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Cookie xx
Chapter 28- Braving the Burrow
Roxanne was just coming out of the shower when Dom barrelled into her.
"Oh, shit sorry Rox, I was just coming to call you out"
"Why what's up?"
"Were you aware it's nearly ten?"
"Yeah, I'm just about to get dressed. I'll be downstairs in a couple minutes."
"Yeah, well Scor's bloody annoying owl just arrived. He said he'd coming through the Floo at exactly 10.00; and he says, I quote 'I really hope you're at the other end to introduce me when I come through'"
"Dom, if you get out of my way I can get dressed faster!"
Rox laughed, manoeuvring around Dominique and drying herself off.
"It's 9.57" Dom commented as her cousin creamed her skin.
"9.58" she said as Roxanne pulled her socks up.
"9.59" she practically sung as Rox had trouble finding her Christmas jumper.
"Not helping!" she sighed loudly, "Dom, can you go down and be there, I can't find my jumper."
"You could always go down like that, I'm sure Scor would appreciate the greeting" Dom smirked at Roxanne as she stood with her bottom half fully clothed and the top of her covered in only a sports bra.
"Funny" Roxanne told her, turning around to find her jumper firmly placed under the sleeping body of her little dragon in the beanbag.~
Rox opened the door to the living room no more than two minutes after Dom had gotten in there. Either Scorpius' watch was fast, or Roxanne's and Dom's clock was slow because Scorpius had already been in the living room with various Weasleys for a good few minutes.
Luckily when he had stepped through, not every face was unfamiliar.
The twins had been there to kick off what could have easily been awkward introductions.
So far, Scorpius had officially met James, Lucy, Hugo, Vic, and Teddy. He'd also said hello to Al, Fred and Rose and Lily. With whom he'd semi-interacted before. And to Dom who hit him with a hug and then actually hit him, telling him off for being early. Which was new.
As much as he was enjoying sitting with the twins and Albus, and getting curious looks from some of the other Weasleys he felt a lot more at ease when Roxanne came in.
His eyes gravitated to her. Her hair was still wet and hung down in dark curls, dripping a little onto her loose fitting white jumper which hung off of one shoulder. She pocketed her wand into her blue skinny jeans before making a beeline for him. He stood and they shared a short hug. He could feel Fred's eyes on him but again he was glad the twins were here because she then hugged them too, which seemed to relax her big brother.
She sat with the four of them, but next to Scor which he appreciated. She seemed to be radiating this calm energy and he needed it right now. Scor had never thought how daunting meeting all the Weasleys would be. Sure, those in this room had been nice enough to him, but they were all people he had seen before, if not talked to. It was Rox's aunts and uncles that worried him. Her parents too.
He felt a little out of place, and slightly envious of how close the twins were to the family, because they lounged about like they were at home, though, he guessed in a way, they sort of were. ~
Scorpius could not get over the sheer number of people sat around the long table before him. It very nearly rivalled a House table back at Hogwarts. He scanned his eyes around the table trying to remember everyone's name as he went.
Next to him was Liv, then Lorcan (of course), and Lysander, then Albus, James, Fred and Elliott. Liv's dad, Oliver Wood sat next to his son, and then it was Rox's dad George, her uncles Charlie, Ron, Harry and Bill? Or was he a William? Was that Dom's dad? Next to him was Dom, and then her brother Louis (who was probably the best-looking guy Scorpius had ever seen) then Melanie (Former Ravenclaw captain and Liv's older sister), Teddy (who was actually closer related to him than he was to Rox), Victoire, Fleur, Hermione Weasley (who he had actually called Ms Granger as opposed to Weasley as he was introduced), Ginny, Luna, Katie (Liv's mum), And Rox's mum, Angelina. Next to her was another aunt and uncle who's names he'd forgotten but he remembered they were Lucy's parents. Then Rox's grandparents. Next to her granddad was Molly (her cousin Molly), then Rose, Lily, Lucy and Hugo. And completing the circle was Roxanne.
Roxanne, who he hadn't seen in days, and whose face he'd missed seeing at breakfast each morning. Though, here he was and here she was. He had his chance and he couldn't even look at her, there were way too many eyes that kept flicking back to him. Fred's, Dom's, her parents' and they were the ones that stared for no longer than a few seconds. There were other people who he noticed watching him for longer than that, not even trying to be discreet. Scor, ever aware of his surroundings didn't know whether people were looking for the sake of looking or because they wanted to watch him interact with Roxanne, whatever it was, he kept his head down and fork loaded. So that if any sudden questions came up, he'd have the pause of swallowing a mouthful before having to answer it. He'd already been quizzed on school and Quidditch. Luckily, Melanie had been there to help him along.
He got the feeling Rox's uncle Ron didn't like him all that much.
"So, Scorpius, you actually any good at Quidditch?" Ronald Weasley had asked with some food in his mouth, he had continued though, "because your dad claimed to be good but actually was kinda shit"
"Ron!" Rox's mum and Aunt Ginny had shouted at the same time.
"Ronald!"
"Excuse my husband Scorpius" Rox's Aunt Hermione told him, giving him an embarrassed look while managing to give her husband a serious glare.
"What, 'Mione? I was just making conversation"
"It's okay, Mrs Weasley. My dad's admitted he was never that great at it"
There were a few nervous laughs at the table.
"So, you any good then?" Ron followed, apparently it wasn't awkward enough.
"I'm alright I guess, I mean I play for my House" Scor shrugged.
"Yeah well, but House Quidditch isn't what it used to be, is it? They have some mad captains nowadays. They let any old player on the team"
Melanie coughed and Scorpius smiled.
"I'd be the mad captain that asked Scorpius to play for Ravenclaw, Ron"
Ron flushed a little, "Oh, I didn't mean you Mel"
"Hm, well. He's a great chaser if you must know. Not just any old player. I hope we're on a team together again today"
Scorpius smiled gratefully at her and she winked back at him from across the table.
"I guess we'll have to see what this kid's made of later then"
Roxanne rolled her eyes from next to him, Scor wasn't looking at her face but he heard her little sigh that went along with her bored eye roll and he pictured her expression.
"More Tea, Scorpius?" Mrs Weasley had interrupted, smoothing over the blip in the conversation that had caused a little tension.
"Yes please. Thank you, Mrs Weasley" he replied and she smiled warmly at him, flicking her wand and sending the teapot over to his cup.~
"Everybody who's playing, in front of me!"
"If you're not, well, you know the deal… go take a seat. Have some tea, whatever it is you boring people do" she joked, waving them off.
Angelina hovered on her broom in front of the assembled family and friends. Rox watched as the usual suspects drifted off to the heated, covered outdoor area to sit down and watch the match.
Hermione, Luna, and Percy sat with Rox's paternal grandparents.
Right on cue, Fleur and Lucy stepped forwards, before Rox's mum could ask for volunteer referees. Angelina smiled and nodded at them as they moved towards the sheltered area to watch teams being sorted.
Rox watched her mum count heads. "28!" she shouted out for her, of course she'd already counted.
"I've only counted 27, honey" she corrected. Rox smiled and raised a brow at her mum.
"Including yourself, love" George shouted back at her as some of the family laughed. She simply pulled a face at them.
"Alright so, fourteen-a-side"
She looked mainly at Ginny and Katie, "Two keepers?" they nodded in agreement.
"No more than two seekers" Ginny said.
"Three beaters then?" Katie suggested.
"And seven Chasers?" the women nodded and seemed to have agreed it.
"Hold on, just a sec…" Oliver Wood interrupted. "If we're having that many chasers per team this year, then I propose we ban you girls from playing together. I remember the last time that happened and it was not pretty"
"Two of us will have to play together, Olly" Ginny grinned at him.
"How about, whichever team gets two Harpies, the other gets you Dad?" Elliott chimed in.
"Sounds fair to me" Angelina smiled. "Gin? Katie?"
"Perfect Angie, but no offense, you're going to have to take Oliver because there's no way I'm playing with him" she smirked at her husband, their friendly rivalry reminding Roxanne she'd have to put on one of their jerseys later when she got changed for play.
"Okay, so, which one of you is Captain?"
Ginny looked to Katie with pleading eyes and she laughed, slapped her friend on the bum and handed her her broom.
Ginny cheered and kicked off to hover next to Angie. They separated a little, moving in opposite directions and hovering closer to the ground.
"You wanna call first?" Ginny asked as Oliver moved to stand near Angelina and Katie stood by Ginny.
"Nope. You start it off Gin, I'll do you a favour"
Ginny shrugged. "Don't need any of those but thanks Angie. Why don't we start with Beaters then? Jamesie boy, get over here"
Angelina narrowed her eyes at Ginny. "Freddie. Sorry honey, you're going to have to play against him today."
"Lysander, come on over"
"Lorcan, here"
"Gosh, Angie, you just love to break these boys apart"
"I've gotta Gin"
"Hey, Bro. Fancy playing against the wife?" Ginny nodded at George, who blew a kiss to Angelina and joined his sisters' team of assembled Beaters.
"Bill, join us" he smiled and looked at Ginny, "Picked the wrong big brother there sis"
"Oo, fighting talk, I love it. I'll haveeee Olivia. Come join the winners sweetheart"
"Charlie, fancy being my second Keeper?"
"Ronnikins, wanna be mine?"
"Roxanne, come play with your mother"
"Lily, same to you"
Roxanne and Lily looked at each other and smiled, rolling their eyes at their competitive mothers and joined opposing teams.
"Harry, fancy coming and playing against them?"
"Victoire, darling, come and be my other Seeker" Ginny called.
"Melanie, my first Chaser" Angelina followed.
"Elliott, mine"
"Louis"
"Teddy, get over here" Ginny called over her eldest 'son'.
"Scorpius" Roxanne watched Scorpius' slight surprised face at having her mum call him. He smoothed it out quickly and cooly joined the team as everyone else did.
"Dom, come on girl."
"Sorry, Al. Thought your mum might take you. Come on"
"Auds, get over here" Ginny called.
"Rosie, you're with me"
"Mols, come on"
"Hugo, come on over" Angelina finished, completing her unconventional fourteen strong Quidditch team.
Angelina and Ginny dismounted, almost simultaneously transfiguring their clothes into their Quidditch training kits- into their matching uniforms. They laughed.
"Spots and stripes?" Ginny shook her head, it wouldn't be clear enough on a pitch of 28.
"Okay fine, you keep green we'll take another colour" Angelina turned to consult her team.
"So, guys suggestions?"
"Blue?"
"Red?"
"Orange." Oliver suggested with a smile.
"Merlin, no Wood. Not that hideous colour"
"How do you all feel about purple?"
Some of the male family members groaned.
"Muuum, no"
"Oh hush Freddie. When it gets darker, which it does early this time of year-"
"We won't stand out as much" Scorpius finished.
Angelina looked up at him and Roxanne could swear she saw a little blush creep up his cheeks, her mum smiled and Scor relaxed. "Precisely"
"You see, Freddie. It's a tactical move, has nothing to do with me getting you to fly around in purple at all" She smirked at her son and transfigured her kit into a deep purple, the colour of storm clouds.
Roxanne smiled, seemed she didn't have to worry about choosing her Harpies Jersey over her Puddlemere one after all, she'd be wearing purple this afternoon. But more importantly, so would her brother, Lorcan and Scorpius. She grinned. ~
Angelina and Ginny sent their players away to change, while they, with Katie and Oliver began to set up the pitch. With all the extra players, they made the hoops slightly larger and farther apart. They extended the pitch and made sure their concealment charms were strong and extended far enough. While the Burrow was quite a way away from the Muggle Village nearby it was better they be safe than sorry. ~
Scorpius was led- well dragged- by his sleeve into the Burrow. Once the teams had been dismissed by their captains, there had been a surge of bodies towards the backdoor and Scorpius had been late to react. He really wasn't used to all this, all these people. Roxanne just laughed, probably at his face, and pulled him inside after her and all her family. By the time she had shut the kitchen door behind them, everyone else had disappeared. He could hear them running around upstairs and shouting at each other.
Roxanne turned to him with a small grin on her face, "So, how are you coping?"
He exhaled, "It's terrifying"
She laughed, "I did warn you"
"Yeah, well you forgot to mention just how huge your family was"
"You knew perfectly well how huge my family was before today, Scor" she rolled her eyes at him. He smiled a little, thinking of the countless times she'd drawn family trees out for him to show him all the people she was related to.
"Yeah, but knowing, and seeing are definitely not the same thing"
"Well, in that case there's not much I could have done to prepare you" she quirked a brow, knowing she was right.
"Hm, I guess. Still, I need someone to blame for my terror don't I?"
"Hey, if you want someone to blame, let it be the other team. Really, we've got to win this one today. Especially after what my Uncle Ron said to you. I'm sorry he'd such an arse by the way"
"It's okay Rox, I intend to score a few goals against him, gotta prove the old Cap wasn't mad"
"That's the spirit, and it won't be the first time we've had to do that. Now come on, where's your gear?" she asked, making her way to the living room where he had Floo'd in.
She located his bag before he managed to. He'd almost forgotten where he'd put it. Stepping through that Floo had been scary enough, he had been more focused on not tripping into the room. She hefted the thing up with a grunt, it was heavy he knew, but he also knew her bag was equally heavy and that she was stronger than she looked.
"I thought you'd bring your kit, not bricks"
"Oh please, like you have any trouble with that"
She looked shocked, "What are you talking about? This bag is really heavy, I'm just a poor little seeker. I don't have the muscles for this" she threw it easily to him and he caught the bag out of the air, swinging it effortlessly over his shoulder.
"Don't have the muscles my arse" he laughed.
"Okay, Chaser. You can get changed in here I'm going to go upstairs, but I'd lock the door if I were you"
"I thought you disapproved of underage magic? You told me off last night for it"
"Oh please, there are so many adults in this house, we use magic all the time. Well, for little things and we don't get caught either. So watch it. My family will tell you off like your one of their kids" she winked at him before skipping out of the room and running upstairs to change, her hair bouncing behind her. He shut and locked the door behind her and began to change, both physically and mentally preparing himself for what would most likely be the most intense game he had ever played in. ~
"Right. Team, it's pretty obvious so I'm only going to say it once. I want to win this year. And well, I think we can. Freddie, Lorcan, Bill; you guys have got to be on top form today. I know you boys are used to playing with your 'other halves' but it's good you're not because you know how they think. Lorcan, how does Ly play?"
"We usually go for the seeker over the chasers, then keepers next. He'll do that"
"He'll have an argument with James if he does. He goes Chasers, Keepers, Seeker" Fred told him.
"So, Ginny will make them compromise with Keepers first. That means Oliver, Charlie, you'll be their first targets."
"I'll hang back with them then, let the boys go on the offensive. I'll keep the bludgers away." Bill volunteered.
"Sounds good, boys you decide who you're going for first then"
"Wait, Lorcan, Fred. Don't do what you usually would either. They'll be having the same conversation about what they think you'll do. Make it random, illogical, keep them guessing" Roxanne said.
"Illogical?" Lorcan asked, obviously uncomfortable with the idea .
"She's right." Scorpius added.
"Come on, Eagle, you may struggle with illogical but I don't" Fred winked at Rox and pulled Lorcan away slightly off to the side with Bill to talk Beater tactics.
Angelina turned her focus to her seekers. Harry and Roxanne. She knew Roxy played for her team at school and though Roxanne had forbidden her from coming to watch any matches as, 'normal parents didn't do it', Angelina had her sources, she knew Rox was good. And she knew how her daughter thought, Roxanne didn't need much instruction. She looked at her seekers, "You two know what you're doing?"
Roxanne looked up at her Uncle Harry, he winked at her and she nodded back to her mum. Angie smiled.
"Okay, my Keepers. Olly, I'll let you take charge on this one." she winked at him.
He turned to Charlie, looking very serious. "Right. This is how it's gonna go. We're gonna be up there" he pointed to the recently erected hoops, "and we're not going to let anything through them. Okay?"
"Complicated plans to throw them off their game. I love it" Charlie grinned.
"And now to the best position on the team…"
"Not biased at all are you mum?" Rox answered.
"Nope. Now as I was saying." She turned to her assembled Chasers, "how are you all at formations?"~
On the opposite side of the pitch, Ginny was having a similar conversation with her team. Fifteen minutes in, a whistle blew. Ginny looked up; Fleur was standing in the centre of a pitch, one side of a huge black trunk. Lucy was with her, standing on the other side of it.
"TIME EEZ UP!" Fleur shouted to them all with a huge grin on her face. She waited until the teams came in.
"Now, we all know zee rules. Oui? Well, we weel repeet zem again anyway"
"No biting, kicking or 'eadbutting." They laughed, "Unless you 'ave to of course. Loocie?"
Lucy laughed from next to her, "Chasers; your points will go as normal. There'll be an extra bludger, so watch out for that, Beaters. And...well the rest of you." She laughed, "Two seekers this year so, first catch of the snitch doesn't end the game. It's 100 points, any subsequent catches by the same seeker, 50 points a-piece, to end the game, the other seeker of the same team must catch the snitch, in which case you get another 100 points. That clear?"
Ginny looked at her niece with a proud smile. Lucy didn't play Quidditch, she was more into Muggle sports. But Lucy still loved watching it, and was actually really knowledgeable about the rules; though Ginny suspected that was because she had initially found it difficult to explain what something called 'football' was to anyone other than Hermione. She had much better success in telling them all how it was or wasn't like Quidditch. If you spoke in terms of Quidditch, most Weasleys would understand, so like the smartass she was, she learned the rules of Quidditch to explain. After she'd managed to get the concept across, Ginny had gone with Lucy to a few football games, sure they were a bit one dimensional, and well, grounded but Lucy liked them, so who was she to challenge that?
Ginny loved it when her nieces and nephews did something a little different, something they were passionate about, and she loved seeing Lucy right now, shouting off the rules to everyone, her eyes shining bright.
They all chorused 'yes Lucy' used to the slightly odd rules they all played with when they changed the amount and proportions of players on each team. All but the Malfoy boy, who looked very confused. Ginny chuckled to herself.
Ginny wondered how good of a player he really was. Melanie had stood up for him to her insensitive big brother Ronald but Ginny wondered how much of that was genuine and how much of it was Mel being Mel. Then again Mel had been a great Quidditch player too. Their scouts had offered her a place on the Harpies reserve team the year she left Hogwarts and everyone had thought her crazy then. Good players knew other good players, Ginny believed Mel, she'd have to watch out for this boy.~
"TROIS…DEUX…UN…"
"GO!"
Fleur and Lucy counted down and announced the beginning of the game as they unlatched the trunk and released the balls, all five of them.
Roxanne kicked off swiftly, a massive grin on her face.
She didn't have to turn to know it was Scorpius who was on her right, just behind her. She did anyway though, flashing him a smile and a quick 'good luck' before she flew higher and he levelled off, joining the other chasers in their agreed formation.~
It was an hour into the match. Harry had caught the snitch first, chasing it and just about beating his daughter to it. It had given them the edge in points, so they were currently leading by about 50 or 60 points; Rox wasn't one hundred percent sure. As predicated, the other teams' beaters had gone for their keepers first. Charlie had been hit on the side and had to sit out for a few minutes while his mum fussed over him. Rox didn't worry, her Uncle worked with Dragons, the bludger was nothing. He was back in the game within 5 minutes.
She watched the pitch and players with a massive smile. It was good to see Mel and Scor playing together again, they seemed to fall back really easily into their old patterns. They just gelled. What was strange to see though was her mother also playing with her best male friend. She always loved to watch her mum play, She had a certain confidence in the air that Rox had only ever seen in her Aunts Ginny and Katie too. While most professional players had lightning fast reaction times, her mum and aunts seemed to have none. When they played there was no hesitation between their movements, they were all so fluid and strong and commanding. Ginny and Katie together were really a force to be reckoned with, Roxanne was really glad they had Oliver and Charlie Keeping.
Harry flew up, hovering beside her. They were both scanning the pitch for the snitch but they could also talk at the same time.
"They're amazing aren't they?"
"Yeah. I could watch them play all day"
"Your friend seems to be holding his own though. Must be tough to keep up with Angie"
"Yeah, I think he's doing well. I didn't really prepare him for how intense these games were" she laughed.
Harry chuckled, Rox spotted a glimmer of gold, "Ten o' clock Uncle Harry" she told him as she flew off in the opposite direction. As she hoped, Lily spotted her and began to give chase, her Uncle waited a few seconds and then flew off towards where the snitch actually was.~
Louis had current possession of the quaffle, he passed it to Rose, who threw it to Melanie. Scor flew just below her and to her right, matching her pace as she seemed to fly forwards to the goals. A bludger was coming at her, hit by James who looked triumphant already. Obviously, thinking it would hit it's mark, Scor smirked, Mel threw the ball down to him and turned out of the bludgers' path, shooting off and away from it. No one had really seen Scor where he had been flying, he propelled himself forwards and up, he was so close, within throwing distance of Olivia, but Olivia had seen him coming, she was ready. He made it look like he was about to take a shot towards her hoop, at the last moment swerving off to the side and throwing the ball through the next hoop along. Straight past Ronald Weasley.
Ron made eye contact with him and Scor couldn't help but give him a smirk. A very arrogant, Malfoy sort of smirk. He turned away and flew back to his team, who were congratulating Mel on her clever set up.
Rox flew down to him and hugged him to her shortly.
"Third goal past my Uncle Ron. I'm proud"
"And he's angry"
"Even better, he gets worse the more he lets his temper get to him. Keep that smirk up"
"How do you know I smirked at him?" he asked with a laugh.
"I know you better than I know some of the people on this pitch Scor. Of course you smirked"
She gave him a good impression of his smirk and flew off, back to where Harry was.
Scor joined his fellow Chasers, giving a thumbs up back to Lorcan who had shouted his name in celebration. "Good job Scorpius, now I was just telling everyone next time someone's setting up for a goal we do what you did, but add another player above and one to the side, so there are three possible passes."
"Like a diamond?" Hugo asked, drawing the shape out with his fingers.
"Precisely" Angelina replied, before turning and flying to the opposite end of the pitch where the quaffle was about to be re-released.
Mel patted Scor on the back before following her, and Rose just gave him a polite nod.
"I'll go tell Albus" Hugo announced, shooting off towards his cousin who was holding an injured arm close to his body, but not quite ready to withdraw from the game.
"Hey, Louis?" Scor started, now that he was left alone with Dom's brother.
"Just wanted to say, I'm a massive fan of what you've done. I don't think I've ever flown so well in my life" Scor ran his hand along the top of his new broom and felt the little spark between his wand core materials and his fingertips.
Louis smiled, he touched his hand to where the broom. "I remember this one, I don't get many wizards with different handles to wand woods, and a dual core. It's usually one or the other, or even just a single core and single wood. I think I cursed you a couple times for it. It was really difficult to make, but I'm glad it's paid off. You have the same cores as Roxanne you know."
"Yeah sorry about that. I actually remember Olivander telling me I was a bit odd." He laughed, "Thanks for still making it. And what does that mean? That we have the same cores?"
"You're lucky I like a challenge, Scorpius. And what does it mean? Not much, just an observation; I mean Phoenix cores aren't as rare as everyone thinks they are but you both having the same combination? I get why you're friends. You must be really similar-"
"LOUIS! SCORPIUS!"
"Oops, Aunty Angie calls, best put that broom to use. She gets scary when she plays"
Scorpius understood. Angelina on the pitch was a little like Ly back at practice, "Race you to formation?"
"Oh you're on"~
It was dark now. Angelina's team had won. They'd been trailing by twenty points, not quite able to keep up with both the Harpies, when Roxanne had spotted the snitch. In the time that she and Vic had been chasing it; neither of them having caught it yet. Lorcan and Fred managed to knock the Quaffle from Ginny's grasp, allowing Scorpius and Mel to set up another goal for Angelina. Hugo helped Louis to score the next one right off the release of the Quaffle.
Ginny had recovered and regained possession from Katie and just as she took a shot, aiming past Oliver, Rox's hand closed around the tiny metal ball and a massive whistle rung out.
The team had taken about two victory laps, whooping and cheering and laughing, while the others flew down and dismounted.
Dom shouted profanities at them good-naturedly before going inside to change with the rest of her team. Angelina called them all to the centre of the pitch, they were all practically in the low clouds now, their deep purple uniforms blending in. It made it difficult for Scor to see the rest of his team but he knew they would all be there. All except Rose who, along with Molly had sustained injuries that their Grandma wouldn't let them keep playing with.
"You guys played really well today. I'm so proud of you all. Now you can do what you want, but Grandma says dinner will be ready in about an hour, and if you miss that, tough luck" She blew a kiss to them all and left, Harry, Bill, Charlie and Oliver following her. Leaving the 'kids' of the team up in the air.
"Quick question Lou, why don't we all have new brooms?" Fred asked.
"Fred, do you know how long it takes to make one of these things? Like really? Rox's took me a week, Scorpius' took me two, and that's only if all my source-ers have the materials to me on time. Sometimes it takes them days to get the right stuff. I can't just Accio wand cores, Fred. Plus there's not many people who can make them. It's going to be a while before I get more staff who are good enough. I might even have to start breeding my own unicorns and phoenixes, don't even get me started on finding dragon Heartstrings..."
"Woah, okay. Sorry Lou. All you had to say was that it takes a while mate. I was just thinking that I could probably do with one too is all"
"You'll have to wait till your birthday I'm afraid. That's what I agreed with everyone. I would not have been able to manage all my Christmas orders and brooms for everyone here. Sorry Freddie."
"What about if I help you, for like a week or something? I'll come down to your workshop and work for you, can I get it sooner then?"
Louis laughed, "Get O's in those Newts of yours, then you'll be qualified to work for me and you've got a deal"
"But my results come out way after my birthday!" the rest of the circle laughed.
"Looks like you'll be waiting till your birthday then doesn't it?"
"Ugh! You're so annoying!"
"If you can catch me, you can hit me Freddie" Louis laughed and then shot off on his personalised broom, leaving Freddie and his 'standard' broom behind in his wake.~
"I don't think I have ever played a more intense game in my entire life" Scorpius announced as he finally landed and practically collapsed on the floor.
"Get used to it, it'll be the same next time" Albus told him, with a little chuckle.
"Next time?"
"Yeah of course. Once you're here, you come back, Sorry Scor" Al smiled at him, before walking off towards the lights of the Burrow. Freddie and Louis had called a truce and gone inside a while ago. Mel had gone off to catch up with Vic and Dom. Lorcan had quickly left to find Liv. Hugo had gone to check on his sister.
That left Roxanne and Scorpius.
He was sitting with her on the field, the ground beneath them beginning to frost. The stars were so expansive, and so bright he found it hard to imagine they were real. It was like a painting you saw, where you assumed the artist had added to what they could see. A sky this beautiful couldn't possibly be real. But it was, and he knew it was because other impossibly beautiful things existed and one of them was sitting next to him.
"You managed to keep up with my mum today, I'm impressed"
"No need to sound so surprised" he laughed.
"I'm not, I knew you could. Just thought I'd tell you anyway"
"Hm, well in that case, thank you. And yes, you may continue to tell me when things I do impress you"
She rolled her eyes, "It's okay, it doesn't happen often. I wouldn't wait on me telling you again"
"Ooof, there I thought you were going to tell me how you couldn't possible tell me every time because, you know. I'm so impressive, so often"
"Not so far, you're not"
"Well, maybe you're just in denial. Maybe, I really impress you so much that it scares you and you don't want to admit how impressive I am"
"Yeah, that must be it" she remarked sarcastically. She stood up, holding her hand out to him.
"Okay, Mr Impressive, what's your curfew? I'm sure the family would love it if you stayed for dinner" He took it, and stood with her.
"Please, a Malfoy with a curfew? I'll have you know I go home as and when I want. I answer to no-one" Now he was able to look into her eyes more directly as she had to look up towards him from her height.
"SCOR, THERE'S AN OWL FOR YOU!" Lysander shouted from the doorway.
He groaned and she sniggered, "Now, that, that was impressive timing."
"Want to bet it's my mum begging me to come home and reconsider my rebellious nature because she misses her son?"
"Want to bet it's your mum telling you when to get your annoying arse home?"
"Don't be ridiculous, betting is such an unattractive habit"
She gave him an amused eye-roll and began to walk towards the Burrow. Scor took one last look up at the quiet sky before following her inside.~
A/N:
For absolutely no reason, this took me so long to write! Seriously I struggled with this one (AND I DON'T KNOW WHY). So that's partly why it took so long. Apologies.
How was it in the end?
Tell me what you thought, and what you'd like to see next!
(Though I think you can all guess what the next Chap is;))
Hopefully the next bit will be easier to get out, I'll update as soon as Muggle-ly possible.
Love 'ya,
Cookie xxx
WAIT, DON'T GO YET!
Okay, so being the dopey noob that I am I was not aware you could reply to reviews wiht the little reply button thingamabob. Mostly because I read your reviews on my phone email app and reply to them all when I'm sitting down to update.
My question is, now that I have discovered this magical button, do you want me to use it and reply to you individually? or would you rather me continue my little tradition of review replies at the top of each chapter?
(though if it was a question I think other people might have, I'll talk about it at the top of the chap anyway, also I cant reply to guest reviews with the little button either [or can I?] , so if I get any they'll be there too)
Oh and also bare in mind, my replies may very well be just as delayed even if I don't put them at the top of each chap because well, memory...
But yeah, give me your opinions and I'll go with what the majority want!