XXXIV
The air was filled with biting smoke, making it difficult not only to breathe but also to navigate the surroundings. The hippogriff landed among some rocks at a distance from the camp. Professor Scamander pulled Scorpius down to the ground and instructed the creature to lie down as well to avoid being seen from afar. Her typically gentle face was focused, and she watched the surroundings with obvious concern.
Before them was a small town, mostly consisting of one-story wooden cottages. Most of them were either already on fire or being engulfed by flames. Shadows moved through the wide streets between them, barely recognizable through the smoke, and the distant sounds of the flames were accompanied by screams.
Scorpius felt his throat tighten as he spotted a figure lying on the ground. The person's clothing was also on fire, but they didn't react in any way, which could only mean one thing.
Panic overwhelmed Scorpius without restraint. He hid behind a rock, sat on the ground, and trembling hands grasped his head. He had failed again. Albus and Lily were there, and he hadn't managed to warn them. How much time had he lost? Half an hour? Fifteen minutes? Could that have determined their life or death? If he had hurried, not wasted time at the Potter's house, gotten into Hogwarts more quickly, or...
"Homenum revelio." He heard a soft incantation, which quickly encompassed the entire area.
He opened his eyes and looked at Professor Scamander, who still held her wand and gazed toward the camp.
"There are at least a dozen of them," she said to Scorpius. "And many children are still hiding in the burning buildings."
"What do you want to do?" he asked, though he couldn't gather himself to look back at the camp.
Suddenly, he noticed the determination on the teacher's face. While he was paralyzed with fear, she intended to face the danger. He would have never suspected it. She always seemed so delicate, gentle, and somewhat detached from reality. Yet at the moment, without a doubt, she was preparing for an attack.
Despite that, she knelt beside Scorpius, and her features momentarily regained their familiar gentleness.
"They only have us," she said with an unexpected touch of determination in her voice. "My Patronus hasn't reached Harry yet. When it does, it may already be too late."
Scorpius felt his insides twist even more strongly at those words. Of course, he wanted to help Albus, but everything told him that it was suicide. His Slytherin nature began to scream in his mind, urging him to prioritize his safety. He had the image of a burning human body lying on the street before his eyes. He didn't want to end up the same way.
"I...," Speaking was suddenly extremely difficult for him. "I can't..."
Professor Scamander placed her hand on his shoulder. "You can. Just like anyone who knows what's right."
Scorpius clenched his fists, and nervous anger temporarily overcame his panic.
"I'm not a reckless Gryffindor, ready to throw myself mindlessly at the enemy."
A shadow of a smile of understanding flickered across the teacher's face.
"Courage isn't reserved for Gryffindors alone, and besides, we won't do that mindlessly."
Scorpius couldn't hide his surprise. He had previously assumed that Professor Scamander had belonged to Gryffindor House in her student days, but once again, he had misjudged her. There was no time for such considerations, however. Despite his fear, he was aware that every minute of his hesitation could cost someone's life. So, if he was going to risk his life, it should be worth it. If he failed, it would not only be Albus and Lily who he disappointed but also his father, who put himself at risk as well.
Seeing Professor Scamander's certain and determined look, his conviction began to grow.
"What do I need to do?" he asked, his voice still irritatingly shaky.
"We'll split up. I'll try to incapacitate the attackers, and you look for the injured and get them out of the burning houses. I know you wanted to save your friends, but now many others' lives are in danger," she replied.
Scorpius nodded, attempting to stand up, but the woman stopped him with a hand gesture.
"One more thing. Have you ever dueled before?"
"Not really."
"That's good because that won't be a duel. You must remember that these people want to kill you. They won't show mercy because you're a child. Don't forget that for a moment."
Scorpius swallowed hard and then nodded. The woman stood up, gripped her wand tighter, and then whistled for Manetail, who immediately rose from the ground.
"I'll need your help, my friend," she said to the hippogriff, before mounting the creature and taking off into the air, disappearing into the smoke after a moment.
Scorpius was left alone among the rocks, and for a good minute, he struggled with waves of panic before he could run towards the buildings. He pulled out his wand and cast a Disillusion Charm on himself. It might not be perfect, but amidst the general chaos, it should suffice.
He entered the first cottage, but aside from a burning ceiling beam falling dangerously close, there was no one inside. He hurried to the next one, but it was empty as well. In the third cottage, he spotted two children cowering in the corner, seeking shelter from the danger. They didn't look much older than eight or nine.
"Hey... psst...," he whispered, removing the charm so they could see him. He noticed that they were frightened, so he quickly pressed his finger to his lips.
"Shh... I'm here to help you."
He crouched down beside the terrified children.
"Listen, that building will catch fire soon; you can't stay here. I'll look outside and signal you to run to the right, past the camp. Do you understand?"
He could see that the kids were utterly terrified, but eventually, one of them nodded slightly.
"Is that your brother?" Scorpius asked the nodding boy. The gesture confirmed his words. "You must take care of him. You're responsible for him."
He saw the boy wipe his teary eyes with the back of his hand, and determination began to show on his face.
"Hide among the rocks and wait for the Aurors. Help is on the way," Scorpius assured them, and after saying that, he approached the window to scan the area. In the smoky haze, he couldn't see anyone and the path appeared to be empty. However, before leaving the children, he turned and asked, "Do you know Albus and Lily Potter?"
The boy nodded in response.
"Do you know where they might be, which cottage was theirs?"
Unfortunately, neither of the children knew the answer. So, without wasting any more time, Scorpius took a final look around the area and then signalled the children to run outside. Their small silhouettes disappeared into the distance.
Meanwhile, Scorpius headed towards the next house. However, it collapsed before he could reach it. He fell to the ground and shielded his head from the cloud of hot smoke and dust that rushed toward him. He had to be more careful; he wouldn't save anyone if he ended up getting trapped in the flames himself.
Choking on the acrid smoke, Scorpius transfigured a charred fragment lying nearby into a thick scarf, which he tied around his face, and then continued forward. He had no idea how large the camp was, but judging by the extent of the orange glow of the fire, it likely comprised dozens of buildings. He checked three more, all of which turned out to be empty. In the next one, he found a woman lying on the floor. Could she be one of the camp's caretakers? When he approached, he noticed that the left side of her body was severely burned. He cast a quick healing charm to alleviate her pain somewhat. That's when the woman twitched and opened her eyes.
"Please don't move," he said, leaning over her. "You're injured."
He could see that his words only partially registered with her.
"We need to get out of here; the building is on fire," he added, clearly hearing the roof creaking above them.
He cast a levitation charm, and the woman lifted off the ground. He could see that even that gentle motion caused her pain, but there was nothing more he could do for her.
Glancing around, he ran back towards the rocks, which had been his initial hiding place. In less than a minute, he placed the woman on the ground in the company of the children he'd met earlier.
"Take care of her," he said to the children.
He said it to them, but as he tried to get up, the woman grabbed his wrist.
"Don't leave me," she whispered through cracked lips.
"Sorry, I have to go. I need to find Albus and Lily. Those bastards are after them."
The woman's eyes, although still somewhat cloudy, gained some focus.
"After Potters?"
Scorpius nodded.
"Do you know where they might be?"
"Lily is in my group, cottage twenty-three."
Scorpius felt a lump in his throat. As far as he remembered, the cottage where he found the woman had the number nine, so it couldn't be far.
"Please hold on; the Aurors will be here soon," he said and then pulled his wrist free, running back towards the buildings.
He knew he should be checking the other cottages too; there might be more people in need of help, but the thought of finding Lily wouldn't allow him to stop. He weaved through the buildings, still hidden under his Disillusion Charm, searching for the Gryffindor. He couldn't let the idea that he might find her lifeless creep into his mind. He couldn't afford to panic at that moment. He was grateful that fate had made him a Slytherin, a cold-blooded serpent capable of suppressing his emotions and focusing on the task at hand. Not just for his own sake but for the lives he tried to save.
Suddenly, he froze in place. About ten steps away from him, right at the entrance to one of the buildings, he spotted the lifeless body of a red-haired girl.
He couldn't keep up the Disillusion Charm, which flickered and disappeared, and his wand almost slipped from his hand. He managed to catch it just in time before sprinting toward the Gryffindor.
"By Merlin! Lily!" he shouted as he reached the girl. He grabbed her arms with trembling hands and turned her onto her back. "Please, answer me!"
He shook her vigorously, but there was no response. She remained entirely limp.
Scorpius felt his vision blur as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Lily! Please! Wake up!" he cried with increasing panic in his voice, but the girl didn't react.
Stricken by a sudden thought, Scorpius placed his fingers on her neck, and then gently touched his cheek to her face. He was flooded with relief as he felt the faint caress of her breath and detected a distinct pulse beneath his fingertips. She was alive, only unconscious. She must have been hit by a powerful stunning spell.
Scorpius gently laid Lily on the ground and took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves. She was alive, and it depended on his actions whether she remained that way. He needed to be calm and act wisely. Taking her out of the camp was not up for debate. However, transferring her that distance might prove difficult. He couldn't levitate her and hide them both under the Disillusion Charm at the same time; it was beyond his capabilities. Yet, he had to cover several hundred meters through a burning camp, where he could be spotted and attacked at any moment.
He had to find a safe hiding place for Lily. Standing up, he scanned the area in the hope of finding somewhere untouched by the flames. Suddenly, a sharp pain paralyzed his left arm, and a force knocked him to the ground.
"Another little brat." A menacing voice came from behind him. "But you don't look like a Potter kid."
Still writhing in pain, Scorpius turned onto his back and looked in the direction of the voice. In the distance, a man dressed in dark robes stood.
"Chamaeleon," Scorpius whispered, concealing Lily with the charm. He could only hope the man hadn't noticed her. Then, with great effort, he got to his feet and pointed his wand in front of him. The words of Professor Scamander echoed in his head: "They won't show mercy because you're a child." Staring at the man before him, he didn't doubt it.
Seeing Scorpius raise his wand, the man in the distance laughed shortly.
"You want to fight me, kid? Anyone who draws their wand must be ready to use it."
The man brandished his wand, and a bolt of lightning shot toward Scorpius. He summoned a shield to deflect the charm, causing the energy to strike a nearby building.
"Expelliarmus," Scorpius tried to disarm his opponent, but the man was faster. A rapid Expelliarmus spell wrenched Scorpius' wand from his hand.
"You're incredibly weak; don't they teach you how to cast spells in school?" the man taunted before taking a few steps forward.
Scorpius stood frozen, not knowing what he should do next. Run? His legs felt like lead. Defend himself? Without his wand, he was utterly defenceless. Even worse, if something happened to him, the man might also find Lily.
He didn't have a moment to consider all the alternatives when a distinctive screech filled the sky, and then Manetail descended onto the man. The wizard didn't have time to react as the mighty beak tore through his throat, and the talons sank into his entrails.
Scorpius watched in a mix of relief and horror as the gruesome scene unfolded. The talons, the beak, and many of the hippogriff's feathers were soaked in blood, and not just of that particular man. There was no sign of Professor Scamander either.
When Manetail was sure that the man was dead, he shook his wings and approached Scorpius, who stood there, as if petrified. For one dreadful moment, he feared that the beast would also attack him, but it merely nudged him with its beak, apparently demanding praise. Eventually, Scorpius raised his hand and stroked the feathers on the hippogriff's head where there was no blood.
It took a moment for Scorpius to gather his courage and proceed to retrieve his wand, which was not far from the body of the man. Another moment of thought provided him with a perfect solution.
"I have a favour to ask, Manetail," he said to the hippogriff before removing the charm from Lily, still unconscious. "That is Lily, my friend. You have to get her to a safe place."
For a moment, Manetail looked at him with its bird-like eyes, and then it bent down toward Lily and gently nudged her with one of its claws.
"She's injured, and I don't know when she'll wake up," Scorpius explained, though he couldn't tell how much of his words the hippogriff understood. Nevertheless, the creature didn't express any objection as Scorpius placed Lily on its back.
"Protect her, okay?"
Manetail screeched again, and then flapped its wings, soaring into the sky and disappearing into the smoky haze above.
Scorpius watched them go before turning back to the task at hand. Whatever would happen next, he knew that at least Lily was safe. Even if... his efforts hadn't been in vain. Driven by that thought, he once again concealed himself with the Disillusion Charm and continued his search for Albus, running deeper into the camp.
"Stupefy!" Scorpius shouted, stunning the man who was dragging two frightened girls behind him. The man fell unconscious, and Scorpius, for good measure, took his wand and snapped it in half.
"I'm looking for Albus, Albus Potter. Do you know where he is?!" he asked the terrified girls.
One of them shook her head, while the other pointed to the left.
"I saw them herding many students to the pitch, maybe he's there."
Scorpius nodded and instructed them to flee the camp. He then looked around before heading in the indicated direction. However, while running, he nearly stumbled upon two wizards who searched the area. He attempted to dodge, but one of them managed to conjure a rope that entwined around his ankle. Scorpius lost his balance and fell to the ground. He wanted to turn around and defend himself, but a heavy boot stomped on his hand, where he held his wand.
"I've found another one," the man called to his companion.
"Bring him here," the second man said.
Scorpius felt the man snatch his wand and then grip his hair, forcing him to look directly into his eyes.
"Doesn't he resemble someone we know? Could it be our lucky day? You're not Malfoy's kids by any chance, are you?"
Scorpius tensed. He should've immediately denied it, but he was well aware of their family resemblance. He didn't even have time to respond before the man chuckled.
"Yep, it's him. Torchfool will be delighted."
With that, the man grabbed Scorpius by the neck and pulled him toward the area where the girls had mentioned the pitch was located.
Battling the chaos and smoke, Scorpius had no clear view of where the Horntails led him. Suddenly, a horrifying scream cut through the air, sending chills down his spine. He recognized that voice, and though he wished it were not true, he knew to whom it belonged. Albus! He jerked in an attempt to free himself, but the man's grip was too strong to break.
"You're in a hurry to be next?" the wizard sneered, prompting a sinister laugh from his companion.
Scorpius wisely chose to remain silent. It was clear that speaking up wouldn't improve the situation.
After a few moments, the screams ceased, and Scorpius soon caught sight of the pitch. Several figures loomed in the distance, and a group of frightened children knelt in a cluster. What drew his attention, however, was Albus, battered and bloodied, lying in a fetal position in the middle of the pitch. As far as he could tell, Albus hadn't yet spotted him; his eyes were distant, fixed on some far-off point. Scorpius fought hard to control the urge to break free and run to him.
With every passing second, it became increasingly clear that their lives were in Scorpius's hands. How he acted and whether he maintained his composure would determine Albus' survival. As he observed the surrounding wizards, he knew they intended to torture and likely kill Albus as retribution for his father's actions. They revelled in the sight of the beaten Gryffindor, and Scorpius did not doubt that they would do the same to anyone who dared oppose them.
"Torchfool, we have a surprise for you. Look who we found," one of the Horntails shouted and pushed Scorpius toward the leader of the group.
The man, who had been standing over Albus with his wand extended, shifted his gaze to Scorpius. What struck Scorpius was not only the man's age - he appeared to be around twenty-five - but the cruelty and ruthlessness in his steel-like eyes. That wasn't someone you'd want to argue with.
The man furrowed his brow and eyed Scorpius up and down.
"Draco's son?"
Scorpius put in a lot of effort to avoid looking away or breaking eye contact. Instead, he straightened up and put on the most determined expression he could muster. He reminded himself that Albus' life was at stake, which gave him the resolve he needed to stand confidently before that man.
Scorpius was a snake, not a lion or a raven. He was a cold-blooded Slytherin, cunning and egoistic. He needed to be more Slytherin than ever. He had to be sly and wily because it was the only way to win against these people. He had to play by his own Slytherin rules and forget about nobility and heroic deeds. In that crucial moment, he had to change his skin and put on the true nature of a snake, even if it had never felt quite right to him in the past.
"Yes," he snarled. "Scorpius Malfoy."
The man examined him with a critical eye.
"Seems like you've got more spine than your father. Do you happen to know where he is right now?"
"My father? I thought he was with you," Scorpius replied, stepping a bit closer. When he saw the Horntail's puzzled expression, he swiftly added, "I know what he's been up to in recent months. I've seen the letters, and the rest wasn't hard to connect."
The man snorted.
"You don't seem too concerned."
Scorpius gave a slight shrug.
"And why should I be? It's finally a decent decision on his part. Everything seems better than grovelling before Muggles."
"In that case, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. When things got hot, he tucked his tail between his legs and ran away."
Scorpius clenched his fists, but not for the reason he was trying to convey.
"He was always a coward," he hissed with a touch of disgust. "He never did anything right. Our family lost everything because of his foolish choices. It seems nothing has changed."
"Are you any different?"
Scorpius looked straight into the leader's grey eyes.
"I'm not a coward," he stated emphatically. "I'm tired of living that rat-like existence in the sewers. My father disappointed me for the last time. Forget about him; he's not worth it. I'll take his place."
A shadow of understanding briefly passed through the leader's hard gaze. Then, he abruptly turned and took a few steps toward his comrades.
"Words alone aren't enough to convince us," he said. "How can I be sure that when problems arise, you won't run like Draco?"
Scorpius maintained an impassive expression, even though it stung to hear his father being disparaged. Such sentiments were irrelevant to him at the moment. He merely crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm here, aren't I? I had plenty of time to escape from the camp, but instead, I came out to meet you. I won't deny that I hoped to meet my father, but since he acted that way, I don't intend to look at him any longer. In fact, I don't want to look at anyone anymore. For years, I've heard that I'm a worthless scum who should stay out of everyone's way. I'm sick of it, and I really want those who slandered me to pay for it dearly."
The Horntail gave a slight nod and then approached Albus, kicking him in the shoulder, and causing him to fall onto his back with a quiet groan.
"Especially people like him," the leader said, pointing at the fallen boy. "I dream of nothing more than wiping that smug grin off those Gryffindors' faces."
"He's not smiling anymore," the other man added with a hint of cruelty.
"Even better," the leader replied. "Do you know who he is?"
"Of course. He's in my year at school. He's Harry Potter's son," Scorpius answered.
"And he's paying the price for his father's sins today. The Aurors think they're invincible, and untouchable, that they have unlimited power. Today, they will painfully discover they're only human and can be hurt," the leader said, casting a glance at Scorpius.
"If you truly want to join us, prove that you don't hesitate. Kill him."
Scorpius moved forward and aligned himself with the leader. Primal terror was evident in Albus' eyes, and then his gaze shifted between the Horntail leader and Scorpius.
"Scor...pius?" Albus stammered through bloodied lips.
Scorpius couldn't afford to lose any more time. If Albus said too much and sowed doubts in the leader's mind, everything would be lost. Their lives would be forfeit. He acted without hesitation. Raising his wand, he aimed it at Albus.
Nonverbal spells were never his strong side, but he couldn't afford any mistakes. He had one chance, and his hand couldn't shake. Scorpius cleared his mind, ridding himself of everything that could distract him. There were no stray thoughts, no extraneous details, just the spells he needed.
Two charms, and the third that shouldn't work. He looked into Albus' terrified face, which paradoxically fueled his resolve. He had to save him, even if it cost him his own life.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The green light shot from Scorpius' wand and struck Albus, who fell lifeless to the ground. Scorpius let his wand drop, and his ears were filled with both the gleeful voices of the Horntails and the horrified screams of the other children.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned his head, he saw the serious face of the Horntails leader.
"You are indeed not like Draco," he commented. Then, he raised his voice. "Let's get out of here; the Aurors will probably arrive soon. As for the rest of you," he said, addressing the other children, "you will tell them in detail what you've witnessed here and spread the word about the punishment that awaits those who try to fight us. Nobody will escape the wrath of the Horntails."
After those words, he retrieved a pocket watch and signalled to his comrades. They approached him, placing their hands on his shoulders. Scorpius was the last to perform the gesture. Before he was swept away by the Portkey, he cast one last look at Albus' lifeless body.