As a first and second year, Scorpius had imagined what it would feel like getting on the Hogwarts Express for the last time. He imagined that he'd be excited, surrounded by his friends, and ready to take on his last year with confidence. He'd pictured himself tall and strong with his broom on his back - transformed from the boy who had cried the night before he left his home for school the first time.
As Scorpius hugged his father goodbye on Platform 9 3/4, he realized that it was Albus who was living his dream. Over Draco's shoulder, Scorpius saw Albus pick up his trunk with one hand and his broom with the other, flagging down Flint in the distance.
Draco looked at his son, concerned.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine," said Scorpius. "Just wasn't ready to see summer end."
"Is that all?" Draco was unconvinced.
"Yeah," said Scorpius. "I'm fine."
"Is something wrong with you and Albus?"
Draco looked uncomfortable just asking the question. Scorpius watched as Albus embraced Flint and Farley jumped on his back in greeting.
"No, not at all," said Scorpius. "He's been great."
Draco nodded as though he didn't quite believe him.
"Let me know if there's anything you want to talk about," Draco said.
For the briefest moment, Scorpius considered telling him everything about his powers and how worried he was that he'd lose control again and hurt someone else.
"I will, dad," said Scorpius. "Thanks."
Draco gave Scorpius one last hug before he watched his son get on the train to Hogwarts for his last year.
"They grow up so quickly."
Draco turned and saw Hermione arriving at his side.
"I know," Draco said with a wistful smile as he watched through the window as Scorpius settled into the cabin in front of him. "Seems like just yesterday Astoria was setting him in my arms for the first time."
Ron and Harry joined them, Ginny in tow. Draco watched Albus and a few other Slytherin seventh years settle into the cabin with Scorpius, and he was glad to see that they all greeted each other warmly. There was little that made Draco happier than seeing his son enjoy a childhood that was the complete opposite of his own.
"They'll have jobs this time next year," said Harry.
"And Rose will have moved out with her friends."
The five parents waved goodbye to their children, Rose hanging out of the cabin behind the Slytherins' to kiss her father goodbye one more time, and watched as the train disappeared into the distance and the crowd around them thinned.
"I need a drink," announced Hermione after a long silence.
"Leaky Cauldron?" Draco asked.
Everyone murmured in agreement. Sending their nearly-adult children off to their last year of school was not a task to be completed sober.
Albus threw a notice his father had sent down on Scorpius' notes as he studied in the common room. It was October, and the major organizations in the wizarding world were starting to look for new recruits that would be graduating from the schools across Europe in the spring, and the Magical Archives of Britain seemed to be the perfect fit for Scorpius' bookworm-related abilities.
"Dad sent that for you," Albus said, taking the seat across from him. He was sweaty from the first official Quidditch practice of the year and looked exhilarated, while Scorpius was exhausted to his bones. Helping second years with their potions homework wasn't conducive to his sense of control, but what was he supposed to do? Let them fail?
Scorpius picked up the notice and read it over. A position as a fledgling historian promised whole days spent in archives, organizing information and helping curious witches and wizards find the records they were looking for, and the opportunity to move into a specialty like artifacts - the perfect job for someone who grew up in a secret museum of forbidden things.
"That's pretty interesting," said Scorpius.
"You have to apply," said Albus. "At least apply."
"It's probably really competitive," said Scorpius. "It says there're only three positions available."
"You can get it."
"Because I'm a Malfoy?"
"Because you're brilliant."
Scorpius smiled at him. He hadn't seen much of Albus in the first weeks of school with the beginning of Dueling Club and their different schedules. Albus was always surrounded by their friends, and Scorpius was sure he'd never seen him happier.
"How are you?" Albus asked. He took Scorpius' hand from the table and started playing with his fingers. "I didn't see you after breakfast."
"I know," said Scorpius. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, giving up for the day. He was so tired his vision was blurry even with them on. "I'm really drained."
"Anything I can do?"
Scorpius smiled and shook his head. "No. Just a long day."
"No... complications?"
Scorpius shook his head, but it was a lie. While making his to-do list over lunch, he'd been anxious and had brought the coffee in his mug to a boil and burned his tongue, which was difficult to explain to Madam Pomfrey.
"No. What about you? How's Quidditch going?"
Farley approached from the side and groaned at them. "Stop being cute."
"I refuse," said Albus, grinning. Scorpius held onto his hand.
"Albus is faster than ever this year," said Farley. "I don't know what you did over the summer, but it worked. We're going to beat everyone this year."
"We just need to get the new Beater in better shape."
"We've got time. If we only have one problem player this year, we're in a good position."
Scorpius looked up at Farley, but he was a blur.
"How's Gryffindor looking?"
"Flint and I are going down to watch them practice tomorrow night," Farley replied. "Al, you should come with us."
"Sure," said Albus, but immediately took it back when he saw Scorpius' expression fall. "Actually, I think Scorp and I were going to study -"
"You should go," Scorpius interrupted, waving a dismissive hand.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Scorpius said. "If it gives us an edge against Rose, it's worth it."
Albus laughed. "Thanks."
"Great, so we'll meet there at six?"
"Yeah," Albus yawned. "Six."
Farley left them, and Albus yawned again.
"You should get some sleep," said Scorpius.
"I think I will," said Albus, stretching before standing. "Are you coming in soon?"
Scorpius shook his head. "I've got to finish this."
"Alright."
Albus bent over and kissed his temple before whispering in his ear.
"Love you."
"Love you too," Scorpius whispered back and watched as Albus disappeared down the corridor toward the dorms.
What was one more night alone in the library if it meant beating Gryffindor?
The long dueling platform had been set up in one of the larger classrooms with space on either side for Dueling Club members to watch their fellows practice. The match list was posted on the wall, and Scorpius stood at the back of the line, waiting to review it. He'd been practicing his control constantly leading up to the first practical meeting, and hadn't broken or burned anything in more than a week. Albus was optimistic that he'd turned the corner, but Scorpius was a bit more cautious. As he waited, he took slow breaths, counting beats between inhales and exhales, staying aware of his heartbeat and blocking out everyone around him.
He was the last one to view the list, and most of the students had taken seats on the floor along the platform lines, whispering to one another. Scorpius searched for his name and found it right in the middle matched with "Taylor, Cliff."
Scorpius held his breath and turned around to scan the crowd, and saw Taylor across the room, snarling. Clearly, he remembered their last altercation when Scorpius had accidentally thrown him into a stone wall.
"Shit," whispered Scorpius under his breath.
Professor Vector took her place at the center of the platform, a smile on her face. She wasn't even aware of what she'd done, Scorpius knew. She'd chosen the names at random from a hat like she always did.
"Welcome back for our first practical meeting of the year," she said brightly. Scorpius too his seat at the back of the pack and blocked her out, breathing slowly and waiting. Scorpius told himself he'd wait until his name was called - that he'd stay calm and quiet until he had to duel and that everything was going to be fine - and it was for a while, but he was unlucky. He and Taylor were called fourth from the list of sixteen.
Scorpius let out a slow breath and stood, clutching his wand tightly.
It's been more than a week, thought Scorpius. I'm in complete control of my magic. I'll just defend myself until he's declared the victor and take the loss. Just hold on long enough to keep my dignity.
Scorpius stepped up onto the dais and bowed to Taylor. He tried to offer a small smile of apology but was met only with a sneer. He waited quietly, taking a defensive stance, listening for Vector's mark.
"Steady," Vector called from the midline. She waited a beat that lasted an eternity.
"Duel."
Taylor barely waited for her to finish the word before striking. Scorpius raised his wand and blocked, rattling off protective spells as if they were second nature, holding his ground. Taylor knocked him off balance once - twice - and then Scorpius had to take a step back.
He was almost there - the point of concession - when Taylor launched a volley of arrows at Scorpius - an illegal move he wasn't prepared for. He dodged, feeling them fly past him as Vector called foul, but Cliff had no intention of stopping. He came at Scorpius again, before Vector could intervene, with a blasting spell.
Scorpius deflected, his technique sloppy in his surprise, feeling energy travel up and down his arm and through his body - an inexplicable tingling that turned into pain before being redirected back in Taylor's direction. Scorpius watched in slow motion as Taylor was blown back by his own curse, off the end of the dais, and into the crowd of students behind him. At least five people were knocked to the ground, and Scorpius cringed as he straightened himself.
"Malfoy!" cried Professor Vector. Scorpius closed his eyes and took a deep breath, bracing himself for what came next.
"Professor McGonagall's office. Now."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy," said Professor McGonagall, her voice stern. "You're barred from Dueling, and you'll be serving detention with Professor Slughorn until the end of the month."
"Yes, ma'am," said Scorpius, nearly inaudible. He stood before her desk with his hands clasped behind his back and his head bowed.
"This is the second time you've used undue force," she said. "You're fortunate it isn't more."
"Yes, ma'am."
McGonagall sighed. It was late in the day and Scorpius knew he'd interrupted something far more enjoyable for her, which only added to his guilt.
"What happened, Malfoy?"
It was a question he hadn't been expecting. Scorpius looked up at her and hoped his face didn't betray exactly how much he wanted to run from the room.
"I lost control," he said quietly. "It's... it's been happening a lot."
"What do you mean?"
"Unless I'm calm, things just happen. I didn't mean to hurt Cliff today, and I didn't mean to hurt him last spring."
"Do you mean to say that you don't have control of your powers?"
"No, ma'am. Not all the time."
Scorpius bowed his head in shame.
"Who knows about this?" Professor McGonagall's voice shifted from anger to concern.
"Albus," Scorpius admitted. "I think my dad knows something's up, but I didn't want to bother him."
Professor McGonagall tapped her fingers on her desk one at a time, thinking and regarding Scorpius for what seemed like an eternity.
"Instead of Professor Slughorn, you're to have your detentions with me, Mr. Malfoy," she said finally. "You are to report here after dinner every night. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now go directly back to the Slytherin dorms," she said, pulling a piece of parchment near and reaching for her quill.
"Are you doing to write to my father, Professor?"
She regarded him again, weighing her options.
"I'm going to tell him that you've left the Dueling Club because of a conflict that has landed you in an extended detention," she said. "Nothing more."
Scorpius sighed in relief. That was the best he could hope for.
"Thank you, ma'am."
He turned to leave and walked toward the door slowly, his energy spent.
"And Malfoy?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"We'll get you sorted. Don't worry."
Scorpius nodded and thanked her before slipping out into the dark corridor.
When Scorpius got back to the dorm, Albus was already in bed. He was reviewing some notes from earlier in the day but looked as if he wasn't far from sleep.
"You're running late," he said as Scorpius walked in. He set the notes aside when he saw Scorpius' face. "What's wrong?"
Scorpius didn't know how to say it - that he'd lost control again, that he hadn't turned the corner, that he'd hurt someone again, and that he'd been kicked out of the one thing he'd excelled at consistently during his time at Hogwarts.
Scorpius looked across the room at Farley and Pucey, who were getting ready for bed. Everyone was going to find out in the morning anyway, so why bother dealing with it tonight?
"I'm going to bed," Scorpius said, kicking his shoes off and climbing into bed, still dressed.
"Scorp, talk to me," said Albus. He got up and sat down on the edge of Scorpius' bed, but Scorpius just laid there, hugging his pillow.
"Did you lose control again?" Albus spoke quietly so their roommates couldn't hear.
Scorpius nodded. "I've been kicked out of Dueling Club, and I've got detention with Professor McGonagall every night for the foreseeable future."
The pity in Albus' eyes was enough to irritate Scorpius again, so he buried his face in his pillow.
"Was anyone hurt?"
"I think I sent four people to the hospital wing," said Scorpius.
"Is McGonagall going to help you?"
"She said she's going to work with me," said Scorpius into his pillow.
"Well, that's really good news," replied Albus, rubbing Scorpius' back as he always did when he was stressed. "McGonagall is brilliant - she'll help you get back on track."
"Seventh year isn't going the way I wanted it to," Scorpius said. He felt Albus' weight shift on the bed as he leaned over to kiss his cheek.
"Can I help?"
Scorpius turned and opened one eye, looking at him.
"Just be here."
"I always am."
The next morning, Albus sat with his head in his hands. Usually, he was happy when Scorpius finally joined him for breakfast, but today, he was hoping Scorpius would decide to stay upstairs. The Daily Prophet sat in front of him, passed down from Flint. He'd never thought there would be a headline worse than Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy Spotted Snogging at Harpies/Puddlemere Match, but there it was -
Scorpius Malfoy Injures Multiple Students in Dueling Match with the subtitle Does Chosen One's Son Approve?
"I swear to Dumbledore," said Albus as Farley sat beside him, "if I ever get my hands on whoever writes this -"
"You'll do nothing," Farley interrupted. "Because if you do, then you'll be in the next day's paper."
Albus sighed and shook his head. "Scorpius is going to be so pissed."
And with that, Scorpius walked into the room, pulling his robes on. He was rushing, Albus could tell, which was only going to make this worse. As he passed the other students, they whispered and stared, pointing, and Scorpius took note. Albus was sure he was expecting some kind of reaction, but it was exacerbated by the article.
"Good morning," said Scorpius as he approached. Across the room, a gaggle of Gryffindors stared him down. Farley made room for him between himself and Albus, staring back at the Gryffindors with a sneer.
Albus didn't know what to say, so he just handed the Prophet to Scorpius with his coffee, fixed just the way he liked it.
Scorpius unfolded it and stared down at his own name.
"I'm sorry, man," said Farley.
"What do we do?" asked Albus quietly.
Scorpius refolded the paper and set it down calmly on the table.
"Nothing," said Scorpius. He took a long drink from his coffee mug. "We do absolutely nothing."
"They're going to stalk you through the halls," said Farley, nodding at the Gryffindors.
"Let them," said Scorpius. "They'll all be scared of me anyway. They won't do anything."
"Still," said Albus. "Safety in numbers. Try to stay with some of our friends."
"You don't need to protect me," said Scorpius. "No doubt my father will have seen this, but there's nothing he can do about it now."
"Are you okay?" Albus asked. "I thought you'd be more upset."
"I'm doing my best, Albus," Scorpius replied. "That's all I can do. I'll start working with McGonagall tonight and things are going to get better, just like you said."
