InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "They come to get the wounded."

Scorpius Malfoy (hd_scorpius) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-06-13 11:50:00

Entry tags:

character: james s. potter, character: scorpius malfoy

RP: Recuperating in the Infirmary
Who: Open to multiple tails
When: 13th June
Where: Infirmary
What: Scorpius is in recuperating

The previous night was a blur. Scorpius wasn't sure who had been there and who hadn't, because Marlene had given him pain potions and when that hadn't helped, he was sure that she had cast some spell to put him to sleep.

Today, he'd been dozing off through the day, thanks to spells and potions. He was glad for it, because every time he opened his eyes, he could see his body covered in gauzes and the sight brought up the tears. He'd made a living by being a model. His looks were part of who he was and while he might not be working now, he always assumed that soon he'd be back. He'd be the new 'it' model, reclaim his title as the best.

The Face of the Year.

If they could see him now.

Maybe he should go to sleep again, but people came to see him, so he smiled and said 'thank you for coming', when he wanted to go back to sleep and never wake up again.

(Post a new comment)

Jamie and Scorpius

curseseeker
2021-06-13 11:58 pm UTC (link)

Jamie had spent the day haunting the Hospital Wing.

Both his siblings were there, neither in good condition. He himself had come through relatively unscathed, just a few scratches he didn't even remember getting. He'd managed to help Savannah get to safety. But, Al and Lilu... Dad had saved Lilu, Peter Al. Jamie hadn't been able to get to either of them in time to prevent anything. The one thing his father trusted him to do, the one thing he was supposed to do, and he'd failed miserably. A lifetime of training and the first time it was truly tested, he'd failed the two people who meant the most to him in the world.

In between looking after them, trying to stay out of Marlene's way, and wrestling his guilt to the back of his mind until he had the luxury to feel it, Jamie had watched the others in the ward. Some had many visitors, others only one, maybe two. But, his attention kept straying back to Scorpius, the Potter Musketeers' adopted D'Artagnan. After one more time of watching his brother's best friend put on a fake smile for someone and pretend he wasn't in pain, Jamie had had enough. When that visitor left, he moved to take the seat next to Scorpius' bed.

"You don't have to smile," he said immediately, softly so only Scorpius would hear. "You don't have to talk or pretend. You can sleep if you need to. I just thought ig I sat here for awhile, it'd give you a break from trying to reassure everyone you're okay."

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

hd_scorpius
2021-06-14 12:22 am UTC (link)

Scorpius opened his eyes and gave Jamie a genuine smile. "I don't think I'm doing a good enough job anyway. I guess it doesn't matter, because I won't be an actor now, not when I look like this." Not that anyone knew what he'd end up looking like. His entire body seemed to be covered by gauze at the moment.

"You okay? How's everyone else?" he asked. "I know my Dad is okay, and my grandfather-" They were talking about unknown poison, death, lack of cure. He closed his eyes, trying not to cry.

"What happened to me? I remember the fire and then nothing. I must have passed out from the pain." It was probably a blessing, all things considered. "How pissed are people with me? Getting close and spooking those birds? I had no idea."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

curseseeker
2021-06-14 01:09 am UTC (link)

"Hey, now. No one blames you," Jamie declared. And, if they did, they shouldn't. "You didn't know. Anyone could have made that mistake. Besides, I don't think you really caused it anyway. There were more birds outside, in the halls. They attacked without even that much provocation. This would have happened regardless."

He debated answering truthfully, knowing the emotional reaction would be unlikely to do Scorpius any good. But, if it were Jamie in his place, he'd want to know. Not knowing would be even worse. "I'm fine. Few scrapes, couple of bruises. I was in the sauna. Heard you scream and came running. Just in time to see you fall into the pool. It seems Lilu just reacted. She pushed you in as soon as she saw what had happened. Then, Dad and Padma got the two of you out and up here. I lost track of a lot of what happened after that. Everyone started running or hexing or both. It was like something out of one the stories our dads might tell of the war."

Sighing, he ran his hand through his hair. "Al's pretty bad. Peter got him out, barely." Because Jamie hadn't been there to do it as he should have. "But, it doesn't look good," he added softly. After a moment, he shook his head. "Anyway, about all of you anyone can see right now are your eyes, which are still gorgeous. So, let's not count that acting career out just yet, yeah?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

hd_scorpius
2021-06-14 01:21 am UTC (link)

"I should have been careful. How many times have they told us? I bet you would have been careful." He hated this, hated the pain, hated how stupid he had been and he hated his inability to touch anyone or be touched.

"I'm glad you're all right And your dad too. Lilu- did she get burnt too?" Because of him. He didn't know if he could deal with that guilt on top of everything else. "She's all right, though, right?" He swallowed, because even talking was hard right now. "My father watched his best friend die in a fire. I saw it when I had his memories. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as living it."

He locked his eyes with Jamie. "Don't start. If this wasn't my doing, it wasn't yours either. Al- I'm sure he'll be all right. Lots of smart people around here. They'll find a way. You have to believe that, just like I believe that he and Grandfather will be all right." And maybe that was a big lie he was telling himself, but he needed to keep going.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

curseseeker
2021-06-14 03:08 am UTC (link)

"I would probably have pissed them off more by trying to shoo it away and possibly throwing something at it since I'm not terribly fond of animals," Jamie pointed out with a smirk.

Seeing the distress in Scorpius' eyes, Jamie put his hand out to hover just above the other man's chest. He didn't think he could put pressure, but sometimes just being close enough physically was enough to feel something. "She'll be all right. Her hands are a bit burned because she's too much of a Potter to think before acting to save someone we care about. But, she'll be all right. She'll be even better when she knows you're on the mend." Jamie couldn't imagine either Malfoy's experiences, Scorpius' suffering or the sheer terror Draco must be feeling to see his son go through the thing that killed his best friend. "Just remember you aren't living it in a vacuum. We're here for anything you or your family need."

Huffing quietly, he rolled his eyes. "You must be okay. You're not letting me wallow in guilt like a good friend should," he teased. "The same goes for you, you know. Some of the most brilliant magical minds in history are inside this castle. They'll find a way to cure Al and your grandfather and they'll help you heal."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

hd_scorpius
2021-06-14 03:27 am UTC (link)

"You would have," he said, huffing, but even that small movement hurt. "No more birds in this school. It should be a rule from now on." No more birds, trolls or whatever else the school was intent on bringing back.

He looked at Jamie with gratitude. The hand wasn't exactly what he wanted, but it was more than he had expected. "She is a Gryffindor, isn't she? But I'm glad she'll be fine." Or with a few scars, but at least they were in her hand. "Does she recognise them?" he asked as the discussion shifted to Lilu. "She's good with rare animals, does she know them? If Mister Scamander were here, I bet he could tell us what they are."

He wished he could believe what Jamie was saying. "Remember how your Uncle Charlie would show some of his burn marks, telling us about dragons and stories that, thinking back, were probably made up? Magical scars don't heal, Jamie. We know that. At this point, Marlene is more worried about me not feeling pain, because apparently that's when it gets really bad. She'll look for solutions, but-" He tried to reach over to touch Jamie's hand, but he barely moved his hand. "I'm scared of what I'll look like. I know I'm being vain, when there are people who are much sicker than me, but my looks have been part of who I am for so long."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

curseseeker
2021-06-14 04:35 am UTC (link)

Jamie chuckled. "No argument from me on that one. I'll just have a talk with Dad and get him to add it to the rules." Although, from the rampage against those birds his father had been intent on the previous night, there might be more fact than fiction to the jest.

Smiling as the look in Scorpius' eyes calmed, he nodded. "She is very much the Gryffindor. Remember how much she tried to argue with the Hat to put her with you and Al? And it refused. She's more Gryffindor than I am. But, yes, she'll be fine. And likely storming the research group to help identify those birds once Marlene's sedatives wear off completely." Jamie could wish Uncle Rolf and Aunt Luna both were there. Somehow, no matter how bleak, Aunt Luna always could find something positive in the situation.

And she was much better at comforting people than Jamie was.

"I remember that Uncle Charlie wouldn't have cared if they healed completely or not and it can also vary with the severity. But, if they can find a cure for the poison, there's a chance they can mitigate any scarring as well." Seeing the aborted motion, he moved his own hand to rest over Scorpius' as lightly as possible. "But, Scor, it's not vanity. It's your career. It's as important as a Seeker losing their eyesight. It's natural for you to be worried and feel free to point me at anyone who says differently so I can hex them for you."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

hd_scorpius
2021-06-14 07:28 pm UTC (link)

"You do that. Being the Minister's son should have some uses and this is one of those times when you should use that privilege," he said, with a pout that was probably not as formidable with all the gauze on his face.

Scorpius hinted a smile at the memory. "No one told her that arguing with the Hat ensures that you end up in Gryffindor. No one else would argue. Although I'm not sure that you are less of a Gryffindor. You can call it a tie." They were just different in the way they showed their being Gryffindors. "I won't argue with her. Or anyone else who wants to do research."

He snorted. "All right, that's true too. He wouldn't have the chance to tell those awesome, albeit incredible stories if he had no scars." He wasn't sure that anyone would be able to deal with quite these many scars. "Not sure anyone is about to argue with the burnt boy, but thanks for the offer. So how are you? Sitting here with nothing to do with Al being sick? Not really your thing."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

curseseeker
2021-06-14 07:59 pm UTC (link)

"The Minister may already be ahead of us on this one. If we didn't need a few for researching a cure, I think there'd already be a kill on sight order." That was, Jamie had learned, how his dad 'fixed' things. He identified a bad guy and then took said bad guy out. In this case, the bad guy was a flock of murderous birds.

"And, yet, she was so certain she could argue her case and win," he recalled with a laugh. Merlin, he loved his sister's fire. Lilu was a force of nature who didn't let anyone tell her how her life story was going to be written. She wrote it on her own terms. "I don't think anyone's going to argue with extra hands for research, if they're capable." Some of their more brilliant minds were drifting between unconsciousness and waking in this very ward, however. So, there were a few who wouldn't be allowed to help, he suspected.

"I'm pretty sure he considers those scars a badge of honour as a dragonkeeper," Jamie agreed, sitting back in his chair with folded arms. "I don't know, though. Burnt Boy doesn't seem to have enough flair for a Malfoy. You may have to work on that new stage name. But, it's a standing offer for as long as you need. Give me someone to hex and I won't feel as useless?" Heaving a sigh, he shrugged. "My baby brother's fighting for his life and there's nothing I can do but keep him company, remind him he's not alone. I'm great, really. By tomorrow, I'll probably have pestered either Marlene or Regulus to give me some way to help before I go crazy."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

hd_scorpius
2021-06-14 08:41 pm UTC (link)

"I always knew I liked your father for a reason," he said, chuckling. "Seriously though, he's not bad. Your father used to scare me, back home, but now- He's different, not just his age. He keeps telling me to call him 'Harry'. Not sure I'm at that stage yet, but he's all right, although he probably thinks I'm an idiot now. Still if he wants to kill the birds, I won't complain."

Leave it to Lilu to think she could meet an unmovable object and move it. "That's pretty much the definition of a Gryffindor." He thought for a moment. "I can help too. I'd need a spell for a book to float and one to turn the pages. Maybe not today since I'm on enough pain potions to forget my name, but this might distract me from the pain, and it sounds like they need all the help we can get."

He did not agree with that theory, but the Weasleys were strange people. "Scarred Boy sounds worse; I'll have a think." Not that he was in a rush to do any of that, not when he didn't know what he would look like. "You're never useless, Jamie. Being there for someone, being here with me, talking, that's doing something. It might not be flashy enough for a brave Gryffindor, but it's important too. I know I appreciate it and so will Al."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

curseseeker
2021-06-14 09:07 pm UTC (link)

"Dad's more like I remember him when I was little. Of course, he's only about a year away from my birth, so that might explain it. But, he wasn't as scary then." He had been able to pull out of the spiral more often, find reasons to remain present for at least a little while before getting sucked back into the drink and darkness. "Pretty sure he thinks most people who aren't as paranoid as he is are idiots, though. So, I wouldn't worry about it. Just warn me if he's one I need to hex on your behalf. I might need to learn a few he didn't teach me first," Jamie explained with a wink.

"That's our Lilu." Jamie grinned for a moment, before raising an eyebrow at Scorpius' plan. If nothing else, it would keep his mind off his own situation for a bit, which Jamie could only see as a plus. "Spells like that can be arranged, if you think you'll feel up to it." He could see if he could get Scorpius a quick-quotes quill while he was at it. "As long as you're not overdoing," he admonished. "I'll come by to check up on you."

"Scarred Boy sounds terrible," he agreed with a look of mock-distaste. Then he let the joking drop because there was only so much you could joke about an injury before you did more harm than good. "Stupid thing is, I know that. Here." He tapped his own temple. "And I'll probably be the one having to remind Dad of that and dragging him in here to see the people he matters to. But, it still feels like not doing much to help. Gryffindors, Potters, and Weasleys, three groups of people not given to inaction easily and I belong to all three." He smiled ruefully. "Still, if you appreciate it, then I suppose sitting here isn't too terrible."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

hd_scorpius
2021-06-14 09:59 pm UTC (link)

"He won't be that man we remember anymore. No matter what happens, things have changed." He wouldn't have a wife and three children to bring up. "They are doing good, and they seem happy. It's nice to watch." He knew that Jamie was right. "I've been more of an idiot than others, but I don't think we want to start a duel with your father. I don't think we'll come out the winner, physically or morally."

He nodded. "We'll see how I feel tomorrow. The mind is willing, but I'll have to see if the body is able. Unlike those pesky Gryffindors, I'm perfectly all right with resting and taking it easy. If Marlene wants to knock me out to avoid the pain, I'll do that too."

Jamie was never going to be anything but a Gryffindor, so Scorpius didn't argue with him about what he knew and what he felt. "He belongs to two and he's way worse than you are. I wager he felt better when he could kill the birds. He's not the type to sit and research. Or sit here with someone who's sick. You can do that and that's important, but I won't let you sit for too long anyway. Pain is starting again, which means I'll be asleep soon enough."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Jamie and Scorpius

curseseeker
2021-06-15 12:32 am UTC (link)

"I've never seen Dad this happy. It's good." And Jamie sincerely hoped his dad would never have reason to start down the path of the man who had raised Jamie. It was almost worth the end of the world to see his dad get a chance to truly live. "Who knows? maybe you'll end up our sibling after all, given time," he added with a grin. He didn't need to say anything else, when they both knew Scorpius was right about what would happen if they started a duel with his father. "But, I'll say again you weren't an idiot."

Chuckling softly, he shook his head. "Yeah, yeah. I guess this once we pesky Gryffindors can let the Slytherin lay about, waited on hand and foot. But, don't get used to it," came the teasing reply.

"He probably did feel better. But, Al and Lilu will need to see him, too. How would you feel if your dad never came to visit you in hospital?" Which they all knew would never happen. Even this younger version of Draco Malfoy seemed utterly devoted to his son. "But, you don't need to worry about our family issues. You just rest. Close your eyes and I'll sit with you until you fall asleep."

(Reply to this) (Parent)