The boy was trembling. He really was scared of Scorpius. It was a lie that it was only James' influence that made them rowdy and uncouth. Sure, James made them extra rowdy, but he couldn't enhance what wasn't already there. Once again, Scorpius wondered exactly what it was that the Death Eaters had wanted to do with James. What would have been the result, if "Voldemort", whoever that had been that night, had decided to keep going with the ceremony? He was sure it was nothing good for James, but he couldn't help being curious.
He sighed. He hoped Albus would come and get him out soon. And that this boy wouldn't have to stay long.
Right on cue, the door opened. Dawson, Albus' superior stood in the doorway. Albus stood behind him, a petulant look on his face. But Scorpius saw the hints of a smile as well. Scorpius quickly put his hands behind his back, pretending to still be bound. It was a known trick, and Scorpius saw that both Dawson and Albus noticed it. But of course they didn't say anything about it.
"Mr. Fawley," Dawson said in an apologetic tone. "I am terribly sorry for the misunderstanding. I can assure you that this will not happen again."
"I hope it won't," Scorpius said with a glare towards Albus. Albus first glared back, but then lowered his eyes. "Yes. I am sorry Mr. Fawley. I made a mistake." Scorpius didn't know how to respond to that and thought it best to say nothing at all. So, he simply started moving towards the door the moment Dawson "released" his hands.
"As for you, Mr. Crickey, you are in luck. Your brother is here and is prepared to pay bail for you."
"Pay?"
"Yes. Follow me please."
Crickey. Another Crickey. Didn't Sam say he was the only wizard in his family? Merlin's beard, this had become rather complicated!
The boy seemed confused as well. Scorpius followed behind to see what would happen. He murmured "Tell Rose I probably won't be home for dinner tonight" to Albus as he passed, but Albus just shook his head. He understood why the moment he came out to the front desk area of the Law Enforcement department. Rose stood there. With Sam! What on earth was she doing here? She seemed equally shocked to see him but gathered her wits about her quickly. When he was dressed like this, they didn't know each other.
"Mr. Crickey, I understand you are prepared to post bail for your brother, to have him released?" Dawson said to Sam. Scorpius hurried towards the exit.
"Yes. Mrs. Malfoy has generously offered to help me with a loan, I don't want my brother to suffer more than he already has."
Scorpius didn't hear the rest, as the elevator doors closed. Why on earth was Rose helping with bail money?! This had become such a tangled mess. He definitely wanted to hear Rose's story. But he had to finish this first. It seemed that this other Crickey was part of the same gang as Sam. Maybe he could use his "favour" to meet the rest of the gang. And discover more of what they were up to, if it was more than shoplifting and throwing corks at people. He hoped they would all leave through the Visitors entrance.
He lurked in the shadows right outside, waiting for the group to finish. He was in luck. All three of them came out no more than 15 minutes later. Rose noticed him in the shadows and stopped.
"Well, I am glad we were able to sort that out. I hope you've learnt your lesson, Tom. I won't be able to bail you out of trouble again," she said sternly, as if she was talking to a child, though Tom was probably only a few years younger than them. Scorpius almost laughed. Rose would make a great mother one day.
"Ye…yes, Mrs… Mrs M-Malfoy." Tom seemed terrified to even say that name. "Th-thank you for coming to get me, I… I really appreciate it."
"Well, I owed your brother a favour and he seem to genuinely care for you. But as I said, I won't be able to do it again. I also work there, so I will know if you manage to keep your nose clean."
"You… You work here?" Now it was Sam's turn to stutter.
"Well, yes. Like I told you, I have been working to clean up the mess from Azkaban for the last three years. I can tell you more when we meet on Saturday."
"I… Okay. See you Saturday!" Sam said, trying to sound cheerful about it. Rose gave him a smile, then Disapparated. She knew Scorpius probably wanted to talk to them, since he had lurked in the shadows.
"Who on earth was that?" Tom asked.
"It was exactly who she said she was. I'll explain later. Come on." He started dragging his brother away. Scorpius decided to make his appearance before they disappeared.
"Aren't you going to introduce me, Tom?" he said in his distinctive, low voice.
"Leh… Mr. Fawley! I didn't see you there. I thought you left."
"Why would I leave? I never let someone forget a debt." Scorpius was surprised at just how ominous his voice sounded. He was glad Rose didn't have to hear it. It sounded just like the voice he had used as a Death Eater.
Sam seemed scared too. Scorpius fervently hoped Sam wouldn't recognise him as Scorpius Malfoy. He really should have donned his complete disguise, but Albus had acted too fast for him.
"Debt? What is he talking about Tom?" Sam asked.
"I'll… explain later." Tom said, using the same excuse his brother had used earlier. Scorpius had other plans though.
"Why don't we all go out for a late lunch? My treat. That way, we can all explain our situations to one another, and we can all satisfy our curiosities. I have to admit, I am very curious how that idiot," he pointed to Tom, "knows someone who can call on Mrs. Malfoy of all people to come bail him out of trouble. That is practically unheard of."
"I… didn't know who she was until recently." Sam said. "And we really need to get going…" his words died on his lips as Scorpius embraced both of them in a tight grip.
"Oh, come now, I insist. You both seem to enjoy mead, why not let me give you a taste of proper liquor?" He didn't give them time to reply, but Disapparated with them both.