Hello everybody! I was amazed at the feedback I got! Thanks so much guys for reading, following, favouriteing and of course reviewing J I'd like to thank WeAreAllMadeOfStars, LiveLoveLaugh013, the Guest SCORPIUS, Moon Lantern, S.J. Iolanthe (A very big thank you to you), Talia Avis, Potterhead106, Author37, PinkBlossom789 and the guest 'Update' for reviewing and favouriteing/ following. I'd also like to give a big thank you to my Beta reader LiveLoveLaugh013! You're amazing! Please review guys, because they really do help my writing!
Chapter 2: The Hogwarts Express
Scorpius opened his eyes. As he lay there in his bed, he felt strangely excited; the feeling one gets when they know they've woken up on a special day, like Christmas, and it takes them a few moments to remember why it is. And then it all came to him. It was his 11thbirthday today. He pulled off his satin sheets and stretched, his silky pajamas fluttering from the sudden movement. He unbuttoned his pajamas, hastily threw on a t – shirt, jeans and a jacket and stuffed his pajamas under his pillow. Dipp and Pipp, two of his family's house elves, came into his room.
"Hello Scorpius!" they said excitedly, "Happy Birthday!"
Scorpius was the only Malfoy who wasn't referred to as 'Master' or 'Mistress' by the house elves. He gave them both a quick grin. Being friends with the house elves was the best move Scorpius had ever made. Not only did they know every nook, cranny and secret passage of Malfoy Manor, they could also do extra chores and sneak food from the kitchens for him. And sometimes, Dipp and Pipp were worse than the Ellem twins when it came to practical jokes. All Scorpius needed to do was say the word, and Capricorn would come home to an ingeniously booby trapped bedroom.
"Thanks guys," he said, bending down and giving them a customary fist bump.
"We've made breakfast!" Dipp said.
"Yes, pancakes,"
"And bacon,"
"And scones,"
"And waffles,"
"And all sorts of things!" Pipp finished off.
"Thanks guys," Scorpius gave them a quick smile.
He walked down the five flights of stairs from his secluded bedroom (which happened to take up the entire 5thfloor), and strolled into the dining room. As he walked through the oak doors of the dining room, he was greeted with a shout of 'Happy Birthday Scorpius!'
The dining room had been decorated like it was every year for his birthday. The traditional red drapes had been substituted with rich Slytherin green and sky blue ones. The mahogany table had been covered with a delicately embroidered tablecloth that was bewitched to make the table look a mysterious pool of water, rippling and glistening. 'Floating' in the middle of it was a stack of beautifully wrapped presents taller than Scorpius was. The table was set for four. His family was already sitting there, but the place at the head of the table had been left for him - a Malfoy tradition.
"Hey guys!" he said. "Thanks for all this. You too, Dipp and Pipp."
Scorpius said the last part more quietly – he and the rest of his family had different opinions about house elves and their importance.
Scorpius sat down at the table and looked at the amount of food on the table and let a satisfied smile stretch across his pale face. Draco looked up from the Daily Prophet and gave a thin attempt at a smile.
"Let's eat," Draco said, glancing at Astoria for confirmation. She nodded her agreement and Scorpius immediately picked up a sizzling slice of bacon. He sniffed it and gave a sigh of satisfaction. Sandwiching the bacon between two slices of fresh bread, Scorpius squirted it with a generous amount of BBQ sauce and began to eat. The rest of his family followed suit. Capricorn began attacking a waffle with relish, his mother had a pancake topped with fresh lemon juice and sugar, and his father followed Scorpius in having a bacon sandwich. In five bites Scorpius's sandwich was gone. To stop him eating another one too quickly, Astoria recommended that he open his presents now. Draco nodded; a legitimate smile on his face. He was excited about something. Scorpius didn't need any further invitation; he reached down the long table to get his first present.
As soon as he saw the packaging, he knew it was a broom. Crossing his fingers, Scorpius tore off the wrapping paper.
It was beautiful. Sitting in front of him was the fastest broom in the world; the Firebolt 3000. He'd been asking his parents for it for 6 months now, and finally he had it.
"Father! I've never gotten a racing broom!" Capricorn complained indignantly.
"Capricorn, I didn't know you could fly," Draco raised his eyebrows. "Come on, son, it isn't like we deprive you on your birthday."
Scorpius remembered Capricorn's last birthday; it had been his 16th. His parents had held a grand ball in the ballroom for all of Capp's friends; there had been music, gourmet food, dancers and the biggest pile of presents Scorpius had ever seen.
Capricorn shrugged.
"Thanks Father and Mother!" Scorpius said, itching to go out and ride the broom.
.:.
Sitting in his room four hours later, Scorpius was reviewing this year's impressive birthday haul. He'd got, of course, the Firebolt 3000. He'd also received a Weasly Wizard Wheezes Multi – Purpose Explosion Pack, a book called 'Unusual Tricks and Curses', an intricate door handle from Borgin and Burkes that supposedly unlocked only at the touch of its owner, a small bottle containing a dose of a Fire-Breath potion, which enabled the drinker to momentarily breathe fire, a brass ring decorated with a skull and crossbones, a stack of t-shirts with hilarious quotes on them that he was sure his mother had picked out, a massive package from Honeydukes from Capricorn and a decorated broom polisher, handmade by Dipp and Pipp. The polisher was rich Slytherin green, and depicted two entwined snakes curling around the sides, ending in a swirling wreath of stitched smoke spelling SCORPIUS. His friend Gralaus had also given him a 50 galleon Weasly Wizard Wheezes gift voucher. Scorpius was sprawled on his bed, flipping through the pages of 'Common hexes for underage wizards' (The book wasn't entirely legal) when a familiar owl glided into his room. Kili looked at him expectantly with his rich orange eyes, and Scorpius threw a treat into his gaping beak.
Kili held out his note impatiently and glided to his perch. Scorpius felt a rush of excitement as he read the writing at the front.
'To Mr Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, Second Largest Room (The Attic), Malfoy Manor.'
Scorpius slid his finger under the wax envelope seal and pried the sheet of parchment from within.
"HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Elliot Frost
(Previous Head Auror for Ministry of Magic, Order of Merlin, Second Class, Member of International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Mr Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
As well as this, we are pleased to release a special announcement. For the first time in Hogwarts history, 1styears will be allowed brooms. They will also be permitted to try out for their House Quidditch team.
Yours sincerely,
Madeline Dufflepud
Deputy Headmistress"
The letter ended there, with an image of the Hogwarts crest on the bottom. He blinked in amazement. First years were allowed brooms. He could try out for the Quidditch team earlier than he had expected… with his Firebolt 3000 he would be unstoppable. Scorpius refolded the letter, put it back in the envelope and went downstairs to tell his parents.
.:. 3 weeks later .:.
Four tall figures walked side by side in a crowded train station pushing trolleys. If you happened to be watching them carefully, you would have noticed that they paused at the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. One by one, they would run at the barricade, only to disappear in a flash of motion. These four were the Malfoy family. The second they had crossed the barrier, they were caught up in a rush of bustling families, students reuniting with their friends, the train conductor, owls and everything else that was found on Platform 9 ¾. Scorpius felt free; he was finally a first year. He was finally boarding the Hogwarts Express himself. He was going to finally be able to properly hex people and cast charms and brew potions. He'd been practicing a few random hexes on his father's wand, but it wasn't exactly… legal. Just bending the rules a bit, his father said. Capricorn was teasing him again.
"You're going to be the first Malfoy in history to be sorted into Gryffindor, I can see it," he needled.
"Shut up," Scorpius rolled his eyes.
"Capp, don't tease you brother!" His mother said impatiently, dabbing the final touches of makeup onto her face. Scorpius looked around the station, Kili perched onto his shoulder. His owl didn't like the cage very much. Capricorn caught sight of some of his friends and had left the family to talk with them. Ok then. We see how it is.
He suddenly had the feeling as if somebody was watching him. He turned around to see a pair of green eyes staring at him in disdain. It was the man from the shop, Harry Potter.
Scorpius quickly turned away and asked for his broom. Draco handed it to him, and Scorpius grabbed the handle of his trunk.
"Be careful son," Draco said, giving him a slight squeeze. "And try to forget about this Harry Potter. I know his son's in your year, just…" Draco seemed at lost for words for a moment.
"Just try not to be too… friendly? No, be friendly… just…" Draco trailed off again.
Scorpius understood what his father was trying to say. It was how he often treated certain families. Be courteous; don't disgrace the Malfoy name over anything stupid. Be a little bit sly, and a touch mean. Definitely don't make friends.
"I get it, Father," Scorpius said with a final nod of his blond head. Draco nodded and adjusted his collar.
"I'll miss you," he said, and then he gave a sly smile. Scorpius knew that smile well; it was identical to the one he had worn when he had filled his mother's ugly pottery collection with dark powder that burst into flames upon contact with air. Draco looked around and hastily stuffed a small package into Scorpius' pocket.
"What…?"
"Shh. Open it alone, in your dorm." Draco gave Scorpius a final squeeze and went to say goodbye to Capricorn. Astoria was next. After much patting, a little sniffling and many farewells from his mother, who was feeling 'practically ancient with her youngest going to Hogwarts', Scorpius managed to prise himself from his mother's embrace. Astoria immediately turned back into her cool self. Scorpius suspected she'd been putting on a bit of a show. He saw a few of father's friends from the Ministry watching them and his suspicion was confirmed. He grabbed the handle of his trunk with one hand, the handle of his broom with the other and whistled to Kili, who landed neatly on his shoulder. He still didn't like the cage. Scorpius walked up to the Hogwarts Express, excitement simmering in his stomach. He caught sight of Mrs Ellem. The twins must already be on board.
Handing his ticket to the conductor, who clipped it and let him on, Scorpius heaved his trunk up the narrow steps and walked along the corridor of the Hogwarts Express. He looked into a couple of compartments. They were all full. Suddenly he heard a shout.
"Scorpius!" The twins had made their appearance. They were sitting in a compartment with two of their other friends, gesturing for him to come in. He slid open the door and took a seat.
"Hey guys!" he said. "Holly, Koko, Gralaus, Silas."
They all replied with nods and smiles. Kili hooted.
"Nice owl," Silas said, playing with a lock of black hair. He was tall for his age, with tanned skin, jet black hair and shockingly purple eyes.
"Thanks," Scorpius said. "Yours too," he noticed the tiger – striped black and grey owl sitting on Silas's shoulder.
"Yeah, his name's Druid."
"Mine's Kili," Scorpius sat down.
"I like it," Gralaus said, sneezing afterwards and quickly chewing a pill. Everybody knew Gralaus had an unfortunate owl allergy, meaning that he had to take Patina Poppy's Multi – Purpose Allergy Pills to stop himself from sneezing uncontrollably.
"Guess what?" Holly and Koko asked in unison. Before anybody could reply, there was a tap on the compartment door and an awkward boy peeked around the corner. Scorpius turned to look at the newcomer and froze. First he saw the uncontrollable black hair, then the broom slung over his shoulder and finally the unforgettably green eyes. It was the boy; Albus Potter. Scorpius felt like he had swallowed Dracaena Frenzy's Acid Washing Liquid.
"Can I sit here? All the other compartments are full," he gave an apologetic shrug. Everybody exchanged a glance that meant one thing. NO!
"Uh, sure…" Gralaus slid across the seat to make room for the newcomer. Gralaus was very skinny and pale, with rich brown hair and eyes the colour of melted chocolate. He had a thin scar on his cheek and he was always tapping his long fingers. Scorpius looked at the nervous boy sitting in their compartment, his pale eyebrows rising slightly. Albus gave a quick nod when their eyes met.
"Scorpius," he said in a chilly voice. Scorpius was shocked by how frosty his voice sounded. This kid wasn't the same guy he'd seen at the wand shop. He could see the entire compartment exchanging glances and nudging each other.
"Albus," Scorpius replied, surprised by how stiff his own voice sounded. The air in the compartment was extremely awkward.
Another knock came at the door and the compartment and a red headed girl peeked around the corner.
"Albus!" she said the moment she saw him. The boy's face broke out into a grin.
"Hey, Rose!" he said. Scorpius saw Gralaus raised his eyebrows slightly and give a low whistle. The girl was pretty. Not his type, but pretty. At least she saved him from that awkward situation. Silas nudged him and rolled his eyes sarcastically at Gralaus, who was practically drooling over this girl. Scorpius gave a quiet snicker.
"Can I sit here?" she said, her green eyes flickering around the compartment.
"Sure!" Gralaus said, sliding over more. He looked utterly crestfallen when the girl sat next to Albus instead of him. The compartment gave a sudden lurch and everybody gave a cry of shock as the train began moving out of the station. Scorpius, Silas, and Koko started talking about last season's Quidditch World Cup, in which the Brazil team was thrashed by Wales. Albus started muttering with Rose, and Holly and Gralaus started formulating ways to prank some second year Ravenclaws in the compartment next to them. It was raining outside.
After a while, a plump witch poked her head around the door with a large smile.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?" she gestured to a magnificent display of food. Everybody in the compartment took out their well filled purses. Galleons clinked, and everybody stuffed their pockets with sweets.
"Bloody brilliant," Holly said with her mouth full.
"Classy, Holly. Classy," Silas said, inspecting his fingernails.
"I know, right," Holly's mouth was still stuffed with a Cauldron Cake. Scorpius felt something sticky and cold land on his neck. He swiped it off in a fluid motion and inspected his fingers. They were covered in chocolate.
"Sorry! That was my chocolate frog," Albus looked terrified. What was up with this guy's multiple personalities? One moment he's icy and sophisticated, the next he's a bumbling, apologetic weirdo.
Scorpius gave a shrug.
"It's ok," he said.
"Do you need a napkin?" It was Rose. She held out some crisp blue napkins.
"Yeah, thanks," Scorpius took one and wiped chocolate muck off his neck. Gralaus looked extremely jealous.
"My mum always packs way too many," Rose looked embarrassed.
"Who's your mum?" Gralaus was trying a conversation starter, but it was a terrible one. Scorpius winced at his friend's lack of smoothness.
"Hermione Weasley. Her name used to be Hermione Granger," Rose looked around quickly. A memory swirled around Scorpius's mind. His father in his study.
'Potter and the blood traitor Weasley and the mudblood Granger girl…'This girl's mother was a mudblood, and her father was a blood traitor. Scorpius saw that his friends had heard similar things from their parents. Gralaus turned the colour of chalk, Holly choked on her cauldron cake, Silas raised one of his dramatic eyebrows and Koko looked disgusted. That girl's mother was a mudblood and her father was a blood traitor. A sour taste filled Scorpius's mouth. Rose looked around, noticing the acidic feeling that had crept into the room.
"What?" she said, her fingers playing nervously with a pendant on her necklace. You could have cut the tension in the air with a butter knife. Everybody bristled, all of the things their parents had said about mudbloods replaying in their minds.
"We better get changed into our robes," Silas said pointedly, silently daring anybody to disagree with him. Scorpius gave a silent sigh of relief at the diversion as Silas looked out of the window. He pointed to a shape in the distance.
"There's Hogwarts."