This is still unbetaed, so bare with my mistakes, want to beta pm me. Thanks for subscribing and reviewing. Updates will be not frequent but I' ll try, I know where I want to go with the story, it is a dark tale...
2. Healing wounds.
Scorpius woke up the next morning, feeling a bit less sore, his head felt heavy, unable to lift it from his pillow, the pounding in his head feeling like a powerful drum behind his eyes. He had to regroup, he tried to remember where he was. Memory returning to him like slivers, 'Oh yes, the medical wing', they had taken him her when he dropped from his broom. 'Oh fuck', it must've cost Slytherin the match, the first thing that sprung to his mind, remembering he had come close to the snitch head to head with the Gryffindor captain as the bludger hit him. He groaned, he hated loosing, especially to the Potter boy.
Scorpius glanced sideways and saw the beautiful redhead next to his bed. Weasley, another one of that damned family, he watched her for a minute her breast rise and fall as she breathed comfortably, taking in her serenity and pureness. She looked so much at ease, her ethereal beauty reflected in the soft morning light. He disgusted himself for making that observation..
He remembered Rose entering his soul, witnessing his initiation into the Old religion. He felt her presence as he dreamed, she walked beside him, he could feel her horror, He remembered grabbing her arm, threatening her, regretted it now, her terror had touched him. Scorpius would have to take measures preventing her to not be able to a second time. She couldn't have access to his mind, or rather shouldn't. For his and her sake, not when there was too much at stake.
Rose slept peacefully, he had never witnessed a girl feeling so untroubled around him. His imposing, austere front making them feel uncomfortable around him, or they had no respect at all trying to vy for his attention. This one different, he liked watching the girl she had no qualms in being near him, she did her job, healing him without regard for who or what he was, he admired her for it. She was so beautiful he felt the urge to kiss her lips. It would be the most beautiful thing...
No stop it!, she would weaken him, another voice inside his head warned him. The voice without reason, the voice that made him do things he sometimes regretted.
He shoved her and said" So witch! Still here?!" He nearly shoved her from her chair, harder than intended.
Rose stirred her eyes fluttered open, she had been far away, looking defiantly at her patient. She took his arm, locating his heartbeat. It felt ok, his fever had been broken. Before she could answer, the doors of the medical wing swung open.
A stunning looking blond woman entered, closely followed by a silver blond man. A few steps behind an older gentleman with silver grey long hair purposefully strode closely.
Rose identified him as Scorpius grandfather.
Scorpius mother rushed to her sons bed. Took in his wounds and carefully wrapped her arms around him. She sobbed as she whispered his name.
"Oh, Merlin" Are you all right, I was shocked to hear of your fall!" You should have been more careful my love"!
Draco appeared looking worried as well. The man was an older version of Scorpius, hair softly combed back, his grey eyes filled with worry, good tailored black shirt, suit and tie.
Rose caught him looking at his son's bare but bruised torso and arm. He glimpsed at Scorpius tattoo, Rose felt sorrow emanating from him.
Lucius pulled Astoria away, gruffly ordering her to stop doting on him.
"Astoria, leave the boy alone, he survived!" And what doesn't kill you makes a men stronger"!
Astoria looked at Lucius with resentment, she was his mother, she could dote on her only son if she so wished.
Rose watched Scorpius family and was struck and surprised to see his mother and father looking as friendly as they behaved. Nothing indicating, the Blond inherited his nasty streak from them.
" And who do we have here? Scorpius, aren't you introducing this lovely girl to your old mum?" His mother spoke with a calm friendly voice. Her eyes warm.
Rose chuckled, this beautiful witch was anything but old, she didn't look a day over thirty, leaving her wondering as to how Scorpius would reply.
"Mother please! The witch is wearing a medical apron, what would your best guess be?"
Draco became furious scolding Scorpius for his impertinence regarding his mother. Lucius nodded in agreement.
Scorpius offered apologies. "Excuse me mother, for speaking out of line"! "Please accept my sincerest apologies"! He said as he tried to sit up, but he winced achingly , he was still hurting.
Rose motioned Scorpius family aside, stepping in as her nurses instinct took over, stating; " I need to tend to his bruised and broken ribs, he has made quite a deep tumble as the bludger knocked him of his broom!"
Rose put some ointment on her fingers, starting to softly rub his chest. She softly chanted her charms without paying attention to Scorpius parents. Her gift was granted to few, but recognized by any witch or wizard.
Astoria smiled as she observed the red witch as she relieved her son's pain. She wondered if there was more between the red headed delicate beauty and her son.
Unfortunately Lucius wondered the same.
Mrs. Solidago Viraugea came in and walked towards Scorpius parents.
" Mr's and Mrs Malfoy good to see you" she addressed them.
"I see you met my assistant Miss Weasley, she is our best pain reliever". The Healer said proudly, she was so glad to have Rose aiding patients. "It is fortunate to have access to this kind of healing methods".
"Now we have to leave her to do her work, after that Scorpius needs to rest"! " maybe we can talk about his condition in my office? His parents said their good byes, following Ms. Viraugea back to her office, Astoria glanced over her shoulder, watching her son lying there broken in his bed. The Weasley girl beside him taking expertly care of her son. She had seen him turn darker and darker, she had to watch idly as the light of her life was dimmed. Somehow the girl brought back a filigree of light back to him. She had to make sure she'd thank the girl for her effort, not for in the first place for aiding his suffering.
Rose nearly finished her incantations as she noticed Scorpius piercing eyes. They followed her work closely. He clearly enjoyed her touches, his breath slowly wound down, his eyes softened once again, he hummed softly against her fingers. He' settled down as she worked her fingers across his body.
As Scorpius parents were leaving, his mother took another peek at her son, seeing the interaction between Rose and Scorpius, she left with a small smile adorning her face.
When Rose was done, Scorpius closed his eyes and fell asleep, his parents visit had cost him a lot, his grandfathers imposing figure, draining him of precious energy, leaving a dark stain on his soul.
Rose was thoroughly exhausted. This kind of magic was a very personal thing. It drained her, it was more than relieving pain, she worked on the mind as well, Scorpius was a tedious case, he wasn't like any patient she had before, she always harboured feelings for him, doing her utmost not to let those feelings take over from her professional conduct.
She needed to go to the great hall and have some breakfast, her stomach growled.
She let the mediwitch know she was going to eat and cast a last glance at Scorpius. His pale blond featured, were much softer than before, he was beautiful, trying disguise it with visciousness, why though?! It puzzled her. was so much more at ease now.
When entering the great hall she spotted Albus Potter; her cousin. She waved at him and went to sit next to him.
"So how is his royal jerkness?" Albus chuckled.
"Well you know I cannot divulge any patient information, dear cousin". Rose pointed out.
"I don't like it one bit, Rose!" Albus gruffly added.
"Well it is what I do, Albus"! She understood Albus trying to look out for her, he'd joined his brothers gang when entering Hogwarts he was captain of the quidditch team, this was also his last hear at the wizarding boarding school. Rose loved him dearly, he was one of the few she interacted with. Even when it killed her how he treated Scorpius in the past, he had her best interests in mind.
She filled her plate with toast and baked tomatoes. She was feeling rather hungry. They ate in silence.
"Albus! I need to get back to the medical wing! See you later!" Rose cheerily said. Finishing her breakfast, her bubbly persona affected Albus, he became a bit less angry. She had that effect on him.
Albus watched her leave, shaking his head, headstrong that one too much so, she never listened didn't know when not to interfere, the bludger hadn't been an accident.. But he hated the fact Rose was tending to Scorpius. He knew how intimate her work was. Hopefully she didn't get her wires crossed between professional and personal feelings. The evil git needed to be watched, he'd made sure he was the one watching her. Rose always rescued or tried saving lost creatures, she marvelled in her abilities. It was her strength, someday it be her downfall, Albus was convinced it would be.
Scorpius flourished under Rose attention. She was always cheery and nice to him. She did not let his bad temper get in her way.
Sneakily he liked her attention. He liked her for doting on him, beside his mother and father, he never felt so comfortable around anyone. Not even one of the girls he sort of associated himself with.
Scorpius stayed a week at the medical wing before he was discharged. He still felt sore, but it wasn't enough to occupy a bed in the medical ward.
He went back to the Slytherin dorm sitting at his usual spot in the common room.
He needed to watch his moves for at least two weeks, he was still recuperating.
The common room was empty because classes were still under way.
Nice! A bit of peace and quiet time to himself. He sat on his usual wing eared chair, he enjoyed the time alone in the common room. This was a unusual thing, it was always a busy place with students relaxing and chatting to each other.
Roses face drifted into his mind as he fell asleep. Her haintingly beautiful feautures softened him, her beautiful red curls, freckles on the bridge of her nose, he hated freckles before, he milky white skin, clear green eyes, which seemed to penetrate his soul, she invaded his thoughts, he wasn't complaining.
A noise startled him. He yawned, flexing his arms and sore muscles.
His fellow Slytherins came back from their classes.
They gradually dropped in, relatively quiet until his roommates arrived, they were a rowdy bunch. "Aaah look who is gracing us with their company!" Zabini welcomed him.
Scorpius composed himself, motioning a girl, telling her to sit on his lap, he needed to feign he hadn't changed, he hadn't, even a certain girl could change Scorpius Malfoy.
Ouch, the girl on his lap was a bit much, but he didn't let on. Being strong was his mantra.
"Ooooh Scorpius, welcome back" the girl said. She sat on his lap straddling him, starting to snog him. They broke apart as the girl whispered " you want me right?" His lips said yes, but his brain thought no. Following the girl anyway to his dorm. Keeping up appearances, this would be a normal thing for him. Before, yes when was it ever, he felt with a pang in his gut.
He let her undress him, making sure to cast a locking spell on the door, pushing the girl to his bed. It was what was expected of him. Scorpius the player, the hard man, getting girls to do as he pleased.
Rose went to the library, she headed into the forbidden section. She wanted to look up Scorpius tattoos, she was sure she had seen one before or rather it felt familiar.
She looked for a manuscript on wizarding families and their traits, finding a box with papers concerning the Malfoy's. Their family history and family tree were encompassed up to Scorpius. She felt the paper it wasn't actually paper it appeared to some sort of animal skin, more so, it appeared to be magical, telling her that whenever a baby was born or a marriage was forged it would appear on the vellum.
Next to Scorpius name a girls name was imprinted. An arranged marriage! It was scheduled for his 21st birthday. These weren't uncommon amongst pure bloods. It could only be prevented if Scorpius was to fall in love with another girl and claiming her. They would both have to object to the arranged marriage. The girl on the document could do the same. But none the less it had been arranged in a time that is was binding. The ministry her mother worked at banned these kind of rituals, it was deemed cruel.
Rose felt her heart leap as she read the document. She had no idea why this would affect her so much, but it did. She searched further and found the information. She flicked her wand, made a copy, pocketing it inside her robes. She needed to leave the restricted section, before anyone saw her here. The librarian was a stringent lady.
Rose hurried out the library, anxious to read what she copied, heading for the great hall to get some diner.
She found her friends at the Ravenclaw table, they greeted her heartily. Gemma, Ashley and Helena saved her a spot. The girls started to fill their plates they began eating animatedly. They were a bubbly lot, studious but fun to be around.
The Slytherin table was empty. Until the house members entered as they always did. Scorpius up front, the others walking in his stride. His rigid stride didn't falter, he looked as austere as he always did, like he never fell of his broom, his body broken.
They al stood behind the benches and waited for Scorpius to sit down. When he commenced all others followed.
The other houses took no notice and gave no reaction. They all knew better. It had consequences if they did.
Even Gryffindor gave no reaction, Albus clenched his teeth, looking at the Ravenclaw table to find Rose.
He followed her gaze across the hall, her eyes on the blond Slytherin; Scorpius Malfoy. He didn't seem to notice or acknowledge her. Albus insides cringed, he knew Rose had always had a thing for the blond, trying to get her cousins to back off, he always thought she felt bad for the boy, but now Albus wasn't sure if it still was concern or something else, he surely hoped it was the first rather than the latter.
Scorpius heart started to beat a bit faster as he felt Roses gaze. His eyes automatically tried to find her, trying desperately not to look her way, he couldn't give in, his standing too important.
He had a tiring afternoon as it was, his current shag had asked a lot of him, he had let her take advantage of him, his stamina was not back up to par. He hated the girl, when he'd his way she would never come near to him again. The girl was to clingy as it was, Scorpius her alibi for being bossy. Him being Master of Slytherin her association with him making her the Lady by default.
A large Snowy Owl appeared sweeping the Great Hall, dropping a letter in front of Scorpius.
Scorpius rolled the parchment, reading the neatly scribbled font. "Scorpius" it said 'the Weasly girl is not to be engaged in any shape or form. There is something about this young woman. She radiates a lot of light. She'll decrease your power. Let this be a warning. Lucius'.
Grandfather meddling in my affairs is not wise. Scorpius had felt his magical abilities become stronger. His grandfather had aged considerably in the last seven years. Scorpius was capable of making his own decisions.
He found the redhead entertaining as well as easy on the eye, she made him feel good. So he would toy with her, until he had enough of her.
He stared at the Ravenclaw table, locking eyes with the witch, a small smirk formed in the corner of his mouth.
Rose felt her blood rise to her cheeks, hairs standing up on her arm. His eyes felt cold as ice.
Good he had a reaction, her cheeks reddened he could feel her heartbeat speed up. This was a good sign, he had her attention. He kept looking her way even when he talked to his fellow Slytherins, his eyes trained on hers.
"Hey, Rose are you all right?" Gemma enquired. Rose turned from red to white. "Are you ill?"
"No nothing" Rose answered, she stood up from her seat, exiting the Great Hall in a hurry, she wanted the Slytherin acknowledge her, but there had been something with his smirk, it wasn't sincere.
The Slytherins just all stood up from their seats and went their separate ways.
Rose made sure to be accompanied whenever she left her common room. She dreaded running into Scorpius.
He seemed a different person, she got the nauseating feeling there were two sides to his coin, one of the sides seemed to be more dominant than the other. Or both sides flowed together. It was difficult for her to pick up with whom she was dealing with.
She went to the library to look at the copies she made of the Malfoy papers. The library her second home, it felt comforting having the smell of books and manuscripts entering her manuscript concerning the Malfoy family traits where forged into an unreadable piece of coded text.
Rose was a Ravenclaw, a clever Ravenclaw so she decided to decipher the text, it took her two days to work it out. Sunday evening she finally cracked it.
The tattoo of the Scorpion was a family curse. It took the shape of the name holder. So in Scorpius case it looked like a scorpion.
The curse sucked compassion from its bearer, afflicting him with an increasing dark magic empowerment. When the owner killed someone the passing would be final. The Malfoy heir would possess a never relenting ability in dark magic, until it was passed on to another heir. The second would become stronger and the predecessor would get weaker.
Rose was thoroughly shaken by this. She wanted to save Scorpius, there was still some good in him. But she didn't have the foggiest how to engage in this undertaking.
The tattoo on his other arm she recognised as a Tri-Skellion. These were common amongst wizards. Even Muggles used them. They were an ancient Celtic sign. Scorpius tattoo was different. It being anti- clockwise, which was never a good sign. It usually meant something dark. The shape of the arms were also strange. Rose needed to delve deeper into this matter.
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