Delphini

Albus and Scorpius

22

Delphi walked into the main lounge of St Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards and stared at the scene in front of her. It was chaos; wonderful, magical chaos. Flowers floated near the ceiling, tangled in wool, and they seemed to dance together. The mantlepiece was wrapped in a stream wool that just kept coming. A man in a wheelchair came into the room from the other door.
"Delphi," he called. She looked at him, fighting to keep a smile on her face. This was Amos, this was her 'uncle'.
"Hello, Uncle," Delphi replied, walking over slowly. He smiled at her, though he seemed distracted.
"Hello," Amos said, "It's been a while, hasn't it?" Delphi nodded, biting her lip. Amos continued, not noticing, "You're my carer now, aren't you?"
"Yes," she said quietly as the confusion inside her head started to shout.

Delphi did what Rodolphus had told her to do for the next three months, not daring to disobey for fear of her own life. She looked after Amos, manipulating him as she went, hating herself. She had found a way to transfigure her room at will, scrawling a load of rubbish about the prophecy on the hidden wall, hoping someone would find her and stop her. Of course, they didn't. No one else could speak Parseltongue. Or had any suspicions about her. Letters came daily, they informed her of what she was to do next. Soon, it came with news of Harry Potter's son – he was the unseen child of the prophecy. He was the one she would have to find a way to manipulate. The following morning, she came into Amos' room one morning to find him reading the Daily Prophet and making notes on a scrap of parchment.
"The Ministry's seized an illegal Time-Turner," he said as she walked in, not looking up, "And Potter is shutting me out. We're going to his house tonight."
"Ok, Uncle," Delphi had been there long enough to know not to disagree, even with the thought of moving forward with the plan making her stomach drop like a stone. She gave Amos a bowl of porridge and watching as he ate, "Do you want me to come?"
"Yes...I think," Amos said thoughtfully. She could see that the reason was that she was also 'related' to Cedric and therefore more emotional family who needed Cedric back. She didn't mind though. She knew it was what she deserved – to be used like she was using him. Later, they left and Delphi apparated them both to the Potter's house. She knocked on the door and a woman with light red hair opened it. She looked at the pair of them, confused.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I'm Amos Diggory, this is my niece – Delphi Diggory, and we're here to speak to your husband, Mrs Potter," Amos said, bypassing all small talk.
"Why have you not come through the Ministry?" Mrs Potter asked.
"I have tried," Amos said, gritting his teeth.
"Fine. Come in," she looked fed up as she led them through to the kitchen. Harry stood by the table, sifting through a mountain of paperwork. He looked up as they entered.
"Mr Diggory?" he said, exasperated, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to talk to you about my son," Amos said. Delphi slipped out of the room, feeling the tension that was mounting in the air. No one noticed.
"We've spoken about this," Harry said, "Amos, I understand, I really do – but I'm only just home and–"
"I've tried to make appointments at the Ministry," Amos interrupted, "They say 'Ah, Mr Diggory, we have an appointment for you, let's see, in two months.' I wait. Very patiently."
"–and coming to my house in the middle of the night – when my kids are just getting ready for their new year at school – it's not right," Harry continued. Delphi turned away, not wanting to hear what Amos was going to say.  Minutes passed as she tried to block out the conversation, stood at the bottom of the stairs. Too soon, Amos' grief was difficult to ignore.
"How many people have died for the Boy Who Lived?" he said quietly, "I'm asking you to save one of them." Delphi turned away and found a fourteen-year-old boy staring over her head. He hadn't noticed her, too busy watching Amos and Harry, his face torn between emotions.
"Hello," Delphi said softly. She laughed quietly as he jumped at the sight of her, "Oh. Sorry. Didn't mean to startle," she smiled, "I used to be a big stair-listener myself. Sitting there. Waiting for someone to say something the tiniest bit interesting," she sighed inwardly; at least that had been true. Once. The boy still watched, his brown eyes darting, trying not to appear uneasy.
"Who are you?" he asked, "Because this is sort of my house and–"
"I'm a thief of course. I'm about to steal everything you own. Give me your gold, your wand and your Chocolate Frogs!" she smiled again, "Either that or I'm Delphini Diggory," she walked up towards the boy and held out her hand, "Delphi. I look after him – Amos – well, I try. And you are?" The boy looked at her, grinning ruefully.
"Albus," he said. Delphi recoiled slightly – this boy was the one she would have to manipulate beyond repair. This young boy. She tried to hide her shock and began speaking quickly.
"Of course! Albus Potter! So Harry is your dad? That's a bit of a wow isn't it?" she rambled.
"Not really," he mumbled. Delphi bit her lip.
"Have I just put my foot in it?" she searched for a lie, "It's what they used to say about me at school. Delphini Diggory – there isn't a hole she couldn't dig herself into." Albus looked at her.
"They do all sorts with my name too," he said quietly. She looked at him. She looked at this kind, understanding, innocent boy. This boy who didn't see her for her past or her parents (and she suspected he wouldn't if he knew who they were), but for her, just her. She hated herself for what she was going to do to him. 
"Delphi," Amos called, interrupting her thoughts. She stepped off the stairs, then hesitated. She smiled at Albus, trying to give him some sympathy.
"We don't choose who we're related to," she sighed, thinking of her entire family, "Amos isn't just my patient, he's my uncle, it's part of the reason I took the job at Upper Flagly. But that's made it difficult. It's tough to live with people stuck in the past, isn't it?" she sighed again, trying to drag her thoughts away from Rodolphus.
"Delphi!" Amos called again. She ignored him as Albus spoke again.
"Upper Flagly?" he said.
"St Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards," she explained, "Come and see us sometime. If you like," No, she thought. Don't come, don't give Rodolphus a chance to make me hurt you. Don't ever speak to me again. Please.
"DELPHI!" shouted Amos. She smiled apologetically and turned around to go down the stairs. She tripped and stumbled into the room, half-grinning, but her face hardened as she saw the emotion in both of their faces.
"Yes, Uncle?" she asked. Amos gestured to Harry.
"Meet the once-great Harry Potter, now a stone-cold Ministry man. I will leave you in peace, sir. If peace is the right word for it," he indicated his chair, "Delphi, my chair."
"Yes, Uncle," she pushed him out of the room, glancing over her shoulder to see Albus still sat on the stairs. She bit her lip.

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." 

The next morning, after Delphi had bought them some food for breakfast, she opened a cupboard. Inside, a small cauldron sat bubbling on a small stove. Its contents looked and smelled like putrid mud. Delphi pulled out her wand.
"Accio Harry Potter's hair," she muttered, "Accio Ron Weasley's hair. Accio Hermione Granger's hair," as each scrap of hair flew into the room, she directed them into three small flasks.
"When did you make this Polyjuice?" Scorpius asked, half-suspicious. Rodolphus made it, Delphi thought.
"I got bored," she lied, "Amos sits brooding most days," she took a ladle from beside the cauldron and began filling the flasks with the potion, "So I'm Hermione," she said, turning to Albus and Scorpius, "Who's who?" she picked up a fourth flask – veritaserum – and two bags with red robes in them. She pocketed the bags and Scorpius stared at the pocket, "Undetectable extension charm," she explained.
"Scorpius, why don't you be dad and I'll be Ron?" Albus suggested. Scorpius laughed and nodded. Delphi beckoned them to the centre of the room and handed them the correct flasks of Polyjuice.
"We'll take the potion once we arrive," she said. They disapparated and appeared in the cellar of Whitehall. Scorpius squinted at the flask in his hand.
"So, we just take it?" he said. Albus nodded.
"Scorpius, do I really need to explain to you – uber geek and potions expert – what Polyjuice does?" he asked, "Thanks to Delphi's brilliant preparation work, we are going to take this potion and be transformed, and thus disguised we will be able to enter the Ministry of Magic."
Okay," Scorpius nodded, "Two points, one, is it painful?"
"Very – as I understand it," Delphi said.
"Thank you," Scorpius said, "Good to know. Second point – do either of you know what Polyjuice tastes of? Because I've heard it tastes of fish, and if it does I till just vomit it back up. Fish doesn't agree with me. Never has. Never will," he smiled. Albus watched him, concerned. Delphi smiled.
"Consider us warned," she downed the contents of her flask and began to transform. It was painful, but nothing on the Cruciatus Curse, "It doesn't taste of fish. Actually it tastes quite pleasant, yum. It is quite painful but..." she burped, "Take it back. There is a – slight," she burped again as the transformation finished, "Slight – overpowering – fishy residue."
"Okay, that's – wow!" Albus stared.
"Double wow!" Scorpius exclaimed.
"This doesn't feel how I – I even sound like her," Delphi grinned, "Triple wow!"
"Right, me next," Albus started to unscrew the lid of his flask.
"No. No way, José," Scorpius stopped him, "If we're doing," he paused to put on a pair of circular glasses, "Together." Albus nodded.
"Three. Two. One," they drained their flasks and swallowed, "No, that's good," Albus was racked with pain as the transformation began, "That's less good," the transformation ended. Delphi looked at the pair of them. She watched as they looked at each other, "This is going to be slightly weird isn't it?" Albus said. Scorpius grinned, a smile of Harry's that was rarely seen.
"Go to your room. Go straight to your room. You've been an incredibly awful and bad son," Scorpius pointed at the door.
"Scorpius..." Albus laughed. Delphi chuckled quietly. She saw their fun and sighed – she didn't want to force them into what she was doing.
"It was your idea – I be him and you be Ron!" Scorpius tossed his cloak over his shoulder, "I just want to have a little fun before I..." he burped loudly, "Okay, so that's utterly horrible." Albus stared at Ron's – at his – stomach.
"You know, he hides it well, but Uncle Ron's got a bit of a gut growing," he grinned.
"We should go – don't you think?" Delphi walked over to the door; Albus and Scorpius followed her. They emerged onto the street, blinking at the bright sunlight. They crammed themselves into the phone box and Delphi dialled 62442. The telephone box shuddered and spoke.
"Welcome, Harry Potter. Welcome, Hermione Granger. Welcome, Ron Weasley," the voice was hypnotic and calming. Delphi took a deep breath and calmed herself. They walked through the corridors, heads down, silent. When they reached the lifts, they stepped into the one in the centre. It was empty apart from a man who was wearing traditional German robes. He nodded and Delphi as they closed the lift door and it cranked into action. Delphi nodded subtly to Albus and Scorpius, they nodded back. The lift clanged as it stopped.
"Could I speak to you?" Delphi asked the man, her voice slightly timid, not quite adjusted.
"Of course, Minister," the man said; he followed them into a small room off the corridor. Delphi summoned two cups of tea and turned away. She took the fourth flask from her pocket. She opened it and poured it into one of the cups. She handed it to the man, praying he hadn't seen what she had poured in. He drunk and Delphi smiled, relieved.
"Was the Time-Turner kept?" she asked quietly.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"In your office." Delphi pointed her wand at him.
"Obliviate," she muttered and she, Albus and Scorpius slipped out of the room and into the corridor.

They walked quickly down to Hermione's office.
"And you're sure it's in there?" Scorpius asked quietly, still unsure. A guard walked past, "Yes Minister," Scorpius said a little too loudly, "I definitely think this is a matter for the Ministry to ponder at length, yes."
"Minister," the guard nodded, Delphi smiled.
"Let's ponder it together." The guard kept walking. Albus, Scorpius and Delphi let out a sigh of relief, "It was my uncle's idea to use the Veritaserum," Delphi explained, "We slipped it into a visiting Ministry official's drink. He told us that the Time-Turner had been kept and even told us where – the office of the Minister for Magic herself," she gestured to the door. Scorpius nodded.
"Harry...we should talk about it..." a voice said. Hermione – the real Hermione – said.
"There's nothing to talk about," someone – Harry – replied, annoyed.
"Oh no," Delphi said, hoping against all hope that it wasn't who she suspected it was.
"Hermione. And dad," Albus confirmed, panicked. The feeling was instant and infectious. Scorpius seemed to be the only one who had still had some sense of calm.
"Okay. Hiding places? No hiding places," he muttered, "Anyone know any Invisibility charms?" Albus shook his head.
"Do we go – in her office?" Delphi asked.
"She'll be coming to her office," Albus said.
"There's nowhere else," she said. In truth, she wanted to be caught – Albus and Scorpius would be safe and she would never be able to go back to Rodolphus. She tried the door – locked. She tried again.
"If you don't talk to me or Ginny about it..." Hermione said, she was closer. Scorpius pushed Delphi out of the way.
"Stand back," he said, "Alohomora!" he grinned as the as the door swung open, "Albus. Block her. It has to be you," he said as he pulled Delphi into the office.
"Me? Why?" Albus' face melted into horror and shock.
"Well, it can't be either of us can it?" Delphi pointed out, "We are them," the rest of her protested at hiding but she dragged herself inside – Albus needed to do this, at least some of it. Hermione spoke again, even closer.
"What you said was obviously wrong – but – there are more factors at play here–" her voice became inaudible.
"But I can't...I can't..." Albus stumbled over his words. He tried to force his way into the office but Scorpius managed to shut the door. Delphi sank down to the floor, her eyes darting around for places the Time-Turner could be hidden. From outside the door, she heard Albus speaking.
"Surprise!!!" he called.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione said.
"Does a man need an excuse to see his wife?" he asked. Hermione began to speak but stopped suddenly.
"I should go..." Harry muttered awkwardly. Hermione spoke again.
"Harry. My point is, whatever Draco says – the things you said to Albus," she paused, "I don't think it'll do any of us good for you to dwell on it..." she hesitated again and Albus interrupted.
"Oh, you're talking about how Harry said sometimes he wished I–" Scorpius gasped; Albus corrected himself, "Albus weren't his son." Delphi frowned – it explained his determination. She stood and tiptoed to the door, looking through the keyhole.
"Ron," Hermione half-shrieked.
"Better out than in, that's what I say..." he laughed, it sounded fake.
"He'll know," Hermione sighed, "We all say stuff that we don't mean. He knows that."
"But what if sometimes we say stuff we do mean...what then?" Delphi realised, as Albus spoke, that the wound was still raw.
"Ron, now's not the time, honestly," Hermione said, tired.
"Of course it isn't. Bye, bye darling," Albus said. Hermione continued walking as Albus left, Delphi held her breath. Of course, Hermione went to her office. Albus ran back and swung his hips to keep her out.
"Why are blocking the entrance to my office?" Hermione sighed.
"I'm not. Blocking. Anything," Albus said.
"You are. Let me into my room, Ron," Hermione insisted, irritable. Delphi swore under her breath, hoping they would be caught, praying they wouldn't be. She moved away from the keyhole.
"Let's have another baby," Albus blurted. Delphi saw Scorpius sigh, exasperated.
"What?" Hermione said, confused.
"Or if not another baby, a holiday," Albus said hurriedly, "I want a baby or a holiday and I'm going to insist on it. Shall we talk about it later, honey?" Delphi and Scorpius shared a smile and there was a silence.
"Is he kissing her?" Delphi breathed to Scorpius. Scorpius nodded.
"Yep."
That's going to be an odd conversation when she sees Ron," she muttered.
"Yep."
"If there's another stink pellet in there then Merlin won't help you," Hermione said, "Fine. We're due to update the Muggles anyway," she sighed and Albus turned the door handle. Then stopped, "A baby – OR – a holiday?" Hermione laughed, "Some days you are off the scale, you know?"
"It's why you married me, isn't it?" Albus said, "My puckish sense of fun," he began to open the door again but slammed it shut.
"I can taste fish. I told you to stay away from those fish finger sandwiches," Hermione said.
"Right you are." 

The door opened again and Albus smiled at Scorpius and Delphi. He leaned against the door, tired.
"This is all too weird."
"You were impressive," Delphi grinned, "Good blocking action."
"I don't know whether to high-five you or frown at you for kissing your aunt about five hundred times!" Scorpius said.
"Ron's an affectionate guy," Albus protested, "I was trying to distract her, Scorpius. I did distract her." Delphi watched them. She let them talk, trying to delay, trying to keep her promise.
"And then there's what your dad said..." Scorpius hesitated. Albus bit his lip.
"Boys," Delphi interrupted, spotting Albus' discomfort, "She will be back – we don't have long."
"You heard that?" Albus asked. Delphi scanned the room.
"Where would Hermione hide a Time-Turner? Search the book cases," they began to look at the books. Scorpius looked at Albus, concern building, spilling.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
"My dad he wishes I weren't his son. Hardly a conversation starter is it?" he forced a laugh. Scorpius didn't return it.
"I know the – Voldemort thing isn't – true – and – you know – but sometimes, I think I can see my dad thinking: how did I produce this" he said quietly.
"Still better than my dad," Albus tried to laugh again, "I'm pretty sure he spends most of his time thinking: how can I give him back?" Delphi saw his vulnerability beginning to blossom again and she pulled them over to the bookcase.
"Maybe if we could concentrate on the matter in hand," she said. Scorpius recontinued his search but kept speaking.
"My point is – there's a reason – we're friends, Albus – a reason we found each other, you know?" he smiled, "And whatever this – adventure is about," he paused and frowned, "Have you seen the books on these shelves? There are some serious books here. Banned books. Cursed books." Albus laughed. Properly.
"How to distract Scorpius from difficult emotional issues. Take him to a library," he grinned. Scorpius just kept staring at the shelves, in awe.
"All the books from the Restricted Section and then some. Magick Moste Evile, Fifteenth-Century Fiends. Sonnets of a Sorcerer – that's not even allowed in Hogwarts!" he continued reading the spines.
"Shadows and Spirits. The Nightshade Guide to Necromancy," Albus read. Delphi stared, even in Euphemia's library, she had not seen books this dark. And it wasn't as if Rodolphus, who might have had some of it, had given her reading material after the first year.
"They're quite something aren't they..." she said, as much in awe as they were.
"The True History of the Opal Fire. The Imperious Curse and How to Abuse it," Albus murmured.
"And lookee here," Scorpius exclaimed, "Woah. My Eyes and How to See Past Them by Sybil Trelawney. A book on divination. Hermione Granger hates divination. This is fascinating. This is a find," he pulled the book from the shelf. It sprung out of his hands and floated out of reach, opening as it went.
"The first is a fourth, a disappointing mark,
You'll find it in parked but not in park," its voice was deep and hypnotic.
"Okay. A book that talks. Bit weird," remarked Scorpius. The book continued.
"The second is the less fair of those who walk on two legs.
Grubby, hairy, a disease of the egg.
And the third is both a mountain to climb and a route to take."
"It's a riddle. It's giving us a riddle," Albus whispered.
"A turn in the city, a glide through a lake," the book closed and slid back into the shelf. Delphi stared – this was not what she had been expecting. However, she did not know Hermione's style – she had spent all her time on Harry's.
"What have you done?" she gasped.
" I, uh, I opened a book," Scorpius said, "Something which has – in all my years on this planet – never been a particularly dangerous activity." Delphi nodded. The books suddenly leapt off the shelf and tried to grab Albus. He jumped out of the way.
"What is that?" he stared at the books that were now back in the shelves, seemingly innocent.
"She's weaponised it," Delphi breathed, "She's weaponised her library. This is where the Time-Turner will be. Solve the riddle and we'll find it."
"The first is a fourth," Albus repeated, "You'll find it in parked, not in park. Ed – De–" he stopped. A moment later, Delphi realised why. The books grabbed her and began to drag her into the bookcase. She fought desperately as Scorpius recited the next line.
"The second is the disease of the egg, the less fair of those who walk on two legs," he said. Delphi racked her brains for an answer. Her mind jumped to some of the muggle classics she had read.
"Men! De – men – tors," she fought, "We need to find a book on Dementors, ALBUS!" she screamed as the bookcase pulled her in. She found herself in the Locked Room and she saw Rodolphus stood on the other side, wand raised, watching her.
"Crucio," he whispered. The pain was not as strong as it normally was and Delphi dragged herself to the door. The pain stopped abruptly as she opened it and she tumbled out of the bookcase onto the floor, herself again. The books gave her no respite as they dragged her back again.
"Work faster!" she begged, trying not to show how scared she really was.
"Delphi! DELPHI!" Albus reached for her hands and Delphi tried to grab his but it was no use. The pain was immediate this time, she writhed and screamed. Through her shouts, Rodolphus spoke mockingly.
"I see the way you care for them," he smirked, "They will not survive."
"NO!" she roared, every drop of anger coursing through her, "NOT THEM!" Moments later, the curse was too powerful to fight, and she lay, letting the pain come, accepting that it was her own fault. Her fault because she was a coward.

Then, without warning, she tumbled back into Hermione's office. She saw Albus stand, shaken. She lay, trying to forget the echo of what she had heard.
"We beat it," Scorpius breathed, "We beat the library."
"Delphi, are you...?" Albus watched her, worried.
"Wow," she stood, feigning awe, "Quite a ride." Albus' gaze jumped to Scorpius.
"Is that? Scorpius? What's inside that book?" he asked, half-frightened.
"I think we should find out, don't you?" Delphi said, gesturing to Scorpius. He opened the book. The Time-Turner lay for a moment, flat, then sprung open and began to spin. Its light doubled.
"We've found the Time-Turner – I never thought we'd get this far," Scorpius admitted. Albus laughed.
"Mate, now we've got this, the next step is saving Cedric," he grinned, "Our journey has only just begun." Scorpius shook his head.
"Only just begun and it's almost half-killed us. Good. This is going to be good," he shook his head again and sighed. Delphi pocketed the Time-Turner and offered her hands to Albus and Scorpius. They disapparated.

Delphi staggered forward as they appeared by the wall of Hogwarts. The trees of the Forbidden Forest hung, low and dark, around them.
"Are we in the Forbidden Forest?" Scorpius asked. Delphi nodded.
"They never did the charms properly after Dumbledore died," she lied. In truth, Rodolphus had lifted the charm in the place it was least likely to be detected. Scorpius nodded and scanned the surroundings.
"We should find a path," he said. Albus nodded, lit his wand and began to trek through the undergrowth. Delphi smiled and she and Scorpius followed. They reached a clearing a few minutes later where Albus stopped.
"What's the plan?" he said, "How do we save Cedric?" Delphi watched him, tears forming in her eyes. He was so eager, so happy, so blissfully unaware of what she had dragged him into. She looked away, letting Scorpius speak.
"We need to stop Cedric winning the tournament," Scorpius said, "So, if we stop him winning the First Task, he'll survive because he won't enter the maze with Harry, therefore not winning and not dying." Delphi nodded, "Shall I go and find a way out to where the task was?" he asked.
"Okay," Albus said.
"I'll teach Albus to use the Time-Turner," Delphi said. Scorpius nodded, raised his wand and left the clearing. Albus walked over to Delphi and she took out the Time-Turner. It spun, bright and beautiful, "Turn the rings to go back. This one," she indicated, "Turns back hours. This one turns back days. This one turns back years." Albus nodded.
"Thanks," he smiled, "How long do you think it will take Scorpius?"
"Having seen how geeky he actually is, he's probably memorised a map. But for now, I could help you with some spells you struggle with," Delphi suggested. Any protection against Rodolphus was something. Albus nodded eagerly, "What do you struggle with?" she asked, taking out her wand.
"Everything," he mumbled, "Especially Defence Against the Darks Arts."
"Well, let's start with Expelliarmus," Delphi said. Albus nodded, "Try to disarm me," she said. Albus raised his wand, hesitant; she smiled encouragingly.
"Expelliarmus," he said. Delphi felt her wand jolt slightly.
"Okay," she said, "That was good. Just try to move your wand more sharply. Like this," she waved her wand in a circle and jabbed it forward. Albus mimicked the movement and Delphi nodded, "Like that."
"Expelliarmus," he said again. He waved his wand and Delphi felt a sharper tug at her wand but she managed to hold onto it. Albus bit his lip.
"That was an improvement," she grinned, "Just...be more confident when you say the incantation." Albus nodded and walked to the other side of the clearing, his face determined.
"Expelliarmus!" he said and Delphi's wand soared towards him. He tried – and failed – to catch it.
"You're getting it now," she said, walking over, "You're good at this," she took her wand from him, "You're a positively disarming young man."
"Expelliarmus!" Albus called as she began to walk back and her wand flew back to him.
"And we have a winner," she laughed and they high-fived.
"I've never been good at spells," Albus said quietly. Delphi sighed.
"I was rubbish," she said, "And then something clicked. And it will for you too. Not that I'm a super witch or anything or anything, but I think you're becoming quite some wizard, Albus Potter."
"Then you should stick around – teach me more," he smiled.
"Of course I'm sticking around," she plastered a smile on her face, the easiest thing to accept, "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Yes," Albus nodded enthusiastically, "Yes. Definitely friends. Definitely."
"Great," Delphi grinned, wishing with all her heart that it was real, "Wizzo!"
"What's wizzo?" Scorpius asked. Delphi jumped.
"Cracked the spell," Albus said to Scorpius, who was still mystified, "I mean, it's pretty basic, but I was – well, I cracked it," he smiled.
"And I've found our way through to the school," Scorpius grinned, overenthusiastic, "Listen, are we sure this will work?"
"Yes!" Delphi nodded. She didn't want it to work, she hated the idea of Rodolphus winning the fight, but she wanted Albus to survive. She wanted them both to survive. And that wouldn't happen if she didn't obey.
"It's a brilliant plan," Albus said; he smiled at Scorpius, "the secret to not getting Cedric killed is to stop him winning the Triwizard Tournament. If he doesn't win, he can't be killed."
"And I understand that but..." Scorpius hesitated.
"So we just need to mess up his chances supremely badly in task one," Albus continued, "The First Task is getting a golden egg from a dragon – how did Cedric distract the dragon?" Delphi put her hand in the air, playing along for some strange reason. Albus grinned and pointed at her. Delphi blinked back tears as she realised how deep his desire for her as a friend really was. And Albus would do anything for his friends. He trusted her. And she would probably end up killing him, being the two-faced bitch that she was. Albus' voice brought her back to reality, "Diggory."
"By transfiguring a stone into a dog."
"Well, a little Expelliarmus and he won't be able to do that," Albus said happily.
"Okay," Scorpius interrupted the double act, "Two points, first point – we're certain the dragon won't kill him?"
"It's always two points with him, isn't it," Delphi attempted a laugh, "Of course it won't. This is Hogwarts. They won't let any damage happen to the champions." Scorpius nodded.
"Okay, second point – more significant point – we're going back without any knowledge of whether of whether we can travel back afterwards," he hesitated, "Which is exciting. Maybe we should just – try going back an hour, say, first and then..." he trailed off.
"I'm sorry, Scorpius, we've got no time to waste," Delphi sighed, "Waiting here this close to the school is just too dangerous – I'm sure they'll be looking for you and..."
"She's right," Albus said, looking apologetically at Scorpius.
"Now, you're going to need to wear these," Delphi pulled the two large paper bags from her pocket and handed them to Albus and Scorpius.
"But these are Durmstrang robes," Albus frowned. Delphi nodded.
"My uncle's idea," she said. Rodolphus' idea, "If you're in Hogwarts robes, people will expect to know who you are. But there are two other schools competing at the Triwizard Tournament – and if you're in Durmstrang robes – well, you can fade into the background, can't you?"
"Good thinking," Albus grinned, "Hang on, where are your robes?"
"Albus, I'm flattered, but I don't I can pretend to be a student, do you?" Delphi paused, "I'll just keep in the background, and pretend to be a – ooh, maybe I could pretend to be a dragon tamer," she shrugged, "You're doing all the spell stuff anyway." Scorpius looked at her, then at Albus.
"You shouldn't come," Scorpius said.
"What?" Delphi exclaimed. She had to go. If she didn't, no one would protect them from Rodolphus.
"You're right," Scorpius explained, "We don't need you for the spell. And if you can't wear student robes – you're too big a risk. Sorry, Delphi, you shouldn't come."
"But I have to," Delphi protested, "He's my cousin. Albus?" Albus bit his lip.
"I think he's right," he said, "I'm sorry."
"What?"
"We won't mess up," Albus promised.
"But without me – you won't be able to work the Time-Turner," Delphi said.
"You taught us how to use the Time-Turner," Scorpius said quietly.
"No. I won't let you do this," Delphi didn't care that she was beginning to reveal the truth – she just needed to keep them safe.
"You told your uncle to trust us. Now it's your turn," Albus smiled, "The school is close now. We should leave you here." Delphi was about to protest again but then something clicked in her head: if she wasn't there, manipulating them, they could reset the world when it went Dark. She nodded and smiled at them.
"Then go, she said, "But – just know this...today you get an opportunity few are given – today you get to change history – to change time itself. But more than that, today you get the chance to give an old man son back," she smiled and looked at Albus. She leaned down and kissed him on both cheeks, hoping it wasn't a goodbye. She turned, trying to concentrate on something other than the danger they were throwing themselves into. She could still hear them speaking as she trekked through the forest, tears beginning to fall from her eyes.
"They didn't do the charms properly? Is that the best you could come up with?" a voice came from behind her. Delphi whirled, wand raised, to see Rodolphus watching her, smiling his chilling smile.
"Fuck off," she muttered once she saw who it was. He laughed.
"How's Albus?" he asked threateningly. She flinched; he took her arm and disapparated.

Delphi pulled away as they appeared in the kitchen of Rodolphus' house.
"You failed," he snarled, "You stupid bitch. Once they realise what they've done, they'll fix it. And then you have to start again."
"No," she said quietly, almost inaudibly.
"Pardon?" Rodolphus said, eyebrows raised.
"No," Delphi repeated, "I won't do this again. I am not going back to St Oswald's and I will not do anything that hurts another. Unless that other is you."
"You will try again. And again, if needs-be. Until you are successful. Or you will watch me murder your friends and then you will die," Rodolphus snarled.
"If I die, if we all die," she whispered, "So be it. It would be better than the hell you want."
"You will do it," Rodolphus raised his wand but Delphi didn't falter.
"NO! No, I won't," Delphi walked to the door, her face a picture of calm, her heart anything but.
"FULGARI!" Rodolphus shouted and Delphi felt herself hit the floor, her hands bound. She dragged herself up, knowing what was coming, and ran. She was fast; she reached the front door and threw her weight against it in an attempt to open it. It collapsed after a second attempt and she ran out, half-blinded by tears and the pain of the ropes. She didn't get much further before she felt the ropes dragging her back. Each time she resisted, the pain that shot through her wrists was astronomical. Soon, she was back in front of the portrait.
"GET OFF ME!" she roared as she was forced to her knees.
"Ungrateful bitch," Rodolphus sneered, "I wonder what your parents would think if I told them what you've been doing."
"I don't care. I'm not going to do this," Delphi said quietly, "I have seen this world. And I know well enough what that world would look like. Getting there would not be worth the loss of life, the constant pain, the hate, that it would take to get there. If I'm doing this to meet my parents, I don't need to – you're both here. And if I'm doing this to protect Albus and Scorpius, that's bullshit. Albus would not be born. Scorpius would not survive long. So I will not do this."
"Go ahead," Voldemort said to Rodolphus. Delphi turned to look at him, his wand was pointing straight at her head. She fought, ignoring the pain in her wrists, to stand.
"Imperio," Rodolphus said. Delphi felt herself stop fighting, though she tried. She felt herself rise, bow to her father and walk to her room. Where she slept.

It was around a month before Delphi woke, though she didn't know that. When she did wake again, there was a letter on her bedside table. She felt herself moving to pick it up, her movements deliberately slow, thanks to Rodolphus. The seal was already broken, a green snake that coiled at the base of the image. The letter was from Albus.

Dear Delphi,

I'm sorry. We can't save your cousin. Everything that happened when we tried, we can't risk that happening again. We're going to destroy the Time-Turner in the Owlery (at the top of the shortest tower).
I'm so sorry.

Albus

Delphi felt herself put the letter down and walk out of the room. She remembered the time that Rodolphus had explained the feeling of the Imperious Curse, she could vouch for it now. As she passed the draw where Rodolphus kept his papers for his Gringotts vault, she made a desperate attempt to fight the curse. For a moment, she had control again. She ripped the draw open and grabbed her Gringotts key, some coins and the papers for the Lestrange Vault. She shoved the draw closed and stuffed the parchment into her pocket. The curse forced itself back into her head as Rodolphus walked into the room, thankfully not spotting the slightly crooked draw. He took Delphi's arm and disapparated.

They appeared outside the wall of Hogwarts. Rodolphus turned to her.
"They were successful. After a second attempt involving the lake task. But Scorpius reset the world. Humiliate Cedric and you get that world back," he waved his world and Delphi felt her mind take control again, "One more chance." Delphi nodded and was about to rise into the air when Rodolphus stopped her, "One more thing, the Time-Turner they have only gives you five minutes in the past." Delphi rose into the air and gasped as she reached the top of the wall. She had never seen Hogwarts. It was a beautiful, magnificent structure that gave the idea of the comfort that she had never truly experienced. Its hundreds of twinkling lights winked at her knowingly. She picked out the tower that Albus had specified in his note and soared towards it. Despite where and how she had learnt to fly, Delphi loved the feeling. She lost herself in the wind and, though it was only for a few moments, it was an escape. The feeling of the wind flowing through her hair made her laugh. Soon, too soon, she was close to the to the tower. She saw Albus and Scorpius sitting in the window, though they didn't see her. She slipped in through a lower window and walked the up the stairs. She could hear them talking and tears sprung to her eyes as Albus spoke. His voice had changed, it was quieter – what had she done? What had she caused?
"Exactly," Albus said, "It's been done before – let's do something new, something fun."
"Fun?" Scorpius said, at least his reason wasn't gone, "Look, many wizards overlook the importance of choosing the right spell but this really matters. I think it's a much-underestimated part of modern witchcraft." No, Delphi thought, the geekiness was not gone either.
"A much-underestimated part of modern witchcraft?" she laughed, truly happy to see them alive, "You two are the greatest, you know that?" Scorpius looked up at her, surprised.
"Wow. You're...um," he paused, "What are you doing here?" Delphi looked at Albus and he smiled.
"It felt important to send an owl – let her know what we're doing – you know?" Albus said. Scorpius looked at his friend, his face full of accusation, "This concerns her too," Albus pointed out. Scorpius nodded.
"What concerns me?" Delphi asked hurriedly, all too aware of Rodolphus watching them, "What's this about?" Albus took the Time-Turner from his pocket.
"We need to destroy the Time-Turner," he said, "The things Scorpius saw after the Second Task...I'm so sorry. We can't risk going back again. We can't save your cousin." Delphi could almost hear Rodolphus laughing at what he was forcing her to fix. She looked at the Time-Turner, then at Albus and Scorpius.
"Your owl said so little..." she said quietly.
"Imagine the worst possible world," Albus muttered, "And then double it. People being tortured – Dementors everywhere – a despotic Voldemort – my dad dead, me never born, the world surrounded by Dark Magic. We just – we can't allow that to happen." Delphi opened her mouth to speak and hesitated. This was the world that Rodolphus wanted to create. She would not survive tonight. But she would get them out. And if she couldn't, if it stopped Voldemort returning then it was a price that would have to be paid.
"Voldemort ruled?" Delphi murmured, "He was alive?"
"He ruled everything. It was terrible," Scorpius stared out of the window, his voice distant, almost frightened, at the memory.
"Because of what we did?" Delphi whispered.
"Humiliating Cedric turned him into a very angry young man and then he became a Death Eater and – and – it all went wrong. Really wrong," Scorpius' voice was barely audible
"A Death Eater?" Delphi's voice cracked. Scorpius nodded.
"And a murderer," he muttered, "He killed Professor Longbottom."
"Then – of course – we need to destroy it," Delphi could barely hide her happiness.
"You understand?" Albus' voice had a slight trace of disbelief.
"I'll go further than that," Delphi declared, "I'll say Cedric would have understood. We'll destroy it together, and then we'll go to my uncle. Explain the situation," she was elated. Albus and Scorpius had refused to participate – she could not force them to try again. Her hope was short-lived.
"Thank you," Albus smiled gratefully. Delphi looked at them, moulding her expression into a sad one, though inside she was overjoyed. She took the Time-Turner and watched it spinning alluringly. There was a faint whisper and she felt the Imperious Curse settle over her mind, too strong to fight. She felt herself turn around and her cloak loosened. Albus noticed, "Oh, nice mark."
"What?" the curse said; Delphi realised her tattoo was visible.
"On your back. I hadn't noticed it before," Albus said, "The wings. Is that what muggles call a tattoo?
"Oh. Yes. Well it's an Augurey," the curse said, hiding its anger. Hiding the anger Rodolphus had shown when he had found her that night.
"An Augurey?" Albus said.
"Haven't you met them in Care of Magical Creatures?" the curse asked, "They're sinister-looking black birds that cry when rain's coming. Wizards used to believe that the Augurey's cry foretold death. When I was growing up, my guardian kept one in a cage." Scorpius looked at her.
"Your...guardian?" he paused. Delphi thrashed against the curse's grasp, knowing what was going to happen.
"She used to say it was crying because it could see I was going to come to a sticky end," the curse said. Delphi wondered how Rodolphus knew that, "She didn't like me much. Euphemia Rowle...she only took me in for the gold," she felt herself shrug.
"Why would you get a tattoo of her bird, then?" Albus asked, confused.
"It reminds me that the future is mine to make," the curse said. Delphi laughed, though it didn't break through the curse's grip. She could almost feel Rodolphus' urgency to come up with a believable lie.
"Cool," Albus grinned, "I might get an Augurey tattoo."
"The Rowles were pretty extreme Death Eaters," Scorpius interrupted, his face a mask of concentration.
"Come on, let's get destroying," Albus said, "Confringo? Stupefy? Bombarda? Which would you use?" Scorpius looked up at Delphi.
"Give it back," he demanded, "Give us back the Time-Turner."
"What?" the curse said, feigning bewilderment. Delphi pushed against the walls of the cell that the curse had trapped her in, desperate for one more moment in control to get the Time-Turner away from Rodolphus, away from herself.
"Scorpius," Albus stared, "What are you doing?" Scorpius didn't look away from her.
"I don't believe you ever were ill," he said, his voice full of accusation, "Why didn't you come to Hogwarts? Why are you here now?" Delphi wondered when she had told him that lie.
"I'm trying to bring my cousin back," the curse protested. Scorpius leapt up.
"They called you the Augurey. In – the other world – they called you the Augurey," Scorpius backed away from her. Delphi felt herself smile slowly.
"The Augurey?" the curse, Rodolphus, became truly interested, "I rather like that."
"Delphi?" Albus asked, fear mounting in his voice. Scorpius reached for his wand, his mind still whirring, but the curse was too quick. Delphi felt herself raise her wand and watched Scorpius do the same. He was powerful, more than he realised, but the curse had harnessed both Delphi and Rodolphus' magic and was far stronger.
"Fulgari!" it half-shouted. Scorpius fell to the floor, his arms bound in vicious, luminous cords. He looked at Albus who was staring at Delphi, scared, confused. The curse laughed quietly, a chilling sound.
"Albus," Scorpius' breathing quickened, "Run." Albus looked from him to Delphi. And he ran.
"Fulgari!" the curse repeated. Albus was propelled to the floor next to Scorpius, his arms bound to Scorpius by the same brutal ropes. Delphi screamed, fighting desperately to free them. The curse sneered, "And that is the first spell I've had to use on you. I thought I'd have to use plenty more. But you're far easier to control than Amos – children, particularly male children, are so naturally pliant, aren't they? Now, let's sort this mess out once and for all."
"But why?" Albus stared, terrified, "But what? But who are you?" Delphi, trapped in her mind, watched him, tears falling. She saw the hope that lingered in his mind. The hope that she was still the woman who'd scared him on a staircase. She saw the bond of trust that still refused to break, even after everything. And she hated herself for it. The curse spoke, dragging her thoughts back.
"Albus," it smiled softly, mockingly, "I am the new past," Delphi felt herself take his wand. She had the cool wood grasped between her fingers for only a moment before the curse brought her hand down, snapping it, "I am the new future," she felt herself taking Scorpius' wand and snapping it, dropping the scraps on the floor "I am the answer this world has been looking for."

The curse waved Delphi's wand. Albus and Scorpius were dragged to their feet and to her. She felt herself smile at their discomfort, though inside she was crying. The curse dragged them down the tower's steps, not caring when Delphi thrashed against its iron grip, not caring when Albus tripped and he and Scorpius crashed to the floor. Somehow, they ended up on the Quidditch Pitch without being found. The curse forced Albus and Scorpius to Delphi's feet. Albus looked around, panicked.
"What are we doing on the Quidditch Pitch?" he asked. The curse didn't reply.
"The Triwizard Tournament," Scorpius said, "The Third Task. The maze. This is where the maze was. We're going back for Cedric," his voice was barely a whisper and Delphi felt herself nod.
"Yes," the curse smirked, "It is time to spare the spare once and for all. We will go back for Cedric and in doing so we will resurrect the world you saw Scorpius."
"Hell," Scorpius said, almost disbelievingly. Almost, "You want to resurrect hell?" NO! Delphi screamed.
"I want to return pure and strong magic," the curse snarled, "I want to rebirth the Dark." Scorpius didn't stare this time, as if he was practically past shock.
"You want Voldemort's return?" he asked quietly, his voice stumbling.
"The one true ruler of the wizarding world," the curse said simply, "He will return. Now you've ensured the first two tasks are a little clogged up with magic – there are at least two visits from the future in both of them and I will not risk being revealed or distracted. The Third Task is clean, so let's start there, shall we?"
"We won't stop him – whatever you force us to do – we know he needs to win the tournament with my dad," Albus' voice, no matter how strong his words were, shook unmistakably. Delphi felt herself grin, Rodolphus' signature smile – chilling.
"I don't just want you to stop him," the curse sneered, "I want you to humiliate him. He needs to fly out of that maze, naked, on a broomstick made of purple feather dusters. Humiliation got you there before and it'll get us there again. And the prophecy will be fulfilled."
"Wasn't aware there was another prophecy," Scorpius looked her straight in the eye, no fear anymore, "What prophecy?" The curse ignored him.
"You have seen the world as it should be Scorpius," it said, "And today we're going to ensure its return."
"We won't," Albus said, "We won't obey you. Whoever you are. Whatever you want us to do."
"Of course you will," the curse simpered.
"You'll have to use Imperio," Albus said determinedly, "You'll have to control me."
"No," the curse muttered angrily, "To fulfil the prophecy, this has to be the one to humiliate Cedric, so Imperio just won't do – I'll have to force you by other means," Delphi felt herself out her wand; she pointed it at Albus. Inside her head, she smashed herself against the obsidian walls of her prison.
"Do your worst," Albus said calmly, accepting his fate. The curse turned the wand on Scorpius, whose face was a sea of hidden terror.
"I will," it said. Delphi smashed into the wall again, screaming.
"No!" Albus cried. The curse forced Delphi to nod.
"Yes, as I thought," it sneered, "This seems to frighten you more."
"Albus," Scorpius said quietly, urgently, "Whatever she does to me – we can't let her–"
"Crucio!" the curse interrupted. Scorpius screamed, his voice echoing around the empty stands. Albus stood, watching Delphi, watching Scorpius.
"I will..." he mumbled, tears forming in his eyes. The curse laughed. Delphi shivered, it was too similar to Rodolphus, to Voldemort.
"What? What on earth do you think you can do?" the curse said mockingly, "A wizardwide disappointment? A sore on your family name? A spare? You want me to stop hurting your only friend? Then do what you're told," Delphi found herself looking at Albus. She prayed he would say yes – she couldn't face hurting Scorpius again. Selfish bitch that she was. Albus' eyes stayed resistant, "No?" the curse asked, "CRUCIO!" Scorpius screamed, writhing.
"Stop!" Albus begged, "Please." There was a shout as a boy appeared, out of breath.
"Scorpius? Albus? Everyone's looking for you–"
"CRAIG!" Albus shouted, "Get away. Get help!" The boy stared at them.
"What's happening?" he asked, his eyes darting from Delphi, to Scorpius, to Albus.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" the curse roared. There was a blinding flash of acid-green light that flickered around the Pitch. Delphi screamed. The world seemed to stop. What had she done? The boy lay, unmoving, dead. No one spoke. Albus and Scorpius stared at the lifeless body, their minds in hell, "Did you not understand?" the curse snarled, "These are not childish games we are playing here. You are useful to me, your friends are not." Albus looked at her, terrified, and then at Craig, "It took me a long time to discover your weakness, Albus Potter," the curse continued, "I thought it was pride, I thought it was the need to impress your father, but then I realised your weakness was the same as your father's – friendship. You will do as you're told, otherwise Scorpius will die, just like that spare did," Delphi looked at them both; the curse continued, "Voldemort will return and the Augurey will sit at his side. Just as it was prophesised. 'When spares are spared, when time is turned, when unseen children murder their fathers: then will the Dark Lord return'," Delphi felt her mouth stretch into a grin and she felt herself pulling Scorpius and Albus towards her. They stumbled; the curse kept speaking, "Cedric is the spare, and Albus – the unseen child who will kill his father by rewriting time and so return the Dark Lord." The Time-Turner began to spin, slowly, then it sped up. The curse forced Delphi's hands around it, but only after making her force Albus and Scorpius too, "Now!" There was a flash of light and a bang. Everything froze and then it moved. There was a clatter of voices, a rush of colour and time spooled backwards, slow, then fast. There was a sucking noise, another bang.

The rush ended in a spiral of hedges that never seemed to stop moving. For a moment, the obsidian wall around Delphi's mind was gone. For a moment, she allowed a dash of hope to flit through her head. But only for a moment. Then, she felt herself walking through the maze, dragging Albus and Scorpius behind her. A booming voice – Ludo Bagman – echoed through the stands. Delphi shut it out, directing all her energy against the fresh wall of obsidian in her mind. Two minutes walking was all the time the curse gave her to fight.
"Where is he?" it muttered, "Where is Cedric?" A hedge leapt out a Albus and Scorpius, trying to drag them in.
"The hedges want to kill us too? This gets better and better," Scorpius muttered.
"You will keep up or you will face the consequences," the curse snarled. They kept walking, Delphi dragging Albus and Scorpius, the curse dragging Delphi. She could hear them talking, barely audible, though they sounded scared. The hedge changed direction again and she felt herself pull Albus and Scorpius in behind her. This path was long, straight, misty. Ludo Bagman's voice floated over again. Delphi kept fighting. Another hedge changed and she felt herself begin to force them in. Scorpius stopped, obviously straining and in pain as he resisted the ropes, holding Albus back. The hedge closed before the curse could drag them in and Delphi felt herself rising into the air. She felt herself gliding over the maze, her head turning left and right, searching. She saw Albus and Scorpius, running down a large path, terrified, and was forced over. She could hear Albus.
"Where did she go?" he asked hurriedly as they reached a turning.
"Does it matter," Scorpius said, "Which way do you think?" They turned and spotted Delphi, their expressions melting into those of pure terror and shock.
"You poor creatures," the curse smirked. She watched her hand raise her wand and push them to the floor, separating their ropes, "Thinking you can escape me."
"You're not – even on a broom," Albus gasped.
"Brooms," the curse barked a laugh, "Such unwieldly objects. Three minutes gone. We have two minutes left. And you will do what you're told."
"No. We won't," Scorpius murmured, defiant and determined.
"You think you can fight me?" the curse asked incredulously. Scorpius shook his head.
"No," he said, "But we can defy you. If we lay down our lives to do so." Delphi stopped fighting the Imperious Curse. She could see Rodolphus in her mind's eye, sitting and laughing, and she began to beg. She pleaded with him to spare them, to kill her and let them go. Nothing.
"The prophecy must be fulfilled," the curse snarled, "We will fulfil it." Scorpius hesitated, then he spoke.
"Prophecies can be broken," he said quietly.
"You're mistaken child, prophecies are the future."
"But if the prophecy is inevitable, why are you here trying to influence it?" Scorpius asked, "Your actions contradict your thoughts – you're dragging us through this maze because you believe this prophecy needs to be enabled – and by that logic, prophecies can also be broken – prevented." Delphi brought her fists down on the wall. Not another chance. Please.
"You talk too much, child," the curse snarled, "CRUCIO!" Scorpius screamed again, collapsing.
"SCORPIUS!" Albus tried to run to him but the curse held him back. He watched, helpless. Scorpius sat up when it ended and looked at Albus, his eyes nervous but ready.
"You wanted a test, Albus – this is it," he said quietly, "And we're going to pass it." Albus looked at his friend, so weak, yet so strong. Albus nodded.
"Then you will die," the curse interrupted. Delphi concentrated all her will into breaking the cell open. The magic flowed through her as she forced it at the corner and there was a shudder. A single, small crack appeared. She gasped and continued fighting as Albus spoke.
"Yes," he said, his voice no longer shaking, "We will. And we'll do so gladly, knowing it's stopped you." Delphi felt herself rising.
"We don't have time for this," the curse thundered, "CRU–"
"EXPELLIARMUS!" someone yelled. Delphi's wand soared away from her and landed next to a hedge a few metres away. Before the curse could retrieve it, there was another shout, "BRACHIABINDO!" Invisible ropes forced Delphi's arms behind her back and pushed her to the ground. She smiled, out of sight. Maybe they could run down the clock and get out. Maybe Albus and Scorpius could survive. Albus and Scorpius stared at where the voice came from; a seventeen-year-old man appeared, "Come no further," he commanded, wand raised.
"But you're..." Scorpius trailed off, completely at a loss.
"Cedric Diggory," he said, confused at their awe, "I heard you screaming. I had to come. Name yourself, beasts. I can fight you." Albus stared at him, astonished.
"Cedric?" he breathed.
"You saved us," Scorpius smiled gratefully but Cedric was still suspicious.
"Are you also a task? An obstacle?" he asked, "Speak. Do I have to defeat you too?" Neither Albus nor Scorpius spoke, still staring in shock. Delphi lay, bound, a few feet away, hoping desperately that Cedric would free them.
"No," Scorpius found his voice again, "You just have to free us. That's the task." Cedric stayed still, trying to work out if it was a trap. After a moment, he waved his wand.
"Emancipare! Emancipare!" he muttered. The cords binding Albus and Scorpius disappeared; they smiled, relieved, "And now I can go on?" Cedric asked, "Finish the maze?" They looked at him, heartbroken.
"I'm afraid you have to finish the maze," Albus said quietly.
"Then I shall," Cedric declared. He walked away and Albus looked after him.
"Cedric," he called. Cedric turned, "Your dad loves you very much."
"What?" Cedric said. Delphi realised that the ropes that had been restraining her were gone as she saw Rodolphus stood around the corner. She felt herself crawling towards her wand, though she never stopped fighting inside her head.
"Just thought you should know that," Albus said awkwardly.
"Okay. Um. Thank you," Cedric looked at Albus again and then walked on. Delphi felt herself stand and pull out the Time-Turner from her inner robes pocket. Scorpius saw her.
"Albus," he tugged on his friend's sleeve. Albus was still stood, looking at where Cedric had been.
"No," he muttered back, "Wait..."
"The Time-Turner is spinning," Scorpius pulled Albus' sleeve again, harder this time, "Look at what she's doing...she can't leave us behind."
Albus and Scorpius scrambled to grab the Time-Turner. There was a bang and a flash. The world froze. And moved. Another clatter of light and another rush of voices and time began to move backwards again. Slow. Fast. Faster. Faster. There was another bang and Scorpius looked around, "Albus..." he gasped. Albus stared.
"What have we done?" he said, suddenly terrified again.
"We had to go with the Time-Turner," Scorpius said, his voice shaking, "We had to try to stop her."
"Stop me?" the curse sneered, "How do you think you've stopped me? I am done with this. You may have destroyed my chances of using Cedric to darken the world but maybe you're right Scorpius – maybe prophecies can be prevented, maybe prophecies can be broken. What is undoubtedly true is that I'm done with trying to use you annoying, incompetent creatures for anything. No more wasting precious seconds on either of you. Time to try something new," it forced Delphi's hands around the Time-Turner and she felt the shards of metal and glass fall through her fingers and she crushed it. She felt a rush of air as she was forced to ascend back into the air. The curse barked a harsh laugh as it pushed Delphi away over the Hogwarts grounds, then over the countryside. For a time, she gazed at the mountains and the lakes as she soared over them, but she quickly shut herself in her mind, locking out the world.

She dared to look out again when she felt her feet hit the ground. Rodolphus stood a few feet away, clutching a Time-Turner. He looked tired as he took Delphi's arm and disapparated. They appeared in a small village. Houses lined the street, each with its own unique, intricately-carved, brightly-coloured door. A young woman with brown came out of the house with the blue door and stared at them, her face unreadable, before walking off towards the church at the end of the street. Rodolphus led Delphi to a house with an orange door and he knocked. A middle-aged man opened the door, wand raised.
"Rodolphus Lestrange?" he said, eyebrows raised.
"Odell Mulciber," Rodolphus glared at him and stumbled over the threshold; Delphi felt herself follow, head bowed – the obedient woman she was meant to be. The man led them to a small room and Rodolphus collapsed into a chair. Delphi felt herself turn.
"Thank you," the curse murmured.
"You trained her well," Mulciber laughed.
"No. I haven't," Rodolphus muttered. He waved his wand and Delphi felt the obsidian prison melt away. Her eyes widened and she charged at Rodolphus, her wand aiming directly for his throat. She crashed into a shield charm that had been cast by Mulciber.
"Get rid of it," she snarled, fuming. He shook his head.
"Can't let anyone get hurt," he sneered. Delphi stopped, her wand hung loosely at her side; tears began to pour from her eyes. She fell to her knees as the memory of the boy's body, still and lifeless, came flooding back.
"Why?" she gasped, staring at Rodolphus. He shrugged.
"To convince them that you aren't a friend," he said, "And to make sure they won't accept you again."
"Why was it so easy?" she whispered, "Why do you delight in killing?"
"I don't," he said, "It's merely something that has to happen. It was easy because you were fighting like a wildcat. You're more powerful like that – you may have exhausted me, but you gave it the energy to kill," he smirked. Delphi stood, shaking, and leant against the wall, trying to shut out every emotion in her head.
"How did you follow us each time?" she asked quietly, "And how did you know what happened to Albus and Scorpius?"
"I have my sources," Rodolphus said, "And Lucius has been having Time-Turners produced for years now. Yours was a prototype. Mine is the real one. If their parents arrive, it'll be your cousin who provides the Time-Turner." She nodded and sunk down in the corner. She felt a sharp object pushing into her side – the Gringotts key. It felt like forever since she had stolen it from the draw.
"I need to go for a walk," Delphi mumbled, "I...need to clear my head. I swear, I won't talk to them. I just..." she trailed off.
"Go," Rodolphus muttered, "But if you speak to them, if you run, if you do not come back in time, I will fight. And I will kill them both." Delphi nodded and walked quickly out the house, hoping Rodolphus did not change his mind. She sat on the wall of the graveyard and looked at what she had grabbed from the draw. Her Gringotts key and the papers to the Lestrange vault. Rodolphus had given her that key to Delphi on that trip to Diagon Alley. It had had a reasonable amount then, it would probably still have plenty. She stood and placed the things back in her pocket, looking up to see the woman from earlier coming back.
"Excuse me," Delphi half-ran up to her, "Is there a post office here?" she asked. The woman smiled and pointed up the street, away from the church.
"It's just up there."
"Thank you," Delphi smiled and ran off down the road, looking for the right building.

She pushed the door open and heard a bell ring. A woman appeared behind the counter, smiling at her.
"Have you got any parchment?" Delphi asked. The woman nodded and handed her a few sheets and a quill, "Thank you," Delphi said. She sat, poised to write, to explain. But who could she explain to? Albus would never accept it, never forgive her, not after what she had done. But, Scorpius might see, might understand. He wouldn't forgive her but she realised that she didn't want that; she just wanted someone to know the truth.

Dear Scorpius,

I don't know when you will get this letter. I don't even know if you will get this letter but it was worth a try.

She stopped, questioning what she was doing, what she was risking. Albus and Scorpius would not stop her without help, which they had none of. And if, by some glorious turn of fate, they did stop her, she would end up in Azkaban. 

If you do get this, then, the chances are that I've been arrested and sent to Azkaban. Yes, this is Delphi writing. Please read until the end. You might not forgive me, and I don't mind, but I need to explain.

Explain what? She thought. Rodolphus would find out if she told the truth and then he would murder them. She had to lie again. Like she would have to forever.

You know that I grew up with Euphemia Rowle and you know that she hated me. When I was seventeen, Rodolphus Lestrange came to take me from her care. He told me the Death Eaters' side of the story and told me of my parentage. He told me that there was a way to meet my father and I jumped at the idea. I'd spent my whole life being told I was worthless and I wanted someone who wouldn't tell me that. Rodolphus took me to Diagon Alley, he bought me a wand, he taught me magic – dark magic. He was kind to me. Occasionally he mentioned the Prophecy, but only to motivate me. When I'd learnt the basics of wizardry, he suddenly became a lot harder on me. The Prophecy became a threat over my head, he taught me the dark arts every day. He used the Cruciatus curse on me until I could do it properly. He used it on me every time I made a mistake or didn't perform to what he wanted. But I began to realize that my father was not the great man that they made him out to be.

Truth.

But he made me keep going. One night when I was really angry and upset, I snuck out; I got my Augurey tattoo. He found me and dragged me back to the house. He tortured me for days after that. He hated that I had associated myself with muggles, that I had left without permission, that I had even tried to leave. 

Half-truth.

A month later, I started working at that care-home. And then, three months later, I met Albus. He was so blissfully unaware of who I was, of the guilt I held in my heart; it was the best feeling in the world. I invited him to see me at the care-home. Rodolphus was angry but, by that time, I didn't care if he killed me. He wizened up to the fact that I thought of Albus as a friend and he had a new threat to hold over my head. So, I did what I was told. I hate myself for it. I tried to avoid getting to that point. To the point where I might end up killing you both. But I had to in the end. I'm truly sorry for that pain I caused you.

Truth.

I'm going mad, I know that, and I will have cracked by the time we fight, whenever that is. I won't know who I am, and I will have tried to kill you.

Lies.

So, I'm sorry. For everything. I enclose the key to my vault at Gringotts (Vault 117) and the papers you'll need to get to the Lestrange vault. Use it to rebuild your world. Use it to fix the problems in the world. Don't let what happened to the world then happen again. Please.
I don't want you to accept my apology because what I did was not excusable. I just want you to know the truth.

Delphi 

She finished writing and picked up an envelope from the counter. She folded the letter and put it in the envelope with the papers for the Lestrange Vault and her Gringotts key. She sealed and addressed the envelope and looked at the counter. The woman was gone. Delphi rang the bell on the counter and she appeared again. Delphi jumped and she smiled.
"How can I help?" the woman asked.
"Uh," Delphi shook her head and spoke, "Could I send this?" she said.
"Of course," the woman took the letter and weighed it, "Three Galleons via express. Two via standard." Delphi took two Galleons from her pocket and handed them over.
"Is it possible..." she paused, "Is it possible to ask you not to send the letter until November 2020? I know it's a strange thing to ask but I really would appreciate it and it would–"
"Shhh," the woman calmed Delphi's frightened rambling and smiled, "Of course I can send it then. That's okay," she placed it in small draw, "It will stay locked in there until November 2020 and then I'll send it."
"Thank you," Delphi said, more grateful than she could say. She hurried out and back towards the house with the orange door. She was a few metres away when she was stopped by the woman with brown hair.
"Are you okay?" she asked, smiling kindly.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just in a hurry. Things to do," Delphi rambled, checking over her shoulder to make sure no one was watching.
"No," the woman said, "You're not okay. Come on, you must be able to spare a few minutes."
"I can't. I have to go. Please," Delphi pulled away, panicked.
"Listen," the woman placed her hand on Delphi's shoulder, "I know you. Well, part of you. Explaining it now would be stupid but I know you. If you are here, in this state, something is very wrong."
"It is," Delphi muttered, "But it's not something I can explain to you now."
"Then don't," she smiled, "But you need to eat. You look exhausted," she held out a roll that Delphi took slowly, still suspicious. She took a small bite and realised how hungry she actually was, ravenously tearing at it with her teeth.
"Thank you," she bit her lip and checked over her shoulder again – Rodolphus was not there.
"Please, do me a favour," the woman said quietly, "If you ever do get to where I know you from, treat them kindly." Delphi nodded, confused but grateful.
"Thank you," she said again and hurried back to the house. Rodolphus stood in the hall, scowling.
"You took your time," he muttered.
"Sorry," Delphi said, frightened.
"It doesn't matter now," he said, "Your father will arrive soon and you will stop him. If Albus, Scorpius or any other stupid, undeserving creature tries to stop you, you will kill them. If you don't, I will."
"Why not just control me again?" Delphi's voice shook, "It would be easier on both of us."
"Because you disobeyed me. And I want to watch you suffer," Rodolphus smiled, a chilling, terrifying smile that scared her more than the thought of her own death, "If you do not try, if you fail, I will kill them both. And then you. However, if there is a fight and you do win, you may keep Albus alive. Show some mercy, like that woman wanted you to."
"Yes sir," Delphi muttered, not questioning how he knew what had happened. Rodolphus led her back outside and down towards the church. Voldemort stood outside, his unnatural skin gleaming in the sliver of moonlight. He raised his wand and the door swung open. He walked in; Rodolphus shoved Delphi in his direction and she stumbled into the church.
"Whichever witch or wizard is following me, I assure you, you will regret it," Voldemort said coldly, continuing through the church.
"Lord Voldemort," Delphi said, trying not to appear distracted, "It is me. I am following you." Voldemort turned to look at her.
I do not know you. Leave me," he ordered, his voice was calm though his eyes told another story. Delphi took a deep breath.
"I am your daughter," she hated those words with a violent passion, hated the idea of being the daughter of a man so cowardly that he was willing to murder a child.
"If you were my daughter, I'd know of you," Voldemort said.
"I am from the future," she said quietly, "The child of Bellatrix Lestrange and you. I was born in Malfoy Manor before the Battle of Hogwarts. A battle you are going to lose. I have come to save you," Or stop you, she thought. Voldemort looked at her, his eyes meeting hers. She continued, lying through her teeth, "It was Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix's loyal husband, who, on return from Azkaban, told me who I was and revealed the prophecy he thought I was destined to fulfil. I am your daughter, sir," she bowed her head, suddenly scared of his reaction.
"I am familiar with Bellatrix and there are certain similarities in your face – though you haven't inherited the best of her," Voldemort muttered, "But without proof..." Out the corner of her eye, Delphi saw Rodolphus nod. She spoke intently in Parseltongue and Voldemort laughed viscously, "That's your proof?" Delphi rose into the air, part of her hoping her would dismiss her flight as something many could do.
"I am the Augurey to your Dark Lord, and I am ready to give all that I have to serve you," she said, hating how easily the lies slipped off her tongue.
"You learnt flight – from – me?" Voldemort stepped back, trying to hide his shock.
"I have tried to follow the path you set," Delphi lied.
"I have never met a witch or wizard who's attempted to be my equal before," he said quietly. She bowed her head and floated back to the floor.
"Do not mistake me – I would not claim to be worthy of you, Lord," the next words tasted sour in her mouth, "But I have devoted my life to being a child you could be proud of."
"I see what you are," he interrupted, "And I see what you could be. Daughter." Delphi looked at him, then at Rodolphus. He nodded.
"Father?" she asked, resisting the temptation to spit the word.
"Together, the power we could wield," Voldemort continued.
"Father..." Delphi looked at him again, scared.
"Come here, in the light," he ordered, "So I may examine what my blood made." She didn't obey. She glanced again at Rodolphus; he glared at her.
"Your mission is a mistake," she forced the words out, "Attacking Harry Potter is a mistake. He will destroy you," And I will be glad, she thought. Voldemort shook his sleeves over his hands and turned away.
"He is a baby," he said. Delphi hesitated before explaining – she could ruin time if she told him. But it was no less than either of them deserved.
"He has his mother's love," she explained, "Your spell will rebound, destroying you and making him too powerful and you too weak. You will recover, to spend the next seventeen years consumed in a battle with him – a battle you will lose." Voldemort was distracted, pulling his hood over his head, hiding his face.
"Then I won't attack him," he muttered, "You are right."
"Father?" Delphi asked, trying to appear confused while beginning to understand that this man was not her father – he was not ruthless enough. Her suspicions were confirmed as he shrunk slightly. He turned back to her.
"Your plan is a good one," he said. His voice was different – it was familiar, desperate – Harry Potter. Delphi fought to hold back her smile – help had come. He spoke again, "The fight is off. You have served me well, now come into the light, so I may examine you." A door swung open behind them, then it was pulled shut. Delphi stared and turned back to 'Voldemort'. She tried to catch a glimpse of his face and he turned, again and again – something of a dance.
"You are not Lord Voldemort," she announced, rising into the air and grabbing her wand.

"INCENDIO!" Delphi roared.
"INCENDIO!" Harry shouted back and the two streams of flame exploded in the centre of the church, sparks flying everywhere.
"POTTER!" she yelled, pointing her wand at the door. She knew who was behind it and she had to keep them safe, even if she couldn't protect Harry, "Colloportus." There was a clunk as the door locked; Harry looked at it, dismayed. Delphi forced a laugh, "What? You thought your friends were going to join you, did you?" she laughed again, loathing its similarity to the curse.
"Harry!" a muffled voice shouted, "Harry!" There was a crash.
"She's sealed the doors from your side," someone else – Ginny – said.
"Fine," Harry muttered, "I'll deal with you alone," he raised his wand but Delphi disarmed him, "How did you? What are you?" he spluttered. Someone who wants to keep your family and friends safe, she thought, repeating the words over and over in her head.
"I watched you for a long time, Harry Potter," she said, "I know you better than my father did," she dropped his wand below her, hoping he could reach it.
"You think you've learnt my weaknesses?" Harry asked.
"I've studied to be worthy of him!" Delphi hated the truth in that statement, "Yes, even though he is the most supreme wizard of all time, he will be proud of me," she could see Harry trying to get to his wand, but she couldn't give him forever, "EXPULSO!" Harry rolled away as the floor exploded behind him and Delphi forced another laugh. He crawled under a pew and she laughed again, "Are you crawling away from me? Harry Potter. Hero of the wizarding world. Crawling away like a rat?" Like she wanted to, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The pew that Harry was hidden under rose into the air, "The question is whether it's worth my time to kill you, knowing that as soon as I stop my father, your destruction will be assured," she said, hating herself, "How to decide? Oh I'm bored, I'll kill you," she forced Harry to stay as she sent the pew smashing down, releasing him and watching him roll out of the way with half a moment to spare. She saw Albus emerge from a grate on the floor; Harry didn't notice; she pretended not to. Albus crawled to Harry's wand and Delphi glanced at Rodolphus. He was angry, his hand on his wand. She had to act. She only hoped Albus would stop her.
"AVADA–" she started before Albus yelled.
"DAD!" he threw Harry his wand. Good, Delphi thought, now they were both armed. She pointed her wand a Albus, hoping that Harry would just kill her, just end it.
"ALBUS! NO!" Harry roared, pointing his wand at Delphi, looking between her and Albus.
"Two of you?" Delphi moved her arm slightly – now she would miss Albus when she tried to kill him – if he didn't move left, "Choices, choices. I think I'll kill the boy first. AVADA KEDAVRA!" The bolt of green light flew at Albus; he didn't move, frozen with terror. Harry ran at Albus, pushing him out of the way, avoiding the curse by inches. Harry didn't stop, retaliating with another merciless blast of fire. She flew to the side, using a pillar to steady herself, "You think you're stronger than me?" she felt sick as she mocked him, as she saw the hate shining in Albus' eyes. He raised his wand as Harry sent another stream of flames at her. She deflected it, sending another stream back, letting it miss narrowly.
"No, I'm not," Harry replied, "But we are." Albus pointed his wand at the doors.
"ALOHOMORA! ALOHOMORA!" he shouted and the doors flew open.
"I've never fought alone, you see, and I never will," Harry said. Delphi raised her wand – she had to win this fight now. She had to save Albus, at least.

Suddenly, her wand was ripped from her hand and she looked at Rodolphus – he was just as confused. She flew for her wand and caught it but they had cornered her; there was a bang and she tumbled to the floor, her wand flying to Hermione.
"NO!" Delphi shrieked, "No."
"Brachiabindo!" Hermione said and the ropes twisted themselves around Delphi, cutting into her arms, pulling her to the ground. She stared up at the group, looking at each of them in turn. Albus and Scorpius hung back, still nervous. Ginny watched Harry, his fear fuelling his anger. Draco glared at her, his hand on his son's shoulder. Ron and Hermione stood just behind Harry, watching Delphi, their faces unreadable. Delphi looked at Rodolphus, or rather, where he had been. She looked around for him, no sign of him. She sighed gratefully. Harry walked towards her, wand outstretched, not taking his eyes off her, not even for a second.
"Albus, are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes, Dad, I'm okay," Albus said quietly, looking at Delphi, hurt and betrayal staining his eyes.
"Ginny, has he been injured? I need to know he's safe," Harry said.
"He insisted," Ginny placed a hand on his shoulder, "He was the only one small enough to crawl through the grate. I tried to stop him."
"Just tell me he's okay," Harry snapped, his voice laced with fear.
"I'm fine, Dad," Albus tried to smile, "I promise." Harry took another step towards Delphi, his anger building, overflowing.
"A lot of people have tried to hurt me," he said quietly. His anger erupted, "BUT MY SON! YOU DARE HURT MY SON!"
"I only wanted to know my father," Delphi whispered, the lies flowing off her tongue too easily. She did not trust her eyes to tell her if Rodolphus was really gone. Harry's anger faltered.
"You can't remake your life," he said quietly, "You'll always be an orphan. That never leaves you." Delphi wanted to scream the truth, wanted to tell them what had happened, wanted them to know she was glad to be an orphan, glad her parents were dead. But they were not safe yet.
"Just let me – see him," she tried to force some hope into her voice.
"I can't and I won't," Harry said. Delphi could not hide her relief this time, her hope.
"Then kill me," she whispered, pleading.
"I can't do that either."
"What? Dad? She's dangerous," Albus said, his voice shaking. Harry shook his head.
"No, Albus," he smiled sadly, understanding his son's fear.
"But she's a murderer," he protested, "I've seen her murder!"
"Yes," Harry said, "Albus, she's a murderer, and we're not." Hermione smiled at Albus.
"We have to be better than them," she said.
"Yeah," Ron sighed, "It's annoying but it's what we learned."
"Take my mind," Delphi interrupted, begging, "Take my memory. Make me forget who I am," she knew she didn't deserve it, but still she begged.
"No," Ron shook his head, "We'll take you back to our time."
"And you'll go to Azkaban," Hermione said, "Same as your mother."
"Where you'll rot," Draco didn't bother to hide his hatred and Delphi didn't blame him.

There was a deafening noise, painful, terrifying, the sound of death. It screamed, screamed for Harry, as it hunted.
"What's that?" Scorpius' voice shook and Harry sunk to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"No. No. NO!" Not yet."
"What?" Albus murmured.
"Voldemort," Ron said. Delphi looked up from the floor, scared.
"Father?"
"Now? Here?" Hermione half-whispered, looking at Harry.
"Father!" Delphi said again, trying to seem eager – they would not believe the truth anymore.
"Silencio!" Draco muttered, "Wingardium Leviosa!" She floated upwards, out of reach, and she landed on a small ledge near the roof, dreading the moment that Rodolphus would appear and murder them all. She could hear Harry speaking, footsteps echoing, death hunting. She watched Harry drag himself up and out of the church, the others following. A minute or so later, there was a shout.
"LILY, TAKE HARRY AND GO! IT'S HIM! GO! RUN! I'LL HOLD HIM OFF!" a man – Harry's father – roared. There was a blinding flash of white light and a laugh, Voldemort's laugh – a thousand times worse than anything Delphi had heard before.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" There was another flash, this time it was acid green – the too familiar shade that would scar Delphi's memories forever. A moment later, there as a deafening blast and a crash.
"Not Harry," a woman begged, "Please not Harry!"
"Stand aside, you silly girl," Voldemort's tone was harsh, expectant, the one he had used when giving Rodolphus orders, "Stand aside now."
"Not Harry, please no, take me," the woman cried, "Kill me instead."
"This is my final warning."
"Not Harry! Please have mercy! HAVE MERCY! NOT MY SON!" she was screaming now. A tear trickled down Delphi's cheek. Another scream, "PLEASE – I'LL DO ANYTHING!" Voldemort laughed again. Delphi did not hear the curse this time, but she saw the flash that confirmed it – Harry Potter's parents were dead.

Delphi bit her lip, tears falling to the ground. She saw Draco enter the church again and point his wand at her. She was pulled off the ledge and out to where the others stood. Draco pulled her hand to the Time-Turner, not caring when she grimaced at the harshness of the ropes. The Time-Turner spun, faster, faster, faster. The world froze and moved again. A flash of light and a rush of voices and time began to move forward. They apparated away as time slowed again, appearing in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. Delphi stumbled forward and fell, out breath. Guards swarmed around her and pulled her back up. She looked around and realised that she had appeared by herself. She was walked down corridor after corridor, stumbling occasionally and ending up outside Hermione's office. One of the guards knocked and Hermione opened the door. She looked at Delphi, preoccupied, and beckoned them inside. The guards pushed Delphi forward – she stopped as she caught a glimpse of the shelves that had held the Time-Turner. Those had been designed to keep intruders there, it would keep her there, showing her worst fear, her only fear, forever. The guards pushed her again but her feet had turned to lead, her breathing quickening as they forced her through the door and let her go. She sank to the floor, dragging herself to the wall, away from the shelves, grimacing at the pain of the ropes on her arms. Another Locked Room. That's all it was. She would get out. One day. One day. One day.