Times of Change
heartshaped-sunglasses: Heheh, her reasons are explained here. She's just a hurt, bitter, defensive, proud girl xD But yeah, I like her mother at that age, she doesn't know when to stop talking xD
MalfoyMaiden: Special note to you:If you love me, you will either a) skip this chapter (like that'll happen xD) or b) not kill me after reading :P Just kidding... sort of :))
Chapter Fourteen Slug Club
"Do you have any plans of speaking?"
Scorpius didn't look at Albus, keeping his eyes front as they walked to Slughorn's office together. "About what?"
"Anything." Albus said, and then he added, "What's up with you?" Al's voice was quiet. "The twins and I… well… you've…" He was struggling to choose his words.
"Don't worry about me…" Scorpius managed to smile, then felt it fade, "I'm just… I need to clear some stuff up with dad…" After a pause, Scorpius added, sincerely, " I'm sorry I've been so… cranky with you guys."
Albus grinned, "Good. We were planning to hex you until you apologized for your behavior."
"You what?" Scorpius felt his eyes widen.
"Joking! Er… well… I dunno if Theo was serious… but we agreed with his idea."
"Remind me to curse Theo when we get back."
Al laughed at this. Scorpius joined in, glad to be laughing again. Optimism came with the laughter. Maybe… just maybe things will turn out well tonight. Maybe he won't end up near Rose, which would have resulted in either of them picking a fight with the other. Maybe other people at the Slug Club won't be suspicious of him. Maybe they would be more open-minded and accepting. Maybe they wouldn't see him and think 'another Malfoy'.
Wrong.
Scorpius tensed at the door when he saw red. Red everywhere. Not red as in ruby or scarlet or blood… Weasley red… hair. Al had noticed. "Calm down, Scorpius! Not everyone in my family… think exactly the same way… okay?"
Scorpius thought about this first. If he wanted them to be open-minded and accepting, shouldn't he be open-minded too? If he didn't want them to judge him based on his family history, then he shouldn't judge them just because two redheads of theirs brought him harm and inconvenience. "Okay." he said decisively.
Al was relieved. "Great."
"You what?" Molly stared at her in disbelief. That did not help Rose's guilt. She'd been wrestling with it all week.
Since the time Scorpius rejected her apology, Rose's pride became her shield. It armored her from his glares and his words, it equipped her when she wanted to fight back. But the string of words that had penetrated her before she put her armor on, and still stung her were 'Get that grimy hand away from me, you filthy halfblood!' It would echo when she least expected it to. She never knew how to react, what to think or what to feel each time that happened. Her emotions were always mixed, too confused to settle for one specific feeling. Sometimes it would be hurt, sometimes it would be guilt, sometimes it would be anger...
"Honestly, Molly, why are you so surprised?" Lucy was asking her older sister, Molly. Then she turned to her cousin, Rose. "Rose, it's alright for you to strike back." Really? It didn't feel right when she tossed and turned in bed at night. "It's his loss." It felt like her loss. "Some friendships aren't worth it."
"Lucy!"
"It's true!"
"Rose, ignore Lucy. You should cherish your friends."
"No, cherish your grades, your future. That's why it was right for you to speak during your History lesson. You could get bonus points for that! It will count towards your success later in life."
"Rose, ignore her and listen to me- would you rather have a job and money, but be hated by everyone?"
The idea was frightening. "No!"
"Fine, Molly, you win!"
"Good evening, everyone!" Slughorn waddled into the office. He looked at them, seated at the long table. This office could barely be called one now. It was more like a dining room. By now, everyone was seated. "I wanted to bring in Harry Potter himself this time, but he respectfully declined my invitation…" Rose thought she heard him mumble, "…again…"
She, along with her family members, who made up about sixty percent of the people in the room, chuckled or giggled. If they wanted to meet Harry, they were quite free to come over for a visit at his house. "But I took his suggestion, and brought someone quite as good! He fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, like myself, helped defeat Voldemort, like myself, is an Auror, and is a good Keeper at Quidditch too. Here he is, Ronald Weasley!"
"DAD?" Rose exclaimed as he entered, no, strutted into the room, looking pleased with himself. He was already a tall man, but with his head held so high he was… super tall. "Hello there, Rosie!" Ron went over to her and kissed her forehead. "Have you been beating everyone in your lessons?"
Rose grinned.
But before she could reply, Slughorn spoke. "Everyone, settle down." Scorpius was making choking and coughing sounds; Fred, James, Louis and Luke Jordan were talking, laughing and joking loudly; a burly Gryffindor named Tiberius McLaggen was bragging to Victoire, who was looking irritated; Molly and Lucy were arguing again. They quieted down, Scorpius putting down a glass of water he drank from and breathing normally again. Part of her was concerned, another part was irritated. She assumed he heard what her father said and that drowning while drinking water was Scorpius's reaction. "Mr. Weasley, there's a seat for you here."
"Coming," Her dad ruffled her hair before going over to the seat. Rose frowned. Her hair was bushy enough already without Ron ruffling it and making it uglier. "Oh, and do you mind if I invited someone over? He's coming in a while."
"Not at all!" Slughorn smiled. "Who is he?"
"It's a surprise." Ron had glanced at a still irritated Victoire.
"Then, there was a Quidditch game where a Quaffle was just about to get in. You know what I did? I swung my leg and got off my broom. Hanging on with only one hand, I got ready to meet the coming Quaffle. And when it came, I gave it a kick that sent it across the field!"
Albus had heard Uncle Ron's story before. Earlier, Slughorn had introduced them to each other, even if he already knew more than half. The other members were- Tiberius McLaggen, Fred Weasley II, Victoire, Dominique, Louis, Molly, Lucy, Luke Jordan, James, Paula Allen, Jacqueline Chua, and Otto Wood. Al didn't immidiately take in all the names of those he didn't know. After Slughorn listed them, he had trouble remembering who was who among those who weren't Weasley, Potter or Scorpius.
"Oh, speaking of Quidditch, Rosie, congratulations again on making Gryffindor team!"
"Thanks, dad."
"She-she-what?" Scorpius was staring at Rose, disbelieving. Al tried to calm him while people congratulated Rose, probably not for the first time. "Scorpius, don't worry. You're a good Quidditch player too."
"But she got in!"
"Rose isn't the only Quidditch star in the making, in this room. You should see Scorpius Malfoy with a Beater's bat!" Slughorn was speaking again, he gestured towards Scorpius. There was pride in Slughorn's voice.
Scorpius looked surprised.
"He's got a good arm, kept a bludger from smashing my face in, you know."
Everyone turned to stare at Scorpius. Al noticed that as a lot of the people in the room were Gryffindors, more than half Weasley, there were mixed expressions. Some looked impressed, others doubtful, the burly Gryffindor next to Victoire looked like he wanted to laugh.
"That's great, Scorpius!"
"Congratulations!"
The Ravenclaws were first to speak, to congratulate Scorpius. Al remembered their names- Jacqueline and Paula. In the several classes he had with them, they were often answering teachers' questions and gaining ther House points. That may be why Slughorn invited them- their intelligence.
"And then of course there's Gryffindor's captain and Keeper, Tiberius McLaggen," Slughorn pointed out the guy next to Victoire, who was holding his head high, proudly. "Another is a son of the Chosen One himself- James Potter."
Slughorn continued to point out the abilities of some of the people in the room, and then others, their relationships with influential people. He pointed out Albus as another of the Chosen One's sons. As if they didn't already know that. The Ravenclaws were daughters of people who had been in Harry Potter's group- Dumbledore's Army- Susan Bones and Cho Chang. Luke Jordan, James's friend was also son of members of Dumbledore's Army- Lee Jordan and Alicia. Otto Wood was son of a star Quidditch player, Oliver Wood. Then Slughorn started talking about how he had helped people who were now famous and influential. He promised them that he would help them get there as well, give them contacts that would aid them.
After what felt like a long time, Uncle Ron had his turn to speak. This time, instead of narrating Quidditch saves, he talked about the Auror department, and his contributions. When everyone was full after the dinner, Slughorn and Uncle Ron started talking to people individually, while some people started standing up and mingling.
Al wondered when Ron's guest would be arriving. He was really late. Soon enough, people were in their own little groups, talking. Every so often, someone would leave a group to mingle with another. Scorpius looked lost and unsure of where to go. Al brought him over to the Ravenclaws, who were talking with cousin Louis, and Otto Wood and James.
"You know, my dad was a really great Keeper, he played for Gryffindor when he was in school. He taught me everything he knows. Next year, I'm trying out, and I am gonna be great!" Wood was bragging to Jacqueline Chua. "Oh, and then he fought at the Battle of Hogwarts too. I learned from him how to-"
"Bah! Don't listen to him, Jacqueline! My dad fought a werewolf! He fought bravely at the Battle of Hogwarts, and just like him, I can fight werewolves, and Death Eaters, and-"
"Werewolf schmerwolf," Wood nudged Louis aside. "The worst you've faced must have been a Muggle's pet Chihuahua."
Louis ignored him. "Oh, and I plan to join the next Triwizard Tournament, just like my mum! Wait… well… maybe the one after that, when I'll be seventeen or something… but just you wait and see!"
"You look left out," James pointed out, talking to Paula. "Y'know, when I'm with a girl, I never let them feel left out. I make sure to give her all the attention she deserves."
Paula's cheeks were turning red.
"James, what did dad say about trying to flirt?" Al called out jokingly.
"Dad's not here." James stuck his tongue out at him, then he faced Scorpius.
The two stared at each other. Scorpius looking hostile, James looking uneasy. Al considered dragging one or the other to the opposite side of the room. "Er… listen… Scorpius… I… I'm sorry about what happened… really… I am. And I was really pissed off at the other guys when they started attacking…" James sighed, and Albus was surprised. He rarely ever saw his brother looking really guilty. "But it was a stupid idea, the…er… thing… wasn't it? I guess… I deserve my punishment…"
Scorpius's eyes were wide. It looked like he hadn't expected it. Al hadn't either. It was just so… shocking. Well, sure, it was in Albus's nature to see the good in people, but that was more than anything he expected from James. James never accepted his punishments! Never!
Albus realized his mouth had been open. He closed it. Scorpius had regained his composure more quickly. There was a thoughtful look on his face. Finally, Scorpius nodded his head. "I… forgive you…"
That surprised him too. Scorpius was forgiving James? Well… depending on the way to look at it… there was sense in the move. Al thought about what his father had said about Scorpius's father. Draco Malfoy had his flaws and bad traits, just as any human would, but he was not a murderer. He related it to James. James was a prankster, but he wouldn't do half the things Flint and those other boys did. Maybe Scorpius thought about that…
But what about Rose? If Scorpius had forgiven James, would he forgive Rose? Albus was getting tired of having to put up with the two glaring at each other across classrooms, or, in the times when there were no more seats, criticizing and insulting each other on either side of him. It was like they selfishly wanted to make things difficult for anyone around them when they were both in their hostile moods and in close contact with each other.
James brightened immediately. "Aw, Scorpius! That's great!"
It seemed James had changed his view on things too.
"Can you just leave me alone?" Victoire's scream was heard by all and the result was all falling silent.
"Why? Don't tell me you're still in love with grapehead!" Tiberius McLaggen looked irritated.
"Grapes are purple. Teddy's hair is often turquoise. Are you stupid enough not to know your colors?"
"Stupid? I'm not stupid!"
"Hey, my guest's finally here!" Uncle Ron's voice was loud too.
Curious, Al looked at the door opening, and in walked a young man with turquoise hair. "Teddy!" Victoire looked incredibly happy.
"Victoire!" Teddy grinned. "Sorry I'm late, work kept me busy, and it's not as easy to escape as it is for some people." At this Teddy gave Uncle Ron a meaningful look, while Ron shrugged, grinning.
"Who wants you here, Lupin?" Tiberius spoke challengingly, stepping to Victoire's side.
"I could list them down if you want, McLaggen." Teddy stepped toward them. Al watched Teddy stiffen when Tiberius shamelessly put an arm around Victoire's waist.
Outraged, Victoire slapped him.
Everyone was watching now, no doubt about it.
"Victoire!" Tiberius stared at her. "Come on! You know I'm better than him!"
"How many times do I have to tell you I'm over you and I've loved Teddy since then? We are ov-"
Tiberius didn't let her finish, he held her and kissed her full on the lips.
Then what happened next was so quick, Al thought he might have missed almost everything if he'd blinked instead of watching the events unfold with wide open eyes.
Teddy let out a growl that didn't sound human. His hair had turned red and was bristling, his teeth were… sharp… wolf-looking. Pouncing, he tackled Tiberius to the ground. They wrestled, McLaggen swearing, Teddy snarling.
Of all the wacky transformations Ted Lupin had made for their amusement, this was one he'd never seen before. It was… scary.
Then it was over. Uncle Ron and Professor Slughorn cast stunning spells that knocked the two out.
Anyone notice Molly's more like her namesake, or at the very least, Percy redeemed? While her sister Lucy is more like the ol' Percy?
What y'all think? :) Next chapter will most likely have DADA and the Halloween feast.