Shunned and Spurned
Chapter 2
Previously
As the woman reached his face and they made eye contact. It is at that moment that hazel meets hazel.
Scorpius and the woman stared at one another before the woman spoke,
"Are you okay?" He nodded and the woman gave him a smile. "I do hope you know your way back. This is not a place for young boys such as yourself."
"Well…" I scratched my head and looked down in embarrassment. He knew his mother went straight ahead, but he distinctively remember that it was a maze in the alley. He wasn't sure where he should go to get back to Diagon Alley, which he was sure where his mother is right now if she hasn't left him yet.
The woman who was now standing let out a small laugh of amusement.
"Shall I show you the way?" Scorpius looked up at the woman and was about to answer when another embarrassing thing happened. His stomach growled. He remembered that he hadn't eaten yet.
Again this elicited a small laugh of amusement from the woman, making Scorpius' pale cheek grew pink.
"I'll treat you to lunch first then. Is that okay?" She asked him with a smile, which Scorpius knew of its sincerity. It's as sincere as the smile his father always gives him. He never had any motherly figure in his life, except for his grandmother whom he rarely sees because she lives in Greece with his grandfather.
"If its not any bother." He murmured embarrassingly and keeps looking down at his feet.
"Oh, never a bother. I do hope you don't mind the presence of a cat." She grinned and Scorpius shook his head. "Keep close then. Will you walk beside me?"
"Okay." He agreed and fell in step beside her. The woman walked in mid stride and Scorpius knew that it was on purpose so he would be able to follow without tiring himself. It surprises Scorpius that he is able to trust this woman so quickly since it's his first time meeting her. He felt something towards the woman –a connection.
They meandered through a few alleys and suddenly stopped in front of a small one-storey house. It was nestled in between buildings. Scorpius could guess that this was actually a dead-end.
"Please come in!" She ushered him to enter towards the door she has opened. Immediately, he was greeted with a meow. He looked down and saw an orange cat with a squashed face. It was quite large and it was looking up at him knowingly with its intelligent eyes. Scorpius bent down and patted him on the head gently then scratched the spot behind its ear. It purred at his ministrations.
"It seems he likes you." The woman smiled at him and he stood up then looked at his surrounding. It was quite homey and he could see many bookshelves around him. There was a comfortable looking couch that faced the fireplace along with a coffee table in front of it. There's a door that he peaked led to the kitchen and dining room. There are also three more doors down the hall. He went to one of the bookshelves in the living room and brushed the spine. He liked to waste his time reading in the manor's library because he enjoyed it and also to avoid his mother. He knew that his mother never stepped into the library; in a way it's his refuge.
Scorpius stopped brushing the spine when he saw a book entitled Hogwarts: A History. He took it out and looked at the book, he flipped it open and saw that it held traces of dog-eared a few times in the same pages yet there are some in different pages too. Looking at the cover he found out that it was the 7th edition, he put the book back to its place then found the 8th edition –the latest one- tucked beside it. He flipped the book open to where it was dog-eared and was immediately transfixed by the passage about the Houses in Hogwarts. He was surprised when a hand was placed gently on his right shoulder. He looked to his right and saw the woman smiling down at him. He noticed that she already took off her black hood and he saw that she was a beautiful woman. She had long length curly brown colored hair. Heart shaped face and hazel eyes, so like his own.
"Do tell that you share the same love for Hogwarts: A History as I am. I'm a fan myself. It's the fourteenth time I read the latest edition." Scorpius tucked the book back in its place while softly saying, "Its mine too."
The woman gave him a warm smile and said again, "Lunch is ready. Shall we?"
Scorpius nodded and followed the woman towards the kitchen, which include the dining room. The table could accommodate four people but he saw that the woman had set the table for two. Freshly made Lasagna was served along with breadsticks at the center with mineral water next to the Lasagna. Fork and knife were put at the right and left side of the plate. The woman ushered him to sit down which he did and she sat down as well, both facing one another.
"I believe I do not know your name. May I know?"
Scorpius forgot about the fact that they had not yet known one another by name. He just felt that he knew the woman far longer than just a few moments ago.
"Scorpius Malfoy. May I know yours?"
"Certainly, I'm Mirage Greenhorn. You may call me Mirage." She gave him another smile, which made him smile too. He only smiled when he was with his father, his grandparents, and Verney. "Let's dig in then, Scorpius."
He nodded enthusiastically because he was terribly hungry. They chatted whilst taking a few bites of Lasagna.
"How old are you, Scorpius?"
"I'm 10. In a few weeks I'll be 11." He slowly gave a happy grinned, something very rare yet precious.
Mirage nodded her head, "I see! You must be excited for Hogwarts. I am too when I was your age despite me being a Muggleborn."
"You're a Muggleborn?"
"I hope you do not have a problem with me being one."
Scorpius shook his head and said, "My father taught me that I shouldn't judge people by their blood and other status. He says that being prejudiced can cause a lot of conflict and that we are all the same. Purebloods, Half-Bloods, and Muggleborns."
Mirage smiled approvingly at the boy's words,
"Your father is absolutely correct." She took a bite at her Lasagna then spoke once more, "He must be quite wise."
"Yes, he is! He is also the best father I could ever asked for." Scorpius said proudly.
A secret smile played on Mirage's face,
"How about your mother?"
Immediately, the smile that is fixed on Scorpius' face disappeared when she mentioned his mother. He looked down and as usual bit his lip. The time he spent with Mirage made him forget the terrors he received from his mother.
Mirage frowned while looking at the boy concernedly and said softly,
"Are you alright, Scorpius?"
He looked up from his lap and stared at Mirage then nodded his head. They continued eating but now instead of gleeful chatter, it was silent.
After they were done, Mirage used her wand to clean the eating utensils in seconds and put them back to their designated cabinet. Scorpius and Mirage then walked to the door, but for Mirage not before putting her black hood back on.
"Shall we?" She smiled after she whispered spells for her house as a precaution. They walked side by side and Scorpius kept close to Mirage as he saw the people who were swarming him moments ago looking at him intently. Mirage bends down a little and took his hand. Surprised, Scorpius looked up at Mirage and he could see a warm smile playing on her face. He smiled back and held her hand tighter. It felt right having his hands held by Mirage, it is only a simple gesture to some but it made him feel safe, protected and dare he hope loved.
They soon reached the way out of Knockturn Alley, which led to Diagon Alley. Scorpius dreaded going back to the manor, where he knew more beatings would come. He didn't realize that Mirage had kneeled in front of him, their hands still holding one another. They made eye contact and Mirage smiled.
"I hope we could see one another again. I had a good time with you, Scorpius."
He smiled, "I had a good time with you too. I'll try to visit you sometime."
She gave a small laugh, "You can floo straight to my house. You don't need to walk all the way there. Knockturn Alley is certainly not a good place for you to venture as I have said earlier."
"Alright." He nodded and they exchanged goodbyes. Scorpius looked back after walking ahead. He saw Mirage lifted her hand –waving to him. He waved back with a grinned and ran –searching for his mother.
Meanwhile, Mirage stayed rooted to her spot as she watched the boy ran then got swallowed by the crowd. She looked down and saw her faithful familiar, sitting beside her upright stance. He looked up at her and she nodded at him.
"You know what to do, Crookshanks."
As soon as she said that, the cat took off in the same direction as the boy, while Mirage stepped back from the bright sunny state of Diagon Alley, the darkness of Knockturn Alley swallowing her form.
*evil laugh* So, Crookshanks is asked by "Mirage" to follow Scorpius! Why I wonder?
Ahem, alright. Now I shall address my wonderful reviewers! XD
From Prologue! or Chapter 0
arabellagrace : Thank you! You are my first reviewer! XD
love nature 95 : Why thank you! X)
KristinHigg96 : Thank you ;) Oh, its no problem. I respect your opinions (all of my readers!) and I could also take criticism. Besides authors needs readers ;D
Rachel Madson : Thank you, dear. :D I do hope you stay loyal to this story 'kay? ;)
blondiexoxo : Thank you! Keep reading, 'kay? ;)
daisyatdusk : Thanks a bunch ;);)
Charlie Sliuren : Thanks! And I will! ;)
kadavers315 : Oh, I think this story will consist of more or less 20 chapters, but I'll try to make it long and enjoyable! Thank you btw XD
juicycouturevalerie : Wow, thanks! I usually sucked at summary though ;P Tune in, 'kay?
Smiling SJ : Thank you! Keep your eyes open for new chapters! :D
Nrghhh : Thanks! And please keep reading. It will go deep, yes. XD
LostDreamSadSmile : Why thanks! XD Scorpius will be 10 and will go to Hogwarts soon. Where the mystery slowly unravels. ;)
Ambition. is. a . Virtue : Thank you, love. X)
harrypotterluver123 : Aye, aye! ;D
froggirl101 : Thanks! You bet! Don't want to keep you readers wait long ;)
dramimione : Woohoo! Tune in! XD
NeverHeardOfYou : Thank you! Will do! Keep reading! XD
ItsNatalie : Thank you! Please do read more! X)
brittyblah : Thank you! And I certainly will! Keep reading ;)
CheshireCat23 : She has her reason, which you all will know ;D I promise you that!
From Chapter 1 which I entitled Hazel meets Hazel...sounds a bit...hmm...I'll think of another chapter title. Alright!
Chiara Ivashkov : Yes! You hate Astoria! That is what I'm aiming for! Woohoo! Thank you! I'll try to update more ;D
AnotherDramione : Oh, he will. Most definitely ;) Thank you! XD
DramioneLover123 : Woohoo! Thanks! And I will try to update more often XD
nature love 95 : That is for me to know and you to wait, dear. ;) Hehehe...yes! I have tumblr! Do you have one too? XD
Nrghh : Yes, Verney is very loyal to him. XD Thank you! I know I love Father!Draco too! Hence this story. ;) He shall only be like that to Scorpius...and maybe...Hermione XD
K. Ly : Aye. Aye. Capitan! XD
Raven Serpentine : Thank you! I will, no worries! ;)
Ambition. is. a. Virtue : Yes! The game has begun! XD In due time you shall all know...Thanks, darling! I appreciate it ;)
LillyRM : We're in the same boat then ;) Tune in for more chapters ;D
haileydelacour101 : Yep! Tune in 'kay? XD
letswriteafairytale : Draco is a bit suspicious at the moment, so one wrong move then bye-bye Astoria. Scorp is a bit like his real mother ;) too nice. Oh, yes! She definitely will XD
KristinHigg96 : Thank you! And yes Astoria is a mighty mighty b**ch! X) Yep! Will do! In fact, there it is!
PigwidgeonHedwig7 : Yes! Captain! XD
Shyaway95 : She hid her reaction quite good, huh? X) You are welcome! Thanks for the review ;)
XXJamesLilyCutestXX : Yay! Another anti-Astoria! ;) Thank you! Keep reading! XD
yukibaby82 : Thank you! And yes, I will and have! ;D
CheshireCat23 : You said it. She's a cow ;)
Fpix : *Malfoy smirk* I'll update fast since as you it is summer. No, I don't have summer school ;) So, I have lots of time. When you go home, please check the latest update ;) Will take your mind off from school for a moment ;)
Twilight Of The Autumn : Yes, I have :)
gravity01 : Yes, she will get what she deserved :) Don't worry XD Really? Well, I'll try to improve my grammar for the next chapters. Thank you for your criticism and review ;)
WaterAngel35 : Thanks! You and the rest of the readers are curious, no worries you will know soon X)
PRINCE-ASH'S-GIRL : Good! You should hate her XD Thanks ;) btw do you like the Iron Fey series? Your username led me to think that ;)
legand-babe : Thank you ;) Keep on reading!
Readerforlife : Thanks and keep reading please ;)
Smiling SJ : Thank you ;) Oh, I'm glad. I'm afraid if its too fast. I know Astoria is a biatch XD Btw I love Amuto too ;)
ilovepurple13 : Yes, she is! What do you think of their meeting then? ;) Hope its okay!
daniela1417 : No worries, he will in a few chapters. Maybe I could tell you this, say bye-bye to Astoria in about 2 more chapters ;)
bzsilver : Thank you for reviewing and liking this story! And for hating Astoria ;)
beautifly92 : Thank you! Please keep reading and reviewing ;)
froggirl101 : Good! Thank you for your hate! It will light up the fire in hell for Astoria to burn ;) People review really quick here. I thank you for that XD
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE REVIEW! 51!
Please keep reading and reviewing!
I hope you enjoy "Mirage" and Scorpius' meeting ;)
Review again 'kay? I'm writing the 3rd chapter :)
-Ariana