Hey guys! Sorry, I meant to post yesterday, but I got out of work much later than I'd expected. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter 2
First Year, Part Two
Although Hagrid may have anticipated that Rose would join Albus on his visit that Friday, she thought it was fairly certain to say he hadn't planned on having Scorpius Malfoy for tea as well. As it was, Scorpius insisted that he wanted to finish the Potions essay they had just been assigned before venturing out of the castle, telling them it was rude to keep Hagrid waiting on his account and that he would just catch up when he was done. Rose saw through his efforts, but didn't want to push him. Still, she thought it was stupid and unnecessary.
Rose relented that Scorpius' plan may have, in fact, been wise after Hagrid spit out a mouthful of tea when she and Al told him the name of their closest friend at Hogwarts. After using a tablecloth-sized napkin to dry his beard, and after assurances that the youngest Malfoy was a paragon of wizardry and a perfect gentleman, Hagrid relented and agreed to welcome the boy when he came.
When Scorpius arrived a few minutes later (realized I'd forgotten several properties of moonstone and wanted to ask you two first), he was jumped and slobbered on by Hagrid's new pup Saber. This was a good sign, as Hagrid often trusted his animals to be keen judges of character, though whether or not this was true was not exactly clear considering his fondness for creatures that would prefer to bite than cuddle. Scorpius was determined to make a good impression, trying to be charming and humble and funny and respectful all at once. He was so jittery that he was somehow able to knock over an entire tray of rock cakes, which Rose and Albus had only been pretending to take nibbles from for fear of breaking a tooth. After cleaning up the mess without magic and apologizing countless times, his place in Hagrid's good books was secured, and he was invited to join Albus and Rose for tea in his hut every Friday.
Hagrid couldn't stop chuckling as he watched the threesome make their way to the castle, until their heads were no more than specks of black, white and red. "Well who woulda though'?" he kept repeating to himself.
On Sunday morning, their three owls soared into the Great Hall side by side at breakfast time, only several inches between the tips of their wings. Circe, Rose's great white snowy owl, landed in her porridge. Albus' tawny owl Paracelcus (often shortened to Pear), upended the milk jug, creating a white flood that surged down the Ravenclaw table until Rose mopped it up with a simple cleaning spell. Orion quietly landed in front of Scorpius, giving his grey feathers a dignified ruffle before sticking out his leg, which bore a scroll with writing in emerald ink. After each owl had been relieved of its burden, they helped themselves to their masters' breakfasts, which had been completely forgotten.
Without a word, the trio headed to the Black Lake, and upon reaching its shores headed to the oak tree to read their correspondence privately; the thought of abandoning the other two in order to read the letter in isolation, however, did not cross any of their minds- not even Scorpius, an only child who had only met his companions a week ago.
Rose's envelope contained two sheets of parchment. The first was from her mother:
Dear Rose,
Congratulations on your Sorting and on completing your first week of classes! Hugo, your father and I are all very proud of you. I've heard Ravenclaw Tower is a beautiful study spot, and I'm sure you'll take advantage of it and all else your house has to offer. On that note, it would great it if you could send me some of the riddles to enter your common room every once in a while- you know how I do love puzzles.
Best of luck sweetheart, and we can't wait to see you for the holidays!
Love,
Mum
The second was a letter from Hugo:
Dear Miss Smarty Pants, (I'm so glad Nana and Papa Granger taught me that one!)
You just had to give me more to live up to, huh?
It was a bit of a shock to Dad at first, but now he can't stop telling customers about his brilliant Ravenclaw daughter. He's driving people out of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes by the boatload. I hope you're proud of yourself.
It's too quiet around here without you to bicker with. Please write.
Love,
Hugo
P.S. The Chudley Cannons are in third!
Rose let out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. Mum's letter, while loving and thoughtful, wasn't nearly as effective as Hugo's in convincing her of her family's happiness with her Sorting. She almost laughed aloud when she pictured her father gloating about her to the customers, following them around the store as they attempted to stock up on Puking Pastilles and Extendable Ears. She turned to Albus, about to tell him the joke, until she looked past him and realized that Scorpius had become even paler than usual.
"What did they say?" Rose asked him quietly. He handed her the parchment; she could feel Al leaning over her shoulder as she read:
Dear Scorpius,
Thank you for informing us of your Sorting. Though Ravenclaw does not have quite the same prestige as Slytherin, we support you in your endeavors and expect you to do well in your studies. It will be your responsibility, however, to tell Grandfather Lucius about your divergence from Malfoy tradition and convince him that the Sorting Hat did not make a mistake; I expect you to send him a letter soon so he has time to adjust before the holidays.
Your mother wishes me to inform you that she will be knitting you several blue scarves and sweaters, and inquires as to whether you require matching socks.
Regards,
Father
"Does he always sound so… cold?" Rose asked.
"Not quite this much," answered Scorpius. "Though I guess this is the first letter I've ever gotten from him. I'm surprised Mum didn't write me, actually."
"Well, he didn't sound thrilled, a bit sarcastic maybe, but at least he seemed alright about it. And it wasn't a Howler."
Scorpius shook his head. "I'm not safe yet. I still have to write Grandfather. He'll probably come here to yell at me in person."