NG:MoH

Chapter 14

A Ghost of A Problem

Returning back to school seemed more empty to Albus, more alone. He wasn't speaking to Rose, feeling that his cousin's true colors where showing. He had sent countless owl post letters to Scorpius, but none had been replied to. He often wondered if maybe Scorpius had simply thrown them all away. Even on the train ride back, Albus had decided to sit with Sean, Jillian, Fred, James, and Serendipity. It was odd sitting with older school members, even he didn't understand the work that Seri was doing and it made feel less than smart. Now that Rose and Scorpius hadn't been around him, more people seemed to flock to him, mostly to ask personal family question. He had seen Scorpius pass the doorway earlier, but when he called after him, he seemed to go a little faster.

Scorpius was starting to regret his questioning of Albus and wanted to ignore the whole 'pity' friendship, but his pride stood in the way. He hadn't mentioned a thing to his parents about him and Albus not being friends, he didn't want his father to get annoyed that he had been forced to spend over four hours with people he disliked on some level. Albus had sent a total of twelve letters in four days, none of which he had opened. They all still lay on his desk back home, hidden under some books he had been reading. He had decided to sit with Mai, who was talking to some other first years, most looking at him in annoyance. He hadn't talked to Rose, mostly because he thought she'd resent him and blame the fight on him, which he excepted.

Rose at the moment had decided to sit with Michelle and some other random people she'd never met. For the four days after the disagreement, Albus hadn't said one word to her. Albus normally never held a grudge, ever. He would get mad, but after an hour of sitting around he'd eventually give in and forget it. She had spent most of her time processing most of what Albus had said and she seemed to understand some of his reasonings. She knew how much she seemed like a prat, but for some reason, she still found herself right.

They arrived at school amongst that joyful chatter of gifts and new classes, all three rather quite. Scorpius had chosen to ignore people pushing an shoving him best he could. He knew why they did, it was all because of his family. It had been his fear when he was first coming to Hogwarts, fear of being lonely, but he wasn't about to go tell someone he felt alone. Albus tried to escape the many people now trying to talk to him, he bit his tongue knowing if he said one word he'd stutter and ramble on. He caught Scorpius' eyes only for him to roll his eyes at the people surrounding Albus. Rose was casually enjoying a conversation with Michelle, but it was getting hard for her to not run and go talk to Albus and Scorpius about some new information she had picked up about their History of Magic essay that was due tomorrow.

"Scorpius, I was wondering if you'd come with me to the Room of Memorial?" asked Mai, with a warm smile.

"Sure, I guess. I need to talk to Snape anyway." or anyone for that matter.

He walked along the hall with Mai, it was erie. Many people where either in their Common Rooms or in the Great Hall chatting. He was focused on talking to Snape, he didn't focus on why Mai had asked him to come. As they entered the room, most of the portraits where sleeping, but Snape was awake, apparently reading a book quietly. Mai stayed behind by the doorway as Scorpius walked over by Snape. He seemed to glance at Scorpius and then continue reading.

"Where are the rest?" asked Snape looking from his book.

"Can I ask your opinion?" asked Scorpius, in a sigh.

"I suppose." said Snape, curiously as he put his book down.

"Do you think it's wrong to get made if someone pity you?" asked Scorpius.

"Well that all depends who, why, and what has become?" asked Snape.

"Well, Albus only became my friend out of pity, because he thought I was lonely." said Scorpius.

"Did he not wish to be your friend anymore. That's quite typical of..."

"No. I kind of. . . confused him and then I told him I didn't want to be friends with someone who pity me." said Scorpius, "Should I apologize?"

"I didn't have much luck with friends and keeping them. I always did or said something. If you think you where at fault, by all means apologize. But if there's truth, think more carefully." said Snape.

"I must agree." said Dumbledore, listening closely, "Does Albus indeed pity you?"

"Well, he said yes." said Scorpius.

"Does this bother you?"

"Well, yes." said Scorpius, then he yawned.

"Why don't we pick this up tomorrow. It's late and you and your friend look tired." said Dumbledore.

"Okay." said Scorpius, reluctantly as he headed towards the door.

"Scorpius, are you okay?" asked Mai, turning to him.

"Yeah, I just need some sleep." said Scorpius and then realized he and Albus' bed where next to each other back at the dormitory, "Mai. . . do you think I'm right?"

"It's your decision." said Mai, quietly, "Your welcome to sit with me tomorrow if you'd like."

"Thanks Mai." said Scorpius, giving her a fleeting smile.

"Well good night Scorpius." said Mai walking towards her common room.

"Night." said Scorpius as he turned down his corder.

As he walked down the slightly dark hallway, he could see other students going to their common rooms as well. He thought a bit more cheerfully, at least he wouldn't have to sit with the others tomorrow. There was no telling how nasty they might be, now that Scorpius and Albus weren't friends. He wondered how Rose felt about this, if she was up, he'd talk to her. He hoped Rose was still his friend and Seri. As he thought about this, he walked right into someone.

"Sorry." said Scorpius without really paying attention.

"Scorpius, right?" came a female husky voice, a little older.

"Uh yeah..." Scorpius trailed, it was the girl from Halloween night.

"You should really be more careful." she said in slight annoyance.

"... Hey, aren't you supposed to be wearing your uniform?" asked Scorpius, trying to get off the subject.

"Oh, what? No." she laughed, it was slightly creepy, "I'm not a student. I'm an assistant. I havn't worn a uniform since seventh year. Well except for Halloween, but that was for other reasons."

"Oh. . . you don't look that old."

"I'm twenty." she said with a small smile.

"About Halloween, I'm sorry about the flee thing." said Scorpius, figuring he should say something.

"Oh I forgot all about that. Scorpius, I actually have been wanting to talk to you. . . its late now. I'll have to talk to you later. Oh don't worry, your not in trouble." she said at Scorpius' confused face.

"Oh well, okay then." Scorpius was still very confused.

"Oh, I'm Ersa by the way. Ersa Guant. I'll talk to you some other time. You should be going to your common room." said Ersa as she started to walk off, as she walked he saw something in the doorway she passed, flicker, and she sped up passed it.

Rose was sitting by the fire when Scorpius entered the common room. He didn't see Albus at the moment, but a few others where still up. Mostly seventh years where still up, talking about this and that and who was with who. Rose had been talking to Mark Tower, a fellow first year Gryffindor. He had just gotten up and left, giving a slight glare at Scorpius. Scorpius sighed and retired up to his room, Rose looked after him.

"Hey Rosie, why so glum." came the voice of Lynn from behind her.

"Albus wont talk to me, and I'm kinda feeling guilty." said Rose, closing her text book.

"What about?" asked Lynn, taking a seat next to the first year.

"Scorpius." said Rose after a slow passing minute.

"Well, why? Did you do something to Scorpius that upset Albus?" asked Lynn, pushing a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear.

"In a way." said Rose, "Hey Lynn, can I talk to you more about this tomorrow?"

"Sure. How about breakfast, okay kiddo." said Lynn, with a smile.

"Yeah, thanks." said Rose, heading up the steps.

Albus at the moment was sitting in his bed quietly. He heard Scorpius enter the room and heard a flump noise and then a yelp. Mark Tower, a room mate, had apparently thrown something at Scorpius and was acting like it was an accident. Albus was about to say something and open his curtain, when he heard Scorpius mutter something and Mark just huffed.

"Uh Scorpius?" Albus muttered, opening his curtain, and leaning over to the next bed, there was no reply, "Scorpius, I'm really sorry."

The next morning started off average for the most part for a large amount of people. James and Fred, ate their food, trying to eavesdrop on their friend and cousin talking. Rose and Lynn had decided to sit farther away from the troublesome two. On the other side of them they had given up listening to Serendipity and Albus talking. They hadn't even attempted to listen in on Scorpius and Mai's discussion a table over from them. It was obviously annoying the two that they didn't know what was going on.

"This is new." said James, bitterly.

"Yes, and I don't like it." said Fred, equally as bitter.

"Hey, Lynn and Rose are heading outside. Let's follow them." said James.

"Albus, Seri, Scorp, and that one girl are too." said Fred, and they both left the table to follow them.

It was a cloudy day, snow still lay on the ground, and it had a slight cold feeling to it. Yet not freezing. They lost sight of Lynn and Rose, but they saw that Serendipity and Albus where sitting on a stone bench in front of a hedge. The two smiled at each other and bolted to the opposite side of the hedge. Scorpius and Mai, who had been talking about the issue had now been talking about first hour class. They decided that they would be partners in History of Magic. It was their first class now, due to the semester change after the holidays.

"Professor Binns, is sooo boring." said Mai, "I wonder what we're going to do? I mean partners?"

"Yeah, I wonder if its a project of some sort. I asked my mother and father, but they where shocked about it. Apparently they didn't have projects."

"I know, that's what..." she stopped as she looked ahead of her.

"What are they doing?" asked Scorpius, also looking.

James had taken to standing on Fred's shoulders to get better hearing of the conversation of Albus and Seri. It took a moment, but the two caught on and decided to watch the antics. James was intent on finishing out what was going on with the three first years. Meanwhile, Fred was suffering. James' sneakers where gripping into his shoulders and the weight was getting a bit much.

"Bloody hell." muttered Fred, holding onto his cousins ankles, "If you gain any more weight. I don't think you'll be able to continue being a seeker."

"Are you saying I'm fat?" James' muttered bitterly.

"No, but your getting there." said Fred, in a grunt.

"Shh, I can't hear them." said James.

"What are you two doing?" came Lynn's voice from their right.

"Hey Lynn." said James, with a slight wave to Lynn and Rose.

"Nothing." shrugged Fred, knocking James' off.

"Youch." said James, rubbing his head.

"It's not nice to listen in on people." came Serendipity's voice from the left.

"How long have you two been there?" asked James, looking up at Seri and Albus.

"We came around after we heard you two talking." said Albus.

"Bushes aren't sound proof." said Mai, where her and Scorpius stood behind them.

"Fine, but we'd like to know. What on earth is going on?" asked Fred.

After an argument fixed mostly between James, Fred, and Lynn. The two boys still didn't have any of the information they wanted about what was going on. Albus began to leave the group quickly, he felt it was getting awkward enough, maybe he'd go talk to Hagrid and Olymp. He walked along the snow path to the cabin in deep thought. He looked at the watch on his wrist, he had a half an hour now before class. He felt an unnatural chill come over as he passed a patch of forest, but he chose to ignore it.

'Albus, why do you not turn and greet me, it is not nice.'

He sped up a little more.

'You can not run from me, only you can see and hear me.'

Albus bit his lip as he slowed down, could it really hurt to talk to her.

'All I wish is for someone to talk too. Is that so wrong?'

"What do you want from me." said Albus, turning towards the ghost.

'Nothing... just to befriend you.' Something seemed to struggle with those words.

"Then why do you follow us and no one else?" asked Albus.

'No one listens to me and you where the first ones that responded. . . . maybe not as I had hoped.' She turned to face the forest. 'I did not mean to frighten you, my... dear.'

"So. . . all you want is to be friends?" asked Albus, slightly sceptical.

'Yes, that is all I want. Friends.'

"If... if that's all. Will you do me a favor?" asked Albus, nervously.

'What are friends for?' Her voice seemed of forced sweetness.

"First, have you ever hurt someone you cared about, without meaning too?" asked Albus.

'Mmmm, yes. Many times.' Albus didn't catch the loathing and pleasure in her voice.

Albus talked to the ghost for the half an hour and said he'd come back and visit her that night. Albus left with a smile, but as he gave a wave to the Unnamed Ghost, he felt regret swarm over him and a numbness as well. As he entered his History of Magic class, he felt like going and talking to the ghost again. Professor Binns was talking about the Second War of Voldermort, of coarse saying You-Know-Who. To his surprise and horror, Professor Binns had decided to give them a project to work on for the next week.

As lunch came around, he could feel the eyes of the Slytherine table, glaring at him. Goyle and his crew where still angry at how he had beaten them by himself. But, he reminded himself, if James hadn't showed him the trick mom had showed him last summer, he'd probably would have lost. As he remembered this, he felt a twinge. He looked around him, people where coming towards him, probably more personal questions in their mind. He wasn't sure if he was going to bolt to the outside or to the common room. Then he chose, he'd got talk to Hagrid and Olymp.

Scorpius sat at the Ravenclaw table, a bit happier then earlier then he'd been earlier in the morning. A few Ravenclaws had lightened up to the young Gryffindor, but most would still rather push him off a cliff. He saw Albus dash passed him, but chose to ignore it. Then he had an idea as he saw Rose walk towards the library. Maybe he could talk to Rose there. He got up and waved to Mai and some of the Ravenclaws.

"Are you going to eat dinner with us?" asked Mai, despite all the glares she was given.

"Uh, I think I'll sit at my table today, thanks though." said Scorpius.

Scorpius walked quickly down the hallway to the library. He walked in and saw Rose sitting alone at a table reading 'Curses and Hexes to Live by,' he wasn't sure who the author was. He walked over quietly, not knowing how to start a conversation. Rose looked up and her face paled a bit.

"Hello Rose." said Scorpius, "Mind if I sit down?"

"Actually, I have to go. . . lunch is almost over..." Rose gathered her things and began to walk off.

"Maybe we could talk later. . . at dinner?" asked Scorpius quickly.

"Ohm..." Rose, seemed to be having a mental battle.

"Never mind Rose." said Scorpius, a scowl on his face and he began to walk off.

"Sure, how about before dinner, we go. . . walk or something." said Rose, cursing her guilt cause by Albus' speech.

"Are you sure?" asked Scorpius, his voice in a slight sneer.

Rose's nose crinkled in annoyance and she gave a quick nod, not looking at him. Before he could say anything else, she headed out the door. Scorpius, thought rather feeling a pitty factor, ignored it an walked out of the library a bit quicker then he figured he was going. He walked for sometimes before he realized the bell was minutes from ringing and he had to be in the fourth corridor for Double DADA with the Slytherine's. He walked quickly passed the door to the grounds. He felt ice cold as he walked through a ghost, only to look back and see the Forest Ghost, walking outside again.

He was late to DADA, by only a second and had hoped that Professor Goyle was not there early today. As he entered, Professor Goyle stood waiting at the front of the room, facing the board. She hadn't begun yet and people where still getting to their seats. He looked around, only to see an empty seat near Albus, he calmly sat down. Professor Goyle was average height, with tied back black hair, dressed in fine black robes with a pink shade of lace. Her face was usually stern and pompous looking.

"Scorpius Malfoy, do you mind explaining why you where late to my class?" Professor Goyle didn't even look away from the board that she was writing on.

"Sorry Professor." said Scorpius, quietly.

"Yes, well. I assume you are. Three points from Gryffindor." said Professor Goyle, now facing the group.

There was a few giggles from the Slytherines and a lot of mumbles of anger from the Gryffindors. Scorpius made his Pepper Up Potion in silence. Albus looked like he wanted to just start ranting, but he didn't. Scorpius wasn' sure if he was happy or upset about this. He looked over to where Rose was working and hoped maybe she wouldn't go back on what she said about the walk later. Rose was currently thinking about the same thing. She wasn't sure if she really wanted to go, but an agreement was an agreement. She'd be there.

THE END

Sorry it took so long, been busy... and I re-wrote... ALOT!!