The Next Generation

James's Secret

Scorpius was finishing his dinner in the Great Hall when he saw James Potter stand up from the Gryffindor table and head out of the hall. A minute later, Scorpius rose from the Slytherin table. They met in the library, and took a seat at a table in the corner.

"So," said James, "what happened? Did it, by any chance, involve Connell Parkinson?"

Scorpius's eyes widened in shock, and he slowly replied "yes..."

Now it was James's turn to be shocked. "I didn't actually think..." he trailed off.

"What is it?" Scorpius asked, looking scared.

"I'll explain after you do," he said, a slight frown on his face.

"Ok. So I was getting into bed, when..." and Scorpius explained what had happened, stopping before he read his father's letters. James listened without interrupting, though he appeared very shocked at the story.

"Wow, he really used the crutiatus curse on you, huh? I thought that part was a joke," said James.

Scorpius nodded. "What do you mean you thought that part was a joke?"

"Well... I'll explain. So I was walking to class, when I spotted a group of older Slytherin boys walk out of a door in the wall I'd never seen before. Then, even stranger, the door disappeared and the wall was solid again. I was a bit taken aback, so I stopped where I was and didn't say anything. Luckily, they started walking away from me and didn't see me. I decided that I would check out that hall later, or maybe even ask those boys how they were able to make that door appear. Since the boys were walking in the direction I needed to go to get to class, I trailed far behind them, but close enough that I could hear their conversation. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but the conversation was quite intriguing, and also rather disturbing. They had said that they were heading to the owlery to 'kill that rotten owl,' and 'return daddy's letters to the boy.' I was really confused, but even more so when they then said that they were going to 'torture that boy tonight,' to teach you a lesson or something. Then, it got really confusing. They said that they were going to 'hide him somewhere more permanent than a broom cupboard, the Room of Requirement.'" At this, Scorpius looked shocked and his eyes widened in fear. "So you were the boy, then?" James inquired.

"Yeah, that's me, they always mess with me. But what was that about hiding me somewhere else? What's the Room of Requirement?"

"I dunno, that's the thing. But, uh, there's one more thing they said that I didn't mention." James paused, then said, "Connell said he was gonna kill you there."

Scorpius's face turned pale. "Wha— really?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Yeah, but we'll figure something out," James reassured him. "First, we'll find out what the room of requirement is, and where. Then, I don't know, but it's gonna be alright."

"Ok," Scorpius whispered. "When did he say he was gonna kill me?"

"The last day. Pretty smart on his part, since by the time anyone figures out you're missing, they'll be home."

"Yeah, that's smart, but unfortunate for me."

"Really is. So, how about we go and investigate that hall? Then I'll send a letter to my father, maybe he'll know what that room is. And you can send one to yours," suggested James.

"Sure, but there's one slight problem."

James looked at him for a moment, then something dawned on him. "Right, your owl's dead. You can use mine."

"That's not the problem. If I write to my father, he won't be able to reply. You see, my father's doing work away from home as a punishment for being a former death eater. Where he is right now, they're allowed up to four letters and he's already sent all four."

"Who the bloody hell is your father? How old is he, to have been a death eater?"

Scorpius cringed. "He's not as bad as he sounds, it's really only my grandfather you've got to worry about. Also, my father was 16 when he became a death eater, so it's not like he's really old or anything."

"I've got to say, that's pretty messed up, Scorpius."

"Hey, my father's a good man," Scorpius said defensively. "Besides, he never even wanted to become a death eater. And he wasn't one for long. That's why he doesn't have a long jail sentence, like the rest of the death eaters."

Then James seemed to realize something. "Your father isn't Draco Malfoy... is he?" he asked, frowning.

Scorpius's expression changed from defensive to defeated. "Don't hate me, please. I don't mind that your dad's Harry Potter, so you shouldn't mind that mine's Draco Malfoy."

James's sat there, thinking, for a minute. "I suppose you're right. Besides, you don't seem like a bad guy."

Scorpius looked relieved. "Thank you. You know, when I found out who your brother was, I wasn't that cool about it. Thanks for understanding. And for offering to help me out. You don't seem like a bad guy, either," he said, grinning.

"Anytime. And seriously, don't think too much about the last day. We'll figure something out."

"Right. See you around, James."

"See you, Scorpius." The two boys departed, James's heading up several floors, and Scorpius heading down.