Unexpected Things


KeysCanHurt: Well here's more, but it came now lang :)) Sowweee. We'll see about the skip :P Yeah, that Antonio dude was awesome! :D Are you crazy yet? =))

MalfoyMaiden: Not necessarily just you :P Yeah, just wish, MalfoyMaiden :P It's not THAT DH xD Just the way they time-skipped, and how they manage tying the stories of all the many characters in that neighbor. It's not gonna be like your idea :P HAHA, nice xD

mimi213: awesome :D

ashl3yj0nas43v3r: Awww, thanks a bunch :D

crazy-wee-cat: Lol, thanks xD

FFFree: Thank you very much :D And let's see how it turns out ;) And yeah... Raphie has a possessive side that isn't pretty xD

yellow 14: Lol, yeah

Zee: Hahaha, yeah, Draco had trouble coming up with an explanation xD. Thanks :D

demonwolfkid: Thanks :) Haha, poor Draco... And I won't stop :D

awesomea786: Haha, suuuuure ;)

Starairi: Awww, thank you very much :)

A reviewer :): Heheh, thanks :) I will :D

MissNeonFishie, demonwolfkid, RWHGHP51892, Starairi, ColdPersianFusion: Thanks for adding this to yer Story Alerts list :D

The Librarian's Apprentice, RWHGHP51892: Thanks a bunch for fave-ing :D

JR Lewis: Haha :P


Author's Announcement: I'M ALIVE! :D

Sorry it's taken this long to update. Blame physics! And the damn script I'm helping to write for our class play. Senior life in High School is hell xP And then... well let's just say I went through a few... no, a lot of moments where I questioned my worth as a writer... coz there are times when I feel like I seriously suck... ah well. Even if writing doesn't come as naturally to me as drawing, I still do love it somewhat.

Oh and sorry for any goofs or typos I might have missed.


Chapter Twenty-Nine

Party


Rose's head had vanished from the fire, but the footsteps could still be heard. Hoping it wasn't any of her parents, Lily listened carefully while inching slowly towards the sofa, which she could hide behind, so that if whoever was out there came into the living room, they would not see Lily.

The footsteps didn't sound like her father's, heavy and confident, nor as light as her mother's. So chances were it was one of her brothers. They were heading for the kitchen.

Moving quietly, just in case she misjudged the heaviness of the steps, Lily crept out of the living room.

After quickly praying that it wasn't any of her parents, Lily took a peek down the hallway and recognized the spiky, messy red hair of her oldest brother.

Caution replaced by curiosity, Lily followed James.

His red head faced left, then right, before he opened the refrigerator their father insisted on having.

Dad seemed fond of Muggle appliances. Not in the way Grandpa was… Grandpa took a very strange pleasure in collecting appliances and taking them apart. Grandma always disapproved of it. Dad wasn't fond of Muggle stuff in that way. He said it was because he grew up with Muggles, who of course used Muggle appliances, and it felt odd for him not to be using some of those materials.

James took something out of the refrigerator, pressed his lips to it, tilted it and drank from it.

Amused, Lily approached him, putting on a mock disapproving face, voice and stance. "James! Drinking from the milk carton! Tsk tsk tsk!"

Startled, James leapt about a foot or two into the air before spinning around to stare at his sister, the white color of the milk showing clearly in the darkness, all over his face, hair and shirt. "LILY! What the heck are you doing down here?"

"I was…" Lily thought quickly. "Thirsty, and wanted some milk." She looked him up and down for effect. "Apparently, you consumed it all."

James's tongue wiped some of the milk dripping from his chin before his hand took over the job. "I wouldn't have spilled it all if you didn't startle me like that." He retorted, folding his arms across his chest, while still holding the carton.

What was left of the milk spilled out of the carton when he did that.

"Oops." James backed away from the puddle, although it only spread the liquid and soaked the tips of his pajamas. "Lily, do you know any cleaning up spell? I can't remember any…"

Lily shook her head.

"Great…" James rubbed the back of his head while staring at the puddle. "Let's just tell mom and dad Cookie did it."

"WHAT? We're not blaiming Cookie!"

"True. We're not blaming Cookie." James winked. "I'm blaming Cookie."

"Why don't you just-"

As if to end the argument, Cookie came and began lapping up the milk. "See? Cookie did it!" James smugly pointed at her ferret.


Al greeted his family good morning as he took his place at the table.

"We're out of milk." Their mother commented as she filled their glasses with water. "Apparently, someone was very thirsty last night."

Noticing the looks Lily and James exchanged, Al could guess easily who consumed the milk last night. James had looked like he was about to say something, but noticed Lily's glare and fell silent, then grinned what could have been an innocent smile if one didn't know James Sirius Potter's nature. Innocent smiles and the eldest Potter son never mixed.

When James suddenly hit the table with a fist, Al thought his brother was going to confess, but the new look on James's face didn't suggest that.

"We should throw a Christmas party!"

"We?" Their father cast his green eyes on his redhaired son and raised an eyebrow.

James nodded. "It'll be fun! We could invite all our friends and… and… we could do it in our field! We could play Quidditch before eating and dancing, and stuff."

Lily began clapping enthusiastically. "That's a great idea, James! I can imagine it happening!"

Al found the idea interesting. But what about…

"Don't forget that we're still having dinner with the Weasleys and Dursleys on Christmas Eve." Their father reminded them.

"The party can be the night before that!" Lily said excitedly.

Their parents looked thoughtful.


Batchmates, Housemates, friends, and schoolmates in general who were fairly close to the Potter and Weasley children were gathered in the Potter Field. Several had ribbons of a certain color tied to an arm or wrist. These were the players.

All those who wanted to participate in the makeshift Quidditch tournament were divided into teams of five players- four chasers and one keeper. Rose and some of the older guests who already studied conjuring spells, conjured hoops in the air, to serve as the goals.

The house-elf Dobby Jr., who enjoyed traveling, had come over for the Christmas holidays. Upon seeing the preparations for the miniature tournament, he volunteered to be the commentator.

The first game was between the Black team and the White team. In the Black team were James, Dirk, Hugo, Katy Timberwood and Otto Wood. Against that team were Theo, Fred, Luis, Lorcan Scamander and Paula.

Al felt tense as he watched the two teams mount their brooms. Scorpius had insisted on inviting Dirk and a few other people Al didn't know very well. It wasn't that Al thought badly of them, but he did worry that other people might. Also, the names for the teams had been randomly picked and grouped. Hopefully, the teams formed would encourage friendship and teamwork instead of disunity and enmity.

"The teams is going up now. Master James of the Black Team taking Quaffle and flying to others side. Master Theo of White Team gets Quaffle from Master James, passes to Master Fred of White, to Master Luis of White, and Master Luis throws ball, White team is scoring!"

Al cheered and clapped together with the other watchers.

But he stopped when he saw James and Dirk looking like they were talking to each other in a way that didn't seem friendly.

Dirk muttered something to James before flying past him and heading straight for the Quaffle. Dirk caught the Quaffle in the air as Lorcan was passing it to Fred. "Master Dirk of Black Team is finished with the arguing with Master James of Black Team and is now going to shoots, but Mistress Paula of White Team is blocking, so no score! White team is still having ten points and Black team is having none. Remembering: we is saying before game started, team with fifty points is winner! White team is winnering if Black team is not scoring soon!"

Dirk was punching the air in frustration, and James flew over looking prepared to make an annoying comment that would rub Dirk's failure in his face. Al shook his head disapprovingly as he watched his brother. One player's mistake was supposed to be the whole team's mistake. Apparently there were players who didn't think that way.

"Master Theo of White Team is holding the Quaffleball, and he is passing, but someone is stealing. Master Hugo of Black Team took ball, and he going to shoot, but he is dropping Quaffle, but Master James of Black Team is catching. Master Hugo is should be Keeper, maybe he be more like father, who play Keeper also. My mommy, Winky is saying Ron Wheezylee is goods Keeper. Bad at first, but is become good."

James seemed to be taunting Paula, who was Keeper. He was flying towards her, but turning around and flying away several times. He dived when Paula's teammates tried taking the Quaffle from him. Laughing cockily, James dodged members of the White team before finally tossing the ball. It went through the left hoop; just barely avoiding Paula's outstretched fingers.

Though it wasn't so easy to see what they were doing from down here, Al could clearly imagine James winking at Paula and then smugly looking at Dirk. That must have been what James was doing.

Members of the White Team tossed the Quaffle to each other as they flew over to the Black Team's goals. Dirk stole the ball as Lorcan was passing to Theo. Dirk flew back towards the White Team's goals, but was blocked by the opposing team's members.

Katy looked like she was calling Dirk's name, asking him to pass the ball to her. He ignored her, maneuvering his broom swiftly and complicatedly to avoid his opponents.

"Master Dirk is scoring, Mistress Paula is trying to blocking. The ball is going through! Black is scoring! Score is now twenty for the Black, ten for the White."

Most of the game went that way, with Dirk and James monopolizing it. They in fact barely gave Otto Wood a chance to do his part. James or Dirk would grab the ball before it would reach the Black Team's goals. Oftentimes, their refusal to pass resulted in them shooting poorly.

But the competition between them ended up working to the Black Team's advantage. The numbers added up whenever Dirk or James would score.

In the end, they reached fifty points and won.

It was the end of the match, but not the end of the rivalry between Dirk and James.

Al walked over to congratulate them.

"I dodged three Whiteys at a time!"

"You avoided three, true. I vas able to make them dizzy!"

"Pfah! I don't need fancy twirling to avoid opponents!"

"That vould be because you can't."

"Er… James… Dirk…"

"Back off, Al, this is between me and Kron."

"That vould be the first thing you said vhich I can agree to."

Deciding to let the two continue their immature squabble, Al went instead to Lily, Rose and Scorpius. Demelza, Raph and Jacqui were there too. And surprisingly, the Dursleys were there, and Marigold didn't look as uncomfortable and hostile as she usually did. It was Danny who seemed less at home, his posture showing his shyness.

The next match was going to be Red Team against Green Team. Scorpius, Rose, Lysander Scamander, Penny Parkinson, and Danny Dursley were in the Red Team. Raph, Jacqui, Lily, Marigold Dursley, and Demelza were in Green Team.

"Good luck, mates. You match is coming up next." Al grinned at them.

Demelza made a small smile. Raph grinned and thanked Al. Jacqui looked troubled before smiling at him. Al could see she was watching Scorpius, looking like she was worried about him.

Scorpius and Rose seemed distracted, and it was a short while before they reacted.

"Thanks, Al. Heeheee! I'm so excited!" Lily squealed.

"What? Oh! Haha, thanks, Al." Scorpius spoke distractedly and unenthusiastically.

Rose smiled and mumbled something. Her smile looked forced.

"I am totally going to beat you, scorpion!" Marigold taunted.

Al stared at Marigold in surprise. He couldn't exactly remember Marigold and Scorpius being on speaking terms. Glancing at Danny, Al saw that that the girl's brother didn't know that either. What had he missed?

Scorpius brushed off whatever he had previously been thinking deeply of. "Hah! In your dreams, you little plant! I'm stomping you to the ground and you know it!"

"We'll see about that, scorpion."

"Al… since when were Scorpius and Marigold… close?" Lily whispered to Al.

Al shrugged, then looked at his watch. "It's almost time for your match to start."

They waved at Al and went off to join their teams. Before they left, Al saw Jacqui touch Scorpius's arm and ask him if he was alright.

Scorpius kissed her cheek. "I'll be fine. Let's enjoy this match."

Jacqui smiled. "Alright."

I'll be fine. Obviously, something was bothering Scorpius. Rose too.

But what?


Tightening their grip on the polished broom handle, already-pale hands grew whiter. A sigh visibly escaped thin lips, the warm air standing out against the cold December air. It was getting later. Colder.

Flying around wasn't that warming, so it was a good thing he wore thick clothing. But even then, it was still cold.

But the weather wasn't the cause of the feeling of icy claws gripping Scorpius's stomach. It was something else.

Someone else.

A certain someone with a red ribbon tying her fiery hair.

Dammit. What's wrong with me?

"Oi! Scorpion! Wake up!"

"What?" Scorpius blinked. Marigold had flown past him, Quaffle in hand.

It was surprising how the hotheaded first year could turn her energy into lighter, more playful teasing.

They had gotten to know each other somewhat. Not just during the several meetings Kron arranged for Imperium.

Scorpius could still remember his surprise when he first got a letter from her. It had been a rant about how her family was fussing over her again, even her older brother! It also described how her grandfather wanted nothing to do with them for Christmas. It ended with her actually writing down that she wasn't sure why she bothered telling him, but she just wanted to let it out.

They understood each other, actually.

He, a Malfoy, and she, a Muggle-born in Slytherin. He, someone believed to be a traitor in the making, and she, a werewolf.

They were both struggling to prove their worth.

But Scorpius had yet to mention these things to Al and Rose, or even Jacqui for that matter.

Rose….

Jacqui…

Damn. He was doing it again!

Scorpius tried to focus. No more wandering thoughts.

Brow furrowing, he flew towards Jacqui, who held the Quaffle under an arm with a green ribbon. He heard the house elf announce that the Green Team had thirty points while Red had ten.

They were behind.

"Jacqui, can I have that Quaffle, please?" he called out playfully, hiding the confusion he still felt.

"Come and get it from me, Scorpy!" She taunted, flying towards Red Team's goals, which were guarded by Danny Dursley.

"C'cmon. Be a good girl and share." Scorpius could feel the grin forming on his face. The grin had come by itself, with it a warm feeling of contentment. That wasn't forced.

It felt so natural to be happy around Jacqui.

Why was he even considering pursuing-

"OOF!" A higher, softer grunt joined his.

"Wha-Sorry, I wasn't looki-Oh…" Great. Her.

"Malfoy, if you spent us much time scoring as you do flirting, you'd helped your team win looong ago." And Marigold's teasing was unhelpful.

"Dusley, I'm not flirting!" Scorpius retorted as he felt heat rushing over his face.

"Riiiight." Laughing, Marigold flew towards Penny Parkinson, who had the Quaffle with her. He and Rose should be helping their teammate.

Parkinson was fairly nice. A bit cold… but not as… creepy as Nott could be. Quite tolerable, she was. Scorpius learned so during his self-imposed isolation.

"Let's go help Parkinson before Marigold and McCartney massacre her." Even if his attention was not so focused on the game, he'd heard Raphael McCartney's name mentioned by the elf often enough to know that the Hufflepuff was participating actively. Scorpius was about to charge towards the Green Team members surrounding Parkinson but Rose's hand on his upper arm stopped him.

"Scorpius…"

"What?" His tone came out colder than he meant it to be. It was this stress! Gawd, his mood was swinging more than Crazy Great-Aunt Bellatrix's sanity. Scorpius softened his expression.

Rose tensed at his tone. "I… Y-…. Do…."

"Rose! Are you… are you really going to ask him?" Lily zoomed by.

"Yes. Later!" A variety of expressions crossed Rose's face before she hastily added, "I'll ask Teddy about that Transfiguration question later!"

"What?" Scorpius knew his confusion showed on his face.

"Urgh." Rose frowned, sighed, then smiled. "I'm too obvious." She took a deep breath. "Can I ask you something later?" she spoke quickly and softly.

Scorpius felt his eyebrow rise higher. "Uh… okay."

"Great." Rose looked relieved.

"Green is now having with forty points. Reds is still behind, having twenty points.

Scropius forced his thoughts into a little box and put it away. He should focus.

Really concentrating helped. He had managed to steal the Quaffle as Jacqui was passing to Marigod. From there, Scorpius managed to score.

Unfortunately, another incident reopened his little box of thoughts. While he was flying towards the Green's goals to score, Raphael McCartney blocked Scorpius's path.

"What'd yet talk about?"

"Huh?" Scorpius moved left. McCartney mirrored the movement.

"You an' Rose."

"Nothing." Scorpius flew upwards. McCartney did the same.

"Malfoy, yer lyin'. That earlier was too long a pause fer it ter not be a conversation."

"Transfiguration." Scorpius dived while blurting out the first thing that came to his mind.

"What?" McCartney was diving after him.

"If a snake can be turned into a lion. I've an aunt who did it. Rose was curious." Scorpius spoke quickly while urging his broom to accelerate.

He sharply pulled out of the dive, shot towards the goal, tensed his arm, threw the quaffle, and….

"Red is scoring!"