Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the matterial associated with the novels. It is all the property of JKR, and I am only borrowing it.

AN: The interlude I promised all those weeks ago. Sorry for not posting it sooner but life really gets in the way, more specifically Logic and Deutsch homework, but I've finally finished it. I won't be posting a new chapter on here right now, but I have Spring Break in a few weeks, and I may try then. Till then enjoy!

Interlude

The Locket

The sun hung low in the sky when they'd finally stopped to rest. The road they'd landed on had been in disrepair, neither knowing exactly where it was that Rose had sent them. Setting on an old tree stump, back stiff and slightly hunched over Scorpius stared at the amulet in his hand. He knew it very well, Rose had worn it around her neck as long as he had known her, some of his fondest memories being when he would watch her toy with the chain during lessons. How she would run it through her fingertips, hold it between pouting pink lips absently. He knew the feel of it well, though now it seemed heavier than it had as he'd gently brushed his fingers against it that evening by the lake. Heaving a heavy sigh Scorpius tried to keep his emotions in check, it would do him no good to become distracted now.

Tracing the engravings, etched carefully and precisely into the cool silver backing, he stared at it, unsure of what he was meant to do next. Scorpius honestly had no idea why Rose had thrown the amulet to him, her bag, or anything else containing information would have made more sense but she had thrown him this instead. He'd entertained the notion that she had thrown it to him as a remembrance, of them, of Romania but after thinking on it for hours he realized that couldn't have been the cause. Rose, while a romantic underneath her harsh shell, was still not someone to do something with out it having a deeper meaning, a helpful purpose. The words and symbols on the backing gave him no hint, as he recognized nothing more then a few French words that did not seem to go together.

He wished she was here instead of the damnable amulet. She would have all the answers, she always did. His bright little Red. A smile graced his lips for the first time that day as he thought about her smiling face, eyes wide and glowing as she explained some new thing she had learned. Straightening slightly he ran his had over his face wearily. The sun was much lower now, the tent had already been placed for the night, and Al sat melancholily poking at the fire with a stick. Scorpius knew the lose of Rose hadn't been any easier of his friend, but deep inside he still held a grudge against Al from all those months ago in France. If he hadn't been so damn eager to impress a girl he barely knew then Rose wouldn't have been put in danger to begin with. If he hadn't been so immature they never would have had to leave France so quickly, would never have gone to Romania. If it weren't for Al Rose would still be with him.

Shaking off the dark thoughts that began to cloud his mind he went back to staring at the amulet, hoping to glean some new piece of information. It was the same as it had been moments before, the red crystalline front still gleaming at him in the dim light. Running a thumb over the inlaid silver note he closed his eyes, wishing he could will the entire day away. Sighing for what felt like the hundredth time since he first took his seat a little over an hour ago he opened his eyes. Smiling sadly down at the amulet in his palm he brought it to his lips, indulging the childish notion that if he kissed the amulet it would be as though he were kissing a part of Rose. No sooner had his lips brushed the front then he felt a slight tinge of magic tingle them. Pulling back he looked on amazed as the amulet sprang apart. Not an amulet, a locket! A light bit of paper seemed to be nestled inside tightly next to a piece of blue cloth. With nimble finger he gently removed the paper, watching as it expanded and familiar scrawled hand writing appeared.

I thought you might be needing these. Safe journy.

Red

Tucking the paper safely in to his pocket he turned his attention to the other object that lay with in. Just as with the note, it expanded as he gently retrieved it reshaping into what looked like a satchel of some kind. Upon closer inspection Scorpius noticed that it was Rose's satchel. She'd given him her notes, her spells, everything tucked safely inside the books with in the bag. Closing the locket Scorpius slipped it around his neck. She'd given them the advantage, the hope that they needed. It didn't seem to settle the not of fear that clenched his stomach however. Some how he knew, this was just the beginning of it all.

tbc.

AN: Well there you have it. Please review, and I might get Ch. 17 up sooner.