A/N: J.K. Rowling owns anything and everything that you recognise as canon.
If Scorpius Malfoy was asked to describe his life at the current moment, he would say it was pretty good. In fact, he didn't quite believe life could actually get any better.
Hallowe'en had been just over a week ago. Scorpius found it quite enjoyable, although Albus had been very cautious and very wary of everything he came across — like he believed something was going to pop out of thin air and choke him to death or something. Scorpius wondered whether or not he should worry about Al's mental health. Rose had tried calming him down — but it hadn't worked.
The conversation went something like: "Al, you know Fred and Lorcan wouldn't try anything without James — they're inseparable!"
"Yeah but, what if they still want to uphold his legacy or something? I'm taking no chances Rosie — none."
"Where was this attitude when you wanted to go find the Swan-Lady?"
"That was the Forbidden Forest — this is James, Rosie. This is my brother, James Sirius, the merciless Marauder. Besides, I've learned my lesson."
Rose simply rolled her blue eyes and said: "Uh huh. Sure. Keep telling yourself that."
Still, Scorpius thought, if you didn't count all the bullying, the glares, the stares of confusion, the wary stares, the haunting whispers and Al being at caution level red the whole day, it was quite an enjoyable Hallowe'en.
Then came November — the first Quidditch match of the year — and surprise, surprise — it was Gryffindor versus Slytherin.
Now, no offence to Quidditch fans, or to Harry Potter and all his greatness and everything but none of the trio wanted to break the rules and be allowed to join the team in first-year.
Rose, who apparently had been an avid fan of soaring through the endless skies before her unwanted ride on the Thestral — which she hadn't been able to see at all — had developed a deep passion for always having both feet placed firmly on the ground. So she hadn't coped as well during her Flying lessons — which Scorpius decided not to tell Al about; he didn't want to get on Rose's bad side. In the end, she'd written to her mother asking Mrs Weasley to ask Professor Callaghan to pardon her from Flying lessons — it took a lot of convincing on Mrs Weasley's part but in the end, Professor Callaghan had settled for Rose observing the lessons and participating only if she felt brave enough. She did have to do a lot of theory work to make up for the lack of practice, but as a Ravenclaw, Rose took on the challenge.
Scorpius, in all his health, did not feel it necessary to become an easy target for his many much more experienced bullies to blast him out of the air or set his broom on fire. He also didn't want to throw a stupid fit about not getting what he wanted like his Father so ungracefully had — plus, after letting Scorpius stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays, Scorpius felt he'd be pushing his luck asking for a place on the Quidditch team — and although Lucius could probably grant him the position, Scorpius doubted Lucius'd grant him a position on the Gryffindor team. Besides, in all his love for Quidditch, Scorpius simply did not feel motivated enough to play for a House that refused to acknowledge his existence — even after two months.
Albus, however, had it the hardest — he really wanted to play Quidditch (even if it was for the Slytherins) but he vowed to wait till second year like everyone else. Because Al already looked like his father so much that people like Hagrid (on numerous occasions) had mistaken him for the real Harry, he didn't want to join the team in his first-year like his father.
Ever since Al had found out why it was people singled him out (Professors and students alike), and why they expected so much of him, and why they accidentally got the name "Albus" mixed up with "Harry" — Al had made an even stronger effort to differentiate himself from his father. It wasn't as hard — he was already in Slytherin; he was plain rubbish at Defence Against the Dark Arts (much to the annoyance of the terrifying Professor Arminger); and he wasn't as kind or as patient (or at all really; Scorpius wondered if the kid even knew what patience was) — Al said he got that from his Mum.
So the trio decided to support the teams instead — which was a challenge in itself.
Scorpius had decided to support his House Gryffindor — because even though no-one acknowledged his existence (or if they did, it was always quite painful) he guessed that maybe if he supported their Quidditch team, they might hate him less. He had also preferred Gryffindor over Slytherin because he was afraid that if he chose to support Slytherin — he might be mistaken for his father. Plus, it wasn't like Scorpius had any particular like towards the Slytherins either — he much rather preferred the Gryffindors because when they were nice, they were good people (well, most of them anyway).
As for Al, he had decided to support Slytherin — which came both as a surprise, and not. Rose said (and Scorpius agreed in this) that Albus should probably support Gryffindor because all of his relatives that played for the team — and it might make his relatives a bit less wary of him. But he had chosen Slytherin saying that if he was going to win his cousins over, it would be because of who he was — not who he supported and that Slytherin wasn't really all that bad once you got used to it. He'd also said that now that he was a Slytherin, he had a duty to Lysander as Lysander had to him — and Lysander was on the Slytherin Quidditch team. But deep down, Scorpius felt Al had chosen Slytherin for the same reason Scorpius'd chosen Gryffindor — so they'd be less likely to be mistaken for their fathers.
This meant that the tiebreaker was Rose, much to her chagrin — she had to choose between Gryffindor and Slytherin — between Scorpius and Albus — between her new-found friend and her lifelong cousin — and neither of the boys had made it easy for her (but then again, she thought, they were boys after all). In the end though, Rose had taken Gryffindor's side and Al hadn't been very happy about that — Scorpius didn't know what to make of it until Rose said she only chose Gryffindor because so much of it was her family. And even though she'd been placed into Ravenclaw, they hadn't been hard on her — so she owed them that much, at least.
But as it turned out, even though most friends fell out over Quidditch teams, this trio was particularly lucky in terms of that. Al had gotten his justice when Slytherin won the match — and he didn't let Rose nor Scorpius forget this, much to their chagrin.
Rose, in defence, had said that the only reason Gryffindor lost was because James, the Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain, was unavailable — Robert Gale, a fourth year, had to play in James' place and although he was okay — he just wasn't James Potter. And it wasn't just Rose — all of Gryffindor felt the same and knew that James was the heart and soul of their winning streak. Dominique Weasley and Alice Longbottom had told them how ever since James had joined the team, they had never once lost a match (unless James was having a bad day or Professor Callaghan had been bribed or something).
Scorpius found it strange that even when he was the Gryffindor and Rose was the Ravenclaw, she still knew more about Gryffindors than he. He guessed that it must be because she lived with her parents, uncles, aunts and grandparents (who had all been in Gryffindor) and her cousins (who were all still in Gryffindor; well those who attended Hogwarts) that she knew more, but still, it was a bit unnerving that a girl could know so much when she was only so young.
Rose strolled through the corridors at Hogwarts, contemplating whether or not to ask her mother (because her father her wouldn't even consider it) if she could stay at Hogwarts for Christmas, like Scorpius had. She didn't care what anyone else thought, Rose herself felt Mr Malfoy was very kind in letting Scorpius stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays.
She knew that unlike Scorpius, Hermione would never let Rose stay at Hogwarts — and even if she did, her other aunts and uncles and even grandparents wouldn't let her. The Weasleys were known for always managing to find time for Christmas — even when Teddy and Victoire had started Hogwarts, they always came home for Christmas. So Rose felt she'd be pushing her luck, or lack thereof, if she decided to break another ancient tradition.
Besides, her parents finding out about her House placement was inevitable — that much was certain — she couldn't keep this from them forever. By staying at Hogwarts for Christmas, Rose was only delaying the matter.
As Rose was walking, lost in thought, she crashed into someone — before she hit the ground, the other person helped her up. Rose looked up at the familiar touch to find she'd crashed into one of her cousins.
"Domi! Ally!"
"Rosie!" Dominique Weasley said. "You okay?"
"Yeah … I— I'm fine."
"We haven't seen you in ages, kiddo." Ally Longbottom stepped forward. "How you been?"
"Good … uh … yeah — good …" Rose managed.
Dominique and Alice shared a look before each of them took one of Rose's arms and dragged her into an empty classroom nearby — before she could protest.
Alice shut the door as Dominique asked. "Now — what's up?"
Rose lowered her gaze. Then she spoke. "D— D'you think Mum — will let me stay at Hogwarts … for the— um … Christmas holidays?"
"What?" Alice asked. "Why'd'you want to miss out on Christmas for?"
"Oh Rosie…" Dominique caught on. "You're not still worried about Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron finding out about Ravenclaw?"
Rose didn't say anything.
"Rosie — it'll be fine!" Alice said. "Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron won't be mad — I mean it was pretty obvious you were going to be in Ravenclaw anyway!"
"Yeah!" Dominique added. "I'd be much more surprised if you weren't in Ravenclaw."
"…really?"
"Yes! Of course!" they chanted. Alice and Dominique looked nothing alike — they weren't even related but they did act like twins — they'd been best friends since they first came to Hogwarts last year.
Rose was grateful for them — they were like the older sisters Rose never had. (But so was Victoire, but she was for more girly situations; not that Rose had ever had any).
Dominique sat by Rose and put an arm around her. Alice stepped forward and smiled at Rose. "Tell you what — you come home for Christmas and if anyone's got a bone to pick with you for not being in Gryffindor; me and Domi here will be your personal bodyguards — how's that sound?"
Rose smiled. "Anyone?"
"Anyone!" Alice said. "Even the garden gnomes!"
"Ally!" Dominique said. "You know we're not allowed to fight the garden gnomes anymore!"
Alice brushed her off, "Details, details!" They turned to Rose. "So how 'bout it?"
Rose laughed. "Alright fine — you win."
Dominique and Alice cheered.
At breakfast next morning, Rose told Albus and Scorpius her decision.
"That's great!" Scorpius said. "You'll make your family proud — just you wait and see."
Rose asked Albus if he was coming too — he hadn't been too fond of the idea.
"What?" Al said. "And leave poor Scor all alone?"
Scorpius felt kind of valued that Al cared about him but he knew that Al was only using him as an excuse to delay facing his family.
"But Al — this is Christmas!" Rose exclaimed. "No-one misses Christmas and you know it — Uncle Charlie's coming this year!"
"Sounds like you really value Christmas." Scorpius commented.
"Yeah." Rose explained. "We've got quite a big family so not everyone can make it for birthdays and Easter and stuff but Christmas is the one time all year everyone makes an effort to come. Uncle Charlie still works in Romania so he can't really come — with him coming over this year means that if Al comes, then it really will be the whole family together."
Al took a sip of his still remaining pumpkin juice. "So what convinced you?"
"Those two." Rose pointed on the other end of the Gryffindor Table where Dominique was doubled over in laughter and Alice had made some masterpiece on her plate.
"Al, you should go home." Scorpius said. "It's not good to miss out on your family."
"Yeah, but…" Al took another sip. "…what about you? Will you be okay on your own?"
Scorpius narrowed his eyes. "It's fine Al."
Al narrowed his eyes too. And it was only then that Rose realised the duo were having a silent conversation. "What are you two talking about?"
Scorpius stiffened as Al stared down at him.
"We talked about this yesterday." Scorpius said. "And Al made a proposition."
Rose poured herself some water as Albus explained. "I think it'd be best if Scor came over to the Burrow this Christmas."
Rose didn't mean to, but ended up choking on her first sip. Scorpius gave Al a See what I mean? gesture whilst she recovered.
After a hearty coughing fit, Rose recovered and composed herself. "I know Scor's our friend but … are you sure that's the best decision?"
Not that Rose wasn't open to the idea — it was just, she didn't think that her family would be too happy about their unusual friendship. And they already had enough reason to make them explode, with their lack of contribution to Gryffindor.
"Rose." Okay, Al was officially serious. "He still gets bullied."
"So?"
"That's what I thought!" Al said. "But it's worse than he lets on."
"I'm right here, you know!" Scorpius said.
"Come on." Al said and the trio left the Great Hall. The pumpkin juice lay forgotten.
Rose followed the two boys into the empty classroom. It then struck Rose that perhaps they had too many empty classrooms.
Al closed the door and turned around, giving Scorpius a look that Rose couldn't comprehend.
Scorpius sighed and reluctantly rolled up his sleeves. Rose was confused at first but then she gasped, covering her mouth.
When Al had taken Scorpius' bullying seriously, he was right to do so as she Rose herself couldn't bear to look at the scars and bruises that adorned Scorpius' pale arms. She could only imagine what kind of horrid, awful spells had been cast on him — she wondered if there was Dark Magic involved in some of those.
Apparently Rose's face had shown how uncomfortable she was, because Scorpius pulled his sleeves back down and Al broke the silence.
"You can't seriously let him stay at Hogwarts by himself after seeing that, can you?" Al said, and he couldn't've been more right.
"Most of them'll be at home too." Scorpius said. "So it won't be as bad as you think."
"Why are you defending yourself?" Rose asked. "How can you even think this as acceptable? Have you told any of the Professors? Or even Madam Pomfrey? Madam Robson?"
"Rose, Rose!" Scorpius waited for her rant to end. "Look — it looks bad but I'm telling you — it's fine. You two go home and have fun — I'll be fine."
Al scoffed. Rose had to agree with her cousin.
"Why though?"
Scorpius sighed. He really didn't want to say it out loud, but then again, it may be the only way to convince them otherwise. "Alright — fine."
"You'll come to the Burrow?" Al asked eagerly.
"No." Scorpius said firmly. "I'll tell you why I'm staying."
Al folded his arms, as if to say, This should be good. Rose also straightened composure.
"You know how Grandfather and Father were supporters of Voldemort?" The two nodded and Scorpius carried on.
"Well, since the War your families have been praised and thanked, whereas mine, has been the opposite. People aren't very friendly to the name Malfoy. It troubles my Father very much — and I know what he's like — I know he doesn't deserve it all but he still takes it all and I hate it because there's never anything I can do about it. But here at Hogwarts, people bully me and that's great because it means I can do something for Father. If people need only to bully me to get their anger out on the Malfoy name then that's great — let them walk all over me, kill me and bring me back to life because I'll take some of the burden for Father, and pray he won't know."
It took a while for that to sink in.
"Oh Merlin…" Rose was rendered speechless, yet again.
Al finally recovered. "That's … really Gryffindor of you."
"Thanks." Scorpius said. "So? Now will you let me stay?"
"Nope. No way."
"Are you crazy?"
Scorpius blinked. Then sighed.
"Look." Scorpius clenched his fist to refrain himself from fumbling with her token. He'd never told anyone this before. "When Grandmother died — I made her a promise."
The two perked up.
"I told her I'd be the one to clear the Malfoy name. I'd help Father." Scorpius said. "And right now, the best thing I can do is take some pain, not fight back and show people that we're not the same fight-picking jerks we used to be. You may call me Scor, but whether I like it or not I'm a Malfoy too. And as a Malfoy, I have a responsibility to my name … and my family."
Al said nothing. Rose shifted her feet.
"So you're staying?" Rose asked.
Scorpius nodded.
"And nothing will change your mind?"
Scorpius shook his head.
She sighed then nodded. "Alright, if that's your decision, I respect it."
Scorpius did not see that coming. "Wha— Seriously?"
Rose nodded. "We won't try to change your mind any more." She said. "But in return, you won't change our minds either."
"O— Okay." Scorpius didn't quite understand what she was planning, but it was obvious she was up to something.
"Good." Rose said, and then swiftly left the classroom.
Al seemed to understand what was going on, because he just smiled in some sort of satisfaction.
Scorpius, only now just realising what he'd agreed to, didn't know if he should smile, frown, or be confused.
Dear Mum,
After much contemplation, Me and Al decided to stay at Hogwarts for this Christmas.
I'm really sorry but there's so much about Hogwarts that I want to know!
And Al kind of needs to catch up with his work too.
We're really sorry, but we won't be coming home till Easter, or the summer, depending on how the year goes.
Tell Uncle Charlie we're really sorry and wish everyone a Merry Christmas from us!
Much love, Rosie
PS. Please send a spare mince pie — Al likes them too much.
Also, Al has a message for James:
"James, you better be brushing up on your Quidditch practice because Gryffindor lost the November match — oh, and the Fat Lady in the portrait fancies you."