Chapter 1
The door swung open silently, a gust of freezing air blowing out and washing across the young man’s face, shifting his white hair with the sudden force. The young man blinked, his blue grey eyes watering from the sudden cold before he stepped across the threshold without his permission, as if dragged by invisible ropes, the heels of his polished black shoes softly clicking on the stone ground. The only other noise, the soft swish of his long black robes.
Beyond the door, a long stone walkway was lit by candles, the gently flickering flames causing shadows to dance, as if hooded figures stood watch. Beyond the walkway was a wide, low staircase, made of polished black stone, leading up to an ornate chair.
The young man’s grey eyes swept across the room as slowly, the shadows solidified into hooded figures, silver masks glistening under black hoods.
Shifting his gaze, the young man focused on the chair as he slowly walked across the room towards it, trying to ignore the masked gazes as more and more figures filled the room around him, watching him.
Across his back, he could feel a rough pressure digging into his shoulders, the ornate spine of his tightly fitted robes forcing his shoulders back, like a reminder of the weight he carried of his family’s pride.
‘Welcome, Scorpius Malfoy” A voice hissed in the darkness, the hiss like that of a snake.
The young man, Scorpius, lifted his head a little even as a shiver ran down his back. He desperately wanted to stop, to turn from the dark and run far away but it was like his body was not his own, his legs moving forward without his permission, drawing him into the spiderweb like a doomed fly. Above him at the chair, a dark, smoke like shadow formed. It seemed to move, as if alive and watching Scorpius approach.
At the staircase, another figure stepped out of the dark. Unlike the other figures, shrouded in black robes and masks, the man was unmasked, his long white-blond hair failing down his back and across his black coat like a beacon of light in the darkness.
Tearing his eyes away from the chair, Scorpius met the grey/blue eyes of his father.
Draco Malfoy’s face was an unreadable mask of indifference but as father and son’s eyes met, Scorpius could see the conflict in those grey pools, a conflict only someone could see if they knew where to look. Draco hid it well but Scorpius could see the fear and anger in his father’s face. And a look of utter hopelessness.
Another shadow emerged from behind Draco, a second, older man emerged into the light.
Like Draco, the man had long white hair, tied back carefully. The man was dressed all in black and carrying an ornate cane with a silver snakes head.
Although the face of the second man was aged, Scorpius could see the similarities as the man placed his hand on Draco’s shoulder. He knew who this man was. Lucius Malfoy.
For a moment, Scorpius saw a flash of rage in his father’s eyes as the hand came to rest on his shoulder before it disappeared behind the mask of indifference. Lucius grinned in triumph, hand tightening almost threateningly on Draco’s shoulder.
Quickly, Scorpius tore his eyes away from his father and grandfather, not wanting to see his father looking so trapped and afraid. He looked once more at the chair, no, the throne.
Without noticing it, Scorpius reached the first step and stopped.
Slowly, as if the invisible strings which had compelled him forward had been cut one by one, Scorpius felt himself fall to the ground, his knees painfully hitting the cold stone.
He stayed like that, knees resting on the step, the cold soaking through his pants and into his legs, the stiff backing and tight robes holding his back straight.
Above him, the shadow solidified. Scorpius felt the rush of fear as a figure he had not seen in years stepped towards him, pale, claw like hands raised in greeting. Lord Voldemort himself approached, eyes staring into Scorpius’ own, the younger man unable to look away from the frightening sight.
“Welcome, Son of Draco, Grandson of Lucius.” The Dark Lord announce, his voice like a hiss. His teeth flashed in a cruel smile.
After a few moments, Voldemort looked away, scanning the crowd that Scorpius knew was drawing near, surrounding him and blocking his escape.
“Today, my friends, we welcome this fine young man into our ranks.”
There was murmur around Scorpius. Giving another wicked smile, the Dark Lord drew his wand.
“Hold out your arm, young Malfoy and receive your birthright.”
Scorpius gritted his teeth, his left arm rising from his side, even as he fought to lower it, the dark sleeve of his robe falling away to show his pale forearm.
A white clawed hand grabbed his own, holding his arm steady in a vice like grip. Above him, the Dark Lord lowered the wand until the tip pressed against Scorpius’ arm.
A burning pain shot down Scorpius arm, causing the younger man to gasp. Unsuccessfully, he tried to pull his arm away from the Dark Lord as the pain grew in intensity, travelling up his forearm.
Gritting his teeth to muffle the whimper of pain, Scorpius stared as the black ink flowed under the skin on his arm, forming into a skull and a snake. Horrified, Scorpius stared at it for a few seconds before a sharp pain behind his left eye, catching him unaware.
Grunting, Scorpius raised his free hand to press against his eye, the searing headache causing light flashes to dance across his vision.
The Dark Lord’s hand suddenly released him and Scorpius found himself falling to the ground, the pain still blinding him, the boning of his robes digging painfully into his back to equal the pain in his forearm and his head. After a few more horrible moments, the pain started to fade. Blinking, Scorpius looked down at the polished black stone he was leaning on. The polish almost like a mirror.
He blinked a few times in horror as he realised that his left eye was no longer the familiar grey of his family but black.
Above him, there was a chuckle.
Still gasping for breath, Scorpius raised his head to see the tip of the wind pointed at his head.
“And so the truth is revealed.” Voldemort smiled. “Grindelwald has returned.” The Dark Lord knelt down, his face drawing close to Scorpius’, the wand never moving from his face.
“Such a shame.” Voldemort snarled. The tip of the wand glowed green.
------
With a gasp, Scorpius shot up from the bed, looking around wildly at the dark room for any danger.
A hand touched his shoulder, causing him to jump, pulling himself away from the surprise touch.
“Scorp? Are you ok?” A groggy voice asked.
Turning towards the other side of the bed as he fought to regain his breath, Scorpius came face to face with a sleepy Albus Potter, his dark hair even more unmanagable then normal, his green eyes blinking back sleep. Albus Potter, his best friend since he was 11 and his acknowledged boyfriend of almost 4 years now, since leaving Hogwarts and the Wizarding World.
Slowly, Albus rose into a sitting position, his emerald green eyes showing surprise at Scorpius’ skittish behaviour.
“Bad dream?” Albus asked. Scorpius noticed that he’s boyfriend didn’t reach for him again, clearly taking Scorpius’ surprise at his touch as a signal not to reach out until he knew he was welcome. It was one of Albus’ best traits, being considerate enough to know when his boyfriend needed physical touch and when it was unwelcome.
Nodding, Scorpius raised his left hand to his head, pressing his fingers against his temple, the phantom pain from the headache still lingering. Covertly, he scanned his left forearm, relieved to see no sign of the Dark Mark on his skin.
Dropping his arm, Scorpius turned and pressed his face against Albus’ bare shoulder. Albus reacted perfectly, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend’s body, one hand running across the scars along Scorpius’ back.
Scorpius was not someone who generally hugged, having grown up as the heir to the Malfoy family and trained to always be on his dignity. Added to that, a childhood spent dodging the hexes and hits of school bullies had led to Scorpius not willingly touching people he didn’t trust, even in private. There were two exceptions to that rule. Firstly, his father, who had worked hard to brush off the family stigma for the welfare of his son and of course, Albus, Scorpius’ most trusted friend and partner, for whom Scorpius had faced all kinds of danger with and who the light haired wizard took comfort in physical closeness to.
“The Attack?” Albus asked, his hand moving up to run through Scorpius short blond hair. Scorpius stiffened for a moment before shaking his head.
“The Other World.” He muttered.
Unseen to him, Albus gave a sympathetic sound. Unlike the Attack, as they had labelled it, the Other World was a horror only Scorpius bore, the terrifying few days stuck in a world where Voldemort had won the war and Albus had not existed. It had been a long time for Scorpius to come to terms with the terror he had felt in those few days as he tried to find a way to save his friend, as well as the subsequent battle with Delphi, the explosive pain of the Cruicatus Curse and their time trapped in the past, fearful for their lives.
The horrors of the Other World was one Scorpius was happy that Albus didn’t carry but it still affected him deeply, almost more than anything else. For years after the fact, Scorpius had dealt with nightmares of that place and of Delphi and even of standing in Godrics Hollow on the night of the Potters murder, witnessing their final, futile stand against Voldemort.
He remembered those sleepless nights from his 4th year to his 7th, when he would wake up shaking in fear, still remembering the screams of the students being tortured, the vial coldness of that Hogwart’s halls, Headmistress Umbridge’s sadistic giggle always present in the background of his thoughts. It had become a habit, when those nightmares struck, for Scorpius to cross the dormitory to Albus’ bed and climb in beside his friend. Albus in turn, doing the same then he had nightmares of Delphi torturing Scorpius and murdering Craig and seeing his grandparents murder.
In a way, it was those nightmares that had helped the two’s relationship to evolve from a deep friendship to a real relationship, the two’s physical closeness helping them both find the courage to admit their feelings for each other, and finally, in their last months of school, become a couple.
Of course, years later, the two would share nightmares of the attack that had driven them both from the wizarding world.
A hand running through his hair brought Scorpius back from his thoughts.
“Are you ok?” Albus asked again, softly.
Detangling himself from his boyfriends grip, Scorpius turned to look at the Muggle alarm clock on the table next to the bed. It showed 5:30 in the morning. Scorpius had classes in a few short hours and he knew he would not be sleeping again any time soon. Swinging his legs over the bed, the young man stood up.
“Scorp?” Albus asked.
Scorpius turned and saw that Albus was planning to rise and follow him. Suddenly Scorpius felt guilty. Albus had a late night studying the night before and Scorpius had disturbed his sleep. Albus may not have had any classes that day but it didn't mean he deserved to be rudely woken up because of his boyfriend.
Leaning across the bed, Scorpius planted a chased kiss on Albus’ lips.
“Go back to bed.” He whispered. “I’m ok.”
He gave Albus a small smile and could see the doubt across his boyfriends face but Scorpius ignored it, giving Albus a light shove which resulted in the other man falling back onto the bed.
“I am going to have a shower and breakfast.” He stated, reaching to the floor where his shirt had been left the night before. Quickly, he pulled it on before walking softly out of the room.
The glow of a streetlight greeted Scorpius as he entered the small kitchen of the apartment he and Albus shared, just walking distance from their Collage campus, muggle kitchen utensils glinting in the light.
Inwardly, Scorpius grinned. He was proud to say, he knew what every one of these appliances was called and more importantly, how to use them, not an easy feet for a Pure Blood Wizard raised with the ever present comfort of Magic. Even Albus had struggled to adapt to a world without magic, despite his father’s knowledge from his early years in the Muggle World and his grandfather’s fascination with muggle culture. But Scorpius found he was thriving.
After the drama of their final year at Hogwarts, it had been almost a relief to turn their backs on the world that had caused them so much pain.
That had caused Scorpius so much pain.
Absentmindedly, Scorpius turned on the tap and filled the kettle before setting it to boil. He reached up, rubbing at his shoulder where the worst of the scaring was.
He had been such a naive child growing up, even in the early years when he was called Voldemort’s child and tormented for the same.
After Delphi’s reveal as the true child of Voldemort, he had truly believed that the worst was over. He had been so wrong.
The 4th and 5th years had been the most bearable of his school life, he and Albus living off the reputation they have gained for stealing the Time Turner, Scorpius making the Quidditich team and both of them improving their social standing in the school. But the 6th year had stared the nightmare.
Scorpius had just turned 16 when a team sent to excavate some ruins had located a new hidden chamber in the remains of Nurmengard Castle, the old Grindelwald Fortress.
Inside, had been a chest full of dark objects and letters which had shown the relationship between Grindelwald, one of the worst Wizards who ever existed and Albus Dumbledore.
At first, most of the wizarding world hadn’t reacted to the new proof of the long believed rumour. The relationship between two of the greatest wizards in the world, one good and one dark, had been known about but not approved of among the mostly conservative wizarding community.
And then journalist Rita Skeeter had struck, re-releasing an update of her slanderous book, ‘The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore’. The new chapter had been all about his relationship with Grindelwald and their ‘passionate love affair through out the ages', as she had called it. She had concluded the newest chapter with a simple question and two photographs. One had showed the young Dumbledore and Grindelwald together, both happy and smiling for the camera. The other had been a candid photo, taken without permission, of Albus and Scorpius, smiling and laughing on the grounds of Hogwarts.
The parallels had been clear, and Skeeter’s assertion that, if not the child of Voldemort, Scorpius had to be the reincarnation of Grindelwald, had swept through the Wizarding World like a wild fire, the book selling out fast. The rumours about Albus and Scorpius’ sexuality and their supposed similarity to Grindelwald and Dumbledore, had also been condemned by most of the wizard world, even before the two had admitted their love for each other to themselves.
Draco had immediately sued the reporter and got the book pulled from sale but the damage had already been done.
Scorpius had found his last years at Hogwarts a continue trial as he had been forced to defend himself against increasingly hostile accusations. Albus too, had copped a lot of the hostility, albeit less the Scorpius, many people choosing to see him as ‘Dumbledore’ reborn and trying to protect him from the darkness, from Scorpius.
Then had come the days after they had graduated.
Scorpius and Albus had tried not to let the rumours get in the way of their growing relationship, hiding it from everyone they knew in order to avoid any negativity.
Hell, Scorpius had only confessed to Draco because his father had asked, only the day after Graduation when he had noticed how Scorpius and Albus ignore the celebrations and their classmate’s farewells in favour of being with each other. Scorpius found it almost impossible to lie to his father at the best of times. Thankfully Draco had been very supportive of both boys, glad that his son had found happiness. It had been a single relief in a world that was turning more and more hostile by the day.
But then Carter Crane had happened.
A long term mental patient from St Mungo’s who had suffered greatly during the second Wizard War, Crane had become obsessed with Sketter’s story and convinced that only he could stop another magical war.
Shortly after the end of the year, Crane had escaped from his warded room and tracked Scorpius down.
Both boys had been out in London for that fateful day, Albus wanting to find some muggle sweets to gift to Draco, the younger Potter wanting to show his appreciation for the older Malfoy’s unconditional support of their relationship.
The two had been walking along the Thames, dressed in Muggle clothing and enjoying their newfound freedom while discussing how they were going to break the news of their relationship to Albus’ family and what they wanted to do now that they had finished at Hogwarts. Scorpius had been thinking about applying for a Muggle University, as he felt his education was not yet done and was outlining his tentative plan when Crane had struck, careless of the dozens of Muggles surrounding them.
Curses had filled the air, one striking a nearby car and causing it to explode. Albus, ducking to the ground, had narrowly avoided getting thrown by the blast and the curses.
Scorpius was not so lucky, getting hit with the full force of the explosion. The resulting panic had sent muggles running and thankfully Crane, realising he had lost his cover, had apparated away before he could do too much more damage. Once he had disappeared, Albus had been left alone with Scorpius, unresponsive and bleeding out, in the middle of the damaged street full of panicking people before a fast responding muggle ambulance had arrived.
The muggle ambulance had taken them both to the nearest hospital where, after being checked over, Albus had managed to send a message to both Draco Malfoy and the Potters.
Draco and Ginny Potter had both arrived in record time, Draco already calling up every healer he knew to help save his son. However, Scorpius already being in surgery, and Draco had been forced to admit, it hadn’t been safe for them to move him. Scorpius life had literally been left in the hands of muggles.
Harry, on the other hand, had not arrived until far later in the day.
Scorpius had been unconscious for days and by the time he awoke and was transferred to St Mungo’s the damage had been done. Not only would he always bare the scars of the Attack, but Albus had informed his father of their relationship.
Scorpius was not sure of what had transpired between them but he knew that he was thankful for his father being there, stopping Harry when, in anger, had drawn his wand and threatened Albus to force him to either abandon Scorpius or lose his family.
Draco had acted the moment Harry had apparated away, removing Scorpius from his bed and transporting both him and Albus to Malfoy Manor where he knew they would be safe.
The three had stayed in Scorpius room, talking long into the night (well, Scorpius, still weak from the attack had fallen asleep) and by the morning, Albus had made his choice.
As Draco had feared, it was no longer safe for Scorpius in the Wizarding World. Crane had not been found and the aurors were seemingly doing little to try and locate him. Harry Potter, the head Auror, had shown himself by his own admission, to believe the rumours and hostile towards the younger Malfoy to Albus’ and Draco’s horror. There was no way that they could predict another attack.
Draco had, through his connections, produced two passports and arranged admission for both of them into a Collage in America, disguised as two muggle students to avoid any interest from MACUSA or any other Wizard organisations.
The two had immediately packed their things (Albus had refused to go home, fearing that his father would attempt to detain him on some legal grounds) and boarded the plane to America as soon as Scorpius was fit to leave (The idea of a Portkey had been ruled out as too easily tracked by the Aurors that would inevitably come after them), only leaving a single letter to Ginny Potter, to be delivered by Draco once the two were out of the country.
Leaving his father behind had been particularly hard for Scorpius but thankfully, Draco had mastered the mobile telephone and kept one hidden in the Manor so he could contact his son in emergencies. He had also set up a muggle letter box so both Albus and Scorpius could write to him and he could pass on any letters to any others they wished.
Draco had also organised their apartment and had continued to fund them secretly, exchanging vast amounts from the Malfoy fortune to American Muggle money, allowing both to have a comfortable life as they studied.
Scorpius liked to think he had taken to the Muggle World, working towards his degree in History (Albus still called him a nerd for his love of the subject but Muggle history was just as, if not even more, interesting then Wizard history) Albus had found a surprising love for Science and Chemistry which was similar to Potions, and was working towards his own degree in the subjects.
When not studying, they both enjoyed working with the local LGBTIQ group.
The idea had been a new one to both young men when they had arrived in America. In the wizard world, the idea of being anything other than Heterosexual was, although not condemned, looked down on. Hell, Scorpius was the product of a family obsessed with purity of the blood and generating heirs to preserve the family name.
Even when they had gotten together and were prepared to face the world, neither had thought their relationship could be out in the open like it was now.
They had made friends, actual friends among the community. Actual people who didn’t judge them for their families or their last names (Admittedly, both Scorpius and Albus had taken on new names, mostly to avoid any people who might be looking for them) the scary resemblance they had to both their fathers or for rumors they couldn’t control. People who weren’t hostile over them being together.
It almost brought Scorpius to tears to think of the support they had been given over the last 4 years.
In the kitchen, the kettle gave a click as the power cut off, signalling that the water was boiled.
Automatically, Scorpius went through the steps to make himself some tea. On the table, he spied a sealed letter. The address was to his father’s post box. Scorpius smiled to himself and promised himself he would post it on his way to classes in a few hours.
His smile faded as he thought back on his dream.
What had disturbed him, apart from the presence of Voldemort and the mention of Grindelwald, was the presence of another wizard.
Scorpius had never known his grandfather, Lucius.
The man had been sent to Azkaban shortly before Scorpius had been born, thanks to an attempted uprising against the Ministry of Magic. Scorpius was with his father in agreeing that it was foolish. Lucius had escaped that horrible place by switching sides during the Battle of Hogwarts and like Draco, had been spared prison. But it was clear the darkness had never left Lucius Malfoy and his subsequent attack on the Ministry before Scorpius was born had earned him a life sentence in the wizard prison.
Scorpius didn’t even know if the man was still alive. He had never visited him in prison, his father not willing to revisit the past and blight his precious son with the physical evidence of their family’s infamy. Hell, his father had gotten rid of all mention of Lucius Malfoy, Scorpius only knowing what the man looked like from old books and clippings from the Daily Prophet.
Scorpius didn’t understand why the man had been in his dream. Or why his father had looked so trapped while standing beside him. Sure, Scorpius could remember meeting his father in the Other World, Draco appearing a lot darker than the man who had raised Scorpius but still, Scorpius had been able to detect traces of the good man his father was, underneath the mask, and even managed to get Draco’s blessing to attempt to fix the universe, albeit secretly.
This version of Draco was beaten, downcast, so different from the man Scorpius knew and loved. It had scared Scorpius more than he was willing to admit, to think of the life his father had lived under his grandfathers hands.
Brushing aside the unease, Scorpius brought his tea to the couch where Albus’ books were stacked in a messy pile. Pushing them aside, he sat down and pulled his latest assignment towards him, preparing to read over his work.
It felt like a few seconds later that he was shaken awake, Albus standing over him and smiling.
“Wake up.” The brunet grinned, eyes flashing. He had put his contacts in, the blue lenses disguising his natural green eyes. Albus had succumbed to his father’s family’s poor eyesight fairly late in his life (by their standards) and had chosen to forgo glasses (and another comparison to his hated dad) for a set of muggle contact lenses.
He had been wearing the blue contacts since their arrival in America and Scorpius was secretly thrilled that he was the only person in the country who knew his boyfriends true eye colour.
“What time is it?” Scorpius asked, rising from the couch.
“Late enough. You have class in 15 minutes by the way. Better run.” Albus grinned.
Scorpius swore and immediately sprang into action, almost tripping over the couch as he catapulted over it, ignoring Albus laugh at his undignified actions as he ran into their bedroom to change into fresh clothing. Re-emerging moments later, juggling the tasks of pulling a fresh shirt over his head and tying up the laces of his shoes, Scorpius grabbed at his books and shoved them into his bag before running towards the door. Albus was already standing by the door, a piece of toast in one hand. As Scorpius passed, Albus pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and pushed the toast into his hand.
“Have fun love!” The brunet called.
Scorpius gave him a grateful smile before he ran out the door, leaving the envelope forgotten.