Hey! Thank you guys so much for reviewing and for those of you that wished me luck on my finals! They are now finished and I can relax and enjoy myself at home and write lots and lots. Well I hope ya'll like this chapter. I know some of you probably won't be happen with the way it ends…but it was the only way that I could make it work in my mind. So…enjoy!
Chapter 14 Have you all lost your minds?
Scorpius sat down for breakfast next to Albus and Rose and across from James who had a very sullen look on his face. Scorpius reached for some toast and then dared to ask James what was wrong.
"Professor McGonagall is making my help Professor Parkinson tutor her first year Slytherins! How absolutely ridiculous is that!" James replied enraged.
"So I guess she isn't McG anymore?" Albus couldn't help but ask with a smirk on his face.
James glared at his younger brother before dropping his head down on the table and groaning about how much he hates his life. Scorpius and Albus shared a look, both trying hard not to start laughing. They knew it would set James off, which was something they wanted to avoid.
"So how is the Gryffindor Quidditch team training coming?" Albus asked his brother attempting to change the subject.
James' head popped back up and his whole face brightened. Albus pretended to listen while he went off about how this upcoming season was going to be the best one yet and listed all of the amazing things each of the players could do. James was a seeker for the team. He was put on the team last year, which made his father happier than words could ever express.
"What are you doing?" Scorpius asked Rose who was furiously scribbling things down on a piece of parchment.
"I'm trying to make sure that I have the timeline correct for our History of Magic test today," Rose replied not looking up from her work.
"We have a History of Magic test today?" Scorpius asked his eyes widening in surprise.
"Yes…where have you been? Professor Binns told us about it last class. It is on the Goblin Rebellions in the early 14th century," Rose said finally looking up from her work to give Scorpius a stern look, "You haven't been listening in class have you?"
"Er—no…but I can't help it! He could put coffee to sleep!" Scorpius replied.
"Who? Professor Binns?" Albus asked having heard Scorpius' statement.
"Yes…apparently we have a test today in his class," Scorpius replied.
"We do?" Albus replied in shock.
"Honestly! Do you two even attend class?" Rose replied looking scandalized by the idea that neither boy knew important information such as a looming test.
"Physically…yes. Mentally…not so much," Albus replied honestly.
Rose rolled her eyes and went back to her furious writing on the piece of parchment. Albus and Scorpius looked at each other and shrugged. Just then the owls arrived bringing the mail. A beautiful grey owl came swooping down and landed in front of Scorpius. Scorpius untied the letter from the owl's leg and fed it some of his crust before it flew off once more.
Dear Scorpius,
I am so glad to hear that you are in Slytherin House. I know your father must be very proud that you got into his old house. I am also glad to hear that your classes are going well. I do hope that Professor Steinman treats you better. I am sorry that our family's actions caused your trouble. I am sure your father was livid when he found out. Nothing is really new with me. I really do enjoy hearing from you. However, I do feel somewhat bad for going behind your father's back. Maybe we should tell him…he may be more understanding then you think. Well write again soon.
Love,
Grandmum Malfoy
Scorpius looked up after reading the letter to see both Rose and Albus staring at him. He hadn't notice them both reading the leader over his shoulder. They looked really confused.
"Why did you tell her that you are in Slytherin?" Albus asked.
"Well both her and my Grandfather stated how proud it would make my father if I were in Slytherin. I figured they wanted me to be in Slytherin…so I lied. I didn't want them to stop writing me if they found out I was in Gryffindor," Scorpius explained blushing a little.
"Don't you think that this is the reason why your dad doesn't want you to know them?" Rose asked ever the logical one.
"But my Grandmother seems really nice. She seems to actually care about me…and is it so awful that I want more to my family then my father and me?" Scorpius asked before getting up and storming off out of the Great Hall.
Scorpius headed around the castle without a real destination in mind. He didn't have class until an hour and half from now. True, he could be studying for that History of Magic test…but he didn't feel like concentrating on school work at the moment.
Turning a corner to walk down another random hallway, Scorpius walked into someone.
"Oh I'm so sorry…" Scorpius trailed off when he realized who it was, "Mum…what are you doing here?"
"Scorpius! I didn't see you there. I am here to apply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts job," Astoria replied and then hesitantly added, "So how are you doing?"
"How did you know about that?" Scorpius asked ignoring the question that his mum asked, "I thought that you were in Australia."
"I came back, and then your lovely father kicked me out on the streets," Astoria replied rolling her eyes, "What a charming man, huh?"
"Don't you dare talk about my dad like that!" Scorpius replied glaring at her indignantly.
"Manners," Astoria replied shaking her head, "Now I must be off."
Astoria then walked off with her head held high. Scorpius glared at his mother's retreating figure. He shook his head in disbelief. At that moment Albus and Rose came around the corner.
"We have been looking for you everywhere!" Albus replied exasperated, "We are sorry. We have no right to tell you who you should and shouldn't write to."
"It's fine," Scorpius replied a little too harshly.
"It's clearly not fine…we really are sorry," Rose replied hoping she sounded sincere.
"No, it's not you guys. I believe you. I just ran into my mum," Scorpius explained.
"What?" Albus and Rose asked at the same time.
"She is here to apply for the Defense job," Scorpius replied with a groan, "And I thought Steinman was bad…"
"Your dad will never let this happen…he will talk to McGonagall I'm sure," Albus replied.
"It's really hard to find people who are qualified for the job though," Scorpius replied, "And despite all of her other faults my mum is really good at Defense. I think it might be because of her fascination with the Dark Arts. My father knows a lot about it too…well obviously you can't be a part of Voldemort's inner circle without knowing Dark Arts."
"I still think your father will do something about it though," Rose replied and then added, "Now let's go get so information in your heads so that the two of you don't fail this test today!"
"Wow, a lot of faith you have in us," Albus replied jokingly as the three of them headed back to the Gryffindor Common Room.
In one of the towers of Hogwarts parallel to the Gryffindor tower Professor McGonagall was in shock from her visitor that just left. Astoria Malfoy. She couldn't believe it! Grabbing some floo powder, Professor McGonagall walked over to the fireplace and threw some in. She hoped that Harry was at home. When she came through to the Potter House she found Ginny sitting at the table reading a magazine.
"Hello Professor McGonagall," Ginny said brightly and then her face darkened, "What did James do this time?"
"Nothing, I am actually here to talk to your husband about a visitor that I got today," Professor McGonagall replied.
"Oh okay, he is in the living room with Draco. They are discussing who they can get to be the Defense teacher."
"Draco is here? That saves me a trip to his house later," Professor McGonagall replied walking into the living room.
"Hello Professor McGonagall," Harry said in surprise when she walked in and then his eyes narrowed, "What prank did James pull? Please tell me he hasn't been expelled this time!"
"No, he hasn't done anything…for once. I am here to tell you both that Astoria came to my office today to apply for the Defense job. As much as I would hate to do it, if you two don't find a replacement I have no choice but to hire her. She is extremely qualified," Professor McGonagall replied sadly.
"No! There is no way I am letting her teach Scorpius!" Draco replied outraged.
"I need a teacher Mr. Malfoy," Professor McGonagall replied calmly, "I want this to happen just as much as you do though. She is a last resort if you two don't come through. Do you have any possibilities?"
"No…no one wants the job. Even though the curse on the position has been broken no one wants to risk and take the job," Harry explained.
"Plus hardly anyone is qualified for the position. It turns out that very few people are talented in Defense and those who are happen to be Aurors," Draco stated with a shake off his head, "Harry here would be perfect for the position…but no, he has to be head of the Auror Department!"
"Well I am sorry for being successful!" Harry replied with a laugh, "I think I know someone who is qualified but I know that they are going to refuse to even think about it."
"Who? I am pretty good at persuasion," Draco replied, his eyes lighting up at the idea of a possible prospect.
"You," Harry replied.
"Me?" Draco asked looking at Harry like he just told him the sky was green, "You can't be serious!"
"I told you that you would refuse to even think about it!" Harry replied.
"And what would possibly make me qualified for the position?" Draco asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"Well you were quite good in class in school. Not to mention that you do know a lot about the Dark Arts Draco," Professor McGonagall stated sitting down on an armchair.
"I don't think my knowledge of the Dark Arts is something to be proud of," Draco replied bitterly.
"It could be your chance to redeem yourself," Harry replied.
"Do you know how many letters you will get saying that you have gone nuts for hiring an ex-Death Eater," Draco argued, "No one trusts me!"
"I think that is a little much. If I didn't trust you, you wouldn't be sitting on this couch next to me. I don't make friends with people that I don't trust," Harry replied, "And I will vouch for you and claim that I will have the Auror office keep an eye on you. That should appease the angry parents."
"That is a wonderful idea Harry," Professor McGonagall stated.
Draco looked back and forth between the two trying to decide what was going on. They both had clearly lost their minds.
"You are nuts! The both of you! I think I should have you both committed," Draco replied shaking his head.
"It's either you or Astoria," Professor McGonagall replied.
Draco stared at her for a minute with his mouth gaping before he finally sighed and nodded.
"I will teach the class, but only temporarily," Draco amended, "We are still going to search for a teacher…but for the time being I will do it.
"I expect you bright and early tomorrow morning Professor Malfoy," Professor McGonagall said before exiting the room.
Hope no one is really mad at me for my decision to make him the Defense teacher. Please review and let me know what you think!