Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor to I claim too. If I did I really wouldn't need to write fanfiction would I.

AN: Okay, sigh. I've started and restarted this chapter so many times since I last posted and I finally managed to make it so that I'm not completly displeased with it. That being said, I've been thinking about this story a lot in the past few week, and I'm still trying to figure out what to really do with it. I do know that I am aiming for thirty or thirty three chapters right now, and will more then likely move what was initially going to be a third section of this into it's own story, a sequal to this. I havn't decided on that though, so I'm going to wait and see how I feel when I finish with this section. All that aside, I'm moving on with the plot, and there will be some twists along the way over the next few chapters. I hope everyone enjoys this and as always, please review.

Chapter 24

The Mistress of Malfoy Manor

The journey from just outside of Port de Chaudron to London took five days, mostly due to taking muggle transport and laying low during every step of the way. Scorpius felt a slight swelling in his heart when he step foot back on his native soil once more, and hopefully for some time. Before leaving France Gabrielle had relayed a message from the Falcons, stating that as unsafe a London was at the time, Scotland was even more so. The rising tensions in the muggle world had overflowed in the past months, perhaps in part due to the secret war being started right under their noses. In either case they we're in London less then two hours, just long enough to arrive and catch a train heading west.

He and Vic had quietly deliberated about their next move, careful not to let Al or the girls fully in on the plan just to be safe. After two nights of debating over which safe haven would be best they ruled out Shell Cottage, and instead set their sights on Salisbury. The train ride from London to Salisbury was a quick one in Scorpius' opinion, a fact that he was unsure boded well for this leg of the journey. Finding a car proved to be more of a hassle but a little money thrown at the right person and they saw themselves heading north soon enough. The car ride sadly didn't pass in the same manner as the train ride had, Nymph waking up from her previous deep slumber to wailing protest. Scorpius watched from the rearview mirror as Vic attempted to calm the child, holding her close in the make shift sling as she gently rocked her. A quick glance around the back seat showed that the other girls weren't fairing much better. Fatigued, hungry, and thrust in to an unsafe situation in a foreign land they looked lost and frightened as the watched the scenery blur by them. Turning his gaze towards Al, the only one of them that had any real idea how to drive the muggle machine they were currently in, he say the same brooding, dark expression in his eyes that had been slowly growing over the past however many months. It chilled him, and in all honesty he had wanted to leave Al in London to find his own way home, only he knew far too much about their plans and hide outs to be fully abandoned to the winds of fate, especially with his true allegiances a bit fuzzy at the current moment.

They came to a stop a few hours later, leaving the car at the side of the road to be found, and continuing the remainder of their journey on foot. As the large wrought iron gate came slowly into view up the lane Scorpius moved to the front of the group, leading the way. Stopping barely a foot from it he took a deep breath as the embalm contorted into an all too familiar face. "State your business." said the slightly wispy, and cold voice.

"My business is my own, but you may tell the master of this house that his unfinished business in Romania has come to call." Scorpius spoke in a strangely strong and even voice, coking an eyebrow as though he dared the face to question him further. Nothing was said for a moment, the face staying perfectly still as they gazed up at it. The slight click of a lock was heard as the gate swung open in a flourish revealing the drive and manor that lay beyond. "Grandmother's still alive, her bloody birds are still here." he muttered to himself as the large albino peacocks strutted across the lawn. Walking purposefully up the drive he opened the front doors in one fluid motion beaconing the rest of the small group to follow closely behind him.

The hall was just as he remembered it, dark, cold, and filled with the faces of disapproving ancestors. Trying his best to suppress a snort at the needlessness of it all he glanced around, half expecting his father to have him by the throat by now. "He's in town." drifted down from the stairwell in front of them. Scorpius' eyes widened at the voice, one he hadn't heard clearly in almost a decade. Startled blue eyes shot up to look at the figure now descending the stairs, puce robes billowing delicately around a lithe frame. "Welcome home, Scorpius." her rose tinted lips turning up in an almost secret smile.

"Mum?" the word rasped out between his suddenly pale lips. This couldn't be right, his Mum, his real Mum, was bedridden and weak, nothing like the woman standing in front of him now. She looked like she did in the old photos he had hoarded away in his bedroom upstairs, keepsakes of a better, happier time. His feet moved him forward almost at their own volition, drawing him closer to the woman who now stood at the foot of the stairs, wide hazel eyes sparkling in the dimly lit hall. She was hugging him before he even realized he was close enough, or perhaps it was her who had moved. He stood their stiffly for a moment, unsure of how to act around the woman he'd had little contact with since he was nine years old. Before he could clear his head enough to decide on an action she was moving away, turning her attention towards the rest of the group.

"You must all be tired and hungry. Come, we'll head to the kitchen first and then I'll show you up stairs to get some rest." Ushering them through one of the side door she turned to look at Scorpius who had still yet to move. Laying a gentle hand on his back she gave his a guiding push towards the door following closely behind.

The kitchen was almost as he remembered it, though the presence of his mother somehow seemed to lighten the room considerably. She spoke gently to the house elf, Tweak if he remembered correctly, about what needed to be prepared, all the while smiling gently. Vic was the first to speak up, still holding Nymph gently to her chest. "So, you're Scorpius' mother? I hate to say is ma'am but I was under the impression that you were in ill health."

"Please, call me Alicia, 'ma'am' makes me feel far too much like my mother." she said smiling at Vic as she carried a tea tray to the table, brushing Scorpius aside as he moved to help her. "As for my illness, I was very sick till recently. Scorpius' father did an favor for an old acquittance to percher a potion which would aid in my recovery." Handing a cup of tea to all those surrounding the worn kitchen table she took her own seat, sipping at her own cup.

Scorpius felt anger boil inside of him. If his father had known someone who could make a potion to aid his mother why hadn't he done so sooner. The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them, all eyes turning in his direction. Bitting his tongue to keep yet more angry words from escaping he turned his gaze towards his quickly cooling tea.

His mother's hand on his shoulder drew his eyes up only marginally, the soft smile on her lips making him hate his father all the more. He had denied him his mother, denied him her love and acceptance when he had needed it the most. "I have come to understand that he believed the only one who could successfully complete the potion to be dead. When someone he knew long ago contacted him to ask for a favor they offered to brew the potion as a way of repayment should be succeed. He quite obviously did so the potion was delivered. That was nearly a month and a half ago now."

He leaned back in his chair as he thought about what she had said. A month and a half. A month and a half ago he had been in Romania, with Rose. His rubbed a weary hand over his face as he let out a sigh. "Hermione Weasley." The name caught the attention of all the rooms occupants, even Tweak's ears had perked up at the name. "Mrs. Weasley brewed the potion in return for Rose." His Red had been taken from him, and in return his mother's health had been returned. He wasn't sure what the emotion spinning in his stomach was but he was fairly sure it wasn't happiness. Part of him wanted this to be okay, that Rose was safe at home with her family and his mother was well again, but a darker, more selfish part wanted Rose to be with him now, damn the consequences. Covering his face with his hands he suppressed the groan he so badly wished to release.

Thankfully his mother drew the attention away from him. "Oh, you poor sweethearts, you're falling asleep at the table." she said, looking at the Krum daughters, the youngest barely keeping her eyes open. Turning towards the stove she addressed Tweak. "If it isn't too much trouble can you send the food up to the blue suite when it's finished? I assume you will want to stay closely together and there are three rooms and small lounge there. Part of my mother-in-law's redecorating. Victorie, the yellow suite is just across the hall, Scorpius' old bassinet is kept in there, that should be comfortable for you."

Vic looked a bit out of place for a second, as though unsure what to do. "With all due respect I'd like to be closer to the girls if at all possible." she said, smiling at the girls seated next to her.

Not looking the least bit put out Alicia smiled at her. "Of course, feel free to take one of the rooms in the blue suite, and I'll have Tweak levitate the bassinet across the hall." Vic made to protest but she was silenced with a dismissive wave of Alicia's hand. "I insist. Performing even a simple spell can be difficult the first few month after birth, even more so when you have a baby on your hip." Turning her gaze towards the last person seated at the table she had a contemplative look on her face. "The Jade room should suffice for you, Albus. It's near Scorpius room, overlooking the hedge maze. Scorpius' over looks the rose garden, he's always had a fondness for roses." Her last comment was pointedly ignored by the three eldest of the group, none really knowing if she knew the implications of her words. Nodding they rose from the table, following closely behind Alicia as she lead them up the back stairwell.

Once in the upstairs hall Scorpius lead Al towards the east wing, allowing his mother to take the girls in the opposite direction. The silence seemed almost tangible as they made their way down the dim hall, the portraits staring ominously at them as they quietly whispered amongst themselves. Coming to a stop outside what was to be Al's room during their stair Scorpius turned to look at his friend noticing the questioning look in his green eyes. "You never told me your mother was American."

Opening the door to the room with a gentle push he looked at Al for a moment. "You never asked." With out a further word he side stepped him and headed towards the west wing. He dispreadly needed to talk to his mother and the sooner, the better.

tbc.

Next: Of letters and war strategies: Sometimes a plan isn't enough.