Seventh-Year: The Next Generation

Author's Note:

@lasalliann: As always, thanks for the review. As for your question, well, I have to admit that I haven't read any "Next Generation" fanfictions all the way through, and I didn't realize that Lily was often placed in Hufflepuff. If J. K. Rowling ever said something like that, I didn't hear it. I simply chose to place her in Hufflepuff for my own reasons.

Oh, and to all my readers, I have a confession. When I wrote the chapter entitled "Tapioca Pudding," I had at that time never actually had any. =S But just like half a week later, I went to this party, and I heard someone say, "Oh my gosh, it's tapioca pudding!" I was like, it's a sign. =] And so now, I have officially had tapioca pudding! =D

Chapter 14: The Scorpion at Last

"Are you okay?" asked Lily.

"Yeah, I'm fine," said Scorpius, wiping the blood away from his face. The spot on his cheek where the slice was located still felt very, very cold, but other than that, his body had returned to normal. "There's something weird about this cut," he said absentmindedly, moving his hand up to it, and tracing the edge of it with his fingers. It was like ice beneath his fingers.

"Oh? What's the matter?" asked Lily curiously.

"Oh, nothing I'm sure," said Scorpius, looking down at her and letting his hand drop from his injury. Lily didn't like the way his eyes were distant, and his face masked as he said it.

"We should probably get you to the infirmary. You need to get that cut, and those on your hand as well, healed up," suggested Lily.

"Nah, it's too much of a bother, even if Madam Pomfrey would agree to it," said Scorpius. "I'll just get Baddock to do it, again."

"Again?" asked Lily neutrally.

"Long story," said Scorpius.

"I have time," said Lily.

"Well, I don't," snapped Scorpius, sweeping from the room.

Lily flinched back in surprise, and stood in the empty classroom for several moments, staring at where Scorpius had disappeared through the door in puzzlement.

At last, she fixed the stain glass image of Godric with a wave of her wand. Giving it one final glance, she followed after Scorpius.

***

Scorpius stood at the broad entrance to the Great Hall, and blatantly ignored the staring students that passed him.

It was lunch time, and the Great Hall was all but packed. Unfortunately for him, the whole school would notice if he attempted to contact Baddock right then.

Appearances be damned, he thought vehemently.

He strode with purpose down the aisle toward where Baddock sat at the Ravenclaw table.

Baddock looked up at him in surprise. "Scorpius, what--"

He grabbed her arm, and pulled her abruptly to her feet. "Hey, darling," he said, his voice practically dripping venom.

Her eyes widened slightly in fear, but then narrowed. "What?" she snapped, shaking his grip off of her.

He pointed to his cheek with his good hand. "I think it would be rather obvious," he hissed. "And my hand, too." He waved his blood-coated palm in front of her face.

"And, why should I?" she demanded.

Scorpius grinned, though it was more like a dangerous flash of teeth. "You wouldn't want my pretty face all scarred up, would you?"

She glared at him. "I'll do it, but only if you never do this again. You do not just huff in here and jerk me to my feet like this."

"Anything for you, babe," said Scorpius coldly.

Baddock pulled out her wand, and in a couple of moments, had healed Scorpius's hand to being as good as new.

As her wand swept along the cut on his cheek, Scorpius could feel the skin closing up, but the dull chill remained.

"Um, Scorpius," said Baddock, in puzzlement.

"What?" he asked irritably.

"What's up with this cut?"

"Why?"

"It's not healing up like it should. The wound is closed, but there's still a scar. The only reason that would be, is if it was caused by Dark Magic. Where did you get it?"

Scorpius shrugged.

"Scorpius--"

A couple of cheers, and cries, cut off her voice. They both turned in surprise.

Over at the Slytherin table, Rose and Driscoll were locked in a close embrace, and kissing fiercely. At first, Rose looked she was rather shocked, but then she totally abandoned herself into the kiss. There seemed to be no existent space between the two of them; it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began. Rose's fingers were wrapped in Driscoll's hair, as Driscoll's arms were about her waist.

Scorpius felt an anger so intense that everything he had felt in the past few days was nothing compared to it. White-hot fury coursed through his veins, lighting him on fire. His vision seemed to go awry, so that he could barely see. All he knew was the anger, the possessiveness that screamed through his whole body.

A snarl broke from his throat. Turning, he grabbed a startled Baddock by the front of her robes. Pulling her to him, he brought his lips crashing down on hers with bruising force.

Letting his arms slide around her shoulders, he knotted his hands in her gorgeous red-gold hair. He put everything he had into the kiss, trying to drown himself in her scent, in the feel of her hair beneath his fingers.

Like a surfer being overtaken by a tsunami, Scorpius let himself go under the rushing wave of his twisted and confused emotions.

***

Albus watched Scorpius head over to Baddock, from his spot at Gryffindor table. Even from this distance he could faintly see the blood that was a scarlet splash on Scorpius's hand and cheek.

He could tell by the way Scorpius jerked Baddock to her feet, and the set of his shoulders, that Scorpius was angry, very angry.

Lily walked up and stood just behind him. "Hey, brother," she said.

"Hallo, Lily," he said, looking up at her. "What did you do to poor Scorpius? You could've been a bit nicer, he was just trying to help," said Albus playfully. "You didn't have to bloody him all up."

Lily made a face at him.

Just then, there were audible gasps throughout the room, followed by some wolf whistles, cheers, and cries of horror.

Albus and Lily followed the swiveling of heads in the direction of the Slytherins. They could clearly see Rose and Driscoll, locked together by their lips.

"What in the name of..." trailed off Lily in surprise.

"Oh, dear," said Albus, flipping his gaze back to Scorpius.

Scorpius had gone so still, he almost looked like a mannequin at that distance. A moment passed, and then suddenly Baddock was in his arms, and their faces were glued together at the lips.

There were more cries, some splattered applause, and even some gasps of horror from some of the girl students.

Albus couldn't help but hear Lily's sharp intake of breath from above him, but his eyes stayed fixed on Scorpius and Baddock.

"Yes, er, when Scorpius's emotions get the better of him, all rational thought tends to go out the window," he said.

When there was no reply, he looked up in puzzlement, but Lily was no longer there. She was already tearing through the exit to the Great Hall.

"What is up with her lately?" Albus couldn't help but wonder aloud.

***

The boy sat on the large chest, in the middle of the room. Late afternoon light poured through the window and pooled on him, lighting the air by sparking off his jet-black hair.

His head was bowed, causing his dark locks to fall forward, shielding his face from view. He was leaned forward, his elbows supporting the weight of his upper body by resting on his knees.

There was the soft sound of parchment landing on tile, and the boy slowly opened his eyes.

On the ground at his feet, as if it had suddenly appeared there from nowhere, lay a rolled up letter, tied with a green and silver ribbon.

Sighing wearily, he bent down and picked it up. He was just sitting there, looking at the untouched message in his hand, when the door banged open.

He sat up hastily, stuffing the missive into his robes, and swiveling to face the door.

Scorpius stood in the doorway. His robes were in slight disarray, and his eyes were bright.

"'Lo, Albus," he drawled, slouching into the classroom, and kicking the door shut behind him. "I was hoping I'd find you in this particular place."

"Hallo, Scorpius," said Albus, watching the other boy warily, as if he were a bomb about to go off. "What brings you here?"

Scorpius looked at him as if he had asked what color was the sun. "I've come to practice the Patronus, you don't think I've forgotten about Azkaban and all, do you?"

"Well, with everything else that's been going on, I wouldn't have blamed you if it'd slipped your mind," said Albus truthfully.

Scorpius looked at Albus as if the other boy had just hit him in the face. "You seriously think that I'd forget?" he asked quietly. "Is that what you think of my loyalty?"

"No," said Albus hastily. "It's just that, well, a lot has been going on. And I know your mind has been on a lot of things."

Scorpius dumped himself in a seat, and looked at the ground. "What have I been doing wrong?" he said so softly, that Albus barely heard the words.

"Anyways," said Scorpius, his gaze coming back up to Albus's face, "you want to practice, or what?"

"Are you sure you're up to it?" asked Albus doubtfully. "I was there at lunch, Scorpius, I know things are--"

"Things are just fine," snapped Scorpius.

Albus blinked at him. "Okay, okay, forget I said anything. By the way, did you find out what was eating at Lily? I noticed she gave you a nice cut, and on your hands as well," said Albus, chuckling a little bit.

"No, she's stubborn, your sister is. But this wasn't from her," said Scorpius, indicating his face. "It was a gift from Zabini and Bulstrode."

"Oh, God, and I wasn't there. I'm sorry," said Albus.

Scorpius shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal, really. They're a bunch of idiots, anyways."

"But why'd it scar?" asked Albus curiously.

"I don't have a clue," said Scorpius, not entirely truthfully. "There must have been some type of curse on the blade."

"What?" said Albus, getting to his feet in concern. "I mean, are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Scorpius, waving him away. "It just scarred, it's no big deal."

"Okay," said Albus incredulously.

"Anyways, lets get to it," said Scorpius, rising from his seat, and taking up his position opposite the chest Albus had been sitting on. "I know this has been on your mind, seeing as you came to brood in this particular classroom," said Scorpius with a grin.

Albus made a face. "You ready?"

"Oh, yeah," said Scorpius confidently.

Albus undid the clasps on the trunk, and swung the lid open.

The Boggart shot out in the form of a Dementor, sucking all happiness from the room, chilling them to the bone.

Scorpius hefted his wand up, and with a very confident wave of his wand, cried out, "Expecto Patronum!"

A little silvery light formed at the end of his wand, and then dissipated almost immediately.

"Expecto Patronum!" he bellowed again. Once more, the silvery light issued from his wand, and then vanished in a moment.

Scorpius's face was growing pale, and he took a few steps back.

Albus decided it was time to intervene. Leaping forward, and casting a Patronus before the Boggart had the time to change from the Dementor to an image of Lestraud, Albus beat the Boggart back into the chest. With a wave of his wand, the lid came crashing down.

Albus turned to Scorpius, who was whiter than usual, and sweating slightly. "Drat, we don't have any chocolate on us," he said.

"Doesn't matter," Scorpius replied.

"Well, that was fairly good, you've made progress. You managed to get a little bit of the shield out."

"It's not enough," said Scorpius.

"It doesn't matter, we have time, and you're getting better," consoled Albus.

"It's not enough," yelled Scorpius. "Let's do it again," he said.

"Are you sure you're--"

"Again!" he roared.

Albus shook his head, but swung the chest open once more.

This time, Scorpius had no degree of success whatsoever, and in no time at all Albus had blasted the Boggart back into the trunk again.

Scorpius's eyes were burning in his pale face. "I don't get what I'm doing wrong," he said angrily.

"I still think it's the memory," said Albus staunchly.

"It's not the--" snapped Scorpius, whirling on Albus. But he stopped, eyes widening as they locked on Albus, as if they were seeing him for the first time.

"Yes. Yes, I think you might be right," said Scorpius thoughtfully, all the while looking at Albus intently.

"Will you stop watching me like that?" asked Albus, shifting from foot to foot. "It's making me nervous."

"Again," said Scorpius, taking up his position.

"Right now? You sure you don't want a couple moments rest?"

"Yes, right now, I think I've got it this time, I really do."

"Okay," said Albus, deciding that it was better not to object anymore.

The chest was swung open a third time.

The Boggart, in Dementor form, floated up in front of them. Its breath rattled from the hood, like it was being let out through bones older than time itself.

The now-familiar chill and despair swept through the room.

For the first few moments, Scorpius did nothing, but stood motionless staring back at the Boggart.

Albus grew worried, and would've stepped in, but it was just then that Scorpius raised his wand.

"Expecto Patronum," said Scorpius, each syllable dropping from his tongue like a brick from a worker's hand.

A massive silver shape blasted from the tip of his wand. Warm, radiating heat washed through the room, bringing happiness and joy with it.

A large, shining scorpion stood between Scorpius and the Boggart. It was the one of the biggest, and most powerful Patronus that Albus had ever seen, and he gawked in awe.

The scorpion lurched forward, its barbed tail whipping forward and striking the Boggart in the chest. It drove the Boggart back and into the trunk with so much force that the lid slammed down shut.

The scorpion stood tall and looming for a moment, before slowly dissipating, like the morning mist before the sun.

Albus let out a whoop of joy, and punched the air. "What made the huge difference?" he asked, clapping Scorpius on the shoulder.

But Scorpius merely smiled, and didn't answer.

***

Scorpius slunk through the dark corridors. He moved as silently as a ghost, hugging the sides of the halls, keeping to the darkest shadows. The torches cast long, dancing spider webs of darkness across the cold stone floor from their brackets on the wall.

Scorpius had always detested the dungeons, they were cold, and dank, and hostile.

Scorpius let his mind flow back to earlier that day, when he had cast a full blown Patronus for the very first time, thinking about what had made such a massive difference.

Up until that last Patronus, he had always used a memory that contained Rose. Whether it was the memory of their first kiss, the memory of when he first had feelings for her, or one of countless happy memories with her, they had always failed.

At last, he had realized why this was. Due to all that had happened recently, there were always flaws to the memory. Thoughts of doubt and disappointment never failed to seep in and ruin the happy image in his head.

Finally, after he figured out that a memory with Rose would not work, he had settled on one he had suddenly felt had no chance of failing.

The memory was from Scorpius's first day at Hogwarts. After he had been sorted into Gryffindor, and the feast had finished, he had risen from his seat and filed out of the Great Hall along with the rest of the students. After hearing a voice call his name from behind, he had turned to see Babcock, Zabini, and Bulstrode sneering at him with hateful, disgusted expressions. They had insulted him for being put in Gryffindor until he could no longer stand it, and he had leapt upon them, a fight ensuing.

And that's when Albus had come out of nowhere, joining in the fight. They had both ended up bloody, in the infirmary, and in a load of trouble, but it didn't matter, that whole night they couldn't stop from grinning like mad at each other.

They had been best friends ever since.

The power and happiness of that memory, from when he first met and became friends with Albus, had turned out to be more than even Scorpius had imagined.

Scorpius heard voices from somewhere down the corridor, and threw himself around a corner, just before Babcock and Zabini came around the bend up ahead.

"I still can't believe what an idiot you are," came Babcock's voice.

"Will you cut it out, already?" demanded Zabini. "You've told me I-don't-know-how-many times."

"I'm trying to drill it into your thick skull. What were you thinking? Using the Culling Blade, and on Malfoy of all people. You realize that my fury is nothing compared to what the others' is going to be."

"Yeah, yeah," sulked Zabini.

"A decapitated Muggle is the only good kind of Muggle," said Babcock.

It took Scorpius a second to realize that Babcock was reciting the password to get into the Slytherin common room.

Scorpius chanced a glance around the corner, and saw the tail of Zabini's robe disappearing inside a doorway. The portrait swung shut, revealing the image of a silver candlestick, with a snake winding around and around it.

Well, clearly, "short and simple" is not in mind when the Slytherins set their password, thought Scorpius with amusement.

He settled into the shadows, ready to wait for as long as necessary.

It was three quarters of an hour before the other boy came striding down the corridor, his boots clicking softly on the stones.

Scorpius stepped out from his place of concealment, confronting the other boy.

"Malfoy," said the other boy in a clipped tone, void of surprise.

"Driscoll," said Scorpius coolly.

"What are you doing in Slytherin territory, and after dark at that?" asked Driscoll.

"Looking for you, pillock," said Scorpius.

Driscoll's eyes glittered in the dimness. "No need for insults, Malfoy. If you wanted to find me, you need only have looked around. I go to all meals, all classes. It's not hard to locate me."

"I wanted to talk to you, alone," snapped Scorpius.

"Oh? And what reason do we have to talk?"

"Scratch that, you're right, I didn't come to talk to you. I came to tell you something," said Scorpius, his voice icy cold.

"And what's that? That you're a childish school boy who can't take the loss of his woman elegantly, and desires to make a big fool of himself again, and again?" asked Driscoll, chills rolling through his tone.

Scorpius let out a short bark of laughter that was void of any amusement. "For that to be, I would have had to lose my woman. But I didn't, I know she's not doing this of her own accord. For awhile I assumed there was nothing unnatural about it, that she had simply fallen for you. But you slipped up Driscoll, you blew your cover."

"Oh?" said Driscoll, softly.

"You should have researched your target more, gotten to know her. You see, I happen to know her better than practically anyone else that walks this miserable planet. I know that she would never, never kiss someone like that, especially in front of that many people.

"I don't know what you're using, whether it's a Love Potion, or it's the Imperius Curse, but I will find out, Driscoll, I will."

It was Driscoll's turn to laugh, but this time it was genuine laughter, filled to the brim with amusement.

Once he had finished, he looked down at a perplexed Scorpius with dancing eyes. "Do what you wish, Malfoy. If you wish you can go to Professor Patil and ask her to inspect Rose for a Love Potion. Hell, you have my permission to ask the Headmistress to check her for any curse you can imagine. I don't care. I really thought better of you; I thought you would be able to realize when you simply lost a girl's heart. I assumed you would be able to figure out that you didn't know Rose as much as you thought. Clearly, she just wouldn't snog you like she snogs me, because she never had the feelings for you that she has for me. Get lost, Malfoy, I don't have time to waste with the likes of you."

And with that, Driscoll spun on his heel, went up to the portrait of the snake, muttered the password, and disappeared inside.

Scorpius watched him go. He was silent, with a tightly clenched jaw, and two, smoldering, cobalt blue eyes.

Author's Note:

I realize this chapter rushed along from scene to scene in crazy rapid fire, and might not have transitioned smoothly, sorry about that, but it's just kind of how it worked out. =S

Don't forget to review!