Working Through the Rest

Justified Fear

They disapparate, and we appear in the front room of a manor. Scorpius cries out again as Rodolphus lets him go and he sinks to his knees, curling up into a ball. I fight to get to him and Euphemia lets go of my hood.

I crash to the floor beside him, cradling him in my arms. He's barely conscious and, judging by the dark circles under his eyes, he hasn't slept properly in days. I pull him in closer, not caring that it probably feels strange. His being okay and feeling safe, even if we aren't, is more important.

Why is that the thing I always think of? Why is that the priority?

"Al...Albus," he mumbles. "Where..."
"I don't know," I look up at our captors. "What do you want?"
"Stand up."
"What?"
"Stand up," Euphemia repeats. "Leave him."
"If you think that I'm going to–"
"Fine," Euphemia mutters, turning away.

She walks to a small door, going through it silently. I don't dare move, not even to reach for my wand. For some reason, they haven't taken those yet.

Euphemia returns a minute or so later, holding two Pumpkin Pasties. I stare at her as she sets them down next to me.
"What the fuck..."
"I was attempting to be homely," Euphemia scowls. "You could take it."
"You just kidnapped us," I snap. "You tortured him to – make me – to get hold of me. Fuck off."

Euphemia's scowl grows and she steps backwards, raising her wand. I pull Scorpius closer, attempting to shield him, but the flick of her wand does nothing to hurt us directly. Instead she takes our wands, pocketing them with a smirk. I stare at her coolly. They are not going to hurt Scorpius. They are not going to get to him again.

Half a moment later, a pair of hands seizes me from behind. The movement is too sharp and too sudden for me to fight back and Scorpius tumbles out of my arms. He whimpers as he hits the floor, curling into a much tighter ball, and I scream out as someone – likely Rodolphus – forces me away from him.

I scream out until Euphemia drags Scorpius to his feet, pushing him towards wherever I am being taken. I keep my eyes on him for as long as possible until my head is forced forward and we pass through a low doorway.

He lets go of me after that, letting me stumble forward a few feet before I turn and run to where Scorpius is curled. I wrap my arms around him again, looking up at them.

They smirk and then turn on the spot, walking out the door, it shuts behind them, the lock clicking a few times. We're stuck in here.
"Albus," Scorpius' eyes flutter open weakly. "Albus..."
"It's okay," I whisper softly. "They've gone. We're...well, I don't know."
"They hit me with – something," he mumbles. "So – it's so – I – tired..."
"Sleep," I murmur. "I won't let them hurt you."

Scorpius nods slowly, closing his eyes. His breathing gets a little steadier eventually, and when I know he's asleep, I let myself breathe a little easier.
"I love you," I whisper. "I love you and I'm so sorry that I couldn't keep my promise."

After that, I just wait. I fucked up, so badly, but I swear that he will not pay for it again. I am going to fight this. Not him.

My mistake. My fight. His survival.

I don't care what happens to me.