Disclaimer: I do not own any recognisable characters in this Fan Fiction

Chapter 4: Letters, Trees and Smiles

Scorpius was furious. Louis had stepped way over the line with that comment but that wasn't what was bugging him. It was two other small things; first was the comment Potter had shouted after him when Louis had picked a fight with Weasley, the second was Wood's arm around Weasley's waist and the fact that she had welcomed the embrace. He pushed his long fringe from his eyes and looked over at the Gryffindor table. She was leaving, Potter running after her. Malfoy knew something was wrong with her, he'd noticed that recently, she could only be seen in lessons or the library. Although, Malfoy didn't know whether this was normal behaviour, what with not really watching her before a week ago. He was going to have to have a long and meaningful chat with Zabini for his behaviour. That was all he could do at the moment to help her. Scorpius finished his meal and exited the Great Hall. He was fast enough to catch the end of Potter and Weasley's conversation

"Don't listen to Zabini, he talks shit constantly!"

"Mm, maybe, I'm off to bed, I'm pretty tired after all that shopping, seriously, I don't see how Roxy and Lily can do it all the time." With that he saw the red- head leave her cousin. Scorpius started toward the dungeon before Potter caught his arm. He turned back to see the emerald green eyes looking back at him, "Potter," he said with a curt nod.

"Talk to Zabini, yeah? Or I'll tell Rosie you've been staring at her all week,"

"I was planning to anyway Potter, I don't like people being labelled the way she was today. Tell Weasley if you want, I can't do anything to stop you," Scorpius shrugged. He didn't care if she knew; it wasn't like she would come running to him with open arms.

"Good, well, thank you, for standing up for her and stuff," Potter said looking a little flustered,

"No problem; anytime," with that Scorpius continued to walk toward the dungeons, a new determination within him.

"It was uncalled for and you know it!" Scorpius yelled. He'd been arguing with Louis about this for a good half an hour.

"So what? I called her Mum a mudblood, it's not like it's a crime;" he paused, "is it?"

"No, but it doesn't mean it's not offensive," he suddenly remembered something "and what was all that about her Dad 'shopping elsewhere'?"

"Oh you'll find out sooner or later," a dangerous smirk split the boy's face,

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"All in good time my young Malfoy, all in good time." With this Scorpius completely lost it and stomped off to his dorm. What did Zabini know and why was he so cryptic about it? He flopped on his bed only to notice that he was not alone. A jet black owl with tan spots was perched on his pillow next to his head. He had to stifle a scream when he sat bolt upright. He noticed the owl had a letter attached to its foot and detached it. It was addressed in emerald green lettering to Scorpius. He opened it breaking the emerald green wax seal.

Dear Scorpius,

I was very pleased to receive your owl last week and am very excited to hear you've settled into your fourth year well. Your mother insists that I tell you that she will be sending you your dress robes for the ball next week. She also asks that you tell Miss Zabini that she and her brother are invited to the annual Christmas Ball.

We were both exceedingly proud of you on Saturday and were very pleased that you and your teammates won so tremendously against the Gryffindors. I hope that you yourself one day aspire to be a captain as I once was as you certainly have the potential.

We were also immensely proud of your actions to save the Weasley girl, we are glad that our teachings have had an effect on you and that you don't treat her as I once treated her parents. I ask you to remember that blood status is nothing to do with anyone's personality. I also wish to ask you that you tell those in your house who are ignorant enough to think this the true morals of a decent person.

We both hope that you are well, my boy, and that you are enjoying your educational experience. Remember the fourth year was the year it all changed for both your Mother and me. As always I have taken great pleasure in writing to you of our mediocre lives.

All our love,

Dad

Scorpius smiled. He always looked forward to his father's letters and he, apparently, enjoyed sending them. There were no demands or threats in his letters, no snide comments or put downs and Scorpius was glad that he did not receive the same types of letter that Draco had. Hell, he was grateful that it was signed 'Dad' and not 'Your Father' or even 'Draco'. His father never asked for a reply to his letters but Scorpius would always send one.

Dear Dad,

I'm glad that you liked to hear from me and I hope that you both are well. Thank mother for letting me know and that I will inform Eleanor and Louis as soon as possible about the Ball.

I would one day like to become a captain of the Slytherin team but I am focusing on the up and coming exams as a priority.

I have always held your teaching to heart and have always defended those whom could not defend themselves. I did in fact demonstrate this again today when Louis was criticising the Weasley girl about her heritage. I was shocked and appalled that someone so close to me could have such a low opinion of another human being. Were you really like that when you were here?

I am well and enjoying my fourth year thus far and will always keep in mind that you and Mother both changed. I have enjoyed hearing of your mediocre lives and always look forward to receiving your letters. How is the house? It has always been a part of the family to me with its constant creaking and groaning.

With love

Scorpius

He attached the letter to the bird's foot, gave it a snack and sent it on its way. He was hesitant until he realised it was only half past eight. He was unnaturally tired though and changed for bed. He resolved that he would not ask the Zabinis to the Christmas Ball until he heard back from his father. He knew that he was telling tales on Louis but he felt the need to tell his father of the boy's behaviour. He thought that if Draco didn't want them to come to the Ball he would mention it in the next letter and so he would not ask Louis, otherwise he would ask him next week, but not until after his father had sent his letter.

He clambered into bed and hoped for a better day tomorrow; one that involved Weasley without her pathetic excuse for a boyfriend.

Draco read his son's letter with great pleasure but was disconcerted by the news on the Zabini child. He was going to have a talk with Astoria about thinking twice before inviting them to the Ball. He had decided a long time ago that he didn't want to mix with those sorts of people.

He called his wife into his study and discussed the issue. They were agreed that they should not invite any of the Zabinis as they obviously had retained the ideals that started the war. This unsettled both of them somewhat; maybe the world hadn't changed like they had hoped. Astoria left the study and Draco to himself. She understood him and he liked that. They loved each other dearly but had never fallen in love, with each other at least. They understood each other exceptionally well and they were both grateful for that. Scorpius was to be their only child, that was agreed, and they both loved him and were careful to teach him well.

Whilst reading and re-reading Scorpius's letter a thought occurred to him and he called Astoria back in to his study. He asked her one question. "Yes," she said "that would be a lovely idea!"

Scorpius shrugged his coat on over his school robes and headed outside. The October air had suddenly taken a turn for the worst and, although it wasn't raining today, it was exceedingly chilly. It was the Monday after the eventful Hogsmeade trip and he needed to clear his head. He'd been looking at her all day again today. She seemed abnormally quiet even in lessons and had a sad pensive look on her face all day. He started to grow concerned, although he had no idea why. She seemed to be ignoring Wood, which he was quietly glad about for some unknown reason, and only seemed to talk to Potter when he insisted on getting a response from her. Scorpius's head was filled with her and he needed to get a release from her.

He made a beeline for the tree by the lake that he found solitude in. When he got there he thought he could smell the faint musky scent of tobacco but dismissed it. He sat at the base of the trunk of the tree and looked out on the still water of the lake. He becomes jealous of the placid waters without really knowing why. In his peripheral vision he saw a sprinkle of hot ash pass his shoulder, causing him to look up. Then he saw auburn curls tumbling over a slight back. She was looking out at the lake and had clearly not seen him come over. Why was she always anywhere he was? He knew he should have been frustrated that the one place he had come to get away from her was the one place she was but he couldn't help but feel happiness wash over him.

"Do you have some kind of radar when it comes to me?" he said out loud, sounding slightly bitter,

She was suddenly shocked out of her trance and frantically looked around for where the voice had come from and stopped when she met his eyes. "Yes Malfoy, you are truly irresistible," she said with a sarcastic tone.

"What's up?" he wasn't expecting her to answer him considering she didn't seem to be filling Potter in but he thought that it was worth a go. Just to settle himself and his conscience,

"Oh, you know, the usual," she said dismissively before taking a drag of the cigarette. Silence ensued, and just while he was considering whether it was awkward or not, he remembered something. "Weasley?"

"Yes, Malfoy?"

"I'm sorry about what Zabini said; I had a word with him afterward,"

"That's ok but I don't need your pity Malfoy,"

"That's not why I did it." 'Shit, she's going to ask-'

"Why then? We aren't friends,"

"I don't know. I guess I didn't like the idea that someone would say something so degrading,"

"From what I hear your father said it often to my Mum," she spat back.

"Sorry. Weasley?"

"Yes, Malfoy?"

"Why aren't we friends?"

"Because we have never gotten to that stage,"

"Can we be though? I mean we have done things together that no one else knows about,"

"Are you blackmailing me into being your friend Malfoy because that's not what I would consider as friendly?"

"No. Not at all, I just want to be friends with you, is that so hard to comprehend?"

"Yes actually. What are you scheming?"

"Nothing. Fine then, fuck you, this conversation was clearly pointless. Enjoy the fag. Goodbye!" he was irritated now, why was it so hard for her to accept that he wanted to be her friend, no strings attached. He turned to go back to the castle when suddenly her voice broke the silence.

"Wait, sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. Yeah, sure we can be friends,"

"Don't do something you feel you have to because you're worried about my feelings,"

"No. Really, lets be friends. Want a fag?"

"No it's a disgusting and revolting habit," he paused, "pass us one." She reached down and gave him a long white and orange cylinder; he placed it in his mouth and lit it. She smiled vacantly and looked back up at the lake.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" she said dreamily as he climbed up the tree and sat beside her.

"Yeah, it is,"

"It looks so simple," she said and he thought he knew what she meant.

"Yeah I suppose," he paused and looked at her. Her hazel eyes were dark with sorrow, "what's really wrong, Weasley?"

"A lot of things," she said still looking out at the lake.

"Care to elaborate?"

"No not really,"

"Come on Weasley, please."

"My skin prison," she said, at first it sounded fairly random to him but then it clicked.

"I know what you mean," he didn't but he didn't know whether she'd pick up on that. She didn't.

"Being stuck in the world with nothing but your mind; it's restricting," and that was all she said, all they both said, before their goodbyes.

As always Potions was a bit of a bore. Slughorn was giving his 'Slug Club' the special treatment by giving them the hardest potions to brew. Scorpius wasn't complaining for being a member of the elite group but the potion he and his new partner, Rose Weasley, had been given took forever to make. They didn't talk much and he noticed that she was doodling all over her parchment. It looked like a scrap piece which told him she did it rather a lot.

"Right class, excellent work today, particularly Mr Macmillan," just as Slughorn was praising Macmillan the words: Macmillan? What a dick wrote themselves on the board. The whole class started to laugh; apart from Macmillan, who looked astonished and Slughorn, who had his back to the board. Macmillan suddenly started rambling about how the person writing was clearly jealous of the praise and they were clearly not any good at Potions. Almost as soon as he'd started stuttering these words the first message faded, only to give way to a new one: Does anyone give a damn Gilbert? No. Didn't think so. This caused the whole class to laugh harder. Potter said something along the lines of "good one."

As Scorpius was rocking back in his chair laughing just as hard as the rest of the class he looked over at Rose. He noticed she was smirking satisfactorily to herself and had a piece of blank parchment in front of her which she seemed to be writing on. As she stopped the class laughed again, Scorpius looked back up to the board to see that the words Shut up Albus, we all know you wear girls' underwear for good luck before a Quidditch match. Then it clicked. Scorpius reached over for the parchment and wrote the words and Zabini wears girls' underwear anyway. He knew it was childish and no where near as funny as the statements that Rose had made only moments ago but since the class was laughing so hard from the remark about Potter's luck ritual he thought he should add something witty to the conversation. He looked back at Rose to see her grinning and an evil glint in her eye.

She grabbed the parchment back and scribbled something so quick he had to read it with the rest of the class plus Zabini is a dick like Macmillan. Maybe they should compare, the rest of the class burst out in laughter while Scorpius looked over at Weasley, shocked, but she was writing again. A dot was on the board with an arrow pointing to it declaring it as Macmillan's next to it was a similar drawing declaring it as Zabini's. The laughing became uncontrollable and Slughorn turned around to see what the fuss was about. His eyes widened with shock and he turned back to the class, his face purple with rage.

"Who has been drawing such obscenities on my board? If they do not own up I will be forced to give them a detention!" Four more words appeared on the board: Oh so bite me! Scorpius looked over at Weasley eyes wide. She shrugged it off while everyone else laughed as Slughorn's head looked like it was about to explode.

"Fine class detention if no one owns up!" the whole class groaned. Scorpius looked over at Weasley and they nodded.

"We did it!" they said in unison and they each received a detention for later in the week. Both were grinning as they left the classroom and looked at each other before bursting into laughter. As she was dragged away by her cousin and friends Scorpius couldn't help but think of how much prettier she was when she smiled.

AN: I know it got a bit shit towards the end but I'm trying to have as much build up as possible to the dance. The Chapter name is also shit; any suggestions?