Harry Potter One Shots

Scorbus/Lucissa: The Visit

Scorpius's POV

Details: This interaction takes place during Scorpius's 7th year at Hogwarts. Narcissa brings him to visit Lucius, just a few months before he'll have completed his 35 year prison sentence. This is the first time Scorpius has ever met his grandfather.

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Azkaban. All the legends I've read about this prison, the one shrouded in shadows and screams, are nothing compared to the nightmarish landscape in front of me.

The looming stone fortress on the horizon stands on a sharp cliff, overlooking the dark, raging sea in front of me. The simplicity of the prison just makes it all the more terrifying. I don't know the location of where we're standing for security reasons, but even imagining leaving the shore-side to get closer sends a chill running up my spine.

"You don't have to do this," Albus whispers under his breath, his fingers intertwining through mine. I glance away from the daunting scenery to see my boyfriend watching me closely, concern apparent in his green eyes. The cold inside my chest fades as I shoot him a small smile.

"I know. But I'm going to," I respond, squeezing his hand with what I hope is reassurance. I know he's worried about me for all the right reasons. After all, they're the same reasons why I told him he can't come with me. I'm not risking losing anything to this ominous place, especially not the boy I love.

"Just don't be an idiot," Al tells me with a strained laugh, trying to lighten the situation.

"I'll try my best," I  glance back at the dark silhouette.

My boyfriend kisses my cheek quickly. "You'll... be fine," I don't even have to see Al's expression to know he's having trouble believing his own words. He's rubbish at pep-talks.

"I'll make sure of it," a new voice joins the conversation and I look over to see my grandmother tying her white hair up. "Are you ready to see your grandfather, Scorpius?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I reply, reluctantly letting go of Albus's hand as I step forwards. The cold feeling returns as I look at Azkaban once again. A stone sinks in my gut as I manage to spot dark creatures circling the top of the triangular structure. Dementors. You promised you'd do this, I remind myself firmly, It's been 17 years since he saw you last. This is important.

"Have your wand at the ready at all times. Watch your step. And if a dementor gets anywhere within 8 feet of you, they're violating protocol and you have every right to use the Patronus charm," my grandmother lists off without missing a beat. Her silver eyes shine in the dimly lighted fog around us, a beacon in the doubt around me. I pull out my wand, grip tightening around the wood just in case. "You can cast the charm, right?" she raises an eyebrow.

I decide to demonstrate rather than explain how I learned. After nearly 4 years, the memory I use to spark joy inside hasn't changed. "Expecto Patronum!" I command, waving my wand confidently. A silvery mist appears out of the tip of my curved wand, a playful creature leaping out into the fierce waves. I can hear Albus's quiet laugh behind me as the dolphin does a double back flip before fading away into the water.

"Perfect," I can hear the pride in my grandmother's voice. "I think we're ready then," I take a shaky breath and nod, steeling myself mentally for what could be about to come. I luckily -or rather unluckily- already know which voices dementors bring up in my mind. I spent the last month preparing to face the trauma again for this visit. I'm not the helpless 13 year-old I was the first time I ran into these terrifying creatures.

"We'll be back in half an hour," my grandmother tells Albus curtly, adjusting her green robes as she straightens in preparation. "If not, apparate back to Scorpius's father. Understood?"