Chapter Nineteen

A/N: Thank you for those who have reviewed! And I promise that: Rose is not dead, and I won't make her because she is my favourite next generation character! Also, no more cliffies! :) happy now? Alright, this chapter will explain everything.

Scorpius's POV

I watched as Rose fell to the ground like a puppet that got its strings cut.

"Rose!" I yelled, running towards her. The Death Eater blocked my way, his eyes sneering behind the mask.

"First, we have to talk. Then, we'll make a deal." He said, glaring at us. I walked back to Thalia and Albus, eyeing him warily.

Thalia crossed her arms over her chest. "Alright, then, talk."

The Death Eater beckoned to someone behind him. He was a tall man, with shaggy pale blonde hair and grey eyes. Somehow he looked like someone I knew, put I just couldn't put my finger on it. "Get over here, Hollister. I believe this also includes you, too."

Hollister looked confused, but he walked over to the three of us. The Death Eater conjured up a chair and sat down in it."Ah, excuse me; I need to take this off." He then peeled off his mask, revealing a scarred and weathered face, framed by straggly white and grey hair. One part of his left eye was taken out by a curse, leaving the rest milky white. I heard Albus repress a gag and Thalia make a disgusted sound. The Death Eater took out an eye patch and placed it over his eye, finally concealing it. He put his fingers together as if he was praying and looked at us over them. "I trust that you two know nothing about what is going on?" He said, looking at me and Thalia.

Thalia looked as confused as I did. We shook our heads, wary of the Death Eater, but curious all the same.

"Well, I guess you need to know the facts before we can make a deal." He said.

"One stormy night, on June 5, 1980, Narcissa Malfoy brought into the world Lucius's first child. But, she did not give birth to only one. She gave birth to twins. The first was named Leo, and the second Draco. Though they were great companions, even at a few months old, but they were as different as fire and ice. Even their names suggested it; Leo meant 'lion' and Draco 'snake'. Leo was a bold, rambunctious child, and even braved a snake one day, something you would call 'Gryffindor' behaviour." His lip curled in disgust. "But Draco, he was rather shy but cunning, ambitious, and knew how to uphold family honour.

"Lucius was rather proud of Leo, because of how much more outspoken and how much potential he had to offer the Malfoy name. But, he was also disappointed at how un-Slytherin like he was. But, he was determined to think that he was to change in due course before jumping to conclusions and disowning Leo. But, one day, the decision came quite too soon.

"On exactly their first birthday, a Seer came by, on a stormy night that mirrored the exact day one year ago. This is what the old bat said." He took something out of the pocket of his robes. It appeared to be a small crystal ball, with mist swirling on the inside. A prophecy. Tapping it with his wand it spoke in a dreamy but familiar voice; Sybill Trelawney's.

"Two Malfoy men that are born on the fifth of June, both different as fire and ice, will grow together in the blazing glory of the Malfoy name. But, as the years pass on they shall grow apart, both with different ambitions. One day, one will be the father of the child that brings the end to your Master's plans."

The voice faded away, and the crystal ball became once again silent. I stared at it, dumbfounded. So this is why my grandfather had wanted to change me, seeing there was a chance that I was the prophesised one. Did that mean I was the one to bring the end to Voldemort's plans? But wasn't that already done? And what did Thalia have to do in all of this?

Stowing it away again, Dolohov spoke again. "When Lucius heard this, he had become terrified, thinking that one of his sons was going to be the father of the 'Chosen One'. But, the next month, Severus had brought another prophecy to the Dark Lord, from the same old bat. Lucius relaxed, but when he heard that the prophecy had come true, what with Potter getting the lightning scar and the Dark Lord disappearing for a couple of years, he started to worry again. He knew that this one was going to come true, also. So, he did what he had to do. Finally choosing Leo out of the two, because he was sure that he was going to grow against his father's wishes, he raised his wand, ready to cast the Killing Curse. But Narcissa intervened, saying that it would be inhuman to do so, and it would be a better choice if Leo got Obliviated and sent to a far country.

"Lucius did so, along with placing a Memory Charm on Draco, so that he would forget he even had a brother. He sent Leo to a wizard orphanage in America, with a note informing his birth date and fake name. To this day, he lives under that name; Thomas Ray Hollister." Dolohov looked at Hollister, whose mouth was hanging open.

I was completely shocked. He was my long-lost Uncle? Thomas Ray Hollister, alias Leo Malfoy? This was weird, but how did Thalia fit into all of this?

She was looking at him in surprise and wonder. I realized that Hollister – I mean, Leo Malfoy, my long-lost Uncle – was looking anywhere but at her. She turned to Dolohov, who was watching in cruel amusement at our reactions. "Excuse me, sir, but where do I go into all of this? And why the hell is my mum on the floor over there, unconscious?"

Dolohov smiled dryly. "Why don't you tell her, Leo? I'm sure she'd want to hear it from you."

He was looking at the floor, and when he was I took the time to observe him. Of course, when you did think about it, my dad and him looked exactly the same, if he combed his hair back and dressed in Italian suits. He had the signature platinum blonde hair, along with the pale complexion and smoky grey eyes. How could I have missed it?

Dolohov smirked. "Cat got your tongue, Leo? Then I'll tell her myself. You see, we've been keeping tabs on him, making sure Lucius had nothing to worry about him. Well, one cool summer day, he got married, to the lovely Squib Sally Wilcox." Thalia's eyes widened measurably. Dolohov continued. "One day, three months after they got married, she found out that he was a wizard and divorced him. By then, she was already a few weeks pregnant. Nine months later, you were born." Thalia's eyes grew to the size of Quaffles. "You can see the resemblance between them, can't you, Leo? So, I guess that sums it up. Thalia, meet your father."

Suddenly, it dawned on me. This was why they wanted to make a deal. This was why they said they were after the Weasley/Potter clan; they were after me and Thalia instead, and not Rose's family. They abducted Rose so they could get information on us two. They were after me and Thalia; as one of us was the one to defeat the Dark Lord's army.

Everyone was silent. I saw the features that she had inherited from him, from the grey tint in her blue eyes to the slightly sharp features. Thalia stared at him, apparently dumbfounded. Leo shyly met her gaze, and hers turned into shock, disbelief, and then anger. Looking like she was resisting the urge to fly out into a rage here and now, she turned her gaze with difficulty to Dolohov.

"What do you want from us?" She asked.

The Death Eater smirked. "You two can give up your lives quickly and painlessly. Or, you two can duel to the death. You see, being the prophesised one gives you power. Just look at Harry Potter." He said the name in disgust. I heard Albus grunt in anger. "The winner of the duel can join us and we can give you unlimited fame and power. What do you say?"

Thalia and I looked at each other. Duel my best friend, now cousin, to death? And join the dark side? Or give up our lives to the Death Eaters? And then what? Let them rule the wizard world? It was a tough decision.

I pictured myself famous, powerful, helping the force my father had once served. I would finally show all of those Slytherins and anyone else who thought I was weak that I definitely did fit in. No more being put down and left out. But then, I knew what Rose would say. She would tell me to do the right thing, to be strong. I was disgusted with myself for even thinking turning to the dark side was a good option. It was time to use clever wit, every ounce of bravery that I possessed, and sheer and utter cunning that would make my dad proud.

Meeting Thalia's eye, I shot a look saying, follow my lead.

"A duel to the death sounds good, doesn't it, cousin?" I asked cockily, using what my mum would call my 'Slytherin attitude'.

She played along, saying, "Yeah, it does. I'm glad you mentioned it."

Dolohov looked absolutely delighted. Albus shot me a look saying, what gives? I answered by giving him cocked eyebrow, as if to say, play along.

"Alright, let's get this started!" Dolohov said, swishing his wand back and forth, clearing the room and pushing chairs aside, leaving a clear field.

We walked over to the middle of the room. We faced each other and bowed stiffly. I walked over to the far side of it and Thalia on the other. Raising our wands, I thought, oh, please let this work.

"Stupefy!" Thalia yelled.

Brushing it aside with a nonverbal Shield Charm, I said, "Is that all you got, Wilcox?"

Thalia glared at me. "I'm just getting started, Malfoy."

"Expelliarmus!" I yelled, and Thalia destroyed it halfway with a quick Finite Incantatem.

"Come on, Malfoy, let's kick it up a notch!" Thalia said boldly. I smirked, and sent a nonverbal Confringo her way. Narrowly avoiding it, Thalia reduced her eyes to slits.

"Serpenstoria!" A snake shot out of the end of her wand and it slithered over to me. I tried hard not to exclaim in surprise. You see, I may be in Gryffindor and all, but I had a fear of snakes. I know, that's really strange for a Malfoy, but when I was younger, I was almost attacked by a water snake when my family went to our cottage by the lake. Thinking fast as to not give away our charade, I said, "Serpenstoria Evanasca!" The snake vanished.

Recovering, I sent a Stunning spell her way. I sent her a look, saying, alright, do it now. She looked hesitant but did it anyway.

"Crucio!" I knew that she didn't give enough effort, because I was only knocked off my feet. But, for the situation's sake, I acted as if it hit me really hard. Twisting and turning as if I was having a seizure, I heard Thalia walk over to me. I saw her face looming over mine, and I nodded, encouraging her to do the next part in the plan.

"Crucio!" This time I knew that she put enough of her power into it. I felt my body contort and pain surging through my veins. I bit my lip, trying to contain a yell. Finally landing on the floor, I heard Thalia say, "Is that enough, Malfoy?"

I didn't dare stir, hoping they believed I was unconscious. Thalia turned to the others in the room. "Would you like me to finish him off?"

I could practically hear the anticipation in Dolohov's voice. "Yes, yes, do it!"

I felt her wand inches away from my back and I felt the power she was conjuring, and I hoped it would be enough.

Suddenly, something like the crackle of electricity burst through the room, and I felt a wave of magic rush through the room, breaking the silent atmosphere. I risked opening an eye, and I saw all of the Death Eaters collapse, their bodies stiff as boards. It seemed as if Thalia's wandless magic had worked after all.

I got up and ran to Thalia, who seemed to have collapsed in exhaustion. Leo and Albus had beaten me there, and he said, "Go check on Rose. By the way," He added, "Nice job out there, man."

I smiled. "Thanks, mate. You, too."

I went over to Rose, who looked as if she was sleeping peacefully, but something was wrong. I lifted her up and put her into my lap. I checked her pulse, and I relaxed upon feeling the steady beat of blood rushing through her veins. But then, it seemed to have slowed slightly in less than a second. I brushed a lock of hair back as I watched her sleep.

I heard a rush of flames from another room, followed by several others. I looked up to see my dad leading a crowd of Aurors, wands at the ready. He stopped and looked around in shock at the scene, and Albus's dad almost ran into him.

When he saw me, however, he ran over, along with Rose's dad. "Son, what happened in here?" He asked, as Mr. Weasley quickly checked her pulse, and looked also slightly relaxed when he felt it.

"Rose...abducted...rushed over...prophecy...Thalia...wandless magic...Death Eaters..." I said, not able to put together a full sentence when the full shock of what had just happened settled onto me. But my dad understood that something massive had taken place.

"Alright, you can tell me later. First, I'm sure that there are some people who need to be Flooed straight to St. Mungo's," He said, glancing at Thalia's mum's unconscious form on the ground.

The Aurors were already levitating Death Eaters and Flooing straight to Auror Headquarters. Others, like Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter, were staying to help deliver those who needed medical help to the wizard hospital.

Thalia had finally gotten up off of the floor and was refusing to leave her mother's side. Mr. Potter had compromised that she would come to St. Mungo's with them, but only after the Healers were done examining her. She, Albus, and her dad followed after an Auror had Flooed ahead with Miss Wilcox. I was then left with Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, Rose, and my dad.

Uncomfortable under Rose's dad's scrutinizing stare, I asked Mr. Potter, "Can – can I come along? To St. Mungo's, I mean. With Rose?"

He nodded, smiling. I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I was going to be beside her until she woke up.

If she wakes up, a tiny voice in my head said.

Oh, shut up. She was going to wake up, and I would help her get better even if it was the last thing I did.

. . .

I sat outside of Rose's room, waiting for the Healer's report.

When the door finally opened, I stood up. The Healer, a short man with receding brown hair and blue eyes, looked out into the hallway. "Is Mr. Weasley here?" He asked me.

"No, he's going to go get his family," I said. "He'll be here shortly. Can I come in?"

He nodded, and opened the door. It was a clean little room, with a few chairs pushed against the wall. Rose was peacefully sleeping, or so it seemed, in her hospital bed. The sight made me feel sick.

I turned to the Healer. "What's wrong with her?"

He took out a clipboard and said, "She was hit by a curse called the Sleeping Beauty. It renders the victim in a deep comatose, and as time passes on, he or she will die slowly. In about 12 hours, the victim will be dead." My head swam. Dead?

"Is there a cure?"

"Yes, but those who have been affected by this particular curse died before they found it. It is said that only the victim's true love's kiss will break it. I guess that's how it got its name, from that Muggle fairytale."

I nodded numbly. How could this happen? All because I didn't have the guts to tell her how I felt. If I did, she would've been with me and the Death Eaters would've never gotten hold of her.

I sank down into a chair and took her hand. "I'll leave you two to be alone." The Healer said. When I heard the door close, I broke down. Bringing her dainty hand up to my cheek, I felt a tear escape down my face.

Why, Rose, why? Why did this have to happen to you?

My question was met by silence. I sobbed harder, harder than I had done in years.

A/N: Poor Scorpius! Aww, I feel so bad! What did you think about this chapter? Review!

TFI