Chapter One

It's surprising how quickly you get fed up of living in an enormous manor house with sprawling grounds and an army of servants. I personally got fed up of it when I was still a toddler, so being stuck here now in the school holidays is nothing short of torture.

It's been a week since the end of sixth year and already I'm desperate to go back to Hogwarts. I miss everything about it, from the winding corridors that I still get lost in to the Quidditch matches which are the most competitive things I've ever seen. Most of all, I miss the people though. I mainly miss my best friend, Al, but also the other Gryffindors in my year; Lysander Scamander, Luke Thomas and Mike Shacklebott.

And then of course, I wouldn't mind seeing her right now. Rose Weasley, my fellow Gryffindor prefect and the person with whom I have the oddest friendship. Most of the time she can't stand me, especially when I beat her in Potions tests, but then sometimes we find ourselves together having a great time. Of course I have a massive crush on her, but she doesn't need to know that.

I hear my father yelling, 'Scorpius!' from the first floor, which snaps me out of my thoughts.

I have another six weeks of this.

I wander out of my room and down the ornate staircase, purposely taking my time just to piss my dad off. Maybe I was wrong in saying Rose and I have the most mixed feeling relationship ever- that honour should probably be reserved for my father.

I find him in his study, working on whatever he actually does at the Ministry. I clear my throat to announce my presence.

'Sit down, Scorpius.'

Why do I always feel like I've been summoned to see the headmaster whenever I'm with my father?

'So,' he begins, putting his paperwork aside, 'What are your plans for the summer?'

I'm slightly taken aback by such an interest in my personal life- and immediately suspicious.

'I'm not sure yet, why?'

That's the truth at least, because I have no idea what to do over the summer. Al's gone to Egypt for a month with his family, otherwise I'd probably just escape to his house most days. The thought of spending six weeks stuck here, though, is incredibly depressing. I fleetingly imagine turning up on Rose's doorstep and asking if she wants to hang out. A picture of Ron Weasley chasing me down the street waving a wand also comes to mind.

'I just wanted to check that your plans didn't involve certain people.'

What's the betting that the surname of 'certain people' is Potter?

I raise my eyebrows, 'What does that mean?'

Draco doesn't look even slightly abashed, 'I just want to ensure that you are associating with the correct type of people.'

Oh the irony! My father's idea of the 'correct type of people' is someone who has had a few Death Eaters in the family and an enormous inheritance acquired through dubious means. Since none of my friends fit either of these categories, my father is never happy about who I spend my time with.

'And who would you suggest as the correct type of people?' I laugh openly at him.

'Scorpius! Do not talk to me like that!' he shouts suddenly. It strikes me just how similar he is to Lucius. God, I hope this isn't something I'll inherit.

I roll my eyes, knowing fully well that this will send him over the edge completely.

'Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy! You need to learn some respect for me!'

Yeah that's going to happen.

I shrug my shoulders and leave the room, walking quickly down the corridor in case he follows me. I put my hand in my pocket and feel my wand and some loose change. That's enough.

Without telling anyone I'm leaving, I head out of the main door, thanking my lucky stars that my birthday is in September, so I've already learnt to apparate and pass my test.

A moment later I'm in an average looking London street, packed with Muggles going about their day to day business. I notice the pub which is invisible to them all and grin to myself.

The Leaky Cauldron is as dark and dim as ever, but as usual it gives me an embarrassing warm feeling inside because ever since I was eleven I've associated it with Hogwarts. I didn't plan on coming to Diagon Alley, I just couldn't stand being at home for a moment longer with my backwards family. I figured a day here would help clear my mind. I might even run into someone from school.

I wander down the street, debating where to go first. I don't actually need to buy anything, in fact I've not even got my Hogwarts letter yet so I don't know what stuff I need for next year. I'm sure I can entertain myself in Quality Quidditch Supplies though, maybe annoy my father by spending a stupid amount of money.

I head down the street and go into my favourite shop, surprised by how full it is even though it's not the time for Hogwarts shopping yet. There's a group of teenagers I recognise as being third years crowded round the latest Firebolt model. I move nearer to get a closer view of the broom, by elbowing a couple of the midgets out of the way.

'Scorpius Malfoy!' I swing round, half expecting my father to have followed me.

And I find myself face to face with Rose Weasley herself. Wow, she looks good. She always does but it seems as though not seeing her for a week has made her even prettier. And she's smiling at me, which is fairly unusual.

'Hey, Rose! What are you doing here?'

'Oh, I just needed a bit of time on my own and I ended up here, how about you?'

'Me too,' I nod.

One of the excitable fourth years knocks into us. I raise my eyebrows at her, 'Want to go and get coffee somewhere?'

She nods, and we head out of the shop together.

'So how come you came here alone?' I ask, thinking of the group of girls that usually trails after Rose. Most of them annoy her as much as I usually do, but they're pretty hard to shake off. I guess being the daughter of heroes has just as many problems as being the son of Death Eaters.

She shrugs and remains silent but I notice something flicker across her face. Annoyance maybe, but it doesn't seem to be directed at me for once.

We sit down in the nearest café and I go to get us drinks. When I return to the table I see just how absent minded Rose seems- she's not even moaned at me for anything yet.

'Thanks,' she mutters as I hand her a coffee.

'Go on then,' I probe, 'What's wrong?'

I'm not exactly sure why I'm asking her this, because it's very unlikely that Rose 'control freak' Weasley will let her guard down and spill out her problems to me. It's just that when I'm watching her looking so distracted by something it's almost like a physical pain.

Oh God.

She stares at me, 'Well I suppose I could tell you. You'd probably understand.'

'Go on,' I encourage, feeling glad that she's not going to start moaning about problems with friends or clothes size or whatever else it is girls get stressed about. There's no way I could handle that kind of conversation. I am a guy after all.

'Do you ever feel like not doing what people expect of you?'

Yes, I think that every day. Ever since I started Hogwarts when I was eleven, I vowed that people would know me for being completely different to my family. But why would she feel like this? From what I've seen of Al's parents, her family is pretty amazing.

'Well, yeah,' I say, trying to read her expression, 'I always knew that I would be nothing like my father.'

She nods, 'Exactly, and we all know you're not. But everyone just assumes that I'll be just as clever as my mum, as funny as my dad, as good a Quidditch player as practically everyone in my family.'

Okay this is very confusing because Rose is already all of those things.

'Is that bad?'

'No, but I don't want to be known for who my family are. I want to be me.'

'Well just be yourself then, don't worry about what everyone wants.'

Wow, Scorpius Malfoy, you could have a future in diplomacy or negotiation. Who knew I had so much tact? Not me, that's for sure.

'I am,' she says rather firmly, 'This year is going to be different.'

'What are you going to do? Skive Ancient Ruins?' I laugh, knowing how horrific that idea would be too her.

She glares at me, 'And here I was thinking we were getting on for once.'

I hold up my hands, 'We are, I've just helped you discover yourself.'

She laughs at this and gives me what I'd consider a flirty look. Of course this may just be part of the new Rose thing. I'm sure getting involved with me would definitely fit in with the shocking everyone plan.

Oh yeah, that would do it.

'Thanks for listening to me complaining,' she says after a few minutes of us chatting.

'It's fine,' I say truthfully, 'I'm not exactly rushed off my feet with social engagements this summer.'

She frowns at this, 'How come?'

'Well Al's in Egypt isn't he? Everyone else lives ages away.'

'What about Cassie?' she frowns slightly again.

Ugh, I'd been trying not to think about Cassie who's my sort of girlfriend. A year ago I really fancied her, mainly because she's ridiculously fit, but I didn't realise just how obsessive she can get. I've spent months trying to shake her off and still haven't managed it. It's like having a stalker, albeit a hot one.

She laughs at my silence.

'Hey! I have tried to get rid of her.'

'Not very well! Anyway, if you're bored, come and see me.'

'What, like at your house?'

'Well if you're desperate to meet my dad, feel free to come round whenever,' she laughs at my expression, 'No, I meant we could meet up, if you want.'

Hang on, is Rose Weasley asking me out?!

Or is it just wishful thinking?


Hope the first chapter was okay! Please review :D