A/N: Ok. Sorry it took so long to post this…finals and all…anyway, I've received several comments so far, and I appreciate the feedback, even though one or two were just a little bit harsh. Hope you like this chapter! It starts a spiral of events that…well, you'll see. Anyway, I was going to take them through each year in detail, but I couldn't wait that long to get to the teenage years. I completely killed my timeline doing this, but whatever. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own it! I really don't, I swear.
Chapter Four
On Christmas morning, Shannon was woken by Rose squealing with delight.
"Wake up! Shannon, wake up, it's Christmas! Shannon!" the bushy-haired girl cried, hitting Shannon repeatedly with a pillow. Shannon groaned, opening one eye and squinting against the bright light shining in her eyes. Gwen and Tabitha had gone home for the holiday, as had most of the Gryffindors. In fact, the Weasleys and the Potters were the only Gryffindors in the common room except for Shaw and Fletcher. Shannon sighed and rolled out of bed.
"Ok, ok. Good morning, happy Christmas, I'm officially awake," she exclaimed dramatically, pulling on a pair of jeans and slipping her black robes on like a jacket over a white tank top. After slipping her wand in her pocket and sliding her feet into a pair of black boots, she followed Rose to the common room.
The complete inhabitants of Gryffindor Tower were crowded around a humongous tree decorated with tons of ornaments and other decorations, including real faeries. Beneath the tree was a huge mass of wrapped gifts. Shannon settled herself on the floor in front of Fletcher and Gypsy padded up next to her. Rose got everyone quiet.
"Ok, everyone. I know this is a little different from normal Hogwarts Christmases, but I don't care. We are going to have a family Christmas celebration whether we are home or not. So, everyone grab your own presents. Enjoy opening them here, with your family," she instructed.
The Weasleys and Potters lost no time in tearing into their gifts. The packages were laden with books, sweets, and other parcels that made people gasp out loud with their glory. Suddenly, Rose shrieked delightedly. Everyone turned. She was holding a half-opened package on her lap and staring at a picture in her hands.
"Rose, what is it? What did you get?" Shannon asked. Rose handed her the photo with shaking hands, beaming. Shannon took it and studied it, beaming as well.
The picture contained a familiar thirty-some woman with curly brown hair and dark eyes, smiling as widely as possible and holding a small bundle of blankets. Curled up in the blankets was a baby, an adorable little girl. The caption scrawled on the back of the picture, which was moving, read "Lydia Anne Weasley, born December 23, 2017". Shannon squealed, passing the photograph around and hugging Rose.
"Congratulations! You got a little sister for Christmas!" Shannon laughed. Rose giggled, wiping a tear from her eyes.
The day progressed in a fast, fun manner. The Weasleys and the Potters had snowball fights, made igloos and snowmen, and then changed into dry clothes for the feast.
When they entered the Great Hall, they were fairly surprised to see that the house tables were gone, replaced by one solitary table that sat in the center of the chamber. Professor McGonagall and the other teachers were sitting at the table, and there were a few students making there way to seats. The Weasleys and Potters took their seats.
The feast was delicious, as usual. The teachers and students talked and pulled poppers and ate as much as they could. Then as everyone stood up, James spoke.
"Professor McGonagall, I was wondering. There are so few people staying for the holiday, and most of us are family anyway, that the common rooms are so lonely. Can we all spend tonight in the Great Hall? Conjure up some sleeping bags, maybe some hot cocoa?" James asked. The teachers looked at each other, debating. Professor McGonagall smiled.
"If you wish. However, I must insist that the Head Boy supervise. Would you do that Teddy?" she asked. The blue haired boy nodded, smiling. Everyone stepped away from the table. McGonagall waved her wand, and the long table was replaced by plush purple sleeping bags and comfy armchairs. The teachers said goodnight, warned them not to overstep any boundaries, and left.
Shannon, Rose, Albus, Shaw, and Fletcher immediately grabbed sleeping bags, pulling them close to the fire that had appeared in the fireplace. James soon joined them, followed by Dominique and Louis. Teddy and Victoire were curled up in an armchair. There were a few Hufflepuffs that were talking idly in a corner, and a Ravenclaw or two somewhere in the mix, but there were no Slytherins to be found.
"I'm going to go find Gypsy," Shannon announced, getting to her feet. She slipped out of the Great Hall and up the stairs. As she was climbing, she saw the grey cat slinking towards her. She bent down, scooped the kitten up, and stood up. When she turned around, she literally had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming. Standing there, watching her with a bored expression, was possibly the only Slytherin in the castle.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Shannon asked, sighing. Scorpius sneered.
"I was wondering when you'd find your cat, Potter. She's been following me around all day," he sneered.
"Well, I've got her now, so there's no need for you to hang around," she replied. Scorpius smirked but didn't move.
"So, I believe you owe me a thank you," he stated.
"For what?" Shannon spoke, dreading the answer.
"Why, for that kiss, of course. You see, I helped you out there. Peeves would have followed you around for the rest of your life if I hadn't helped you out back there," he pointed out. Shannon scoffed, turning on her heel and stalking off.
"You're welcome," Scorpius called sarcastically. Shannon kept walking, all the way back to the Great Hall. She soon had forgotten about Scorpius and the kiss, laughing amidst her friends and family.
The rest of the year passed quickly, full of excitement. Soon, exams were upon the school, and the library was full of last minute studiers. After exams came the time to pack and go home. Shannon was excited to see her mother again, and to see little Lydia in person, but she was sad to be leaving Hogwarts. Then came the summer, and then it was September first and they were returning for their second year.
The years passed in due time. When Shannon, Rose, and Al were returning for their third year, Hugo and Lily were first years. Teddy had left Hogwarts, going on to work as an Auror for the Ministry of Magic, and Victoire was often seen writing letters and receiving owls. The third years were allowed to visit Hogsmeade on weekends, and Shannon loved those trips. It was also in their third year that Albus made it as a Seeker onto the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Then it was their fourth year, and Victoire had gone.
Returning for their fifth year was definitely an excitement. There had been several changes with them. Albus had grown taller, his black hair just as wild as ever, and seemed to have taken after James regarding girls. Rose's bushy hair had grown to about her waist, and had started to form loose curls instead of a frizzy mess. Shannon was still shorter than most of the fifth years, with more sturdily built curves. Her eyes were still bright green, and many people were scared to confront her because her eyes were apparently frightening when she was mad. Lily and Hugo were third years. Victoire and Teddy were married, after an extravagant wedding. Dominique was working for Amedee's Robes for All Occasions, living closer to work in a flat in London. Louis was Head Boy. James had been recruited to play Keeper for England. Even Scorpius had changed; he was taller, more muscular because of Quidditch, and his hair had grown out. All in all, things had changed.
"Shannon! Shannon, let's go! It can't possibly take you that long to get dressed!" Gwen called as she waited outside the bathroom. Shannon was the last of their group to be ready, but she wanted to make sure she looked perfect. One last look in the mirror and she was out the door, making her way to the common room. Gwen, Tabitha, and Rose were following her, all checking their outfits. Anyone passing them knew why. It was the first trip to Hogsmeade of the year, and the four of them were going with Albus, Fletcher, and Shaw. Rose was absolutely in love with Shaw, Tabitha fancied Al, and Gwen adored Fletcher. Shannon, though she would never admit it, had an interest in Fletcher as well. But Gwen noticed him first, so Shannon would simply pretend she didn't have such feelings.
They met the boys by the portrait hole, and together the group made their way out of the castle. The crowds in Hogsmeade were made up almost completely of Hogwarts students relishing the freedom.
The group of seven visited Honeydukes first, buying as much candy as they could carry. Then they visited Zonko's and stocked up on practical joke items. Finally, they squeezed into the Three Broomsticks for butterbeers. The group was laughing and flirting, everyone except Shannon. She got bored after a bit, and so she excused herself, deciding that she was going to visit the Shrieking Shack. She hiked up the hill, enjoying the crisp winter breeze, and leaned on the fence surrounding the Shrieking Shack. She sighed.
"I'm too nice, that's what it is," she told herself as she thought about the Gwen-liking-Fletcher ordeal.
"I agree. You're much too nice," came a voice from behind her. She spun around, wand out, to find Scorpius smirking at her. She dropped her wand.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Shannon asked, glaring at the blonde. He held his hands up in mock surrender.
"I'm agreeing with you, Potter! I'm posing no immediate threat, so calm down!" Shannon considered this, studying him suspiciously.
"So, if you aren't going to attack me, what are you doing here?" she asked hesitantly. He sighed.
"Pretty much what you're doing. Only, without the storming around and throwing a tantrum," he smirked. At her clueless look, he added, "Exploring the marvels of the Shrieking Shack in the snow!" Shannon rolled her eyes.
"Well, don't let me stand in your way," she insisted, moving to the side and gesturing to the house. Scorpius got a mischevious look in his eyes and strode to the fence. Then, with a glance around, he climbed up, threw his legs over, and jumped down on the other side. He walked a few feet and then turned back to her.
"You coming?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"What? You expect me to go with you, to wreak who know how much havoc?" she cried incredulously. He snorted.
"I just thought you might like a closer look at the infamous Shrieking Shack. And you never know, it might be a bit warmer inside," he replied. Shannon studied him for a moment, thinking about her other options. She could follow Scorpius into the house, she could stand in the cold, or she could go back to the Three Broomsticks and track down her friends, including Gwen and Fletcher. The thought of watching Gwen with her long, perfectly manicured nails all over Fletcher made Shannon's stomach twist painfully. She threw herself over the fence and followed Scorpius up the path to the Shack.
They ducked up by the door. Scorpius waved the wand, murmured a spell, and the door creaked open. The blonde strode in like he owned the place, while Shannon was a bit more hesitant. He had been right, it was a bit warmer with the walls to block the wind. However, it was also even creepier inside than it was outside. Shannon carefully picked her way through the minefield of rotting wooden planks and found Scorpius sitting on a moldy, moth-eaten gray couch. She sat next to him, watching him wave his wand around. He lit a fire in the fireplace, summoned two candlesticks, and lit the candles. He handed one to her before taking his own and walking out.
"I'm going upstairs," he called to her from the corridor. Shannon sighed, sat back on the couch, and tried to warm up. Eventually Scorpius walked back in and joined her again on the old couch. He waved his wand, and a tray of food appeared, floating in front of them. Shannon took a sandwich, chewing slowly.
"Ok, I'm confused," she asked abruptly. He looked at her.
"About what, exactly?" Scorpius raised an eyebrow at her.
"This! What, is it a trap? Is a band of ninjas going to jump out and attack me? I mean, we aren't friends. We don't even like each other, normally. But you haven't insulted me or tried to hex me, not even once! What's going on?" Shannon asked, exasperated. Scorpius sighed, smirking at her.
"Would it make you feel better if I shot a Jelly-Legs hex at you? Or how about a Full Body-Bind? Why do you have such a problem with us getting along?" Scorpius asked her.
"Because you're a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor. You're 'the son of Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass' and I'm the 'love child' of Harry Potter and my 'whoring mother!'" Shannon quoted him, her anger and frustration rising. Scorpius looked thoroughly bewildered.
"You think that, because we got sorted into two different houses when we were eleven, we can't get along? Isn't that the exact opposite of what your father has been working so hard to achieve?!?" he asked angrily. It was true; Harry had been working extremely hard to unite wizards and witches everywhere since the downfall of Voldemort. Shannon ignored the comment.
"I'd just like to know when you are going to be nice and when you're going to hate me! I could get whiplash from your mood swings!" Shannon jumped up, irritated, and glared. Scorpius stood, pacing furiously, and ran a hand through his hair.
"Well what am I supposed to do about it?!?"
"Give me a sign or something! A colored scarf, a secret handshake, anything! Just explain to me why you're acting this way!" Shannon screamed. Scorpius glared daggers at her. Suddenly he walked to her quickly, throwing himself in her face.
"Fine!" Scorpius yelled, his eyes a bright, molten silver. "You want to know why I'm being so nice? You want an explanation for why I'm acting so weird? It's because I like you!" he roared. Shannon's breath caught in her chest, and every possible retort she might have had flew from her head.
"You…you what?" she whispered, staring up at the tall blonde with wide eyes. He stared back at her. She was suddenly acutely aware of how close his body was to hers.
"I like you," he repeated softly, calmly watching her. She stepped back and looked at the floor.
"You…like…me?" Shannon clarified. He nodded. "But…but you can't like me. You're Scorpius Malfoy. I'm Shannon Mitch-er, Potter. And…and…and you're a Slytherin!" she insisted, turning away from him.
"I don't care who our parents are. I like you, Shannon. I want to go out with you. I want to get to know you. I like you," Scorpius repeated softly. Shannon's mind went blank, except for one thought. Scorpius Malfoy likes me. She slowly turned to him.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I don't like you. I don't want to date you," she informed him calmly. Scorpius looked like he had been slapped.
"Why not?" he asked, his voice shaking only slightly.
"Because I…I…I'm already in love with Fletcher!" she said sharply, casting around for any excuse. His eyes narrowed into slits and he crossed his arms stiffly, suddenly very formal.
"I see. Well, he doesn't seem to feel the same way about you, does he? If he did, you would be the one sitting in the Three Broomsticks, flirting with him," Scorpius snarled, looking and sounding deadly. Shannon gasped softly as the insult hit her harder than any curse or hex could have. She pulled on her cloak quickly.
"I-I have to go," she mumbled, tears filling her eyes as she made a hasty retreat.
Shannon didn't pay much attention to anything as she raced blindly down the path to Hogsmeade. The tears were flowing steadily as she stumbled to the square. The world was a blur. With no warning, she pitched forward into the snow. Instead of getting up, however, she knelt there is the snow, sobbing into her hands with her shoulders slumped.
She lied there in the snow for who knows how long, with no intent to move. She didn't feel like getting up, didn't feel like moving at all. Shannon felt the cold permeating her body, felt her fingers and toes start to go numb. She felt strangely tired, and closed her eyes. There was something nagging at her in the back of her mind, something important, but every time she tried to remember, it would disappear. She was too tired to chase after it. That was the last thing she consciously knew before she blacked out.
Ok…hope you liked it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!