Disclaimer - I don't own Harry Potter.
The air in the Ministry of Magic's briefing room felt heavy as Teddy Lupin assigned tasks to each Auror group. Rose Weasley glanced at Scorpius Malfoy, who stood beside her, his pale face betraying an unsettling fragility. Across from them, Zoe Carter and Rufus Alderton listened intently to the details of their mission.
"Hollowshade Thicket," Teddy announced, his voice steady yet grim. "It's dark, mysterious, and near Little Whinging. We don't know exactly what's in there, but it's dangerous. Proceed with caution."
The four of them exchanged brief nods. Scorpius stepped forward, holding out small vials, one for each of them.
"What's this?" Rose asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Scorpius met her gaze, his voice calm and instructive, despite the tension in his eyes. "It's a potion prepared with viper venom. For blood clotting. A muggle method. Manticore venom spreads fast, but this will slow it down. If anyone's attacked, give them this immediately and get them to St. Mungo's. Everyone in mission will get these."
Rose raised an eyebrow, concern flickering across her face. Before she could speak, Alderton interjected, "Malfoy, you sure you're up for this? You look sick." His tone was more practical than compassionate.
Scorpius shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I'll manage… at least until nightfall."
"Good," Alderton nodded, turning to the group. "If anyone finds anything, send your Patronus to the nearest one. Understood?"
Everyone nodded—except Scorpius. Zoe noticed first. "Something wrong, Scorpius?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.
Scorpius hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I'm not sure I can… I haven't cast a Patronus in years." His words seemed to hang in the air. Rose's eyes widened as she shot him a sharp glance. He hadn't summoned his Patronus in all this time? His wolf?
Alderton broke the silence. "Then red sparks. We'll manage." He dismissed the moment easily, but Rose's thoughts lingered on Scorpius's admission.
Scorpius avoided her gaze, muttering a low "Good luck" to everyone before turning away. Just as the others prepared to Apparate to their designated positions around the forest, he paused and looked back. "Weasley, can I talk to you? Alone," Scorpius said, his voice quieter now.
Rose nodded. Zoe and Alderton exchanged looks before disappearing with a crack, leaving the two of them alone. The stillness between them was thick, filled with unspoken tension as Scorpius took a deep breath.
"Scorp?" Rose asked softly, sensing something more.
He pulled another small vial from his pocket and handed it to her, his expression serious. "Take this."
Rose stared at the vial, confusion etching her features. "What is it?"
"Phoenix tears," he said quietly. "It's all I've got. Keep it safe and use it if you need it. Please."
Her hand trembled as she took the vial. "Scorpius, I—"
"I know how to fight these creatures, Weasley," he cut her off, his voice firm but not unkind. "I've learned things you never did at Hogwarts. I can't protect you from them today, not like before. That's why I need you to have this. You have to promise me you'll use it if it comes to that."
Rose's throat tightened, and before she could stop herself, a tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, nodding. "I will, I promise... but Scorpius—promise me you'll take care of yourself too."
He gave her a faint smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'll do my best."
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Then, without another word, Scorpius turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, leaving Rose standing alone with the vial clutched in her hand. Her heart felt heavy, but she squared her shoulders and headed into Hollowshade Thicket, determined to face whatever lay ahead.
The moment Rose stepped into the Hollowshade Thicket, an eerie shift overtook the air. The forest seemed to exhale darkness, swallowing the faint light filtering through the canopy. Towering trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches twisted into unnatural shapes, and the thick fog clung to the ground like a silent predator. Every step felt muffled, as though the forest itself was listening. Rose's wand was ready in her hand, her knuckles white from the grip.
The silence wasn't comforting; it pressed against her ears, a sharp contrast to the Ministry's busy hum. It wasn't just the eerie quiet, though—it was the feeling that the Thicket was alive, watching.
She passed by strange mushrooms glowing faintly along the forest floor and tiny, winged creatures flitting between the trees, their forms barely visible. Every now and then, the rustle of leaves or the snapping of a branch set her heart racing, but it was nothing more than the forest itself, wild and untamed. Hours dragged by with no sign of anything—no dark wizards, no creatures... no Scorpius.
She cursed under her breath, feeling the weight of the satchel slung across her shoulder. She was alone, but not for long. A sudden noise behind her—the unmistakable sound of a footstep—had her spinning around, wand raised. But before she could cast, something hard bumped into her.
"Ow!" she hissed, stumbling back, only to find herself face-to-face with Scorpius.
"You alright?" he asked, his voice low as he scanned the surroundings.
Rose blinked, her pulse still racing from the scare. "Bloody hell, Malfoy, I thought you were—"
"Something else?" He gave her a faint smirk, though his eyes were still dark, reflecting the dim light. "Sorry about that."
They stood side by side now, scanning the edges of the Thicket as the forest seemed to tighten its grip around them. But then, a low growl echoed from the depths of the trees. Both of them froze, tension coursing through the air like a live wire.
"What was that?" Rose whispered, her grip tightening on her wand.
"I don't know," Scorpius replied, his gaze sharp and alert. "But it didn't smell friendly."
They exchanged a glance, the moment stretching between them, unspoken understanding passing in the space of a heartbeat. Rose could feel the familiar pull of anxiety knotting in her stomach, but alongside it was a flicker of comfort at having Scorpius by her side.
"Stay close," Scorpius murmured, inching forward. Rose nodded, stepping into step with him, their senses heightened as they ventured deeper into the Thicket.
The growl resonated again, closer this time, sending a chill down her spine. She strained her ears, listening for any further sounds, her heart thundering in her chest. Suddenly, a massive shadow lunged out from the underbrush, and both of them reacted instinctively.
Scorpius raised his wand, and Rose did the same, both bracing for whatever emerged from the darkness.
As the creature broke through the thick fog, it revealed itself—a manticore, its spiked tail raised menacingly, eyes glinting with predatory hunger. The air crackled with tension as the beast surveyed them, its growl rumbling like distant thunder.
"Get ready," Scorpius hissed, his voice barely audible over the creature's menacing growl.
Rose's heart raced as she prepared to defend herself. Together, they faced the threat head-on, united by a common purpose and the lingering echoes of a complicated past. The Thicket may have been dark and foreboding, but in this moment, they were not just a Magizoologist and an Auror workimg together—they were allies, standing firm against whatever horrors lay ahead.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading and reviewing.