Scorpius was surprised that he wasn't able to sleep. It wasn't excitement, he'd never been the sort of kid to stay up all night on Christmas day, but it wasn't apprehension either. He had to be out for patrols until after eleven, because some stupid Gryffindors were caught in the astronomy tower. Not all of them were found and he was almost certain that James Potter was the ringleader, but he he had no proof.
He took his time getting ready, making sure his shirt's starched collar would stay stiff and his pressed pants would stay unwrinkled. Lily would give him flack, she always did, for taking such great care of his appearance. When he got downstairs it was no surprise to see her sitting on one of the couches, sketching in the dim green light.
"Good morning," he said. She looked alright, her uniform was tidy, her hair contained in a tight braid, but he could tell she too hadn't slept by her slow reaction time and half-lidded eyes. Lily hardly ever slept, though.
"Morning," she yawned and stretched. "What time is it?"
"A little after seven," he answered, looking down at his watch. It was a gift from Lily at Christmas last year. He told her it was tradition to get a watch at seventeen, but she was insistent on getting him a 'proper one' which turned out to be a muggle device.
"I've been up for ages, read through my Potions book though."
"You'll be fine, Professor Wolfe doesn't seem that bad." Scorpius recalled the meeting from last night. Most of it was that Slytherin pride rubbish that seventh and sixth years fed the younger student. However, he said that he would be strictly enforcing house rules as he was told they became much too lax as of late. Grades would be strictly monitored, arrivals punctual, dress codes were to be followed, behavior was to be controlled...It was nothing different from how he had grown up, but he knew Lily would have trouble with it.
"Are you lying?" She looked up at him.
"Maybe, grab your bag and let's head down to the dining hall early."
Lily reached behind her and to reveal her book bag before getting to her feet. They walked out without another word and in the dining hall, Lily pulled out her textbook and Scorpius slowly explained the concepts. While he thought it was insane that she hadn't had a class yet, he humored her anyway.
"I miss Slughorn already," she bemoaned.
"You never know."
At that food and plates appeared on the table. Lily began to pile her plate up with food as Scorpius placed a small scoop of eggs on his plate along with half a slice of toast. By the time the rest of their house filed in Lily was on her second plate of food and Scorpius hadn't even finished the eggs.
"Studying already?" It's Jordi, he grabs the book and looks at it as if it's some sort of vile creature. "He's gotten to you, hasn't he?" He looks up at Malfoy who is passing Jordi that look again. The one that appears he's rolling his eyes without them even making a movement.
"Nott, we've lost Lily," Jordi said. "Malfoy's brainwashed her."
"Get back to normal before Quidditch," Nott orders and slides in beside her. Lily seems to enjoy the banter going on either side of her, but she pretends to be annoyed. "Are you actually playing? Last night Flint told us he was posting sign-ups tonight to get an early start."
"Joy," Scorpius mutters.
Lily shoots him a pointed look that quickly softens. The meaning is clear, she wants to know what is wrong. Scorpius avoids it though, pours himself a cup of tea and pretends that it catches his attention. Finally she leaves with Jordi and Nott to go to Potions.
Lily doesn't know how it happens, but fifteen minutes later the three of them are stumbling into the Potions classroom. This is not how she wanted to make her first impression with Professor Wolfe. The three Slytherins freeze as soon they get through the door.
"I had to get my potions book," Jordi says, holding up the textbook. They all know that Slytherin professors do not take kindly to apologies, they view them as a sign of weakness.
"I see. It took the three of you to locate it?" Professor Wolfe was at the front of the classroom, behind a podium with a book splayed open. Behind him, chalk that previously hovered, clattered to a tray in front of the blackboard.
"Yes, well…" Lily bit her lip and looked at the boys. "I waited in the common room, but then Jordi couldn't find his book…"
"I tore my room apart and accidently knocked over an inkwell onto Nott…" Jordi added.
"I found the book though," Nott informed him. "Jordi called for Lily and she helped to lift the stain away because I didn't have enough time to change."
"Interesting indeed, but I did not ask for a full story. I merely wanted to know if it took three third year students to accomplish the simple task of locating a book. Apparently it did. Now, take your seats and we will finish the discussion after class." He looked down at the book and then up again. "They are in alphabetical order, I trust you should be able to figure it out."
He puts his glasses back on and peers at them as they scramble to. Lily finds a seat next to one of the Hufflepuff girls and scowls as she tries to play catch up with the professor. He talks fast and rather soft, but she's used to it. Aunt Luna's husband, Rolf, talks much the same way and if you get Uncle Percy worked up enough he hardly stops to breath.
"Miss Potter," he says, spinning on his heel. "What are Doxy Eggs and their uses?"
She drops tightens her quill and looks around the room. Jordi has a panicked looked on his face and Nott is shaking his head a bit, they expect her to fail. Closing her eyes she tries to recall the words, but they don't come to her.
"Miss Potter…"
"They're eggs…" she begins, they Slytherins give a half annoyed-half amused smirk and the Hufflepuffs fail miserably to stifle laughter.
"Really, Miss Potter." He imitates Scorpius' look that makes him appear to roll his eyes, without doing the action. She can almost see him in front of her and his calm, clear voice floats to her.
"The eggs are black in color and similar to fairy eggs as the Doxy is a similar creature. Bowtruckles often eat them." She takes and deep breath. "The eggs are ingredients in the Girding potion. The potion gives the consumer endurance and has a rather foul odor."
"Surprisingly correct," he responds. "However, I would still like to meet with you, Mr. Nott, and Mr. Zabini after class."
Lily refuses to let her cheeks turn red, something she always used to do whenever she felt a mixture of shame and anger. Right now she wishes that insufferable man would just let her redeem herself a bit. However, she did have a bit more respect for him. Slughorn's eyes lit up when he met her, said she was not like her mother, but rather her grandmother. Time and time again she failed, but he always helped pick herself back up. But she wasn't on her own. She had Scorpius at least, he wouldn't let her fail.
The rest of the period is unbearable and by the time the clock chimes to signal the next period, she slowly puts her things away until everyone else has dissipated. The three third years stand in a line in front of his desk. The professor says, nothing, just keeps on writing on a piece of parchment. He sighs, then begins to speak, "I refuse to take away house points because three students cannot make it to class on time. This year every member of the Slytherin house will be held at high regard. For the following week, I want the three of you to show up early to help me prepare the the room for my following classes. Approximately fifteen minutes every morning. This will require you to arrive promptly to breakfast, eat quickly, come here, and then go to your first class. Do I make myself clear?"
The two boys nod stiffly, but Lily speaks up, "Yes, sir."
For some reason the words appear to anger him. "I see you have a bit of cheek."
"No, sir," she answers, biting her lip. She started this habit ages ago as the 'Boy Who Lived' can't have children that are impolite. Her dad instructed that giving respectful one or two word answers was best when dealing with the press.
"You are dismissed."
Lily knows that they are done, she hesitates, but Nott motions to move. She grabs Jordi's wrist before heading into the hallway. They don't say anything until they are far from the Potion's class. The trio duck into a corridor while others rush. "Can't believe that," Jordi complains, tugging his wrist away from Lily.
"He's right git."
Lily kicks at the ground. "I have Divinations," she mumbles.
"Divinitions? No one takes that," Nott says, raising an eyebrow. "You'll be with a bunch of spacy Hufflepuffs and lazy Gryffindors."
"Well, I am taking it. I never asked for your opinions." She pushes past them and rushes towards the tower, struggling to navigate the staircases. The clock has chimed again as she pushed the large oak door open, she is greeted by warmth, a perfumed scent and the welcoming face of Professor Patil. She felt like she has come home.