Obliviate

Chapter 9 - Insecurities

Over the next few weeks, the Seedling was no longer a seedling. It had grown into a slender young Tree, its silvery trunk smooth as riverstone, leaves shimmering with flecks of gold and deep emerald. In the Room of Requirement, Lily would often find herself tracing the ridges in its bark while Scorpius leaned against the couch, his eyes half-focused on her, half on the branches that swayed even when there was no wind.

The tree responded to joy, to laughter, to stolen moments of peace. Whenever Lily and Scorpius were at ease, the leaves glowed brighter, a warm pulse of light rippling through them. Some days they studied there, other days they just sat in silence, close enough that their knees brushed. 

Outside the safety of those walls, the world was darkening.

Rumours trickled in through the Daily Prophet and hushed staffroom whispers: masked figures seen in the outskirts of Muggle villages, entire families vanishing. Each attack was bloodier than the last, the perpetrators leaving nothing but scorched earth and symbols carved into walls. Draco Malfoy's name was never printed, but Lily noticed the way Scorpius clenched his jaw whenever the words "former Death Eaters" appeared in the headlines.

"They're trying to twist it," he muttered one evening, pacing the Room. "If they can't find the Tree of Magic, they'll poison its influence from afar."

It wasn't working. Whatever the Death Eaters did, the Tree remained untouched, vibrant, pure, still pulsing with the strange connection between her and Scorpius. But the attacks were making the school uneasy. With the Triwizard Tournament challenges, more Death Eaters were found scouring the grounds. Security increased, more Aurors were prowling the hallways, making Scorpius and Lily's midnight adventures decrease to once a fortnight. 

Our connection is strong young one, the Tree's prepubescent voice would echo through her mind. They know they're losing. You don't need to check on me as often as you might think... 

Whispers followed him through the corridors. Malfoy blood. You can't trust him. Even teachers seemed to watch him too closely. The worst came one rainy afternoon after Transfiguration. James shoved Scorpius hard against the wall, his voice sharp.

"I don't care what Lily says, you're dangerous."

Scorpius' fist was already tightening when Albus stepped between them. "Enough, James." His voice was firm in a way Lily had never heard before. "He's with me. And with Lily. That should be enough for you."

James hesitated, the anger in his face slipping into something more uncertain. His gaze flickered to Lily. Watching Albus take his side after a prolonged silence between the two old friends lightened Lily's heart. Scorpius nodded once, brushing past them. Lily's heart ached, but she followed Scorpius, leaving her brothers behind.

That night, the Room of Requirement bloomed brighter than ever. They sat close on the couch, knees touching, his hand brushing hers without pulling away.

"I don't care what they say," Lily whispered, her voice trembling but certain. Her eyes searched his, desperate for him to believe her. "You're good... and brave. And nothing like your father. We are making a good change to the world, Scorpius. You and me."

His breath caught. Something shifted in his expression, a crack in the armour he wore every day. His grey-green eyes softened, searching hers as if he was trying to memorise every detail of her face. Slowly, his hand lifted, fingers brushing along her jaw before settling against her cheek. His palm was warm, steady, grounding her even as her heart raced wildly.

The room seemed to grow quieter. The golden light from the tree shimmered across his skin, catching in his hair, making him look impossibly otherworldly. She could hear the faint rustle of the leaves behind them, almost like the tree was holding its breath too.