Chapter nine.
~* Getting drafted*~
"Malfoy, get that lazy arse in gear!" A voice thundered, Scorpius ran as fast as he could, had done so for the past hour.
"What have they fed your pretty boy arse at that Posh Manor of yours, stuffed peacock, I bet it was the white one, huh?!" The voice bellowed, making Scorpius smirk, "No Sir we ate them for Easter!" He answered back in ragged breaths. "Come one Sir Potty is that all you've got?" Scorpius ducked under a tree as he ran into more dense woodland, branches whipping against his chest and nicking his cheek.
Scorpius ran alongside James Potter, his personal trainer at auror training, the other cadets couldn't keep up with him, making the training decide to assign James Potter as his personal trainer, assigning the other cadets another field officer. He liked working with James, he knew him well, but their acquaintance didn't deter the raven haired from kicking the blonds arse.
A few weeks before Christmas Scorpius was summoned to the field operative commander's office, as it turned out he shaped up to be their most valuable asset within the new training group, they asked him, he showed a lot of potential, he passed their physical test with flying colours and as it seemed he could duck any Dark curse that was thrown his way. His friendship with the Potters siblings and his closeness to the Weasley's also made him a trusted partner.
Scorpius stood in the office, rigid posture, hands behind his back, feet slightly wide face sternly ahead. A swoosh behind signalling him another person entered the room alongside himself, the field operative commander Beardsley and James Potter. He heard the person wipe soot from their clothes. "Welcome Commander Weasley!" Beardsley addressed the person unknown to Scorpius as he kept his gaze in front of him.
"Yes, yes, thank you." Ronald Weasley replied, took a seat next to the mahogany desk, His rugged face and posture looked ever impressive, Scorpius observed, he last saw the man at Rose birthday last Summer, it appeared he went of the face of the Earth months on end, thus driving his estranged wife into his fathers arms. "So this is the cadet you were referring to, Beardsley, interesting choice." The mature Auror seized Scorpius up. His icy blue eyes, piercing Scorpius, it felt like he used Legillimens.
Scorpius had nothing to hide and didn't look away. The red haired had the same eyes as his daughters even when hers were green, strange her mothers were hazel coloured, it must've originated a few generations back, resurfacing when Rose was born. Ron Weasley broad shoulders looked like a chest of drawers, his grey woollen Auror costume and dark brown woollen robes adding to the imposing character.
"So does Malfoy here know what's on offer?" Ronald almost growled, he liked what he saw, the younger Malfoy didn't flinch or look away, not at all fazed by what he saw, he might suspect him from invading his mind, which he wasn't doing to be honest. That slight haughty smirk on his face telling him he had his own thoughts about his character as well. He briefly spoke with the young man at Rose birthday, he couldn't know then what he talked to Scorpius he'd develop into, after a few months off rigorous training. He did sense that his daughter and this young man were more than former rivals, but he let it rest it was their business not his.
"No commander I wanted it to leave it for you, you know what you're looking for in a trainee." Beardsley added.
"Well, this is what's on offer Malfoy, I'm heading a covert operation_", Ronald leaned his elbow on his knee as he spoke, drawing attention to what he wanted to share with Scorpius. "Mr. Beardsley tells me you show a lot of promise, it seems you're good at deflecting dark spells. Which to be honest could be useful and James here speaks highly of your endurance. These are traits I'm looking for and I'm trying to be upfront with you, your back ground does come in handy as well, being a Malfoy will be an asset. It would mean you will be away for months on end, without the chance to be in touch with your family or girlfriend." He searched Scorpius face for clues regarding the latter.
"Don't worry Sir I don't have one_" Scorpius stated it matter of factly. He'd miss his younger siblings, not seeing them grow in that first year would break his heart. Being an undercover Auror was an honour beyond his dreams, he'd make a difference.
"I don't need an reply now, in fact I want you to contemplate it, do not discuss it beyond this room not even with your father, which will be hard because I know how tight you are." Ronald emphasised he wanted Scorpius to mull it over.
Which he did.
Scorpius thought it over, he leaned towards doing it, whilst being at the Manor during Christmas, hugging and holding his younger siblings, spending time playing with them, having them sleeping in his arms, didn't make things easier, Rose and her antics sealed the deal, he wanted her out of his head, pushing him into the decision. He'd take Auror Weasley up on his offer.
Hence he was running on the top of his lungs, James not far behind him cheering him on taunting him pushing him to his limits. Pushing a head with red curls to the back of his mind, reserving that spot inside his head for her, hiding it behind his sibling's faces. Rose Weasley his former lover didn't exist, she was nothing more than his step sister now, hiding even behind Hugo whom he held in high regard. The field with their barracks came in view as he pulled a finish sprint, leaving James behind. He came to a halt near the office, Ronald Weasley stood there waiting for him.
"Malfoy!" He boomed, beckoning him over. "Giving Jimmy a run for his money eh?" He swatted Scorpius shoulder appreciatively.
"He gave me a head start Sir." Scorpius answered the older man.
"Give the recipe for that white peacock any time." James said as he came closer, holding his side his face grimacing, trying to catch his breath, damn Scorpius improved his stamina.
Ron cocked his head, trying to wrap his head around the peacock recipe. "Mmm we don't do fancy stuff like that, if that's what you need to keep this up." Ron chuckled shaking his head in disbelief. He held the door for Scorpius to follow. James wanted to follow but was denied entrance.
"Erm, catch you later Cadet Malfoy!" James said before running towards his bunk. He knew it was a covert operation and he wasn't cleared for that kind of Intel.
Scorpius wrung his hands, it was a cold December-morning. He and James had opted for an early start today. He waited for the commander to settle in his seat.
"Have you made a decision Malfoy?" He peered insistently at the young man.
"Yes, I'm up for it if the offer still stands?" Scorpius stood in position.
"I need an wizards oath before I divulge specifics..." Ron Spoke softly but firm with an authoritative voice.
Scorpius grabbed his wand from his pocket, he held no reserve in doing so, he needed to move forward in his life and this was the way to do so, placing his other hand on his heart as he spoke the oath, a green light emanating from his wand as it reached his other hand sealing his oath with magic.
"Sit down Cadet Malfoy, I have a lot of information for you to digest, after which you still get to decide if you want to carry on with my investigation..." Ron spoke softly, waiting for Scorpius to sit before continuing what he started.
"Sir, I'm sure I'll still want to go ahead." Scorpius was dead set on getting on with whatever needed to be done. The commander had his attention as he stared at the man with great intent. Him being Rose's dad had no place in his thoughts.
"This is the deal Malfoy." He never imagined in a million years he would talk in a friendly way with a Malfoy not after what happened all those years back and Draco marrying his former wife, the boy in front of him a spitting image of his father. James and Harry brought his name up, saying he was reliable and one of the most focussed of the new cadets, his magic was remarkable and he learned fast. Also the boy had no strings attached, which made him suitable, Merlin know none of them had time to uphold a relationship, doing what they did.
"We stumbled into a secret underground movement, some dark artefacts are missing and some parts of the country have been warded with secretive wards, trying to camouflage as Muggle land. There are forces at work, but we're not sure what their aim is." Ronald divulged, he didn't try to make it sound as bad as it was, because in reality it was. "I have formed a small group of aurors who I have known for a long time and trust, you're our first outsider, truth is I approached James first but he is to attached to his girl friend and we cant take the risk, he recommended you for the job instead." He furrowed his brows, meaning what he said and being sincere with his offer.
Scorpius looked with great interest at the older auror in front of him, he really had no knowledge of whta the other expressed, he never heard of artefacts missing, they kept this one good under wraps. "I had no idea Sir." He said solemnly. "When do you need me to come in?"
"You have three more months here at training camp, after Easter we'll draft you in." Ron said.
"But training doesn't finish until Summer holidays!" Scorpius interjected.
"I know_" Ronald said glumly, that's why you need to cause some ruckus and get yourself kicked out of the squad. You'll have no formal graduation ceremony and will fly under the radar, think off something you can vanish too, something rich kids normally do, a leap year, travelling the world or sorts." Ronald suggested. "This is what normally happens after graduation various squads will make you an offer to come and work with them, see this opportunity as being hand picked by the elitist squad.
"Getting kicked out, you mean, my dad will not be chuffed..." Scorpius scowled, he didn't want his dad to hold him in low esteem.
"So tell, him you're undercover and use him as a front to cover your tracks travelling the world." Yes that would be a good one, Ronald mused.
"It could work, but Hermione isn't going to buy it." Scorpius sighed. She was one off the smartest people he knew, she wouldn't fall for his dad funding his failure.
"Ah, Hermione." Ronald's eyes lit up thinking about her. "No I guess not..." He contemplated that for a minute. Creasing his brows. She was the one alerting him two years ago, artefacts were missing from the Ministry's s vault, instigating his hunt in the first place. "Okay, tell her as well, but don't divulge specifics or that you're working with me.
"Okay Sir, I'm up for it!" Scorpius almost smiled, he liked this task very much, doing a job that mattered, taking his mind of other things.
"Oh and one thing Scorpius get my daughter out of your head, see Harry and let him teach you occlumency." Ron winked, stood up and shook Scorpius hand, exiting the office, leaving a stunned Scorpius in his wake.
So I thought you might like some Scorpius time, because he isn't a push over, far from it. Reviews would be amazing...
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