Scorpius's PoV

Scorpius pulled out his Potions textbook and began taking notes for the upcoming quiz. He was sitting alone in his dormitory. He enjoyed the isolation and quiet of the room after a relatively uneventful day, but one full of staring and not well concealed whispers from students as he passed by. The only time he had felt as if he was not being judged was when he was with Albus Potter and the Weasley girl.

The irony of it all, he thought.

About an hour later, Scorpius decided to move on to his Transfiguration assignment. He had just started writing his reflection when his dorm-mate, Eli Lewis, burst into the room. He was in complete disarray.

"What happened to you?" drawled Scorpius, speaking in a tone his father used when he found something funny.

"I think I got attacked by a poltergeist," Eli replied.

"Oh yeah, my parents told me that there is a poltergeist here. His name is Peeves and you should always try to avoid him if possible," said Scorpius, laughing slightly.

Eli raised his eyes. He looked genuinely unamused.

"It's a little late for that advice now. Anyway, what are you doing up here all by yourself?" asked Eli. "Everyone is in the Great Hall having dinner."

"Erm, I...," faltered Scorpius. "I guess I just wanted to get a headstart on all this homework and it's nice and quiet up here at the moment."

"Oh yeah, there's loads of work to do already. The teachers must be off their rockers. Especially the Potions professor. Merlin's Beard. Hey, sorry about Finley last night. We've been friends for a long time and his family was hurt by deatheaters in the war, but he shouldn't have said what he said to you and Magnus. It was the first night here for Merlin's sake," said Eli.

By the end of this statement, Scorpius's right eyebrow had risen so high that he oddly thought that it might get stuck there.

"Well thanks for the apology. I'm sure you mean well, but shouldn't he be the one apologizing?" inquired Scorpius.

"Yes," said Eli. "But I'm not sure if he will and I don't want to start off on the wrong foot with everyone in this room. I've already talked to Magnus."

"Okay," said Scorpius, letting it go. "I'm going to get back to this assignment.

He turned back to his desk and listened to Eli trying to get gum out of his hair. He couldn't focus on writing about 'the importance of proper safety precautions for Transfiguration' when someone had basically let him know that another student hated him because of what unnamed deatheaters had done to his family almost twenty years ago.

Maybe I should write to Dad, thought Scorpius. He would know what to do. But I also don't want to worry him. He's always so worried. Maybe I'll write Mum. Yes. I'll write her. Though, I should write another letter to both of them and get the 'telling them I'm not in Slytherin' thing over with.

Scorpius pulled out some fresh parchment, dipped his quill in the ink, then hesitated over what to actually write.


Dear Mum and Dad,

I hope you are not disappointed with me,

but I'm not in Slytherin.

I'm in Ravenclaw.

Scorpius

Scorpius crumbled up the paper and pushed it aside.


Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm in Ravenclaw. Surprise!

Your loyal son,

Scorpius

Nope, thought Scorpius. That's not going to work either.


Dear Mum and Dad,

All is going well here at Hogwarts so far.

I've already got loads of homework. I've met a couple of really

nice people. There's also been a few people who don't seem to

like me, but I'd like to see how the rest of the week goes. I'm in

Ravenclaw, by the way. The common room is really neat and

I can see the Quidditch pitch from the window. I've got to finish a

paper for Wednesday and study for a quiz on Friday. Did you

ever have this much homework on your first week at Hogwarts?

I hope you both are doing well and I'll write again soon.

Your son,

Scorpius

Scorpius was pleased enough with the third draft and moved on to the letter for his mother.


Dear Mum,

I didn't want Dad to read this letter because I need advice and I

didn't want to worry him.

A first year in my house was awfully rude to me and this muggleborn

kid and one of his friends later came and apologized for him. He

said that his friend was just upset because deatheaters hurt his

family in the war. Should I say something to him or just avoid him?

My gut feeling is telling me to stay out of his way, but he is also

one of my dorm-mates. So, I don't know what to do. I'll patiently

wait for your reply.

Again, please don't tell Dad. I don't want him to get sad like he

gets sometimes.

Thank you and love you,

Scorpius

Scorpius addressed his mother's letter to her office at the Ministry of Magic. She was a journalist for the Daily Prophet and also wrote an advice column under the penname, Tori GiGi. Scorpius felt like she always knew what to say to make him feel better.

Hoping he had written the right thing (in both letters), he went to bed.