Chapter Twenty-Four: Sugilite

Reconciliation and peace of mind….

Rose grips her wand tightly so it doesn’t waver while straightening her unruly curls as she watches Savannah mope while getting out of bed. Merlin, but she wanted to smack them both. Scorpius was not talking to Savannah once again for some reason. Albus had mentioned that Morgan had something to do with it, but wouldn’t spill about it. And Savannah refused to speak about Morgan, or Scorpius, opting instead to throw herself into her school work. (Not that her grades were complaining.)

It had only been a few days since the idiotic non-talkers began to not talk, and today was finally Saturday. The long awaited Hogsmeade trip. Savannah seemed to perk up at it, though, as she got ready for breakfast. Rose finishes straightening her hair, and they walk with Peregrine to the Great Hall.

Albus and Lionel meet them there, sitting at the table. Scorpius joins them later with a dour expression and saying a polite hello before turning to the side to begin a conversation with a third year Gryffindor.

“Just speak.” Rose hisses at Savannah. She looks up with bewildered eyes.

“I did nothing wrong.”

“Ugh!” Rose spews before stabbing her sausage violently. Lionel smoothes his fingers over hers and kisses the skin below her thumb.

“It will be solved on its own.” He assures her. She pouts but nods.

After a half an hour, Savannah begins to look troubled, holding her stomach and starting to sweat.

“Savannah?” Peregrine asks. She’s sitting next to Albus, smiling happily as he compliments her new hairstyle.

“I don’t feel well.” She groans, hunching over slightly. Peregrine narrows her eyes.

“So you won’t be able to go with me and Albus?” She asks suspiciously. Savannah nods weakly.

“I don’t think so. You guys can still go. I saw you admiring that jade quill at the bookstore and Albus, I know you wanted to see about the new beater bats they had in. So go.” Savannah urges weakly, taking a sip of water and grimacing.

“Sure, sounds like a date. I hope you feel better though.” Albus adds quickly. Peregrine is flushing happily and Albus flashes her a sly glance.

“Awesome. I think that I will head up to the dorm room. Maybe sleep this off.” Savannah replies. Everyone gets up to go, even Scorpius, who mentions that he’ll be heading to the library.

At the doors, Professor Potter stops them, looking a bit puzzled.

“Savannah?”

“Yes Professor?” Savannah says, holding her stomach.

“You have visitors. They claim to be your family.” He tells her. Her eyes furrow deeply and her friends exchange looks of deep confusion. Family?

“Where?”

“They’re waiting right outside and off to the left.” He heads towards the door.

“You guys can come if you want.” Savannah says to her friends. They follow, curious to know what is going on.

“Right there.” Professor Potter points to a group of three people standing under the shadow of the castle wall, surveying the beautiful Hogwarts greenery. Savannah gasps and picks up her speed.

“Marie!” she shouts. The middle figure turns to look and gives a shout of welcome. As the others get closer, they see that she is a slim, middle-aged woman holding the hand of a toddler of about four and next to her is a tall youth, with dark brown hair with bleached tips and worried blue eyes.

“Marie! How did you find me?” Savannah asks as she stops before them. Without warning, Savannah is slapped lightly across the face.

“Savannah Merlin, how dare you leave like that! Without warning and no note telling us where you had gone? Do you know how worried we were? We thought someone had taken you! I have half a mind to pull you over my knees and spank you like a child.” The woman scolds furiously, her cocoa skin turning darker as she flushes with anger. Savannah holds her cheek and lowers her head.

“I knew you didn’t want me to go. If I had told you, you would have stopped me.” She explains. The woman huffs.

“How right you are. They cast you out into the world at the tender age of eleven! I don’t want you going to any school like that.”

“But there were circumstances, Marie. You promised that you understood them.” Savannah insists.

“Oh leave her be, mum. We found her safe and sound. Let me handle the scolding.” The boy breaks in. He seems to be about seventeen, with the same cocoa skin as his mother. He moves forward, pulling Savannah into a deep hug.

“Seriously, if you ever do that again, I’ll kick your ass.” The boy says cheerfully. His Australian accent is emphasized with his words.

“Right here, right now Dex. I’ll put you in your place.” Savannah retorts, punching his arm. Dex laughs and shakes his head.

“Mum, Savannah is threatening to beat me up again.” He says to his mother. She rolls his eyes.

“She can do it for me, you insolent boy.” The little boy at her side walks up to Savannah, tugging her school robe. Savannah kneels down, pressing a kiss to his head.

“Hello Simon. Been good?”

“You leave me! Bad Savannah.” He taps her face in reproach. Savannah chuckles and pulls him into her arms, balancing him on her hips as she turns to the others.

“Everyone this is Marie, Dexter, and Simon Balooche. They took me in when I was fifteen.” Savannah introduces.

“I’m Rose Weasley; this is Albus Potter, Lionel Zabini, Peregrine Kendance, and Scorpius Malfoy.” Rose points out each person. ‘Hello’s and ‘how are you’s are exchanged before a slight silence falls.

“Well, time to go.” Marie breaks in.

“Go where?” Savannah asks, tilting her head in confusion. Marie pulls her black hair back into a ponytail, not letting her brown eyes waver from Savannah’s.

“Home, Savannah.”

“I am home.” She says instantly. Marie shakes her head.

“You are not going to school here, young lady.”

“Yes, I am. Marie, I am learning so much. I’ve gained so much.” She looks at her friends before turning her eyes back to Marie. “Living with you, as a family, was wonderful and I hope that maybe I can visit during the summer, but Hogwarts is my home now. At least until I graduate next year.” Marie looks crestfallen.

“I had grown used to having a daughter. And Dex here pined for you.” Dex blushed furiously and shook his head.

“She’s lying.” Savannah chuckles and winks at her bumbling friend.

“Aw, its fine Dex. Always knew you had the hots for me.”

“As if! Been there, done that. Not going back.” He says dismissively, waving his hand at her. She laughs, a loud rich sound, while shaking her head.

“Sure, sure whatever you say. But I know something that you didn’t know that I knew that I know your mother doesn’t know.” She replies with a smirk. Dex gapes at her before shaking his head wildly at his mum.

“I haven’t a clue what she’s talking about!”

“Oh, poor Sally. Scorned by her lover.” Savannah coughs. Marie turns quickly to Dex.

“Sally? Sally Matthews? Finally! I’ve had a bet going with her mother for years! When did it happen?”

Dex, extremely embarrassed, rubs his neck and shrugs.

“Last September?” Marie whoops.

“I won the bet! Helen’s bet was this year.” She hugs her son and then turns to Savannah.

“You will never do that to us again. You will visit for half of summer, and you will spend most of it baby-sitting Simon and his friends as punishment while helping out at the shop.” She says sternly.

“Aw, but ma!” Savannah groans.

“No buts. See this? Your fault!” She holds out a lank of hair with gray running through it. Savannah snorts.

“Sure”

“I do not miss your attitude. We have to go. Rufus is expecting us back in ten minutes.” Savannah smiles and hugs them all.

“I’ll write soon. Tell Sally hi for me Dex.” Savannah adds, winking and bumping Dex’s hip with hers suggestively. Dex groans and buries his face in his hands.

“Shut up!”

“Dexter! You better not have done what I think Savannah is implying you’ve done!” Marie scolds as they walk down towards Hogsmeade.

“Thanks a lot Savannah!” Dex calls behind him. Savannah smiles sweetly and waves until they are out of sight. She turns back to the others, only to find Professor Potter and Rose there.

“Where did they go?” she asks, standing before them.

“Albus and Peregrine went ahead to Hogsmeade. Lionel went back to get my coat, I forgot it. Scorpius stomped off to the library.” Rose conveys. Savannah nods.

“Well I’m going to go do my homework. Thank you Professor Potter.” She smiles at Harry. He smiles back.

“Not a problem. I have a detention to oversee. Have a good weekend girls.” He walks back into the castle, passing Lionel on his way out. He helps Rose into her coat, causing her to blush horribly.

“Thought you had a stomach ache?” Rose inquires as they are walking off. Savannah shrugs.

“Thought I’d speed up their relationship.” She turns and heads into the castle without another glance.

“Savannah” She whips towards the left, seeing Morgan standing by the pillar candle. She glares.

“Why won’t you leave me alone?” She growls. Morgan approaches, looking down into her hard face.

“Because I cannot deny what is the truth.”

“It is a myth.” Savannah snaps, walking up the staircase. Morgan follows her.

“Myths have truth in them. Savannah, I would not lie to you. I can’t.” He takes her hand, pulling her to a stop on the second floor. She doesn’t drop her glare, while he widens his eyes to show innocence and sincerity. “I would not lie to you because that would get me nowhere. Why lie and give you a reason to say no?” Morgan insists, pulling her hand to his chest. She could feel the steady beat of his heart. “I am here. With you. Please say yes.” Savannah sucks in air, desperately trying to think clearly. He leans his face closer, his eyes fluttering close and his lips parting slightly.

Her heart beat dangerously fast, forcing her lips to get closer. His breath fans across her face and it jolts her eyes open. She pulls back with ferocity, her chest heaving. “Stop that!” Morgan, his cheeks flushed with anger, glares at her.

“I will not stop that. I will catch you at every moment you are alone. I will be at your side for every moment you need it. I will hold your hand, hold you, and kiss you any time I want to.” Morgan hisses, stepping forward and vanishing the space between them, grabbing the back of her neck with both of his hands, trapping her to him, pressing his soft lips to hers.

Oh god. Savannah falls limp against him, the ancient emotions thundering through her with a scary intensity. His lips cover hers with possession, the power of his entire being pulsing against hers. His lips were magic and he kissed magically with them as well.

Morgan Her mind whispered it with reverence. And yet it was not in her voice. She gasps against his mouth as she feels another whisper in her mind, a cold, intruding voice that was attempting to be soft. She pulls her head back, holding one hand to her head and struggling to pull up her mental walls. She hated other people in her mind.

“I won’t. I won’t do this again! Stay away from me, Morgan.” She whispers, wiping her lips and shaking. Morgan smiles victoriously.

“You taste wondrously, Savannah. So addictive. Another taste is required.” He says throatily, bending his head to hers again. She whimpers as her body refuses to let her turn her head, and he kisses her once more. The voice brushes against her mental shield, promising wonders untold if she only would let it in and listen.

No, no, no! She breaks completely free, trembling and spitting out the taste of his tongue against hers before raising her eyes to his. They were bright green, almost glowing with triumph and anger at her refusal.

“No matter how many times you deny it, you will call for me. Want for me, yearn for my touch. I will come when you do, and I will not let you go.” Morgan promises before turning and walking down the staircase. Savannah faintly moves her feet forward, one foot at a time, until she could feel a sense of safety in a tucked away corner with a full wall of windows and a small window seat.

She falls into it, lying down and curling into herself. His power flowed over her body, feeling wrong but right. Her head hurt while reasoning with her heart. She closes her eyes, pressing her face into the stone as she wept. The sobs ripped from her chest as she rubbed furiously at her lips, wanting to forget the enchanting feel of his lips against hers. Wanting to never remember her wish for it to be true. For all of it to be true.

But it wasn’t. It was nothing but a trick.

When she had cried herself out, she just lay there, relaxing into the stone. It soothed her fierce headache. But, just to her luck, footsteps echoed down the corridor. Scorpius appeared moments later, appearing tired and frustrated. “Savannah?” He yelps as he takes note of her. She nods without looking at him, keeping her eyes on the flagstones at his feet. His robes whisper as he moves, and then he’s sitting next to her, pulling her body closer so that her head lies in his lap.

“Bad day?” He questions. While she thinks of a response, he lets his confident fingers run through her hair. He had piano playing fingers, long and sure-boned. They weren’t delicate, per se, but they were beautiful. And he was a proper gentleman, meaning he kept his nails clean and trimmed, not broken and dirt-filled like most others. They felt good going through her hair, tugging her braid free and easing the pressure at the back of her neck, where the braid had pulled on her head. She sighs with content and snuggles her head in his lap.

“Bad day” She agrees in a small voice. He stiffens but forces himself to relax. He already knows who the guilty party is.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers. She shrugs, shifting slightly to look up at him with watery blue eyes. Like the ocean is weeping. He winces, sad that he had hurt her.

“I know”

“I need to stop overreacting. I don’t think I will, but I’m going to stop blaming you for things not in your power.” He swears.

“Really?” She smiles, her eyes lighting up. He lets a smile grow on his own face, his brown eyes crinkling with cheer.

“Really. I’m a prat sometimes. My mother swears it’s from my dad.” Savannah gives a little giggle. Scorp pulls his sleeve over his fist and softly wipes the tears fresh on her face, dabbing her eyes and pressing a comforting kiss to her temple. She smiles.

“I missed ya Scorp.” She murmurs. He nods and resumes trailing his fingers through her silken hair. She closes her eyes, screwing her face up. He tuts.

“Just cry Savannah. I’m not going anywhere.” She shakes her head and he gives another kiss to her temple. She turns so that she’s facing his torso, wrapping her arms around it and smooshing her face into his stomach, trembling.

“I’m so scared.” She mumbled. Scorpius wrapped one arm around her, maneuvering her so that she sat in his lap and her head nestled into his neck, her arms now wrapped around his neck. He kept an arm around her waist, the other still going through her hair.

She shook against him like a rabbit, her tears soaking the velveteen skin of his neck.

“You’re safe here. I won’t let anyone harm you.” He whispers.

“I know” The rest of her words were not spoken, but Scorpius heard them anyway. That’s why she stayed here. Because she felt safe with him.

“Why are you scared?”

“I can’t tell you.” She replies before he can even finish.

“Why not?” He asks gently, fighting frustration. She breathes deeply, her cool breath tickling the back of his nape.

“It would make it all real. I’m not ready to face it.” She pauses. “I want to live a while more in the innocence.”

“I understand.” Scorpius says. They fall silent, with Savannah letting the tears fall from her lashes as she stares out the window, watching the falling snow and the whitening grounds. In the forest, Aslan flashes above the trees before diving, apparently hunting his dinner. Scorpius continues to kiss Savannah’s temple, moving down to her cheek at times. He’s silent as he processes the feelings coursing through him as he holds her. He didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to find the things to say to stop her pain. He wanted to starve her fears and feed her dreams.

He let his cheek rest against hers, dozing slightly. The hours passed by and when his stomach rumbles, he blinked completely awake and looked down to see Savannah deeply asleep. Without words, he tucked his free hand under her knees and hoisted her into his arms, standing up and heading to the nearest short cut.

The Gryffindor common room was empty when he entered. They were all at dinner. He walked up the girl’s dormitory staircase after disabling the hexes on them and entered her room. (A trick shown to him by Uncle George, thankfully.)

She looks so tiny in his arms, though she fair reached his chin, and so child-like. And alone.

Without thinking, Scorpius pulls back her covers and tucks her into them, sliding in next to her and taking her into his arms once more. Her back presses fully against his chest, her bum nestled against his lap while her legs curled around his. She hummed in her sleep, and he saw a smile curve onto her face as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, slipping his fingers under her side so that she was his captive. Her head settled onto his other arm, her cheek soft against his skin. Scorpius made himself relax, only to find that he was already completely so. He rested his cheek against the back of her head and let his eyes drift shut.

He felt safe here too.

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Author's Note:

So... What'dya guys think? Opinions on Morgan? How do you guys like the Balooches? Pronounced, by the way: Baloo (like from the Jungle Book) and the 'che' like the 'sh' in 'whoosh'. 

I love all Nicholas Sparks-- especially the new movie, 'Safe Haven', so this is just a double bonus for me with this song. 

I hope you all enjoyed! If you did, share with your fans/followers/friends, eh? (non-sublte hint hint guys.)