The Serpent's Curse

Category:Harry Potter
Category:Fantasy
Category:Fanfiction
==Introduction==
Hey, this is Ella! Yes, I'm back with another fanfiction, but this time it's Harry Potter's child. You heard correct, this story is about Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy. 
Before continuing, there's a few things you should know about this story:
⇒ This story will be written in a similar style to the other Harry Potter books.
⇒ It takes place after Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
⇒ No, this will not be in script form.
⇒ This is kind of an attempt to redeem Cursed Child, even if it's low quality hopefully it'll be good!
⇒ Yes, this will be a romance (not telling you with who 😏).
⇒ And, just because this is a fanfiction of one of J.K. Rowling's works, does not mean I support the author herself or agree with her opinions. 
⇒ I'm going to make this as accurate as possible to the books, while still adding my own little twist.
⇒ FYI, I am a bit slow at adding chapters, as I have a very chaotic life. Ideally, though, I'll post every Monday (my time).
⇒ If you have any suggestions, questions, or constructive criticism, please leave a comment!
Happy reading, dear friend. <3
~Ella
= Part One =
== A Final Promise ==
Two years earlier, a week before Albus and Scorpius’s third year at Hogwarts
Draco paced, fingers twisting in his blond ponytail. There must be something he could do to save her, anything. He would do anything to see her live another day. A tear threatened to fall. Draco brushed it away. There was no time for tears, no time for goodbyes, no time for hoping. Only time for careful planning and treatment.
He growled and checked his wristwatch. What was that bloody doctor doing? He had been back in Astoria’s room for over thirty minutes, and taking his damn time to figure out what was wrong. This was not the first time Dr. Perx had visited; he had come so many times, Draco had lost count. Every time he would depart, only more perplexed than before as to what was Astoria’s problem. He used his charms and potions, but nothing seemed to help. Draco was sure he could do more and was livid the doctor wasn’t trying harder. What could be more important than her life? The life of the woman he loved so dearly; the life of Scorpius’s mother. The life of Astoria Malfoy.
Astoria had been sick for nearly a year, each day worse than the last. It started soon before Scorpius’s second year; just a fever at first. But then she’d stopped eating and would awake in the night, brow thick with sweat. Draco did his best to comfort her, to figure out what was wrong, but she refused to talk about the constant nightmares. The closest he’d come to understanding was when she’d become delirious and rant about nonsense. She would mistake people for others and forget reality for days at a time. 
Once Draco had awoken tied to a chair, Astoria threatening him with her wand. ‘Voldemort,’ She hissed, ‘you! I’ll kill you for what you did!’ She screamed when Scorpius, alerted by the yelling, banged open the door and grabbed away her wand. He snapped it in half without a second thought and held Astoria down as best he could while using his wand to untie Draco. Astoria had fought, thrashing, screaming, and hurling threats at her husband and son until the doctor came and sedated her. 
She awoke nine hours later with no recollection of the night before. When she figured out what she’d done, she’d cried into Draco’s shoulder before apologising furiously to Scorpius and asking she be locked in her room by herself so as to not hurt anyone. Despite how much he’d hated the idea, he’d agreed after Astoria had begged. 
Draco’s heart twisted at the memory.
He hadn’t known she had a history with Voldemort, and the idea troubled him. No one deserved to know that monster. Astoria was resistant when he first asked her about it, but she finally relented and told him…everything. At least everything she could remember. 
The death.
The blood.
Bellatrix Lestrange. 
He shuddered. The worst person he had ever met, second only to Voldemort himself. His own aunt. The thought of his family always brought terror and regret. It was so much easier to live as though he had no connection to them at all. 
Of course, that was impossible when everyone whispered the name in the streets. 
Scorpius Malfoy; the son of Voldemort. 
Astoria Greengrass; the mistress of Voldemort.
The rumours. The lies. It drove Draco insane. 
Voldemort’s son!
It was disgusting people even considered the idea. 
And he could only imagine the gossip that would fly once (if! He corrected himself, something desperate stabbing at his heart) Astoria passed. Especially if they knew all the details. It was the reason he had never fully told anyone all that had happened.  If they knew….
He pushed back his sleeve and traced the Death Mark with his nail. It brought back so much pain, so much terror. He thought of every time Astoria had ever looked at him. Had she ever been scared of him? Of the Mark? Had she ever been filled with the fear he might still be controlled by Voldemort? Had she ever had nightmares of what Draco had done? After all, it was his fault the rumours existed in the first place. His fault Astoria and Scorpius had trouble being accepted.
He had had his fair share of nightmares plaguing him ever since the Mark had first been seared onto his skin. Voldemort’s eyes, staring down at him. A deep darkness that ran so deep into Draco it had taken his years to dispel it all fully. 
‘Lord Malfoy?’ Draco started at the doctor approaching and hastily rolled down his sleeve. 
‘Yes?’ 
‘Your wife…I’m afraid I still cannot figure out what is happening. And…it’s worse than ever. She may only have days left at this point. I’m sorry, there’s nothing else I can do.’
Draco’s jaw tightened. ‘You’ve tried everything?’
‘Yes. It’s just so unusual, I’ve never seen anything like it. You don’t think it’s….’ Dr. Perx clamped his mouth shut, a tinge of fear hinting at his eyes. 
‘I don’t think what, doctor?’ Draco’s voice iced, as he guessed what the doctor was hinting at. 
‘You don’t think it could possibly be a-a curse?’
Just as predicted, it still made Draco’s blood boil. ‘Dr. Perx, please. I think I would know if my wife had been cursed.’ Draco outwardly dismissed the theory, but a tiny part of him wondered if the idea held some water.
‘Well…it’s just that…you know, everyone says-’
‘I DON'T CARE WHAT EVERYONE SAYS!’ Draco burst.
Dr. Perx inched away. ‘Oh, um, of course. My mistake. I apologise.’
Draco cleared his throat, checking himself. ‘Despite what people say, Astoria is my wife and Scorpius is my son.’ 
Dr. Perx nodded nervously, clutching his bag to his chest like a shield. 
‘Father!’ Scorpius entered the room, interrupting the heated silence. 
‘What is it? I am in the middle of a conversation.’
‘Right, sorry. It’s just-it’s mum, she’s asking for you.’
Draco’s heart pounded but he merely nodded. ‘Thank you, Scorpius, I’ll be right there.’ He turned back to the doctor. ‘Dr. Perx, the door is in the front hallway-I trust you can see yourself out?’
‘Erm…yes. I’m very sorry.’ Dr. Perx ducked his head and backed out of the room, not sure what he was apologising for. 
Scorpius stared after the doctor’s retreating back and then looked to Draco.
Draco pushed past him and rushed into the dimly lit room where Astoria lay, her hair regally spread on the pillow. Her pale fingers clutched desperately at the sheets, as though they were the only thing anchoring her to the world. She looked toward Draco with a blank gaze in her beautiful eyes. It was similar to the look she acquired when she was in a raving fever, but her heavily regretful, shadowed face was proof enough she was in her right mind. 
‘Draco?’ 
‘Astoria! The doctor is useless. I will find another, I only need a few minutes.’
‘Draco…’ She met his gaze and understanding passed between them. There was nothing else left to do. She knew it. He knew it. But he wasn’t giving up, not yet. 
‘No!’ Draco squeezed her hand, making her flinch with pain. He loosened his grip as a tear dripped onto her chest. ‘You’ll be fine.’ He whispered. 
She smiled; weak, yet serene. ‘I’m afraid not, Draco.’
Scorpius inhaled sharply and leaned over her from the other side. ‘Mum?’
She turned to face him, wincing in pain. ‘Scorpius, my child….’ She reached up and brushed a strand of hair off his forehead. ‘I love you with all my heart, and always will. Please, remember that.’ 
‘I-I love you too, mum. Mum?’ 
Astoria smiled weakly as she looked back to Draco. He cupped her cheek, tears hot on his face and neck. ‘Astoria, my love. Please, don’t go. The doctor-he can fix this. It will all be fine, you’ll be fine. Just-just hang on a little longer. Please.’
She let out a breath. ‘You know I cannot.’ 
‘Mum!’ Scorpius whimpered and curled next to her, crying into her arm. ‘I need you.’
Her eyelids fluttered. ‘I’m so sorry, Scorpius. I wish I could have seen what you will achieve. Promise me you’ll keep living. I-I have seen what grief does to people. You must move on after I’m gone, with the knowledge I support you in all you do.’
‘No! Mum, stop it! You’re, you’re not…dying….’ Scorpius hiccuped. 
‘Take care of him, Draco.’ Astoria said. ‘Keep him safe.’
‘Astoria…’ Draco’s words stuck in his throat and he cleared it, attempting again. ‘I love you. More than even I can understand.’
‘I love you too, Draco.’ She smiled and let out a pained gasp before going silent. 
‘Mum!’ Scorpius sobbed, cradling her head. ‘You’re you’re not-’
Draco wrapped his arm around Scorpius and held his shaking body close. No words came to him-there was nothing to say. Nothing to do except to comfort Scorpius and be strong for both of them. Even if it was not his first instinct, Astoria had asked for it.
Tears were cried, but they were cried bravely and without hesitation. Scorpius seemed uncertain and Draco could feel his hesitation to let go of Astoria’s hand.
‘She’s not gone.’ Scorpius insisted under his breath. ‘She can’t be gone.’
A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. Draco gently let go of Scorpius and went to answer the door. Hermione stood there, robes fluttering around her, her face tight. ‘Draco….’
‘Yes?’ It came out colder than intended. 
Hermione’s eyebrows creased. ‘How…how is Astoria?’
Draco’s spine stiffened and he glared down at her, lips clenched in an attempt to imprison the tears. 
‘Oh, Draco…I’m so sorry.’ Hermione lowered her head and when she looked up her face was damp. ‘You…you called the doctor? She’s not-’
‘She. Is. Gone.’ His words turned frail as paper, as if a single gust of wind would cause them to crumple.
‘No.’ Hermione’s breath was soft. ‘Draco….’
‘There was nothing he could do. That bloody doctor couldn’t FIX IT!’ His voice rose unsteadily and he shook, wrenching the doorknob and succeeding in pulling his wrist. He cried out in pain and another tear was let loose. 
Hermione took a step forward and lingered, fingers tilting toward his injured hand. ‘May I-?’
‘I would prefer to be left alone at the moment.’
‘Of course.’ Hermione’s head dipped again and she sucked in a breath. ‘My deepest condolences. She didn’t deserve….’ There was a beat of silence. ‘How is Scorpius…?’
‘Horrible.’ He breathed deeply. ‘I don’t know how he’ll manage without her.’ 
‘Oh.’ She looked almost as if she were about to attempt an embrace, or say something else, but paused. She cleared her throat, something like regret screwing her face up at odd angles. ‘Look, Draco, I hate to bring this up now; not when Astoria just…And when Scorpius is off to Hogwarts next week. But, well, the thing is, you’ve taken an extra week of leave longer than you requested. I’m so sorry, but soon I’ll have to…you’ll lose your job, Draco. I know it’s painful. Losing someone-’ she cut off and shivered. ‘But I’m afraid I only have so much sway. Eventually I’ll be forced to let you go.’
‘Fire me, then. I don’t care.’
Hermione wiped her face. ‘Not now, you don’t. But you will. Draco, please, don’t be hasty. For your own good.’
Draco’s hands flattened at his side; the pain in his wrist already forgotten.  ‘It doesn’t matter, Hermione. Don’t you understand? Nothing matters!’
Hermione looked away. ‘I can give you one more week…that’s the most I can manage. After that….’ She ran her finger over the edge of her cloak. ‘Just let me warn you; I lived through the Battle of Hogwarts too, I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. But you can’t let it drag you down. You sink into depression, you forget who you are. You’ll never fully live life again. I’ve seen it happen, Draco, and I’m not willing to let it happen to you, too. And I can’t let you do that to Scorpius, he needs you now, more than ever.’   
Draco turned his face so she couldn’t see the streaked tears there. ‘Thank you, but I think I would know how to care for my son.’ His fingers once again reached the door handle. ‘Expect me at work next week. Thank you for coming.’ 
‘Of course, and Draco? Don’t be afraid to reach out if you ever need anything.’
‘I can make no promises.’ He closed the door before she had the chance to utter another word. 
He shuddered, dropping his head in his hands. He knew Hermione didn’t have to come to tell him that, she could simply fire him and be done with it. But she hadn’t, and it had been all her choice to bother asking about Astoria and Scorpius. 
Astoria.
Oh. Astoria.
The image of her sickly face on the pillow filled his mind and he stifled the urge to kick the door. He sank to his knees and attempted to wash the image permanently from his mind.
What would he do without Astoria? Who would he be? When his tears began dripping through his fingers, he stifled them and stood. He must persevere. For Scorpius, for Astoria, for himself. 
Take care of him, Draco. 
His fist clenched, curling deep into his skin, sure to leave crescent marks. Astoria’s last request had been to take care of Scorpius, and that was exactly what he intended to do. No matter what.
== The Durmstrang Student ==
Coming next Monday...
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Category:Books
Category:Book
Category:Fiction