his brows James's, who fidgets in his seat.
"Bloody hell, James!" They father hisses, his eyes widening in dread as he sees and interprets James's expression. "You organised a party with alcohol and underage wizards and witches?!"
Albus can see a vein ticking in their father's temple, as the man keeps grinding his teeth together in order not to explode in rage.
"You organised a party, where you apparently had a dispute with the girl who was possibly killed in your train ride back to school?" Their father continues starkly, his eyes blazing.
James looks stunned, almost frightened, and he shakes his head slightly. "I don't – I didn't –" He stammers.
Their father takes in a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment. He breathes out, and then looks somewhat calmer as he sits down opposite to Albus and James. "I do not suspect either one of you, I want you to know that. I know you are not capable of such things, and would've come to me if you had seen anything or heard of anything related to Miss Travers's death. I know that, boys," he says, giving both Albus and James a sincere look.
"However, you have been seen with her in the recent past. Have been seen having an argument," he says to James, "or," He mutters, looking at Albus, something close to disappointment in his eyes, "having a relationship with the girl."
Albus curses inwardly.
"Those things alone make you closer to the girl than most of the students here," their father states.
Albus takes in a deep breath. "Look, dad. It was months ago. I haven't even talked to her that much since then –" He says, but is interrupted by his father.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were seeing someone?" He asks, looking confused.
Albus sees James lifting his brows and quickly looking away. Bloody wanker, Albus thinks sourly.
His father trails a hand through his hair, "You say you dated her months ago, but then you invited her into a party not two weeks ago?"
Albus scoffs, inwardly cursing James, for getting him into this mess. "First of all, it was my lovely brother, who decided to invite her just to mess with all of our heads, it seems," he says, throwing a glare at James, who has the audacity to roll his eyes at Albus.
"Secondly – is that why I'm being questioned? Because I dated her four months ago?" He asks, gritting his teeth, thinking spitefully that the Aurors should then probably question the whole school if that was the reason.
Their father looks from Albus to James and back, his brow creased. "Why didn't you tell me that you dated her?" He asks again.
Albus feels rage surging inside him. "Why would I have? Why should I tell you every time some daft witch decides to chase their fifteen minutes of fame?" He asks harshly, scowling at his father. "Why should I tell you about the one time I thought it wasn't the case, and got bit in the arse because of it?"
Their father looks utterly bewildered. "What are you talking about? What – what fifteen minutes of fame?"
Albus gives his father a disbelieving look. "You really don't have a clue," He mutters with annoyance.
"No, I don't!" Their father yells. "So, tell me, and I might even understand you, Albus!" He says desperately.
Albus crosses his arms and looks away. When he doesn't say anything, their father turns to James. "James?" He asks, his voice still filled with confusion.
James clears his throat, and Albus can feel his brother looking at him before he speaks. "There are… um… some people, who… make advances at Albus because, well, basically because he looks like you. Like the Saviour," James says, a hint of disdain in his voice.
"W-What?" Their father says quietly. "What kind of advances?"
James snorts.
"Albus?" Their father asks, his voice hard.
Albus turns his gaze back to his father, giving him a blank look. "I suppose they want to brag they've shagged the son of the celebrity of the wizarding world," he says with a shrug, aiming for indifference.
Their father looks horrified. "W-What?"
Albus shakes his head. He can't believe he just said that to his father, and also – why would his father even be shocked? Surely, he himself has encountered similar people, being the actual Saviour.
"What – what about Miss Travers?" Albus's father asks after a short moment. "She was one of those people, then? But…but you thought differently of her?" He asks. When Albus says nothing, their father turns to James. "The dispute at the party was about Albus?" He asks, apparently putting two and two together.
James nods, and then gives their father a short summary of what happened at the party. James also tells him it was the last time he spoke to the girl.
"I saw her on the train," Albus says when James finishes with his summary.
Their father's gaze whips back to Albus, and Albus is surprised as he really, Albus had thought that that was the reason he was going to be questioned – not because he dated the witch.
"You saw her?" His father asks curiously. "When was this?"
Albus's mind spins. He wonders, why Scorpius is being questioned? If the Aurors didn't know that Albus talked – or rowed, more like – with Travers and Riley, then surely they don't know about Scorpius's involvement either.
"Why is Scorpius going to be questioned?" Albus asks instead of replying.
His father frowns at him. "Answer me, Albus."
Albus narrows his eyes at his father. "An hour – maybe two – before Hogsmeade. Why is Scorpius going to be questioned?"
His father clears his throat, and looks a bit unsure. "He…was seen having an argument with Miss Travers, close to the time when you saw her as well."
Albus shakes his head, giving his father an incredulous look. "I know. I was with him then. And I believe I was the one arguing with Travers and her boyfriend."
His father looks stunned again, and then demands that Albus explains everything that occurred during the train ride. Albus does, although he decides to leave out how weirdly Scorpius has acted since, as it might not have anything to do with what happened to Travers, even though the small voice inside Albus's head kind of tells him otherwise.
Their father discharges Albus and James and tells them to go have breakfast, and adds that Albus and Scorpius will be questioned first, as both of them have a free period in the morning. James's questioning will be after lunch, and Rose's after her afternoon classes.
Albus wonders who the hell had told the Aurors that it was Scorpius who was arguing with Travers, and conveniently left Albus out of their statement. He knows the Prefects were questioned the previous night, and he can only assume it had been one of them. Not Riley though – since the wanker most likely would have said that the whole incident was all Albus's doing.
But who was it? Someone who hates Scorpius? Albus doesn't think there are students – or Prefects – who'd hate Scorpius, since Scorpius doesn't really ruffle anyone's feathers as he rarely even talks to people other than Albus and their dorm mates. Albus doesn't think anyone would want to harm Scorpius and downright lie to the Aurors to make it seem like Scorpius had something to do with Travers's death.
He walks into the Great Hall and sees Scorpius sitting at their table with Julian and Zachary, keeping his eyes at his plate while their other two friends seem to be in the middle of a discussion opposite to him.
"Hey, guys," Albus says and slumps next to Scorpius. "What's going on?" He asks, glancing from Scorpius to Julian and Zachary.
Zachary gives him a meaningful look. "McGonagall informed the school about Travers," he says blankly. "She said that everyone who saw Travers during the train ride, should come forth for questioning."
Albus rolls his eyes. "This is ridiculous. I mean, yeah, both Scor and I saw her, but we don't have anything to do with what happened to her," he says, feeling exasperated.
As if the murderer would come forward. And questioning everyone who saw Travers yesterday, could take days – there could be hundreds of people who saw even a glimpse of her. Albus starts to fill his plate, still somewhat bothered by the questioning looming ahead and what he already endured with his father.
The mealtime is over quickly, too soon on Albus's opinion. Albus and Scorpius leave their friends to enjoy their free time, and make their way towards the unused classroom in the Entrance Hall – the one they were instructed to come to after breakfast.
"Apparently, someone told the Aurors that you were fighting with Travers in the train, alone." Albus tells Scorpius quietly, as they walk towards the Entrance Hall.
Scorpius flinches, and glances at Albus. "But you were there as well."
Albus gives his friend a grim nod. "I know. I told my dad what happened, don't worry. And I'll tell them the truth now. I just wonder…who would've told them such a lie?" he says. Surely Riley would have corrected them, and instead told the Aurors that he'd seen only Albus in a row with his girlfriend. He's that much of an arse, Albus thinks.
But then, as Albus sees the people outside the classroom they are heading to, he realises the answer to his question at once.
"Who indeed," Scorpius murmurs, the contempt evident in his voice.
Both Scott sisters and Westen are standing outside of the classroom with a man and a woman, who Albus thinks must be their parents. Scorpius's father stands further down the hall, evidently waiting for his son.
Albus doesn't spare a glance at the three Hufflepuffs, and instead makes his way towards Scorpius's father, making Scorpius follow him, since there was no way the blonde Slytherin would have gone to stand with the Scotts and Westen – or alone.
"Hi, Mr Malfoy," Albus says politely, nodding at the man who in appearance is almost as much alike with his son, as Albus is with his father.
Mr Malfoy gives him a strained smile. "Just Draco, Albus, you know that," he murmurs, and then glances at Scorpius before he clears his throat.
"They will start with Scorpius, proceed with the Scott girls and then Albus, then Miss Westen," Scorpius's dad says stiffly. "The Aurors are waiting for Miss Westen's parents and your mother to arrive," he adds to Albus after seeing the curious look on his face.
Mr Malfoy is about to say something to his son, when the door to the classroom opens. Albus's father walks out with one of the Aurors. Auror Quinn – Albus thinks, remembering the man from one of his visits to the Auror office.
His father gives Scorpius's father a tense nod and clears his throat.
"Mr Malfoy. Scorpius." Albus's father says simply. "Come in, please."
Scorpius's father walks forward, and Scorpius follows his back rigid. Scorpius looks back to share one last look with Albus, before he steps into the classroom.
It is not long until Albus's mum arrives, giving him a tight hug and telling him he has nothing to worry about. Albus doesn't know how much his parents have discussed what Albus told his father before breakfast – if anything – but Albus sure as hell is not going to say anything now.
Instead they talk about other things; how his mother has managed to get a full interview - with all the sordid details - out of a famous and previously somewhat aloof Quidditch star; a piece she was working on somewhere in Europe.
Then his mother inquires if Albus has already decided which NEWTs he'll take, and Albus lets out a frustrated groan. He doesn't want to talk about this with her, especially not here, not when every five minutes both Scott sisters and Westen send him surreptitious looks. He shrugs his mother's questions off, and is glad that the door to the classroom opens after that.
"Scor?" Albus asks, and frowns as Scorpius walks closer to him, but doesn't actually look at Albus.
"Malfoy." Albus's mother says coldly, her eyes at Scorpius's father, who trails behind his son.
And what is with her? Albus wonders. Even Albus's father seems to be coming along with Scorpius's father, and they were the ones who were brawling their entire time at school.
Scorpius's father looks at Albus's mother. "Potter," he says, his voice blank and face expressionless. He then turns to his son, his features softer. "Let's go. I'll take you to your dorm."
Scorpius glances at Albus. "I'll talk to you later," he mutters, and then walks towards the Slytherin house not stopping to wait for his father.
Albus frowns at his friend's back while he hears his mum grumble something under her breath about 'even his son not getting along with him'. He then sees his father, talking to who must be the Scott sisters' parents, since Westen's parents haven't yet arrived. Albus sees his father sending a worried look at their direction, before gesturing Hazel Scott and her parents to the classroom.
What was that about? What did Scorpius say in there?
Albus lets out a weary sigh, feeling edgy. The bloody waiting is killing him. He needs to see his friend and ask what happened. He needs to talk to his father, so that he can ask if Scorpius is in trouble. He wants to walk up to the Scott sisters and Westen and demand from them if any of them lied to the Aurors, and put Scorpius in this mess in the first place.
But he doesn't. Instead, he stands quietly, not really answering to his mother with more than one or two words in form of grunts when she continues to grill him about his school work, his future plans and so on. Hazel comes out of the room, and then it's Pamela's turn. Time crawls forward in a snail's pace, and finally Pamela Scott and her parents walk to the Entrance Hall.
Albus needs one look at the fifth year Hufflepuff's terrified and ashamed expression to know it was her who had lied about Albus's whereabouts on the train. He grits his teeth and steps into the room after his mother and father.
Quinn is there, as are Slughorn, Moonstone and the Headmistress.
Albus, his father and mother sit at the teacher's table opposite to Quinn. The professors sit behind them around a small round table.
Quinn introduces himself – kind of unnecessary, as both Albus and his mother have met the guy before – and then explains how the investigation will go forward. He tells them that they do not have any suspects yet, and that they are only hoping to get as much information about the victim – Albus almost shudders at that – as possible.
Quinn tells them that he talked with Albus's father, who told him what Albus had said this morning – that Albus did see the victim on the train. "Why don't you start by telling us about the train ride? What happened and who were you with until the moment you saw Miss Travers?"
Albus clears his throat and starts to tell every detail he can remember to Quinn, who looks quite calm and friendly. He starts from the point when their father brought all the children – including Scorpius, who had spent his holidays at the Potters – to the station. After saying their goodbyes, he and Scorpius went to other direction than Lily and James; to meet their Slytherin classmates. Albus tells Quinn how he, Scorpius, Julian – whenever he wasn't patrolling the corridors – and Cecil spent the better part of the train ride together in their compartment. He explains how he went to change into his robes, one to two hours before the train reached Hogsmeade, and when he came back, his compartment was empty. He tells Quinn how he assumed his friends were all changing into their robes, but when none of them returned, he went to look for Scorpius.
Albus tells Quinn how he found Scorpius; with Travers bothering him and talking rubbish about Albus, and then Albus explains how he told her to bugger off.
"How did she take it?" Quinn asks.
Albus frowns at the man. "She…told me to mind my own business and if not, she'd tell the other students some things I've told her confidentially."
Quinn's eyes flicker momentarily to Albus's father. "When you dated her, you mean?" He asks calmly from Albus.
"You dated her, Albus?" Albus's mother asks, her voice rising.
Albus's father shakes his head at her. "Ginny." Albus knows there's a warning in his tone, but he couldn't care less.
Albus shrugs at Quinn. "Yeah. She – um – I thought she actually wanted to be with me, but apparently, all she wanted, was to fuck a copy of the Chosen One and brag about it afterw– "
Albus's father clears his throat loudly, "I think that's enough!"
"What?!" Albus's mother interrupts. "She wanted what, exactly?!" She shrieks, staring at Albus with an outraged look.
Albus doesn't look at his mother, and barely listens as his parents start yelling over the other, before the Headmistress cries loudly, "For Merlin's sake, Harry. Ginevra! Pull yourself together!"
They both become silent, and Albus kind of regrets what he said, as he glances at Quinn – who looks like he has never been this embarrassed.
Quinn clears his throat a couple of times, and definitely avoids Albus's mothers sharp glare. Albus can relate to that. She can be somewhat frightening. "So…you…" Quinn clears his throat again, glancing at his notes, "You were in bad terms?"
Albus rolls his eyes. "Yes, we were. Like, for one month after she broke up with me. Which was at the end of September. It's safe to say we both avoided each other after that. I didn't talk to her until the train. I only saw her at the party, but I definitely didn't invite her there."
Quinn gives Albus a thoughtful look, and is silent for a moment. "Why do you think your brother invited her there? To the party?"
Albus sighs. "I don't know. He wanted to humiliate her in front of everyone. I suppose it was to pay back for the shit she did to me," he says, and as his parents give him shocked looks, he continues, "James didn't have any beef with her. He didn't even know her."
Quinn watches Albus carefully, before he speaks. "You said she threatened to reveal your personal and confidentially told information to others. How did you feel about that?"
Albus feels his father shifting next to him, and as he looks, he can see the deep frown he gives to Quinn. Albus looks back at Quinn. "I told her that I didn't care if she did. I thought that if I didn't need to be bothered by her again, I'd gladly let her reveal my business to everyone," he says with a shrug.
Quinn nods slowly. "Why do you say Miss Travers was talking," he glances at his notes, "rubbish, about you to Scorpius, when you found them?"
Albus lifts his brows at Quinn. "Scorpius told me." He then sees Quinn looking at his notes again. "Why? What did Scorpius say to you?" Albus asks with suspicion.
Quinn gives Albus a tight smile. "I'm afraid I cannot speak about it." He glances at his notes, and then back at Albus. "How would you describe your relationship with Scorpius?"
Albus chuckles, involuntarily. "We're best friends?" He says, somewhat bewildered by the question.
Quinn doesn't say more to the subject, and continues to ask a couple of more questions, before Albus is released. His parents want to talk with him, and Albus knows it is only about his history with Jenna and about the fame-seeking students, so he shrugs them off, telling them he needs to go to his dorm to get his books before lunch and his afternoon classes.
What he actually needs to do, is to talk with Scorpius.
"Albus," Pamela Scott calls quietly, lurking in the dungeon corridor.
Albus gives her a frown. She's an example case of those fame-seeking witches, along with her sister, and Albus doesn't really want to talk to her. But he's curious to know if she was the one lying to the Aurors. Lying to his father. About his best friend, he thinks with anger flaring inside of him.
"What?" He asks bluntly, stopping in his tracks.
Scott looks troubled. "Can I…could I speak with you for a moment?"
Albus chews the corner of his mouth, glancing around him. "Yeah, fine. Let's go somewhere private," he mutters, and then walks with her to the nearest classroom. He definitely doesn't want to be seen with her.
But Scott seems to understand it wrong. Very, very, wrong.
As soon as the door closes, she jumps on him, pins him against the door, and her lips come crashing against his, their teeth knocking together.
"Umph! Pamela!" Albus gasps and wrenches himself away from her, stumbling backwards. "W-What the hell?" He breathes, gaping at her.
Scott blinks, her lip trembling. "I thought you…"
"No, I definitely don't." Albus says quickly, and gives her a horrified look. "Why would you think that?" He asks, hoping that the witch doesn't start crying.
Scott sniffs and swallows deeply, looking at the floor. "I'm – Merlin, I'm such a fool…"
Albus wants to say he definitely agrees, but he chooses to keep it to himself. The girl looks close to tears already. Instead he clears his throat. "Why did you think I'd – I'd be, um…into you?" He asks, and then leans against the teacher's table, watching her with an arched brow.
Scott takes in a shaky breath. "You wanted to come here, and I – I thought that…after the questioning, what I did…that you'd be grateful…"
It takes about thirty seconds for Albus to realise what exactly has happened. Yes, he was suspecting that Scott was the one who had told the Aurors that it was only Scorpius who had been having a row with Travers. But now he understands why.
He takes in an exasperated breath. "Scott…Pamela…why did you lie to the Aurors? To…to – what? To protect me?" he asks, his voice filled with incredulity.
Scott frowns at Albus, and then gives him a small shrug.
"Why?" Albus asks, feeling utterly bewildered. Yes, the girl definitely is what he described earlier, but why would she lie to bloody Aurors for him? They don't even know each other, for Salazar's sake!
Scott blushes furiously. "I…I think I'm in love with you," She says, giving Albus a desperate look.
Albus gapes at her, thinking about what the bloody hell the girl just said. "You don't even know me! How could you – how can you think that you're in –" Fuck, he thinks, "– what you just said." He finishes, feeling quite uncomfortable.
"It feels like I know you," She says very quietly, taking a step towards him. "Like we have a connection."
Albus's eyes widen with shock. "You – are you on love potion? Has someone – just – I really don't feel the same for you, I'm afraid," He says harshly, clenching his jaw, feeling very, very uncomfortable. He thinks he could have handled this better…
Scott looks…disappointed. For someone, who is...in love, she doesn't really react the way Albus thought she would have. Nevertheless, Albus is relieved. Perhaps, this will not become a nightmare for him.
"What did you tell them, just now? Did you tell them the truth about what happened on the train? That I was there, and I was the one who told Riley and Travers to sod off?" Albus asks, forcing his voice to stay calm.
Scott seems embarrassed. "I – I told them that you were there, but, um…"
"What?" Albus asks with a tight voice.
"I didn't tell them exactly why I lied before. And now…they think someone told me to say you were there," she says quietly, not looking at Albus.
Albus feels anger and dread mix in the bottom of his stomach. "Shit…shit, shit shit…fuck!" He curses, and Scott flinches.
"Why the hell did you do this?! Now they're questioning me and my best friend, because of you!" He yells, feeling nothing but frustration and rage towards the witch.
Scott lets out a muffled sob.
"Don't you fucking dare to cry on me," Albus grits out, as a tear escapes from the corner of her eye. He wants to hex her. He wants to – he wants to – he wants to get the bloody hell away from her! "I'm leaving. Stay – stay away from me." He says harshly, marching past her and slamming the door closed behind him.
He is breathless with fury when he finally barges into his dorm room.
"Albus?" Scorpius asks, sitting on his bed.
Albus takes a couple of heaving breaths, and stares at his friend – who looks…rather pale, actually. A bit nauseous. The dorm is otherwise empty.
"Are you okay?" Scorpius asks quietly, absently.
Albus is too stunned by the recent events to point out how odd Scorpius appears. He feels angered. He feels exasperated. He stomps towards his bed and tells his friend about Scott.
Scorpius is both irked and amused by the events, and tells Albus that he needs to seriously start thinking about dying his hair or at least getting fat. But to Albus, it all seems like Scorpius's heart is not in it, like his mind is somewhere else, and like he's merely trying to say the right things so that Albus would leave him be.
Albus tries to question Scorpius, to make him tell Albus how his questioning went, but Scorpius shrugs him off, simply telling him that nothing particularly interesting came up. Albus has a feeling that his friend hasn't told him everything there is to tell.