The Heart's Most Unwanted Desire

by InDiGo MaRcH

When Darkness is once again a threat to the Wizarding World, Scorpius finds himself involved much more than he would like. With Astoria in Azkaban and his loved ones in danger, Scorpius teams up with the most unlikeliest of allies. But is his heart really in it, or has it become fixated on something-or more specifically, someONE-else?

12. A Letter Never Read

I know, I know. Why kill Narcissa? She SAVED Harry!

She was the only one I COULD kill. I obviously wasn't going to kill Ron, Hermione, or Draco. Definitely not Rose, Scorpius, or Hugo, and well, Lucy is a git and deserves to suffer (sort of like I did, when my flash drive broke).

Anyway, on to the less than perfect chapter that was forced to be rewritten do to the tragic end of that stupid piece of technology. Sigh. Stupid Technology. Why can't we all be cavemen instead? That would make life so much easier!

/././././

Chapter Twelve
A Letter Never Read

Scorpius could only stare at his grandmother's lifeless face. Rose had bowed her head, terrified tears coursing down her cheeks.

Octavius was less than happy with Scorpius's reaction, or lack of. He stalked forward and stopped right in front of Scorpius, seizing a fistful of his hair and yanking his head back.

"Where is it, Blondie? I know you have it!"

Scorpius slowly tore his eyes away from Narcissa's haunted eyes and fixed Octavius with a cold stare. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Perhaps you need encouragement to remember, then," said Octavius menacingly, raising his wand and pointing it at Rose.

"Crucio!" he roared.

Rose screamed, straining against the ropes that bound her to the chair, her anguished cries echoing around the silent house as if she felt her body being attacked with scalding knives. Her piercing scream lodged itself deep into Scorpius's heart as he strained against his own bonds, his screams mixing with hers.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he roared. Octavius had a smirk on his face as he jabbed his wand in her direction again, increasing the intensity of the pain. "STOP IT!" Scorpius commanded, voice cracking in panic.

"TELL ME WHERE IT IS THEN, MALFOY!" Octavius thundered, straining to be heard over Rose's soul rending screams. He released his hold on her and Scorpius felt her body go limp behind him. Not Rose, anyone but Rose—

"WHERE IS IT, MALFOY? WHERE. IS. THE. LETTER?"

"I don't know!" Scorpius cried. "What letter are you talking about?"

"I know you have it! She gave it to you! CRUCIO!"

Rose threw her head back, it colliding painfully with the back of Scorpius's head as she began to scream again, writhing against the ropes.

"Rose!" Scorpius sobbed. "NO! STOP! I'M BEGGING YOU! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HE—"

"TELL ME WHERE THE LETTER IS!" Octavius growled, sounding like the beast Scorpius knew he was. Tears began to fall down his face and Scorpius tried to blink them away, willing himself to gain control of his emotions before he lost his mind to the wolf inside of him. Rose's screams were painfully loud in his head and in his heart and he felt his hands begin to shake.

"Stop, Greyback. I'm warning you . . . stop . . . ."

Scorpius's suddenly calm voice and exterior stunned Octavius, and without thinking he relinquished the curse on Rose, out of shock as he stared at Scorpius, who felt his whole body begin to shake. The young Malfoy's shoulders tensed up and his teeth began to grind together as his hands shook even more violently.

Rose was whimpering, her body shuddering with tiny after shocks of the Cruciatus Curse.

In one swift moment, Scorpius Malfoy threw back his head and a bloodcurdling howl ripped from his throat as he ripped through the ropes securing him to the chair. Octavius Greyback stumbled back in shock, eyes widening, wand hanging limply at his side as he watched Scorpius double over, clutching his head. He suddenly straightened up and howled again, louder and longer, and Octavius could only watch with growing horror as the young man transformed into a great beast before him. (A/N: CUE IMAGINATION...NOW!)

Scorpius's once gray-blue eyes were now a dark yellow, much like the color of the full moon. His clothes were torn off as his muscles bulged and he roared in pain. Black fur sprouted across his chest and he stumbled forward as he discovered his feet were now paws. Interesting, he mused as he raised a paw to his face and flexed it, very weird, though.

He looked beyond his paw and to Octavius, who had collected his wits and raised his wand. It seemed so insignificant to Scorpius now. It was just a twig to him. In this form, his wolf form, he felt he could do anything.

Hatred bubbled inside him as Rose's anguished cries echoed in his head once more. He dropped to all fours and bounded forward, testing his new-found strength as he hurtled across the drawing room towards Greyback, who fired a spell Scorpius easily dodged.

Nothing but her safety mattered to him now.

Octavius, who seemed much smaller to him now, roared incomprehensibly, throwing his arms up in a lousy attempt to protect himself. Scorpius leapt clean over Narcissa's dead body and slammed into Octavius, sending the older wizard flying across the room and smacking into the wall, causing the frightened Malfoy Ancestors to run out of their shaking portraits. Greyback slumped to the ground out cold.

Scorpius turned back to Rose, who had her chin resting on her chest, unmoving. Throwing back his powerful head, he howled once more, roaring victory, roaring his claim, and roaring a challenge to anyone who dared to threaten his Rose.

/././././

Rose was very dizzy when she woke up. Struggling to sit up, she blinked around the room, realizing, with a sickening lurch of her stomach, that she was in St. Mungo's.

She looked at the empty bed next to the door, realizing she was alone. Feeling alone and afraid, she hugged her knees to her chest, shivering.

Where was Scorpius? What had happened?

It all flooded back through her, memories flashing before her eyes with sickening speed, making her dizzy. Narcissa's dead body being dragged before them, Octavius raising his wand, feeling as if her heart was on fire, and then Scorpius . . . something important had happened to Scorpius, but she couldn't . . . remember.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she shuddered violently, the aftereffects of being tortured by the Cruciatus Curse. She wrapped the bright white-pressed hospital blankets around her, willing herself to stay calm.

She heard the door creak open and a familiar red head popped his head into the room.

"Rosie?" Hugo called gently, creeping slowly into the room. His face split into a wide grin upon seeing she was awake. "Oh, Rosie! You're ALIVE!"

She flinched at the loudness of her brother's voice echoing painfully in her ears. He blushed upon seeing the startled expression on her face.

"Sorry, sis," he whispered, settling into the seat next to her bed. "How're you feeling?"

She rolled her eyes, and seriously regretted it as her head pounded painfully. Closing her eyes against the pain, she felt a tear trickle out of her eye and down her cheek.

Hugo gently took her hand in his own. "What happened, Rosie? We all woke up still at the dinner table, but you, Scorpius, and Mrs. Malfoy were gone. Scorp's granddad nearly had a cow. Rose, she's—"

"Dead, I know," said Rose hollowly.

"Scorpius wouldn't tell us what happened to the two of you," Hugo continued, brow crinkled in concern as he talked. "Wouldn't talk to anyone. Refused to leave your side for three days—"

"Three days? How long have I been 'out,' Hugo?"

"Nearly four," said Hugo quietly. "Mum reckons Octavius must be pretty powerful to have put you in such a deep coma, maybe even better than Bellatrix Lestrange with the Cruciatus Curse. None of the Healer's could wake you up. Scorpius was beside himself with worry."

"What happened exactly, Hugo?" Rose asked, sitting up straighter and relaxing against the pillows.

"Well," said Hugo, clearing his throat as he leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head, "Scorpius showed up at the Burrow with you and Frankenstein's bride in tow—"

"Hugo," Rose scolded, "don't call her that. Lucius just lost his wife—"

"Doesn't mean I have to like him," said Hugo incredulously.

"I doubt anyone likes him any more than they use to—"

"I'm just glad it wasn't any of our people."

"Hugo!" moaned Rose.

"What? I'm being honest here!"

"I know," sighed Rose, "but could you do it in a more polite manner?"

"I'm being polite—"

"You know what? never mind. What were you saying?"

Hugo thought for a minute. "Oh, well, Scorpius freaked Mum out when he showed up as a werewolf—"

"Wolf Man," Rose automatically corrected him.

"Whatever," said Hugo shrugging. "Anyway, to put it simply, I never thought I'd see the day Dad threw his arms around a Malfoy and sobbed."

"What?" asked Rose, alarmed.

Hugo nodded gravely. "When Scorpius handed you over to Dad, he threw his arms around his waist and cried. This was after Scorpius had changed back into his human form and got into—ahem—proper attire. Merlin's beard, you should've seen him, Rose! He was . . . huge! Scorpius looked so powerful."

Hugo fell silent, a look of awe on his face. "I think Dad's scared of him, though," he added with a malicious grin.

Rose smiled wearily.

"Rose . . ." said Hugo, suddenly looking serious. "Why did Greyback torture you?"

Rose knitted her eyebrows together, struggling to remember. "He said . . . he said something . . . about . . ." she closed her eyes, shifting through her thoughts. "A letter!" she exclaimed. "He wanted a letter Scorpius supposedly had!" she tapped her knuckles against her forehead. "Scorpius told me something about a letter a couple of weeks ago . . . but I just can't remember!"

Hugo patted her hand. "It's okay, Rosie. Knowing Mum, she's probably already brainstorming. Speaking of Mum, did you know she was tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange? In the Malfoy's Drawing Room! How weird is that?"

/././././

"Perhaps you need encouragement to remember, then," said Octavius menacingly, raising his wand and pointing it at Rose.

"Crucio!" he roared.

Rose screamed, straining against the ropes that bound her to the chair, her anguished cries echoing around the silent house as if she felt her body being attacked with scalding knives. Her piercing scream lodged itself deep into Scorpius's heart as he strained against his own bonds, his screams mixing with hers.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he roared. Octavius had a smirk on his face as he jabbed his wand in her direction again, increasing the intensity of the pain. "STOP IT!" Scorpius commanded, voice cracking in panic.

"TELL ME WHERE IT IS THEN, MALFOY!" Octavius thundered, straining to be heard over Rose's soul rending screams. He released his hold on her and Scorpius felt her body go limp behind him. Not Rose, anyone but Rose—

"WHERE IS IT, MALFOY! WHERE. IS. THE. LETTER?"

"I don't know!" Scorpius cried. "What letter are you talking about?"

"I know you have it! She gave it to you! CRUCIO!"

Rose threw her head back, it colliding painfully with the back of Scorpius's head as she began to scream again, writhing against the ropes.

Scorpius jerked awake at the sound of someone hammering on his bedroom door. He rolled out of bed and stumbled across the room in the semi-darkness, ruffling his hair and staring wide-eyed as he went, still shaken by the vivid recap of Rose's torture. He shook himself violently and rested his forehead against the door, breathing deeply and attempting to collect his wits.

As the insistent pounding continued, he sighed and opened the door.

Lily Potter's fist froze in mid air as she stared at him.

"Uh . . . you look . . . wow. You look terrible."

"Gee, thanks, Lily," he said dryly, leaning against the door frame and rubbing his eyes wearily. "What time is it?"

"Six."

"I've been sleeping all day?" he asked, not really caring if he had or not. He hadn't gotten much sleep the past few days, haunted by Rose's screams every time he shut his eyes.

"Pretty much," said Lily, inviting herself in.

Scorpius was staying in Ron's old room, Arthur and Molly Weasley having insisted that Draco and Scorpius stay at the Burrow for a couple of days. Scorpius and Draco, having no dire need to return to Malfoy Manner, readily agreed. But Lucius's nose had wrinkled in distaste at the offer and he stalked from the homey little house Scorpius quite liked. Arthur Weasley didn't seem to mind in the slightest at Lucius's departure.

"I thought you'd want to know that Rose is awake," said Lily, looking around at all the clothes strewn across the floor with interest. She clasped her hands in front of her and turned to face Scorpius, who's face has broken out into a relieved smile.

"Can I—can I see her?" he asked a little sheepishly.

Lily smiled. "Of course you can, Scorp. Merlin knows you're the one who deserves to see her the most!"

Shaking her head at his apparent foolishness, Lily moved past him out the door. She called out to him from the hallway, "We're all leaving for Mungo's after dinner!"

Smiling, his heart considerably lighter than it had been all week, Scorpius walked over to a pile of fresh clothes Johnis had sent over from the Manor last night.

He picked up his coat and an envelope fluttered to the ground, disturbed from where it had been settled in an inside pocket.

Intrigued, Scorpius bent down and picked it up, eyebrows creased in confusion. With a jolt, he saw that it was made out to him.

His brow smoothed out as his heart sank again. This was the letter Octavius had wanted. The letter he head never read. The letter his mother had given him nearly a month ago in Azkaban.

With suddenly shaking hands, he tore open the envelope and pulled out the sheet of paper, not recognizing the untidy scrawl addressed to his mother:

Astoria-

I cannot guarantee this letter will reach you before my death. Phyllis has gone into hiding, but it is too late for me to try such a tactic. Greyback and his Horde are on the move.

Though I was discouraged to hear of your false accusation, I refuse to lose hope in the plan completely. I still believe you can recruit the "Wolf" you told me about in the letter you most recently sent.

It has been confirmed that Octavius is indeed after the Wolf. We still have him under the eye of the Hawk, so he should be safe for a while, until the Summer Holidays begin. Then you'll make your proposition. I hope you can convince him, Astoria. He's young and hasn't been trained properly.

I've heard that Pureblood Pride is recruiting one of the Golden Trio in helping him get to bottom of your false accusation. He's stringing two and two together, Astoria. You must inform him soon before he jeopardizes the mission. He knows about the Changeling and Greyback.

I cannot reveal my location in fear of this letter being read by eyes other than yours, but I will say that this old goat still has a couple of tricks up his sleeve.

Do not lose hope, Astoria. We will emerge victorious against this new threat, we will avenge our brothers and sisters that have fallen to past and present tyrants, Justice will be served. I will fight against this new evil with every breath in my body. Will you do the same?

-The Fallen Brother

Completely baffled, Scorpius recognized his mother's handwriting below that, and was surprised to see it was addressed to him:

Scorpius-

If you read the letter above, you are probably very confused. Seeing as I am handing this letter to you personally and I trust you not to show this letter to your grandfather, I will not 'beat around the bush.'

We need your help.

You may be wondering who 'We' are. 'We' are a secret Society created after the war against Lord Voldemort. Known as the Avengers of the Fallen, our purpose is, obviously, to avenge those who were victims in the war against Voldemort.

Where do you fit into all of this, you may ask?

As much as I hate it, you're the only one who can help us, and who should.

You see, Scorpius, we have heard from reliable sources that Octavius Greyback is looking to recruit you. I don't know why, and I don't know when. He may be doing it as means to get to me, or even your father. Your father is not aware of my involvement with the Avengers, but I believe he has his suspicions. I want you to tell him, Scorpius. For me.

The reason we need you to help us if far from simple. F.B. (The Fallen Brother) needs a spy to work from the inside of Greyback's Horde. Since Greyback is looking to recruit you, you're the perfect candidate.

I understand you may not see any reason for you to help us, Scorpius. But I see plenty of reasons. One is bound to catch your attention.

Scorpius, Rose is in danger.

/././././

Sigh. Another cliffhanger. I gotta stop writing at one o'clock in the morning. I come up with the darndest things.

REVIEW!