Author's Note: To my DADA assignment teacher. I apologise that it is not in the traditional sense of the word. However I do feel that it is something that has allowed to grow mentally out of control, Scorpius feels grief for crimes he never committed and it is a guilt that has been allowed to consume him when it should have been taken from his young shoulders. I'm sorry if you don't agree but please don't penalise me too heavily for it I just tried to interpret the prompt in my own way.

Assignment: DADA - write about something that has gotten out of hand.

Card: (Silver) Fulbert the Fearful - Write about cowardice

Raise a Witch or Wizard: Month 7 - your story must be set in a graveyard

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognise


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Scorpius knew that Rose would kill him for bringing their young son out into the world so early, never mind without her. He was barely 5 hours old and already his new lungs were sucking in the fresh country air that pervaded the small hamlet, but Rose was sleeping and what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her, or him.

Besides, Scorpius was out here on important business. This was a matter very close to his heart and it was so critical that the newest Malfoy join him.

Scorpius cradled the small bundle in his arms, trying to shield the baby from the cold wind. His son slept peacefully, nestled happily against his father's chest. He was so tiny, so trusting. Scorpius couldn't believe that such a tiny, beautiful thing, so perfectly formed, could have any part of him. He felt like a clumsy giant compared to his son and part of him feared he would harm him.

Still Scorpius walked on, cradling the precious bundle. He looked up from the wrinkled little face, calm as it was in sleep, only to make sure he was heading in the right direction and soon, too soon, they reached the gate.
Scorpius placed a hand on the cold metal, feeling the flakes of paint beneath his fingers. It required a fair amount of courage, this next part. The burden of decades rested on Scorpius's shoulders and he hoped this small gift might start to account for the sins of the past.

He took a deep breath and pushed the cemetery open; it squealed in protest as it swung wide but Scorpius ignored the sound, checking it had not woken the boy, stepping across the threshold. After the first step had been taken Scorpius felt his fear grow the closer he got to his goal, though it could not seem to stop him moving forward.

He passed many gravestones, old and new, weathered and polished, but his eyes rested on one. It teemed with an abundance of decoration the grateful gifts of a population saved by the sacrifice of two brave people. Braver than Scorpius could ever hope to be.

He stopped, looked and felt his breath catch in his throat.

In loving memory of James Potter and Lily Potter.
May We Meet Again.

He was here, looking at them, but Scorpius found he couldn't speak. Fear choked him and though inwardly he cursed himself for his cowardice, outwardly he could not make a sound. Tears stung at his eyes and he gasped for breath that could not relieve him. He started to tremble but stopped only for the safety of his son. It was a moment filled with remorse for actions Scorpius couldn't undo, no matter how desperately wished to erase the sins of his ancestors.

"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy! What are you doing with my son?"

Her voice broke the spell, as it had done so many times before. It should have struck fear into his heart; he had been caught after all, but instead it allowed the tears to fall and the breath to return to him. Rose stomped across the graveyard to stand at his side; she was wrapped in her hospital robe, shivering against the cold but hot in temper.

The baby began to cry as the tears spattered on his sensitive skin, waking him from his sleep. "What on earth do you think you are doing? Abducting the baby like that, not telling a soul where you are going! Childbirth was difficult enough Scorpius I didn't need a heart attack as well how could you be so-… oh."

The fiery anger that had warmed her soul died on her lips as she looked at the grave they stood in front of and Rose felt the fight drain from her. She scooped the baby up out of Scorpius's arms cradling her son, shushing him back into slumber.

"I wanted to tell them," he whispered looking down at his wife and child. "I wanted them to be the first to know." He started to cry freely now that he didn't have to worry, now that she was here.

Rose looked helpless between the boys in her life and settled for reaching out a hand to cup her husband's face. It was all the comfort she could offer right now. She hadn't realised that this guilt went beyond the nightmares from his childhood, the insomnia they had bonded over in Hogwarts. How guilt he should not have felt had been allowed to grow so out of control she didn't know, but she knew that by doing this they could begin to sooth it.

"You should have told me," she whispered to him. "We can do it together, Scorpius. You are not alone."

He nodded against the comfort of her hand turning into the small embrace and placing a shaking kiss on her palm. "You're right, I'm sorry, I just. I didn't want anyone else to know before they did."

Rose nodded, trying to understand. "Well then tell them," she encouraged softly, "so we may return to the hospital and make sure he stays safe to pass on the legacy."

"May I?" Scorpius asked and Rose gave their son back to him. He turned to the gravestone, taking in the flowers and cards that littered the headstone. "My gift of appreciation, our gift," he corrected, glancing at Rose as she leant her head against his arm. "We give you our son, who would not be here without your sacrifice."

"James Malfoy."


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Much Love, MaryandMerlin x