A/N: A couple of people have suggested I should use diary entries as well as letters, and one reviewer said they would like to hear from Narcissa, so I have compromised. In this chapter Scorp starts to use his Grandma like a diary, telling her about everything that's happening at school, and from now on I will do that every so often throughout the other chapters.
I'm about to go on holiday for three weeks, which is great for me, but unfortunately means there will be no updates for a while :( However, this chapter is extra long to make up for it.
As usual, thanks for all the reviews, and please let me know what you think of the chapter.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.
Dear Grandma
Dear Grandma,
It seems like forever since I last saw you. I guess it's difficult, what with the whole fight between Dad and Grandad, but I wish you could visit a little more, during the holidays and stuff. Well, what I really wish is that they would make up, but I suppose that probably won't happen any time soon.
I've been meaning to ask: do you agree with Grandad? Do you think I've disgraced the family? I mean, I've always known I wasn't cut out to be a Slytherin, but I think it surprised everyone else. I thought you might have all at least guessed I would be in Hufflepuff – I've never been very determined or ambitious or all the things Slytherins are supposed to be – but everyone seemed really shocked when they found out. Even Dad was upset at first, though he pretends he wasn't.
I don't know why I'm telling you all this, really. I think I just needed to talk to someone. A couple of Slytherins were picking on me a bit the other day, cos I'm in Hufflepuff. I really thought the bullying was over when the Gryffindors decided they don't hate me so much after all, but now it feels like it's starting all over again, just for the opposite reason this time. I can't tell Al or Rose – they're both such typical Gryffindors; they'd just go on about how I should ignore all those stupid Slytherins, or they'd get really angry and go and fight them for me – and I don't really want to tell Mum or Dad either cos I think they would probably come storming up to the school and demand that Professor Dabinett does something about it.
The Slytherins were all saying I'm "pathetic" and "cowardly" for not fighting back, and for being in Hufflepuff at all. Do you think I am? It's not that I'm scared of fighting; it's just that I've never liked conflict much. Dad and Grandad used to argue all the time when I was little, I suppose you probably remember that, and it always just made me want to run away and cry. Rose and Al argue a lot too, and then make up again within three seconds, and it just really confuses me. How can people get so angry and start yelling so quickly and easily, and then make up again just as instantly. Maybe it's a Gryffindor thing. Or a Weasley thing. Al and Rose both have a Weasley for a parent, and I've noticed that their cousins fight a lot too. Except Rose's brother, Hugo. He's always very calm compared to the rest of them. Then again, he's a Hufflepuff. So maybe it is a Gryffindor thing.
Sorry for writing such a long letter, and I'm aware that I've been rambling for most of it. You don't have to reply if you can't be bothered; I just needed to get some stuff off my chest, really. Anyway, I've got to go: I've got a Potions test tomorrow I need to revise for. Not that there's much point. I'll probably fail anyway.
Love, Scorpius
Scorpius,
Yes, it has been a very long time since I've seen you, or so it seems certainly. I will try to visit as often as possible, but your Grandad dislikes it when I leave him for a long period of time, so I fear we may have to content ourselves with letters for the time being.
In answer to your question, of course I don't think you've disgraced the family. In fact, I'm not sure your Grandad really thinks so either; he's just an insecure old man who's terrified that his opinion no longer counts, and that his son and grandson are moving away from the beliefs he's held for so long. I don't really expect you to understand – it's all very complicated and mostly stems from his experiences during the War – but I hope you will not let anything he says upset you. He loves you really, even if he has a funny way of showing it.
I think I always suspected you might be in Hufflepuff. You are right in saying that it came as a surprise to most of the family, but not to me. You've always placed a higher value on honesty and on doing the right thing than on maintaining your pride and dignity, and you are by far the most trustworthy, open-minded Malfoy I have ever met. So no, I wasn't surprised when I heard you were in Hufflepuff.
Yes, I've always noticed your aversion to conflict, and it doesn't make you pathetic or cowardly. It's understandable really, after your experiences as a child. I don't know if you remember, but it wasn't just your Grandad and your Dad who used to fight when you were little. Your Grandad and I also used to argue a lot; we almost split up at one point. And everyone hated us, meaning it was hard to go out without experiencing a lot of hostility. Your Grandad never left the house at all for about three years after the War, and whenever your Dad went anywhere someone would pick a fight. I don't know what he'd have done without your Mum. She was the one calm influence in our messed up little family. It probably is a bit of a Gryffindor/Slytherin thing to argue a lot. Ravenclaws are far too calm and logical – though I have known a few with hot tempers – and Hufflepuffs are by far the most peaceful of the four houses. Then again, it depends on the individual as much as the house they're in. If there's one thing I've learnt over the last twenty years or so it's that stereotyping gets us nowhere.
Try not to worry about the Slytherins too much. If you ignore them they'll get bored eventually. Try to focus on your real friends. You may not want to confide in Rose and Al at the moment, but from what I've heard of them they sound like the sort of friends who will always be there to back you up. You deserve better than to be picked on by a bunch of idiotic Slytherins. You're worth ten of them, and don't you forget it!
Anyway, I hope I've been of some help, and feel free to write to me whenever you like. I'm always happy to give advice, or even just listen if that's all you need.
Lots of Love,
Grandma
Dear Grandma,
Thanks for your letter. I was feeling a bit low the last couple of weeks, but it really helped put some things into perspective. Rose walked past when some of the Slytherins were picking on me the other day, and she got really mad and yelled at them all. Then I think she must have told some of her cousins, because half of Gryffindor ambushed them the next day and put most of them in the hospital wing with a variety of different jinxes and hexes. It's not how I'd have chosen to solve the problem, but I guess they probably won't bother me anymore. It's funny really, that it's now the Gryffindors sticking up for me against the Slytherins. I'd certainly never have imagined that happening a few years ago.
Apart from that, everything's been great here at school. I've been managing to keep on top of the homework – but only thanks to Rose – and I'm really enjoying some of my classes. Muggle Studies is fascinating, and I still love Herbology. I think that's mainly cos Professor Longbottom's such a brilliant teacher, though. He explains everything so well, and he never bullies people for not knowing the answers or not understanding things, like some teachers do.
Albus has a girlfriend – Sarah. She's a lovely person, but he spends a lot of time with her. We hardly ever see him anymore, and when we do he almost always brings her along too. Not that I mind, but it would be nice if the three of us could hang out together like we used to, every so often at least. And it means it's almost always Rose and me hanging out together, so everyone starts insisting we must be going out. Which is ridiculous, obviously, but nobody else seems to understand that.
So that's about everything interesting that's happened at Hogwarts recently. It's been very quiet recently, but I suppose that just means Cameron and James are still planning their next big prank. I'll write again soon.
Love, Scorpius
Scorpius,
Well, you may think Hogwarts is quiet, but I would give anything to be back there. Even a quiet day at Hogwarts is a lot more exciting than most people's lives once they leave. Make the most of it.
Anyway, lecture aside; I'm glad you're no longer being bullied. I know you dislike it when people use violence to solve problems, but I think in this case it was probably very helpful. It showed the rest of the school that the Gryffindors accept you for who you are – rather than blaming you for your family's crimes – and that they will back you up. You're probably right in saying that the Slytherins won't bother you now.
Don't worry about Albus. The chances of his relationship actually lasting are very slim – after all, he is only thirteen – but his friendship with you and Rose is much more lasting. I hate to sound cynical, but he and Sarah will probably break up at some point, and when they do it will be you and Rose he turns to. The same will apply whenever you and Rose go out with anyone. Just remember, friends will be there when no one else is. A loyal best friend is worth a thousand temporary girlfriends, and you're lucky enough to have two best friends.
As for the gossip about you and Rose; ignore it. They'll soon realise nothing is actually going on and find something more interesting to talk about.
Lots of Love,
Grandma
Dear Grandma,
I was right about James and Cameron. Last night, while we were all asleep, they somehow managed to paint the entire castle pink, as well as everybody's hair. I'm still not entirely sure what the point was, but I think they were out of more imaginative ideas. The teachers couldn't prove it was them, so they didn't get in any trouble, but Professor Dabinett's promised a month of detentions to the culprits if she ever finds out who it was. I think she secretly found it pretty funny though.
The thing with Al and Sarah isn't as much of a problem now. The weather's getting warmer, so we all go outside a lot more now, and there's that a group of us sort of congregate at, down by the Lake. Anyway, a bunch of Sarah's friends come there, as well as loads of Gryffindors and a few of my friends from Hufflepuff. You wouldn't expect it to work, having Slytherins, Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and occasionally a couple of Ravenclaws hanging out in the same place, but surprisingly it does. And it means Rose and me get to see Al a lot more, as well as him being able to be with Sarah a lot.
Please write back soon.
Love, Scorpius
Scorpius,
See: that is why I would love to still be at Hogwarts. Nowhere else would somebody decide to turn an entire castle and the hair of all it's inhabitants pink. There was a James Potter at Hogwarts when I was there, I remember, and I found his misdeeds very entertaining. I pretended not to, of course, because I was expected to disapprove, particularly once I became a prefect and started dating Lucius, who was Head Boy at the time. But it always made me laugh when the Marauders did something outrageous.
I'm so glad you've all found this place to hang out. Not just because it allows you to see Al more, though that is a fortunate side effect, but because of what it represents. Of course, there have been inter-house friendships and even relationships in the past, but never before have I heard of all four houses joining together as friends. And what's more, the son of Harry Potter and the son of Draco Malfoy being the main cause of this! I know you must be sick of being such a symbolic figure, and Albus even more so, but it's important that you as children recognise your power to influence the future of the Wizarding World.
I'm sorry. I suppose it must sound like I'm putting a lot of pressure on you. Ignore all the "future of the Wizarding World" stuff. Just be yourself, and carry on exactly how you are, and everything will work out fine. It already is. Hogwarts is changing, very slowly.
Have a wonderful week, and I hope you're enjoying all this sunshine.
Lots of Love,
Grandma
Dear Grandma,
Don't worry: you're not putting pressure on me. I love the fact that I have the ability to bring people together like this, and I love the idea that Rose, Al and I could play a key role in overcoming stereotypes and prejudices. I'm a Hufflepuff; I'm a natural peacemaker. And I think you're right: Hogwarts is changing.
Bizarrely, while being unfazed by my responsibilities as the future of the Wizarding World, I'm terrified of the end-of-term exams, which are coming up. Everyone has been studying non-stop, and that's where it comes in handy that Al's never around. Rose and I spend a lot of time in the library, which can get a little boring, but means I am always on top of my homework and have been revising for these exams for months. I'm still scared though. I really don't want to do badly this year.
I'm looking forward to the holidays, though. It feels like forever since I've seen my parents, and much longer since I last saw you. Maybe you could come and visit for a little while during the holiday? Not too long, if Grandad doesn't want to be on his own, but a few days at least?
Got to go now. Write soon.
Love, Scorpius
Scorpius,
Try not to worry about the exams. It's not the end of the world if they don't go well, but I'm sure they will. You're naturally a very intelligent person, and it sounds like you've been working incredibly hard.
I will try and visit at some point, though I can't make any promises. I hate being away from your Grandad, but perhaps I could persuade him to come. After all, it's about time he and your Dad made up.
Enjoy the rest of your term, and good luck with your exams. I'm sure you'll be fine!
Lots of Love,
Grandma
