Roles reversed

Albus spent several days in Draco's house planning the trial. No date was set yet, but they prepared the best they could. To avoid giving away Rose's location, Albus Apparated straight from his room to Scorpius' old room in Draco's house.

Rose had taken a short walk to Diagon Alley, in disguise in case her mother was there, and bought every book she could find on Magical Law and procedure. She studied them in detail, to find the correct terms to help Scorpius.

One day, Albus came with good news.

"Rose! We will get to visit Scorpius in prison!"

"Really? That's great! It will be hard to see him in prison, but it is better than not knowing how he is."

"Yes, at least we will get to see him. Here are the details in a letter from Mum."

Rose read the letter. "Oh. So, it is only to try and remove the Unbreakable Vow." She looked disappointed.

"Of course. That is the excuse. And it is important to get that removed. But I am sure we can give you two a few moments alone," Albus said with a grin.

"Uncle Harry's going to be there as well?"

"Yes. It is his idea. And since we, you know, need to touch Scorpius, the prison wanted to surround us with guards. But Dad said that he would be enough security by himself."

"Okay then. I am looking forward to seeing him at least. And I do want that Vow removed. It's not safe. I almost broke it twice already. If it hadn't been for Aunt Ginny…"

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Albus said, giving her a hug. He then looked at Draco "I am sorry you can't come as well. My mum pointed that out to my father, and Dad says he may be able to get you a visitor pass in a few days."

"I understand. I would appreciate that," Draco replied.

***

Harry, Albus, and Rose met outside the prison the next day.

"Uncle Harry! Albus!" Rose said, running to hug them both.

"So nice to see you again Rose," Albus said, hiding a smile.

"No need to pretend in front of me. I know where you have spent most of your time lately, Albus." Harry smiled as he gave Rose a hug.

"You know?" Albus said incredulously.

"I don't know where, and I don't want to know until you are ready to tell me. But I know that you are visiting her in secret. I would be worried, if it weren't for the fact that Rose's heart is clearly taken by the man in there."

Rose was blushing. Harry and Albus laughed.

"Well. Let's go then. He doesn't know you are coming. I thought it would be a nice surprise." Harry said.

Inside the prison. Scorpius had a cell to himself. This was a privilege only the most dangerous criminals got, but Scorpius was just glad that he didn't have to share it with any of the other Death Eaters. He lay on the bed lethargically. He tried to not earn any more anger from the guards. They were not the kind of people you wanted to be mad at you.

"Malfoy! You have a visitor. Get up," one of them shouted.

"Again? I thought Potter was here yesterday. How many more questions can he have?" Scorpius asked. The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He winced, hoping he wouldn't get a slap for talking back.

"Get up. Don't talk to me like that. Don't like being restrained? Now that you know how it feels, maybe think twice before submitting others to it, eh?" the guard smirked.

Scorpius sighed but got to his feet. The guard took out the magical handcuffs, and then chained him around the waist and led him to another room. This was new. Potter usually came to his cell to talk to him. The guard then attached the chain to the wall. It gave Scorpius very little room to move.

"Is this really necessary? I won't do anything. What could I do, without my wand?" Scorpius asked.

"You deserve that and much more, Death Eater. Though you may get your hands free later." The guard left.

Scorpius looked up as Harry walked in.

"What is it, Potter? Even more questions? I thought we had covered most of it by now. And why the need for this room and the chains?"

"Yes, we have covered most of it. But I have an important mission today, concerning someone you love. The chains are not my idea."

"Rose? Has something happened? Is she safe?" Scorpius asked, alarmed.

"Nothing has happened. She is safe. In fact," Harry looked over his shoulder, and the door opened. "She's right here."

Rose came running in, a big wide smile on her lips. Albus came in behind her. Scorpius tried to run over to her but was stopped by his chain. Rose stopped, gasping.

"It seems our roles have been slightly reversed." Scorpius attempted a smile. "They are not as uncomfortable as I feared, once you get used to them…" He could see that Rose didn't believe that any more than he did.

"Is that really necessary?" Rose asked, looking at Harry.

"No. It is not. But there are some things I can't change. We should be glad they did not insist on more chains since we need to remove the handcuffs."

"Well, that is progress. I don't think that I have heard you actually say that you think I am not guilty," Scorpius said. He was trying to hide a few of the bruises on his arms. No need to make Rose feel even worse, since there was nothing she could do about it.

"There is a difference between not guilty and not dangerous. But yes, I do believe you are innocent. Unfortunately, I cannot pardon you, even as acting Minister. We need to wait for the trial."

Scorpius looked back to Rose. "I am so glad to see you, Rose. I was beginning to fear that you were mad at me. That your mother had convinced you of what a terrible person I am."

"She would never be able to convince me of that," Rose assured him "I haven't talked to her in weeks. But I haven't been allowed to visit you until now."

"You haven't talked to her? But where have you been staying?"

"Don't mind that. I am safe. That is all that matters."

"Yes, about that. We need to remove that bond. Before either of you does something to break it unintentionally," Harry said.

"Remove it? Is that possible?" Scorpius asked.

"Yes. With the Bonder and both participants willing," Harry explained.

"Excellent!" Scorpius said, relieved. "I have been worrying about that Vow. It was a bit clumsy. But it happened so fast. Though I should have foreseen it. He was so sure that after the ceremony Rose wouldn't be trying to escape. I thought it was only because of the name. I was trying to say a Vow that would not make her compelled to stay with me, but strong enough that Voldemort would be satisfied."

"None of us saw that coming. And I think you did well. You had about, what? 30 seconds to think?" Albus said.

"You did brilliantly. You got me out of there. You kept me as safe as you could in a horrible place. You were my only comfort in a horrible situation. Even when I was tortured, I knew you were there. And you did your best to not break the Vow. You came with me afterwards, so that I wouldn't have to escape. I was the one who nearly broke it. Twice. I owe you my life many times over. I love you. And I am not going to allow Mother to take you away from me," Rose said, touching his shoulder gently.

Scorpius' eyes filled with tears, leaning over to her. It was strange to hear Rose say these words, words he had feared he would never hear again. "Thank you. I love you too. But I don't know how much we can do about this situation. If the Minister for Magic really wants to keep me in prison, what can I say against that? Are you going to waste your life visiting me in Azkaban? I wouldn't want that for you."

"We can do something about that. Don't worry. Rose and I have a plan," Albus said.

"Do I want to know what that plan is?" Harry asked.

"No," Rose said simply.

"I don't like the sound of that. But suffice to say, the Minister for Magic is not a dictator. Though Fudge tried hard to make it so."

"There will be a trial. That trial will be before the full Wizengamot. Hermione will just be one vote in that," Albus pointed out.

"The full Wizengamot? Merlin's beard! I haven't even thought about that! That is a horrifying thought," Scorpius exclaimed.

"No, it's good. That way, my mother won't be able to sentence you on her own. She needs to convince the Wizengamot," Rose explained.

"I hear she can be quite persuasive. And she only needs a majority, not all of them," Scorpius pointed out.

"Rose can be quite persuasive too. She has gotten most of the family to believe her. Don't worry, we have a plan," Albus replied.

"Let's do what we came here for. Albus, come over here. Rose, stand over there next to him. Scorpius? I'm going to release your hands now. Try not to strangle anyone," Harry said, but with a smile on his face.

Scorpius smiled back. "I'll try my best."

Harry released the handcuffs. Rose and Scorpius held hands after a short embrace Harry pretended not to see. Albus moved up with his wand. He had only been allowed to bring that because of the ceremony.

"Now. Do you remember the exact words you said, Scorpius? And I mean every specific word, down to the pauses and stutter. If you can replicate it directly, this will be painless. But if it is off at all, it could be very painful," Harry said.

"I think I do. I have been thinking a lot about that Vow,"

"Good. You need to say it again, in the exact same way, pauses, stutters and all."

"Say it again? Not the opposite?"

"No, that would be painful for the both of you. That would have been the only way if we didn't have the Bonder. This is better," Harry explained. "Ok. Scorpius. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Albus. Start the Bonding process again please." Harry said.

Albus once again started the process of an Unbreakable Vow. Scorpius started to speak, trying to get the exact same tone of voice as he had that night. It was a bit more embarrassing saying these words with Harry Potter himself listening.

"I hereby declare that I, Scorpius Malfoy, will wed this woman. I will keep her safe to the best of my ability. I will not be unfaithful and not turn my back on her love."

"I agree," Rose said.

"In return, she will be my wedded wife, cherished and loved. She will not try to escape from me and will not physically harm me or my master."

"I agree," Rose said again.

A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand and wound its way around their hands like a red-hot wire again. But unlike last time, Scorpius now fell down on the floor, clearly in great pain.

"Scorpius!" Rose tried to lean down to him, but Harry stopped her.

"No. Don't touch him. Let it ride out."

Scorpius writhed around in pain for about a minute. His chain held him close to the wall, but he moved around on the floor as far as it allowed him to. Unrelenting pain kept him on the ground.

"He can't breathe! Help him!" Rose screamed.

Finally, the fit was over. Scorpius lay on the floor, panting.

Rose ran over to him. She cried. "I'm sorry Scorpius, I am so sorry. I forgot my stutter in the last sentence. I am sorry."

Scorpius just lay there for several minutes. Finally, he opened his eyes. He looked at Rose and smiled. "I love you," was all he managed to say.

"Don't say that. I caused you all this pain," Rose cried to him.

"I caused you pain as well. I say we are even. Besides, it was worth it if it makes us safer."

"It is another thing we have in common now, I guess," Rose said as she bent down for a kiss.

Harry coughed. Rose leaped to her feet, blushing.

"Well, I think it is safe to say that the Vow has been removed," Harry said "I am sorry about the pain. I find myself suddenly in need of a bathroom. I will probably be gone for about 5 minutes. I am sure Albus can care for the two of you in the meantime."

He left, after quickly reassuring the guard outside that the prisoner was quite secure and that he would be right back. He explained that the screams had been from the prisoner, so no harm was done. He closed the door behind him. Rose lost no time in getting down on the floor with Scorpius again. The long-awaited kiss came.

Albus smiled. "If the two of you could concentrate for just a moment?" he asked teasingly.

"What? Do you think this doesn't require concentration?" Scorpius asked as he kissed Rose again. Albus rolled his eyes. Scorpius grinned. "Sorry. But I've been waiting for weeks to be able to do that. And fearing that I might never be able to do it again."

"Albus is right. We need to be serious for a moment," Rose said, taking one last kiss, before sitting up straighter. "We need to discuss the trial. There are a few other Death Eaters that are up for trial as well. The first one is tomorrow actually. Yours will probably be last. Hermione wants a precedent of conviction before your trial is up."

"We don't have a lot of time," Albus said. "Basically, Scorpius, what you must do is to appear as modest and cowed as possible. Come in and look rough from prison. We need you to look like a person to pity."

"Ok, I can do that. But why?"

"Most importantly, try not to protest too much about what we are saying. You might possibly disagree with some of it," Rose said.

"Why? What are you going to say?"

"Mainly how brave you are. How you saved many lives. How you stopped me from being tortured. We are telling your side of the story, the one the others have probably not heard," Rose elaborated.

"But I didn't stop you from being tortured. On the contrary, I had to watch you being tortured. Twice."

"That is exactly the kind of thing you must not say at the trial." Rose said admonishingly. "We will stick to the truth, but paint you in a good light, better than you would do yourself."

"We are going to be saying many things. For one, I am not on trial, though we did many of the same things. I am going to point that out quite loudly."

"If this works, as it most likely will, you will be free. If it backfires…" Rose added.

"I will go to Azkaban," Scorpius interrupted. "Probably for the rest of my life"

"No. Then there may be three of us going to Azkaban," Rose said. Scorpius jumped up. "Three?! What are you going to say?"

Harry entered the room again. Rose was quick up on her feet.

"I'm sorry, but we need to go," Harry said.

Rose and Albus nodded. They started walking toward the exit, after Rose gave Scorpius a last hug.

"No! Tell me!" Scorpius yelled "What are you going to do?" He tried to go after them but was stopped by the chain. He ended up on the floor.

Rose followed Harry out. Albus lingered for a moment. "Don't worry," he said. "Like we said, it will most likely work."

With that, he was also out the door. Scorpius was left alone, somehow more confused than when they started. The guards took him back to his cell. He didn't even notice their rough treatment. What on earth were they planning to do?

***

"How much of that did you hear?" Albus asked Harry once they were outside the prison.

"Only that last sentence. I'm really not going to like your plan, am I?" Harry replied.

"Probably not. But we are fairly certain it is going to work," Rose said.

"Will you be there, Father?" Albus asked.

"I have to be. I am Head of Magical Law Enforcement, remember."

"Right. Will you preside over the trial then?"

"No, Hermione will do that. She is better than me on those sorts of things."

"But she is a victim in this case! She can't combine roles like that! You should get her disqualified, if you don't want us to have to point that out in public in the trial," Rose protested.

"I hadn't thought of that. But why tell me this now?" Harry asked.

"Because I don't want Mother to lose her job because she tries to commit a miscarriage of justice," Rose said. Harry was surprised at the legal terms she used. "I want Scorpius to be acquitted, but I don't want Mum to lose everything in the process."

"One more thing, dad. What do you think are the chances of getting Scorpius a leave from the prison for one afternoon?" Albus asked.

Harry looked at him. "Why would you want that?"