Scorpius awoke in the Ode to Aqua guestroom. Since he was wrapped in Rose's arms, not mummified with bed sheets, he considered himself lucky. "How long have I been out?" His voice sounded normal. He glanced down. Rose wore an aqua floral dressing gown, and he was stripped down to boxers: the Polyjuice Potion had worn off.
"Not as long as you think. Kreacher's magic healed everything, potion included."
He turned onto his side so they were facing each other. Nothing hurt. He wanted to kiss Rose, but she wasn't smiling or moving to press her lips and body to his. Perhaps the storm brewing in her eyes wasn't anger toward Edgar.
She said, "You were supposed to ask questions, not get into a fight."
"I was provoked." He told her what had happened.
Rose's eyes flashed. "You threw the first punch?"
And the second, because Nathaniel didn't have enough muscle to make the first one hurt more than his knuckles. Scorpius didn't get the chance to tell her, because she was yelling, "Are you mental? He could've killed you! He almost strangled you!" Her fingers trembled as they brushed his throat. "I was so scared."
"I'm sorry." The healing magic had negated the effects of Occlumency along with the Polyjuice. Scorpius swallowed around the lump in his throat, and then Rose was kissing him, sinking her fingers into his hair.
"Don't you ever, ever, do something stupid like that again without me." She clenched her hands. "Promise."
The slight pain brought his gaze to hers. "I promise." He tried to smile and failed. "Know what's funny? All the times Edgar flipped through my comics, I thought he was looking at drawings of fights, or girls, but he actually read them."
"How do you know?"
Scorpius finally managed a smile, because Malfoys hid their true feelings behind smiles. "Edgar said most times in comics, the hero and his nemesis are friends."
Rose's face started to crumple. Scorpius kissed her. He couldn't allow her to cry, not when he was struggling to control his own emotions. He could only deal with the need to give and receive comfort. To feel love and the desire to block out everything else. He pushed the granny robe off her shoulders. He didn't care who had slept in the bed before them, but the robe had to go.
She gripped his shoulders. "—or!"
Floor? He obligingly rolled off the bed and took her with him.
Rose evaded his lips when he tried to resume his exploration of her mouth. "Door, not floor!"
He cast a silent spell. "I've locked it." The strapless bra she wore had a convenient clasp in the front.
She pulled his hands away with a laughing groan. "Stop. My family will be knocking on that door any minute."
"We'll tell them to go away."
"No, you need to get dressed."
"In what? Granny Weasley's dressing gown?" He was being practical as well as sarcastic. Nathaniel's clothes didn't have Sizing Charms spelled into the fabric. They wouldn't fit him anymore.
"Kreacher found you some clothes."
Rose scrambled to her feet so quickly Scorpius couldn't help but be suspicious. "Where did he find them?"
"In one of his boxes."
Scorpius got to his feet as she opened a wardrobe door. He'd seen the Slytherin green frock coat, grey-striped trousers, grey waistcoat, and white shirt before. Grandmother Narcissa's Uncle Orion had worn them in the family photograph. "Why these clothes instead of borrowing something from Albus?" It wasn't enough for Scorpius to be a Black. Kreacher wanted him to dress up as one?
"At least they smell clean, not musty, and look, there are shoes."
Rose sounded too cheerful. "What aren't you telling me?"
She said, "Healing you took a lot out of Kreacher. He was gasping for breath." Rose lifted her chin. "When he said it would make him happy to see you wearing Master Orion's clothes, I didn't think it was too much to ask." She took her dinner gown off a hanger and slipped it back on.
Scorpius dressed quickly. Sizing Charms adjusted the clothes to fit so well, he suspected that Sartorius had been the tailor. Before Orion and Walburga became paranoid and spent all their Galleons on security wards and anti-theft Dark objects, they'd spent their gold on keeping up appearances as members of an ancient and noble house.
Downstairs, there were so many couples sitting at the kitchen table, it looked like a late night dinner party.
"Everyone's concerned," Harry said. The wry expression on his face told Scorpius that Harry had tried and failed to send them home.
"We want to know she's all right," Ron said.
"Do you know where she is?" Hermione asked.
Scorpius said, "I'm sure she's somewhere safe, but I don't know where that is yet."
"We'll find her," Rose said.
"In that gear?" Teddy asked. "You could've borrowed clothes for him, Rosie. You didn't have to rummage through trunks in the attic."
"These were provided by Kreacher," Scorpius said. "Where is he?" He wasn't in the kitchen.
"Resting," Harry said.
Scorpius headed for the small door.
"What are you doing?" Teddy asked. "Harry said Kreacher's resting." Teddy's question was answered by Albus, who sounded amused. "It won't tire Kreacher to say 'You're welcome'."
The fabric of Rose's skirts rustled as she followed Scorpius through the door and down the steps to the room of treasures. Kreacher sat in his chair in the centre, wrapped in an odd blanket. As Scorpius drew nearer, he saw that the blanket was a tapestry riddled with scorch marks. He knelt beside Kreacher's chair to see it better. Grandmother Narcissa had told him stories of the mural on the drawing room wall of Grimmauld Place. If it remained, it was hidden with Concealing Charms. "You made a copy."
"Toujours Pur," Kreacher whispered.
The family bloodline couldn't compare to the purity of Kreacher's devotion. Scorpius touched Orion's portrait on the tree. "Thank you for not saving his wizard hat." It looked like an unfurling turban.
Kreacher gave a raspy chuckle. "Not Master's hat."
Scorpius noted what he hadn't before: all the portraits were in the medieval style. "Ah. Well, thank you for healing me." Kreacher sniffled, and his eyes grew more watery. Scorpius said, "As for the clothes, I'll forgive you for manipulating Rose if you tell me the name of Orion's tailor."
"I wasn't manipulated," Rose snapped.
Scorpius touched her flushed cheek. "He didn't imply he'd die happy to see me wearing this suit?"
Wheezy chuckles shook the elf's body. "Kreacher will die happy one day."
"You're a credit to Slytherin house elves," Scorpius said dryly. "Orion's tailor?"
"Sartorius."
"I thought so. He designed a tuxedo for me, and the quality is unmistakeable." He leaned closer. "Any truth to the rumour that some clients pay in blood?"
"Never wizards from the noblest of houses," Kreacher said proudly. "Master Orion paid in Galleons. Always."
"Of course," Scorpius murmured. He could feel Rose's gaze burning with questions he didn't intend to answer until they were out of Grimmauld Place.
Kreacher suddenly threw off his blanket and jumped to his feet. The tips of his ears twitched. "Someone is making tea for guests in Kreacher's kitchen!" He Disapparated.
Scorpius put a finger to his lips when Rose started to speak. If Kreacher could hear the rattle of teacups in the kitchen, it was possible for him to hear them speaking, and even if he wasn't eavesdropping, George Weasley might be using camouflaged Extendable Ears.
She shook her head, but waited until they were at the stairs to turn and whisper, "We can't just leave."
He agreed. A hasty exit would arouse suspicion. "One cup of tea." Scorpius tucked a windblown curl behind her ear and leaned down until his lips brushed her earring. "And then we'll go do something stupid."
.
It took longer to leave than Scorpius had anticipated. Instead of using tea to keep calm and carry on before they said their goodbyes, the family started brainstorming ways to find Teryn as they passed the milk and sugar.
"She could've left a pair of mittens or a scarf at the shop," George said, although his tone was doubtful.
Angelina put two cubes of sugar in her husband's tea. "We haven't cast a Tracking Spell since Roxy was fifteen and sneaked out of the house to go clubbing."
George grinned. "The look on her face when we started dancing next to her and her mates was priceless."
Ron cleared his throat as the couple laughed softly together. "If Teryn didn't leave anything at the shop, Hugo might have something of hers."
"Letters, unless there's Dark magic involved, can't be traced," Hermione said.
"I know that." Ron's face was turning red. "I'm saying that sometimes a bloke will pocket a ribbon, or a quill or something when a girl drops it, just because she touched it."
George snickered. "Hermione never knew there was a quill in your pocket. She thought you were happy to see her."
"I was!"
"Oh, Ronald." Hermione's cheeks were pinking. "We'll send an owl to Hugo when we get home."
Harry tapped his spoon against his teacup. The clinking sound got everyone's attention. He said, "I appreciate all the offers to help—"
"But the fewer people looking for Teryn, the better," Scorpius said. "If she feels hunted, she'll keep running." He pushed his chair back and Rose stood with him. "When we find her, we'll make sure she knows no one is pressing charges, and if she ever needs us, we'll be there." To forestall any arguments, he said, "Thank you. Goodnight." His eyes were on Kreacher.
The elf vanished, most likely to go stand by the front door to show them out properly. Scorpius escorted Rose to the stairs. When they reached the entry corridor, they heard, "Wait up!"
Albus and Teddy clambered up the stairs to join them. Scorpius shut the door to keep their conversation private.
"We want to help," Albus said.
Scorpius glanced at Rose. He frowned slightly.
She gave the tiniest of nods, but her expression remained hopeful, which he interpreted as, OK, we'll find Teryn by ourselves, but there has to be something they can do.
Actually, there was. "I need an update on the situation at Lumos Duo," he said. "I've assumed that Barry Boot's stopped selling potions, and the fairies are now well treated."
"Mum would've told us if they weren't," Rose said. "She'd expect you to do something about it."
"Like what?" Teddy asked. "Pull out your Green Knight costume?"
Scorpius heard the trace of envy beneath the suspicion. Teddy was an Auror, oath bound to follow the rules, like it or not. Scorpius smiled. "Terminate his lease, cousin."
.
"I don't think he's ever really thought about you being his cousin before," Rose said as they left the house and walked down the pavement to find a spot to Apparate. "He looked absolutely stunned."
"Hmm." He'd used the word hoping to distract, but Teddy's reaction bordered on insulting.
"I'm sure he'll warm up to the idea."
"Once Muggle Hell freezes over?"
Rose smiled and held onto his arm in preparation for Side-Along Apparation. "We're going to see a vampire?"
"It's not as stupid as it sounds." Scorpius brought them to the pavement in front of the eternally closed shop near St. Mungo's. There was no lighting.
"Should we knock?" Rose asked.
"He probably already knows we're here. Vampires wouldn't live lifetimes without security wards," Scorpius said. "Lumos." The wand light revealed Sartorius's nephew Claudio. Rose gasped as the vampire hissed and shrank back, lifting an arm to protect his glowing red gaze.
And then Claudio lowered his arm, smirking like a fiendish schoolboy.
"It amuses you to perpetuate vampire stereotypes?" Scorpius asked.
"Maybe it's vampire history month," Rose said. She'd recovered from her initial shock. Her lips curved.
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "Muggle vampire history, perhaps."
"No. Wizards have just as many barmy ideas about us." Claudio smiled meaningfully at Rose. "But Muggles fancy vampires more, writing all those romance novels."
"I don't read romance," Rose said. When Scorpius raised both brows, she muttered, "Classics don't count."
"Don't they?"
"Not to me," Claudio said. "Not enough sex."
Rose blinked. "You read romance—"
"Stop wasting my uncle's time. Follow me." Claudio led them down the alleyway to a door at the back of the building. Rose wouldn't be able to pass the blood purity line guarding the entrance. They stepped into a white walled room with a long, strange metal table that had a roller at the far end. "Looks like a torture device, doesn't it?" Claudio asked. "We use it to check incoming goods before purchase." He ran a hand along the table top and said ominously, "Doesn't mean it can't have other uses."
Scorpius's mind didn't conjure images of torture and blood. It created a vision of Rose on the table. He glanced at her. Her eyes widened. Had he unintentionally projected images? He stared at his feet and put his mental guard in place.
"At last, you are cowed into silence." Claudio grinned from ear to ear. Despite his pointy canines, he resembled an Italian boy band singer from one of Lily's Teen Witch magazines more than a deadly creature of the night.
Rose took Scorpius's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. If he looked at her, he knew her expression would convey: Let him think he's intimidating. He shrugged. They could always bring up romance novels if Claudio didn't stop gloating.
A door appeared in one of the walls. Sartorius entered the room, a middle aged version of his great-nephew. His blood red wizard robes were an advertisement of his skill, impeccably tailored.
Scorpius said, "Thank you for seeing us at this hour."
"I was up," Sartorius replied. "Do you require a new suit? That one was out of style when Orion Black commissioned it." The Master Tailor's nostrils flared as if he was offended, once again, by his late client's refusal to be guided in sartorial matters.
"I need assistance in a . . . confidential . . . matter," Scorpius said. He nodded toward Claudio. "His assistance, with your permission."
"The betrayer? Drinker of dragon's blood?"
"Yes." Claudio wouldn't be walking around freely if he hadn't suffered the cure for dragon's blood addiction and taken whatever Unbreakable Vows his uncle and maker had demanded. Scorpius turned to Rose. "Vampires are morally neutral. Sartorius works exclusively for the Knights because they supply him with his preferred blood. If he instructs Claudio to work for us—"
"It would be death to betray you." Sartorius inclined his head in the same manner a wizard might tip his hat to acknowledge someone's cleverness.
In a blur of motion, Claudio crossed the room to kneel in front of his uncle as he sobbed out a plea in Italian that either begged for his own death or theirs.
"Do we really need his help?" Rose whispered.
"I have to keep things separate." Things were changing too fast, lines were blurring. He supported both his grandfather and Harry Potter. "I can't ask your family to spy on Edgar." It would be the ultimate betrayal. "I won't."
"You need a spy?" Claudio asked. He now stood beside his uncle, eyes bright with interest, not tears. "This isn't about revenge?"
"Of course it isn't," Rose said. "You sewed the Trackingbrall into the hem of Scorpius's robe where he could find it."
Claudio nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, I'm not a bad person."
"Just bored," Scorpius said.
"Never!" Claudio replied in a panicked voice. "It is an honour to serve the great Sartorius!"
"Basta," Sartorious said. "Enough. I do not doubt your devotion, but your use of dragon's blood betrayed your restiveness." His dark eyes gleamed as he asked Scorpius, "And if I grant your request?"
Rose tugged his hand. Hold on, let's discuss this first, don't do anything rash. Amazing what she could express with the touch of her fingers. Scorpius said, "You'll drink the noblest of blood."
"Not from your neck he won't!" Rose cast a Shield Charm. Scorpius felt magic tingle down his back. Sartorius, who had stalked toward them, teeth elongating, halted. Rose stepped in front of Scorpius. "Paragraph twelve of the Guidelines for the Treatment of Non-Wizard Part-Humans doesn't only protect vampires," she said. "You can't take anything we don't give out of our own free will."
"I'd planned to cut my wrist and let the blood pour into a cup," Scorpius said. She tossed a Now you tell me glare over her shoulder before briskly informing Sartorius that he wasn't getting more than 450ml.
"That's less than a pint!" Claudio said.
Rose squared her shoulders. "My grandparents donate blood to help other Muggles, and they told me that's what's safe to give, so that's what you'll get."
Claudio scowled at her "take it or leave it" tone and asked Scorpius, "You let your woman speak for you?"
"My partner speaks for us," Scorpius said, grateful that she knew how much blood was safe to give. He certainly didn't. Healers used spells to replenish blood, not donations.
Sartorius conjured a jewelled cup.
Rose conjured a glass reagent bottle similar to ones that stored Potions ingredients. This one had a measuring line. "You can put a stopper in this and save some for later."
The cup Sartorius held vanished.
"Do we have a deal?" Scorpius asked.
Sartorius licked his lips. "Claudio is your servant."
Magic pulsed through the room.
Scorpius shrugged out of his jacket and rolled up a shirt sleeve. Sartorius conjured chairs so they would be more comfortable.
Claudio remained standing. "Why me?" he asked.
I need someone who won't betray me, someone who won't be a betrayal. "Everyone deserves a second chance," Scorpius said. If Claudio could turn from his destructive path, so could Edgar. He stretched out his arm. "Ready?" he asked once Rose held the bottle under his wrist.
She took a deep breath and released it. "Ready."
.
A/N: When I started writing this chapter, I realised that the story is not quite ready to be over, so there will be two more chapters instead of one. Loose ends are tricksy Hobbits. : )
Thanks to everyone who read the last chapter, and super sparkly vampire thanks to those who reviewed: alix33, Arcoiris, cjconner326, Connected-by-a-Semicolon, ctc, fynnsmom, Genius-sama, Guest, Helena, Leena7, Mme bookworm, Needle In A Haystack, nobodysperfect2133, Nocturna Mae, VandyFNP and Yami Umi.