One Shots

How Did You End Up Here?

Summary/Exposition:

In the Dark AU, Scorpius didn't manage to get help from Professor Snape. He is still alone, and still has no idea what to do. Enjoy.

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Scorpius followed the guard down corridor after corridor after corridor. Each looked the same, decorated with intricate, feathery carvings and huge flags, either emblazoned with the dark mark, or with the Augurey's symbol.

He hated it, not simply because it was a symbol for the evil he had caused in the world, but because it was the justification under which his dad, his father, had hurt him. He did not want to be scared of the only truly-familiar person in the world, and yet, he was.

He shook his head a few times, trying to pull himself back to the matter at hand. He was walking through the Ministry of Magic, or some sick, twisted version of it. He was being taken to see the Augurey. And he had lost what was possibly his only chance to reset the world.
"And remember, Scorpius," Umbridge was walking quickly beside him, her pink robes bouncing along. "You are responsible for doing yourself, and our school, proud."

Scorpius nodded again, trying not to wince as they passed a corridor full of dementors. Even after five days of being surrounded by the things, almost constantly, he was not able to ignore them, not able to get their screams out of his head.

As they descended further into the depths of the Ministry, everything seemed to get darker than it was already. Scorpius wasn't exactly sure how it was possible, but he knew it was happening, because he was getting increasingly more terrified with every step.

The few windows, enchanted to look like the outside world, were now gone, and the only light came from large torches placed at even intervals along the wall. Scorpius shivered, though there were no longer any dementors near them, and closed his eyes as they walked.

Umbridge had called him into her office the day before, claiming that the Augurey wanted to see him. He had expressed shock, and that seemed to have been the first thing he had done 'correctly.' Since, Umbridge had drilled him constantly with what to do, what not to do, what to say, what not to say, and what to be. And what not to be.

He was trying to remember what she had said, because he was well aware that he was walking into a dragon's mouth. Whatever he was walking towards, he needed to be followed by minimal suspicion. Because he had to work out what he was going to do.

It couldn't be too outrageously difficult to work out what he had to do. But that theory didn't seem to hold up in practice – he was still lost in the darkness.

He stumbled slightly as Umbridge stopped walking, jerking his arm back and then straightening up, wiping the sweat off his palms again.

They were stood outside a large, black, stone door. Scorpius's stomach lurched as he realised the Augurey's symbol was carved into the rock, and he bit his lip. He could pretend that he was ruthless and horrific for a short space of time. Surely he could. Of course, there wasn't much of an option – he had to. Otherwise he would die. He was well aware of that.

Umbridge knocked on the door, and the sound echoed up and down the otherwise silent corridor. Scorpius shut his eyes tightly, shivering as the door opened slowly.

Umbridge's hand landed on his shoulder and she pushed him forward into the room. Scorpius could see her grinning out of the corner of his eye, and he swallowed.

He looked around the room, surprised to see there were no flags anywhere. In fact, there was very little of anything.

There was a small fireplace, covered in more intricate carvings, though these had no particular shape. By the fireplace, there was a battered green armchair, of which half of the stuffing appeared to be falling out of. There was a desk in the other corner of the room, and at the desk, sat a woman in a dark green shirt and black trousers. Her hair was jet black, styled in a strange plait that Scorpius recognised as something his mother had done once or twice to his father's hair.