Broomsticks and The Wizards Gauntlet

Broomsticks and The Wizards Gauntlet

Chapter 8

“Fuck!” Scorpius screamed and ranted. Persephone had just finished dinner and had come back to visit her husband for a while before heading back to Ravenclaw for bed.

“Thank Gods you’re here! Maybe you can get him to calm down,” the mediwitch said to Persephone.

“Scorpius! What on earth is going on?”

“The bitch took my potion! I had it under my pillow and the fucking bitch took it. Can you get Luke for me? He can make me one.” Persephone was shocked to see her husband so strung out for the pain relieving potion. She hadn’t realized how serious the condition was. He was addicted and exhibiting signs of withdrawal. His face was pale and he was trembling. Goosebumps formed up and down his arms and legs and he was shivering cold.

“Baby, I took the potion. It fell out from under your pillow earlier and I took it just before I left.”

“Smart thinking. That healer probably would have nicked it while I was sleeping. Her care is atrocious. I can’t wait to get out of here!” Persephone sat down on the bed next to Scorpius. Her heart was breaking looking at the condition he was in.

“I didn’t take it for that reason, Scorpius. I took it, because I didn’t think you were supposed to have it. Now I know you aren’t supposed to have it. Where did you get it?”

“I have my sources. Give it to me Persephone!” Scorpius yelled at her. Persephone had never seen her husband in this state. He had never even really yelled at her. His personality was pretty laid back and chilled usually, although he wasn’t above getting in a brawl with a rival quidditch player after a game, but he had never spoken harshly to Persephone, before now.

“I’m going to give you a choice Scorpius. I can sit here and hold you and stay with you, until the pain goes away. I’m willing to do that for as long as it takes. Or, I can give you the potion and you can drug up and feel good for a while, until it wears off. You choose?”

“Give me the potion Sapphire.” Scorpius didn’t even think for a second before making his decision. He was worse off then she thought. She kept to her word though and handed him the potion. He chugged half the bottle down, taking much more then the intended dose. Persephone picked up her bag and walked away, leaving Scorpius behind.

“Where ya going?”

“It seems you made your choice Scorpius. I’ll come back again tomorrow and ask you the same thing. Until then, good night.”

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One of the Auror’s broke away from the fight that surrounded Harry Potter. Hermione was scouring the beach still looking for the blasted conch shell that was the portkey to Bermuda. A hex streamed past Hermione and much to Hermione’s surprise and Harry’s, Oliver Wood hit the Auror with a stunning spell, temporarily stopping his attack. When the hex streamed past Hermione, she dove onto the shelly beach. Broken bits of shell cut into her arms and legs and neck. She grimaced in pain, but continued army crawling towards a shell she saw in the nearby sand. It had to be it. There were no conchs in these waters, it was too cold, or so she thought. Ahe crawled over the broken shells. It felt lile glass cutting into her skin but at long last she found the portkey. Hermione called to Wood, who escorted the Nott’s towards Hermione’s position. Harry’s voice echoed in their ears. The irony of being on a beautiful beach at sunset without Draco, but fighting against the very Auror’s that were supposed to protect them, was enough to make Hermione cry, though she didn’t. She was back in war mode, and her quick thinking and bravery took over and lead her to victory once more. The Nott’s clamored around the conch and then Hermione saw it. The Auror that Wood had stunned was now on his feet, his wand pointed straight at Theodore Nott. Hermione told them to go and then dove in front of Nott, taking the blast of the hex the auror had thrown at Theodore and his family.

“Thank you! I can never thank you enough!” Nott exclaimed as he and his family and Oliver Wood touched the portkey and disappeared. With her body bloodied with cuts, Hermione lay on her back as the auror approached. She suddenly felt the uncontrollable urge to laugh and laugh she did. He hit her with a laughing jinx and Hermione’s sides hurt from laughing so hard.

“You are hereby arrested. By the power of the Ministry and the Minister of Magic, Draco Malfoy, you are charged with harboring known fugitives.” The Auror didn’t recognize her because of the disillusionment charm. He bent down to cuff Hermione when he was hit in the back with red light. Harry appeared over top of Hermione and scooped her onto his broomstick and then like white lightning, they were gone.

.

.

“Hey bro. Where’s your wife? I figured she’d be here.”

“Yeah, she was here. She left,” Scorpius said to Luke. “Have a seat. I was getting lonely in here by myself.”

“I figured the place would be a madhouse. Where’s all your number one fans?” Luke chuckled.

“The healer won’t let anyone but family in. She’s such a bitch.”

“Well you look much better. Hopefully you get out of here soon.”

“Tomorrow. The hag set me free. Said if I can raise such a ruckus then I am healthy enough to get out of hospital. So what’s up?” Scorpius asked.

“Why does anything have to be up for me to visit my only brother?”

“Cause I know you Luke. Something’s up.” Luke thought about his words and decided that he could trust him enough to confide in him.

“I’m dating Drew again, but she’s different. She’s…she’s not very nice Scorpius. “

“You mean she’s a bitch? You can say it Luke. You don’t always have to act all proper, least not around me. Join the fucking club. Sapphire was a bitch tonight too. She just left me!”

“Seph’s been getting ribbed loads Scorpius. You don’t know what it’s like being related to you. I think you should cut her some slack.”

“Yeah, I love her and all, don’t get me wrong. She just tried a power play on me tonight and I’m not bloody standing for that. But enough of me, what’s Drew doing that has you all in knots?”

“Telling me who I can be friends with. Telling me how to walk,talk and think basically. It’s more then that though. I kissed, I mean we kissed…Lily Potter tonight.”

“Yeah? Good for you! Yeah Lily is much nicer then Weasley. Lily and I used to get up to trouble when we were kids. She and I had a healthy competition of pulling pranks on people, but she always liked you better. So you kissed her again, did you? Was it better then the first time?” Scorpius laughed.

“What do you mean the first time? This was the first time.”

“No it wasn’t. Remember that time when I was a third year here and I had to do that family tree?”

“Yeah. What about it?” Luke replied.

“Well, I was searching through an old box in Mum’s closet for pictures of Dad as a Death Eater, and Grandpa Lucius and Bellatrix. I wanted to freak my Professor out by making a Death Eater family tree. I was a stupid snot back then. Anyways, I didn’t find any of those pictures except one of Lucius with this wicked cane with a snake on it and his Dark Mark showing, but what I did find was a picture of you and Lily sitting in the baby pool at The Manor, with Mum and Ginny sitting in chairs next to the pool. You both had your arms around each other and were kissing while the adults ooohhed and ahhhed. Luke the stud,” Scorpius began to laugh at the thought. “You looked like you were maybe four years old. I remembered it because in the picture, I was holding a pail of ice water and standing behind Mum. I remember that Dad spanked me until I couldn’t sit down! So there ya go. Lovers, back when you were practically in nappies.” Scorpius chuckled and Luke looked at him dumbfounded. He wished he could see that picture.

“So, what should I do? Break up with Drew?”

“Ya might not have to.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, Damien Stratton’s family got deported. Yeah, I guess all the shady shit his Dad did finally came out. He and his Mum got deported.”

“And what does that have to do with me and Drew dating?” Luke was shocked and angry at hearing Stratton’s name after so long, but he tried to remain calm in Scorpius’s presence. Did Scorpius know? He couldn’t know!

“He wrote to me and asked if I’d put in a word with Dad, to let him and his Mum into the country. Dad must have felt guilty or something, because he granted them approval. He starts here in a few days. See?” Scorpius tossed a letter to Luke. It was a friendly letter. Apparently, he and Scorpius had remained friends. It was weird seeing the writings of a person who Luke thought to be evil. He seemed so normal in his letter, talking about quidditch and asking what Hogwarts was like, and telling Scorpius he couldn’t wait to hang out with him again.

“I see. Well what does he have to do with Drew and me?”

“He used to date her. Not for long, you know how dating is sometimes. I guess it was right before we arrived in America.

“What!?”

“Chill, bro. I thought you were hot for Lily anyways. Besides, that was a long time ago, I’m sure he’s outgrown the Weaselette. Shit, when we were at Westwitch he used to talk about what a hot body she had, though he always said he hated her freckles. I thought he was just being an arsehole back then, but I guess they had history together.”

“This is news to me. So what do you think of him?”

“He’s a friend of mine Luke. Damien has a big mouth, but he’s all talk. He knows I can kick his arse too, so he won’t fuck with either of us. He’s an alright bloke, Luke. Maybe he and Drew will get back together and solve all your problems. I can push him towards her if ya want me to?”

“No! Hey it’s been nice visiting you. Hope you heal up okay.” Luke stood to leave. He needed to be alone to absorb this information.

“One last thing. Can you brew me some of this potion?” Scorpius said holding out the nearly empty bottle of pain relieving potion.

“That shit isn’t good for you Scorpius. If you knew what was in it, you wouldn’t take it.”

“Yeah, but I don’t have your brains. I’m just a stupid jock, remember? That’s what you used to tell me,” Scorpius laughed. “Can you do it? My leg still hurts a lot and since I’m being thrown out of the hospital wing, I need something for nighttime so I can asleep. I really shouldn’t be walking on it yet, but the mediwitch is releasing me early.”

“Yeah come see me tomorrow. I’ll brew it for you during Potions class. I always finish my work in half the time and then I just sit there bored. This is the only time though Scorpius, and you have to promise me that you will only take the recommended dosage. It’s really dangerous stuff. People have gone insane on this stuff and ended up in the mental ward at St. Mungo’s,” Luke cautioned. He felt like he owed him though, for all the free advice and the Stratton information.

“Thanks bro. I’ll be careful I promise.”

.

.

“The story is, you and I were messing around in a pretend duel, just honing our skills. Kind of like we used to do back in the DA. Okay Hermione?” Harry said to Hermione as she laughed hysterically, tears rolling down her face from the laughing jinx the Auror hit her with.

“Please Harry, make this laughing stop!”

“I would if I could remember how,” Harry said careening over a muggle neighborhood.

“Sleeping spell. Do it now,” Hermione said, holding her sides on the front of Harry’s broom.

“Oh yeah! Thanks. Hey Hermione, does Draco hit hard?” Harry murmured, as he cast the spell on Hermione. She slumped against his body at that, sleep finding her and the laughter ceasing.

He landed on the front steps of Serenity and Draco threw the door open immediately, upon their arrival. He had just gotten the baby to bed and was frantic with worry, after finding Hermione’s simple note. Harry had his story all thought out. That is until he saw cold grey eyes bearing down on him.

“What the fuck happened to my wife! Is she dead? What did you do to her!” Draco lifted Hermione from Harry’s broom and nuzzled his head against her bushy mane.

“She’s just sleeping Draco. It’s okay! Just calm down!” Harry said to Draco, when he saw the intense look upon his face.

“Why is my wife sleeping on your broom! Don’t fucking lie to me either Potter. I’ll kick your fucking arse, right here and now!”

“We were dueling. Just keeping our skills honed and I accidentally hit Hermione with a sleeping spell. You should have seen what she did to me!”

“So, you want to duel Potter? How about dueling a man, not a woman, you pussy!” Harry had never seen Draco this enraged. Draco pulled his wand on him and shot a warning shot past him, as red light streaked through the countryside. Blaise and Luna had come to the door when they heard the ruckus.

“Fists Draco,fists! You can’t fucking have a wand fight. It will ruin your chance at reelection,” Blaise said, now turning to Luna. “Can you believe we are finally going to see a fight between these two? It’s been coming for years!” Blaise was rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Luna was hovering over Hermione, holding her sleeping head in her arms and trying to coax her awake.

Draco and Harry stood rigid, holding their wands on each other, their eyes locked onto one another’s. Draco finally threw his wand to the ground and Harry did to, his stance relaxing a bit.

“You have the wrong idea Draco. Trust me, it’s okay. Hermione was really brave.”

THWAP

Draco’s fist landed square on Harry’s jaw and Harry stumbled backwards.

“Fight me you prick! Come on hit me, so I can clobber you!”

“I can’t believe we get to see a real fight. Does Draco have any of that muggle popcorn?” Blaise went on. Luna looked at him and rolled her eyes as she called out for the boys to stop. Harry didn’t have to be asked twice. He was enraged now too. He couldn’t believe the audacity of Malfoy, to actually punch him in the face. He walked up to Draco and stood nose to nose with him before throwing an uppercut that caught Draco right in the breadbasket. Draco doubled over, but staggered back at Harry and hit him with a left hook that Harry never saw coming. The two men were lunging at each other and then they were tripping and falling down and then they were rolling on the lawn punching each other repeatedly. Draco would get on top of Harry and smack him around and then Harry would take the upper hand. This went on, until both men were thoroughly exhausted. Draco spat blood and Harry’s nose was bleeding. Both men collapsed in the yard, while Blaise clapped wildly.

“How did you ever become friends with him,” Harry finally said, through exhausted pants.

“No fucking clue,” Draco said back to Harry. Harry chuckled, and then Draco too chuckled.

“Tell me about the fucking Gauntlet, Potter.”

“Draco, I can’t.” Harry stumbled to his feet and reached for his wand. Draco watched him, wondering if the Golden Boy was going to hex him while he laid sprawled on the lawn, to tired to get up. Harry grabbed his broom and spun on his feet.

POP

He was gone.

.

.

“Drew, did you ever date Damien Stratton?”

“Is this supposed to get you off the hook for that little stunt to make me jealous with Lily this afternoon?” Drew said to Luke. She had been mad but not overly mad which worried Luke. He half expected a maelstrom of insults and maybe a smack to the face for what had happened in the library. Drew had cried a little bit and chastised him for hurting her and then snuggled down against him on the couch in the common room. This was more like the Drew that he remembered. Drew was always cheerful and friendly when he knew her in America and he could still see that girl underneath all the insecurity. He wondered if having a child at such a young age had jaded her and Luke suddenly felt bad for kissing Lily, because he enjoyed it and here was Drew so messed up. He felt bad that he couldn’t make a potion and fix Drew. He couldn’t make her problems go away and he did care for her still. It was a real eye opener though, in that Luke could see that he didn’t love her in a romantic way anymore, but he did still want to be her friend and in so he wanted her to be happy.

“I wasn’t trying to make you jealous, for the last time. He’s coming here you know. So I ask you, did you date him back at Westwitch, or not?”

“If you want to call it that,” was her response.

“What do you mean? Either you did or you didn’t, Drew. It’s a yes or no answer.”

“Okay…then yes. Though it was really more of a sexual relationship then anything.” Luke stood up and let Drew fall to the floor.

“What? You had sex with him?”

“For fucksake Luke, do you want everyone to hear that I balled Damien Stratton? I polished your wand too; do you want to announce that to everyone as well?”

“I thought…I thought... you were…a virgin, Drew!” Luke said and Drew laughed.

“You can be so naïve sometimes babe. I find it adorable.”

“Well, I don’t find it adorable to find out that my girlfriend is a whore!” Luke was pissed and the biting tongue that he inherited from dear old dad, was rearing its ugly head.

“Whore? I’m hardly a whore. I’ve only had sex with two guys. Yes, I had sex with Damien Stratton, but he was sort of my boyfriend back then, and it was before I ever met you. He was rich and good in bed. I mean, did you think that I was going to end up POOR, like Molly and Arthur? Or ALONE, like my mother and father? Now come here and snog me,” Drew said climbing back onto the sofa and holding out her arms to Luke.

“I can’t believe this!”

“Luke, you’re overreacting, and you’re acting a little prudish. I mean its not as if you’re a virgin anymore either! Who cares. I’m with you now and that stuff with Damien is over.”

“I AM A FUCKING VIRGIN!” Luke screamed in outrage.

People were standing around the common room now listening to every word he said. When Luke realized that he had just admitted to all of Gryffindor House that he was a virgin, he turned beat red in the face and apparrated away to the first place he could think of.

.

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He sat on the rooftop, above McGonagall’s office and screamed as loud as he could. It was night so nobody would hear him. He contemplated jumping, but only for a second, then the anger swept back over him. Finally, he collapsed on his back and gazed up at the stars above. He heard movement above him.

“I’m a virgin too, you know,” a soft voice said. Luke felt a hand on his head, stroking his hair soothingly. “It’s okay to be a virgin. Some of us want to wait for that special moment, and that special guy. And some of us, don’t want to be wiping a babies arse when we are teenagers.” She lifted his arm and snuggled in next to him.

"I'm not Artie's Father..."

"I know," Lily said.

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