A/N: Very short chapter, but it's really just the second half of the last chapter.
Letters From Scorp
Rose,
My holiday is going wonderfully so far. It's great to actually talk to Grandma face to face for a change, rather than just sending her letters all the time. We sit and chat for hours and hours, sometimes about school and about my life, and sometimes about hers. Sometimes she even tells me stories about the War. None of her stories are quite as exciting and dramatic as the ones I'm sure your relatives tell you, but they're interesting nonetheless.
She never talks about the War in front of Grandad, though. According to Dad, ever since the War, Grandad hasn't liked going into places where there are lots of people. He still tries to hold onto all his old beliefs about Purebloods and superiority and power, but it's just a bit pathetic, really. I've heard he was a very cruel, very scary Death Eater once, but that man doesn't exist anymore. Now he's just a fragile, broken old man, clinging desperately to a way of life that no longer exists. It makes me sad, just seeing him like that. But I suppose it's better than how he used to be. I remember being terrified of him when I was a kid. Back then he was always angry and always yelling at someone, normally Dad.
But that's enough about my family. Your Grandma Molly sounds pretty awesome. Dad has told me some awful stories about Bellatrix Lestrange, but not quite in the way most people's parents do. He had to save his horror stories until I was old enough to cope with them, and they were a lot worse than the ones most people have heard. They were the real stories about her, and the year when she was living with his family. They're not stories you could tell to a naughty five-year-old.
Al mentioned that you fought with your dad, and I can understand why you must be pretty angry with your family at the moment. I know you don't want to hear this at the moment, but he does have your best interests at heart, even if he's not going about it the right way. Al and I may know that you are quite capable of being sensible when it comes to picking guys, and that you can look after yourself, but it's understandable that he can't really see that. Even Al and I sometimes worry about you a bit, and he's your dad. It's inevitable that he would be a bit protective.
Lecture aside, it does sound pretty insane there. I don't think I've ever had to stay in a house with more than ten people at once, and that was Malfoy Manor, which is so huge that everyone could have their own room and there were still spares. I can't imagine what it must be like for you, having so many relatives. Must be fun sometimes, though. Being an only child can be pretty lonely.
Anyway, hang in there. Only a week until you go home, and then a few weeks after that we go back to Hogwarts! I can't wait to see you and Al again.
Scorp
Dad,
Thanks for the money. Grandma and I had a great day out, though she spent a very long time in some of the shops. Especially Madam Malkin's. I mean, how long can it take to choose one new pair of robes? An hour and a half, apparently. I had to go and wander around lots of other shops while I waited for her, cos I would have gone mad just standing there listening to her fuss about the exact shade of blue she wanted, and what cut would be best, and what all the latest fashions were.
Anyway, we even persuaded Grandad to come out to lunch with us. We had to apparate back home – side-along apparition for me, obviously – and escort him to Diagon Alley, and he was very nervous the whole time, but he agreed to do it. Grandma thinks the only reason he came was because I was there. I still don't really understand that. I'm a disgrace to the family name, after all, what with being in Hufflepuff and everything. Surely he shouldn't be doing this just for my sake? But Grandma says he's forgotten about all that stuff now. He forgets a lot of things. Sometimes he gets really confused, and calls me Draco. Grandma says to just go along with it.
I can't wait to see you and Mum again, when you come home next week.
Scorpius
Al,
To me, the chaos at the Burrow sounds like absolute heaven. I'm enjoying being with my grandparents – of course I am – but sometimes I wish I had some siblings or cousins my own age to be with, or cool aunts and uncles to tell me stories about the War. Cool stories, rather than the horror stories Dad and Grandma tell me.
Poor Rose. She's obviously not having the greatest holiday ever. I can't wait to see her again, and you. We should meet up at Diagon Alley, like we normally do, once the book lists come from school. It would give Rose the chance to get away from her family for a day. Apart from you, obviously, but you don't really count.
Hope to see you soon,
Scorp
Mum,
Stop stressing; I've been outside so much I'm practically brown, which has got to be a first for any Malfoy. And I didn't burn at all, so clearly Dad worries about nothing.
Dad's coming back on Friday, right? So I'll probably come home then. I'm enjoying being with Grandma and Grandad, but I can't wait to see you and Dad again.
See you soon,
Scorpius
