Chapter 4: From Bad to Worse
The Headmaster, the Heads of Slytherin and Gryffindor Houses, Ms. Potter and Mr. Thomas were waiting for them. Lily wanted to go to her father but bristled when saw her mother. Ginny looked at her daughter with envy and contempt. Harry, in turn, glared at his wife. Blaise felt how thick the tension was in the room, and felt Harry's magic sizzle in anger. He placed a hand onto Harry's shoulder and everyone noticed the change in the room and the Headmaster. Ginny's glare darkened at that.
"Headmaster," Mr. Thomas began. "The matter of my son."
"He should've stayed out of it Dean." The Headmaster said coolly. "He's lucky Mr. Malfoy only punched him. If it had been anyone else, he would've been hexed."
"So you condone Malfoy's behavior Headmaster?" Mr. Thomas asked.
"I usually don't. But he was going after my daughter, so in this respect, I turn a blind eye."
"So, already giving Lily special treatment Harry dear?" Ginny sneered. Harry turned to his wife and felt his anger rise once more.
"No Ginny," The Headmaster said shortly. "But I will do what it takes to protect my family."
"So expel Malfoy." Ginny commanded. "He struck our eldest son!"
"James is our son yes," Harry stated angrily, getting to his feet. "But he hurt our daughter, just because she was sorted into Slytherin."
"He was right, she belongs with Gryffindor..."
"Oh Ginerva, shut up!" The Headmaster growled. " I will do whatever it takes to protect my daughter..."
"So will we Mom," Albus said as he, Teddy and Scorpius came in with a well aged wizard with white blond hair, dressed to the nines and a familiar snake headed cane in his left hand. Ginny paled immediately and Lily smiled wide.
"Lucius what are you doing here?!" Lily asked the patriarch, giving him a smile, in which the Malfoy Lord returned in kind.
" Scorpius owled me, explaining your situation my dear," He said gently. "Ms. Potter, as School Governor, I will take action for the treatment of your daughter by you and your son, one James Sirus Potter. You are hereby forbidden to be in the same room, or have any form of contact with her until you get your head on straight. Lily, if you wish, I would like to personally extend an invitation to you and your father, brother, Godbrother, and Mr. and Miss Zambini to join us for Christmas dinner at Malfoy Manor."
"Thank you Lucius, we accept." The Headmaster said. Ginny looked at her husband as if he had gone loony.
"Are you crazy?! We hate the Malfoys..."
"No Ginny, you and Ron do. Lily, Albus, Teddy, Bill, Charlie, myself, even your father are civil to them. Hell, I believe the kids are friends, am I right?"
"Yes Daddy we are." Lily said. Teddy and Albus nodded their heads, as well as Scorpius and Delia. Blaise knew deep down it was about to get ugly with the adults so he had to think fast...
"Before this lovely conversation continues, why don't I escort the kids to the Great Hall? I'm sure they're pretty famished by now."
"No Blaise, I need you." The Headmaster said without a second thought. "I'm sure Lucius remembers the way?"
"I do Headmaster. Come along children." With that the Malfoy patriarch escorted the children out of the office, promising to be back as soon as possible. As soon as they were gone, Ginny exploded.
"What the hell is going on Harry? Can't fight your own battles now, have to have Zambini here?"
"I'm tired Ginerva," Harry said with a sigh as he sat down in his chair. "I've battled all my life. I'm tired of having to do what's expected of me. You expect me to hate the Malfoys because you do. You expect me to parade around and go to social events just so you can show me off. You try to pass your prejudice to the children and like a fool I've kept my silence. Albus, Lily and Teddy are open minded and decided for themselves, which doesn't sit well with you or James, for he's the only one you were able to influence. I can't speak for Hugo or Rose, but I'm sure they'll agree with me."
"So you're going to let James fall?"
"He has to learn one way or another." Harry said. "He was warned not just by me, but by Albus, Teddy and Scorpius...oh I'm sorry, Baby Malfoy to you."
"Why are you putting him in there as if he were family already?"
"Who knows, one day he might be." Harry said. "But he's been nothing but good to Lily and I see no reason to stop their friendship just because you don't like it."
"Harry, if you don't change your thinking, I'm leaving."
"Go then, but just remember, you leave us, you leave with what you had."
"James goes with me."
"No way," Harry said. "You will not take my children from me."
"Keep the whelps then," Ginny growled. "I only married you for what you could give me. I never loved you, I only said I did." This was like a blow to the gut for the Headmaster. Next to him, breakables began to shatter and the books fell off the shelves as his magic began to crackle. Mr. Thomas, who kept quiet, was disgusted at the red head. He, as well as everyone, knew Harry had a bad past and a bad life. Now, when he finally believed that it was going to be a happy one, found his hopes dashed to pieces. The headmaster's heartbreak was clear in his eyes but his voice didn't betray him.
"Leave my school, my house, my life." He ordered coldly. " I will send for you when the papers need to be signed. Now get out!" With a look of smug victory, the soon to be ex left by Floo. The Deputy Headmistress, Mr. Thomas and Blaise felt their hearts go out to the distraught Headmaster. Will he ever have the peace, happiness and true love he was promised all those years ago?
James never hated anyone so much as he did Malfoy. The infernal blond humiliated him, cracked him in the mouth, won over his family over and even though she was young, Lily loved him! Oh, even before Lily's debute at Hogwarts and her rescuing the old Malfoy, he hated Scorpius. He was popular, loved by all despite his family's dark history. Scorpius, like Lily, wanted to be seen for himself, not his money or social standing. He was willing to bet even if he lost it all, that Scorpius would still make his way back up. The blond earned his own fame and nothing would stop him. But what could destroy a wizard like Malfoy? Then it came to him and he smirked. He made his way to the Hufflepuff boys dorms and went for Teddy's Wolfsbane Potion. Sorry Ted, James thought. You chose the wrong side. Lets see who be will friends with you now? With that he broke each and every vial and was about to leave when Aiden Longbottom walked in and caught him.
"James, what are you doing to Teddy's potions? You know he needs them!"
"He should've never sided with the enemy." James said. "And my sister should've just come with me."
"James, you're nuts!" Aiden said. "You'll kill everyone in here! Haven't you listened to Professor Weasley's lesson about werewolves?!"
"Don't worry, I'm only going to make sure they get scared."
"You're going to pay one day James." Aiden warned. "And it won't be pretty." Aiden ran off to tell a teacher when James stupefied him and locked him in a wardrobe.
"I can't have you interfering." James said. "One day, everyone will thank me and call me a hero just like my Dad." With that he left and waited.
Albus and the others were in the courtyard, enjoying each other's company by a game of Exploding Snaps. Suddenly, Teddy doubled over in pain. Lily tried to go to comfort him but Albus stopped her.
"Ted, did you take your potion today?"
"I was going to after dinner but ow..." He curled up in a ball and the girls gasped as they watched Teddy writhe in pain. Albus looked at the sky in horror. Although it wasn't pitch black, it was twilight and there was a full moon!
"Holy shit! Run, now, don't question it." Albus grabbed Delia's hand and ran. Lily as helped to her feet and she and Scorpius ran as well. Unfortunately, since they were separated from Albus and Delia and it was getting darker by the minute, they really couldn't see where they were going. They heard a wolf howl and their hearts raced. Teddy had officially turned for the first time!
"Oh my God," Lily sobbed. "What are we going to do?" Scorpius looked to where the werewolf was and made a choice.
"Lily, listen to me. I want you to run towards the Gamemasters hut, no matter what you may hear, don't look back and don't stop until you get there."
"No, Score what about you, you can't fend him off..."
"True but I can hold him off so you can be safe. I'd rather you be safe Lily. Now go." He turned his back to her and she ran. Tears may have blurred her a bit but she knew the way, for when they were little they always visited Uncle Hagrid. She heard another howl and a scream and even though she wanted to go back, she knew it wasn't the best choice. She saw Uncle Hagrid with a crossbow standing at the door.
"Lily wha you doin outa..."
"Uncle Hagrid, it's Teddy, he turned and I think Scorpius is hurt!" Hagrid's face fell at that. Together, with Fang, they went out to search. They didn't get far when they saw Scorpius' form pale in the moonlight and blood flowing free from his left bicep and his collarbone. Hagrid wrapped him up in his thick bearskin, so Scorpius wouldn't go into shock and both walked to the school where the Headmaster, Lord Malfoy, Blaise, Albus and Delia were waiting.
"'Arry, Lucius," Hagrid said sadly. "I'm afraid there's bad news. The lad was bit." Lily covered her mouth, blocking a sob, although her tears flowed free. Lucius looked at his grandson and although his face was schooled, he wanted to scream. He knew that Draco and Astoria would have fits, and he wanted blood.
"Lucius, I tried to have him come with me I'm so sorry..."
"No Lily dear it's not your fault." The older man soothed as he held her. "We know who the culprit is and he wil be dealt with. For now, lets get Scorpius inside or we will lose him." The group went inside, only Blaise and Harry remaining behind.
"What are you going to do now Harry?" Blaise asked. Harry wrung his hands and sighed.
"James will be dealt with, for now, we wait and pray that Scorpius makes it through."
Will he? Review to find out!