One's True Nature

29

Draco Malfoy stood in a long central hallway of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and Wizardry aprehensive of leaving his son to it's grasp. Scorpious needed to return now that the winter holiday had passed. Harry unfortunately was still hospitalized and in a coma and so their plans to draw out the death eaters would have to proceed without Harry's help. Draco was even more nervous because Scorpious insisted that he would do his own investigation. The boy was almost to a fault a match for Harry's heroism and Draco watched him from a short distance as he interacted with the odd passing student along the hallway. Draco was amazed by how many of those passers by acknowledged his son with a degree of concern and or a kind smile and nod.

It was clear to Draco Malfoy that his son was quite safe here, or at least well liked by many and so he wouldn't go missing easily, the man reasoned. Draco wasn't easy to comfort right now, too many things had happened and his wife had been murdered right in front of both he and his son. Scorpious was holding it all in, despite truly crying many times over the holiday, he would not speak on it and refused to face the moment his mother had died. Draco wanted to keep him safe forever, but Scorpious also wasn't afraid and so that made protecting him look more like an insult and not the love that it was born from.

The two blondes walked near step for step, side by side. It was one older version of a Malfoy and one younger version and anyone that truly stopped to look, might laugh at how similar they looked. If you added in Lucius Malfoy, they would even look more like they had been copied or cloned or that each had swallowed poly Juice Potions with different ages of the same person. Draco was lost in his thoughts about leaving his son behind when a boy about Scorpious' age ran into Scorpious and his shoulders causing them both to lurch forward and the boy almost fell almost face first, the rather heavy book he carried sliped to the ground sending some papers floating out from inside it.

Draco didn't react, but he had a strong urge to sneer and bark at the boy for being so careless. However, before he could finish his angry thought Scorpious had bent down on one knee to collect the boy's book while the boy collected himself and apologized rather meekily. Scorpious flashed a smile and accepted the apology rather readily, this did nothing to change Draco's irritation at having been so carelessly disrupted.

"Sorry." The boy said, his voice a mess of exasperation.

"What's wrong?" Scorpious asked, noting the tone that this first year used.

"I switched a class and I-I can't find it." The boy's voice broke as he fought back tears. Draco felt his old self start to gnaw at him.

"Here, let me help you out." Scorpious said kindly flashing another smile which seemed also to bring his father's brooding in check.


Scorpious stood up and approached his father and hugged him lightly. Draco was stunned now, because though Scorpious was always affectionate he never let that show much in public. Draco thought that recent circumstances had changed his son, or at least made him cherrish things a bit more. Draco embraced his son with a hug just as light in return.

"Bye Dad, duty calls." Scorpious laughed just a bit. Draco could not have been prouder of him. He wasn't a Griffyndor for nothing Draco thought to himself as he watched his son help the fallen boy collect his things and began to lead him in the direction of his class. This left Draco the task of Talking to the headmisteress Minerva McGonagal alone, which was probably better anyway. Draco sighed and slumped his shoulders just a bit and walked undisturbed this time until he was at the Gargoyle that lead to the head misteress' office. Draco spoke the password he had recieved from her in a letter ealier that week. Draco had written her, she had been aware of some events, gave her condolences on the death of his wife and agreed to make whatever accomadations she could for his son upon the boy's return to school. Draco sighed again, realizing that despite being out of school for nearly 20 years he still felt a bit of his old nerves related to this place.

"Butterscotch." Draco's voice didn't betray his nerves as he stepped through the threshold and found the office looking a little similar to his memories of it as a young man. The nostalgic thoughts warmed him just a bit and he smiled involintarily.

"Morning Madam." Draco spoke with a warm tone. The Head Misteress looked up from her dest and removed her Spectacles. Her face bore a bit of shock or perhaps amazement. Draco resisted the urge to both blush and smirk at her reaction as he moved forward and extended his hand. They both had much to discuss and it was better to dispense with all the pleasantries and nostalgia and Draco did just that.

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Scorpious deposited the young David Brays into the classroom that David had been so desperately searching for. Scorpious learned that this hufflepuff, had switched three of his classes when he found them unsatisfactory in teaching their subjects. Once Scorpious had got the boy talking he almost wished he hadn't the kid talked his ear of for the few minutes they walked together. This type of thing wouldn't usually get under his skin, but Scorpious wanted to have silence. He had things to consider and actions to take and he wanted to figure out just how he should get started. He nodded in relief when they reached the threshold of David's classroom and as quickily as he'd gotten down on one knee to help the boy back in the central hallway, he left him behind just as fast.

Albus had been in the hospital for a few days, though his father, Harry Potter, was still there from what Scorpious' father had said. They hadn't seen eachother for a week and although they'd previously gone holidays without seeing eachother, Scorpious couldn't help the need that clutched his chest and clawed painfully at his heart to see that his friend was indeed alright. It was all he could do to maintain his composure as he went into the portrait hole not to bound into the common room calling for his friend.

Scorpious stopped this happy thought when he saw James Potter sitting on the sofa infront of the fire place and looking rather down. James hadn't noticed the boy's enterance at all and stared almost mesmorized into the fire. Scorpious called out in a soft tone, trying not to startle the older boy. It didn't work. James' head jerked instantly toward Scorpious, eyes wide in surprise. Scorpious threw his hands defensively to show he meant no harm and James collapsed in relief. The oldest Potter seemed to contemplate something for a few seconds and then he tapped the sofa cushion next to him.

"Come sit next to me." James said, his voice betraying the exhaustion he was feeling. Scorpious took note of that as he obeyed James' request never really taking his eyes off of the clearly troubled young man. James seemed to need to consider his first words several times as his body language showed turning toward Scorpious only to turn back toward the fireplace when he found his words felt incorrect. Scorpious patiently waited. He'd miss his classes today on the excuse his father was giving the headmisteress. "It's Albus." James finally spoke.

Scorpious heart lurched at the mention of his friend's name. He felt a wash of panic and then it started to change to terror. The look on James' face did not give anything away it was rather serious, but unemotional.

"What happened?" Scorpious finally asked realizing James was still having trouble finding the words to express what was going on.

"You know how the magic Allie used made him turn young again?" James asked, probably posing the question so it could be the starting point of the conversation he'd spent the last couple of minutes trying to start.

"Yeah, I do." Scorpious replied simply.

"Well, when he came home from the hospital, there were side effects from his transformation of whatever that was." James spoke in such a tense way that Scorpious had to try and fight the knots in his body that were now all throughout his body.

"What do you mean side effects?" Scorpious asked. Unsure he wanted to know, but by his own physical condition he needed to know. He clenched one fist to try and focus his tense feelings. James sighed a sad sigh. Scorpious watched as James pushed his hands through his hair still staring into the fire.

"When Allie-When Albus was really little he didn't speak at all." James said. "He was so small and weak. Our family went to a lot of hospitals and doctors to see about his small size and about his speech." James spoke in such a sad way and Scorpious pitted him, with his slumped shoulders. "He didn't really say his first words until he was almost six-years-old." James said, but now Scorpious was definitely not sure of what James was getting at. "Allie and I, we spent hours and hours together working with his speech and he'd try so hard to say the words." James features changed into something more sad and Scorpious was glad he only saw it from the side.

"He spoke with a terrible stutter for almost three years when he first started talking. Al, he was always shy because of this and was dependant on me and Lilly to watch out for him." James' face twisted up something awful and the frog in his throat threatened the pain of tears and sobs. Scorpious' tension rose even more. "Something happened when he came out of the hospital, he has this stutter again." James finally got to the heart of it, but Scorpious could not be shocked or sad, he was still too tense. "He's like my little brother again, but, I think this is somehow my fault." James breathed deep trying to stop the pouring of emotion that Scorpious didn't need to see.

"It wasn't your fault." Scorpious stated as a reflex. James eyed him bitterly.

"I don't need your pity Malfoy, neither does he." James' voice was suddenly dripping with some kind of deep anger. Scorpious didn't give a response, shocked by the sudden shift from what was just a second ago, a young man on the verge of tears. "Is that all he is to you, some kind of pet who you can worry over or guard like some kind of helpless flower? He doesn't need you to act like that. I-" Realizing he had lost his composure James closed his mouth and looked directly at Scorpious who was quite shocked.

"I'm sorry Scorpious, I should know better than that." James exhaled and looked down into his lap, his hands on each of his knees. "I just, I've taken care of all three of us since we were little. I tend to get defensive and angry. I don't mean to, but I've always had to do with our father being away and leaving me in charge. I guess I've taken it too far a lot. To tell the truth, Scorpious, I was angry after Albus went to you and found comfort and friendship after the incident with Hagrid's animals. I thought for sure he would look to me and I was ready for that." James tensed. "When it didn't happen I got upset because I was supposed to be there for him and he wouldn't even speak to me about it."

"Sometimes, he doesn't want to talk." Scorpious said out of the blue. "Albus just wants to listen and let others talk because he doesn't find his words very well. Albus, a lot of his mannerisms make sense based on what you just said, but he also listens to everything. He hears everything and he cares about what he hears. The truth was, when we first met he said nothing to me, but never gave me a indication that he didn't want me be his friend. I just decided I was because I didn't feel intimidated by him. At the time, his silence was what brought me to him because my name would tend to invite awkward conversation. He was a Potter, I thought we'd relate, but we're completely different." Scorpious shook his head and stood up.

"I came here to look for him, but I think I have to take care of something first." Scorpious said, his voice was tired and there was something in it James couldn't really place, but as James looked up to acknowledge Scorpious, he saw for the first time how tired and worn that face was. James felt his chest clinch, remembering that Scorpious was still grieving the loss of his mother. James stood up and stepped toward Scorpious.

"I'm Sorry." James said, he felt embarassed and pitiful. He hugged Scorpious gently so as not to scare him. "He'll be here when you come back, ok?" James released the hug and looked the blonde in the eye. Scorpious nodded his thanks and slipped out of the common room very confused by the events that had just transpired.

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It was nearly four hours of sitting in the Library by himself before Scorpious was approached by a seventh-year slytherin boy who stood quite long and proud, his dark hair and deep brown eyes caught most in surprise. Scorpious just looked up and smiled when he saw the boy appraoch thanks to the subtle change in the surrounding lighting from the corner of his eye. The boy sat across from him at the table and folded his hands in front of him.

"Hello Thomas." Scorpious said simply. He leaned back a little bit, feeling the subject they were about to talk about required him to seem taller or at least more dedicated than hunched over a book. "Thank you for coming." Scorpious voice took a business-like tone. Thomas Thorne, he was head boy of Slytherin and a prefect. He was brilliant and a established strategist of school politics. He was a Slytherin in the truest sense, but he was someone Scorpious trusted. Thomas never did anything without reason in normal circumstances, but one moment had cemented his casual relationship with Thorne. He had been the one who had found Albus, the middle Potter boy had frozen in fear behind some bushes, he'd taken to visiting Hagrid's hut at night to feed the animals while Hagrid was away.

Thomas had told the headmisteress who the boys were who had perpatrated the killing and torture spells. He had brought a frightened a tense Albus Potter back to the Griffyndor tower and talked with the boy a little bit, but being non-responsive Scorpious took control of the conversation and the two from that point on were at best casual friends. Scorpious didn't know if he had the right to make any requests, nevermind one so direct and dangerous. He felt older than his almost thirteen and he didn't really have confidence now that he was faced with this decision to involve someone in his scheme. He let out a breath and forced his thoughts down to why he was here and cut out his emotions as best he could.

"I'm sure you heard what happened over the holiday." Scorpious felt as though every word was dropping like a giant rock.

"Whoa, whoa, I didn't know you were going to go to the heavy subject." Scorpious was shocked by how quickly Thomas derailed him, but before he could feel disappointed, the boy stood and walked to where Scorpious sat. "Let's go to my quarters. We can talk in private there Silver." Scorpious nodded in relief. Thomas had given him the nickname of Silver because of his eyes and Scorpious felt himself blush and relax in the oddest way when the older boy used it when he spoke.

Scorpious followed Thomas as they went to his Prefect quarters. He was finding it hard to keep up his nerve the longer he was waiting to talk. Scorpious had to force his feelings under control as he almost felt like running away as they both neared the door to Thorne's room. It wasn't that he was a coward, but he began to question his trust in Thomas.

Thomas kindly lead him into his quarters, which scorpious found rather humble considering Thomas' family and the way the Slytherin carried himself. It was rather dimly lit with browns and greens ruling the room in sort of a woodsy kind of look. The bed, which was large and also awash in dark greens with a bit of a soft shine. Scorpious was brought out of his silent reverance by a hand clapping his shoulder lightly.

"Now," Thomas spoke in a normal tone, but none the less, Scorpious Malfoy was startled rather harshly. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to scare you Silver." The boy said softly and with clear guilt in his voice. Scorpious shook him off. "So now, let's talk shall we?" Thomas pulled out a chair from a desk near his bed, but directed Scorpious to sit on his bed while Thomas himself took the chair.

"What is this about?" Thomas said, his face a reflection of kind consideration.

"My mother was killed by men claiming to be the last death eaters." Scorpious' face was now serious and free of all the turbulent emotion he'd felt up to this moment. "I need your help Thorne. Chances are you'll be able to hear things because of where you are." Scorpious winced because he knew how he must sound to his friend. Scorpious had wanted to keep the accusation out of his voice but he couldn't, despite his efforts. He hoped Thomas would understand. The boy's face showed no indication that his tone had done much harm.

"I'm sorry about your mum Silver. I did hear about it, it was in the prophet and on the wireless. Your dad also withdrew from the election?" Thomas raised an eyebrow that indicated he was asking for Scorpious to confirm it.

"Nothing is in stone, as far as I know he hasn't withdrawn." Scorpious said not really sure if he was speaking the whole truth, he'd been very isolated from his father despite the holiday and shared home.

"I see, but let's talk about why you asked me here in such a cryptic letter. What is it I can do for you?" Thomas' prompting was an attempt to help Scorpious stop stalling and finding reasons not to do what he'd come here for.

"I need you to listen for anything on your end. Your family had connections in the dark times if my memory serves from previous talks. It's dangerous, I'm not sure I have the right to ask-" Scorpious found himself cut off by the downward gaze of Thorne.

"You don't have the right-" Thomas said, holding up his hand to halt Scorpious from launching a preemptive defense of his need to ask. Thomas then looked at him deep in the eyes. "I know I can help you, but that's all I will say about it, you'll get no specifics about it, if I take this risk for you Silver, it'll be on my terms, my way, no questions." Thomas Thorne's face was stone serious.

"I understand." Scorpious said weakily.

"No, I'm not sure you do, but that is all right." Thomas stood and approached a drawer within his bedside table and opened it. Inside was a vial and he handed it to Scorpious. "You look like you haven't had a really good sleep in a while. It's a dreamless sleep draught." Thomas folded it into one of Scorpious hands which had opened to take it.

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Scorpious left by himself. Confused and somewhat angry at Thomas' reaction to him and his request. He'd have to trust him now, because he didn't have a lot of choice, Thomas was the anchor to his plan and he realized a plan B would have been smart, but he had to think of one first and now, his brain burned horribly with exhaustion even though it was early afternoon just after lunch.

Scorpious made his way to the Griffyndor tower. He didn't really want to think about starting classes the next day he felt awful and generally unintrested in the idea that learning potions or history mattered when considering the reality of his life being so radically changed by the first day of what should have been a nice holiday.

He entered the dormitories not caring who he saw there just now. He wasn't feeling up to anything right now. He wanted to sleep maybe just maybe to try and forget for a time about all that had happened, but then, the fates interviened and Scorpious found himself near his bed before he a small form sitting in the window as grayish sun washed over him.

"Albus?" Scorpius called out to his friend. He found that the idea that Albus was now in front of him made him tense and nervous, moreso than when Albus chose to get too close sometimes or say things like 'I love you' for some reason this was a different kind of tense, it felt good. Scorpious figured when Albus didn't respond that the boy must not have heard him. "Albus?" Scorpius repeated calmly but a bit louder.

"H-h-hi Scorpio-o-o-o-" Albus slapped his hand up against his mouth, it was hard enough that Scorpious winced in pain himself. Scorpious approached slowly.

"Your brother told me what happened. I understand if you don't want to talk, but are you ok?" Scorpious asked concern on his features, focusing on Albus taking his mind away from his own troubles at least for the moment. Albus nodded a bit and if Scorpious' attention had been even the least distracted he would have missed it. However, he watched as Albus slid down from his seat in the window and came up and hugged him. Scorpious caught his breath in shock slightly as he returned the embrace softly. "I'm not feeling well right now, Albus. I'm probably not good company he confessed." Albus pulled away concern searching his friend's face and the returned to hugging him.

"Al, I can't sleep. Do you mind if I just talk for a while. I just, I just need to talk for a while." He repeated the exhaustion and desperation clear in his voice and words. Albus nodded kindly. Scorpious lead both of them to his bed and he sat on his bed pulling Al in beside him as they sat against the headboard. For the next two hours Scorpious talked and Albus listened, not out of boredom or humoring him, but really Al listened to every word and returned his words with nods or the occasional rub of his freind's shoulders or upper back.

Scorpious talked about everything including what he had seen when his mother was murdered, to the torture he'd faced after being kidnapped. He cried a little, but like a Griffyndor, he conquered the tears quickly. He talked so much that he finally fell asleep without realizing it. Albus slowly guided the sleeping Malfoy to a better position and pulled the covers over his friend. He bent down and kissed Scorpious' temple and then left his side and went back to the window where he could watch the sky darken.

Albus was awoken from his own sleep by sharp hisses and groans coming from Scorpious Malfoy's bed. He decided to wake up more fully and slipped out of his bed quietly. He stepped quietly along the floor to the side of his friend's bed. Albus tried a gentle shake, the boy in front of him was covered in sweat and his hair covers and clothes were all reflections of the turmoil going on in young Scorpious' dreams. Albus tried more forcifully and then gave sharp whisper and then his friend shot up fully awake eyes full of fear. Albus caught him by the shoulders and steadied him and allowed the blonde to come back to his senses. Albus then decided to push himself up into his friend's bed and knelt next the the boy's knees and looked him in the face.


"Bad Dr-Dr-Dr-Dream? Y-y-y-" Albus tried to speak softly hoping his tone would somehow correct his words, when he found they did not he slapped his hand against his mouth again with the same force that had made Scorpious wince once before. Scorpious reacted by pulling Al close to him. He pulled Al's hand away from his mouth and found with a lack of surprise that the boy had in fact split his lip this time.

"Look what you did, now you're bleeding." Scorpious chided in a voice slightly louder than a whisper. He reached for his beside table where he just happened to have a clean hankerchief setting on it. He brought the soft silk to Al's split lip and saw with some agony a small shimmer of early tears start in his friend's eyes as he pushed the cloth lightly and with the other arm directed Al to sit beside him in the bed. "Don't do that. Come on Al, it's ok." Scorpious tried to be reassuring but he had no idea how to talk about Al's new problem. He realized with some guilt that he never asked Albus to talk about anything. He allowed him to talk when he wanted, but Scorpious never forced Al to talk and never prompted him either. Perhaps James had been right.

Al tried to get control of himself, but he didn't know if he could. He couldn't talk to anyone. He was already very shy and when it came to the few friends he did have, he couldn't talk to them properly. Al was so frusterated he welcomed the pain of his split lip a change in his body feeling weighed down by fear.

"You don't have to talk sweetheart, but you shouldn't hit yourself like that." Scorpius said. The Malfoy boy was unaware of what he had said in total until Albus looked at him totally confused, or perhaps in shock. Scorpius suddenly realized what he had said, but he wasn't regretful in the least he simply smiled and hugged Albus to his side allowing the Potter boy to take the hankerchief he addressed his words.

"My Mum used to call me that a lot when I was frusterated by things or was mad about something. She said 'Sweetheart you need to let go' or something like that." Scorpius spoke to Al innocently. "Al, thanks for being my friend." Scorpius said out of the blue after a minutes silence. Albus leaned against his friend's shoulder to indicate he felt the same, soon they both parted ways, Al back to his bed and Scorpius back to a much better dream of the time he had taught Albus how to swim.
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end Chapter 29

A/N: So a couple of things. For the love of Merlin! I realize after nearly 75 thousand words typed that I've been Typing Scorpius' name as Scopious. I'm pretty freaking dense. I apologize. Also Harry a Draco will be the dominate characters in the next couple of chapters as we find out everything that happened while Harry was at St. Mungos in a coma. Draco's speech for Minister was going to be in this chapter, but it turned out this chapter was really super long already.

Also as a personal note, the conflict I wrote for Albus in this chapter is very personal for me. I actually did not say my first words until I was four. My brother spoke to me every night for hours when we were both supposed to be sleeping. I'll always remember my mom describing my five-year-old brother as a determined teacher my first word being cookie, followed by Budder (meaning brother). He spent all those nights from the time I was 2 and a half until I spoke my first words driving my mother crazy by whispering sharply "Josh, say brother." Thanks brother and thanks in advance for your reviews!