Call Me Home

Chapter Three

Venom of the Scorpion

Lily swallowed her indecision and knocked on the door, her heart beating painfully fast, a faint sheen of sweat breaking out across her forehead. Beside her, Teddy gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze – he had come with her for moral support. The wind shifted the porch swing that Orion was perched on as he prepared for the scene that would no doubt soon take place. In was his opinion that his mother's family was composed entirely of extremely dramatic and entertaining people. Lily for her part had been too thrilled that he liked them and that the feeling was mutual to point out that it had just been chance that they had met Louis and Teddy first as those two were easily the most colourful members of the Potter/Weasley/Lupin clan.

Lily had effortlessly rebuilt her relationship with Louis and she now considered him to be her closest friend. Living in America, whilst also living under an alias, she had been wary of getting to close to the people around her in case one of them would pierce the guise she had built around herself. Apart from a few of the women she had worked with, her landlady and a few at the other parents at Orion's school, she had had relatively no friendly contact with another person save for her son.

She had thus been duly grateful that her gay cousin seemed to have taken her into his fold as if she had never left in the first place. The first week they had been back, Orion had looked at her with a strange expression on his face the entire time. Lily could hardly fault him; she had rarely been so at ease and happy in the past eleven years.

Victoire and Teddy had also been great to her, though she suspected this had more to do with the minor emotional breakdown she had had on their couch rather than a feeling of trust on their parts. Like as not she had hurt Teddy very badly by leaving and his wounds would take time to heal – he was making the effort with her, but Lily knew it would take a long time to recapture the warm bond they had once shared. She did enjoy her nephew and godson, Remy, though – he had grown into quite the character and he was fast stepping into the older cousin role over Orion.

The door swung open and her throat goes dry because it's him who answered it. He's older and maybe a little less full of life than he had been in their youth, but he's holding a toddler in one arm and looking at the boy with the same warm, protective, lovable look that is just so him.

Lily makes a sound, a soft gasp, because the toddler who can't be more than four years old has inherited their grandmother's eyes. They're wide and innocent and emerald green, looking so reminiscent of her dead brother than her heart breaks all over again.

His looks up to see who came to call and his jaw sags, his mouth hanging agape as hazel eyes meet copper. His arms slacken for just a second and Lily is absurdly worried that he may drop the child in his arms but then he grins, a grin that seems to melt the vestiges of long-suffered pain from his face and he reaches forward to pull her into a one armed hug that is so familiar and brotherly that she wants to cry.

"I knew you were back, baby sister," and for some reason the moniker doesn't hurt as much as it usually did because it was what he had always called her too.

"I missed you so much, Jay-Jay," she mumbled, her voice thick as she uses his childhood nickname, noticing how he tenses when she does. Then it strikes her that she wasn't the only one to lose a sibling, she was just the only one too cowardly to have confronted her pain.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear and she feels grateful when Teddy lifts her little nephew out of their brothers' arms so she can hug him fully. She tenses but just holds him tighter, hoping that she can signify without words that she doesn't blame him for what happened to Albus. He seemed to understand but he still didn't let go of her as they both take the time to silently do what they should have done together six years ago.

Mourn their brother.

His voice was tearstained but it was comforting all the same, because it reminded her of times long past. Memories of her brothers teaching her to ride a broom, of Teddy reading her bedtime stories, of James letting her climb into his bed when she was five and terrified of the dark and of Albus bending over a cauldron and grimacing at the sight of whatever potion she had been trying to brew.

His voice brought back the memories of her childhood, memories she had fought for so long to suppress. His voice did what Louis', Teddy's and Victoire's could not.

James' voice truly brought her home.

(*)(*)(*)

"So when are you going to see Scorpius?" asked Louis as he handed her a cup of tea and took a seat beside her on the couch. Following her emotional reunion with her family, Lily had decided to visit her favourite cousin because she didn't want to be alone with just a young boy for company in her apartment. She hadn't really realised how starved she was for human interaction until she had come home and reconnected with him.

Orion hadn't complained at the idea as Louis was still very much a child at heart and had several muggle video game consoles in his apartment that had been specially adapted by Malfoy Holdings to function in a magical environment. He was already becoming fast friends with Remy despite their age difference and for that she was grateful. It was nice to know that her son would have one of his older cousins watching out for him when he started Hogwarts in a week.

She had been surprised to note that Louis worked as a journalist for Witch Weekly but was proud that he had managed to carve out a niche in an almost solely female dominated work environment. She supposed it had something to do with their family still maintaining a cordial relationship with Witch Weekly's editor in chief, Lavender Finnigan, who like their parents was a war heroine.

"I don't know," she replied with a sigh, meeting her brother and mother again had emotionally exhausted her. True to expectations, Ginny had ranted at her for close to half an hour for never bothering to write and for hurting the family so badly but had then scooped her into a smothering hug and had declared that she was thankful that Lily had finally come home. After an evening of tears, on the parts of all three Potters, Lily was dreading the inevitable confrontation with Scorpius. So far her family had been warm and overjoyed that she was home – Ginny for one already had a spark in her eyes, something James had said had been missing in their mother for six years now – but she knew that sooner or later her luck would run out.

She was terrified that Scorpius wouldn't want her anymore.

"You need to go sooner rather than later," pointed out Louis, "Before he finds out from somebody that isn't you."

"I know," she said quietly, "Maybe I'll go tomorrow."

"You had better," said Louis, "Or I will drag him to your apartment and chain you both to the couch so that you can stop running from your feelings for each other."

Lily giggled at that, but frowned when she took in his words and their full meaning.

What did Louis mean both?

(*)(*)(*)

Hugo gave his wife a lazy smile as he got home from work, tired from his ordeals of the day yet glad to see her. Francesca was now the Deputy Head of St. Mungo's and was Victoire's right hand so to speak. It put a slight strain on their relationship as they both had incredibly busy jobs which significantly cut into their alone time but they somehow made it work. It didn't help that they had a child who required their constant attention – not that he didn't love Alexandria, he just sometimes felt somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer amount of responsibility that came with being a parent.

He had already tried to convince his daughter that the nuns were very good people and that she should become one when she grew up. Francesca had threatened to beat him with a spoon if he ever tried converting his daughter into a nun again though.

Today had been especially trying as he had finalised the arrangements regarding Xavier and his sons. Kat had already departed on her mission and whilst he was wary and conflicted about giving his authorisation to send her in, he knew that she was the best agent that Ghost Division had. For all intents and purposes the family was taking a lengthy vacation in Australia and only Hugo, Draco and Blaise Zabini knew that they had in fact gone into hiding. It was a necessary evil after what had befallen the Savage family, one chance word in the wrong ears and they would be bringing the Avery's back in body bags.

He frowned slightly as he slipped of his coat and realised that the house was for once devoid of the usual sounds of an exuberant toddler. Hugo wondered where she had gotten her energy from, it certainly wasn't from him or Fran and he suspected that the Malfoy genes which had led Scorpius into being such a boisterous youth had been passed on to his daughter. Turning to ask his wife why their child was so unnaturally quiet tonight, he felt his jaw slacken.

"Hey," grinned Francesca and his eyes widened when he took in the racy lingerie set she had on, "My mum is keeping Lexi for the night and I thought I would surprise you."

"Consider me surprised," he smirked as she took his hand and led her to their bedroom.

(*)(*)(*)

Cassiopeia smiled as she knelt in the rose gardens of Malfoy Manor, artfully pruning one of the bushes she had planted. She could just make out Aurora playing with her tea-set from the corner of her eyes, grinning cheerfully as she spoke with her various teddy bears and dolls. Cassiopeia feared that she may have spoiled her daughter by indulging in her every wish but Hermione and Astoria had both assured her it was natural for her to behave in such a manner considering her circumstances. Cass had to agree with their point; though Aurora never wanted for anything she was still a very sweet child.

The air became chilled and she shivered slightly at the icy feeling that accompanied his manifestation. The Shadow knelt beside her, laying a frozen hand on hers as his emerald eyes danced with adoration.

"Beautiful . . ." he murmured, his voice incandescent and halting as he surveyed their daughter holding out a cup of water to a purple unicorn.

"She has her father's eyes," smiled Cass, her heart bleeding because he was here and she couldn't touch him but still just happy that he could still watch his daughter grow up.

"Thank . . . fully . . . not . . . his . . . hair," he chuckled in a voice like broken glass and Cassiopeia couldn't help but giggle at his words. She missed him so much, but at least through his Shadow she could still maintain a semblance of the man who had taken her heart and never given it back.

"I love you," she told him as she caressed his shadowy cheek, careful not to let her hand pass through him. It was an empty gesture as she could not feel him, the only sign that she held onto something at all was the biting ice of his Shadow as he fingers trailed across it. The amusement died in his eyes as he turned to look at her.

"I . . . know . . . but need . . . move on," he said quietly and she shook her head quickly. How could he even ask that of her? She knew he only wanted her to be happy and to live but didn't they see that she was happy . . . or as happy as she was ever like to be.

"Never," she said so firmly that he faltered, the sun seeming to dissipate his spectral image for a few milliseconds before he returned.

"I made a vow to you, Albus," she continued, "Here in this garden on our wedding day."

"Till . . . death . . . does . . . us . . . part," he whispered softly.

"That you would be my last love just as you were my first," she reminded him, "I never said anything about death."

"Cassie," he murmured as he leaned in to press his grave-stained lips to her brow, and she felt as if a shard of ice had just entered through her temples because he couldn't kiss her. Not really. He was composed entirely of darkness and cold, two things that one could feel but never touch.

She gave him the brightest smile she could muster when suddenly she felt the wards trip. She looked up curiously then nodded at Albus, who flitted away to check who had come calling on the Manor. Cassiopeia stood hurriedly and moved to pick up her daughter, call her overprotective but she would be damned if she ever let Aurora be hurt as her husband and son had. Moving quickly, she hurried to the Manor and deposited her daughter in the kitchen beside Hermione. Hermione looked up from the stove with a raised eyebrow when she saw her stepdaughter ignoring Aurora's protests, Cass rarely if ever did that unless the situation was urgent.

"What is it?" asked the Malfoy matriarch, studying Cassiopeia's wan features for some sign of what had just transpired.

"The wards were tripped," she replied and Hermione was alert in an instant. The wards of Malfoy Manor were keyed to certain members of the family and close friends only. Whoever had come to call was obviously a stranger. Cass noticed Hermione shiver as the room temperature dropped for a moment as Albus reappeared at her side, visible only to her.

"Lily," he said in an agitated tone. Cass' eyes widened and Hermione looked at her shrewdly.

"Its Lily," muttered Cassiopeia, before she realised what she had just admitted.

"How could you possibly know tha–" Hermione began and then realisation seemed to fill her eyes. The older woman looked at her stepdaughter with an expression of utmost pity and sorrow as she noted the significance of the sharp decline in temperature and the way Cass' eyes kept darting to her side as if somebody was standing there.

"Oh, Cass," whispered Hermione as she sank into the chair and rested her face within her hands.

(*)(*)(*)

"Are you stalking me?" asked Remy, amusement evident in his voice as he turned to grin at an impishly mischievous looking Demitria. He had gone to Diagon Alley for the day, hoping to get his first tattoo without his mother knowing. Remy had insisted that he was merely stepping out to meet his friends to celebrate (or mourn) the end of the holidays and whilst she had looked disapproving she had allowed him to go.

He supposed that he had himself to blame after showing up drunk out of his skull the last time he had went out with his friends. His dad and Uncle Louis had tried to cover it up but Victoire Lupin had the senses of a hawk and had proceeded to ground him for a week.

Of course, what with Demitria being keyed in to their apparition wards by him, he had found that being confined to his bedroom for a week had had its advantages.

"Nope," she popped the "P", "I was in Diagon to buy some new shoes and noticed you acting all shifty."

"I do not act shifty," he said, looking affronted at her description of him.

"Then what are you doing in Knockturn Alley?" she smirked knowingly as his eyes flashed towards the nearby tattoo parlour. She bit back a laugh; her best friend obviously had a death wish considering how furious his mother had been when he had gotten his tongue pierced.

"Getting a tattoo," he returned her smirk before grabbing her by her wrist and dragging her to the tattoo parlour with him, "And so are you."

Two hours later they both walked out, smarting in pain but with cheery grins on their faces. Good-naturedly, Remy slung an arm over her shoulders as he winced at the feeling of his sleeve brushing against his new ink. He had gotten a winged female angel holding a pair of hunting knives on his right bicep. Demitria hadn't seemed to notice the significance of the design, or that the angel was a spitting image of her.

For her part, Demi would never let him know the significance of the tattoo she had gotten on her hip . . . a wolf howling at the moon.

(*)(*)(*)

Scorpius growled in frustration at the sound of a person knocking on the front door of his apartment, a lavish three-bedroom penthouse that he had moved into around a year after Albus had passed. It had stung him too much to remain in the Manor that was so filled with the memories of the two of them growing up together as brothers in all but blood, and call him a coward but he couldn't stand having to watch his sister's grief any longer than he had.

Shaking his head he pressed his lips back to Adrianna's, content to ignore the visitor. He was after all naked and in no state to receive guests at present, especially his family – whom it would most likely be. Turning his full attention to his girlfriend he favoured her with a cheeky, if slightly forced smirk as she unhooked her bra.

He didn't really love Adrianna but he knew that he could be happy with her if he tried. She was beautiful, nubile and was all in all quite a pleasant girl. The only problem was that she was to calm and placid an individual to truly enthral him. He needed fire in his life; he needed a girl who he knew would undoubtedly soon cause him to be burned.

But he didn't want that, not after his last dance with fire had left him so burned that he could still feel the wounds upon his soul to this day. Adrianna was safe, she was slightly boring and predictable but she could keep his heart – what little of it he could give – safe.

He cursed under his breath at the next knock on the door and hopped out of bed, pulling on a pair of boxers and a t-shirt as he walked to answer it and give the mystery visitor a piece of his mind.

His heart stopped when he threw open the door with a biting insult on the tip of his tongue, his hands falling limply to his side at the sight of her. Her features seemed more drawn than they had been several years ago and her eyes seemed to have lost the flames which had always filled their coppery depths but there was no denying who it was that was standing on his threshold. He had thought that he had stopped loving her and that she had destroyed his ability to love but he was so wrong. Because no sooner had his eyes met hers did he find himself falling for her all over again. She had been his first real love, the two of them had written one of the most tragic love stories in the world together but she was here now. Then he remembered that she had taken his son from him and he hadn't seen Orion save for that one single picture she had sent him when he was a few months old. He didn't know whether to scream at her in hatred or hold her in an embrace of love.

How long had he envisioned her homecoming? This was never what he had expected though, for her to show up on his doorstep whilst he was entertaining another woman.

She chanced a faint smile when she caught sight of him, lip trembling ever so slightly as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Can I come in?"

Her voice nearly drove him to his knees, striking at every chord of his heart as it slammed against him like a warm waterfall of memory and heartache.

"You're back?" he finally responded, pulling himself together and concealing his turbulent emotions between a mask of icy indifference. He wanted to be the boy he had been whilst at Hogwarts, to just grab her and spin her around until they were both dizzy and giggling but he couldn't. He couldn't open himself to her and give her another opportunity to hurt him. He needed to emulate Albus right now, he who had been so skilled at hiding his feelings from the world that had scorned him.

She winced at his cold tone but replied nonetheless, "Yes, I'm back. We went looking for you at the Manor but Cassiopeia said you had moved out."

We? Scorpius' eyes widened as he looked around the landing and visibly recoiled as his eyes fell on the platinum haired boy lingering near the elevator shaft, seemingly enraptured by the view out the window. His son, his boy, the son he had never met was standing so tangibly close that had he not been exercising every scrap of his control to rein in his emotions he would be crying.

"Orion," he choked in a hoarse voice, his mouth having gone dry at the sight of his son. The boy looked up with an expression of dawning wonder and Scorpius felt a pang in his already hurting heart.

"Dad?" the boy asked, noting their almost identical features – the only difference being their eyes of which he had inherited his mothers. Scorpius took a step forward when he felt rather than saw Lily tense.

"Scor, who's at the door?" Scorpius cursed vehemently, he had forgotten that Adrianna was in his room. Chancing a look over his shoulder he saw her standing in their bedroom doorway wearing a silky bathrobe, her tousled hair and the red love-bites across her neck making it painfully obvious what they had been doing.

"You're busy," said Lily before he could speak and he wished that she wouldn't sound so hurt because it had been over ten years. He was entitled to move on and try to be happy, he was sure she had done the same over the years and held no illusions that she had gone celibate after leaving him.

"This is my address," she continued in that same hurt, now slightly guarded voice and she held out a scrap of paper, "Can you make it for dinner tonight?"

He nodded, wondering about her sudden change of topic when it all became clear as she walked up to her son and laid a hand on his arm. He opened his mouth to speak but she was faster.

"We'll see you then," she said, her voice breaking so slightly that he was sure he had imagined it. Then with a crack they were gone, but not before he caught sight of his son's eyes.

Adoring, wondrous, but also laced through with anger.

He couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the events that had just transpired because it was so painfully obvious that he and Orion had more in common than just their looks.

(*)(*)(*)

A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the long wait for this chapter. It was a pretty busy couple of days what with my high school graduation and subsequent after-parties but I'm back and ready to update. I'd like to say that I will be able to give you daily updates but I think this will slow down to about three chapters a week (which I hope is still good considering some stories take months to update) but I just want you all to know that I am in no way abandoning this series.

Thoughts about this chapter?