AN: Well, my Internet committed suicide earlier this week. Our provider came out to do service adjustments or something cyber-spacey and my Internet went down the royal shitdrain so...I busied myself with writing like a maniac. Oh, and since I only got one official vote on the fast forwarding...that's what I'll be doing. Simple snap shots and little randomly written moments from each year. Once we get up to about Fifth or Sixth Year, I should be able to get back into the habit of writing longer, more eloquent scenarios. Right now it's just difficult because, well, I'm not anywhere near the right age and I can't for the life of me remember what my eleven/twelve/thirteen year old self was like (other than a terror). So, here we go. Enjoy!
Scorpius soon found himself settled into a solid routine. Living with Albus and Noah passed the time fairly quickly, and, without notice, the term had progressed from September into October and was beginning to creep closer to November. The chill outside was starting to permeate the walls of the castle, mostly in the dungeons no thanks to the Black Lake, and the Slytherin Common Room could often be found packed to the brim with students trying to study and stay warm by the fire. It was on these afternoons in late October, huddled over a game of chess with Noah while Roshni and Albus bickered on a nearby couch, that Scorpius found himself passing most of his time. He studied, sure, but he found academics came easily enough for him. A simple review the night before an exam proved prudent enough for him to get at least 'E's in every class. Potions, Charms, and Dueling were serving to be his best topics above all, while he probably studied the most for Transfiguration and History of Magic.
Quidditch had been a fair effort with no real results. As promised by Mal, the Prefect and Team Captain, no First Years made the starting team. Albus, though he took after his famous flying father, had only made third string alternate as a Chaser despite his trying out for Seeker. Scorpius had flown for Seeker as well, but the Slytherins were a tough crowd indeed and the blond boy had been violently knocked off his broom several times before he decided to chuck in the Quaffle altogether and save it for next year. Albus was elated with his position as a backup's backup, as he still got to go to practices and suit up for games, just in case. The Potter boy's biggest fan was, to no one's surprise, Roshni, and Noah and Scorpius enjoyed making light of this fact whenever they got the chance.
The girl proved to be a fast and steady friend to the three boys, often acting as a buffer whenever Scorpius and Albus happened to leave Noah out of their already tight companionship. The other boy didn't seem to mind, mostly, and even understood why he was acting as a third wheel during some of their adventures. Roshni was a welcome distraction, as well as a source of entertainment and semi-useful facts.
She was currently rattling on about the Quidditch matches and resulting Quidditch Cups over the past ten years as they walked down to the pitch, their Slytherin scarves blowing in the blustery October breeze. Scorpius had grabbed his green toboggan as well, shoving it down over his now unruly blond hair to cover his ears. His scarf was wrapped thickly around his neck, covering most of his jaw and chin, leaving only his eyes and nose exposed to the cold. Roshni had tried to match him, her silver toboggan slipping off her long raven hair as they walked with a bounce across the grounds. Noah kept pace with them, unbothered by the biting wind as evidenced by the lack of head coverings and loosely tied scarf. Even his jacket was only buttoned once.
"-Gryffindor won the last four years, and before that Ravenclaw won once and Hufflepuff twice. Slytherin hasn't won for almost eight years." Roshni finished up her commentary on Quidditch Cup winners as they reached the bottom of the Slytherin stands.
"D'you suppose Al will get to play this time?" Noah asked as he took up the rear of their single file climb up the stairs.
"Probably not. I mean, both Donahue and Mathis would have to be out of the game for him to even get on a broom." Scorpius reminded Noah, who nodded but shrugged regardless. "It'd be pretty awesome if he did."
"I highly doubt Albus would be able to stomach the thought of playing this early in his career. A First Year, on the Slytherin team. He'll be pummeled to death, especially against Gryffindor!" Roshni scoffed.
"Aw, come on Rosh, he's not that bad a flyer."
"And not that good of one either to dodge James' Bludgers. You know James will have it out for him if he takes to the skies." She argued, pausing for a moment to catch her breath.
"You're just worried your boyfriend will end up in the Infirmary." Scorpius teased. Roshni gave him a harsh push and jumped up the steps to get around him. He shared a laugh with Noah and then bounded up after Roshni, erupting into the stands as the wind howled around them. Dots of red and green were soaring low near the bottom of the pitch, circling each other slowly. Scorpius knew that taunts were being traded in excess, and that James had already tried out a few of the nastier insults on his brother earlier in the week.
If the Third Year had been able to deliver the teases with a straight face, Scorpius would have called them hurtful.
"Donahue's down!" Noah cried as he leaned far over the railing. The right wing Chaser was indeed slumped over his broom, a well-timed Bludger from Fred Weasley, the second Gryffindor Beater, proving effective. Scorpius squinted down at the pitch, trying to see where exactly the action was. He had been caught up in playing a game of miniature chess with Roshni as the Quidditch match was closing in on its second hour. Even Roshni jumped to her feet, looking down at the pitch. "Al could actually do it! Warrick already went in for Mathis after his Bludger to the head and Burke might have to sub out, she's tweaked her shoulder!"
"No bloody way!" Scorpius found himself pounding the railing along with Noah, both boys enthralled by the possibility of watching their friend play in one of the biggest games of the year.
It even seemed that James wanted his younger brother to get in on the Gryffindor-Slytherin action, as his next few Bludger hits were aimed perfectly at Burke. Most of them were blocked by either Alek or the other Slytherin Beater, a burly Fifth Year named Ross, but a few had her ducking and swerving to the best of her ability.
In the one hundred and forty fifth minute of the game, one of James' astounding routs found its mark and crashed hard into Burke's back right shoulder blade. The girl let out a string of wild curses as Alek hunted down James, his bat in hand and vengeance on his face, but Burke eventually flew back to the sidelines and the Slytherin team box. From her seat as Keeper, Mal shouted out the orders to the team box. Warrick was in already and Mathis was gripping his broom tightly, one hand shoved against Albus' chest.
"She won't let him. She'll send Mathis back in before she sends in Al." Noah was trying to read lips across the pitch. Scorpius shivered, tightening the scarf around his neck as he waited for the outcome. Mathis was angrily gesturing between himself and Albus, one fist shaking madly at Mal. She flew down from the posts, shoving Mathis down onto the bench and thrusting Mathis' broom into Albus' hands. The boy went sheet white but climbed on anyway, following his captain out into the sky.
"No way!" Roshni joined the boys at the railing, whooping loudly with them as Albus circled the pitch. James looked positively thrilled as he watched his brother fly for a moment before putting his mask of indifference back on.
"You flew brilliantly, Albus! It was absolutely inspiring!" Roshni gushed as she walked step for step by Albus' side, he still dressed in his Quidditch robes as they left the pitch in their usual quartet.
"Yeah, spell binding." Noah commented dryly, sniggering at Roshni's affections.
"Completely and utterly poetic. Like watching a dance." Scorpius teased further, rubbing shoulders with Noah as Albus turned three different shades of red in a matter of seconds.
"But seriously Al, it was awesome." Noah grinned widely. "First Year playing in the Gryffindor match? And scoring? Bloody wicked."
"It was only one goal."
"It was one goal more than I'll ever score, that's certain!" Scorpius punched Albus on the shoulder as the Potter boy laughed and nodded along. "Really, it was too cool to watch. Totally jealous."
"Mal wasn't kidding when she said Gryffindors play rough." Albus winced as he rotated his shoulder a little too far. "I think James purposefully hit me with that last Bludger. Or five. Fred wasn't an angel either."
"They were aiming for you. A little too much for my liking, if you ask my opinion-"
"I didn't."
"-really, your own brother and all, playing rough like that, he could've-"
"Rosh, really." Albus tried to bat her hands away as they searched for more bruises.
"-just a quick spell, hold tight-"
"Rosh, leave the guy alone!" Noah laughed and steered the girl away from Albus, who shot Noah a thankful glance. "He just finished a game, he needs a shower." Roshni looked to Scorpius for help, who lifted his shoulders with no assistance.
"Give the guy some breathing room." Scorpius laughed when she scowled at him and pulled her arm from Noah's grasp. "You can make kissy faces at the flying First Year later."
"Oh, you!" Roshni glared at Scorpius and stalked off, huffing, with Noah and Scorpius following behind in waves of giggles.
"Write me over Christmas, alright?" Roshni urged as she held each boys' hands in turn, Albus then Scorpius and finally Noah. They all nodded and agreed, each one knowing that they probably wouldn't. Roshni smiled and waved at them all before bouncing off to a family standing underneath a Hogwarts Express sign. Scorpius looked around for his own family, grinning when he spotted Theodore's trademark coppery hair high above the rest of the crowd.
"I see my family. Yours won't be too far behind, Al." Scorpius shook Noah's hand once before he took off running in the direction he had sighted Theodore, Albus right on his heels. Sure enough, Harry was standing right beside Theodore and Hermione. Scorpius stopped short in his tracks at the sight of his mother, his face losing all of its joyfulness as he took tentative steps towards Hermione.
"Scor, darling." She held out her arms to him, beckoning him in for a hug. He just gaped at her rounded midsection, looking back and forth between Hermione and Theodore. "Scorpius. Please."
"Go on." Theodore encouraged, his arm firmly around Hermione's waist. Scorpius moved forward, his bag hanging from one arm as he stepped into his mother's embrace.
"You didn't tell me." Scorpius muttered almost angrily into the fabric of Hermione's shirt, his back curved over the small hump of her belly. She hugged him tightly, hands running through his hair before he pulled away. "Why?"
"I didn't think a letter would be the right place to do it." Hermione answered. Scorpius sighed and looked up at Hermione, a small frown gracing his lips. "What is it, darling?"
"Brother or sister?" He asked warily, looking between Theodore and Hermione again.
"Sister." Theodore answered, smiling when Scorpius leaned into his side for a one armed hug. "We just found out a few weeks ago."
"Well, it could be worse." Scorpius finally said. "But you have to let me help you name her."
"I think that's plenty fair." Hermione laughed and bent slightly to kiss his cheek. "Granmamma Weasley made some of her pies this morning, what do you say we stop in for a visit after we drop your things at the Manor?"
"Deal." Scorpius then grinned widely up at Theodore. "I found those initials you told me about in the letter! We added ours too, the list is so long!"
"Bloody hell, my son made the team." Harry stared after his second son for a long pause, blinking slowly. "Both my boys are Quidditch players."
"Technically Al is just an alternate's alternate, but he did play in the Gryffindor match two months ago. He was brilliant!" Scorpius chattered animatedly. He skipped to his mother's side for another hug and then ran off after Albus, leaving the adults to talk amongst themselves.
"He's got robes with his name on them." Harry said, his voice nostalgic and wavering. "Quidditch players."
"Oh, wake up you old sap." Theodore grumbled. "You were the youngest Seeker in a century, it was bound to be passed on to your children. Although, Albus making the House team for Slytherin is quite a feat. Draco was barely let on in our Second Year. It is a long understood rule that First Years do not actively play on the team."
"Why was that, I wonder?" Hermione groused as she recalled the manner in which Slytherin Quidditch players conducted themselves on the pitch.
"Can't believe our first whole year is over." Noah sighed as he sank onto one of the couches in the Slytherin Common Room. He stretched languidly, his socked feet landing in Roshni's lap. She harrumphed but adjusted her book on his ankles, continuing her studying. She had already bought most of the texts for their Second Year and claimed to be getting a head start even though she had the highest marks in their year. Albus leaned back in the recliner he had claimed, rubbing his shoulder gingerly. He had banged it up pretty good in the last Quidditch match of the season, against Ravenclaw, and was still dealing with the leftover muscle soreness. Mal had liked his playing during the Gryffindor match in first term, surprised at the fact that he scored on his first time in the air, and had subsequently stepped him up to first alternate. As such, Albus got much more playing time than expected and thus more injuries. Scorpius lounged in front of the fire, twirling his wand as a few of the chessboard pieces, a white pawn, knight, and queen, bobbed in an airborne dance.
"Maybe they'll actually make you first string next year, Al." Roshni said quietly. Her hazel golden eyes studied the dark haired boy intently as he kept on massaging his shoulder. "Did you trying an icing charm?"
"It wore off about an hour ago." Albus replied moodily. "I hope I do get first string next year, I sure put on a good show this year. Even Mal said she was happy."
"She'll be captain again next year too." Scorpius said, adding a king to the dancing figurines. "Besides, second is the highest place Slytherin has had in what, Rosh, six years?"
"Five, actually." The girl replied, shifting her book again. Noah grumbled, dozing lightly, but remained stretched across the couch regardless.
"See Al? You've done good for the team." Scorpius flicked his wand, all of the figurines turning a deep shade of emerald before going back to their original colors.
"I suppose." Albus reached up with his injured shoulder, wincing, and let his hand fall back to his lap with a pained exhale. "I just don't know if I can keep up the beatings for six more years!"
"Sure you can." Roshni said firmly. "Because I'm willing to bet that next year they'll let Scorpius on. Maybe even Noah, if he tries out."
"He won't." Albus laughed loudly. "He's a wreck on a broom! Worse than my Aunt Hermione!"
"My Mum can't fly to save her life!" Scorpius agreed, chuckling, as his chess pieces fell to the floor. "She tried it once, at Al's house for a game when Teddy had to drop, and she nearly fell off. She hadn't even gotten off the ground yet!"
The three Slytherins that were awake enjoyed a good laugh, each sharing a story or two as they sat together in a relative but comfortable quiet. It was only when Noah began snoring and Scorpius started to doze off in front of the fireplace that Roshni suggested they move to their respective rooms and catch a good night's sleep before taking the train back to their homes in the morning.
"Promise me you'll write?" Roshni looked as if she was trying her best not to cry as she looked at her friends, dressed in a pair of jeans and a simple purple shirt. "It's going to be a dreadful summer without you three."
"You'll make it, Rosh." Noah laughed, slinging a bag over his shoulder as he spotted his parents on the platform. His khakis and black polo made his sandy hair, lightened by the sun he had caught whilst watching Quidditch, seem even brighter. "I say we make a pact though."
"Done." Albus agreed immediately, barely listening. His jeans and striped blue and white shirt were already becoming a hassle in the heat that was flooding the platform, no thanks to the summer weather.
"What kind of pact?" Scorpius asked, shoving his hands into the pockets of his tan shorts, searching for the leftover Every Flavor Beans he had bought on the train. The forest green button up turned his hair an interesting shade of sugary white.
"Every year, before we get on the train, we meet right here, under the-" Roshni counted the lanterns on the pillars of the platform before continuing. "-seventh light from the entrance. And this is where we say our goodbyes too. Every year, so we'll always have someone to sit with on the train ride."
"I'm in." Noah smiled widely, holding out his hand with his palm facing the floor. Albus stacked his hand on top, followed by Roshni and finally Scorpius.
"See you all at the end of August."
AN: I'll let this chapter stew for a bit before I put up another! Thank you for all the love, keep it up!