AlbusScorpius
On Your Side
Chapter Twenty One: Justice
A/N: Final chapter. Other than a probable epilogue. A couple have people have suggested 'sequel', and I'm treating that as a little joke, just to let you know, 'cause the story isn't sequel compliant. The thought's nice though.
Waking up to a bright white room with a thumping headache and being sore all over wasn't an experience that Scorpius ever particularly wanted to have. Light assaulted his eyes and made him want to cover them with his hand, but when he went to move his hand shooting pains went up his arm. He began to writhe, but then discovered that his whole body had these shooting pains. He grimaced, feeling one big throbbing ache in his stomach, but not wanting to risk more pain by moving about or attempting to look.
After a good five minutes, he did dare opening his eyes again, much slower this time.
He was in a hospital room, it looked like. Sterile white with large curtains hanging on either side of his bed. Usually when he was ill they hired a private medi-wizard, so it wasn't often that he was greeted to this sight. He began trying to remember what had led him up to this point, of being in hospital. He remembered being at Hogwarts, with James. Taking the boy to the room where the plant had been. Then there was something, something about his mother?
His mother.
Scorpius blinked back tears, though he couldn't stop the choking noise that escaped through his lips. He tried to ignore the image of what had happened to his mother, tried to think about what had happened next, but he couldn't. The face was in his head and he couldn't stop it. That horrific deformed mirror of his mother.
"Scor?"
The soft voice snapped the image from his mind, forcing him to turn his head to attempt to see where it came from. It was Albus.
"Are you awake? Someone, get the Healer! He's waking up!"
"Calm down, I can't imagine he's in the mood for your loud noises."
His father?
"The Healers need to know-!"
He let out a croaking noise in an attempt to say something. What he was trying to say he didn't know, but he tried.
"Scor? Scorpius, are you okay?"
"Stay here- and be quiet. I'll go get a Healer."
A blurred head came into view, dark, unruly hair in his vision. Albus. It was Albus.
"You're awake," his voice was so shaky, like he was going to burst into tears at any moment. "Thank Merlin, Scor, you're awake."
"Excuse me, we need to administer more medicine, while he's still awake."
Albus was dragged back, too far for Scorpius to see, and instead two people entered his sight. The Healers. He grimaced as he was fed potions, barely able to sit up to take them. The throbbing in his stomach was too much.
"Apply the thicker one to his stomach," one of the people said. "It's not healed enough. He needs to rest more."
Another potion was poured down his throat. He began to feel a little woozy.
He shut his eyes for few moments before opening them again, forcing himself to stay awake. Albus was back in front of him, a hand in his hair.
"Just sleep, Scorpius," his father's voice again. A hand on his. "You need to rest. We'll be here when you wake up."
He felt himself nod automatically, eyes slipping shut again. He swore he felt a drop of something wet hit his cheek.
"I love you, Scor."
The pain was still there when he woke up. He couldn't remember whether or not it was the same amount of pain, but it was enough to make him want to just die in a hole somewhere. Everything ached. Everything hurt. But he could see properly now, and his head felt slightly more raised than before. Opening his eyes, he saw his father in the corner of the room he was in, looking far older than he had the last time Scorpius saw him, hand covering his mouth and a serious look on his face as he discussed something with a Healer. He tried to shift slightly, but there was a weight on his bed. Turning, he saw a mess of dark hair, the owner of the mess slouched over in his chair, sleeping on the edge of Scorpius' bed.
He couldn't help but smile with relief. Albus. Of course.
The younger male looked almost as bad as his father did, though he couldn't see his face. The rest of him looked un-kept, or more so than usual. Scorpius wondered how long the boy had been here, how long his father had been here. How long he'd been here. He felt a little disorientated, not knowing the time or the date or how long had passed.
"Scorpius?"
He looked back towards his father, feeling lethargic and slow in his movements. The wide grey eyes that met his almost looked like they belonged to someone else, rather than Draco Malfoy.
"Scorpius, you're awake again," the man noted, rushing over to the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"In pain," Scorpius choked out, though he gave a small smile. At least he could get words out now.
"How does your stomach feel? Do you need more rest?"
The Healer placed a hand on Draco's shoulder, a sympathetic look on his face. "Mr Malfoy, there are a few things we need to ask your son, before he goes to sleep again, assuming he does."
Draco backed down slightly, allowing the Healer to move closer to Scorpius to ask him questions. How was he feeling, how was the pain, did he remember what happened, could he answer a few questions about himself to ensure that no damage to his brain had been done. The list was long enough to make him feel slightly exhausted. He had to pause to remember some things, which made him slightly worried about what the Healer would make of his hesitations.
Scorpius' attention fled the Healer when he felt something next to him move, turning down to look at where Albus was sleeping. Though he didn't seem to be sleeping anymore.
"Hmm," the boy rubbed his eyes, trying to gain his bearings. He looked up to see Scorpius, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Scor, you're awake!"
"Mr Malfoy, we still have a few more questions that we need to ask you."
But Albus wasn't paying attention to the Healer, he was too busy catapulting out of his chair and pressing his lips to Scorpius', his hands clutching the side of the blonde's head, as if letting go would make Scorpius disappear. The green eyed boy pulled back, his eyes looking bloodshot and watery, though there was still a wide smile on his face. "You're okay. You're awake."
As frivolous as it felt to worry about such a thing, Scorpius couldn't help but glance towards his father out the corner of his eye, feeling his face heat up slightly. The man didn't look alarmed, or upset. If anything he looked the same as he usually did when he knew something Scorpius didn't. A mixture between disinterested and smug.
"Your dad knows," Albus whispered, pulling Scorpius' attention back on himself.
"And he-!" Scorpius turned to look at his father. "You're okay with this?"
"Okay is a little bit of a stretch," Draco said dryly. "Let's go with regretfully compliant of it."
"Has-has the headmistress-?"
"No," Albus spoke this time. "She hasn't. Your dad, uh, guessed?"
Draco snorted.
"But the Headmistress hasn't told anyone."
"No, but I imagine she'll be arriving to have words with you about this whole matter," Draco snarled. "Do you have any idea what you've done? You'll be lucky to end up with anything once she's finished deciding how many charges against you she's going to press. I ought to ground you like some insolent child for the amount of damage you've caused, following after your grandfather like that!"
"It's quite a shame he isn't some insolent child, as you so kindly put it, Mr Malfoy. The law is much nicer to those who are below adult age."
The four in the room turned to the door to see a woman standing there, strong and proud despite her age, observing the people who were there. A look of anguish passed across Draco's face, and he didn't seem to want her there. Albus was surprised at how calm Scorpius was about the whole matter.
Scorpius had spent quite a while accepting the fact that no matter how this ended, he would be punished.
"Have you finished what it is you needed to do with Scorpius, Healer Matthews? I wish to speak to him and his family in private, if you don't mind," the Headmistress asked, a smile on her face as she addressed the man. The Healer nodded, wishing Scorpius good health, before leaving the room, informing them that a trainee Healer would be through to check up on him later in the day.
The silence that descended on the four left was painful.
"There are two things I have come to talk to you about today, Scorpius," McGonagall started, Draco still not looking at her. "One being the damage done to my school and its students, the other being your relationship with Mr Potter over here."
Albus looked up with surprise. "What?"
She raised a brow. "What? You thought that because of all that has happened that would be brushed off?"
"Well, no, but I figured it wouldn't be that important."
"I'm here to address all the rules and laws that Mr Malfoy has broken, regardless of importance, and becoming involved with a student is one of them."
Albus was ready to say something else, before Scorpius took his hand and pulled him back. Albus didn't look happy about it, but backed down anyway.
"As I assume you know, one of the students came to me with some information she found in your room, regarding what happened over the past few days, which proves not only that you were aware of what was going to happen and failed to inform us of the fact, but that you had an active had in bringing about what happened. You knowingly put many- no, all of the students and others in the school in danger, and did it by using the Dark Arts."
She paused for a moment, observing the three men. None of them spoke.
"Despite your involvement, I am also aware of the fact that since Christmas, when I believe you visited the Potter household, you tried to fight against the orders you were given to carry out, and from the same information that one of the students came to me with I am aware that you were not informed of what it was that would happen once the," she hesitated, unsure of how to describe it. "The ritual was complete. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but you were not even informed that there was a specific ritual that went with the Dark Artefact that you planted in the school walls."
"That's true, Professor."
Albus opened his mouth to speak again, but Minerva held up a finger to silence him. "That being said, you still consciously were involved in something that you did know would bring harm to the students, and as such have broken your contract to protect them as their Professor of Transfiguration. Due to your involvement in stopping the magic from festering completely with Mr James Potter over the past few days, proving to me that you can put the student's wellbeing above your own, I am hereby suspending you from teaching at Hogwarts for approximately one year."
The two Malfoy's looked shocked, wide grey eyes looking at the Headmistress. Scorpius was barely able to get the words out. "You-you're not firing me?"
"Hardly," she sniffed. "Considering your teaching skills at such a young age I'm highly reluctant to let go of you that easily. After all, Mr Potter here was all but failing before you came along. Which brings me to the next point."
Scorpius grimaced slightly. Draco gave him a disapproving look.
"Due to the fact that for the time being you are affectively no longer a Professor at Hogwarts for another year, your relationship with Mr Potter breeches no guidelines which I can see, so during this year he will not be classified as your student," she raised a brow at Albus. "And as far as I'm aware, Mr Potter graduates in a year, does he not?"
"Yeah," Albus nodded. "This is my last year."
"Well then," she turned to Draco. "I hope Scorpius recovers soon, it's was a pleasure seeing you again, Mr Malfoy."
"Professor," he replied, composing the surprise on his face. "I assume at some point you will want to discuss damage to the school."
"There were more people than just your father who partook in this, Mr Malfoy. They will all answer."
The woman strode out, as elegant and strong as ever even in her old age, leaving the three behind.
"I suppose," Draco started, fixing the sleeves of his robes. "I should go and have a word with the Healer or some such nonsense. I assume I can leave you both alone for a few minutes while I make myself scarce?"
Scorpius frowned for a moment, before a look of surprise crossed his face, followed by guilt. "Father, you don't, really. You can stay-!"
"Don't be ridiculous, why would I want to stay?" he sniffed. "The last thing I want to see is my son dealing with his relationship issues," he gave Albus a pointed look. "Whatever they may or not be at the current moment."
A cold wave rushed over both Scorpius and Albus as they realised exactly how things had been when they'd parted ways. Scorpius nodded quickly, hiding his embarrassment. "Of course, father. Thank you."
"I'll be back soon," Draco assured before patting Scorpius on the shoulder and giving Albus a quick nod, heading towards the door.
"Wait, father!" Scorpius tried to pull himself into a higher position. Draco turned to give him a questioning look. "What-how is-what happened to-!" the younger blond sucked in a breath, voice shaking. "The plant, the thing, moth-!"
"We'll talk about it later."
Without another word, Draco was gone. He hadn't gone fast enough for Scorpius to miss the look on his face.
Wide grey eyes stared at the door, mouth still paused on the word he'd not been allowed to finish. Albus had to remind himself that Scorpius was in more pain than he was to stop himself crying with sympathy.
"Scorpius," he started, trying to think of what to say. He couldn't.
"It's all my fault."
Those four words had Albus on his feet. "No!" he grasped Scorpius' hands, staring down into the stormy orbs. "It's not. It's not your fault. You didn't know that they were planning on sacrificing someone. You couldn't have known."
"I should've never done it in the first place."
He couldn't argue with that. "What you did, maybe you would've done differently if you'd known what you were dealing with. Maybe that's why you were never told."
"But I-!"
"No," Albus frowned, putting his foot down. "It wasn't your fault, what they did to your mother. You didn't do that."
"But I could've stopped it."
"You tried!" he was grasping at straws now, but he wasn't going to stop. "You did try to stop it, I know you did. And that was before you knew. You can't blame yourself for this. You did try."
Scorpius looked up at Albus, voice croaking slightly as it came out. "My mother's gone because of me."
"Scor-!"
"I saw my father's face. I know what it means."
"He doesn't blame you. And you shouldn't blame yourself either," Albus insisted, thinking back to the words he'd said in anger at the Malfoy home. "No matter what you did, Scorpius, it's not your fault. You tried to fix it."
"I failed."
Albus shook his head. "If you hadn't come to help, they wouldn't have found the plant in time. Hogwarts would've been lost. And before you say it, even if you hadn't put it there in the first place, they would've found another way."
Scorpius cracked a smile, holding on to Albus' hand. "Thank you for saving me."
Albus felt himself begin to tear up, swallowing a lump in his throat and smiling, leaning forward and placing a kiss against Scorpius' lips. "Anytime."
Rose rested her head against the glass that looked into her Professor's room, watching as Albus began to cheer up. Whatever Professor McGonagall had to say had been better than what they thought it would be. Rose wasn't entirely sure what she thought of that. On one hand, he was Albus' boyfriend, but what he did to the school, well, she wasn't sure being Albus' anything could excuse him for that. Whether he tried to stop it or not.
"Hey, wasn't expecting to see you here."
A smile crept across Rose's face at the voice, taking a few seconds before she turned round, still leaning against the wall. "Hey, Jamie."
The eldest Potter smiled back, stepping forward to peer through the glass. "How's he doing?"
"He's doing better. Woken up."
"I mean Albus."
She chuckled, giving him an amused look.
"Not that I don't care about how-!"
"I was talking about Albus," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, of course," James cleared his throat. "I didn't realise he'd been sleeping."
"I came by earlier. Managed to pawn Lucy off on Liam. She's beginning to get curious about where Al's hiding."
"Can't she know he's here?"
"She can, probably. She knows they're friends after all, but she's good at overdramatizing things and, well," Rose gestured to Scorpius and Albus, their hands locked, sitting very close together. "She'd definitely assume more if she saw this."
James nodded. "She wouldn't be wrong."
"She'd hate that I knew first."
He snorted. "That's Lucy for you. Bet you're pleased you did though."
Rose tried to hide the telltale smile on her face. She didn't do a good job of it.
The pair stood in silence for a while, observing what was happening inside the room. Rose sighed and moved to lean back against James, comforted when he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"How's your leg doing?"
"It's fine now, the Helaers patched it up nicely. How're you doing?"
"They seemed more concerned with my mental state than my physical one," he admitted. "Apparently it's going to take a while to get over seeing someone I know getting…whatever the fuck that was, stabbed in the stomach by a giant plant monster. And then having to hope they don't die in my arms while help arrives."
Rose bit back a smile, looking up at her cousin. "I'm glad you're okay."
"I'm not okay with this," James finally said, a conflicting look on his face. "I mean, I'm sure he's a nice bloke and all, taking away the whole trying to blow up the school bit but Al is his student, not to mention barely of age."
"I know," Rose agreed, though there was a tone of regretful submission. "But look at them."
"I am. It's weird and creepy."
"No, James, really look," she rested a hand against the glass. "Look at the way they look at each other and tell me he's not going to look after Al. Tell me they don't love each other."
"You were never such a romantic, Rose."
She turned, giving him a disapproving look. "I'm not."
Glancing down at her for a moment before looking back at the pair, James' shoulders sagged in defeat.
"I don't like it," Rose continued. "But I can't bring myself to say anything. It's Al's choice and despite everything that's happened, I'm not sure it's the wrong one."
"You think it's the right one?"
"I don't think that's my decision to make."
James had no answer for that.
"Well, well, seems you're having a little party outside my son's room."
The pair jumped, turning to see the elder Malfoy standing behind them. Rose was the first to speak. "We-we were just waiting for Al, sir."
Draco raised a brow, not convinced. "Really? And does he know you're waiting for him?"
The cousins shared a guilty look.
"I best rectify that," the older man decided, stiding past tem both and into the room, despite Rose's protests. As soon as the blond entered, Albus and Scorpius looked up, pulling away from each other wuickly, before spotting Rose and James. The girl gave an awkward wave. After a short conversation, Albus reluctantly stood and headed to the door, leaving father and son in the room alone.
"Hey, how are you both?" Albus asked, glancing at his cousin. "How's your leg?"
"It's fine," Rose said, brushing it off and biting down on her lip. "How's Professor Malfoy?"
"He's doing okay. Alive."
"Good."
James threw an arm over Rose's shoulder and then the other round Albus', glancing inside the hospital room. "Perhaps we should go somewhere else."
The two sixth years looked through the glass, seeing the Malfoy's beginning to look a little emotional, Scorpius' teary gaze glaring down at his bed sheets, Draco sat next to him looking tired and heavy. Albus dug his heels in slightly as he was guided away, Rose turning from the scene as if she'd just witnessed something she shouldn't have.
"It's true then? About Mrs Malfoy," Albus asked his brother, voice quiet.
All the older Potter could do was nod.
"Shit."
"I know," James grimaced at his next words. "At least she was already ill?"
Rose frowned. "She was?"
"Yeah, she had a screw loose."
"James!"
"What?!" he glanced down at Albus. "I mean, she was…unwell."
"It's okay," the dark haired boy gave a half-hearted smile. "So long as you don't say it in front of the Malfoy's."
James opened his mouth to say something else, which from the look on his face was going to make Rose want to smack him more, but was cut off by the sound of someone shrieking, the three of them looking down the hall to see a girl hurtling towards them.
Rose and James quickly stepped away from Albus.
"Al!" the girl threw herself at him, nearly knocking him down. "I was so worried! I had no idea where you were and Liam kept making me get checked for signs of any injuries, and then had the nerve to say that I already was half insane! Where have you been? Are you okay? You didn't get injured, did you?" she smothered him in more hugs. "Oh I'm so glad you're safe!"
"Lucy," Albus choked out. "Please don't suffocate me."
"I'm sorry!" she pulled back, a grin on her face. "Seriously though, where have you been?"
"Visiting a friend," Albus shrugged. "How're you? Did you get out without getting hurt?"
"I'm fine! Splendid in fact!" she even did a little twirl. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"You don't look okay."
He grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm just a little worried about S-Professor Malfoy."
Lucy's mouth made an 'o' shape, a little lost for words.
"What did Professor McGonagall say?" Rose asked, unable to stop herself.
"He's suspended for the year," Albus couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips.
Rose frowned slightly, before her eyes widened. "That means…"
Lucy scowled, looking between the pair. "That means what?"
James felt himself beginning to laugh, patting Albus on the shoulder. "Lucky you."
"What? What's going on? What aren't you telling me?"
"I'm not sure I'm strictly supposed to tell anyone."
The whine that Lucy let out had Albus laughing, Rose grimacing.
"Okay, okay, it's just," he shifted awkwardly. "This kind of technically makes him not our teacher anymore, and you know how we're friends-!"
She gasped, grasping on to his arms, eyes wide. "No."
"Tragedy just struck so many people and all Lucy cares about is gossip," Rose muttered with a frown. James chuckled and patted her on the shoulder.
"Is he everything we ever imagined-don't answer that, I don't want the illusion to be broken!" Lucy squealed, bouncing on the spot. "This is so exciting why didn't you tell me-?! Wait, did Rose know first?!"
Rose didn't even hide her smugness.
"She did! Al!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't tell her, she just kind of found out."
"I'm so hurt!"
Albus opened his mouth to speak again, but saw someone walk round the corner, looking up to see his father heading down the hall. "We'll talk about it later," he muttered, attracting everyone else's attention to the man as well.
"Hey there kids," he greeted as he arrived, before turning to Albus. "You wouldn't happen to know where Scorpius is, would you?"
"Why?"
Harry smiled softly. "He's not in trouble, I just want to talk to him, that's all."
Albus glanced at his cousins and brother, seeing James nod in encouragement, Lucy and Rose with matching looks of doubt. He turned to his dad and nodded, motioning for him to follow as he began walking back in the direction they came, eventually finding the room.
He looked through the glass, seeing Scorpius and Draco still there. "They wanted some time alone, so I left."
Harry nodded, standing next to his son. "How are you coping?"
"Pretty well I guess?"
"You did a fantastic job, Al," Harry placed an arm round his son's shoulder. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, dad," the younger male couldn't help but smile, heart swelling with pride.
"Looks like they're ready."
Albus looked up, seeing Draco standing and staring at them, a challenging look on his face, as Scorpius sat patiently with an accepting smile on his face. He watched as his father stepped round him, heading into the room, unsure whether or not he was supposed to follow. He watched Harry shake Draco's hand, a smile on his face as he addressed Scorpius. He moved to the door, sneaking into the room, still not sure if he was supposed to be there but not wanting to leave Scorpius.
"I wanted to thank you for your help in locating the root of the fire," Harry said. "I'm sorry you got so badly hurt."
"Thank you, Mr Potter."
"McGonagall told me her judgement," he said, glancing to Draco. "If you ever need anything, you know where we are. Though I would appreciate it if you continued to tutor my son. Godric knows he needs the help."
Albus huffed slightly from the door, though the sound of Scorpius chuckling dissolved his anger.
"I'll do my best, sir."
"I don't blame you for what happened, Scorpius," Harry said, his voice much softer this time. "We all make mistakes, misjudgements. You've already paid your consequences. Other people will answer for manipulating this plot."
"Thank you."
"Like I said, if you ever need anything, you know where we are," Harry almost seemed to say this to Draco. "I'm sorry for your loss."
The next words to come out of Draco's mouth wasn't something Albus ever thought he'd hear the man say, not with such honesty. "Thank you, Potter. I know you are."
Harry smiled at Scorpius again. "Get well soon! Ginny will no doubt be expecting you to spend dinner at our house again, for taking care of our sons."
"I hardly-!"
"Nonsense, you tried to save Albus, and goodness knows what James would've done if he was on his own. He's a little bit reckless. Goodbye, Malfoy, Scorpius," he turned, seeing Albus in the doorway and not looking surprised. "Come on Al, we best be getting home before your mum wonders what's keeping us."
He wasn't happy about it, but Albus agreed, waving a goodbye to Scorpius, who returned it with a fond smile. He moved to say goodbye to Draco, who gave him a civil nod, before leaving the room with his father. He watched through the window as Draco said something that made Scorpius laugh, bringing a smile to his own face.
Everything was going to be okay, of that he was sure.
Oh my goodness just let me die in a hole that was so hard oh my goodness I'm so terrible at endings OH MY GOODNESS IT ENDED.
Though there will most likely be an epilogue, seeing as I'm assuming most of you will want one, this is the last chapterchapter. I hope you all enjoyed it and it gave justice to the story. I also hope you all enjoyed reading the whole thing, I know I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you all for reading, reviewing, alerting, and favouriting! Wouldn't have lasted so long without you.
Thanks ~
Kivea Rain.