Just Because It Says 'Malfoy'

By

Snuffles4Eva

A/N: 4 words. Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition. It means a round every 2 weeks, and has me churning out fanfics like a specialised machine. If you wanna see my attempts for that, they're the ones called 'Broomsticks At The Ready!' (Clever name, huh? I thought so). If you don't, then just continue reading this. I hope you like it – you have waited long enough, after all.

Disclaimer: Darn, didn't put these on my QLFC submission. NTS: Must remember to tell all BATR readers that it's not mine.

James Sirius Potter, I cannot BELIEVE you kept it from me! Oh, I should've known. I should've known something was up, when you arrived last time, smirking your head off whilst your mother was threatening to destroy mine. I can't believe I just shrugged it off... And I'm meant to be clever! In fact, let me re-phrase that: I am the clever-est. Heaven help the rest of you.

I still blame you for keeping it from me, though.

I can't believe you let me suffer, leading me on with tales of Lee Corner, and Colin Creevey, when you knew all along. You absolute and utter beast. No wonder Rachel McAdams doesn't like you.

Hit a nerve there, have I James? You know, I always had my mother's talent for being able to read people. Oh yes. I've noticed. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I always knew you liked her. Every time you annoyed her, I knew there was something in your eye. You just like to see her all angry, don't you? You like all of her attention to be on you, even if you have to risk being on the wrong end of her wand to get it.

Oh yes, James. I know.

Mum blames it on something called the 'Potter curse'. She wouldn't tell me anymore, though. Instead she told me to go ask Uncle Harry. But I felt a little awkward trying to slip that into the conversation. Can't you just see me? Hi Uncle Harry, how've you been? Good? Good. Now, your son likes a girl called Rachel McAdams – A Muggleborn, that's why you don't recognise the name. Have you noticed? Yeah, he loves to annoy her, but I think he's secretly (or not so secretly, as the case may be) attracted to her. And whilst we're on the subject of attraction, could you explain 'the Potter Curse?'

Er, no. I don't think so.

But talking on the subject of school, I'm Head Girl.

And Scorpius Malfoy is Head Boy.

Dad's gonna blow a fuse.

He has something against the Malfoys, you know. I've never really asked why. I just assumed they have a family feud or something, but then Aunt Ginny, your mum, doesn't seem to have as big a problem (I'm only saying that because I know she's got problems. And James Potter, don't you DARE show this to your mother, or you can bet your little crush on Rachel McAdams will spread so fast it'll be in tomorrow's edition of The Times. This is a real threat. I will not hesitate to spread it. Plus, I need your mum to stay at home for the next few days… I'm working on something real good… But I'm not going to tell you, James I'm-in-love-with-Rachel-McAdams- but-I'm-trying-to-hide-it Potter, because you'll go running to your mother and spoil my plans).

I asked Dad once, you know. I came right out with it, after first year. I had sat there, in the car, on the way home from Kings Cross, yabbering happily away about school. Mum sat there taking it all in, asking questions from time to time. Dad didn't seem to be listening at all, but I didn't care. Then, we got onto the subject of friends. As soon as I uttered Scorpius Malfoy, the car swerved. Fortunately the only thing we hit was a plastic bag that had floated suddenly into the middle of the road. The conversation sort of ended there, and we sat in an awkward silence. We pulled into the drive, and as Mum and Hugo got out the car, I went up to Dad and said 'What's wrong with Scor?'

I got 'He's a Malfoy' grunted back at me.

'What's wrong with that?'

Dad didn't say anything. He glanced towards Mum, who – for some reason – hastily put her cardigan back on.

And to this day, that is all I know about Dad's hatred, er, general dislike, of the Malfoys.

It's hard for me not to ask, but I get the feeling that it's related to a bed feeling, or memory of Dad's that has something to do with Mum. At least, he looks at her every time 'Malfoy' is uttered, and his face hardens.

But enough with boring you with family issues, I want to know about you.

Did you get Quidditch Captain? If you did, are you looking forward to it? And if you didn't… I'm sorry. But who do you think will make the team? I know you will, even if you're not captain. And I know you're hoping a certain somebody will make the team too (And no, I'm not talking of Lily). You know of whom I speak. And rather well, I would imagine too. What with that map of yours. I know you spend hours tracking her every move.

And yes, before you ask, that is stalking.

But I s'pose I'll refrain from teasing you anymore, because I have a rather serious question: Since when did you and Al both get a map each? And when is Lily going to get one? And I'm fairly sure you both have an invisibility cloak too. Did your Dad duplicate them? I want to know – frankly, they would come in useful for my latest prank idea, and I wanted to borrow them, but it would be even better if I had my own. Plus I want to make some tweaks to it. It's a shame none of the original makers remain. I'll have to ask Uncle Harry if he'll help me. I know he'll be game. I have a great idea that we could sell – make a firm out of. We could be a partnership firm with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes! It's a brilliant idea. I've just got to figure out how to do it first, and for that I'll need your Dad. I suppose I'll have to come see you soon (Now I've turned 16 Mum and Dad have agreed I can go where I want when I want – provided that they know where I'm going, and when I'll be back. It seems a bit sucky, but it's ok really).

Just one quick question: Could you tell me what you're doing next week? I want to hear what you all are doing, not just you, James. I would like to hear about Lily, Al, Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny for a change. That ok with you?

See you soon (I promise I'll drop in – though I'll try and avoid Aunt Ginny, for fear of your house, and my life)

Rose

A/N: There is my peace offering. I will now leave you in the afore mentioned state (In peace, this is. Not as an offering. That would be kinda weird), as I have a great idea for the next chapter, and intend to start on it straight away (Plus round 3 of the QLFC comes out tomorrow, so I want to get as many of these out as possible).

Leaving you to your happy reading, and me to my writing,

Snuffles4Eva