The scorpion and the flower

"Look who we have here," said a drawling voice.

Albus and Rose slowly looked towards the compartment door and Albus found himself staring into pale grey eyes.

"I know who you are," started Rose, in what Albus thought wasn't really a friendly tone, "Blond hair, pointy chin, grey eyes, spoilt silly by your parents. You must be a Malfoy. And a Scorpius Malfoy, at that."

Albus hastily whispered "Rose!" He had heard of the Malfoys and even met them a few times at parties at the Ministry but he had never had the chance to actually speak to young Scorpius. He wondered why Rose seemed so harsh towards him, but could guess. He had heard stories about Draco Malfoy and his father being Death Eaters and Rose probably hadn't forgiven him. But Albus believed he had no reason to hate him, since his father Harry Potter had forgiven the Malfoys.

"There's no need to talk that tone with me. Besides, you only know who I am because Mr. Weasley pointed me out on the platform," said Scorpius Malfoy nastily and sat himself next to an angry looking Rose and opposite Albus. "I decided to change compartment because there was a…strange thing in the one I was sitting in."

"What do you mean by 'thing'?" inquired Albus in a friendly way.

"Oh, some sort of hairy animal that was...spitting at me," he said, going slightly pink and looking anxiously at Rose beside him who stared pointedly in the opposite direction. Then he added "I could have killed it if I wanted to, only I didn't want to upset these…fourth years sitting next to me…"

Rose tried to stifle a laugh.

Albus grinned. Scorpius looked at him through narrowed eyes. Then he said "You're cousins then?"

Albus nodded, but Rose seemed more interested in the passing trees.

There was a strained silence, which Albus was struggling to break while Rose insisted on keeping.

Then Scorpius said "I just want you to know that Father insisted on my making friends with you. I wouldn't sit here otherwise." His haughty tone was beginning to annoy Albus, but he forced himself to be patient.

Once again there was silence. Albus felt quite uncomfortable, and wondered how his parents would have coped with a similar situation. His mother never seemed to have any problems like this. She was sociable, open, and if she didn't like someone she would make it clear. Albus wished he could be like her. She was even an excellent Quidditch player. The more Albus thought about her, the more he realised that he wasn't going to see her again for at least three months. He yearned to see her laughing face, and wondered how James didn't feel the same way. Or perhaps he did, but joked his worries away?

"I miss Mum", he sighed. He knew it sounded sophomoric, but he wasn't seeking to impress Scorpius or Rose (who were, incidentally looking in completely opposite directions)

"I miss mine too. And my father", said Scorpius. Albus was surprised.

"I miss my dad's stupid jokes", quipped Rose

"I miss Lily"

"I miss my Cumulo-Cleansweep 5"

"I miss bullying Hugo"

"I miss lolling about in the sun"

"I miss stuffing myself with Honeydukes chocolate"

"I miss summer"

"I miss doing the rain-dance"

"I miss brandishing my wand randomly and setting things on fire"

"I miss studying"

"But…that's what you're going to Hogwarts for!"

"I miss my toe nails"

Albus decided that this had gone too far. He looked up to see Rose and Scorpius looking bewildered, yet grinning. For some reason or other, they all started laughing. (They're eleven year olds. They laugh at pretty much everything…).

"When will we reach Hogwarts?" asked Scorpius impatiently. Rose rolled her eyes.

"No time for that!" yelled Albus, "the lunch trolley's here!"

And thus the proceeded to stuff themselves with unhealthiest items of magical food you can imagine. All in all, they had a good meal. Just as they were finishing, the compartment door slid open again to reveal a timid looking girl grinning at them cheesily, trying to cover up her nervousness.

"Sit down", invited Rose. "Are you a first year too?"

The girl nodded slowly and sat down beside Albus. "Thanks" she whispered.

Albus looked at her. She was very tall, quite big and had blonde hair. She was already in her school robes too.

"What's your name?" asked Albus. Someone had to ask the obvious question.

"C-Chrysanthemum".

Rose and Albus looked at each other. Scorpius sniggered.

"Like your name's any better, Scorpius Malfoy!" retorted Rose.

"You could call me Chrys, I suppose. It's just a family tradition to call girls after flowers" She seemed much more relaxed now. Perhaps it was Rose's funny remark. Perhaps it was Rose's name. Albus wished he had the ability to make others feel welcome. He didn't realise that he already had it.

"Sorry I'm so worried. It's just that…I'm a muggleborn. There's no way I can ever be as good a witch as a pureblood."

"That's not true at all!" said Rose, "My mother's a muggleborn and she was always top of her year!"

"Really?!" asked Chrys. She seemed considerably cheered up now.

"What's your last name then?" asked young Scorpius.

"Dursley. Chrys Dursley."

Thanks for reviewing everyone! And thanks for putting this story on alert, but do review too! Well, hope its alright…it IS my first HP fic afterall…