The next few weeks flew by. The quidditch captain, Patricia Flint, had a truly cruel streak. She was not known for her brains, but more for her brawn. She was a big girl and was one of the team beaters. Few people wanted to go head to head with Patricia. She was a fifth year and this was her first year as captain. She took it very seriously because it was one of the few things she was really good at.
She took it so seriously in fact, that the team was feeling worn out. They practiced almost every morning. If she could get the pitch, she had them out every evening as well. When they could not be on the pitch (the other teams were complaining that it was never available, so they had had to cut back on field time) they were going over strategies and game plans, looking at every team.
Scor and the rest of the team were exhausted. He had enough energy to eat and to quickly complete his homework and to fall asleep. Conversations buzzed around him, but he took no part. He just didn't have the energy. His friends were starting to worry. If he would have looked up, he would have noticed that they were not the only ones. Blain was glancing his way, but he made no attempt to talk to hunt him down. Scorpius was already tired after morning practice. He leaned forward nibbling a piece of toast.
Despite his exhaustion, Scor found himself scanning the owls as they dropped morning post. He was looking for a falcon amongst the many feathers and wings. He didn't know why. He had just been fascinated with the fierce bird. It had been strange, for that little space of time, he had had a conversation with a Potter, and he had enjoyed it. He had forgotten who he was talking to and for the brief moment, he had been comfortable with her.
He shook his head, obviously lack of sleep was affecting his brain. With a flutter of wings, the owls descended and he found himself again scanning birds. No sign of copper eyes. He found himself glancing over at the Gryfindor table as well. There was no sign of copper eyes there either. He frowned.
With no sign of the falcon, Scorpius had taken to checking the Gryfindor table for signs of his mistress. He had looked over every morning for a week, but he had yet to see her. It was strange because the rest of her family all seemed to be there. Where could she be?
He didn't have a chance to ponder the question because just then Oswald grabbed his arm. It was time for morning classes. As he dragged himself out of his seat, Scorpius could only think Thank God It's Friday!
Classes seemed to drag on. At least he didn't have any classes with Gryfindors today. He didn't think he was up to small talk with Blain. As he packed himself off to bed that night, he thought it was probably a good thing he didn't have the close friends Blain did. He just didn't have the time. This train of thought didn't go far though because he was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
The next day was Saturday, but their demented captain just saw this as a way to extend morning practice. By the end, Scor was too tired to even make it to breakfast with the rest of the exhausted team. They were really going to have to confront Patricia and soon. If she kept up this pace, they wouldn't be able to practice, never mind play a game.
It was cold out, but the sun was shining. In a few weeks, the snow would start and he would not be able to do this. He lay down on the grass and closed his eyes. The sun felt good on his face. He was too comfortable to move even when a chill gust of wind sprang up every now and then.
He didn't know how long he lay there, but soon he heard a voice. It seemed vaguely familiar but his brain was not able to process it right now.
"Just hold on a minute, I'm almost done."
Scorpius sighed and smiled as the peace began again. The sun felt so good. He was almost asleep when he heard the voice again.
"Bludger, give me a minute. I know you want to go, but I'm almost done.
His eyes popped open. He sat up and turned around. There was a large tree over the hill and next to it sat a small redhead with a falcon on her arm. Scorpius stood up and quietly walked over to see Lily Potter.
She sat with her back against a tree. She had something I her lap. It looked like she might be writing in a diary, but something didn't seem quite right. She didn't seem to notice him approach. He walked up behind her and glanced at the book in her lap and found his face staring back at him.
Lily whirled around with a gasp and she slammed the book closed. He watched her go red in the face as she scrambled to hide the book behind her back.
"Damn, you scared me."
"Sorry." Scorpius smirked at her. She was kind of funny when she was embarrassed. "So do you want to explain why I seem to be in your diary? I don't remember my picture being taken."
She looked confused, "My diary? You mean this?" She pulled out the book.
"Yes that." She seemed to gain her composure.
"This is not a diary. These are my sketches."
As soon as she said it she got red again and the book went back behind her back.
"Like you drew them?" He was confused. He never pictured the spitfire to have the patience to sit down and draw. "Can I see?" Again, rather than giving her a piece of his mind, he found himself intrigued. First a falcon, now an artist.
She slowly slid the book out fro behind her back and held up the drawing she had been working on. It was Scorpius riding his broom. He realized that she had a pretty good view of the pitch from this spot. He wasn't sure what to say. The picture was really good. You could almost feel the wind on the pictures face. He did the first thing that came to mind, he made a joke to cover his emotion.
"I didn't know I had a stalker Potter. I don't know if I should be flattered or scared that you have a book full of my pictures." He smirked.
That seemed to pull her out of her embarrassed state. She rolled her eyes. "Don't go getting a big head. You just happen to be on this page. There is more to this world than you Malfoy." She handed the book over.
The pages were filled with pictures. There were people, animals, the castle and numerous other drawings. Each looked as if the picture was breathing. They did not move like the Hogwarts paintings, but they seemed to have a life on their own. It was amazing to see. He handed the book back.
"You're really good." He saw no reason to lie. She was really good.
"Thanks." She took the book and sat down with Bludger. Scor sat down next to her.
"You're friends must really like them."
"Actually, you're the first to see those." That seemed odd. She must be surrounded by people all the time. Surely her friends would have seen them. She seemed to know what he was thinking.
"My family knows. They think I'm pretty good, but it isn't something I show around. This is something for me. I like to come out here in the mornings with some breakfast and just sketch. It helps relax me." She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear and turned and smiled at him. He found himself smiling back.
"So that's why you are never at breakfast. You know after seeing all your energy, I would have never pictured you being the sort to just come and sit quietly for an hour." She laughed at this.
"I know, I can be overly enthusiastic. But everyone needs a break from energy. I love being a Gryfindor, but it feels like we are always moving and talking and laughing. I need this time for myself." Scorpius just nodded. He understood.
He leaned back against the tree as Lily pulled out her book and continued to sketch. "Do you mind if I just sit. I'm exhausted." Lily smiled and nodded. They didn't talk, just sat in silence. He closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of her paper and her sighs when she wasn't happy with how the sketch was looking. He listened to the contented murmur when something looked good. The whole time, Bludger never left her shoulder.
They sat there for almost an hour before Lily started to gather her things up. He was startled to realize that he had just spent the most relaxing moments of his third year with a Potter. The thought made him chuckle out loud. Lily looked at him.
"I was just thinking, who would have ever pictured a Malfoy sitting with a Potter and actually enjoying each others company."
She smiled. "You are welcome to join me any time, though I may have to find somewhere indoors when it starts to rain."
She stood up. He looked surprised. "You're leaving?"
"Yeah, I promised some friends I would work on potions stuff with them and I have to finish some homework."
Scorpius was shocked at the disappointment he felt. He shook it off. This was Potter he was talking about. Lack of sleep was definitely rotting his brain.
"But I'll be here tomorrow. Same time same place. You are always welcome."
Scorpius found himself smiling at her. The disappointment lifted. He tried to sleep in on Sundays because it was his one day off for quidditch, but he found himself nodding his head. "I may just wander down."
Lily gave him a grin. She turned to head to the castle, with Bludger now flying ahead of her. At the top of the hill she turned and waved and then she was gone. Scor sat a few more minutes. He was enjoying the peace, but he realized that he too would need to go to the castle. He had a mountain of homework to do.
He had just made it into the Slytherin common room when he was assaulted by Grayson.
"Where have you been? The team has been looking all over for you."
Scorpius gave Grayson an annoyed look. "I was trying to rest after that damn workout."
"Well, you will want to hear the news."
"What news?"
When he Grayson finally spit it out, Scorpius stared at him with wide eyes. Great. Just great. Damn Potters!