A/N: Hello my peoples. I am finally posting chapter 3! Yay! I actually planned on getting this up weeks ago but it didn't quite work out. My excuse for that is that school and boyfriend (anniversary tomorrow *squeeee*) are demanding. Anwy. I wanted to post next week as well BUT I am going to Cali on vacation (Sweet!) and will be too busy to update.

AND I have just discovered that today is the 50th birthday of Remus John Lupin (whom we all love and miss). I felt that warranted an update.

Disclaimer: Not mine. I is not J. K. Rowling so yeah. I do not own the characters. Cept Kate. She's mine. And Kieran. Sexy boy-child is mine. Also, new teachers are mine. They just popped in my head randomly. I also do not own the myriad of songs that I will be using throughout this. They belong to their respective artists.

Letters from Home

Dear son, I know I ain't written
Sitting here tonight alone in the kitchen

It occurs to me
I might not have said it so I'll say it now:
Son, you make me proud…

-Letters From Home by John Michael Montgomery

Dear Father,

Hogwarts is definitely going to be a learning experience, isn't it? You may have heard (or you may have not) that I was involved in a bit of a fight the other day. I'm fine but it made me realize something: this place is totally different than I'm used to.

My classes are fairly good. I love Potions. The teacher, Professor Vixsidy, seems to think I've an aptitude for it. The Head of Slytherin House, Professor King, teaches Charms. He took over last year when Professor Flitwick retired. Professor Longbottom, Head of Gryffindor, is a really nice man. He said you were one of his year-mates, though you were in different houses.

I've made some new friends. Two are in my year, one is a second-year. My best friend is Albus Severus Potter. I know what your relationship with that family is and I love you very much, Father, but I don't care. He is my best friend and I will not give him up. The other friend that's in my year is named Kate Zimmerman. She's a very nice girl and one of the most amazing people I have ever met: she's the first Muggle-born in Slytherin. She actually refers to herself as a Mudblood and gets angry at Al and I if we call her Muggle-born. I know what your opinion of people like her is but again, I don't care. I know I am being excessively rude, Father, but I can't help it. These people are the first real friends I've ever made.

Last but not least, I have made a friend you'll approve of. His name is Kieran Nott. I believe you went to school with his father. He is an exceptional friend and is the reason the small fight I was in did not escalate.

I love you and Mother dearly. You mean the world to me, but now you must share this world with my friends. I love them as I do you.

Love,

Scorpius

Scorpius,

Your mother and I are well. We miss and love you dearly, as do your grandmother and grandfather.

I was very much surprised with your letter.

I am pleased you like your professors. I do, in fact, know Professor Longbottom, but we did not get on well in school. Please, give him my regards and…my apologies. He'll know what for.

I am not surprised at you getting in a fight. I told you that you would be judged on your name. I am sorry for this because it is mostly my fault.

In regards to your friends, I would never dream of telling you to no longer be friends with them. I know how rare true friends are and I know you would not listen to me even if I did express any inhibitions about these friendships.

I must, however, give you a warning: your grandfather happened upon your letter. His prejudices are much more deep-rooted than mine and he was not well pleased.

Love,

Father

13

"Shit."

"What?" Al asked, looking over my shoulder at the letter, still munching on a piece of toast.

"My grandfather found out I'm friends with you. This is definitely the point where the fit hits the shan." Kate gave me a weird look and a giggle at my phrasing.

"Why is that bad?" she asked. I sighed.

"Because he is the most prejudiced pureblood in the entire Wizarding World. He will hate you just because you're…" I trailed off, not wanting to say that nasty word.

"A Mudblood. It's all right to say it."

"Yeah," I continued. "And he hates Al because of his father. Which is bloody stupid, in my opinion."

At this point, one of the most awful things I've ever experienced happened. Another owl landed before me on the table, bearing a bright red envelope in its beak.

"Shit," I swore again. Al nodded, looking a bit shell-shocked.

"What's that?" Kate asked.

"A Howler," Kieran said, looking a bit apprehensive.

"What's a Howler?"

"Show her, Scorpius. You're gonna have to open it sooner or later," Kieran added when he saw my look of fear.

"Yeah. Do it before it blows," Al added. I took a deep breath and broke the seal.

"SCORPIUS! I THOUGHT YOUR GRANDMOTHER AND I TAUGHT YOU BETTER! CONSORTING WITH BLOOD TRAITORS, MUDBLOODS, AND HALFERS! WE THOUGHT YOU BEING IN SLYTHERIN WOULD ELIMENATE YOUR CONTACT WITH LESSERS BUT THE HOUSE IS NO LONGER WHAT IT WAS! BUT STILL, YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO GET CAUGHT UP WITH PEOPLE LIKE THAT! DOES THE MALFOY NAME MEAN NOTHING TO YOU?! IT HAS BEEN MADE APPEARENT THAT IT DOES NOT! AS SUCH, YOU WILL NO LONGER BE HEIR OF THE MALFOY ESTATES! YOUR NAME HAS BEEN STRICKEN FROM OUR WILL AND I AM URGING YOUR FATHER TO DO THE SAME! YOU ARE NOT TO COME HOME AT CHRISTMAS BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO CORRUPT THE TRUE HEIR!" the letter screamed.

"Are you done?" I asked maliciously. The letter made a "Pffft" noise and tore itself to pieces. The Great Hall was silent. Every eye was turned towards the Slytherin table. Slowly, conversation resumed. Still, people glanced over at me every couple of minutes. Kate was the first within my hearing range to regain her voice.

"Oh. That's a Howler." I had to laugh at the look on her face but turned to a moan of despondency. I rested my head on my hands and shook. I felt Al put his hand on my back.

"Who's this 'true heir' your grandfather spoke of?" Kieran asked quietly, as if afraid I'd yell as the Howler had done.

"My baby sister. Don't know how I'm expected to corrupt her, seeing as she can't even talk yet."

"You have a sister?" Kieran asked.

"Yeah," Al said, laughing a little. "And her name's about as strange as Scor's."

"I don't think you should talk, Albus Severus," I retorted.

"I was named after two great wizards."

"Well, Abby was named after one. So there."

"Abby? Abby's not strange," Kate said, a questioning her eyes. I sighed.

"I call her Abby. Her name's Abraxia." Kieran snorted and Kate giggled. "Shut up. She's named after my great-grandfather."

"Who was even more prejudiced than your grandfather," Al cut in.

"Yeah…" I said, falling back into my thoughts of him.

"Well. I say screw him. If his love is conditional, who needs him?" Kate asked, sensing the direction of my thoughts. At that moment, I was inclined to agree.

A/N: Apparently, if I don't beg for reviews, I don't get them. That's sad. Must I guilt you into it or what? Seriously, people, it will take all of two seconds to say "Get your ass in gear and write more." Even that helps me though. Btw, I'm quite aware my writing sucks. Well, actually it doesn't normally but it has lately. So forgive me!