A/N: I know.. I know.. Forgive the author for not believing she can write

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, apparently.

Well, maybe I do own Extendable Ears v5.7

He had no idea how long he'd been watching his father when he heard the familiar pop of someone apparating just behind him. The unmistakable scent of the woman's perfume filled his father's room, and Scorpius found himself trembling again after hours of numbness. Slowly, he softened his hold on his Father's hand and gave it one last squeeze before rising from his chair.

"Scorpius," she reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't touch me," was his quiet threat.

She removed her hand as if burned. "I'm sorry… I didn't know… I-"

"You really know nothing, do you?" With his body trembling, he turned and faced his professor, fighting to keep the tears from escaping his eyes. Malfoys don't cry in front of a woman, his mind reminded him.

She was a mess. Whatever beauty Scorpius had seen from her before now lay hidden behind the grief that she wore as she faced him.

"Please," he begged. "Please tell me why my father is in this wretched state right now. Was this your way of revenge? Was this your plan all along, after what he's done to you in the past?"

"Scorpius, let me – "

"Are you happy now, seeing him like this? You've had your fun, professor. Now leave. Don't ever think for a second that I'll let you be anywhere near him."

"If you would just let me exp-"

"Leave. NOW."

A tear escaped her eye. "I understand," she said before turning to leave through the door.

Of course she didn't leave. He could hear them from behind the door, through an ingenious invention called Extendable Ears, version 5.7—no chords required, just a round sponge earplug that can reach through any conversation you that wish to pry into— under the same roof, that is.

"You must go back now Rosie, you can't miss a class."

"No, I'll stay with you."

There was a long silence, and then, "Tell me your story, mum."

"Which story?"

"Of you and Mr. Draco. This… love… how did it happen?"

At first there was no response, and the Ears could only grasp the sound of a long and deep sigh.

After a long-stretched silence, the woman found her voice. "It was after the Second Wizarding War. Your godfather, Harry, has finally defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort. Everything had to be rebuilt… including our souls…"

"What's the title again, my dear?"

"A Compendium of Common Curses and Their Counter-Actions," Hermione replied.

"Ah! Sorry dear, there's only one remaining copy of that book, I'm afraid." The shop owner said, eyes not leaving The Quibbler.

"And? Where is it?"

The old balding man eyed her as if she had grown two heads. "In Hogwarts, where else! However…"

"However what?"

"You'd need much luck in finding that book under that mess of a castle. Best you wait for the school to be rebuilt."

She sighed. "I see," she said suddenly feeling tired. " I better be going then, Mr.?"

"Sandor, and it's a pleasure Ms. Granger."

"Thank you, Mr. Sandor," she said and headed for the door.

Obscurus Books was the last publishing house in her list, and now she had ran out of options. "To Hogwarts then," she told herself and began walking, hoping to finally get her hands on the book before the day ends.

She did not reach far when someone grabbed her arm from behind and forcibly covered her mouth.

She remembered struggling and trying to break free when everything went black.

She found grey orbs looking down at her when she opened her eyes.

"Malfoy?" She asked, weak as a whisper.

He blinked, as if her voice was some spell that woke him. Ever so slowly, he closed his eyes and turned away, standing from his chair beside her bed.

She had no idea where she was. It was a large room of whites and greys and blacks. White walls, white ceiling, black floor, black door, black chair, grey curtains, grey sheets, grey blanket. Even Malfoy, whose back was to her, was all in black.

"Where am I?"

"In my room," he said, his voice distant. "But don't you worry, you're not in the Manor. I moved to this place to… say, clear my head."

"Were you the one who-"

"Yes," he said in a heartbeat. "Forgive me Granger, I didn't think you'd find me charming enough to come and chat if I asked you nicely."

"I would have... there's no need to-"

"Stop that, Granger. I don't need your lies."

"What do you want from me, then?" She could feel her head throbbing painfully with every passing minute.

"I want to forget."

This… she could understand.

The War, despite their victory, had left stains in her mind that she wished she could just erase. The nightmares stayed… and everyday, she would wake up to the sight of her parents' hollow eyes. 'Who are you?' they'd ask in her dreams, a question like bullets aimed straight through her heart.

"What does that have to do with me?"

This time he faced her. "I heard what you did to your parents."

She felt her heart tighten. "You know nothing about what I did. You know nothing about my parents."

He walked to her bed, eyes not leaving hers. "Oh but I do, Granger," he whispered, and his hand slowly found the side of her face, gently wiping the tears that she didn't realize were there. "And I want you to grant me the same favor..." his finger traced her lips. "Just one spell, Granger… and you can go".

She was about to tell him how crazy he was, when his lips touched hers.