#soupius

Melissa was having breakfast when the first owl came in. It was Calliope Rosier, her paternal grandmother, writing to scold her. Rumors had been going around about a case against her father, there was talk that he could even go to Azkaban due to allegations of severe abuse of a child. The letter was telling her to stop what she was doing. It isn't proper, what happens in the home stays in the home. The owl from her grandmother was the first of many to come that day in the next. Whenever they came she would read it, fold it up, and claim it as another congratulations from relatives or friends from school.

She did not want to bother Scorpius with what was already expected to happen. He had a hard enough time adjusting to their new lifestyle, not working, and Grayson being absent. Besides, this was supposed to be the honeymoon period and they were supposed to be enjoying their time together. For the most part, things had been going well. They still had their alone time when they needed it, but they also had time together where they could talk about anything and everything. Together they were learning new things about each other, getting used to quirks and routines. It was more like they were just dating, except with the added ability to be physical with each other. Melissa didn't want to ruin that with her family's horrendous correspondence.

At night she took to stowing the letters in her desk before heading to bed. By the third night she had collected well over fifty, and they began to take their toll on her. It was the howler from Ignatius himself that sent her over the edge. She had waited until she was alone in the small study before she took a deep breath and opened it.

“Melissa Bellatrix Rosier, how daaaaare you talk about our personal family affairs with the public and a filthy mugblooded Potter on top of that! Who do you think you are? You may be a Malfoy now, but that gives you no right to betray your roots. Do not think for one second that this little charade will work. And when it doesn't your reputation will be far more tarnished then mine! Do you not think I can overcome accusations from a silly little girl? You cannot hide from me, I am still your father and I can still take everything away from you. I will find you and I will end this, once and for all.”

Scorpius,

I'm scared. I have not been to work, I have not seen my father since the incident and now I must walk with him tomorrow. I am terrified of what he will do. Why can't it be Hector to give me away? Must it be him? 

I am not backing out, I am just scared. 

I did not want to ask him to leave. It was the only time I have ever wanted him not around me. The first time him being here was not a comfort. I offered myself to him and he did not want me. I just felt so horrible and I could not stand to face him with all that embarrassment and shame.

I ought to start from the beginning. I had planned for his birthday to be special, especially with all of what has occurred over the last couple weeks. I just wanted him to be happy and feel good just one time before we are married. I was wrong. He was not ready for me and I made a complete fool of myself in the process. Of course he isn't ready. He is waiting for our wedding night like any good pureblood should. I am a horrible person.

I would not be surprised if he called the wedding off tomorrow. My behavior is beyond atrocious. How could I be so stupid? I always seem to do things like this. It is no wonder my family is constantly disappointed in me. I just always seem to mess good things up at every turn. Now I am sitting here having a pathetic little pity party for myself and that is probably the worst thing of all. I just can't stop thinking that if I was her it would be a completely different story. Will I always find myself comparing to her?

He was still dressed in his muggle clothing from their date, it was a surprise for her to see him there at all. It was not because she thought he did not care for her wellbeing, she knew he did. However, she knew he must have gotten in trouble as well, and she was quick to assume that Narcissa would ban him from seeing her ever again. Seeing him there gave her hope and with it a sudden spurt of energy to try sitting up again. Her efforts were stopped by a familiar voice. “Do not sit up, Melissa. You will only damage the healing process and all our efforts will have been for nothing.” Her mother, Daphne, spoke entering the room with a small bottle in hand.

Melissa watched her cross the room towards her, silently holding on to an urge for maternal comfort. “You will have to stay here for a few days, but you should heal nicely. There should be very little scarring, you are quite lucky Mr. Malfoy brought you here when he did. His son has hardly left your side.” Daphne kept on talking, lifting Melissa’s bed slightly so that she was in a semi-sitting position. It was a wonder to her that her mother was able to brush off the facts of the situation and treat her as if she just had a flying mishap or a tumble down the stairs. Would it be too much to ask for her to just acknowledge the truth? Of course, it would.

“What time is it?” Melissa asked in hoarse voice, wincing when she tried to clear her throat.

“It’s mid-morning, I stayed to make sure you woke up okay. Here take this, it will ease the pain.” Daphne held the bottle to her daughter’s lips, tipping it slightly. “I had them change you into a hospital gown and cleaned you up. Really should be more careful, you gave us quite a scare, you know.”

Melissa drank the potion and lowered her eyes in response. “I was not aware you cared, mother.” The words came out like poison. She surprised herself with her response. Not once had she spoken to either of her parents in such a tone of defiance. It may have been the pain or even the medication. It was most certainly the angry response of a girl tired and hurt by listening to her mother make excuses for injuries that were non-accidental.

“Don’t you talk to me in such a way, you should have known the consequences for your actions. You brought this on yourself. You should consider it a blessing that you were not disowned, Melissa.” Her mother scoffed, placing her hands on her hips to peer down at the girl.

No, mother, not disowned just left for dead. The urge to say it aloud was pushed away by her own cowardice. Melissa sighed painfully, her uninjured arm releasing Scorpius’ hand to cradle her ribcage. Her mother’s words rang true, she did bring it upon herself. She should have known that her family had eyes everywhere and was stupid to push it aside for some fleeting amount of happiness. Once again she was a shameful disappointment to the Rosier name.  

Daphne moved forward to check her daughter’s ribs when she winced, a slight hint of worry on her face. Melissa blocked her, pushing her hands away. “Don’t bother, mother.” Out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw Scorpius stir in the chair. “Please,” her voice calmly pleaded, not wanting Scorpius to wake to hear her outward defiance and their heated words. “Just go.” Daphne hesitated, looking to the boy on the chair and back at her daughter. She concluded that their conversation had nowhere else to go and she exited the room.