Finally, an update! I hope that people are still reading this.

Masterofbugs123: Thank you for reviewing!

WARNING: One of the scenes in this chapter involves inappropriate alcohol consumption. Since this is a T-rated fic, I wasn't sure if the warning a necessary, but chose to add it just in case.

Chapter 5:

Day 1

23:06

"So . . . who's blood should we use?" Rose asked casually, as if discussing the weather.

"Not mine!" shouted Lily indignantly.

"I'm good," said Albus.

"Ditto," she confirmed. They all looked at Scorpius. "It WAS your idea, after all. It's only fair," Rose reasoned.

Scorpius, much to their surprise, did not put up to much of a fight on the matter. "Okay, fine," he agreed, "But I'm doing it myself." Scorpius yanked off his glove, glancing at his hand in horror. "I don't think it's supposed to be that colour," he muttered quietly.

Only Rose heard him. The redhead glanced at her friend's hand in concern. "Ouch," she said. Malfoy's forefinger and thumb were a sickly shade of dark purple that made Lily's hand look normal by comparison. "Has it been hurting?" Rose asked.

Scorpius shrugged. "A little," he admitted, "now it's mostly numb- -but don't worry. I'm fine, honest." Despite his friend's protest, he then proceeded to nibble at one of his (non-frostbitten) fingers, until a small amount of blood poured out. He grabbed the receipt from Albus. "What should I write?" he asked.

"You know what? I-I changed my mind," said Rose suddenly, "I want to do it."

"It's fine, really. Al? Are you listening?"

Albus was huddled up at the edge of the cave, shivering vigorously. For a long while, he said nothing, before responding, "Make it a short one. Write 'help' or something," he answered eventually. Albus's voice sounded weary, like that of an old man.

Scorpius nodded. "Okay." And he began to write out the gruesome message. Writing in blood was a much more difficult task then it was made out to be. Scorpius had to make the cut in his finger bigger multiple times just to get the blood to flow. At least the pain wasn't too bad, considering he had lost most of the feeling in his fingers.

"Finished," he announced. Looking back at his work, Scorpius realized that it really wasn't that impressive. The writing was slanted, smudged, and barely readable. Still, it was going to have to do.

Later, the terrified children huddled together at night for warmth, with an exception of Scorpius who, according to Rose, had a phobia of hugging. Needless to say, none of them got much sleep that night.

Day 2:

6:09

By morning, whatever was left of the group's optimism had all but vanished. Scorpius was particularly distraught.

"I can't believe this! We've been in here for nearly a day and nobody has come for us."

"They'll probably come soon," Al mumbled.

"How soon?" the blond demanded. He stood up, careful not to bang his head as he did so. "I'm tired, I'm cold, I'm hungry, thirsty, and my hand is turning purple! I mean, look at this," he pulled off his glove, "is this a color that occurs naturally on the human body? That's what I thought. This is madness, Al. Complete and utter madness." He sat back down with his arms folded, having made his point quite clear.

"Nope," Rose said, "it will be complete and utter madness when we've been here three days, are starving and forced to resort to cannibalism in order to survive," she grinned, "now that would be madness." Albus wondered if his cousin was beginning to lose it. Yet again, she never really had 'it' to begin with.

Lily's eyes widened in horror. "That . . . that won't really happen. Will it, Albus?"

"Of course not," he glared at his cousin. "Right, Rose?"

Rose shrugged. "I dunno, I just remember it was on some show that I saw on Animal Planet. There was a special on survival tips- -"

Scorpius gave her an incredulous look. "Do your parents know you watch that?"

"Dad? Yes and he doesn't really care. Mum? Well . . . what she doesn't know won't hurt her."

Despite being raised in wizard home, the Weasley and Potter kids were frequent television watchers thanks to an invention their grandfather created called the Muggle Room. The Muggle Room was basically a separate room in a wizard home separated by a thick wall of steel or concrete in order to ensure that magic would not interfere with the technology. The room was normally equipped with an electricity generator, a television, often a computer, and occasionally other screened devices that most purebloods would not get the chance to see in everyday life.

Arthur Weasley had originally created the room for research purposes only, but some wealthy magic families decided that they wanted to get a taste of Muggle life and had it installed. Needless to say, the Malfoys did not have one. Still, whenever he was at the Potters, Scorpius enjoyed spending time there, something that annoyed his family to no end.

Rose loved watching educational programs on the telly (she was a Ravenclaw, after all.) "Anyway, I don't think that will happen. We'd all be dead long before- -"

"Rose!" Albus bellowed. "Do you really have to traumatize your little cousin now?"

Rose smirked. "Hey," she said brightly, "everybody needs a hobby!"

Day 2:

13:49

Astoria Caroline Greengrass Malfoy the Third was having a horrible day. Work had been miserable - - the nerve of them, making her attend after what had happened to her son. Still, she knew that skipping work was not an option; getting the job had been hard enough and she couldn't risk losing it. Few people were willing to hire a Malfoy these days.

Upon returning home, Astoria noticed an odd odor coming from the third floor. The smell was something that she had come quite accustomed to from her father's get togethers back when she was growing up in Greengrass estate. She had rarely experienced it in Malfoy Manor - - and never on such a high level.

Running up the stars into the master bedroom she realized that it was just as she had feared: her husband, Draco Malfoy, was lying unconscious on the bed with at least a dozen bottles of firewhiskey dispersed all over the room.

The last time she remembered Draco consuming alcohol was in the summer of 1998, shortly after the Second Wizard War when he had been going through severe depression. The unhealthy addiction had been nearly impossible to stop - - Astoria did not want to go down THAT road again. Besides, they already had enough to fear in the public eye without drinking problems. What kind of example was he setting for Calista?

"Get up, you bastard!" she cried, kicking her husband.

Mr. Malfoy stirred and opened a bloodshot eye. He groggily sat up and glanced around the room. His eyes widened when he realized what he had just done.

Astoria was not about to show him any mercy. "Care to explain yourself?"

"I . . . uh . . . well, ya see . . . I kinda. . ." as he spoke, Astoria noted that his speech seemed slurred, not unlike her father commonly behaved after returning from a big party.

"What kind of an example are you setting for Calista? You good-for-nothing . . ." Astoria stopped, looking at her husband's forlorn expression. It was extremely pathetic. Draco never was never very emotional, as most Slytherin boys (and boys in general) were, but on the rare occasion that he did show emotion, it was taken to the extreme, making up for all of the times that he didn't. Astoria sighed and sat down on the bed with him. "Look, I understand it's hard for you. It's hard for all of us. But you need to put yourself together. This is no way for a self-respecting pureblood should behave!"

"But, Scorpius- - he's . . . he's . . ." Malfoy couldn't even bring himself to finish that sentence.

"Scorpius is probably just fine. And if worst comes to worst, Calista will need you more than ever, so this is no time to fall apart." Her husband didn't answer. "Draco? Come on, Draco, that's no way to behave."

"It's my fault," he whispered, " I should have never let him go on that stupid, Muggle trip!"

Astoria stood up. "Okay, now you're just being ridiculous! What a stupid thing to say! Honestly! I mean, I was the one that talked you into letting him go." This was about as close to an apology that Astoria could manage. Uncomfortable with the blame being even that close to her, she added. "But if it's anyone's fault, it's Potter's. The very nerve of him - - letting our son go off by himself with those children. When I agreed to this I thought he would be under adult supervision at all times." She suddenly stopped rambling. Unable to hold it in any longer, Astoria buried her face in her hands. After several moments of silence, she whispered, "I just can't believe that's he's really gone."

Now it was Draco's turn to be comforting. Astoria was right, he couldn't go on like this. "You're right, it is Potter's fault. And I'm going to make sure something is done about it."

Tracey Davis sat at her desk. The former half-blood Slytherin examined her client's files. "Are you quite sure about this, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked hesitantly, as if afraid of the answer he would give.

He nodded. "Definitely. My boy is gone, and I think that something ought to be done about it."

"Yes, but, sue Harry Potter . . . ! That's a bit. . . drastic, don't you think?" And you're not even sure that he's really dead, she added to herself.

"Come on, Trace, I know it seems like a long shot, but you're the best lawyer in the wizarding world!" Malfoy's eyes were large, like a puppy begging for food at the dinner table. He was almost pleading with her. "If I even have a chance, I'm going to need you."

Tracey looked away, trying to hide the fact that she was blushing, Malfoy always was a master in the art of flattering women. It was true, of course, what he had said. She hadn't lost a single case in the twelve years she had had the job. Arguing was something that just came naturally to her, as it did with most Slytherins. But she had never encountered a case like this. Sure, she felt bad for him, he had just lost his son after all, but his plan was not practical. Plus, there was no way the court would believe that the savior of the wizarding world had anything to do with a young boy's death.

Draco watched her carefully, he was shaking from head to toe in anticipation. He didn't know what he would do if she refused this case.

"Sue Harry Potter," she repeated, as if testing the words out on her tongue. Tracey paused, once again considering the position. True, it was a complete waste of time, but why should she care? She got paid whether she won the case or not. Plus, she always liked a good challenge. Might as well give it a try. "I'll do it."

Note: The idea of the Muggle Room is not unique to this fanfic. I also used it in Expect the Unexpected, a Harry Potter crossover. I will also probably use it in other next generation fics.

Anyway, I apologize for the length. I intended for this to be longer.

Anyway, I hope you guys liked it. Please review and tell me what you think. If you have any ideas, comments, praise, or constructive criticism for me, feel free to comment.