Delphini

Albus and Scorpius

Later, once Amos was asleep, Delphi sat in her room, thinking, regretting.
"So, you met Albus," Rodolphus stood by the door, smirking.
"Get out," Delphi gritted her teeth, "I'm refuse to do this. I told you before. I'm telling you now. Find someone else." Rodolphus didn't speak. She continued angrily, "Go ahead – kill me, hurt me, treat me like the worthless peace of shit I am, but I'm not doing this." Rodolphus took out his wand and pointed it at her throat.
"You will do what I tell you, and you will go through with this," he snarled, "Or I will kill you."
"Then do it now," she whispered, "Because you'll do it eventually, so why not now?" Don't hurt Albus, she begged silently.
"You don't mind if I hurt Albus, then?" Rodolphus asked. Delphi flinched and he smirked, "Get some sleep. He'll be back soon," he started to leave before he paused, "If you don't do it, I will. And I will kill anyone who gets in my way," then he was gone. Delphi climbed into bed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Amos spent the morning brooding. He ignored Delphi, ignored the rest of the world, and sat, deep in thought. He didn't touch the food Delphi brought at midday, and didn't notice when she left his room and sat in the corner of the main lounge. She watched the usual chaos unfold and allowed herself a small laugh. A zimmer frame floated near the ceiling, its leg tangled in a wool scarf that was unravelling at one end and, at the other end, a pair of knitting needles was working furiously. Delphi looked at the door as it opened. Albus and another boy with bright blonde hair walked into the room. Albus smiled at the chaos but the other boy looked slightly scared.
"Um, excuse me," Albus called, "Excuse me."
"EXCUSE ME!" shouted the other boy. They were ignored, "Okay, so this place is wild," he muttered to Albus.
"We're looking for Amos Diggory." Silence fell. It was the only thing that would quiet the entire room instantly.
"And what' you boys want with that miserable old sod?" asked the woman who had been bewitching the knitting needles, annoyed. Delphi stood, walked over, and smiled.
"Albus?" she was halfway to crying – he couldn't be here, couldn't come back, "Albus You came? How wonderful! Come and say hello to Amos!" she led the boys out of the room, behind them, the chaos recommenced, "So, I know Albus," she said as they walked down the corridor, "But who are you?" she asked the other boy. He looked at Albus, unsure. Albus nodded and the boy thought again. After a moment, he spoke.
"Scorpius Malfoy," he said. Delphi tried not to stare – this boy was her cousin. She hated herself for what she was going to drag him into. For what she was going to drag them both into. They walked into Amos' room. He looked up as they entered.
"Uncle," she said, "This is Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy. I think they want to talk to you," she smiled and stepped back. Amos nodded, not entirely attentive, and Albus began to explain.
"I overheard your conversation with my dad," he said, his voice low and quiet, "My dad lied. They have a Time-Turner and we want to help you get your son back. We came to help."
"You want to help me?" Amos asked suspiciously, paying a little more attention.
"Yes. It wasn't right and–"
"So let me get this straight," Amos interrupted, "You overhear a conversation – a conversation which was not meant for you to hear – and you decide, without prompting – in fact, without leave – to interfere, and interfere hard, in someone else's business." Albus stared, trying to find a way out.
"I father lied to you – I know he did – they do have a Time-Turner," he protested.
"Of course they do," Amos snapped, "You can move along now," he waved his hand – a dismissal.
"What? No," Albus said, "We're here to help."
"Help," Amos' words sounded like laughter, his tone sounded anything but, "What use could a pair of undersized teenagers be for me?" Delphi stood by the wall, watching Albus trying to convince Amos, hoping he didn't.
"My father proved you didn't have to be grown up to change the Wizarding World," Albus said quietly.
"So I should allow you to get involved because you're a Potter?" Amos sneered, "Relying on your famous name are you?"
"No!" Albus insisted, but Amos kept talking.
"A Potter who is in Slytherin house – yes, I've read about you – and who brings a Malfoy with him to visit me – a Malfoy who may be a Voldemort?" Albus stared, fuming, "Who's to say you're not involved in Dark Magic?"
"But–"
"Your information was obvious but the confirmation is useful," Amos placed a hand on his wand, "Your father did lie. Now leave. The pair of you. And stop wasting my time."
"No," Albus played his last card, "You need to listen to me, you said it your self – how much blood is on my father's hands. Let us help you change that. Let me help you correct one of his mistakes. Trust me."
"Did you not hear me, boy?" Amos half-shouted, "I see no reason to trust you. So go. Now. Before I make you leave," he pulled his out of its holder. Delphi placed a hand on her own, ready to intervene. Albus looked at Amos' wand, he sighed, trying to hide his sadness. Scorpius tugged his arm.
"Come on mate, if there's one thing we're good at, it's knowing where we're not wanted," Scorpius pulled Albus' arm again and they walked slowly towards the door. Delphi watched them. She wanted to let them walk out, she never wanted to see them again, but Rodolphus' warning sat in her mind's eye.
"I can think of one reason why you should trust them, Uncle," she said. Albus and Scorpius stopped. Scorpius stood, nervous, "They're the only one volunteering to help. They're prepared to bravely put themselves at risk to return your son to your side. In fact, I'm pretty sure they put themselves at risk even getting here," she bit her lip, hating how easily the lies came.
"This is Cedric we're talking about," Albus implored, his voice soft.
"And – didn't you say yourself – having someone inside Hogwarts might be a massive advantage?" she kissed Amos on his head. He looked at Delphi, then at Albus and Scorpius, half-curious.
"Why?" his was voice quiet, "Why do you want to put yourself at risk? What's in it for you?" Albus swallowed.
"I know what it is to be the spare," he said, "Your son didn't deserve to be killed, Mr Diggory. We can help you get him back." Tears began to fall from Amos' eyes.
"My son – my son was the best thing that ever happened to me," his voice was barely above a whisper, "And you're right, it was an injustice – a gross injustice – if you're serious," he hesitated. Albus nodded.
"We're deadly serious."
"This is going to be dangerous," Amos said.
"We know," Albus nodded again. Scorpius stared.
"Do we?" he asked. Amos beckoned to Delphi.
"Delphi – perhaps if you were prepared to accompany them?" he smiled.
"If that would make you happy, Uncle," she smiled back. She promised herself that she would delay what Rodolphus wanted her to do for as long as she possible, even at the cost of her own life. She smiled at Albus, he returned it. Amos interrupted.
"You do understand even getting the Time-Turner will risk your lives."
"We're ready to put our lives at risk," Albus was determined.
"Are we?" Scorpius muttered
"I hope you have it in you," Amos said gravely. Albus nodded and he, Scorpius and Delphi walked down to her room. Delphi looked at the time – 7:00pm. She took out her wand and waved it. Two more beds appeared.
"It's late," she said, "We can start tomorrow."