Chapter 74 – Not worth?

"Hey Malfoy!" Snickering could be heard in the Slytherin Common room, and Scorpius tried to ignore his House Mates. For once he sat in the Common Room alone, because he was still mad at Albus. They were best friends, but sometimes Albus took it to far with his jokes. Summed up with their disagreement on the way they should handle Delphi, Scorpius had wanted to spend some time alone. Hindsight, this might not have been the best spot, but he knew Albus wouldn't search for him here on a Friday.

"That rumours about your parentage? I think they are rubbish." Some of the Slytherins raised their eyebrows and looked at Robin Bole in disbelieve. He was a 6th year Prefect and well respected among the younger Slytherins, because he was a pureblood and known for his cunning plots. Always well informed, he nine times out of ten knew what was going on in Hogwarts and beyond.

There were some hushed conversations, but Scorpius knew better than to speak up. This wasn't an act of mercy to stop the talking about him. And he was proven right when Robin continued his speech.

"Your father was a willing, but stupid Death Eater. He crawled around the Dark Lord and tried to get into his good graces after your grandfather couldn't even finish a simple task in the Ministry. To stupid to grab an item of a shelf."

Scorpius continued to focus on his studies, but his hands clenched around his feather. He hated how they talked about his father, and even thought he didn't care to much for his grandfather, he was family.

"Your father was the Dark Lords bitch, but do you know why I don't believe the Dark Lord fathered you?"

The feather broke and Scorpius took a deep breath. He tried to stay calm, while he glared at the older boy.

"Stop talking about my father like that!" Scorpius tried to sound strong but he knew, when his voice broke at the end, it made him sound like a whining kid.

"Oww I hit a nerve, didn't I. We all know your father was pardoned after the war, but fellow House Members, did you know why?"

Robin added a break for the sole benefit of effect, before he carried on with a nasty laugh.

"Because his father betrayed the Dark Lord and threw his wand away when he was confronted with Potter on the battlefield. And it wasn't the first time. His father lied, when he they brought Potter to their home. Told them it wasn't Potter and his Mudblood friend. They are not worth of the proud House of Slytherin, and –"

Scorpius was out of his seat and had his wand drawn faster than the other students could react.

The frank and bubbly young boy they all loved to taunt was gone, and in his shoes stood a seething wizard that had already hexed his bully.

"Don't you dare talk about them like that!" He shouted at the frozen members of his house. Robin's mouth was sewed shut and when he tried to talk again nothing came out.

"Make fun of me all you want, but keep your mouth shut about my family. And I dare you to use the word mudblood again. I'm sure Miss Granger would love to hear about it."

Several wands were drawn and suddenly Scorpius remembered that he was alone while they were all pointed towards him. He could feel fear tickle it's way down his back.

"Traitor." One of the older girls he didn't know by name shouted. He never spend time remembering their names, they all would just make fun of him anyway.

"Just like your Dad, aren't you?" The girl next to her muttered. After a short motion with her wand he could feel a sting hex hit him. Scorpius tried to get up the strongest shield up he could, but it hurt and he knew he wouldn't be able to defend himself. A voice from the portrait hole saved him.

"What is going on here! No wands in the Common Room!" Takagi's voice was cold and harsh and all students complied with her request instantly.

"He started it!" Smith said from the fire place and pointed at Scorpius. Others joined in and dejected Scorpius' shoulders slouched over. This would end badly, even without being hexed.

"Did you start this by drawing your wand?" Takagi asked him when he turned towards her.

"Yes, but..." She resolute interrupted him by cutting him off with a wave of her hand.

"I don't care why. We don't hex members of our house, especially not out in the open. What did you think would happen if you attack a Prefect? Now follow me to Professor Dunkel's office. He'll take care of you."

In the eerie and gloomy Dungeon office Professor Dunkel looked up from his grading and frowned when Takagi entered with Malfoy trailing behind. Normally the duties of the Head of House fell to one of the members within the staff that had spend his own school time in said house. This had changed for Slytherin in 2016, when Professor Slughorn finally retired and left the staff of Hogwarts without a single Slytherin in their midst.

Professor Dunkel was from Germany and went to the Russian School Durmstrang for his magical education. He had never visited Hogwarts until he had taken up his post here. In Headmistress McGonagall eyes that deemed him to be the best suited member to take over after Slughorn and he had be honoured by her trust. But that was years ago, and these days he wished for better behaved students, less responsibilities and an evening in peace and quiet. Maybe even an office that wasn't in the Dungeons, with a big window that showed the sun and not the green filtered light that shone in from the lake.

"What?" He barked at the students and sat back in his chair, already annoyed by the intrusion.

Takagi knew his moods, she was a Prefect long enough, and explained the situation to him in few words. When she finished the young Malfoy chipped in.

"I didn't hex him because I felt like it! He insulted my family, calling my father..."

"I don't care who started it and for what reason. You are old enough to know the consequences should you be caught. Live with them. That means, you are the one who hexed a member of his own House, while knowing better."

Professor Dunkel shook his head in disbelieve.

"I don't care for childish rumours or some badly chosen words, there are rules in this school." The Professor leaned forward and glared at his student.

"Should I ever hear, that you have hexed another student outside of classes, you woun't get off lightly again, did I make myself clear?"

Scorpius hung his head again and all the fight left him.

"Yes, Sir."

"Report to me here tomorrow after breakfast for your detention. We'll see each other for the next two weeks, including Sundays. Dismissed!"

AN: Albus once said: "You know, I sometimes think we sort too soon!"

On the other hand, Slytherins are said to be loyal to their own, and Scorpius always is, no matter how conflicted he feels about the person. I also like how he made his fathers phrase "My father will hear about this" his own. I didn't even notice until I reread what I wrote. It had me laughing so hard.