Working Through the Rest

I'm Still Here

I hurry back through the Common Room, dropping the books on my bed and hurrying over to Scorpius' bed. His hangings are closed and I knock on the bedpost to let him know that I'm back.
"Scorp?"

There isn't a reply and I pull the hangings open slightly, poking my head in to check on him. I freeze slightly as I realise that he is, halfway through the afternoon, fast asleep. It's not that fact that scares me, however – he's been working so hard it really was only a matter of time – it's the dried blood around his nose, the bruises appearing around his eyes and neck. And it's the parts of his hard that are beginning to turn red from cuts near his temples.

I pull the hangings closed properly as I sit on the bed, taking out my wand and trying to remember the healing spells that he taught me when the physical attacks were still common. They've reduced in number now, after Rose became a dragon and scared them all shitless. But apparently it isn't over just yet.

He groans as I start to siphon the blood away from his nose, and I stop, watching his eyes flutter open. He looks at me, making to sit up, but I lay a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"People know," he mutters. "People know about us."
"James told me," I nod. "I was coming up to tell – wait, did – this – did this happen because of – us?"
"Yeah," Scorpius nods slightly.
"Who?" I say sharply. "I swear to Merlin, I'll kill–"
"Don't," Scorpius mumbles. "Albus, don't get yourself in trouble. Please."
"Fine. I'll tell James. He'll kill them."
"Albie..."
"I'm serious. They can't get away with this."
"It doesn't matter."

I shake my head, but I don't keep trying to argue. He still has a broken nose and too many bruises to worry about who did it. I point my wand at his nose.
"Episkey," I murmur, and Scorpius lets out a breath of relief as his nose repairs itself. "Better?"
"Much," Scorpius says. "Thanks."
"I'm not sure how to heal the other things," I say. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I can do those. My – my wand is on the table."

I duck out of the hangings to grab it, passing it to him. I falter slightly as I see someone else sat on his bed, but then I shake myself. Not important now. Scorpius puts a hand on my shoulder and I help him sit up so that he can heal himself properly.

Once he's stopped bleeding, I summon a damp cloth and begin to clean away the dried blood from his hair and nose. He smiles slightly and I bite my lip. He doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve to keep getting hurt. And yet he is. And I don't know what I can do to stop it now.
"Are you okay with people knowing?" he asks quietly.
"If I'm not, I'm a bit screwed," I shrug. "Are you okay with it? After this."
"They caught me off guard today. I can fight them off if I'm ready for it. And I will be."
"You shouldn't have to be."
"That's life. Voldemort's son has a boyfriend. I'll – we'll – get used to it."

I nod silently. He's right. There isn't much we can do. We need to keep living because that's the best way to let them know that they can't win, that they won't win. Scorpius smiles at me softly, pulling me into a hug. I hold on tightly, making myself breathe.
"Do you think my dad will be angry?" he murmurs.
"Never," I shake my head. "He had no problem with me liking you. He would never have an issue with your liking me back."

Scorpius smiles and lies back again. He beckons to me and I lie down beside him, curling up in his arms. He strokes my hair and I smile.
"It's going to be okay," he murmurs.
"I know," I nod. "Thank you. Love you."
"Love you too."