XXXII
Scorpius stood in the doorway of the living room for a long moment, looking at the girl by the fireplace. She appeared pale, her hair was dishevelled, and her eyes had noticeable dark circles. She clenched her lips tightly, and her hands were visibly trembling. Dressed in just a tank top and shorts, she looked like she had recently gotten out of bed. Most notably, there was a red mark on her left cheek and disturbing marks on her neck. Despite her evident distress, her gaze was unwavering, fixed on Scorpius.
When Scorpius had given her his address on a piece of paper, he didn't expect her to use it. He had almost dismissed the possibility. Yet, at the moment, Nash stood in his home, silently observing him. He could see the tension in her facial muscles as if she gritted her teeth. Why was she silent? Did she not know what to say, or was she unable to speak? He didn't intend to press the issue. He surmised that if she had come, she must have been truly desperate. He doubted anything less would have compelled her to make such a decision. Therefore, he had no choice but to help her.
"Grumpy," he called out, and a plump house elf materialized right next to him. "That is Elizabeth; prepare a guest room for her."
The house elf cleared its throat and waddled towards the girl, swaying from side to side like a duck. Then, it bowed deeply.
"Miss, please follow Grumpy. Grumpy will lead you to your room."
Nash paid little attention to the house itself; her gaze was still fixed on Scorpius. However, she eventually nodded and wordlessly followed the house elf. A moment later, Scorpius followed them.
After walking through two corridors, Grumpy invited Nash into one of the rooms and returned with a bundle of towels, a bathrobe, and a basket of fruits.
"If you need anything else, please call for Grumpy."
The girl stood in the middle of the room and nodded again, dismissing the house elf, but she continued to silently gaze at Scorpius for a moment. Scorpius quietly hoped she would say something at last, but as the silence settled between them, he eventually just withdrew, closing the door. Only then did he hear a muffled thud, as if something had fallen to the floor, followed by a subdued but still discernible sob.
He leaned against the wall, ran his hand through his hair, and sighed heavily. He had his share of troubles, but he didn't even want to imagine what must have been going on in the Nash household. He knew she was strong and could endure a lot, yet she cried behind the wall. Perhaps that's why she hadn't said a word; she wanted to maintain her pride and not break down in front of him. He was certainly the last person with whom she wanted to reveal such vulnerability. On the other hand, she must have been truly embarrassed to come here. He didn't know what to do at the moment.
He had at least six more hours until his mother returned from work, during which he needed to find the right words to explain Nash's presence in the house. As for the girl herself, he felt he should just leave her in peace. His presence wouldn't help in any way, and he wasn't particularly skilled at cheering people up.
For a while, he listened to her sobbing behind the door, and then he made his way back to the library. Nothing better came to mind. On his way, he asked Grumpy to bring Nash something to eat in an hour.
It was around 4 PM when he heard footsteps, and a moment later, Nash entered the library, led by the house elf.
"Thank you," she said softly towards Grumpy, who bowed and disappeared with a loud pop.
Scorpius straightened up in his chair and looked at the girl. Her eyes were still swollen, but her hands had stopped trembling, and her face had regained some colour. The earlier red marks had turned a shade close to purple.
"I apologize for the intrusion. I didn't mean to cause a commotion," she spoke, lacking her usual confidence. Her gaze was still oddly absent, and she seemed withdrawn.
"What happened?" Scorpius asked directly. He had already concluded that there was no point in beating around the bush.
Nash averted her gaze and bit her lip.
"I have to go back; I won't trouble you any longer," she said, completely ignoring his question. "Tha-"
"What happened?" Scorpius repeated firmly.
The girl clenched her hands, which started trembling slightly again. He could see her breaths becoming more irregular.
He stood up, took three steps, and leaned against the table, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Are you going to go back there?" he asked, staring intently at the girl.
Nash closed her eyes briefly, winced, then took a deep breath and met his gaze.
"What other choice do I have? It's still my home, even if..." She hesitated. "Even if it's the last place I want to be."
"You can stay here," Scorpius blurted out as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He had never imagined making such a suggestion, but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like the only right solution.
Nash looked at him in disbelief.
"It's not that simple; they'll be looking for me."
Upon hearing that, the Slytherin couldn't help but give a mocking smile.
"I think that is the last place in England where they'd look."
The girl abruptly averted her gaze and clenched her fists even tighter. Scorpius could see her struggling to control her emotions. It was evident that the balance she had regained was incredibly fragile. He didn't want her to fall apart in front of him, so he decided to change the subject.
"When's your birthday?" he asked.
Surprise overcame her negative emotions, and Nash looked at him again.
"On September 18th. Why does it matter?" she replied.
"So, worst case scenario, you'd miss three weeks of school. As long as they don't find you by then, you'll turn eighteen, and they won't be able to go after you," Scorpius explained.
Nash continued to gaze at him, genuinely surprised.
"As you can see, it's a big house, and it's not crowded here," Scorpius added. "That is if you can bear the company of a former Death Eater and his Slytherin son."
Suddenly, Nash's expression changed decisively. It's hard to say whether it was the chance to escape her private hell, but the familiar sparks of defiance returned to her eyes.
"I could bear the company of Voldemort himself," she said with complete seriousness.
Scorpius chuckled.
"It's better not to mention his name in that house. These walls remember very dark stories."
"Okay, fair point," she replied with a much more determined tone.
Nash sat at the table, her gaze only vaguely interested in the contents of one of the books lying there. Her thoughts were undoubtedly occupied by something entirely different, and that was merely a way to mask her nervousness. Scorpius saw how hard she tried not to pay attention to him as he cleaned up the scattered materials. He could only imagine how strange that situation must have been for her. On the other hand, how bad was it in her home that she preferred to stay here, even if they had mutual antipathy towards each other?
When the last tom returned to the shelf, Scorpius dusted off his hands and spoke up.
"My mother will be back soon. Stay here," he said, heading towards the door.
The girl took a deep breath and closed the book she had been skimming through.
"Why are you doing that?" she asked.
Scorpius paused halfway and turned back.
"Why am I helping you?"
Nash nodded, and he shrugged in response.
"Would you prefer if I sent an owl to Tim?"
He saw her flinch at the mention of her brother's name, even though she tried to contain herself and maintain her composure.
"You know I don't mean that."
What could he answer? That when he saw how terrified and alone she was in her fear, he simply felt sorry for her? That despite their previous conflicts, he sympathized with her? That he couldn't bear to look at himself if he acted differently? If they had anything in common, it was their mutual desire to avoid pity at all costs.
"Because it's the right thing to do," he replied after some thought.
The girl snorted.
"I've heard that from you before. Back then, I couldn't accept it, and honestly, it's still difficult for me. I never expected a Slytherin to be that kind of person."
Upon hearing that, Scorpius unexpectedly thought of his father. Draco had also done things that no one expected of him.
"I never do either," he said with a slight smile.
Nash looked at him questioningly.
"You know, when everyone keeps telling you that you're a lying, treacherous snake, you eventually start to believe it. However, I was fortunate. Someone came along in time and said it didn't have to be that way."
"Potter?"
Scorpius nodded. Nash furrowed her brow, then returned her gaze to the book.
"I envy you," she commented quietly.
Scorpius didn't inquire about the details. He suspected what she meant. For so many years, no one in her surroundings came to her aid in overcoming her problems. She had to deal with that nightmare on her own.
Looking at it from that perspective, he wanted to help her even more. However, she had a hard time believing in his good intentions, so he kept that thought to himself and left the library, as the sound of the fireplace activation echoed from the living room.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't focus even a bit of her thoughts on the book she flipped through. Her mind wandered between the events at home, Malfoy, and the conversation taking place in the living room. Unfortunately, she couldn't understand individual words, though she recognized Scorpius' voice and that of some woman, likely his mother.
So much depended on the outcome of that conversation. The prospect of staying in that place, though it filled her with some anxiety, was a hundred times better than the necessity of returning home. When she allowed herself a glimmer of hope, she probably wouldn't bear the disappointment. Malfoy seemed convinced of that idea, but Elizabeth was genuinely concerned about the reactions of both his mother and her own family. What if they found her here after all? It would bring problems not only to her but also to these people. Should she expose them to that risk? It was extremely selfish, but she just didn't want to go back. That day, when she met Malfoy in the evening on the walkway between the school towers, he had read her so well. It was a very bad day, full of the darkest thoughts. At that moment, she genuinely wondered if leaping into the darkness wouldn't be the best solution. If he hadn't stopped her then... But he had done much more; he had offered her an escape from falling into despair. She was able to go home only because she saw another way out. The one she ultimately chose.
An unpleasant shiver ran down her spine as she thought about what had happened just a few hours ago. She had been such a terrible coward. Otherwise, instead of going to Malfoy, she would have gone directly to the Auror Office. But she was afraid that her father might have many acquaintances there. What if she met one of them? What if he didn't believe her, or worse, helped to cover up the whole matter?
She gripped the book tighter, trying to stop her hands from trembling, even though she felt tears welling up in her eyes again. She had been such a terrible coward. She couldn't stand up to her father or her brother. She felt helpless and would have preferred to sink into the ground where no one could find her.
With a quick gesture, she tried to get rid of the tears, but they stubbornly kept coming. She had long stopped asking why that happened to her, but that day she was so shaken that she couldn't fully control her emotions. For so many years, she had endured everything in silence, hiding her fear behind a facade of indifference, never showing any weakness to anyone. So why was it different with Malfoy? Why did she always feel like he could read her like an open book? Why did he seem to understand? Was he such a good observer? She couldn't grasp it. She couldn't find the answer. She only knew that, although she had always been taught not to trust Slytherins, she had difficulty holding back tears when he offered her the chance to stay. She tried to maintain shreds of pride and dignity, but deep down, she couldn't express her gratitude. In reality, she only dreamed of never seeing her family again.
It was the real irony of fate that she received help from someone she least expected. He surprised her, first when he saw her confrontation with Tim, then on the bridge, and even that day. He practically surprised her every time he was around her. She must have been truly blind, considering she had only recently realized how much she had been mistaken about him.
She sat in his house library, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation that could determine her future. She didn't know what she would do if she faced rejection, but somewhere deep inside, Scorpius' self-assurance had also transferred to her.
Then she heard footsteps, and when she looked up, she saw a well-dressed woman in the doorway. Her hair was perfectly styled, and her makeup was subtle but meticulous. The navy suit perfectly matched her dark eyes. Scorpius followed her into the room.
"I'm Astoria, and you must be Elizabeth," the woman said, smiling gently. "Scorpius told me what happened. You can stay here as long as necessary."
For a moment, Elizabeth gazed at Mrs Malfoy, feeling something tightening in her throat. She couldn't form a coherent sentence, even though she felt that she owed that woman an explanation.
"Thank you..." she finally whispered and covered her face with her hands, as tears freely flowed down her cheeks.
For a moment, she sobbed silently, and then she felt comforting arms around her. Mrs Malfoy embraced her. The warmth and closeness made her completely fall apart. She had never received anything more than cold silence from her own mother.
"Hush... It's okay. You're safe here. No one will harm you," she heard the woman's whispered words, and that was all she needed at that moment.
Maybe in a while, she would feel burning shame, but at that moment, it didn't matter. What mattered was that she wasn't alone anymore.
Nash spent the rest of the day in Astoria's company, apparently finding more support from her than Scorpius could offer. Feeling completely useless, he ventured alone into the nearby town, where he met a few childhood friends, reminiscing about various stories with them until evening. Of course, he couldn't reveal too much about the boarding school he attended, but the local residents already knew quite a bit. Scorpius had realized as a child that he was different from the local kids, but that never hindered him from socializing with them. Even though they occasionally looked at him meaningfully, as if they expected some tangible proof of his otherness. Of course, he had no intention of providing that, but it didn't prevent him from having a rather pleasant time.
When he returned home, he learned that Nash had received some clothes from Astoria, as they were tall enough to fit her, and she rested in the guest room.
"Did she tell you what happened?" he asked his mother as they sat down for dinner.
Astoria shook her head.
"I believe she wasn't in a state to talk about it, and I didn't press her. She'll probably tell us when the time will be right."
Scorpius sighed and took a sip of orange juice. The whole situation baffled him. He couldn't fathom why anyone would pull such stunts with the Auror Department on their tail. But apparently, he thought like a Slytherin who had always been a target. Others, especially those with connections at the Ministry, didn't care about it. The blatant injustice stung him, but there was nothing he could do about it.
"It's strange because... let's say it simple, Nash and I aren't exactly fond of each other. Something really bad must have happened for her to show up here. Besides, you saw those marks on her face and neck."
Astoria nodded, looking at him attentively.
"Where did she even get our address?"
"I gave it to her one day, shortly before the end of school. I don't even know why I did it; it was just an impulse. She was in a terrible state back then, dreading her return home, and I simply had a bad feeling. I didn't think she'd use it, but at that time, it was just about giving her an alternative if things were as bad as she feared. I know I should probably have asked you first, but there was no time."
Astoria waved him off with a hand gesture.
"You did the right thing," she said, and then a gentle smile appeared on her face, the kind she reserved for only the closest family members. "You've matured a lot. The longer I listen to you, the more I'm convinced that you're no longer that reckless boy but have become a responsible man trying to do what's right. I'm proud of you."
Scorpius felt his ears burn from his mother's words.
"It's probably about time," he commented, focusing his attention on the food in front of him.
Over the next few days, Scorpius hardly saw Nash. She did appear during meals, but most of the time, she stayed locked in her room. He didn't force her to come out or engage in conversations. If she preferred solitude, then she must have needed it at the moment. Restoring one's mental stability wasn't something that happened overnight.
In the meantime, Scorpius tried to act as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. He helped Astoria, studied, or wandered around the neighbourhood. He also received a letter from Lily, informing him that the magical camp would start in mid-August. Considering the current situation, he quickly came up with an excuse, claiming that his grandparents planned to bring him to Wales during that time. Lily would probably be disappointed, but he felt it was better if he stayed home. He wanted to keep his finger on the pulse.
That same evening, he heard a call from the cabinet next to his bed. Without hesitation, he took out the mirror and saw Albus' face.
"What happened?" Potter asked, clearly aware that the response they received via owl was far from the truth.
Scorpius sighed slightly, realizing that Potter knew him too well.
"I have an unexpected guest. Nash is here."
"Nash? How did that happen?"
Scorpius waved his hand dismissively.
"It's a long story. In general, it seems that her charming brother pulled a serious stunt, and she ran away from home. She'll probably stay at the manor for the rest of the summer."
Albus furrowed his brow in thought.
"I understand. If you need any help..."
"Thanks, I'll manage. It's quiet for now," Scorpius replied, although Gryffindor's words had sparked an idea in him. "If anything, we'll get in touch."
"Alright. I'll have a mirror in my room, so catch me in the evenings."
Scorpius nodded and wished Albus a good trip before ending the call.
It was a hot July afternoon when Scorpius settled into the garden house, lazily holding his wand and moving a small feather, which Tori joyfully chased. The weather didn't encourage any work due to the unbearably high temperature. Even within the manor, where pleasant coolness usually prevailed, it was slowly getting too hot.
Sitting in the shade, he noticed an approaching figure out of the corner of his eye. After a moment, Nash stopped right beside him and watched the ferret's hunting antics for a while. Eventually, her gaze fell on Scorpius.
"You shouldn't use magic outside of school," she said, though without much conviction.
Scorpius smiled cunningly.
"I have that little letter from the Headmaster, which gives me the right to practice magic during the holidays."
He saw Nash looking at him questioningly, so he quickly added:
"I've got authorization to practice magic during the summer."
Nash probably accepted his explanation, as she returned her attention to watching Tori once more.
"Convenient," she muttered.
"Useful," Scorpius replied.
For a long while, silence fell between them. Scorpius sneakily observed the girl standing beside him. She looked much better than on the first day. Her face had regained some normal colour, was less swollen, and the previous marks had noticeably faded. She had carefully braided her hair and was dressed in one of Astoria's dresses, a blue one with white flowers. She appeared to be in good shape, and at that moment, it would be hard to tell that she had been through anything traumatic.
"He wanted to kill me," she whispered, still not taking her eyes off the ferret.
Scorpius felt his throat go dry. The feather he had been moving with his wand dropped to the ground and was caught by Tori. He didn't pay attention to it, his focus solely on Nash.
"For the first few days after my return, things were relatively okay. Of course, neither my father nor Tim wanted to talk to me, but it didn't bother me at all, to be honest. I was hoping the whole summer would pass that way. Unfortunately, it was only the calm before the storm. That day, my parents went shopping, and I was home alone. Tim was supposedly at camp with his friends, or so they all claimed. I was sitting in the living room when he suddenly grabbed me and threw me to the floor. He was completely drunk, shouting something, slurring his words, but I can't remember the exact words now. He pinned me down and began choking me. He completely lost control. I tried to defend myself, but he was much stronger than me, and I didn't have my wand with me. I don't know how long it lasted, but I somehow managed to reach his face and stick my fingers into his eyes. That enraged him even more, and he struck me. I couldn't catch my breath for a moment, but as he let me go, I grabbed the poker and hit him in the head. He groaned and felt dizzy. I managed to get him off me and, without thinking, I ran through the fireplace."
Scorpius was amazed at how calmly Nash narrated those events. It was as if she recounted a story she had heard, and it didn't concern her. However, something else quickly caught his attention.
"What about the Aurors? Weren't they supposed to watch over him?"
Nash shrugged.
"Maybe my father bribed them, I don't know. I haven't seen any of them since the beginning of the summer."
Scorpius felt growing frustration. In a different situation, he would have suggested reporting the incident to the Ministry, but he could already anticipate the response. He didn't have much trust in the Aurors, and it seemed Elizabeth didn't either.
"I hope you gave him a good blow," he said instead.
"When I was leaving through the fireplace, he was regaining consciousness, so unfortunately, I only gave him a nice bump. A small payment for all these years."
Scorpius straightened up, stood up, and came closer.
"I won't try to convince you of anything, but if you ever change your mind and decide to report it, I can arrange a meeting with an Auror your father can't bribe."
Nash furrowed her brows.
"Sometimes I doubt if such Aurors still exist."
Scorpius chuckled and then smiled in a very Slytherin way.
"Even if we're talking about Harry Potter?"
Evidently, Nash hadn't considered that, as surprise flashed across her face, but the melancholy returned quickly.
"I'll think about it," she replied, looking into the distance.
Silence fell between them once again for a while. Scorpius wasn't sure what to say. Besides her unfortunate family history, he hardly knew anything about Nash, and he wasn't sure what they could talk about.
"Do you like it?" he blurted out at some point.
"What?" Nash asked, puzzled.
"The garden."
Bewildered, Nash nodded.
"It's nice."
"House elves would cry if they heard that comment," Scorpius remarked with a smirk.
He pocketed his wand and left the shadow.
"The neighbourhood is quite nice too. Come on, I'll give you a tour. Staying indoors won't help anyone."
He took a few steps, but when he looked back, Nash still stood in the same spot, watching him curiously.
"Why are you doing that? Why are you so... nice to me after all that?" she asked.
Scorpius rolled his eyes and ran his hand through his hair.
"So you'll have something to ponder. But seriously, we've already established that you didn't swallow a broomstick, and I'm not the worst scum, right? So why dwell on the past?"
"But... wait... I didn't swallow a broomstick," Nash objected, and suddenly her face regained some of its former determination.
"What do you say? I got a completely different impression, especially during our charming initial meetings," Scorpius replied sarcastically.
The girl shook her head.
"Do you turn everything into a joke?"
Scorpius shrugged.
"Only the important stuff," he quipped, and then he headed towards the garden's exit. A moment later, Elizabeth followed him.
It was really strange. For a while, they walked along the country road in complete silence. Neither of them paid much attention to their surroundings. Scorpius wondered what he should do next, while Nash seemed lost in some, most likely unpleasant, thoughts.
Scorpius genuinely hoped they wouldn't run into any of the local residents because he didn't feel like explaining who the girl accompanying him was. That thought led to another, sending a strange shiver down his spine. Objectively speaking, Nash was indeed a beautiful girl, especially when her face wasn't adorned with the ugly grimace of anger or fear. Before, for obvious reasons, Scorpius didn't pay attention to that, but at the moment, he thought about it and the discovery strangely unsettled him. He really shouldn't think in those terms. It seemed simply inappropriate, especially considering she came to him for help with no ulterior motives. He shouldn't evaluate her based on her looks, that didn't reflect well on him.
Even more confused, Scorpius noticed that the girl watched him from the corner of her eye.
"What?" he asked inarticulately, looking in her direction.
Nash quickly averted her gaze, clearly embarrassed.
"Nothing," she muttered.
He had no intention of prying further, especially since he felt strangely disoriented by the recent discovery. In any other circumstance, he would have gladly smacked himself in the face to sober up, but he didn't want to come across as an even bigger weirdo. Perhaps the heat had gotten to him that day, or maybe he had suffered a stroke or dehydration, making him hallucinate.
Fueled by that thought, he led Nash to the river and eventually sat in the shade of a tree. The midday sun had become unbearable. Scorpius drew his wand and, after a moment, two glasses filled with water materialized next to them. Another spell made three ice cubes rattle inside each glass. Nash lifted one to eye level and examined it closely.
"Intra-Material Transmutation, not bad," she commented before taking a sip of water.
Scorpius wasn't surprised that she recognized the charm; as befitting Ravenclaw, she had extensive knowledge.
"I enjoy playing with elements and states," he said. "Unlike nonverbal magic, that has clear, transparent rules. You just need to follow them, and it works."
Nash put the glass down.
"I know people who would disagree with you, especially those whose magic is based on emotions."
"Emotions?"
"Of course. Fields like transfiguration, potions, and practical magic belong to those who treat magic as a field of science, logical and systematic. Nonverbal charms, divination, or spiritualism, on the other hand, stem from emotions. Those who act first and think later are typically skilled in those," Nash explained.
"That would explain why Weasley is so good at it," Scorpius muttered more to himself than to Nash. Then he added a bit louder, "I assume you belong to the former group?"
The Ravenclaw girl unexpectedly smiled bitterly and nodded.
"I've learned to keep my emotions in check; otherwise, they would have locked me up in Mungo's psychiatric ward a long time ago."
Scorpius didn't know how to respond to such remarks. It was astonishing that she could still joke about it, even if it was a gallows sense of humour. More than anything else, it displayed her strength. On the other hand, he understood the feeling well. How many times had he concealed his problems beneath irony or sarcasm, especially when he didn't trust the person enough to share his true feelings? It was clear that Nash didn't trust him either, and honestly, that was understandable.
"I think someone else deserves a lifetime spot there. Let's call a spade a spade; your brother is a psychopath."
"You don't have to tell me that."
"But others should know. You weren't the only one he victimized."
Nash closed her eyes and grimaced. Scorpius suspected she didn't like that term. He also shared that reluctance, but there was no other way to put it.
"I got a taste of it myself once," he continued, trying to distract Nash from unpleasant thoughts. The girl looked at him puzzled, so he went on, "Two years ago, I was beaten to a pulp in Hogsmeade by Timothy and his companion."
Nash's eyes hardened visibly.
"You're encouraging me to go to the Aurors, but I assume you never said a word to anyone about it. You're a hypocrite."
Scorpius shrugged.
"Well, it was a bit of a different situation. Back then, I was sulking at the whole world, and I wouldn't have gone to complain about it for anything. But I repaid them. Do you remember that explosion in the South Tower?"
Nash couldn't hide her surprise.
"That was you? They said it was Potter."
"It's complicated. I dispersed an extract of Symplonettle, and that idiot followed me and cast a charm in the wrong place. I have to admit that I was terrified at the time, thinking I had killed him. But there's no harm done; we sort of became friends through that incident."
The girl just shook her head in disbelief.
"I remember Tim was frantically searching the school, looking for the perpetrator. To that day, he doesn't know who did that to him," she said with a smile. Then, more seriously, she added, "You have no idea how much I regret that Potter wasn't more effective. I know it's not right, but I'd have been happy to see Tim dead. He doesn't deserve anything else for everything he's done to me and others."
"What's stopping you?"
Nash lowered her gaze and shrugged.
"Simply put, I just can't. Now, when we're talking, it seems right and logical, but when I stand in front of Tim or my father... I'm just a coward," Nash admitted.
Scorpius looked at the girl next to him for a long moment in silence, not knowing what to do or say. He didn't have the experience of McGonagall or Albus' intuition to navigate a situation like that. When Nash was feeling down on the first day, Astoria embraced her, but Scorpius couldn't muster that kind of gesture, and he doubted Nash would appreciate it after all she'd been through.
"We've established that Tim is a scoundrel, but what about your parents?" he asked with some hesitation.
Nash sighed heavily.
"What should I tell you? Tim had someone to learn from. My father is a man who can't stand opposition. His word is law, with no exceptions. Tim had been idolizing him since childhood, observing how his father repeatedly humiliated our mother and quickly adopting those patterns. My mother always seemed reconciled to her fate, and she was probably relieved when my father and Tim's aggression shifted to me instead of her. As far back as I can remember, she never stood up for me, but you know what? I don't even hold that against her. She was just as afraid as I was."
It was hard for Scorpius to maintain a stoic expression as he listened. Having his parents, perhaps not very emotionally expressive but always standing together like a rock, or the Potter family who would jump into fire for each other, it infuriated him as he heard Nash's story.
"It's not you who's the coward here," he said through gritted teeth.
She must have noticed his anger because her face displayed worry. She was scared of him, even if his anger wasn't directed at her.
Scorpius abruptly stood up and walked a few steps away. He took a few deep breaths and then turned to look at the girl.
"Maybe I have old-fashioned beliefs, but to me, men who try to assert their superiority like that deserve to be hanged by their balls on the nearest tree."
Nash stared at him in a strange way. Her previous apprehension had been replaced by something else, something he couldn't quite define.
"Do you know you sound like McGonagall?" she said. "When I went to her after that incident with Tim, though she dressed it in less explicit words, the meaning was very similar. She spoke of behaviour unworthy of a wizard or simply a human. She was very upset. Just like you are now."
That moment and the memory of the Headmaster made Scorpius snap back to reality. He even managed a faint smile.
"There's a reason I get along well with her," he remarked.
They spent a little more time by the river, but they didn't talk much more. A few times, they touched on less significant matters, but Nash looked tired enough from their previous conversation that Scorpius decided to save further questions for a better opportunity.
As lunchtime approached, they returned to the manor. Strappy greeted them and invited them into the living room, where to Scorpius' surprise, he saw his father. Draco sat in an armchair by the extinguished fireplace and, although he appeared lost in thought, he raised his eyes when he heard their footsteps.
Scorpius noticed Nash freezing in her tracks behind him. She tried not to show anything, but Scorpius could see how she nervously clenched her fists. Remembering her previous comment about her father, as well as the fact that she stood in front of a known former Death Eater, it was easy to understand her anxiety.
Draco got up from his chair, which seemed to require some effort, and he visibly favoured his right leg. Scorpius wondered if he was injured. If he was, he had no intention of discussing it. Instead, he approached Nash and measured her with his gaze. She grew even paler.
"I don't think we've met yet," Draco said in a neutral, albeit polite tone. "Are you Scorpius' friend?"
"Uh, yes. I'm Lizzy... Elizabeth Nash, Mr Malfoy."
Scorpius felt his father's inquiring gaze on him.
"Do you remember, I mentioned her once? She's the one whose wand Albus broke."
"Ah, I see." Understanding quickly crossed Draco's face. In that regard, he didn't need much to connect the dots.
"Mum said she can stay with us for the rest of the summer," Scorpius added hurriedly, trying to eliminate any misunderstandings.
"I understand," Draco acknowledged, then turned his gaze back to Nash. "I hope you have everything you need."
"Yes, Mr Malfoy. Thank you for your concern."
"The house elves will serve lunch shortly. I'll go to my room in the meantime; I need to rest after the journey. I just wanted to say hello."
After saying that, Draco nodded at Nash and then left the living room.
Scorpius watched him go. He didn't like his father's gait, it lacked the usual grace. Something had undoubtedly happened. Unfortunately, at that moment, there was nothing he could do about it, and that helplessness was incredibly frustrating. To prevent unwanted emotions from surfacing, he focused on the current issues and turned his attention to Nash, who still stood there looking unnaturally pale.
"Is everything okay?" Scorpius asked.
The girl nodded very slightly.
"Don't worry," Scorpius added, seeing that she was still tense. "My father may not be the most sociable person, but you have nothing to fear from him."
Nash nodded again.
Seeing that she was unlikely to give any further response, Scorpius went to the table, poured pumpkin juice into a glass, and then approached her, offering the drink. He noticed her hands trembling nervously.
"Thank you," she whispered, taking a sip, and then added a bit louder, "I know I shouldn't react that way, but... Your father has the same kind of gaze. Equally hard and resolute."
Scorpius shrugged.
"He's been through a lot in his life. That doesn't mean they're the same. I think my father would sooner cut off his hand than hit my mother."
Nash smiled sadly and looked directly at him.
"You have no idea how much I'd give to be able to say the same thing."
Astoria turned the doorknob and quietly opened the door.
"Muffliato," she whispered as soon as the lock clicked. She didn't think Scorpius watched her; he had other things on his mind at the moment. Nevertheless, she didn't want to take the risk.
Draco lay on the bed, and his shirt was soaked with sweat. He clenched his hands tightly, and a grimace of pain was etched on his face.
Without wasting any time, Astoria approached him and placed several vials on the nightstand.
"I brought everything you asked for," she said.
"Thank you... the pain relief potion stopped working a few minutes ago," Draco hissed through gritted teeth.
Astoria nodded understandingly.
"We'll take care of that right away." With that, she took out her wand and aimed it at Draco's trouser leg, which was soaked in blood and wet from sweat. The fabric tore apart, revealing a gruesome wound, stretching from his ankle to his knee. The skin was torn, the muscles were shredded, and the bone was broken in two places as if someone had tried to rip a large piece of the calf muscle.
Without hesitation, Astoria first gave Draco another dose of the pain relief potion and then began liberally irrigating the wound with a dittany potion. The man hissed in pain but otherwise remained still and didn't move his injured leg.
After several minutes of these procedures, the wound was mostly closed, though a nasty scar remained in its place.
"We'll take care of the appearance later," Astoria said. "What happened?" she asked, looking at Draco, who was breathing heavily but with clear relief.
"I had splinching during the apparition," Draco responded.
Astoria put down the vials and looked at him critically.
"As much I can tell myself. That never happened before to you. What happened? Did you have to run?"
Draco shook his head.
"They don't know I can Apparate, I never did it near them. However, Potter gave me a charm that blocked apparition tracking and it worked great; otherwise, we would have had Ministry officials at our door."
Astoria took a seat next to him on the bed and took a wet cloth to wipe the sweat from her husband's face.
"What happened, Draco? Why didn't you return by car?"
Draco winced at the question.
"The car is somewhere on a Scottish cliff," he grumbled. "I was careless and nervous. I didn't notice the oncoming truck. A stupid mistake, worthy of a Muggle. I apparated before I would've ended up dead in the wreckage."
Astoria wiped his face again and administered another dose of the pain relief potion. She didn't ask for more; instead, she lay a little higher and hugged his head. She felt he was still breathing heavily, but he was gradually calming down.
"It's all coming back," Draco spoke up again in a hushed voice. "I try not to think about it, not to remember or compare, but when I saw the woman under the Imperius Curse today, I couldn't help it. Too many times in the past, I saw people with those empty eyes. It's as if I'm there again. In that world where no one could resist because they'd be obedient willingly or against their will. I try to remember that Yaxley is not the Dark Lord, but at times, I'm afraid his spirit has managed to return. The words, the predictions, the plans. It all feels so familiar that I feel physically ill."
Astoria listened in silence, her hand gently combing through his hair.
"Do you remember what you told me the first time we talked about that?" she asked when Draco fell silent for good. "You said you wouldn't allow our family to have its choices taken away again. That's the decision you made, to confront your fear and your past. But because it was your choice, you can change your mind at any moment. But if you do, won't they have already won? Won't they take away your ability to decide for yourself?"
"I'm not going to back down," he responded resolutely, but then added much weaker, "It's just that sometimes it's tough."
"I know, Draco. I know," she said, pulling him even closer to her.
Scorpius tried to focus on his studies, not to dwell on all the possible scenarios involving his father. He had far too little information to draw any conclusions. Certainly, Draco had been injured, but since it concerned his leg, it probably wasn't anything serious. Especially since the next morning, he saw his father leaving for work again, that time moving without any difficulty.
To avoid overthinking that unsolvable problem, Scorpius tried to concentrate on the alchemical treatise he was currently reading about the principle of equivalent exchange. At one point, he noticed Nash entering the library. She paused in the doorway and scanned the surroundings with some unease as if she wanted to make sure that there was no one else in there. Scorpius couldn't blame her; the previous day, Draco had certainly made quite an impression on her.
"I saw that you often spend time in the school library, but I didn't think you'd do the same at home," she commented, approaching closer and casting a cursory glance at the materials spread on the table.
"I don't like idleness and wasting time, and there aren't many interesting activities in the manor. I'd suggest you join me, but since you despise studying..."
Nash snorted and without further delay, took a seat on one of the available chairs.
"So, what are you reading?" she asked.
"An alchemical treatise," he replied, handing her the open tome.
Nash skimmed through a few pages, then looked at him and asked:
"That isn't material from the fourth year, is it?"
"Let's say I'm a bit ahead," Scorpius admitted.
Elizabeth shook her head and immersed herself back in the text. Seeing that she didn't intend to add anything else, Scorpius returned to his notes.
While he initially thought it was a one-time occurrence, Elizabeth's presence in the library soon became a norm. She typically arrived around noon, and they would sit together until Astoria returned, with whom they had lunch. Then, if the weather allowed, they roamed the surrounding area with no specific purpose.
Elizabeth, as a true Ravenclaw, had an excellent memory and knowledge in various fields, especially the exact sciences like Transfiguration and Potions. She often managed to surprise Scorpius, and she took satisfaction in highlighting his shortcomings. Scorpius, of course, tried not to fall behind and demonstrated his strong points. It was occasionally annoying, but on the other hand, he had to admit that that shared studying was not only more engaging but also more productive.
They didn't talk much in the library, focusing mainly on the topics they discussed. However, in the afternoons, they discussed various, usually rather trivial, subjects. Scorpius intentionally avoided asking about Elizabeth's family issues, knowing that depending on the day, she might not be in a condition to talk about them calmly. Those topics were still challenging for her, and he didn't want to torment her with them.
It was much more enjoyable for them to talk about school, gossip about teachers and other students, or simply share less consequential life stories.
"Is Rose Weasley your girlfriend?" Nash asked one day as they walked along the country road back to the manor.
The question was asked in a tone as if it were about the weather, rather than delicate matters, yet Scorpius could see that Elizabeth observed his reaction keenly. She had an irritating habit of keeping an eye on his every move. She didn't do it openly; perhaps she thought he didn't notice, but over the years, he had become very attuned to that sort of behaviour. Or maybe it was only with her? Perhaps it was related to the fact that he caught himself observing her. Her gestures, her facial expressions, and her eyes were gradually regaining a more natural glow every day. He even noticed how she avoided any kind of physical contact, even the most casual. If their hands accidentally touched, the girl would immediately withdraw. Scorpius could only assume that that was a habit acquired during the years spent in the company of sadists. And every time he saw it, he was overcome with anger; that girl hadn't done anything to deserve such treatment.
At the moment, Nash looked at him askance, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly when he stopped in his tracks with a dumbfounded expression.
"Where did that idea come from?" Scorpius asked.
The girl shrugged.
"Many people thought so; after all, you were often seen with her and the younger Potter."
Scorpius rolled his eyes and continued walking.
"It's a well-known fact that I'm friends with Albus, and Weasley is just an annoying addition to the package. Unfortunately, it looks like only Potter can endure her presence for a long time. I'd even prefer to have McGonagall as a girlfriend."
Scorpius achieved a small success because the last sentence brought a smile to Nash's face, almost genuine and sincere, although it still didn't reach her eyes.
"Now that's a revolting suggestion," she replied with amusement.
"If you got to know Weasley better, you'd change your mind. Besides, what do you want from McGonagall? I've seen pictures of her youth; she was a truly beautiful woman. Well, I think it was probably in the nineteenth century, but you can't have everything."
Elizabeth shook her head incredulously and then looked at him more seriously.
"How did it even happen that a Slytherin is her protégé?"
Amazingly, Nash might be the first person who didn't refer to him as McGonagall's pupil. Amazing.
"It was a twisted story. In short, she caught me trying out spells that I absolutely shouldn't have been trying at the time. She had every right to expel me from school. You know, my family isn't held in high regard there. But instead, McGonagall proposed that she would teach me if I stopped acting on my own. In hindsight, I think she saved my life because otherwise, I would have killed myself sooner or later. I didn't have the experience then, but I had a huge ego about my abilities."
"I've always considered her a very wise witch. I know she wanted to help me a lot, but at the time, I couldn't bring myself to talk to her. Now, thinking about it, I realize it was a huge mistake. I think if I had reached out, many..."
"It's irrelevant now. There's no point in tormenting yourself over it," Scorpius interjected.
Elizabeth bit her lips, visibly trying to regain her composure. He knew that she didn't like showing weakness to anyone, even though he had seen her in her worst moments.
"In any case, it's not too late. You can talk to her when you return to school. She knows many influential people, and besides, your father certainly won't be able to bribe her. She'd curse him and throw him out the school gate before he could finish a sentence, just like she did to Willick last year."
Elizabeth smiled sadly, but it had nothing to do with her previous amusement.
"When you talk about it, everything seems so simple," she remarked.
"It is simple if you accept the fact that you don't have to face it alone," Scorpius said, and without thinking, he took her hand. She flinched but didn't pull away; instead, she gazed at his fingers around her wrist for a long moment. Then she shifted her gaze to Scorpius' face. Her look was strange and uncertain, but it also held a peculiar hope.
"But what if it ends as it always does? Do you think I've never asked for help? I've realized my helplessness so many times, and I've realized it painfully."
"That time they'll regret their mistakes."
Oddly enough, Scorpius' response worked much better than he expected, given his struggles with offering support.
"There's a part of me that wants to go back home and ask them for forgiveness. That part that's used to being a victim. I hate it within myself, that weakness, that helplessness. I don't want to be helpless anymore. Never again."
"Never again," Scorpius echoed, fully understanding the feeling.
It was a Sunday morning when Scorpius and his father settled in the library to work on a topic provided by McGonagall. The subject wasn't particularly complicated, but it delved into potions, specifically the effect of some potions on inorganic matter and the correlation of these phenomena with Transfiguration. As if Transfiguration wasn't challenging enough on its own, Scorpius had to multiply hundreds of mutations by the actions of dozens of potions, and it was giving him a headache.
Scorpius couldn't concentrate on his studies, partly because his father was more absent-minded than usual. While Draco responded precisely to questions, his gaze drifted off into space when he wasn't required to speak, lost in his thoughts. Scorpius was tempted to ask what was on his mind, but he knew he would probably receive a hastily constructed lie, so there was no point.
"Here, you've made an error in your calculations," Draco unexpectedly said, pointing at one of the numbers. "You've duplicated the value."
Scorpius sighed, suppressing his irritation, and then picked up his wand to delete the last few lines. He felt like throwing the entire scroll into the fireplace.
"As usual, you lack patience," his father commented upon seeing his expression. "It's typical for you when you're not interested in a particular task."
Scorpius put down his quill and rested his head on his hands.
"I'd have to be a masochist to find that fascinating. I could just cast a charm on a stone and pour a potion on it. I'd see how effectively it worked."
Draco rolled his eyes and shook his head slightly.
"And if you needed to enlarge something to a specific size, how much potion would you use? That's what these calculations are for. It's not about enlarging something; it's about enlarging it precisely as needed. Unlike a spell, a potion has a specific composition and effect. That's why the entire magical medicine field is based on them because they are the most precise."
Scorpius sighed and practically lay down on the table, feeling too exhausted to sit up straight.
"I guess that's why I can't stand them. There's no finesse to it; it's just playing with grams and ounces. It's almost as exciting as baking a cake."
His rather crude comment caused his father to smile faintly.
"Speaking of the breakfast you made, I hope you're better at magic than you are at cooking."
"Hey, it wasn't that bad; it just got a little burnt."
"In the case of potions, 'a little' is critical."
"I know, I know. I've poured enough potions down the drain to remember that well."
Draco appeared as if he wanted to say something, but suddenly he looked up toward the door. Scorpius followed his gaze and saw Elizabeth peeking inside. She seemed surprised to find Draco there, likely expecting only Scorpius. Her face betrayed her unease, although she tried not to show it. It was evident that Scorpius' father stirred deeply hidden fears in her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," she said.
"You're not interrupting," Draco replied. "Would you like to join us?"
Scorpius had already seen as girl open her mouth, but he beat her to it.
"Great idea," he said, sitting up straight in his chair. "Lizzy is excellent with potions."
He noticed the mix of terror and surprise on her face. Until then, Scorpius had only addressed her by her last name.
"That works out perfectly because some of us have significant deficiencies," Draco remarked, giving Scorpius a meaningful look.
Elizabeth swallowed hard, still full of doubt. Then, she walked hesitantly to the table and took a seat at one of the empty spots.
For the first few minutes, she silently observed Scorpius struggling with the mathematical aspect, but she finally gathered the courage to offer him hints where his knowledge of potions fell short.
Draco watched that with an inscrutable expression on his face, revealing nothing. Occasionally, he added some input or corrected their mistakes.
After nearly two hours of effort, Scorpius could proudly set aside his quill and present his results. Their collaborative work had produced a comprehensive analysis, spread across three pieces of parchment, which he would be able to showcase to McGonagall in September.
"I hope the next problem is less tiresome," he muttered, closing the textbooks. "And preferably not about potions."
"How can someone who knows so many complex charms be so weak with potions?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, it seems nobody is perfect," he replied sarcastically, feeling a bit cornered by the two experts in the field.
"If you don't improve in potions, they'll haunt you all through school," Draco added from his side.
Scorpius rolled his eyes. More cynical remarks were forming on his lips, but he quickly bit his tongue. His father seemed to be in a good mood, and there was no reason to bring up events that were beyond anyone's control.
Instead, he glanced at Elizabeth, who was considerably more relaxed, reviewing one of the books still lying on the table. She had transformed from a frightened girl into a full-blooded Ravenclaw who valued knowledge above all else. She wasn't as insufferably arrogant as Weasley, even though she wasn't far behind. Perhaps she wasn't the all-knowing top student, but she certainly exceeded the average. She didn't hesitate to offer Scorpius constructive criticism when he deserved it. Yet, she wasn't spiteful, which was a refreshing change for someone who had spent their whole life among Slytherins.
She sat silently over her book, her long, slender fingers gliding over the pages, following charts and illustrations.
Suddenly, Scorpius realized that for a good few seconds, he had been watching her hands. Why was he even thinking about that? And why did he immediately recall that one time, a few days ago when he had held her hand? He remembered that she felt delicate, entirely different from his own. Among the people he knew, only Astoria had hands similar to hers. Just as soft and fragile, despite not lacking strength.
What the hell is he thinking? Has he completely lost his mind? That is neither the right place nor the right time! Why did he suddenly feel so suffocated and have that heavy feeling in his stomach? He needed to get a grip on himself because that became ridiculous.
With a more nervous motion than necessary, he gathered the remaining books into a haphazard pile. Seeing him tidying up, Elizabeth closed the book she held and extended it in his direction.
"If you're interested, you can keep it," Draco said as he stood up from the table and headed toward the exit.
The girl first glanced after the departing man, and then she nodded slightly, though there was no chance for him to see that gesture.
Scorpius noticed her gaze drop, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought, her fingers lightly tracing the book's cover.
"You're very much like your father," she unexpectedly remarked, still not looking directly at him.
"Tell me something I don't know. I can just look in the mirror for that," he replied with a touch of irony.
"I wasn't talking about your looks."
"I know."
At that statement, Elizabeth finally turned her gaze toward him, and he smiled cunningly.
"From who do you think I inherited such a messed-up character? It surely wasn't from my mother."
The girl also smiled slightly and examined the book again.
"Now I have to read it."
"Because he'll probably want to quiz you next time."
Elisabeth's face brightened up, and the sadness that had clung to her seemed to disappear entirely. It was as if that prediction had genuinely delighted her.
August welcomed them with scorching heat, and even cooling charms struggled in the uneven battle against the relentless sun.
For most of the day, it was nearly impossible to do anything other than sip cold drinks in some shaded spot. Even the house elves took a break from their work at noon, which indicated that the temperatures were abnormally high.
"I'm starting to miss Hogwarts," Elizabeth commented, lying on the grass, dressed in a thin, cream-coloured dress.
"Right, it's cooler in Scotland. Plus, the thick stone walls don't heat up as quickly," Scorpius added as he also lay on the grass, hands behind his head.
The memory of the school, while it brought up a wide range of thoughts, ultimately filled Scorpius with excitement. For the first time in a while, returning to school did not feel negative. On the contrary, he had images of McGonagall, Zack, Karl, and, of course, the Potters in his mind.
Thinking about the Potters, Scorpius felt a slight pang. In a week, he was supposed to go to camp with them. While Albus certainly understood, he knew Lily would not let him live down his absence.
Though to be honest, Scorpius would find it hard to look the young Gryffindor in the eye. Driven by that thought, he opened his eyes and looked sideways at the girl lying beside him. From beneath half-closed lids, she gazed at the leaves swaying in the breeze, paying him little attention. Her hair was loose, and it lay in long waves on the grass. Her light dress, let's be honest, left little to the imagination.
Previously, he had chastised himself for similar thoughts, but it no longer seemed to make sense. He had to face the truth - he was fascinated by her. Physically and mentally. During her nearly month-long stay in the mansion, she had proven herself to be an intelligent, sharp-witted person who didn't back down in the face of challenges. Of course, there were still moments when the deep wounds on her psyche resurfaced, but they occurred less frequently with each passing day.
Once they would return to school, he would need to find a way to explain that to Lily. He cared too much for the little Potter to lie to her. Even if it made her sad, Gryffindors held the truth in high regard, so she should eventually forgive him.
The topic of returning to school led him to another thought.
"Have you thought about what you'll do after you finish school?"
Elizabeth widened her eyes and looked in his direction.
"I planned to go abroad, perhaps to France or Spain. I know the basics of French, so I could manage. I was thinking of taking a course to become a magi-medic."
"Do you know that it's even hotter in Spain than here?" Scorpius asked with amusement.
"That's why I said I planned. Today, I'm thinking more about Sweden."
"Why not go farther? Greenland is supposedly beautiful at that time of year."
The girl laughed briefly.
"That sounded like a line from a travel brochure," she commented, and then she continued, "And what about you? Any plans?"
Scorpius shrugged, although it was a slightly awkward move in his current position.
"I want to become a teacher."
Elizabeth looked genuinely surprised and then grew serious.
"At Hogwarts? The Ministry doesn't allow... Since the war, there hasn't been a Slytherin among the teachers.
"I plan to change that. I'll keep banging my head against that glass ceiling until I break through," Scorpius said.
Nash shook her head and smiled slightly.
"If anyone else said that, I'd probably think they were insane, but I'm willing to believe you. You have a enough strong head for it."
"And broad shoulders," Scorpius chuckled, then added standing: "Don't know about you, but I have had enough of that heat."
Then he removed his T-shirt and shoes. When he was left in just his shorts, he walked up to the riverside bank and jumped into the water at a spot he remembered was deep enough to prevent him from hitting the bottom. The water was refreshingly cool but not as cold as he had expected. He swam underwater for a while, and when he resurfaced, he saw Elizabeth standing by the shore.
"I see you're getting overheated already," she remarked.
"I guarantee it's much more pleasant here. Will you join?"
"That's a faster way than going to Greenland," she responded.
After these words, Elizabeth gathered her hair and tied it up, then pulled the dress over her head. She walked to the bank in her underwear, and without hesitation, she jumped in. Scorpius, despite being submerged up to his neck in the water, suddenly felt warm. A moment later, he felt hands on his torso that forcefully pulled him underwater. He was surprised, and he couldn't inhale any air in those few seconds, so when he resurfaced, he coughed and choked. Lizzy emerged next to him, laughing heartily. When Scorpius regained his breath, he noticed that her amusement had reached her eyes, which sparkled in the summer sun.
"I know you don't like me, but drowning me right away?" Scorpius joked, pretending to be bitter.
"It's one of the few ways to make you stop babbling," she replied.
"I don't..."
Scorpius didn't get to finish his sentence because Elizabeth swam closer, took his face in her hands, and kissed him. Initially taken aback, he didn't know how to react or where to put his hands. Finally, he regained his composure, placed his hands on the girl's neck, and returned the kiss.
"We're like characters from a cheap romance novel," Scorpius said, the first thing that came to his mind when Lizzy released him. "Kissing in the water."
"And it's overrated. Everything tastes like river mud," the girl added, attempting to cover her embarrassment with sarcasm.
"I am a slippery reptile, after all. What were you expecting?" Scorpius replied, with a touch of humour.
Lizzy snorted, but her expression had significantly changed. She was embarrassed, but she didn't seem to regret what she had done.
For Scorpius, however, he wished he could take a moment to gather his thoughts. It was an entirely new experience, and he didn't quite know how to react. What did it mean? Was he fascinated? In love? He had no idea. But when they exited the water and sat back on the grass, he couldn't help himself, and his hand combed through her wet hair. They were wet, cool to the touch, and pleasantly smooth.
Elizabeth's brown eyes seemed to bore into him, but there was also a hint of gentleness and uncertainty. She had been through so much, and yet she still tried to trust someone, even though he was the last person who should be considered trustworthy. Perhaps it was because he understood the difficulty of trusting someone that he appreciated the effort she made.
With her wet skin under his fingers, he had so much he wanted to say, but for once, he couldn't find the words. Instead, he moved his hand along her temple, cheek, lips, and chin. She had wet, slightly tangled hair, a worried look in her eyes, and pale lips. She didn't fit into any beauty standards, yet a ridiculous thought crossed his mind: he had never seen anyone more beautiful.
It was then that he fully grasped what trust was all about. It wasn't easy to give, but being on the receiving end was a magnificent feeling. If someone trusted you, it meant they found you important, more important than their safety.
Fueled by that realization, he embraced her, and without hesitation, kissed her, that time without a shadow of a doubt.