Chapter 1: Ollivanders

"Father, if he keeps talking like this, he's going to end up a Gryffindor!"

Scorpius Malfoy glared at his older brother Capricorn.

"If you keep talking like this, you're going to end up dead," he said, half joking, half in a cold voice. Draco looked at them both.

"Stop it boys."

"Yeah, whatever," Scorpius muttered with all the attitude of a Malfoy who was nearly 11.

"Now, Capricorn, you go with your mother to the Apothecary to get the last of your school supplies. Scorpius and I will get a wand, and we'll all meet at Florean's for ice-cream at about 1 o'clock."

"Sounds good, Draco," Astoria Malfoy took her older son's hand. They both Appparated, presumably to the Apothecary. Scorpius gave a thin smile. His brother hated Side – Along Apparation. He gave the jet black owl perched on his shoulder a slow stroke with his long, pale finger.

"Come, Scorpius, and be careful of that new owl. We don't want him killed on his first day."

"Yes father," Scorpius rolled his eyes and followed Draco down the cobblestones of Diagon Alley.

"Have you given it a name yet?"

"It's boy, and no, I haven't got a name for him yet."

"How about Goyle, then? He was a good… friend."

"Goyle?" Scorpius pulled a sour face. There was no way he was going to school with an owl named Goyle.

"Well, what else do you suggest?" Draco snapped.

"How about Hedwig?" Scorpius had read the name in a book once, and had liked it. Draco coughed.

"No. Not Hedwig," he said in a final voice.

"Why not?"

"Any other name!" Draco said.

"Fine. How about Kili?"

"Kili," Draco rolled the name over his tongue. "Yes, Kili will be fine."

Draco stopped in front of a dingy looking shop door. Scorpius could just make out the word 'Ollivanders'.

"Are we going in there?" Scorpius adjusted his expensive robe cuff. Draco took a deep breath as if he was steeling his nerves and pushed the shop door open. Obviously a yes, then. A small bell tinkled and a very old man approached them. He looked at Scorpius's father and gave a chocked cry.

"Malfoy," he said sourly.

"Scorpius here is getting a wand," Draco said. Scorpius felt his father's iron grip release on his shoulders as he was pushed slightly towards the man. Kili flew off Scorpius's shoulder, landing on Draco's arm.

"Ah," said the man shortly, still with the sour tone. Then he turned to Scorpius and his whole voice changed. He suddenly spoke more rhythmically, his voice was more reassuring.

"I remember when your father came to get his first wand. I remember every wand I've ever sold. Why, I remember Harry Potter coming to get his wand minutes after your father. Yes, yes, now THAT was a wand…" Scorpius felt confused.

"Who's Harry Potter?" he said in genuine curiosity. His father began a very purposeful coughing fit, answering before Ollivander could.

"He's not somebody you want to bother about. He just brings trouble." Draco said it with such finality and cold determination. Scorpius couldn't help but wonder what this Harry had done, or how his father had been a part of it, and why he sounded so bitter.

"Scorpius, try this." Ollivander had brought out a wand and was holding it out gently in front of him. Scorpius picked it up instantly and gave it a dramatic flourish. Kili screeched. A pile of paperwork burst into flames, and Ollivander doused them with a cry of shock.

"Definitely not," he muttered. "Maybe this…" he held out another one. Scorpius picked it up less enthusiastically and wiggled it a little. Nothing happened.

"Put a little spirit into it!" Ollivander encouraged doubtfully. Scorpius gave it a big wave, and shards of glass came pouring out of the tip of his wand. One brushed against his hand, and he recoiled in shock. They were burning hot. His father rushed to his aid, and with a few complicated looking spells it was fixed. Scorpius's blistering hand smoothed over and the glass disappeared.

"No, not that one," Ollivander snatched up the wand quickly. He shuffled around some boxes, muttering. Finally, he came back with a smooth, jet black wand. Scorpius took it, and the air around him glowed a soft red.

"Ah, very nice," Ollivander picked up the wand in curiosity. "Basilisk fang, 9 inches, Hawthorn wood – just like your father, he had Hawthorn – very good for potions and powerful spells; this wand's a strong one." Scorpius took the wand, tingling with anticipation. Draco's hand dipped into his coin purse, drawing out a handful of galleons.

"Thank you," he said, placing the coins on the counter. Ollivander gave a thin smile. The shop bell tinkled, and Scorpius looked at the group of witches and wizards entering the shop. Some of them were around his age. A man came in after them. He had tousled black hair, round glasses, a very skinny frame and was about an inch taller than his father. His father stiffened and gave the man a curt nod.

"Potter," he said. Scorpius felt cold. His father had never sounded so venomous.

"Malfoy," the man responded frostily.

"Ah, Albus! Are you getting your wand?" Ollivander turned his attention to his new customer. A boy who looked strikingly like the older man with his black hair, knobbly knees and glasses nodded and gave a cute, childish beam. Scorpius repressed the impulse to gag.

"What are you doing here?" the man said to his father.

"Scorpius is getting a wand," Draco said stiffly.

"After what you helped Voldemort do to Ollivander? Surely Scorpius isn't going to Durmstrang?"

"He's going to Hogwarts," Scorpius had never seen his father look so pale and angry.

"Scorpius! We're going!" his father said tensely. Scorpius nodded and began to follow him out of the shop. The man's green eyes followed him all the way to the door. Somebody else came bursting in, colliding with Scorpius and falling to the ground. Scorpius looked down. Without a word he held out his hand and helped him up. The stranger gave a thin smile.

"Teddy," he stuck out his hand. He looked around 19, with a deep voice and turquoise hair. Scorpius shook hands hesitantly.

"I'm Malfoy. Scorpius Malfoy," he said. Teddy's mouth twitched upwardly. He was laughing at his name! Scorpius glared.

"Think my name's funny, do you?" he snapped. Teddy shrugged.

"SCORPIUS!" his father yelled across the shop. Scorpius turned and looked at his father who was impatiently gesturing for them to leave. Scorpius walked out of the shop with a Malfoy – like swagger.

Draco silently returned his son's owl.

"Are we going for ice – cream now?" Scorpius could do with a big double scooped chocolate and peppermint ice cream right now.

"That is a brilliant idea," Draco gave a watery smile. After adjusting his gold pocket watch chain, he held out his hand. Kili screeched.

"It will be faster if we Apparate." Scorpius braced himself for the all – too familiar sensation of Side – Along Apparation. He wasn't too bad at it, seeing his father had allowed him to do it from age 7. Well, not as bad as Capricorn, anyway. After a few moments of feeling like he was being squeezed like a lemon, Scorpius and his father arrived at Florean Fortescue's.

Draco stood up, caught his breath, re – adjusted his collar and they entered the shop together. They'd beaten Capricorn and Mother. Scorpius smiled. He was inspecting the huge range of flavours when the door opened and in glided Mother and Capricorn. Dipp and Pipp, their twin house elves, came in after them, arms bursting with groceries. Dipp and Pipp had come to Malfoy Manor when Scorpius was 4, asking for work. The family had been happy to oblige.

"Well, did you get a wand? Or was there a mistake, and you really have no magical talent?" Capricorn sneered.

"Your face is a mistake, Capricorn," Scorpius retorted, pulling out his wand at the same. Scorpius pointed his wand at his brother.

"Aguamenti," he muttered. A jet of water erupted from the tip of his wand, soaking Capricorn.

"Scorpius!" Draco yelled across the shop.

"Father, it was just a little aguamenti charm! The Ministry can't get me yet, because I haven't quite turned 11 yet," Scorpius smirked. The time before his 11th birthday was going to be the best. No Underage Magic Laws… ah, good times…

"Mother!" Capricorn whined, wringing his dripping robes. Scorpius smirked and began looking at the ice – cream flavours again. Nobody else was in the shop; nobody was even at the counter. He was deciding between Peppermint Frost, Chocolate Decadence and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Bean flavour when the shop door opened and three figures walked in. Scorpius glanced at them and gave a small smile when he recognised their faces.

"SCORPIUS!" one of them yelled with a broad grin, her voice echoing across the shop. The Ellem twins.

"MALFOY!" the other yelled. Everybody else swore the two girls were identical, but Scorpius immediately recognised who was who.

"Holly, Koko," he gave a mocking bow. He looked at the stern figure behind them.

"Mrs Ellem, it's been too long," Scorpius held out his hand. Mrs Ellem gave him a limp handshake. Her hands were clammy with cold sweat. Scorpius withdrew his hand and secretly wiped it on the back of his robes. Holly and Koko looked around the shop. Their long, dirty blond hair was tied in identical braids that ran down their backs. They had green eyes, skinny but muscular frames and, to the dismay of Scorpius, had grown exactly 2 inches taller than him since he'd last seen them. Scorpius looked them up and down and wondered what on earth they were wearing. Unlike their usual attire, the girls had prim – and - proper pink witches robes. They'd probably been forced to by their mother. Family image and all. The one sign of their rebellious nature were the pairs of muggle Converse high – top shoes they were wearing. What had their mother said about that? They both seemed to be telepathically speaking; probably plotting a way to steal something. Scorpius suddenly noticed two things at once; one that the ice – cream parlour clock was very loud, and two that nobody had spoken for a good minute or two.

"Sapphire, I missed you at the ball last Christmas!" Astoria Malfoy came to their rescue, interrupting the steadily forming awkward silence. Scorpius looked at the Holly and Koko.

"You guys getting ice – cream?" he said.

"No!" Koko said sarcastically.

"We just came so we could have a nice chat with any…" Holly continued

"Mud bloods that come by," the twins finished in unison.

"Right then," Scorpius rolled his eyes. "What flavours are you getting?"

"What are you getting?" Holly replied.

"Peppermint Frost and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Bean," Scorpius said it loud enough so his father could hear too. Draco gave a slight nod and took out his purse.

"Nice owl," Koko said. "What's his name?"

"Kili," Scorpius said, giving Kili a quick stroke. Holly had gone over to the ice – cream counter and was deciding very loudly which flavour to choose. Kili went to join her and Scorpius watched as the twins ran their fingers over the glass cabinet, deciding.

"Mum, I'd like an All Berry Burst and a Chocolate Decadence," Koko called.

"Same!" Holly said. Draco came up with Scorpius's ice – cream.

"Thanks father," Scorpius took the ice – cream and put a generous scoop of the Bertie Bott's into his mouth. A dangerous move. He moved the ice – cream around his mouth. He tasted toast, lime jelly, cold mushroom and… rice? Not a very good combo. Scorpius kept his face dead – pan, refusing to spit it out. The Ellem twins watched in amusement. They'd obviously had this experience before. Mrs Ellem came up with the girls ice – cream, and they began eating too, making very obvious sounds to show Scorpius how utterly delicious their ice – cream was, and how much his wasn't. Dammit. Capricorn came up with his double Marzipan fondant ice – cream. Scorpius thought that flavour was disgusting, but Capricorn loved it.

"Scorpius, we have to go soon," Capricorn said in a pompous voice. He still sounded miffed about the water.

"Oh Capp dear, why are your robes so wet at the front?" Koko said. The three of them dissolved into laughter.

'That may have been me," Scorpius smirked at the back of his retreating brother's head. The twins began laughing again.

"So, what house do you want to be sorted into at school next month?" Holly asked, putting her spoon into her empty ice – cream cup. How did she eat so fast?

"Slytherin, duh," Scorpius rolled his eyes. "You guys?"

"Slytherin," the twins said in unison. They spun around and gave each other a brief high – five.

'I mean, what other options are there?" he snorted. "Um Hufflepuff… no thanks,"

"Yeah… who wants to be in the leftover house?"

"Then there's Ravenclaw," Koko smirked. "As much as I'd love to be nerd with no social status, I think I'll give it a pass."

"Yeah, and, seriously, Gryffindor? The lions? Not only would father disinherit and then murder me, who wants to be on the losing Quidditch team?"

"Yeah, ever since Potter and the Wesley's left the team has barely won a single match," Holly rolled her eyes. "Gryffindor peasants." Scorpius felt his stomach give a little lurch. There was that name again. Potter.

"Yeah, who was Potter again?" Scorpius asked, hoping to just smoothly drop the question in. Plan failed. Koko choked on her remaining ice – cream and Holly just shook her head slowly over and over again.

"Gosh you're a sheltered child," Holly said, still shaking her head.

"Has your father seriously never told you?" Koko said, having recovered from her near death from ice – cream experience. Scorpius shrugged like he didn't care.

"Eh, a bit here and there," he lied. Koko and Holly looked at each other.

'You haven't even gotten his chocolate frog card before?" Holly said incredulously. He has a chocolate frog card?

"No, it's one I've been wanting for my collection," Scorpius looked sideways.

"Uh – huh," Koko said, unconvinced. Holly fished into her pocket and drew out a chocolate frog card.

"I got it today. Harry Potter. Read it." Holly held the card out to Scorpius.

"Harry Potter," he read aloud. "Mr Potter, also known as The Boy Who Lived, is perhaps the most famous wizard alive today. He became famous for his first defeat of He – Who – Must – Not – Be – Named in 1981. Although his best known achievement is the defeat of Voldemort in 1998, Mr Potter's lesser known achievements include drawing the Tri - Wizard tournament with late Cedric Diggory, retrieving the Philosopher's Stone, uncovering the long – forgotten Chamber of Secrets and becoming the youngest seeker Hogwarts has seen in over a century. Mr Potter also established the D.A. (Dumbledore's Army) with Mr and Mrs Weasley in their fifth year. Mr Potter has held many charity events and spent 5 straight years on top of witch weekly's 'most fancy able bachelor ' before settling down with Ginerva 'Ginny' Molly (née: Weasley) Potter. Harry currently has three children, James, Albus, and Lily, and is the youngest Head Auror to be appointed for the Ministry of Magic." That was the longest chocolate frog card he'd ever read. Next to the text was a picture of a skinny man with messy, dark hair and electric green eyes. It was the man from the shop.