Summary: Astoria uses Scorpius' negative outlook on the weather and turns it into a teaching moment.

Rated: K

Genre: Family

Competition/Challenge Block
Written for/Stacked with: The Houses Competition (Year 8); Monthly Challenges for All (Year 4)
THC: Slytherin - Astronomy; Standard ([Color] Green; [Weather] Rainy)

MC4A: Fireworks (Jam It Janet; Tight Knit; Little Rascals); Garden (Lawn Sculpture [Umbrella]; Meteorology [Rainy]; Mixed Bag [Rain]);

Word Count: 1,037

Beta: Ash K, Dhrish; Ikuni; Hope

Let It Pour

Astoria was reading in the solarium when the first signs of rain started to tap the large glass windows. The charms kept the space from growing chilly, allowing her the view without the seeping bite of bitter coldness that came with the rain.

Scorpius came into the room sulking shortly after the rain increased its intensity, tapping its song loudly against the glass. He plopped heavily on the loveseat positioned nearby the lounge chair she was currently curled up on, a vibrant green patch blanket tucked over her legs. Based on her son's still damp hair and robes, he had been outside practicing Quidditch drills when the rain started.

"Ugh, I hate the rain," Scorpius grumbled, folding his arms and sinking deeper into the cushions.

"Hate is quite a strong word to use for the weather, love," Astoria reasoned.

Scorpius sighed, folding his arms over his chest. "Sorry. It's just such an inconvenience."

"You could still practice," she suggested, offering her pouting son a warm smile. "Hogwarts played in all weather when I attended. It's good practice."

"Not anymore, Mother," Scorpius said. "They enchant the field now. It makes it safe against the weather and causes less sickness and injury." He sighed again, staring out at the grey, crying sky that had dared to ruin his fun. "Father said he's trying to make it a national requirement. Has he not mentioned it?"

Astoria shrugged lightly. "He might have, but I get so wrapped up in his comfort and affection that I sometimes forget to listen."

Scorpius wrinkled his nose some at the comment; he was at that age where endearments were considered icky, but that had never stopped Astoria from pulling him into a hug and planting a kiss on his head in public.

"You used to like the rain," Astoria continued, trying to find a connection to her child. "One of my favorite photographs is of you splashing in an exceptionally large puddle when you were seven."

"Well, I'm not seven anymore, Mother. I'm almost thirteen, and rain isn't so fun now. It's cold, muddy, and makes your hair cling to your face and makes your clothes heavy."

"But it is good for the earth, for us," she pressed on, wishing for him to remember his love for life and nature.

Scorpius chewed his lip, pondering a moment before resting his eyes on her. They reflected the cloudy skies outside so beautifully.

"Regardless, the rain still sucks. It always ruins my fun."

"Mm."

Astoria pulled the bright green blanket off her, slowly getting to her feet. She moved toward Scorpius and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Change into your warm, water-resistant robes and come take a walk with me."

He didn't question her as she left the solarium, leaving the view of the rain to cascade over the arched glass like waterfalls. Astoria was soon waiting in the foyer, dressed in her rain-tailored robes, holding two deep emerald green umbrellas while she watched Scorpius drag himself down the stairs in his lovely black peacoat, grey scarf, and gloves, leaving his shock of white-blond hair exposed.

"You're so handsome," she said, opening her arms to embrace him.

He complied, albeit reluctantly and with a sour look on his face, before accepting one of the green umbrellas and heading out the front door.

They strolled around the rock path to the side garden, Astoria casually inspecting the roses as they passed them. The rain steadied some but still tapped against the fabric of their umbrellas in a calm, steady rhythm. The cool air pinkened their noses and cheeks, prompting her to adjust the bright jade green scarf around her chin.

"The rain gives everything a more vivid look, doesn't it?" she asked, glancing her son's way. "Though, sometimes it can give it a muted one. What do you think, Scorpius?"

He gave the garden a quick scan before shrugging. "I don't know. All I see is that everything is wet."

Astoria took a deep breath, savoring the damp earthy smell mixing with the cool air. "Well, I see vibrant colors through the clear, clean air."

She pointed out the rose garden, waiting for Scorpius to direct his attention to them. "The deepness of the reds and pinks are more lively, yeah? Even the dark green leaves and sharp thorns."

Scorpius gave a half-hearted shrug. "I suppose."

"Rain makes nature happy. It provides life and healing. It cleanses the air and washes away grime. And, if you let it, it can help you, too," Astoria continued, holding out her hand from under her umbrella to feel the raindrops on her skin.

This had Scorpius tilt his head slightly, looking up to the sky. He seemed to ponder how such a dreary thing like rain could help a person. A few drops of rain came off the tips of the green umbrella and freckled his face, and Astoria had to contain her smile when he sneered back at the clouds above.

"How can it do that, Mother? Help a person?"

"It has helped me more times than you know, sweetheart," she said, moving her umbrella away entirely, allowing herself to be touched by the water. "Remember that for the next time you get rained out of your fun because I won't be here forever to be able to remind you, okay?"

Her hazel eyes turned to meet silver-grey looking back. She gave a little half-twirl over a particularly mossy green patch of grass, knowing that the green coloring in her eyes would be pulled to the front, reflecting the beauty of nature and its own favored color around them. Scorpius was biting his lip, debating on what to do with this information as he watched her. After several seconds of Astoria dancing out in the rain, he approached her and handed her the umbrella.

"Father would scold you for catching a cold. We should head back."

Astoria took the umbrella and folded it up instead. "I'll be fine, sweetheart. I'd like to keep feeling the rain, though a hot mug of cocoa does sound lovely, doesn't it?"

He smiled, nodding. "We should pick a few mint leaves on the way to add to it."

"That's a very good idea."