How to scale a sprite if that sprite is not added as a child?

cocos2d-x C++
#1

I’m trying to scale a sprite that is not added as a child to the node. Is there a way I can hack it to force it to scale?
Changing the opacity of the sprite works but scaling it or moving it doesn’t work at all. I know it’s because it’s supposed to be part of a node but is there a way around this?

My example:
in an init function:

_image = CCSprite::create("texture.png");
_image->retain();
_image->setOpacity(64);
_image->setScale(0.5f);

in a draw function
_image->draw();

I’m able to draw the sprite and change it’s opacity but that’s it. Would be great if I can move it and scale it.

I’m using coco2d-x v2.2