Scorpius was invited to spend the first week of Summer with the Potters in New York, where one of their many cousins had some property. (He wasn't sure about the whole deal with the cousins thing- the Potters had Muggle cousins?) Nonetheless, when James Potter, just before pulling off the biggest prank in the history of the school invited him to come along, he couldn't refuse. Needless to say, Hermione and Ron Weasley were also invited. Scorpius wasn't friends with Albus or Rose, even though they were in his year because of his entire incognito deal till the beginning of this year.
'Say, Scorpius!' said little Lily, 'how come we've never seen each other before?'
Lily Potter was by no definition 'little.' She was in her third year, and pretty mature for her age. She was easily 5 foot 5, with potential for more growth, and had cut her red, smooth hair in layers, and had side bangs. She was smart witted, and looked like a future heartbreaker, but Scorpius couldn't help but think of her as 'Little Lily,' the way James used to call him.
He smiled and looked up at James. James shrugged and drank a sip of his tea, and left the kitchen.
It was the first day of the holidays, and Scorpius arrived to the Potters' place in Highgate. His suitcase (transfigured into a Muggle backpack by Mrs Potter) lay across the room, with four others. They were to take Portkeys at half past 11, and it was only 9, but they had to go through numerous checkings by a wizard from the Ministry, who also was supposed to orient them about New York- the wizards, and their lifestyle, along with Muggle ways of life. So, Scorpius, who couldn't sleep the previous night, because of excitement and packing, reached 15 minutes early. Lily and him were having a tea and breakfast, while the others were still packing. Mr Potter went a little early to set things up, while Mrs Potter was nagging the two boys to hurry up, and 'follow Scorpius's example).
'That's because I didn't want you to see me. You'll see a lot of me this week, and maybe over the next two years at Hogwarts. Do you mind?' he said, tousling her hair, just the way James did.
'Um, no, I'd love to, as long as you don't act like James,' she said, narrowing her eyes. 'I'm glad he's out of school. It's one less annoying brother out of school. Well, I don't think it counts, as Lucy is coming in this year...' he drifted out as she went on and on about a million cousins. It was then, that an owl swooped in through the Potters' window and he saw the very first of a thousand of its kind notes, addressed to him in a scented, pink paper.
Scorpius Malfoy,
You are the hero of my dreams, boy
The reason I checked some of my old toys
If you'd let me be, I'd love not to be coy
And let you play with my heart
Till it breaks apart.
-Anon
Scorpius looked at the note, and read it over a few times. When he saw the look at Lily's face, he grinned sheepishly, and chucked it into their fireplace. But just as he threw it, the flames turned green, and out of it stepped a ravishing looking Rose Weasley.
