Music I listened to while writing : Once Upon a December (From Anastasia) - Emile Pandolfi
Chapter 13: The Unexpected
Three days later...
"Just put a Glamour Charm on me and let's get this over with!" Scorpius exclaimed, pushing aside the sheets to stand up while Madam Pomfrey soaked a cloth in dittany essence. His skin had healed; only bluish marks remained under his lip and around his left eye. A simple illusion spell would suffice, but the school nurse refused to let him leave the infirmary.
"Mr. Malfoy, please get back into bed!"
"I've been here for three days; I've had enough. I can't stand this camphor smell any longer. Why don't you brew your potions in the greenhouse, away from your patients? You're going to end up poisoning them!"
The nurse let out an indignant sigh and left the room. She was probably going to fetch help to keep the boy in bed, but Scorpius didn't care. He grabbed his pants and awkwardly tried to put them on while his head spun. Giving up, with only one leg in the garment, he sat on the edge of the bed, fighting off the dizziness.
"I'm going to make him pay."
"I told you I don't want you to get involved," Malfoy whispered, his tired gaze resting on Dorian.
"You're kidding, right?" Dorian replied, clenching his fists. His face was anxious, and the sadness of the past few days had left unflattering marks of fatigue under his eyes.
When Scorpius had spoken about the attack, he had made Potter and Nott promise not to take any action against his attacker, or he would never tell them his name. The boys had reluctantly given their word, a promise they had almost broken the moment Scorpius mentioned the name. Especially since the boy had no intention of reporting the Slytherin.
"Scorpius! Goyle won't even face a disciplinary hearing because you refuse to say he's the one who put you in this state."
"If he goes to a disciplinary hearing, I'll have to testify," the boy explained as he struggled with the other leg of his pants. "If I have to testify, my father will find out what happened to me, and I don't want that. I prefer the situation as it is. Goyle owes me a debt because I didn't report him. That's my best defense to keep him and his cronies off my back until the end of the year, maybe longer!" Scorpius pulled the garment over his hips, zipped it up, and buttoned it: "Victory! Finally, I'm wearing something other than these polka-dotted hospital shirts that don't cover your backside!"
Dorian shook his head, ran an irritated hand over his face, and sat down in the visitor's chair next to the bed.
Scorpius sighed and got up to approach his friend, brushing the lock of hair that hid his eyes. "I thought I could make you laugh," he murmured, kneeling beside Dorian, who shook his head absentmindedly.
"You know, if you really want to do something for me…" He waited until he had Nott's full attention before adding, "You could always let me win Saturday's match..."
"Don't count on it; I'd rather push Goyle off the Astronomy Tower."
"Well then, you could at least help me tie my shoes. By the time I manage it, Madam Pomfrey will have found a straitjacket to keep me here."
Dorian grabbed the boy by the hips as if he weighed nothing and placed him on the bed. Scorpius put on his sweater while his friend tied his laces. His head was still spinning, but he couldn't stay in the hospital room any longer; it felt like he was suffocating.
For three days, he had seen a dozen first and second years come and go intermittently: victims of their first flying lessons or cauldron explosions in Potions class. Crybabies, whining so much they seemed to be in agony, but who left the infirmary after about three hours, just enough time to drive Malfoy completely insane.
The boy ran a cold hand over his eyelids and forehead; his head was throbbing. He tried to focus on Dorian's fingers as they tied his laces; he wondered if he could have managed it himself at that moment. It didn't matter; he was still tired, but he wasn't going to stay here.
He took the hand Dorian offered him and got out of bed. As they were about to leave the infirmary, Scorpius asked Nott to check if the hallway was clear, fearing that Madam Pomfrey might return with reinforcements, while he took the patient register from the nurse's desk. He carefully tore out the page with his name on it and examined the shelves behind the desk, covered with vials and flasks.
With his wand, he summoned all the potions listed next to his name. Rose would surely know the correct dosage for each of them; he would make her a list. He removed his sweater, placed the small bottles inside, rolled it up, and tied the sleeves to make a bundle.
"Hurry up, Malfoy. I can hear them coming."
Scorpius held the garment close to him, trying to keep the glass containers from clinking, and let himself be dragged along by Dorian, who had grabbed his arm. They crossed the door, turning right and then left, to hide behind a statue of Medusa, slipping into a dark corner against the wall.
Nott's eyes gleamed with that spark that always lit them up when he found something amusing, and playing hide-and-seek in Hogwarts' corridors was definitely his idea of fun. Scorpius couldn't help but smile. Dorian was a Gryffindor, that much was clear, in both the noblest and most stereotypical sense. A simple escapade turned into an adventure, awakening the boy's daring instincts. Malfoy could almost feel his heart race as he huddled close to him in the shadows.
Footsteps approached, followed by voices.
"... I told him, but he's stubborn. Perhaps you'll be able to reason with him, Professor... And he refuses to talk... Falling down the stairs, it's ridiculous..."
Scorpius stifled a laugh at the nurse's indignant tone.
"Falling down the stairs..." Dorian whispered. "You'd be more believable without those finger marks on your neck..."
Malfoy unconsciously ran his fingers over the bruises around his throat. Kyle had even left the imprints of his nails, embedded in the skin.
They listened as the footsteps drew nearer and waited for the infirmary door to open. Dorian suddenly grabbed his friend and began running through the corridors, holding Scorpius' hand tightly.
He thought he heard the healer's exclamations at the sight of his empty bed, but all his attention was focused on his legs, concentrating on placing one foot in front of the other without falling and keeping up with Nott, who was leading him down the stairs to exit the tower. As they crossed the courtyard to reach the main wing of the castle, a sharp pain pierced his chest. Clinging to Nott's hand, he pressed his left arm against the bundle he was clutching to his chest to stop the pain growing in his lungs. Maybe he had been wrong to leave the infirmary.
When they passed through the heavy doors of Hogwarts, he tried to stop running.
"I don't know if we still need to be running," he gasped. His voice was hoarse, and his breathing became wheezy.
"No, we don't," Nott said, stopping to catch his breath. "But it's fun. It makes it feel like we're in danger."
Scorpius leaned against the stone wall. His arm remained loose, but he was digging his nails into the stone. He wanted to sit down, curl up, and wait for the pain to pass, but that would mean a direct return to the hospital, dragged back by his friend.
"In danger?" he panted. "What could happen to us here? Getting beaten up in the corridors?"
Nott shot him a dark look.
"Humor, Dorian, humor."
"So, what do you want to do? A walk by the lake? The weather's almost nice today."
"Uh, no, but you could walk me back to the Slytherin common room? I've got a lot of homework to catch up on."
"It's Sunday."
"I know. But after three days of absence, there's little chance my Charms assignment has made any progress. Albus can't do anything without me."
That was a lie. Potter had probably finished three-quarters of their project. Scorpius just wanted to go back and let himself sink under the covers.
"Whatever you want," Dorian said, visibly disappointed. He ran his hand over his face and through his hair, lost in thought. "You know, I kind of miss it... when it was just the two of us." He looked up at his friend and smiled. "But it's good now too. I think."
"We'll try to go out together soon, just you and me. Maybe for the next Hogsmeade trip?"
"Yeah, you can count on that. Hogwarts is cool, but... I've never liked walls and gates."
Scorpius smiled, remembering all the schemes a barely ten-year-old Dorian would come up with to escape their governesses and sneak out of the castle gardens to reach the town. Neighbors and other strangers would bring them back to the estate, covered in dirt. Their clothes had torn as they crawled under the gates, and their knees were scraped. He could almost hear his father sigh and curse at the sight of their dirty faces and filthy clothes.
"If you're looking for adventure, you can always carry me down to the Slytherin dungeons," Scorpius suggested.
"Did you lose your legs?"
Malfoy gave Dorian a playful but firm punch in the chest, causing Dorian to pretend to be hurt for a moment before snickering at the weakness of the blow.
They were heading toward the dungeons, bantering as they went. They turned a corner, and Scorpius suddenly froze. Puzzled, Dorian mirrored him.
"What's wrong?"
Malfoy didn't respond. Ahead of him, near the stone window, Albus was talking with a girl. A very beautiful girl with black hair that flowed over her shoulders down to her hips. She was looking at him lovingly, with a perfect smile, lowering her head and bright eyes in that delicate way women master so well, only to lock eyes again with the man they desire. Her slender fingers ran through her hair, pushing it back, feigning gentle nervousness as she moved closer to Potter, playfully placing a hand on his chest. He was laughing with her.
Malfoy turned away, feeling nauseous. He stepped back, pretending to leave when he heard his name.
"Scorpius!"
He stopped. Albus was approaching him.
"You got out? Madam Pomfrey said you needed to stay in the hospital for at least four more days!"
She was also coming closer, following him. She stood there, tall and slim, so perfectly matched with the man beside her that Scorpius felt a lump in his throat. She wasn't wearing her uniform but a well-fitted black blouse that accentuated each of her delicate and defined curves, along with tight jeans that showcased her figure.
"What's going on here? A captains' conspiracy?" asked Dorian, more to fill Scorpius' silence than to join the conversation.
"Kate came to ask if we wanted to change the competition schedule," Albus explained, though his eyes were only on Scorpius. "Since you were in the hospital and the first match is on Saturday..."
"There's no need. I'll play the match," Scorpius interjected, irritated.
Albus was surprised by the annoyed tone of his voice.
"But the match is in less than a week," Kate added firmly and clearly.
Scorpius turned to her. She was watching him, assessing him. Despite her seemingly kind demeanor, Malfoy felt uneasy. She was a bit taller than him, which made him uncomfortable, and she scrutinized him incisively. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were icy as they observed the boy.
"You were seriously injured. It would be a shame if Slytherin lost..."
"I'm perfectly capable of playing this match."
"Very well," she said, laughing and raising her hands as if to calm a stubborn child. "Good luck, Malfoy. I'll see you later, Albus. Oh, and think about my... proposal," she added, lightly touching his arm before walking away.
Albus watched her leave, still smiling, before turning his attention back to Malfoy.
"They let you out?"
"As you can see," he replied, his voice tense and full of reproach.
The knot in his stomach urged him to keep his distance. He wanted to flee.
"Excuse me, I'm going to the common room."
"Wait, I'll come with you," Albus said, falling in step beside him.
"Dorian's already coming with me," he replied with a shrug, distant, clearly expressing that Albus wasn't welcome.
The hurt look in Potter's eyes pained him, but he ignored it. He wanted to hurt him after all, to drive a million needles bearing his name into his heart so that it would belong only to him.
"I was about to leave," Nott said as he started to walk away.
Scorpius turned to him, feeling betrayed, and managed to grab his arm.
"What are you doing?" he hissed.
"Your jealousy is eating you up so much that you're pushing away a guy who spent hours holding your hand in a hospital room," Dorian whispered angrily. "Sorry, but I'm not covering for you this time."
He pulled away and greeted Potter before leaving. Malfoy watched him turn the corner, realizing the truth in Nott's words. He was being unfair to Potter, and now he dreaded his reaction. In wanting to keep his heart all to himself, he risked losing him forever.
"Do you remember where the common room is?" Albus asked coldly. His voice was icy.
Scorpius nodded nervously, feeling pathetic.
"Alright then, I'll leave you to it."
"Al, wait..."
But he was already walking away, a grimace of disdain on his handsome face as if the sight of Malfoy disgusted him.
"Al! Please wait!" he pleaded, following him and clinging to his sweater.
Potter stopped but stared at the ground, agitated. He closed his eyes and exhaled, as if trying to hold back a flood of insults. Scorpius bit his lip, ashamed, and touched his arm.
"Al, I'm sorry. I apologize, that was awful."
"No kidding! But seriously, what did I do to deserve this?" Potter shouted, pushing him away. "Damn it, after all that... We found you lying in your own blood. I watched over you for three days! I begged them not to call your father, I spun a thousand lies to cover for Goyle because you decided not to report that son of a bitch. And this is how you thank me? I'd punch you if you weren't already so messed up!"
Scorpius winced at his words and looked down, overwhelmed and trembling.
"I'm… sorry," he murmured, repeating it over and over as he snuggled against the boy, pressing his forehead against his chest.
He wrapped his thin arms around him. He hated himself. He hated Potter's labored breathing and his righteous anger. He hated the look of disdain he'd seen in the green eyes he loved so much. He loathed the jealousy that consumed him, that suffocated and tore at him more than the pain burning in his lungs.
He felt tears welling up and buried his face in Albus' clothes so he wouldn't see him cry. He heard Albus sigh in frustration and clung to his sweater, afraid his friend would push him away, tugging on the fabric. But Albus wrapped his arms around him, holding him tenderly, his firm and comforting fingers sliding along his back.
Gently, he placed a hand on the boy's head, touching his hair. He cupped his face in his hands, caressing his cheeks, surprised to see him crying, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. But Scorpius wouldn't look at him.
"You seemed happy with her..." he finally murmured, ashamed of his weakness, ashamed of his own words. "And I got scared."
Albus seemed not to understand for a moment, then sighed in frustration, shaking his head.
"Oh Scorpius..."
More tears slid down the boy's cheeks. He smiled despite his tears, pushing away the hands that caressed him.
"I know, it's stupid."
"No. Not really... Not more than usual, anyway," Albus smiled.
Then his face suddenly darkened, and he brushed the boy's hair aside, revealing his neck.
"Damn... you can still see the marks from his fingers..."
He traced the marks on his throat absentmindedly with his index finger, and Malfoy pushed him away, ashamed of being so marked. He remembered he still had bruises on his face, while hers was flawless.
"Shall I take that for you?" Albus asked, grabbing the makeshift bundle filled with vials he was still carrying. Scorpius nodded. The bottles clinked together. "Did you take the entire pharmacy with you?"
"Pretty much," he replied, wiping his tears with his t-shirt. "Rose will need to tell me what I need to take."
"Did Madam Pomfrey not tell you before you left?"
"Maybe, I wasn't really listening."
Albus sensed the lie. But that could wait.
"The most important thing is the blue bottle," he said, and seeing Malfoy's puzzled expression, he added, "You know, the blue bottle that was always on your bedside table. Pomfrey gave you some about every four hours. It was to help you heal and ease the pain. You felt better afterward."
Scorpius said nothing. He took the hand that was offered to him and let himself be guided to the dungeons.
End of Chapter 13