In the Previous Chapter…
Draco chuckled. "So in other words, she thought he got what he deserved too" he said.
"That's exactly what my Uncle Harry just said" Rose laughed, joining the two Malfoys in laughter.
"I better get going – I'll see you both later. Enjoy the rest of the Ball!" Draco said cheerfully, still chuckling to himself as he walked away.
"Well, considering I got away without punishment, would you like a dance?" Scorpius asked, offering Rose his hand.
Rose and Scorpius spent the rest of the evening dancing and enjoying themselves. At 11.30, they left the hall and checked on George Weasley and the fireworks. Seeing that they were all ready to go, the pair re-entered the Great Hall and walked to the front.
Scorpius muttered a quick sonorous before saying "Ladies, gentlemen and students of Hogwarts."
"Please could we have your attention for a few moments" Rose said, also casting a quick sonorous spell. "Unfortunately, this ball must draw to a close at some point, but first we have a few thank yous."
"First, a huge thank you to our entertainment for tonight; Mr David Morris and his Orchestra and The Rejects"
"Secondly, another big thank you to Professor McGonagall for allowing this ball to take place"
"And thirdly a massive thank you to all of you for coming."
"The money raised through ticket sales for tonight is going to be split three ways; One third is going to Madam Patil to update the Hospital Wing, another third is going to St Mungo's, and the last third of the proceeds are being sent to the muggle children's hospital, Great Ormund Street in London." Rose said. A few people sent her bizarre looks at this, and so Rose continued "We have selected these charities for the reason that they have been a great help this year to Hogwarts and thought that they deserved some recognition. A total of 7,500 Galleons was collected tonight, so each charity will receive 2,500 galleons."
"As a last treat for you tonight, we have arranged another surprise for you" Scorpius said.
"Please would you all follow me and Scorpius outside for the finale of your night, a fantastic firework display coordinated by none other than George Weasley!"
Rose then grasped her boyfriend's hand and led the throng of guests outside. As they entered the courtyard, a fantastic firework display began. Rose sat back in Scorpius' arms as they watched the bursts of colour fill the sky with fizzes, whoops, crackles and bangs.
"You did amazing" Scorpius whispered down into Rose's ear.
"I know we did" Rose beamed, swivelling around in his embrace and laying her lips on his. They stood there, revelling in the sweet and tender kiss until they heard a scream in the crowd. Rose shared a look with Scorpius before the pair set off into the crowd in the direction of the scream.
Scorpius forced his way through the mass of people surrounding a two people. As he and Rose reached the front, Rose went limp in his arms. He glanced down to see her holding onto his arm for support, her face deadly pale and her eyes fearfully wide. He gripped Rose's collapsing body against his own and followed her gaze to the couple in the middle of the crowd.
McLaggen stood with his wand pointed at a girl's throat, whilst maintaining a shield around them. No one could get to them, and everyone was afraid of what would happen if they tried. Scorpius felt his stomach suddenly drop as he recognised the girl who was struggling in McLaggen's vice-like grip.
Lily Potter stood there, trying to control her breathing and racing heartbeat, as McLaggen dug his fingernails into her arms, making them bleed. He pushed his wand harder into her neck, daring her to move even an inch.
"LILY!" Rose shrieked, trying to run forward. Scorpius grabbed her arms and pulled her to him.
"He has a shield around them, Rosie, baby. You can't get to him unless you disable to shield." He said soothingly into her ear as Rose tried to struggle out of his hold. "If you go anywhere near him, he will just kill you, Rosie. He won't let you get away" Scorpius pleaded. Rose stopped struggling and glanced around at Scorpius.
"He'll hurt Lily, Scorp! I can't let that happen to her!" Rose cried, pummelling Scorpius' chest to try and get him to let her go.
"I can't let that happen to you either, Rosie" he said, hugging her tight as she cried.
"Then can you do something about it?" she said, her voice muffled against Scorpius' chest.
"If you promise that you won't try anything stupid" he laughed. "I'll get Lily out, I promise" he vowed. He cautiously released his grip on Rose's waist, and when he was certain she wasn't going to run at McLaggen, he walked towards Harry and Ron, who were conversing with McGonagall at the back of the crowd. Harry was significantly pale and was panicking a bit.
"Minerva, I need to get my Lils away from him" Harry urged, paling more as he glanced at Lily, still held at wand point.
"Harry, my dear, I know, but I haven't been able to identify the shield charms he is using" McGonagall frowned.
"Professor, I think he is using a cross between the classic shield and a protection charm" Scorpius interrupted. "It's difficult magic, but I'd know it anywhere. Dad had to use it a lot when I was little" he explained.
"That actually sounds plausible, Scorpius" she beamed. "Do you know how to reverse it?"
"Dad does" Scorpius smiled, before casting his patronus and sending it over to his father. Draco was immediately at his son's side.
"I can reverse it" he said, "but you will only have a few seconds to act on it. You should have 4 wizards casting different spells at the same time. One to cast an anti-apparition spell, one to fire a stunning spell and another to bind him" Draco explained. "The fourth person will be me, and I'll counter the curse" he smiled.
"I'll take the binding spell" Scorpius grinned. "Been wanting to bind him up for months"
"I'll take the stunning spell" Ron chirped up, "as I'd rather not do the anti-apparition one – that sounds more Harry's level of magic" he muttered.
"Great. Position yourselves at the compass points around the circle" Draco ordered. "At my signal, send your spells." The four men briskly walked to their places and subtly pointed their wands at McLaggen.
A ferret patronus suddenly leapt in front of Scorpius. "Distract McLaggen" his father's voice quietly whispered. "Give me a minute to send all the counter spells at him. On the last one, I'll give my signal." Scorpius found his dad in the crowd and nodded, before stepping forward.
McLaggen saw the movement and turned to face Scorpius. Behind him, Draco started casting.
"Stay back, Malfoy" McLaggen spat.
"What are you doing, McLaggen? Why exactly are you holding Lils here hostage?" Scorpius asked calmly with authority. He took another step forward.
"Stay back, death eater scum!" McLaggne growled. Draco momentarily stopped casting to raise his eyebrows and narrow his eyes. No one dared call his son that.
"Why are you holding Lils hostage?" Scorpius pushed again.
"Because I need her" he growled.
"Why?"
"Why do you think, you stupid bit of filth!?" McLaggen screamed.
"I don't know, McLaggen, that's why I'm asking you" Scorpius' smirk crept onto his face.
"Isn't it obvious?" McLaggen yelled, thrusting out his hand and indicating to where Rose was stood, "It'll hurt her the most" he grinned sadistically.
"You want to get to Rose?" Scorpius glowered.
"Yes, dammit! No one can have have, she is MINE!" he bellowed, flicking his wand at Scorpius, who easily blocked it.
"Don't you dare curse me, McLaggen. Don't you think you've hurt her enough already?"
"No! She defied me!"
"She never did, you made that up"
"SHE CHEATED ON ME WITH YOU!"
"I WASN'T GOING OUT WITH HER UNTIL YOU BEAT HER TO A PULP!"
"SHE BLOODY SLEPT WITH YOU WHEN SHE WAS GOING OUT WITH ME!"
"Don't. You. DARE!" Rose screamed, running to Scorpius. "The only person I've slept with was you, you moron! And even then, I didn't chose it, because you repeatedly RAPED ME ALL SUMMER!" she shrieked, tears cascading down her cheeks.
There was a collective gasp from the audience. Everyone turned to stare at Rose and McLaggen.
"YOU RAPED MY DAUGHTER?" Ron yelled, forgetting his role and charging at McLaggen, just as Draco finished reversing the shields. Ron barrelled straight into McLaggen, the pair clattering to the ground. Scorpius stunned McLaggen and Ron stood up, glaring down at the once again stunned boy.
"Don't. You. Ever. Come. Near. My. Family. Again." He growled, emphasising each word by jabbing McLaggen's face with his wand. A boil appeared with each jab. Rose walked toLily, who was now on the floor sobbing.
"Shhh Lils, it's alright" Rose soothed, crying herself. Scorpius walked over and wrapped both girls in his arms, holding the two girls as they cried. Harry apparated McLaggen to Azkaban, before apparating to the spot in front of the three teens on the ground.
"He's locked up. He won't even get a hearing, we have enough witness statements to lock him up for life" Harry said, enveloping the girls in a hug. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, Uncle Harry, we'll be fine" Rose smiled, wiping away a tear before taking Scorpius' hand and standing up. "Now, I believe we have a firework display to begin!" she said, plastering a smile on her face. She sent a red spark into the air, and the marvellous fireworks came to life.
Scorpius studied his girlfriend, and knew exactly what she needed; privacy. So he gently pulled her away from the crowd and back inside. Rose followed, slightly puzzled, but smiled as they entered their common room. "Thank you" she whispered, flinging her arms around Scorpius' neck. He hugged her back, savouring the moment.
"You didn't need that to happen tonight" he explained, "so I figured bringing us back here would be acceptable"
Rose flopped onto the sofa and started to take off her jewellery. "I know. But he's gone, so I can get over everything at last" she sighed as she took off her heels, letting her feet relax. Scorpius sat down beside her, and Rose laid her head on his lap, staring up into his eyes. "I really love you, you know that, right, Scorp?" she smiled.
"I love you more" he smirked. Rose grabbed his tie and yanked his head down so their noses were almost touching.
"I can prove I love you more" she grinned, before letting Scorpius' tie go and sitting up. He raised his eyebrows.
"Oh really?"
"I'll be back in a minute to show you" she grinned, "But when I get back, I want that robe, tie and shirt gone, Mister Malfoy" she winked before disappearing up the stairs.