The Good Son
Chapter Eleven
Graduation
"Can you believe that we're finally done with Hogwarts?" asked Delphin as he straightened his black dress robes, staring at himself in the mirror with a strange look on his face – half joyous to be graduating, half sad to be leaving the school behind.
"Feels like only yesterday we were first years," smiled Albus, his dress robes were bottle green, a colour that Cass assured him brought out his eyes and that she swore he looked terrific in. He had allowed her to tackle his hair for once and after using a veritable cosmetic store worth of hair potion his hair fell in neat yet stylish waves down the sides of his head, instead of his usually shaggy locks. Draco often joked that he hoped his future grandchildren inherited their hair from his side of the family, Albus fervently agreed – he didn't want his children to have the curse of Potter hair.
"Well I can't say I'm not thrilled that I don't have to share a room with you people anymore," teased Scorpius, running a comb through his already sleek blonde hair, his midnight blue dress robes were of the highest quality. Albus never understood Scorpius' wardrobe, he often spent hundreds of galleons on clothes he would only wear once.
"You know you loved us," smirked Xavier as he stepped out of their bathroom, drying his hair, a towel wrapped around his waist. As usual he was running late.
"Oh Xav," declared Scorpius dramatically, flinging himself onto his towel clad friend and bursting into mock wails, "How will I live without you?"
"Easily enough," said the sarcastic boy dryly, "It's not like I'm going to be working in the same office as you." Scorpius and Xavier had both applied to Malfoy Holdings for employment, and both boys had been readily accepted to apprentice in the experimental magic division of the company, where wizards worked to perfect prototype magical devices and then sell them to the highest bidder. The department had been Hermione's idea, and she had recently left the legal profession to run it – one of her earlier inventions was a deluminator based on the original device owned by Albus Dumbledore.
Half an hour later the four boys walked down the stairs to their common room, laughing at Delphin's crude jokes as they descended to meet their ladies. Albus was first in line, the other three behind him, so he caught sight of Cassiopeia first and he froze in awe, his jaw dropping and causing Xavier to walk into him.
She was absolutely gorgeous; her sleek platinum hair had been curled so that it fell in soft ringlets around her porcelain skin, her lips a deep pink, her grey eyes gleaming like shards of quicksilver. Her emerald green dress was strapless, tapering only at the waist before flowing out in silky waves down to her ankles. Her arms were bare, save for slender bracelets of silver, adorned with tiny emeralds . . . His Slytherin Princess.
"Mate, seriously don't stop like that," Xavier scowled, pushing his way past his friend and falling silent when his gaze fell of Katherine Nott. Her pixie cut had been magically grown out so that her sable hair fell in lustrous waves down her back, her dress was black, slashed open across the waist to bare her left side and navel – on which hung a belly ring, a silver loop shaped like a snake with emerald eyes – before falling just passed her knees. The dress screamed her punkish personality, as did the stiletto boots and spiked jewellery, her eyes darkly shadowed with make-up. Albus could tell his friend was fighting the urge to jump her there and then.
"Woah," he managed to murmur, causing Kat to roll her eyes.
"Men," she laughed, nudging Cassiopeia who just giggled and gestured at Albus, who still hadn't said a word, just standing at the foot of the stairs staring at her. "At least yours managed to say something," Cass replied jokingly, snapping Albus out of his reverie.
"Why do we keep them around," sighed Kat, amusement evident in her tone.
"I don't know," shrugged Cass, "I'm only with Albus for his body," she teased, winking at her boyfriend as he pretended to look affronted.
"There's my leading lady," declared Delphin as he arrived, shoving his way past both boys and going up to Rose; who had been let into the Slytherin Dorms by her brother so that she could get dressed with her friends. Her dress was light and airy, sky blue silk falling to her ankles, the back slashed to bare her skin, the sleeves slightly flared. She rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's dramatics – they had gone public just a few weeks previously – much to the other boy's surprise (excluding Xavier) and the girls "about damn time".
Scorpius had Elena Flint on his arm, both of them were dating people from outside their house – but unlike Rose and Delphin, there with be a lot of trouble if they went with their significant others –Harry would no doubt be there, because Albus' cousin Roxanne were graduating as well. Therefore it was not conducive for Scorpius to go with Lily, or for Elena to go with Frank Longbottom; whom she claimed was quite a nice person once you got to know him, much to the others disbelief.
"Eye's back in their sockets Xav," said Kat with a wink, "You aren't getting lucky this week." Xavier groaned, the other girls giggled, the boys screwed up their faces in disgust. Except Rose, who suddenly paled, her eyes a dawning look of anxiety and shock as she looked at her own stomach and mentally seemed to be counting in her head. Delphin noticed and frowned, then paled as well as he caught on to what she was thinking. Nobody else, save for Cass and Al who were standing near the terrified looking couple, seemed to notice.
(*)(*)(*)
"Avery, Xavier," called Professor Mcgonagall from the podium, beginning the Slytherin section of the graduation ceremony, "NEWTs in Charms, Tranfiguration, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures." Xavier grinned as he took to the stage, picking up his diploma from his Headmistress and moving to stand to the left of the stage. Slytherin House was being called up last; the Gryffindors had already dispersed amidst their parents and well wishers, as had the Hufflepuffs. The Ravenclaws, ever dignified, had simply gone back to their seats to await the special awards.
"Flint, Elena. NEWTs in Charms, Potions, The Mind Arts, Music, Divination and History of Magic." Elena had a broad smile on her face as she waved at her parents and siblings, all of whom had turned up to support her. The other Slytherins knew how much this meant to her, her dad (Marcus Flint) was an international quidditch player and was rarely home as he was based in Chicago. They all knew that tonight was also the final match of the American Quidditch Leage, and that Marcus' team was playing in it. Nevertheless, he was here in England to be with his daughter on this very special day.
"Goye, Isabella. NEWTs in Charms, Potions, History of Magic and Arithmancy," Kat shook her head fondly at her friend, she had somehow managed to pass the final Arithmancy exam with an A. Albus noted his father giving Isabella a sour look, probably having something to do with his childhood rivalry with her father Gregory Goyle. Quite frankly, Albus liked Mr. Goyle, on the rare occasions that he had met him he had seemed like quite a pleasant, if gruff, person. His wife had died birthing Isabella and he was an exceptional father (and mother) to her and her three older brothers.
"Malfoy, Scorpius," called Professor Mcgonagall, and now there was no denying the looks of hatred on a great many of the parents in the Great Hall, Harry and Ron chief amongst them. Ron had turned bright red when he saw Hugo walk in with Claire Williams on his arm, coming to sit beside Draco and Hermione to support his older sister Rose. He had then turned even redder when he realised that Rose had changed her name from Weasley to Granger, Uncle George had had to hold him down rather than let him charge onto the stage. He had begun drinking from that point and showed no sign of stopping anytime soon. Draco however, couldn't have looked prouder as he got to his feet clapping, along with the other Slytherin parents. He had done the same for Rose. Albus wondered how it felt to have such a loving and supportive father. "NEWTs in Herbology, Transfiguration, Potions, Divination, The Mind Arts, Astronomy and Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"Nott, Katherine. NEWTs in Transfiguration, Charms, The Mind Arts, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Astronomy." Professor Mcgonagall coughed disapprovingly as Kat leapt onto Xavier, kissing him full on the mouth on stage much to the cheers and wolf-whistles of the crowd. She turned and winked at her mum and dad, Theodore Nott and Daphne Nott (nee Greengrass), then waved at Draco and Astoria – her maternal uncle and aunt.
"Potter, Albus," Albus gulped nervously as his name was called, before taking the steps as slowly as he could; he hated the limelight and being the centre of attention. "NEWTs in Astronomy, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, The Mind Arts, History of Magic and Ancient Runes." Ginny clapped tearfully, getting to her feet, closely followed by Draco. Albus stared in surprise; Draco had only stood for his own children so far. A warm feeling spread through him, he turned and saw Harry scowling at him and it clicked. Harry Potter may be his father . . . but Draco Malfoy was his dad.
(*)(*)(*)
"May I have this dance Miss. Malfoy?" said Albus, a teasing grin on his face as he held out his arm to her. Ginny looked on proudly, Harry and Ron seeming content to shoot murderous glances at Rose and Albus whilst drowning in firewhiskey.
"Of course you may, Mr. Potter," she smiled, taking his hand and getting to her feet. Her smile never faded as she placed her hands on his shoulders, feeling his own on her waist as they began to spin gracefully (in her case) and clumsily (in his case) around the dance floor.
"I warn you," he grinned as he spun her under his arm and pulled her close, "I have two left feet."
"I dance well enough for two anyway," she smirked as they moved; her sleek platinum in contrast to his inky raven black. The skirts of her dress swirled softly, making them appear as a medieval prince with his princess at the ball. Beside them danced Rose and Delphin, artfully twirling, Albus shook his head fondly at the sight of one of his best friends laying a protective hand over Rose's probably pregnant stomach as they danced – even though she wasn't yet showing. Across the room danced Draco and Hermione, the years seeming to melt of their features as their love shone tangibly between them. Scorpius had disappeared, no doubt to find Lily somewhere away from Harry's prying eyes.
The perfect night was shattered like a crystal glass falling to the ground, when Ron Weasley staggered to his feet, his chin wet with spilled firewhiskey. There were cries of alarm as he drunkenly leapt forward, clutching a serving knife in his hand as he stalked towards the unsuspecting couple. Ginny was on her feet in an instant, reaching for her wand, Minerva pushed her way through the crowd, searching for the source of the disruption. Harry and Neville looked on in mild amusement though they pretended not to notice.
Albus cried out as he saw Ron pull back his hand, Cassiopeia let out a low shriek of shock as the iron blade stabbed through the air . . .
And buried itself in Rose Granger's pelvis, just above her navel.
"Better my daughter is dead than in the hands of a Zabini," he slurred drunkenly, stabbing a second time, and then a third before Minerva struck him down with a stunning spell and knelt beside the harshly breathing girl. Bloody flowers blossomed across the front of the sky blue dress, Rose shaking and gasping in pain, clutching at her bloody stomach as Ginny and Hermione knelt beside her, Hermione would tears falling down her cheeks, her skin ashen. Albus hurried forward to catch Delphin, who seemed to have gone into shock, catching his stunned friend before he fell to the floor.
"Bella!" said Albus sharply, under his breath. He hadn't had to call on the Shadow in months and she had been content to haunt Hogwarts, causing trouble and terrorising the students. Albus didn't really need her anymore, he had Cass for when he needed a release of his emotions – she was better than dark magic, her love always seemed to instantly numb his pain – and he was powerful. His own magical reserves were formidable, and using them he could accomplish great things. Cass turned to look at him in horror, the connection between them, which had been created when they had first invoked the Mark of the Outcasts together allowed her to see the shadowy form of Bellatrix Lestrange, manifesting beside her lover.
"No!" there was a female cry, and Albus whipped his head around to see Ron back on his feet advancing on Hermione's turned back as the brunette woman worked furiously to stem her daughters bleeding. There was a flash of dirty blonde hair and the nearest person to him, Claire Williams – Hugo's girlfriend – threw herself onto him and tried to wrest the knife from his grasp. There was a brief struggle, everybody to stunned to move forward and help, but Albus' eyes widened, realising what was going to happen before it happened. Ron slashed the knife through the air and Claire crumpled, her hands flying to her slit throat as blood poured from the cut. Hugo screamed as he caught site of what had happened, breaking into a run as he made for the scene. Ron's eyes widened, the sticky blood splashing on his face seemed to have sobered him, before anyone could overcome their shock and stop him, he turned on his heel and fled, seeming horrified at what he had just done.
"Kill him," commanded Albus softly, glaring at Ron and Bellatrix responded, flitting after him, unseen and unheard by the rest of the crowd. He could feel his heart constrict, his heightened emotional state tearing at the wards as they sought to free his darkness. Seeing the struggle on his face, Cass lay her hand on his shoulder warningly, and instantly he seemed to relax – if only slightly – and the darkness remained chained and tempered within. Hermione and Draco had set up a series of wards and psychic blocks within his heart, thus unknowingly creating two separate persona's according to Bellatrix – There was Albus as he was, strong, pure-hearted and loyal to his friends; and then there was his Dark Side, which fought to take control in times of extreme emotional instability. Bellatrix warned him that should he ever succumb to his dark side, he would lose himself to his primal instincts, becoming a being of pure power, passion and rage.
"Avada Kedavra!" cried Draco suddenly, his face twisted in anger as he took in his daughter's prone body and the sight of his son, catatonic, holding his dead girlfriend. The curse flew over Ron's head, missing by an inch before the older man reached the doors of the Great Hall. Bellatrix moved hot on Ron's heels, her spectral claws slashing across his back, drawing ribbons of blood. "Petrificus Totalus," Minerva's spell caught him in the small of his back, and Professors Flitwick and Lupin went forward to capture him. They weren't making the same mistake twice. Bellatrix cackled and swiped as the professors disarmed and bound him, tearing bloody furrows across his face much to their shock and horror.
"Stop her," hissed Cassiopeia, "If he dies your magical signature will be all over him."
Albus gritted his teeth in frustration but nodded, "Bella . . . Return." The Shadow let out a wail of anger as it returned to his side, unsated in its desire to kill but forced to comply with her master's command.
Harry finally got to his feet, disarming Draco from behind and binding him with a single spell, "Draco Malfoy, I hereby place you under arrest for the use of an Unforgivable."
There was instant uproar.