Debts

"That is a very interesting story." Scorpius said. "Decent people like the Weasleys are often swayed by arguments like that, they feel so bad if they have to deceive people. That could come in handy. What are you planning on doing now? Don't tell me you are going to let her off the hook that easily?"

"Let her off the hook? What do you mean?"

"She obviously feels indebted to you. I can't say I agree, as she didn't really do anything bad towards you, but the important thing is that her guilt was strong enough to make her come and help you out, without knowing exactly what your brother had done. That is a powerful tool you have accidentally stumbled upon. Don't let it go to waste, is my advice." Scorpius hoped he would bite. If Sam really was as determined as he had just claimed to want nothing to do with the Ministry, he would have to find another way to get involved.

"Now, I know I called your brother here an idiot, repeatedly, but you seem like a man who knows how to take advantage of a situation. I can always use people like that. Tell me, what have you been doing these last three years that you don't want Rose Malfoy to discover? Maybe I can help you."

Sam and Tom exchanged glances. "Why should I tell you?" Sam said, a little apprehensively. 

Scorpius laughed. "Well, as I said, I may be able to help you. And I am as eager as you are for the Ministry to forget that I exist and it seems that in order to do that, I have to prevent the two of you making additional waves. But if all you want to spend your time on is to drink cheap mead and throw corks at people go ahead, until you are arrested again. If not, maybe I can help you find something better to do."

The two men looked at him, shocked.

"If not," he added in a more sinister tone. "I can always find some other way to collect the debt I owe."

"We… we don't owe you anything." Sam said with an attempt at confidence. Scorpius just smiled. He had perfected the evil grin he had seen Crabbe and others use before. It was very effective. "Maybe you don't. Though you were part of whatever went wrong yesterday as well. But your brother does owe me. If he told you otherwise, he did acknowledge that out loud just a few hours ago. And I always collect my debts." 

Tom squirmed. He was clearly uncomfortable. He didn't want to owe Scorpius anything, and he certainly didn't want to be associated with him, but he was also scared of offending him. Scorpius played a dangerous game here. He had never played his character to this extent. He would need to brainstorm with Albus about what exactly he was doing that he needed help with. But he also wanted to keep close to Sam, in case he had some sinister plans that Rose could ill afford to be involved in. But he really should get going now, before he pushed too far. 

"I'll give you some time to think about what your best interest would be. You'll hear from me again." 

And with that, Scorpius rose and left, without a word. He hoped they would stay and discuss a bit before they left. He had left the Extendable Ear, so he could hear them. It would be his only chance of knowing what they were up to. He was not disappointed. 

"What on earth did you promise him?!" Sam nearly shouted.

"I didn't promise him anything! He was angry with me, for making him waste his time and being on the Ministry's radar. I didn't say anything! Besides, you're the one who suddenly made him more interested. He might have just dropped all of this, if you hadn't shown up with a Malfoy of all people!"

"If I had known you were with… with him I wouldn't have come at all! Now what are we supposed to do?"

"We just need to lay low. Avoid that pub, avoid Leh… Mr. Fawley and he may just forget about it."

"I doubt it. But there isn't much we can do about it for now. If he shows up again, we will have to deal with it. And I won't be able to bail you out again, do you understand?"

"I didn't steal anything. I was there just to check the place out, but the owner caught me snooping, and I ran. He probably reported it as stealing to avoid having to tell them what I was actually trying to do. I didn't expect an Auror to come running after me for it." 

"Well, it was stupid anyway. We may have to abandon that part."

"He's not going to like that."

"I know, but you got caught. He will just have to live with it." 

"He," Scorpius thought. Who were they talking about now? This got more and more interesting. And complicated. 

"We may have to change the venue though, as Rose Malfoy now knows where we are."

Wait, what? Did Sam actually hide something secret in the house? Was that why he was so reluctant to let Rose in? Such a missed opportunity! Scorpius cursed silently. He hoped they would elaborate a bit more, but the two seemed to have finished their drink and headed home. He quickly hid, so they wouldn't see him. He needed to talk to Rose and Al and then report what they had found to Harry in the morning.