She whispered

by Lucas Chesterton

  ‘Good luck tomorrow,’ he says and despite his tired eyes she sees a real smile tug at his lips. ‘I’m sure you’ll kick Hufflepuff arse.’

  ‘You know it,’ she says with a wink and he chuckles slightly before he turns, reluctantly following Madame Herwyn. ‘Care to help your favorite daughter with an itty bitty eyesight improvement charm?’ she asks, pointing to Scorpius’ bulky frames and his head turns over his shoulder as he laughs.

  ‘Where would be the fun in that?’ he replies, a wink of his own as he walks through the room and he nearly runs into Albus who is rushing around the corner with a stack of papers under his arm.

  ‘Mr. Malfoy,’ he greets, nearly out of breath.

  ‘Albus,’ her father replies, patting him on the back as they cross paths.

  ‘You’re awake,’ her friend says as he spots her and she groans.

  ‘I wasn’t dead, for Merlin’s sake.’

  ‘Well you may have known but you gave the rest of us a good scare,’ he replies.

  Scorpius rises from his place by her bedside and straightens the creases from his pants as he does. She knows the reunion with their father is putting him a bit on edge though she doesn’t mention it when he says he’ll check in on her later and starts for the door. Albus waits until they are alone before he speaks, shuffling the papers in his lap as he sits on the edge of the bed.

  ‘Are you really ok?’ he asks her and she cocks her head to the side and lets her lips rise in a lazy smile.

  ‘You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Albus Severus,’ she says and he returns her smile with one of his own.

  ‘Well whatever you did, I wish you would have let me in on it because the assembly was brutal.’

  She furrows her brow, remembering the career discussions that cancelled classes for sixth and seventh years today. She hates that she missed it, knowing there would have been mediwitches and wizards from St. Mungos there to discuss the career path she’s had her eyes on most of her life.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ he says, pulling a few sheets out of his pile in some sort of strange organizational system and places them on her lap. ‘I knew you’d murder me if I didn’t at least bring you something of worth from assembly.’

  She glances down at them, her eyes hungrily dancing over the words. She’s barely through the first paragraph when she notices the large woolen sleeves of deep burgundy shrouding her wrists and she lifts her arms, watching the fabric fall back down around her elbows.

  ‘Uh,’ she manages, glancing around her where the collar slips slightly off her shoulder and she furrows her brow. ‘What the fuck am I wearing?’

  ALBUS

  Although he knows exactly where the oversized jumper has come from, Albus doesn’t tell Thea for fear of her reaction and so they walk back to the dorms with the mystery hanging over her head. Halfway there, when she decides she actually likes the damn thing, he decides that telling her it belongs to James is out of the question.

  Still, it worries him that she can’t remember, and his earlier encounter with Mr. Malfoy doesn’t ease his anxiety even slightly.

  She’s ill, he can feel it, but he doesn’t know why she keeps insisting that she’s fine. Thea is a better liar than her father, however, because when he too insists that Thea is well and that she is simply still struggling from a bout of sleepwalking, he knows it’s more serious. Neither one divulges more information than that as they pretend the conversation never happened. It’s more apparent than ever how much like her father Theodora Malfoy actually is.

  He doesn’t like it, the lies, but he tries to remind himself that he’s lying to her as well.

  She holds onto his hand as they make their way through the corridors and as usual, several people stare and wonder. Wonder why Thea missed assembly, wondering why she’s dressed in pajamas, wondering why the bloody hell Thea and Albus are holding hands if they keep insisting they aren’t a couple.

  It’s none of their business, he reminds himself again, and he’s so distracted by the reminder that he doesn’t noticed that Thea has stopped and runs into the figure she’s stopped in front of.

  ‘Heads up, little brother,’ he says with an amused grin as he helps Albus steady himself. ‘The two of you are in your own world as usual, I see.’

  ‘Er, um, sorry,’ he says, shaking his head and as Thea glances curiously at him, James glances curiously at Thea’s attire.

  ‘Skipping assembly to…sleep in, Malfoy?’ he asks, and Albus’ brow furrows at his brother’s attempt at a joke. Both know quite well why she’s dressed in his jumper and Hospital Wing issued pajama pants.

  ‘Not all of us need an assembly to figure out what we’re going to do with our lives,’ she says, fixing her glasses absentmindedly and James smirks despite her sharp slight in his direction. James still doesn’t know what he wants to do when he graduates, a slight point of contention in their household. ‘I hear your uncles are hiring test subjects for their new expansion. Maybe you could use your family influence to enter into a career of folly.’

  ‘And perhaps you can go into fashion,’ says a voice as Valerie Thomas appears at James’ side. She glances at Thea’s attire and chuckles. ‘You’ve got an interesting sense of style.’

  Thea’s answer is a sugary smile accompanied by an exaggerated curtsy.

  ‘I didn’t realize you wore glasses, Malfoy,’ a new voice says and Thea’s impatience at this little run in is growing thin. They spin around slowly, noticing Lysander Scamander, several books under his arm, as he glances down at the both of them. Albus feels the sides of his lips tugging upwards. ‘Oddly enough, they suit you.’

  ‘Kind words, Sandy,’ says Thea and the pet name doesn’t seem to bother Lysander who stands amused above her. ‘I’m afraid they won’t stop me from destroying your team at tomorrow’s match.’

  ‘So you are playing?’ James interrupts. Albus sees that his smirk is gone, replaced by something foreign in his brother’s brow.

  ‘And why wouldn’t I?’ she asks as she steps closer and Albus tugs on her arm.

  ‘Alec said you wouldn’t,’ James says simply.

  ‘Well he was mistaken.’

  Albus sighs at the unnecessary tension between the two of them but wonders curiously why James doesn’t seem to have his heart in the argument as usual. Thea’s hand tenses in his own and he squeezes back in warning that she’s close to losing control. He doesn’t notice Lysander’s gaze on their interlocked fingers until Thea finally takes a step back.

  Albus quickly lets go.

  ‘Come on, James,’ Val says from his side. ‘Don’t waste your breath. She’s clearly mental from the state of her.’

  James doesn’t laugh as Albus expects. In fact, everything about his brother is strange today as he reluctantly starts off towards the Great Hall, leaving the two of them alone with Lysander. Thea’s eyes narrow as James passes but neither says a word.

  ‘So, Albus, do you think you’ll have time to go over our notes before supper?’ he asks and Albus’ attention is drawn back to the blond and how his blue eyes focused so intently on his.

  ‘Well,’ he starts awkwardly. ‘Thea hasn’t been feeling well and I should probably���’

  ‘No, of course. I completely forgot.’ he says and their usual easiness around each other is challenged by Thea’s presence and curious expression.

  ‘Maybe after,’ Albus offers. ‘I should have some time then.’

  ‘Sure,’ Lysander replies with a grin, satisfied with the alternative.

  ‘Great,’ says Albus, his gaze falling to his feet as the heat rises to his cheeks. ‘I’ll, uh, see you then.’

  ‘See you then,’ he mirrors and they part ways and Albus is happy for a moment to catch his breath as he continues towards the staircases, Thea in tow.

  They’ve nearly reached the dungeons when she stops him, a nook near the trophy cases that line the long corridor of House Quidditch trophies and looks up at him, her left brow rising as her eyes search his.

&nbs
p; ‘No more lies, Albus Severus,’ she says, taking her hand from his and crossing it over her chest. ‘What is going on with you and Lysander?’

  Albus’ eyes widen.

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Albus.’

  ‘It’s nothing,’ Albus insists again. ‘He and I study well together, that’s all. You know I need the extra help.’

  ‘You wound me with your wretched attempts at lying,’ she says and he feels his cheeks flush.

  He could tell her the same thing, point out that she’s been lying about the potions on her bedside table, about why she has nightmares. Sleepwalking is relatively new and it makes him think she is getting worse. But he doesn’t say any of that because she taps her toes, clad only in woolen socks, on the stone floor and he knows he is moments from caving.

  But before he can speak there is realization in her features as they soften.

  ‘You like him,’ she says and he looks away. ‘Merlin’s beard, you do. Does he like you back?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ he answers but she continues as if she doesn’t hear him.

  ‘Of course he does, what a stupid question. I saw the way he looked at you,’ she says, more to herself than to him but still he perks at her words. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ he says again and she frowns.

  ‘Some effort would be greatly appreciated,’ she says. ‘You like a boy and you didn’t tell me.’

  ‘I thought we didn’t talk about things like this?’ he asks and she glances over his face.

  ‘Is it because I didn’t tell you about Dom?’ she asks and he sighs, more heavily than he intends to.

  ‘This may surprise you, but not everything is about you, Thea,’ he says and it comes out sharply, so much so that it causes her to take a step back.

  ‘I���’ she starts and he can’t help himself as he speaks again.

  ‘You make everything about you, always,’ he says and his failed attempt at a whisper causes her to flinch slightly. ‘I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘But for once, can you stop acting like my whole world revolves around you and your choices? For once, can I have my own bloody life?’

  He has to walk away because he’s taking things further than he’s intended to and he can’t bear to see the look he’s left on her face as he carries on towards the dorms. He only hears her shout out to him once but he doesn’t look back as he leaves her there and a feeling rushes through him that he can’t define.

  He only knows that he’s wanted to say those words to her for some time, and yet he feels no relief in saying them. Only guilt.

  SCORPIUS

  He likes the Astronomy Tower on Friday nights because he can be alone. He has one hour between dinner and reporting for rounds that belongs solely to him. Here he can think. Here he can stop pretending like things are normal.

  His father is disappointed in him. He’ll never say it because he spent so long living with the disappointment of his own father that he doesn’t want Scorpius to feel the same way. And yet today he does. It was there, in his eyes when he came to the hospital wing and saw Theodora lying unconcious.

  Scorpius is supposed to look out for her.

  He shouldn’t blame his father for being concerned. He shouldn’t blame either one of them for having a close relationship. And yet, he can’t help it. He hates that he’s never been able to relate to their father the way his sister does. But things were so different when they were children.

  When their mother was alive.

  Most days he tries not to think of her. It’s been four years and still he feels the pain of her loss as if it were yesterday. But here, for one hour, he allows himself to indulge in memories.

  ‘Oh, sorry,’ a voice stutters from the doorway and he turns to see her standing there, fair skin and ginger hair disheveled and slung over her shoulder. ‘I didn’t know anyone was here.’

  He clears his throat.

  ‘It’s fine,’ he tells her, letting his fingers brush through his hair and she gives him a small smile as she approaches. ‘I don’t normally see anyone up here after classes.’

  ‘I left a book up here earlier,’ she tells him, walking towards the table where an old, leatherback book sits. ‘I thought you’d be getting ready for the Prefects Meeting.’

  He’s never late to lead the Prefects Meeting. But with the events of that morning, he knows he hasn’t been quite right.

  ‘It’s Dominique’s turn to lead the meeting,’ he replies. ‘I figured I’d give her some space to get all of her notes in order.’

  It’s a lie but better than the truth.

  ‘She does like to read things word for word from that little book she carries, doesn’t she,’ Rose says with a grin and Scorpius returns it with one of his own. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever noticed how peaceful this place is when it’s not crowded with students.’

  ‘It’s a good place to think,’ he tells her and she stands near the window.

  ‘I could use a good place to think,’ she says, her voice low as she glances out over the courtyard. ‘Not many places like this around here.’

  ‘Not even the library?’ he asks and she snickers.

  ‘You’d think so, and yet somehow it’s always overrun with first years who don’t understand the meaning of quiet. I can hardly hear myself think.’

  ‘Well,’ he says slowly, looking down at his palms. ‘You can certainly borrow this space if you’d like. I can attest to its therapeutic properties.’

  ‘You must spend a great deal of time up here,’ she says and his eyebrow rises. ‘A mind like yours. I just imagine Scorpius Malfoy is always thinking.’

  This time he chuckles and it’s loud enough that it elicits one from her as well.

  ‘So what do you think about up here, anyways?’ she asks him and though he still smiles he feels his lips tighten over his teeth as the edges of his mouth fall back into contemplative grin.

  ‘A lot of things, actually,’ says Scorpius and Rose watches him from her place at the window. She leans against the wall across from him. ‘School, the future���’ he says, pausing as her eyes meeting his and he curses himself for glancing down. ‘My mum.’

  She seems as surprised as him at this admission and he wonders if he should change the subject but when he looks up her gaze urges him to continue. If he’s being honest with himself, he wants to talk about her to someone. No, he thinks, not someone. Rose.

  ‘I miss her,’ he says, his voice low. ‘Quite a lot these days, actually.’

  ‘What was she like?’ Rose asks and Scorpius sees a flash before his eyes, a woman with dark hair and contagious laughter.

  ‘She was lovely,’ he says. ‘She laughed a lot and she loved to read. She was so incredibly smart. I remember when she got ill,’ he says and pauses as he lets another image fall from his memory. The frail woman he tries to keep from his mind. ‘…when she got ill, she had me read her to sleep at night.’

  ‘What kinds of books?’ Rose asks and Scorpius gestures around him.

  ‘Astronomy,’ he says, grinning. ‘She loved the stars.’

  ‘Sounds like quite the woman,’ she says, pushing off from the wall and she walks towards him, her hands fiddling behind her back as she attempts to look contemplative.

  Scorpius feels his heart lurch as she stops beside him and lowers herself to sit. She doesn’t glance up, at first. For that he is grateful. Her auburn hair falls slightly from the untidy braid that was once confining it and several strands fall in her face. He feels his hands twitch, urging him to move them but she quickly pushes them behind her ear and he can see each and every freckle around her nose.

  ‘I saw Theodora on her way to detention a bit ago,’ she said, her white teeth exposed through her lips. ‘She was grumbling about needing her sleep for tomorrow’s match.’

  ‘She’s had plenty of sleep, I think,’ mutters Scorpius and he curses himself internally for showing such displeasure in front of Rose.

  ‘She’s alright then? If she
’s been cleared to play?’ she asks and Scorpius can hear the concern in her voice. His brow furrows.

  ‘Seems so,’ he manages. ‘You never know with Theodora. She’s stubborn. We have a pear orchard on the grounds at Sandwith and she used to spend summers under the trees eating as many pears a she could manage. Mother and Father forbid her from eating them once we found she was allergic and you would have thought it was the end of the world. She ate every pear she could get her hands on halfway through anaphylactic shock.’

  Rose laughed, loudly this time and it was a decidedly nice sound to his ears.

  ‘That doesn’t altogether surprise me,’ she answers. ‘I suppose a little Quidditch due to sleep deprivation won’t kill her.’

  ‘I noticed you weren’t on the team this year,’ Scorpius says, changing the subject because he came up here trying to escape the thoughts of his sister. Rose looks down at her hands as they fidget in her lap. ‘I was surprised. You’re rather good.’

  ‘Ringing endorsement,’ she says with a chuckle and Scorpius feels his face flush before he realizes she is teasing him. ‘I love the game, I do. I just needed a break this year. N.E.W.T.s are more important than being on the house team, though don’t tell my dad that.’

  ‘Fair enough,’ he says. ‘I don’t know what my father and I would talk about anymore if it weren’t for Quidditch. Things were so different before. I could tell him anything. Now…now it’s like he only sees my sister.’

  She doesn’t say anything for a few moments and the silence is heavy between them. He wonders if talking about his mum and dad was a mistake, as if maybe Rose will see him differently knowing things aren’t as easy as perhaps they seem.

  ‘Well, she is quite difficult to ignore,’ Rose says fondly and he frowns again at her words as he shifts slightly to look at her beneath his furrowed brow. ‘I’ve tried and failed quite miserably at the task.’