Only You
Prologue
My parents didn't want me to attend Hogwarts. By parents, I really mean my father. After my acceptance letter arrived at the Manor, he had hidden it in his study. If my grandmother hadn't sent a letter of inquiry, which was more a letter of complaint, to the Headmistress, after finding out that the grandsons and granddaughters of her friends and acquaintances had already received theirs, I would probably have a trunk full of thick cloaks and my collection of muskrat fur hats packed for yet another year at Durmstrung, instead of my bland and typical Hogwarts uniform.
Truth was, my father fully intended to portkey me off to Durmstrung, justifying his actions with the 'fact' that Hogwarts didn't want me and Beaubaxon wouldn't be able to provide me with a good education because the Headmistress was a half-giant. It wasn't like he hated me and wanted to distance himself from me, he was doing it for 'my own good' and in all honestly, if it weren't for my grandmother, my mother probably would have agreed with him and willingly sent me to the other side of Europe.
I can't believe over six years have passed since I pressed my ear against the door of my father's study and listened intently as my paternal grandmother, my mother and my father discussed which school I should attend and why.
"Is this true?" cried my grandmother, furiously. "McGonagall's written that Scorpius has been accepted into Hogwarts, but you haven't enrolled him!"
There was a slight pause, where I imagine my parents exchanged worried looks. Let's just say my grandmother was a formidable opponent in any sort of battle, especially when it came to family matters.
"Narcissa," my mother replied evenly. "Draco and I have decided that Durmstrung would be better for Scorpius. I believe your old friends, Mr Yaxley and Mr Dolohov, have grandchildren that have settled quite well there. It's a fantastic school."
Grandmother snorted. "Daughter dearest, do you not care for your son? Why are you sending him so far away? I had this very same argument with Lucius when he wanted to send Draco to that school. I fought head and toe to keep my son near. Draco did not attend Durmstrung and neither will Scorpius. What kind of mother are you? To think, Lucius and I gave our blessings –"
"Mother, stop!" my father interrupted, finally. "He will suffer for my mistakes. Potter, Granger and Weasley have kids that are going to be in his year level. You and father may have paid most of the press off for omitting my participation in the war, but if there's anyone outside of our old circle that knows of what I did, it's them. Their kids will know the extent of my involvement. Not only that, but most of the faculty were around during Snape's and the Carrows' reign at Hogwarts. What I'm trying to say is that the Malfoy name is synonymous with pureblood mania and the Dark Lord, just like the Yaxley and Dolohov surnames."
"You're worried about old schoolboy grudges?" grandmother asked, confused. "Draco, you entered Hogwarts with other children who were born during the first war. There wasn't any escalated issues related to bullying because of the war, was there? In fact, most of your generation was ignorant of what happened and which families were involved. Even the famous Auror Moody was unknown to most of your classmates when he came to Hogwarts to teach. Time works wonders…"
For almost ten minutes I couldn't hear anything. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned the handle and entered my father's study.
My mother was standing awkwardly as she watched my grandmother and my father embrace.
When they finally noticed I was in the room, I gave them a small smile. "It was quiet," I said softly. "I was just checking if anyone was hurt."
My grandmother had been the only one that laughed. My father frowned at my cheek and my mother looked wary.
"Darling," my mother said. "Go grab your cloak. We're going to Diagon Alley to get your things for Hogwarts."
My eyes widened and I grinned widely.
To this day, I do not know what was said during those ten minutes, but every year on September first, as I board the Hogwarts Express, I am reminded of my grandmother's love and stubbornness.
As I boarded the train one last time, I was grateful that she had lived to see that I was sorted into Slytherin, that I became a Chaser in my third year and that I was made Prefect in my fifth year. However, I was saddened that despite my grandmother's strength, both mentally and physically, old age got the better of her during sixth year and she was unable to see her one and only grandson become Head Boy, a title her own son had been unable to attain.
xxx
AN: How'd you like it? Was the characterization alright?
Anyway, the following chapters will be longer! I promise. This will eventually be a Scorpius/Lily story.
For readers of The Debutante Ball: next chapter should be up next week. Thanks for staying tuned!
