A/N Alright everyone! Here's a teeny-weeny chapter before I retire for the night. Before we proceed, I have a small request. I have been going through the last chapter and found some places terribly written. Especially where Scorpius drags Rose onto the dance floor. I felt it was not adequately described – how he felt – what they did. So I have been on an editing spree and rewrote them. I want all you good people to have a look and tell me if I have done justice to the scene. Oh, yes, and I also changed the name of the chapter.
A shoutout to AMBERJANUS , Diana Black 12, nina98155, maria. c. cardinale and Myra TS. Thank you for the lovely and encouraging reviews and the follows. You guys are the best.
Ookkkk…prepare yourself for an extremely small albeit action-packed chapter as we follow Mr. Ronald Weasley in hot pursuit of his errant daughter…
And as always (I think you all know it by now), I so love reviews…don't forget to click the review button once you have gone through the chapter (the cookie monster is hungry, you need to feed him more cookies) ;)
Disclaimer: All major characters and background are the express property of J. K. Rowling
Rose watched in rising terror as her father shoved people out of his way to reach them. His face was rapidly changing shades – going from scarlet to crimson in a matter of seconds. This did not bode well.
Her hand involuntarily tightened on Scorp's wrist.
'C'mon,' she tugged at him urgently. 'We need to get out of here.'
But Scorpius didn't budge. He stood like he had been hit with the Stupefy spell.
'C'mon,' she tugged again.
'B-but,' Scorpius watched her father barreling towards them.
'There isn't time,' she pushed past people, dragging him towards the Entrance Hall.
She dodged students and parents alike, trying to move as fast as she could without drawing attention to herself and Scorpius. She didn't want to face her father surrounded by all these guests.
They stumbled and trotted past the large marble staircase, past the statue of Hagbert the Humble, hurrying to escape towards the front lawn before they were stopped. Rose took a peek to see if her father had managed to keep up.
'ROSIE!'
She flinched at the angry bellow and began running, Scorpius in tow.
'What are you trying to do?' he panted beside her. 'Running away would only make him livid!
'I won't run away forever. I just need to get him away from the crowd.'
'But –'
'Rosie!' Another bellow sounded from behind them, this time closer.
They had reached the frozen lawn. It was practically deserted, except couples who had stolen away to spend some 'alone-time' with their partners.
Rose skidded to a halt and turned around. Scorpius was breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on the approaching figure. He shivered slightly, though whether from the cold or fright, she could not tell.
'Rosie, come back here this instant!' her father thundered. His face resembled a beetroot now.
Rose swallowed the lump of fear that was making its way up her throat and clenched her fists.
'Why?' she said.
'Why? Why?' her father spluttered. 'Have I not been clear about all this? Did I not tell you to stay away from the Malfoys?'
She could feel Scorpius stiffen at the implication. Her anger flaired.
'And have I not made it clear that Scorpius is my friend?' she said, her eyes blazing fire.
'Rosie!'
'No!' she shouted. 'I have had enough of your bullying. I understand you want to protect me. But I'm not a child anymore.'
Her father let out an angry growl. 'You do not know these Malfoys. They are shifty. They only care for what'll benefit them.'
'I can tell for myself who the shifty sorts are. And Scorpius is not!'
'Rose,' her father's voice was suddenly deceptively calm. 'I'll ask you one more time to come over.'
Rose was ready to scream in indignation and frustration when she felt a restraining hand on her shoulder. Scorpius was looking at her father, his eyes grave and stoic.
'It's alright, Carrots,' he said softly, trying very hard to smile. 'Go to your father.'
'YOU! Remove your filthy pureblood hand from my daughter's shoulder this instant before I curse you to oblivion.'
Rose's eyes widened in fear at the wand pointed directly at Scorpius's chest. Was Dad really going to curse him?
'No!' she screamed, trying to shove him out of the way. But someone else beat her to it.
'Don't you dare threaten my son!'
Rose stared at the intruder. The woman had shoved both of them behind her and faced her father. A petite woman with a friendly, open face and smiling eyes, she could only be Scorpius's mother. Only her face was not friendly anymore. It was determined and cold as she whipped out her wand, taking a defensive stance.
'If you want to fight, then fight me,' she bit out through clenched teeth.
'What the –! Who are you, woman?' growled Ron Weasley.
'Astoria Malfoy.'
Rose watched as hate and scorn flooded his face slowly. 'Excellent. Another Malfoy.' He didn't lower his wand. If anything he clutched it tighter.
What is happening, thought Rose, trying to tamp down the panic that threatened to engulf her any moment. Were they going to fight? What would she do if they did? No no no. She couldn't let it happen. She had to do something. She had to do something. She looked around wildly, trying to figure out what to do.
The elders were still eyeing each other, their wands poised in the air.
'Do something!' she pleaded to Scorpius, who was standing there with his mouth slightly parted in shock and horror. He turned to her with blank eyes and kept staring.
Sudden footsteps were heard behind them just as Rose was ready to scream the house down and alert everyone.
'Put your wand away if you know what is good for you, Weasel,' sneered a cold, malicious voice.
All four turned to the new entrant of their current tableau. Draco Malfoy stood at the steps of the Entrance Hall, his face cold and sinister, his wand trailed on Ron Weasley.
'STUPEFY!'
'EXPELLIARMUS!'
The two spells collided with a bang, causing several onlookers to gasp and scurry away. They whirled so fast on each other that Rose hardly had time to register what was happening. Astoria let out a strangled cry.
'TANTALLEGRA!'
'PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!"
Curses whizzed past them as the two old enemies dueled.
'Stay away from us, you filthy little ferret!'
'You stay away from my son, Weasel!'
'Rictumsempra!'
Mr. Malfoy ducked to avoid the curse just as thunderous footfalls thudded down the steps.
'PROTEGO!'
Uncle Harry, Aunt Ginny and Mom had arrived at the scene. They were hurrying towards them. Uncle Harry was lowering his wand as he walked.
'Malfoy,' he acknowledged with a sharp nod.
'Potter,' Mr. Malfoy's response was equally cold.
Aunt Ginny looked worried. And Mom looked – livid.
'What in the name of Merlin's most baggy Y-fronts is going on here?' she demanded as soon as she reached Dad.
'Language, Granger. Tsk tsk. You are starting to sound like Weasel,' Mr. Malfoy smirked, reminding Rose of a time when Scorpius used to do that.
'DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK TO MY WIFE LIKE THAT!' Dad threw away his wand and lunged at him, but was stopped by Uncle Harry.
'RONALD WEASLEY!' Mom bellowed.
'Enough everyone,' Uncle Harry shouted. Everyone stilled.
'Now,' he said, in a calmer voice, 'would someone enlighten me as to what is happening here?'
'Your precious Weasel was threatening my wife and son,' said Mr. Malfoy. His sneer was gone, replaced by a cold fury that made Rose wish she was safe in her bed in the Gryffindor tower.
'Is that true?' Uncle Harry turned to Dad.
'I was doing what was needed to protect my daughter.'
'You needed to duel for that?' Aunt Ginny sounded incredulous.
Dad frowned.
'What actually happened?' Uncle Harry suddenly turned to Rose and Scorpius.
Rose swallowed to moisten her dry mouth. Scorpius came forward.
'It was my fault, actually. I was dancing with Rose.'
Uncle Harry furrowed his brow. 'I see no fault in that.' He turned to Dad, 'Did you object because he is a Malfoy's son? Well, he isn't like his father,' he shrugged.
Draco Malfoy curled his lips into the most disdainful expression he could muster. 'Saint Potter defending a Malfoy. That's something new.'
Uncle Harry ignored him.
'I don't want a Malfoy anywhere near my family,' Dad said angrily. The Malfoys drew themselves up at his words.
'Watch your language, Weasley. Someday you might end up grievously injured if you don't curb that tongue.'
They glared at each other, clenching and unclenching their fists.
Mom was fuming.
'Shame on you, Ronald. And yet you call yourself a reasonable person.'
'What does that mean?' scowled Dad.
'This entire ball was meant to promote friendship and well wishes within the Houses and without. You know what,' she said, shaking her head in disgust, 'it reminds of the Yule ball in our fourth year. You are behaving exactly as you did that night. Trying to break a friendship and all. You ruined that evening for me just as you are ruining it for her today.'
Rose suddenly found herself the focus of everyone's attention. Someone squeezed her fingers. She also realized she had tears running down her cheeks.
Dad looked flummoxed and slightly uneasy.
'What are you so against, anyway?' frowned Aunt Ginny.
'Did you forget what they did during the war? What Lucius Malfoy nearly did to you?' Dad jabbed an accusing finger at Mr. Malfoy.
'Look,' said Mr. Malfoy, suddenly appearing a lot more aged and tired, 'I know our family was hostile towards you all during the war. I know how my father was and how I behaved in the past. I know it's inexcusable and I'm not even trying to ask forgiveness. I only ask you this. Please don't let my son suffer for the mistakes his father committed.'
There was silence. Mr. Malfoy ran a frustrated hand through his hair and heaved a heavy sigh.
'Come, Astoria,' he said, holding out his hand, 'we have exhausted our welcome here.'
'Don't you flee like the coward that you are,' Dad said suddenly. 'I know what you are planning to do. I read all those reports – mountain trolls on the move – giants with winged tattoos on their back walking through the Greek seas – werewolves going underground. I am an Auror, not a fool. And I know what all this means.'
'What are you even trying to say?' asked Uncle Harry, bewildered.
'Harry, I'm telling you. These signs were there when You-know-Who was on the rise. For Godric's sake, don't you remember how Dumbledore sent Hagrid to watch the movements of the giants? And he was right too. And now history is starting to repeat itself – and I won't stand there watching my daughter make herself an easy target by being friends with a family that has a history of reverting to the Dark side at the first sign.'
'Ron. Be reasonable. You know they have come to our side,' said Uncle Harry.
'They are standing right here, if you haven't noticed. And I don't need you to defend my family, Potter,' spat Malfoy.
'Are you sure?' Mom asked suddenly, looking at Dad with scared eyes.
'Yes. The signs add up to it. Our Aurors have been tracking their movements for months. You should catch up on your files, Harry – you'd know I'm speaking the truth.'
'B-but it's a serious matter,' said Aunt Ginny. 'You don't think You-Know-Who would return?'
Everyone turned to Uncle Harry. He swept his hair away from his face before replying, 'I don't think Voldemort is behind any of this. He is dead.'
'Yeah everyone knows you killed him, Potter. Now get on with your theory,' said Mr. Malfoy impatiently.
'Why so eager all of a sudden, Malfoy? Looking to join the Dark forces again?' taunted Dad.
'Enough Ron! I trust Malfoy,' said Uncle Harry. Mr. Malfoy looked disgusted at the idea.
'Voldemort may be dead. But what he had started is yet to be stopped,' Uncle Harry paused. 'What is alarming is that we do not know who is behind all this – and I think that makes him even more dangerous.'
Rose felt her fingers squeezed again. She looked sideways to find Scorpius frowning at the elders, his eyes miles away.
'What?' she whispered.
He turned his head and looked at her. 'I think we should go find Al.' was all he said.
ooooo
To be continued…
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