Mother,

If you have been wondering what House I was Sorted into, you no longer have to worry. Relax, Mother, because I can just imagine you pacing back and forth as you await the news of my Sorting. I'll delay the announcement a little longer by telling you the Houses that everybody else was Sorted into.

Susanna Zabini was Sorted into Slytherin, and so was Christine Nott. No surprise there.

Potter and Weasley were both Sorted into Gryffindor (if you ever wanted to know what to send them for Christmas, I suggest something with Gryffindor House colors. Now that I think about it, why on earth would you even think about sending them Christmas presents? No offense, but just in case you need to know what colors to pick for future reference—Gryffindor House colors).

I, however, certainly would not appreciate something in Gryffindor colors, as I was Sorted into Slytherin. Great, isn't it? On a side note, the Sorting Hat did consider putting me in Ravenclaw. That would be rather embarrassing.

Anyway, I hope you and Father are both coping with my absence. Send him my regards.

Scorpius

Satisfied with the letter, I slipped it into my trunk so I could owl it to my mother when classes were over.

Ah, flying. It was one of the few classes that actually interested me, despite having them with Gryffindors. I saw Weasley freaking out where she stood beside Potter; Sue looked slightly nervous but determined that she would do well, and Christine stood emotionless.

"When I count down from three and blow my whistle, yell 'UP!' as loud as you can!" Madam Hill, the flying instructor, said to us. "Ready? THREE—TWO—ONE!"

"UP!" I roared, and the broom instantly jumped up into my grasp. Many students were not as good as I, for their brooms were still lying on the ground.

And of course, Weasley's broom was among those still on the ground.

"It seems your broom doesn't like you, Weasley," I taunted her.

"Yeah, Malfoy, you're so popular even your broomstick loves you," came her response as she wrinkled her nose in disgust.

It seemed I had struck a nerve. Ah, the joys of arguing with Weasley...I decided to press further just for the fun of it. "If you can't use a broom for flying, Weasley, perhaps you should try sweeping the floor with it. I'm sure you've had loads of practice at that due to the...economical difficulties of your family." Sue, Christine and the other Slytherins in our line started snickering, some even giving Weasley dirty looks.

That was when Weasley decided to stride right in front of me and hit me square in the head with her broomstick. "Oh, so this is what you're supposed to do with it," she growled, glaring at me. Gryffindors were now laughing at our exchange, and the Slytherins were beginning to look uncertain.

"Don't you dare touch me, Weasley," I snapped coolly. The broom hadn't hurt too much. I was pretty strong, after all, and she hadn't used full force on me. She was beginning to piss me off though, and I had a feeling this was turning in her favor. I scowled at the thought of her winning.

"I wasn't touching you at all, Malfoy," she responded with a smug grin, "It was the broomstick touching you, whether you like it or not! Ha!" I wanted to hex her then, but with Madam Hill there, I didn't want to cause any trouble.

Ah, speak of the Devil. Madam Hill is definitely my life saver—"Miss Weasley!" She yelled sharply, stalking toward Weasley at an alarming fast pace, "Ten points from Gryffindor for inappropriate behavior! Especially coming from the best witch of your year!"

I shot Weasley a look of triumph, and noticed the tears that were now threatening to spill from her eyes as she hung her head and rejoined her rank among the Gryffindors. A few tried to console her, but she didn't pay attention to them as she stood quietly, not at all like the girl she had just been a few moments ago.

"Causing Weasley to lose points for Gryffindor, eh?" sneered Sue as she watched the Gryffindors with a hungry look in her eyes, "You've got some skill, Scorp. I'm glad you're a Slytherin."

"I'm glad I'm a Slytherin, too," I told her with a smirk. She giggled as other Slytherins gave me thumb-ups for my success. "You know, Father had threatened to disinherit me had I not been Sorted into Slytherin."

She patted my shoulder in what must've been an attempt to comfort me. "Don't worry, Scorp, I don't mind as long as you're in my House."

I shot another look at Weasley, who was still ignoring her friends. "And that House would be Slytherin, wouldn't it?" I asked her absently, my focus on Weasley.

Sue followed my gaze to see where I was looking at, and frowned. "Why are you worrying about her, Scorp? She's a Gryffindor for one, and not to mention a Weasley. Don't tell me you're thinking that you shouldn't have argued with her."

Madam Hill was once again my life saver as she clapped her hands together, and I no longer had to talk to Sue. "All right, enough chitchat! Let's try again, shall we? For those of you who haven't successfully caught your broom yet: THREE—TWO—ONE!"

"Up!"

Weasley's broom hadn't even budged from its position on the ground (she had put it back). She must really be bad at flying. Potter shot me a dark look from where he stood, too holding onto his broomstick.

Why were they blaming me, anyway? She was the one who hit me.

Suddenly, flying wasn't as enjoyable as it had seemed.

"M-Madam Hill?" Asked Weasley in a small voice, raising her hand.

"What is it, Miss Weasley?" Madam Hill inquired coldly, putting her hands on her hips.

She gulped. "I'm n-not feeling very well...can I please be excused from flying? Headmistress McGonagall knows about the reason, you could ask her..."

With a curt nod, Madam Hill answered, "Very well. I shall discuss the matter with the Headmistress. You may be excused."

"Thank you," Weasley said with relief as she headed to sit not far from the field.

"Oh? You can use that against her, you know," Christine suggested with glee. "Weasley, do you have a problem with your broom? Too poor for your standards, is that it? Or—"

"No thanks," I grumbled, interrupting her ideas, "I don't fancy getting points docked from Slytherin, you know."

She huffed. "Who cares about points? We can have some fun."

My eyes briefly met Weasley's blue ones. "I've had enough of Weasley for one day."

Well, at least I wouldn't have to compete with her in Quidditch when the time came.

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