Right, so the tag on this story says it's got Scorpius Malfoy and Roxanne Weasley in it...and it does...it's just that I started this thing before I had completed my research...I knew George Weasley had a son (Fred) and a daughter, but I didn't know what his daughter's name was or who he married. So...I sort of invented them. By the time I discovered my errors, I had grown too attached to my characters to just go and change their names like that. Also, the cat's name was a coincidence. Crazy, right? Anywho, in essence: Evelyn "Evey" Weasley = Roxanne Weasley.
And also, I don't own any of these characters. Unfortunately. J.K. Rowling does. Lucky.
The Heir
Chapter One: A Bittersweet Reunion
I sighed as I gazed at the wall between Platforms 9 and 10. In a few minutes, it would be time to cross through the seemingly-solid wall to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, where the Hogwarts Express was waiting in all its glory to cart my fellow students and I back to school. This was nothing to me, I had done it for the past five years, and certainly had no trouble doing it again. The thought of returning to school once more brought little prickles up my spine.
Not that I didn't adore school—I honestly could not comprehend how Muggles survived in their sad, monotonous little brick buildings, while we attended Hogwarts and had the opportunity to learn from some of the most brilliant wizards of our age. Indeed, the only drawback to school was dealing with that tiny, tingling doubt that always sat at the back of my mind, constantly there to remind me that I don't quite belong. I stroked Roksalana, my cream and brown cat which was perched on her shoulder, happily observing the crowd of people with her amber eyes.
"Evey!" I was wrenched from my thoughts by a voice behind me. I turned just in time to be attacked by a whirling ball of red, gold, and brown. My best friend and favorite cousin, Rose Weasely, grabbed me up in a fierce hug. Roxie meowed unhappily and jumped from my shoulder to the top of my luggage cart.
"Rosie" I wheezed, "You're crushing my spine..." Rose pulled away from me, apologetic.
"Sorry! How have you been? Aren't you excited? Another year at Hogwarts! Oh, the summers are just plain dull in comparison, aren't they?" She had inherited her mother's intelligence, and her light brown hair, which hung straight to the middle of her back. Her face gleamed with contagious excitement, and I laughed despite myself..
"Slow down, Rose, you're already giving me a headache and classes haven't even begun!"
"You're right, I'm sorry. But really, how have you been?" Rose pushed a stray strand of hair from her face.
"You just saw me less than a week ago!"
"Yes, but...I heard that you and...Emmett..." Rose broke off, embarrassed, but couldn't keep the curiosity from her face. I sighed and wondered for the umpteenth time why news of my romances—or, in this case, lack thereof-- seemed to travel faster than a cursed bludger.
"I suppose James heard from Fred, then. Damn close-knit families." Rose laughed warily.
"What happened, though?"
"Here." I took out the well-creased letter from my bag. "Figured you'd want to read it." Rose took the letter and unfolded it and began to read. I watched in dark amusement as Rose's face registered varying degrees of shock. I'd never admit that I had the letter memorized.
Dear Evelyn,
I'm sorry I'm no good at this, but here's the long and short of it. The past months have been really great, but over the last few weeks I've been feeling that things between us have gotten...well, strained. It's sort of like we're not clicking the way we used to. Remember when we met, back in first year? I thought you were the greatest, and I still do, but I really don't think that anything more than friendship between us is going to work out. We've really had some good times together, so let's just leave it at that, alright? Everything was so much better when we were just friends, don't you think? So, I suppose this is goodbye for now, but I'll see you at the beginning of term. Save me a seat?
Your Friend,
Emmett Finnigan
Rose looked up at me, slack-jawed.
"Oh my, Evey, I'm--"
"Hey, Evey!" The rest of the Weaselys and the Potters had finally caught up with us. James caught me in a bear-hug.
"How is my favorite female relative?" He asked.
"Hey!" Lily frowned up at him. "What about the sister down here?" James laughed.
"Female relatives are a lot more enjoyable when you don't have to live in the same house as them." Lily huffed and rolled her eyes. "What's wrong?" Despite my attempts, James saw my troubled face.
"Oh, please," I teased, "you know perfectly well what's wrong." James's eyes narrowed.
"That Emmett Finnigan still? Good riddance! He doesn't deserve you, anyways. I'll snap his beater-arm in two..."
"No, mate, I've already got dubs!" My brother, Fred, said, walking up to to the crowd. Our parents lagged behind, laughing happily.
"Just read this!" Rose produced the letter.
"No, Rose!" But my cry was too late. James, Hugo, Lily, and Al all grappled for a look.
"...'Your Friend, Emmett Finnigan?'" James growled. "I'll snap both his arms off!"
"I know, mate. Bloody pratt." Fred said.
"His own mother won't recognize him when we're done!" Hugo declared. Al joined in.
"Guys, don't start any fights! Honestly, it's not worth the trouble. Emmett and I were never all that serious, anyway."
"You don't call seven months serious? Honestly, Evey, in school that's practically engaged—" Rose's brow was furrowed and her nostrils flared, the epitome of anger.
"Let's just drop it, okay? There's no use in spoiling our first day back, right?" Reluctantly, my cousins agreed. I snatched back my letter, almost returning it to my pocket before I stopped. Slowly and deliberately, I ripped the parchment into tiny pieces and threw them up like confetti.
"That's the way!" James said. I observed as Roxie batted at the falling shreds of parchment. I would never admit to my cousins how my insides had been torn up so similarly when I had first read that letter. I had really liked Emmett, perhaps even...NO! I yanked my mind away from such stupid thoughts. Presently, the adults joined us. Aunts Ginny and Hermione, Uncles Harry and Ron, and my mother and father, Rachel and George Weasely.
"So, how does it feel, James, being a seventh-year? And Head Boy to boot!" My father asked.
"Not bad. Not bad at all." James smiled.
"Well, guys," Aunt Ginny clapped her hands, "We should get onto the platform. Fred, James, you're first." We all ran through the wall in pairs, regrouping as soon as the last of us were through. The Hogwarts Express gleamed in front of us, and throngs of fellow students and their families surrounded us. We all boarded the shining train, finding an empty compartment where we crammed all of our luggage. I set Roxie's cushion on a seat and filled up a bowl with bottled water. The cat swished her tail in gratitude and curled up on the cushion.
"You spoil that cat far too much." Fred observed. I shrugged. A warning whistle sounded, and we ran outside to say goodbye to our parents.
Mom caught Fred and me up in a hug and whispered in my ear. "There'll be other boys, honey."
"Mom!" I flushed. Why was it impossible for my personal life to remain personal? Dad hugged me as well, and shook Fred's hand.
"Have a good time, Ev'!" Dad called as I bounded back up the steps.
"We'll write you!" Mom promised. I returned to the compartment and waved out the window as the train lurched to a start, watching them until they became specks behind us.
"James and I have to go to the Prefect's compartment. We'll see you later, though." Rose bounded off. Fred and Al excused themselves to join other friends, and I was left with Hugo and Lily.
We talked lightly for a while, until we were joined by my cousins' friends, Hayley Thomas and Frankie Finch. I amused myself by sketching the quickly-passing landscape. The snack trolley came and went. Hayley and Lily tossed Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans to Roxie while Hugo and Frankie discussed Gryffindor's chances at the Quidditch cup this year. I was criticizing my sketches when the train lurched a little, and my graphite pencils spilled onto the floor. I gathered most of them up, but one rolled under the door of the compartment and into the hall.
I sighed, standing and pulling open the door. At that moment, the train lurched again. My foot caught on the edge of the door and sent me tumbling. I let out a startled yelp. Suddenly, I found myself gazing into a pair of astonishing denim-blue eyes. A pair of rather strong hands restored me right-side up, and I found myself face to face with Scorpius Malfoy.
"Oh! I-er, sorry. Clumsy." He regarded me oddly for a moment, then the corners of his mouth twitched upward.
"Were you looking for this?" He produced my lost pencil.
"Oh! Yes...thank you."
"Hey, Scorpion, what's this?" Fred had appeared behind us. "Beat it, Malfoy."
"Fred, he—"
"What were you doing with my sister?"
"Nothing, Fred! Listen--" Scorpius glanced from Fred to me, then sneered.
"Weasleys." He retreated down the hall and into his own compartment. I sniffed. There was no reason for him to be rude.
"What was that about?" Fred demanded.
"Nothing. I dropped my pencil, he picked it up for me."
"Hm. Better wash that pencil off." I rolled my eyes. "Do you guys have any more Chocolate Frogs? We're all out." I rolled my eyes again and let him into our compartment without another glance towards Malfoy.
---
"Exler, Roger...RAVENCLAW!"
The Great Hall echoed with the sound of the sorting. My voice was growing hoarse from cheering for the incoming Gryffindors. The Headmistress, Professor Lioda, briefed the First Years on the school rules. Professor Lioda, had taken over the position five years ago, when Minerva McGonnagal retired. Lioda was somehow related to her. As much as I admire Professor Lioda, I wish I could have known Albus Dumbledore, but he was before my time. Indeed, he seems more of a legend than reality, at least to me.
"Finnigan, Luke...GRYFFINDOR!" I watched as the pale boy trotted off to join his older brother further down the table. Emmett grinned at him. I turned away.
"You okay?" Rose whispered to me, patting my arm. I nodded and forced a smile onto my face.
I ate until I felt ready to burst, then slid out of my seat and followed my fellows to the common room. Exhausted, I collapsed onto my bed in the room I shared with Rose, Lydia Stone and Alyssa Charters. Roxie curled up in the crook of my knee, and I tumbled into a deep sleep.