"My grandfather wrote Fantastic Creatures," Scorpius said. "I'm in the family business, here for a magizoologist conference." He pointed to the group. "I told her—my colleagues—that Lumos Duo was the place to see in London."
Barry Boot sniggered. "Trying to impress a bird, eh?"
Scorpius pretended to be embarrassed by the deliberate slip. "Gwyn." One of the many aliases used by the Green Knight's antagonist and love interest: The Enchantress.
"And the feeling's not mutual?" Boot's calculating gaze seemed to add up the cost of Scorpius' clothes, watch, and Italian leather shoes. "You could change that with a bit of help."
What kind of help: pickup lines and fashion tips? Illegal potions were more likely. "I could?" Scorpius tried to sound hopeful. Stay in character. Fans didn't hex their idols.
"If you've got the Galleons and the ballocks."
Along with a complete lack of scruples. How many others had Boot approached with this offer? Scorpius nodded fervently. "Anything."
Boot whacked him on the shoulder with a beefy palm. "Just what I needed to hear. Tell your mates they're now VIPs."
Scorpius hustled back to the group.
"You got us in, didn't you?" George said. "Tommy and Reggie owe me drinks."
"Shut it, Greg," Ron said.
Scorpius told them, "I'm buying. Loki Scamander is a generous host."
"Loki?" Rose's eyes sparkled enchantingly. "I thought we were going to be Scott and Rene."
"Plans change, Gwyn." He walked beside her toward the club and said in an undertone, "FYI, I'm paying Boot to make you fancy me." She pressed her lips together, and he restrained himself to a faint smirk.
The people in the queue muttered as he and the others walked toward the VIP door. "Must have a vault of Galleons," a girl said. Cynical, yet true. Scorpius glanced around for paparazzi, but if any lurked about they declined to take photos. Anonymity had its benefits.
"Welcome to Lumos Duo," Boot said. "Bar's to the left. First round's on the house."
"No, no, I should buy you a drink," Scorpius replied.
"Yeah, our boy Loki is Mr. Moneybags," Lupin piped up. "He likes to pay."
"Maybe he can buy you some couth then, Tommy," Rose shot back. She gave Scorpius a commiserating look.
Playing his role of timid admirer, Scorpius joked nervously, "Perhaps the club has a gift shop." He and Rose traded smiles.
"Gift shop? I like that idea." Boot clapped him on the shoulder. "Let's have that drink."
In the centre of the entryway, the rowan tree in its silver pot stood illuminated by beams of moonlight shining down from the enchanted ceiling. No plaque declared the tree more than a bit of greenery to a casual observer, much less a wizard preoccupied-as he had been on his first visit-with rescuing his lover from the spell-tanned clutches of her former admirer. As if thinking about Terry Boot conjured his appearance, Terry sauntered over from the bar area. He welcomed them and then informed his brother that a fan had requested an autograph.
"Later," Boot said.
"Your fan also insisted on donating to your favourite charity." Terry held out a silk pouch.
Boot took it and seemed impressed by the bag's weight. He slipped it into a pocket with the air of a man who believed that charity began at home, telling Scorpius. "Order me a Blishen's Firewhiskey."
When Terry made to follow his brother, Scorpius asked, "Is this a Wiggentree?"
"I heard it was," Merry said breathily. "I heard it protects you from Dark magic."
"Security wards keep our patrons safe," Terry answered, "but touch the tree if you like, and enjoy your evening."
Victoire and Lupin, along with Albus and Merry, began to examine the tree.
"You won't find the Bowtruckle," Scorpius said. "His camouflage is too good. Listen up. Reggie, Helen, Albert and Mandy can handle the enquiry into the abuse of magical creatures. The rest of us will investigate potions trafficking charges." He stepped away from the others, toward the bar, hoping to forestall questions better answered out of Rose's father's hearing.
"What kind of potions?" Lupin asked.
"Illegal ones," Scorpius answered, ready to cast a stinging hex if Tommy didn't take the hint. He did. Scorpius vented his annoyance on the people crowded around the barman Boot had spoken to the night before.
"Aversion Charms, very subtle," Rose said as she slid onto an abandoned barstool.
The barman said, "No wands allowed in the club."
"No wands used," Scorpius replied. He withdrew a Gringotts pay to bearer draft from his inside suit pocket. "Two shots of Blishen's Firewhiskey and a round for my friends."
"Many, many rounds," the barman said with a gap-toothed smile as he took the bearer draft. "My name's Niall, and it's a pleasure to serve you." The Irish lilt in his accent deepened as asked, "Ladies, what can I do you for?"
While his "colleagues" ordered drinks, Scorpius took in his surroundings. Aside from the singer and her entourage dining in the private room upstairs, the rest of the patrons appeared to be average witches and wizards having a night out. Music spilling from neon lit Orpheus Orbs at the back of the club had the same throbbing beat he remembered, but the fairies perched above the dancers didn't swoop or flutter their wings. They could have been Muggle fairy lights.
"Why the frown?" Rose asked. "Disappointed not to see more celebrities?" Her light words didn't match the warning in her eyes. Don't blow our cover.
He said, "I was listening to the song."
"Goblin Revolt. I love them too!" Merry cried. She nudged Victoire out of the way and grabbed Scorpius' arm. "Let's dance."
"Ah-all right." The moment they reached the edge of the dance floor, Scorpius pulled out of Merry's grasp. "Albus will see you here." Disdain made it easier to move with a stiffness that fit his role.
Merry bounced closer. "Don't be cross."
"Should I be flattered?"
She had the decency to look apologetic. "I'm just trying to make Albus see what losing me would be like while he still has me."
Rather Slytherin of her, in a Hufflepuff way. "And then?" he asked after her expectant stare turned indignant, as though his lack of response displayed his lack of interest in her personal drama-which he supposed it did.
"Then what?" Merry asked.
She currently resembled a moth, but her brain remained butterfly flighty. "What do you hope to accomplish?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "I don't know!"
If she expected relationship advice, she was dancing with the wrong man. Thankfully, the song ended.
Albus met them halfway to the bar. "We need to talk."
Merry sniffled.
Scorpius said, "Multitask. Get one of the servers to let you have a chat in the fairy garden." He walked on before Merry could enquire how to persuade a server or—worse—ask him to accompany them in the role of mediator.
Barry Boot now held court in the centre of the group. He was offering to let Rose hold his favourite bat. "If you're up to it," Boot said with a leer. "It's still the longest in the league." He caught sight of Scorpius and said, "Thanks for the drinks, mate." Two empty tumblers stood on the bar.
"I'll pour you another Firewhiskey, Mr. Scamander," Niall said.
"Don't bother. I think I'll try whatever Gwyn's having." A pale strawberry coloured drink.
She said, "It's called a Burning Sun."
He stepped between her and Boot, pretending to take a closer look at her drink. "What's in it?"
"Strawberry liqueur and pineapple juice."
"May I?" Scorpius asked.
Rose's smile made her overbite cute. "You paid for it." She handed him the glass.
He took a sip.
"Do you like it?" she asked.
Her lips were fuller. The potion was beginning to fade. He nodded absently.
"Good. You can finish it." She told Niall, "I'll take a glass of Elf-made wine."
"Later, Gywnnie," Victoire said. "You have to dance first." She turned to Lupin. "Doesn't she, Tommy?"
"Absolutely, Vicky, my love."
"What am I, the odd man out?" George asked. He reached for Rose's hand. "C'mon, Gywnnie, let's dance."
Rose glanced at Scorpius before following the others.
"I want to have a closer look at the fairies," Hermoine said. She led Ron away.
The cloying sweetness of the misnamed Burning Sun finally registered. Scorpius put the glass down.
"Knew you weren't the fruity type," Boot said. He chuckled. "Nice move, tasting her drink."
Scorpius made his shoulders slump. "She didn't want it." He allowed himself to stare longingly at Rose as she laughed at George's mimicry of the more energetic dancers around them. She turned her head and their eyes met.
Boot elbowed Scorpius in the ribs. "Your little bird is warming up to you."
"It isn't enough." It had never been enough. "The conference ends tomorrow." Reality and make-believe melded together. He clenched his jaw. "I can't lose her." He tore his gaze away from Rose to find Boot grinning like an ogre. Scorpius demanded, "How can you help me?"
"There's a potion," Boot said. "Works like a Cheering Charm but enhances agreeability, if you take my meaning."
"Is it legal?"
Boot puffed out his chest. "My source works for the Auror Office. They use it all the time to loosen people's inhibitions about snitching."
Scorpius nodded as if relieved while questions rose in his mind. Harry Potter said that rumour claimed the Knights of Walpurgis were behind the Stop Snitching flyers posted in Knockturn Alley. Where did those "rumours" come from? Informants, or a slip of the tongue gained from slipping a potion into a witch or wizard's drink? Did the Head of Aurors know? Did Lupin or Albus?
"Name your price," Scorpius said.
Boot named the amount and Scorpius handed over the Gringotts drafts. Boot said over his shoulder, "A special drink for a special lady."
"Aye, boss." Niall bent to retrieve a gold-rimmed wineglass from under the counter. The glass had a clear liquid in the bottom. Once Niall poured blood-red wine, the potion vanished.
"I'll have a glass of Elf-made wine as well," Scorpius said.
"Smart," Boot said, "Looks thoughtful instead of suspicious. Were you—"
"Twenty Galleons his House wasn't Ravenclaw," Niall cut in.
Boot said, "Everything's a wager with this daft bastard."
"Have to supplement me wages somehow," Niall replied as he poured wine into a plain glass. "I got five kids."
Boot guffawed. "Last time it was three!"
Rose was leaving the dance floor. George, Victoire, and Lupin trailed behind her, flushed and smiling. At the other end of the bar, near the staff entrance and the staircase to the private room, Merry, Albus, Hermione and Ron stood in a huddle. They didn't seem to be having a pleasant chat. Hermione said something and Albus shook his head. It didn't take Second Sight to predict that they'd discovered no proof of abuse. Scorpius picked up the gold-rimmed goblet. Giving Rose the potion wouldn't prove illegal trafficking, and loosening her inhibitions wouldn't lead to anything except possible embarrassment for her and her entire family. Scorpius raised the goblet. Loosening his inhibitions, however, might be just what he needed. He drank the wine like water.
Boot cursed. "That wasn't for you, loony!"
"Loonies are on the Lovegood side of the family," Scorpius said. He felt amazing, relaxed in a way he usually only experienced when he and Rose were cuddled skin to skin.
She was close enough now for him to see the worry on her face. He handed her the plain wineglass. "I drank yours, so you drink mine. Cheers."
Her eyes widened adorably. She whispered, "What have you done?"
He winked. "I think you know."
Boot cursed Merlin's hairy backside. "I take no responsibility for this, and I don't give refunds."
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't dream of asking."
"Then everything's sorted," Niall said. "Go home and sleep it off, mate."
"No, thank you." Scorpius blinked in surprise. The potion didn't make him agree, but what if he had been a weaker person who craved approval or affection—would the effect have been stronger? A date rape potion? How could he prove it? He didn't even have the name of the source in the Auror Office.
Boot jabbed him in the chest with a troll-sized finger. "Leave my club before I toss you out!"
Scorpius held up his hands in a gesture of peace when Boot started toward him. "Don't bother escorting me to the door. I'll find my way."
"We're all leaving," Rose said.
His enchantress. Scorpius stroked her cheek. "Do you realise that no matter who you look like, you're the most breathtaking woman in the room?" He traced her mouth with his fingertips. "But I'm happy this is yours again." Her lips parted, and he kissed her. He kissed her without inhibition, closing his eyes to block out the world and let the image of Rose's true beauty fill his mind. The taste of strawberry and pineapple on her tongue intoxicated. The scent of her perfumed skin drove his hands to explore and caress. He couldn't get close enough, couldn't kiss deeply enough to satisfy the need that blocked out sight and sound and reduced the world to fevered touch.
Until a blast of ice-cold water hit him in the face.
"Are you mental? My brother will kill you!"
Scorpius opened his eyes. Rose stared at him like she couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. Droplets clung to her eyelashes. He said, "I'm madly in love."
She gave a watery laugh. "Let's get out of here."
He took her hand and they walked through the crowd of onlookers. At the exit, he stopped. "I'll meet you at home. There's something I have to do first."
"What?"
He brought her fingers to his lips. "Find my old costume and see if it fits."
.
.
A/N: Those of you who read "costume" and thought, "Oh, the Green Knight costume she asked about last chapter when he admitted to using Plain Jane potion to attend a Creevey Comic Con" either just read the story or have damn fine memories because it's been eons between updates. Readers could have had babies, adopted pets, or had their gallbladder cut out through their bellybutton like I did a month ago (So glad morphine is a controlled substance. I'd be an addict. It's one of the best things since chocolate. :D). Since it's been so long between posts, I actually reread the whole story and made notes of past, present, and future events, some of which I've already started writing and intend to share next Friday.
Special thanks to everyone who has stuck with this story. I hope the update and promise of weekly ones in the future make your day a little shinier. Super special thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. When I was in the pit of despair known as writer's block, knowing people would care if I never finished the story helped me climb my way out. Thanks to adiiDelly, Alex42788, aliluckygirl, alix33, alleaf, FNP, fynnsmom, glasscry, gracie, Haley, Hana, lalalove-Rae, meli, Missdagane, Mrs. HopeEstheim, musingmarauder, Needle in a Haystack, nekochan1994, Nocturna Mae, nsavant, Potassium1939.1, Scribbleeexx, SevenHeartsOfRuby, SGed and yiota146.