When darkness return

Chapter 11

Delphi was passing by Scorpius's office during their break. She knocked on his door and entered without waiting for the response.

"Care for a tea break?" she asked Scorpius who was keeping himself busy by his desk.

He looked up and nodded. "Have a seat", he said.

She placed one of the tea cups on the desk before taking the chair beside him.

"I don't think you've heard", Scorpius said. "But some books from the restricted section are missing."

"Oh?" Delphi said.

"Tori thinks Bella stole them. And she feels really bad about it."

"Did she tell you why she thinks so?"

"She said she gave her the idea of sneaking in there before they stopped talking. I'm not sure exactly why."

Delphi was silent for a bit, trying to put the pieces together.

"I think I know why", she said. "I should talk to her."

"Just don't accuse her immediately. We still don't know for sure if it really was her", Scorpius assured.

"Oh trust me I got this", Delphi said and took a sip of her tea. "I bet she's still not talking to Tori?"

Scorpius shook his head "She's completely miserable about all of this. I offered her to take a break and stay home with Albus for a bit. But she said her other friends need her."

"How's it going between the two of you? Albus, I mean."

"I was relieved to see him but we felt it was more important to focus on Tori that time. Still need to talk to him though. Sort things out."

"So you're not having a divorce?"

"That would be the absolute last resort. We're not there exactly."

"I've said it before a long time ago, and I trust I don't need to say it again."

Scorpius smiled. "That we belong together", he said.

* * * * *

"Alright, class dismissed", Delphi called at the end of her class with the second years. "Thank you for today. Bella! Would you mind staying for a bit?"

Bella sighed as the rest of the class were heading out. "Fine", she said.

"Is everything alright with you?" Delphi asked.

"I don't know, you tell me", Bella snapped.

Delphi took a step closer to her daughter.

"Bella, look. I know it's not fair to hide things from you. But you need to understand that it's a long complicated story, and I will tell you when the time is right."

"Too late for that now. I don't need to hear it from you."

"Bella, please-"

"Mum, stop it", Bella said and sighed.

"You can be angry with me all that you want, just please don't take it out on your friends."

"Why do you care?"

"I care that you're my daughter and that you have friends who love you. But the more you keep shutting them out, the harder it gets to reach them in the end."

"Is that it?" Bella asked ready to leave.

"Actually, there's one more thing", Delphi said. "Have you been to the library lately?"

"I go there every day. Why?"

"And... is there a chance you may have been at the restricted section?"

"Where exactly are you taking this?"

"I don't know if you heard. But some books of really dark magic have been stolen from there."

"Are you for real? First you want to make it up to me and now you're accusing me for a thief?"

"I'm not accusing you, I just want to make sure."

"Just leave me alone!" Bella snapped and stormed out.

Delphi released a massive sigh. If only Dom was there.

* * * * *

On the very same day, Tori was making her way to her dad's office along with Joey.

"Before we enter", Tori said once they reached the door. "Are you sure about this? Cause I don't want to drag you into anything you're not ready for."

"He's the only adult I feel safe talking about this to", Joey said. "Even better with you around."

"Of course", Tori said and took his hand before knocking the door.

"Come in", she heard the familiar voice of her father.

They stepped inside and found him at his desk going through some papers.

"You busy?" Tori asked.

"Just going through essays", Scorpius said. "Anything you wanted to talk about?"

Tori looked at Joey who nodded before they grabbed their seats by the desk, across from Scorpius.

"Can I trust you not to tell my parents about this?" Joey asked before telling him anything.

"Well", Scorpius said. "We do have a policy to contact parents if their children are in trouble. However, I assume that's not the reason you came here, so yes. You can tell me anything."

Joey looked down and took a deep breath. "I'd like to have my own dorm", they said. "My gender crisis keeps getting worse by each day, and I no longer want to be associated as part of the girls. I just want to be my own person and taken seriously for who I am."

Scorpius took his glasses off and placed them on the table. "I'll have to check with the headmistress about that, but I'm sure it won't be an issue."

"I want to change my name too", Joey said while they were at it. "Instead of Jovie, I want my name to be Joey. With E and Y at the end."

"No problem at all", Scorpius said. "Do you still use the same pronouns? Just to let me know how I should refer to you."

"They and them are still fine. Though I am trying out he and him as well. Just taking one step at a time."

Scorpius nodded. "So here's what I can do. I'll update McGonagall on what you just told me, and let her know that we're keeping your parents out of this until you're ready. Does that sound good to you?"

"As long as I can trust you both, then yes", Joey said.

"Just one more thing then", Scorpius said before they'd leave. "If I were to contact your parents. Not about this, but anything they need to stay updated on. How would you like me to refer to you then?"

"Just try to avoid using my name at all. And stick to they and them pronouns."

"Alright. Thank you for letting me know. I need to get back to work now, but I'll talk to the headmistress as soon as possible."

"Thank you for giving us the time", Tori said.

"Of course", Scorpius said. "I'm always here to listen if either of you need to talk."

Tori knew for sure it'd go well, but even she had to admit it went even better than either of them expected. First she thought she'd had to speak for her friend, and it turned out she didn't have to say a word. Just be there in support. Unlike so many others...