A/N: Hello all! This is my first ever story that I've decided to post. I'd love some wonderful reviews to let me know how I'm doing! I'll try to be regular with updates, and hopefully my dear friend aridancer will keep me on track and motivated with this story :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the wonderful characters and places it has given us
The sun shone brightly over the English countryside. The calm breeze caressed the trees and the grass, causing them to sway lightly. Birds of prey soared in the updrafts, traveling higher and higher, always closer to the pure white clouds. Songbirds stayed near their nests, flitting from branch to branch and singing their melodious tunes. All was calm and peaceful. But the next moment, the quiet was shattered by a bright red train.
The Hogwarts Express sped down its tracks at an almost sickening pace. The blurred landscape that was visible through the foggy window made Summer Winters feel unusually queasy. The slight lurching of the train did nothing to help the matter. With every bump, Summer's insides seemed to churn violently; and yet, she couldn't refrain from looking out the window. The green fields, the farms, and the occasional body of water helped her know that she was still on earth, not drifting upwards toward Heaven. It all felt like a dream; a beautiful, glorious dream.
The train lurched again, and Summer felt her breakfast threaten to escape her stomach. She took a deep breath and the feeling eventually subsided.
Ordinarily, Summer had no problem with speed. She loved anything and everything that moved fast. Perhaps it came from her deep desire to never stay still. She was always moving, always shifting, and always running. And oh, how she loved running. So often she would run, away from everything and everyone. "You can't run away from your problems," her mother would say. But Summer tried her best. Maybe her problems wouldn't come back tenfold if she listened.
No, nothing ever moved fast enough for Summer; except, oddly enough, the Hogwarts Express. Then again, she had never been on her way to starting her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
When she had gotten her letter she had been shocked, her mother had cried, and her father had seemed indifferent. Perhaps he was only masking his true feeling on the matter. She wondered why. The only reason she could think of was because she was leaving. Nine months she would be away from home, away from her family and away from her problems. Even now she was still running. Though, she thought bitterly, once again I will have to face them tenfold.
Her thoughts strayed to more pleasant things, namely her brother. She and her brother were nothing alike. Her blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin were in stark contrast to his brown hair, brown eyes, and tanned skin. It didn't matter though; she still loved him dearly. He had been happy for her when she had written to him at college (he was ten years older than her) to tell him the news. He had written her back expressing his shock and joy that she was a witch. He was quite like their mother. Both were caring and compassionate and both would be dearly missed by Summer.
"You be good now," her mother had said tearfully as she hugged her on the platform just before Summer had gotten on the train.
"I will." She loved her mother dearly and desperately wished she didn't have to leave her only in the company of her father. Her father had been at work and unable to see her off.
Summer finally tore her gaze away from the window and back to finding an empty compartment, tossing her curls over her shoulder as she did so. Her eyes darted from side to side, looking for a spot that wasn't filled with intimidating older students. But as she stumbled along the corridor, dragging her cumbersome trunk,she had no luck finding a seat. Every compartment was packed full of students happily chatting away to their friends. Only when Summer had reached the end of the train did she find a spot. In the very last compartment sat a lone boy looking sadly out the window. She noticed he looked a bit green. I like him already, she decided. As she slid the door open, the boy's head whipped around to look at her. His hair was very light, almost the exact same shade as hers. He had a pale pointed face and clear blue eyes. Almost pale as ice, she thought.
"Hi," Summer said brightly. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
The boy shook his head but remained silent.
"Thanks." Only once her trunk was safely in the luggage rack and she had sat down opposite him did the boy speak.
"You sure you want to sit here?" he asked nervously.
Summer looked at him blankly. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I?"
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm not exactly well liked. People tend to avoid me," he told her somberly.
Summer scoffed. "You seem nice enough. Why would they avoid you?"
He looked at her with a curious expression, like he'd never met anyone quite like her.
Getting tired of not even knowing the name of the boy she was somehow defending, Summer stuck out her hand. "Let's start again. I'm Summer Winters." She smiled encouragingly at him.
He shook her hand. "I'm Scorpius Malfoy." Summer stifled a giggle (who named their kid Scorpius?). "Your name is really pretty. Any particular reason you're named after the seasons?" he asked politely, although Summer could see him smirking slightly.
"I'm not sure," she said, pondering this new outlook on her name. "I think my mum wanted me to have an interesting name or something. What about you?" she raised an eyebrow. "Not many people are named after a constellation."
Scorpius looked impressed. "Not many kids know the constellations." Summer smiled smugly. "It's sort of a family tradition. My father is named Draco."
"Draco the Dragon?" Scorpius nodded and Summer giggled.
At that moment the compartment door slid open and a dark haired boy poked his head through.
"Pardon me, but all the other compartments are full." He said in a squeaky voice. "Can I sit here?" He looked like he was about to faint. Summer could guess why. From his short stature to the terrified, brilliant green eyes, this boy practically had first year written on his forehead. Of course, she couldn't really talk, being a first year herself.
"'Course," she smiled, "sit anywhere you like." She flapped her hand vaguely around the compartment. But the boy wasn't listening to her, for he had just noticed the compartment's other occupant. Scorpius' eyes had widened and he looked quite frightened. The two of them just stared at each other. Confused, Summer looked from one to the other and, after waiting in vain for someone to say something, finally lost her patience.
"What's your name?" she asked dark-haired boy, wishing to avoid another conversation with someone she didn't know.
Dark-haired boy jumped slightly and flushed. "My name's Albus. Albus Potter," he said in a slightly less squeaky voice.
"Right…" Summer said slowly. She really didn't want to jump to conclusions about the people she had met so far, but the weird names coupled with the crazy expressions didn't give her high expectations for the rest of the students. So far, everyone was insane. "I'm Summer Winters," she continued, "and this is Scorpius Malfoy. Scorpius, this is Albus, the boy who won't sit down."
Albus flushed deeper as Scorpius smirked. He quickly sat down at the opposite end of Summer's bench. He glanced once more at Scorpius before looking down at his feet. Something in Summer snapped.
"What is with you people?" she exclaimed, glaring at the two boys. "You're acting like you've never met another person in your life!"
Albus looked guilty while Scorpius simply resumed the forlorn expression he had been wearing earlier.
"You see, Summer…" he began slowly, pausing to choose his words carefully, but Albus cut him off.
"Just so you know Malfoy," Albus stated in a bold voice, "I have absolutely no problem with you or your family. I mean, we're not our fathers or… anything," he cringed at how lame he sounded. "So I figure that, you know… we can act like our names mean nothing, and just… well… not jump to conclusions about each other?"
There was silence in the room as Scorpius digested Albus' words (and Summer tried to work out if the last bit had been a question). Then he broke out in a huge grin and held out his hand. Albus shook it with an equally big grin. They both looked immensely relieved and not nearly so green.
"Will someone please tell me what is going on here?!" Summer asked angrily. "Is there like some weird caste system if you go to this school?"
Albus flinched at her harsh tone but Scorpius' face remained blank. "Since you don't seem to know anything about either of us, I'm guessing that your parents are muggles."
Summer raised a curious eyebrow. "What are muggles?" The boys exchanged a glance.
"Non-magic people," supplied Albus.
Summer crossed her arms and frowned at them. "Then I suppose they are. And there seems to be a lot more than that that I don't know. Care to explain?" She looked at them expectantly. They seemed confused. Boys. "Okay," she prompted, "just start from the beginning. Start with why Scorpius thinks nobody likes him."
Scorpius turned pink but Albus spoke first. "Well it's not really about us…." He chose his words carefully, "it's about our families. You see… my dad saved the wizarding world."
Summer snorted. Not very ladylike either.
"I'm not kidding," said Albus seriously. "It all started about…" he paused, trying to figure out exactly how long ago it had started, "a long time ago." Scorpius rolled his eyes and Albus glared at him. Summer refrained from laughing.
At the end of the story Summer's eyes had gone as round as dinner plates. The story seemed completely unbelievable, and yet she couldn't help believing it.
"That's amazing," she said fervently. And then, "Wow."
"Yeah well," Albus scratched his head uncomfortably, "Dad doesn't like fame or anything. I'm pretty sure that's why so many people respect him."
Summer had about a million more questions to ask, but at that moment, the compartment door slid open.
"There you are, Al," said a pretty red-haired girl. "I've been looking everywhere for… what are you doing sitting here with him?!"
"I still can't believe you've ended up being friends with a Malfoy," said the girl from the train. Summer had found out that she was Rose Weasley, Albus' cousin. She was very pretty with deep blue eyes and fiery red hair that had a slightly bushy effect to it. She was currently glaring daggers at Albus and shooting an annoyed glance or two at Scorpius. Scorpius didn't seem to mind it too much though. He acted as if he were used to it, which, Summer reminded herself, he probably was. They were currently waiting in a room off the Great Hall with the other first years, all of whom were looking as though death had come to claim them. Well, all except Rose Weasley, who was too busy berating Albus to care about life changing occurrences. Honestly.
"Give it a rest will you?" Summer said hotly. She had grown tired of the whispered threats and death glares. "You're judging a person you hardly know."
Rose looked shocked. "I'll have you know that I know plenty of things about—"
"About his dad," Summer finished for her, "but nothing about Scorpius. You just met him. If you're so interested, why don't you ask him; he's right there." Summer motioned towards Scorpius. Rose looked towards him and Scorpius turned pink under her scrutiny. Rose turned back to Summer with a raised eyebrow but said nothing.
"Didn't think so," said Summer triumphantly. She went to stand by Scorpius, who looked at her gratefully.
"No one's ever stood up for me before," he whispered in near disbelief. Summer looked at him incredulously. "Besides my parents," he amended.
Summer grinned. "What are friends for?" she said, nudging him playfully.
He smiled, but before he could answer, the door opened and the first years found themselves being shepherded into the Great Hall. The sea of faces staring at them, as they walked up the aisle in between two of the tables, made Summer feel quite small. She turned her gaze up toward the enchanted ceiling instead. It had started to rain slightly. Summer absolutely adored the rain. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice they had reached the end of the two tables, and walked straight into the boy in front of her. He turned to look at her and she shot him an apologetic look. He just smiled. Summer brought her attention onto the frayed hat, sitting on a three-legged stool. Scorpius had told her about the hat during the boat ride to the castle, so Summer wasn't surprised when it opened its mouth and began to sing. That didn't stop her from being absolutely fascinated that a hat actually could sing.
"How does it sing?" she whispered to Albus, who was standing beside her. He opened his mouth to reply but was silenced by Rose's withering glare. The hat stopped singing (much to Summer's regret) and Professor Longbottom started reading out names. One by one, students went up and tried on the hat. Many looked on the verge of throwing up. Summer sincerely hoped that they wouldn't. She started to focus on her own nervousness. What if she failed all of her classes? What if she wasn't in the same house as her friends? What if no one liked her and they kicked her out of the school? She was beginning to panic but was violently wrenched out of her thoughts due to the distraction of Scorpius' muttering: "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin, not Slytherin…."
How dare he distract her unfounded fears with his muttering? "What are you whispering about?" she hissed in his ear.
He jumped slightly and looked at her innocently. "I wasn't whispering."
Summer narrowed her eyes and turned away. Scorpius relaxed.
"Why don't you want to be in Slytherin?"
Scorpius whipped around to look at her. His eyes were wide and panicked.
"Malfoy, Scorpius!" shouted Professor Longbottom. Scorpius shot Summer a pleading look before making his way up to the stool, trembling slightly.
Whispers had broken out among the students when his name had been called. Some, Summer noticed seemed scared. Others seemed angry. There were many dark looks cast his way.
The hat had been on Scorpius' head for about thirty seconds now and the student's whispering was becoming louder. McGonagall silenced them with a glare. Finally the hat opened its mouth and shouted out a house.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Silence. Completed silence followed the hat's announcement. Considering that Scorpius was the first Malfoy in generations to be sorted into Gryffindor, it was understandable. But still, it annoyed Summer. Scorpius, although he had a slight tinge to his cheeks, gave off an aura of boredom. It looked as though he didn't care that no one was clapping. But of course he did. Summerwasn't a person who would openly draw attention to herself. She may have been bubbly and fast-paced but she didn't like to embarrass herself. She wanted nothing more than to do nothing and say nothing. But all her thoughts vanished at the sight of Scorpius, who was currently walking over to the Gryffindor table, should slightlyslumped. Summer wasn't about to watch her friend be defeated by people he didn't even know.
She started clapping loudly and, for good measure, jumping up and down while screaming like a five-year-old. The tension in the room broke and hesitant applause filled the air along with renewed mutterings. This time, however, it wasn't nearly so hostile. Summer also noticed that some students were laughing at her. She was never going to hear the end of this. Scorpius blushed and sped up, but he looked happier. He was greeted at the table by James Potter, (he looked almost exactly like Albus) who shook his hand and smiled. Potters, it appeared, did not have prejudice.
Summer glanced automatically toward Rose. Her expression was priceless. Her mouth was hanging open and her eyes were wide, eyebrows knitted together in slight confusion.
"It seems I did judge him too soon," she said guiltily, her face pink. "After all, nobody really bad could get into Gryffindor. Do you think he'll forgive me?" she asked Summer nervously.
Summer shrugged. "You'll have to ask him yourself."
"WILL EVERYONE PLEASE BE QUIET NOW!" Silence. "Thank you." Professor Longbottom glared at the students before returning to the list.
Albus was sorted into Gryffindor as well. He looked very relieved as he took his seat next to Scorpius. And Scorpius seemed even more relieved now that he had a friend at his side.
"Oh I hate having a W name," complained Rose, pouting slightly. "I can't stand being last."
"You won't be last," Summer informed her. "I'll be after you. Winters," she replied to Rose's curious stare.
"Really?" Rose stared at her bemused. "Summer Winters? Do your parents like the seasons or something?"
Summer shrugged again. "My middle name is Autumn."
Rose continued to look at Summer, her eyes filled with humor and a smile on her lips, when she was called up. Rose practically ran up to the stool in her excitement. It didn't last long though. Quite soon after she had put it on, the hat announced her house.
"RAVENCLAW!"
For the second time that night there was complete silence. Never before had a sorting been so shocking.
The Ravenclaws suddenly seemed to realize that Rose had been sorted into their house. They cheered and screamed, quite happy to have a famous person join their group. Gryffindor always got all the glory, or so Summer had been told. Rose walked to the table in a daze, and Summer felt bad for her. All her friends and family were in Gryffindor (all of whom seemed rather flabbergasted); Rose probably felt left out and alone. It wouldn't last long though. The Claws were crowding around her, each trying to claim the seats next to her.
Summer smiled. Rose would be all right.
Now it was Summer's turn. The panic that had abated returned in full force as she walked up to the stool. She nearly tripped on her way up, but thankfully no one noticed since they were still getting over the shock of Rose's placement. Neville gave her an encouraging smile but she barely noticed. The hat was placed on her head, and she lost sight of the Hall as it slipped down over her eyes.
"Ahhh," said a voice in her ear, "you have dark secrets, little one, very dark secrets and a dark future toooo." Summer shivered. She didn't like the way it had drawn out the too. "You have cunning and intelligence, oh yes. But if I put you in a dark house, what would become of you? Misery, depression, death?" Summer nearly fainted. "No, no, the place for you is with your family." But she didn't have any family at Hogwarts. Summer frowned as the hat shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!"
The hall applauded and she pulled the hat off. Summer smiled at her new friends over at the Gryffindor table, but on the inside she felt as cold as ice. She knew the dark secrets that the hat had referred to. How could she not? But how dark of a future was waiting for her?