"Scorpius!" Mother greeted me warmly as soon as I had stepped off the train and located her and Father. She opened her arms, obviously about to hug me, but I only scowled and remained where I was. I wasn't going to let her hug me with everyone from Hogwarts witnessing it. She understood my silent message, and reached forward to grab my trunk instead.

Father nodded gruffly to me without speaking, and I followed my parents away from the crowds.

"Oi, Malfoy!"

I spun around, my eyes narrowing as I spotted the older Potter waving at me.

"Hope you die over vacation!" He yelled gleefully, and both he and the younger Potter burst out laughing.

Weasley merely rolled her eyes. She caught my gaze in the process, and she hurriedly looked away.

I didn't make a retort, not wanting to give them the satisfaction that they had successfully annoyed me.

"James! Albus! That was very rude of you!" Their mother, Ginny Potter, reprimanded them sharply. I had to bite my lip to prevent myself from letting out a laugh—that was the beauty of having adults around. "Apologize at once!"

Father strode towards where the Potters and Weasleys gathered together. "Look, Weaselette, we've done nothing to you or your family. Tell them to leave my son alone."

Never mind having adults around. This was embarrassing, and I would have gladly told Father that I could handle myself. But with the Weasley/Potter clan there, I didn't speak... in case of me ending up even more embarrassed.

And Ginny wasn't really a Weasley anymore.

"I know how to take care of my children, thank you very much, Malfoy," the woman said coolly. "Harry, let's go."

We stood silently and let them by.

"Are you having trouble at school, Scorpius?" Mother fretted as soon as they vanished from the platform.

I shook my head. "None at all."

If you didn't count Weasley's constantly annoying arguments, a certain Dante Carrow, among other things (like blackmailing part-Veelas), that is.

"Sure?"

"Yes, Mother, everything's fine," I repeated firmly. "Can we please leave already?"

Mother exchanged a dark look with Father (she clearly didn't believe me, and I wasn't in the mood to attempt and reassure her), let out a sigh, and ushered us out of the station.

On Christmas morning, I awoke to find a large stack of presents at the foot of my bed. I assumed that my own House-elf, Dinky, had brought them in during the night.

They were mostly from my parents. One from Grandfather (a book titled 101 Reasons Why Pure-bloods Are The Best by Alecto Carrow—I recoiled slightly when I saw who the author is), a present from Grandmother (a pair of green gloves) , and some from Sue (Chocolate Frogs) and Christine and my other Slytherin friends.

My favorite gift, by far, is the latest racing broom Father had given me: a Firebolt 4. Although I couldn't bring it to school (which was a pity; I would love to see the look on Weasley's face when she saw it), I could still practice at home and become a Seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team next year...

Just the thought of Quidditch caused me to smile.

"Happy Christmas, Scorpy!"

Christine flung her arms around me and tackled me onto the floor as I opened my bedroom door.

"Chris? What are you doing here?" I asked, unable to hide the surprise from my voice.

"Visiting you, stupid!" She grinned at me. After a pause, she added in a softer voice, "Father said that I should stay as close to you as I can and get to know you. But I already know you, don't I?"

I frowned suspiciously. "You do," I confirmed, wondering what her father meant. "Are your parents here as well?"

She nodded. "They are. Oh, Scorp, I'm so glad I'm here! We can play together!"

"I don't have time," I said, ignoring Christine's crestfallen look. The last thing I wanted to do was play with her. Not that I didn't like her, but I had other plans in mind...plans that involved spending time in the Malfoy library and researching hexes that I could use on Weasley.

Wait. Why was I thinking about Weasley when she wasn't even here? See how annoying she is?

Shaking my head in confusion, I stood up. "Come on, let's go eat breakfast," I suggested stiffly.

"Scorp? Is something wrong?" Chris persisted as she got up and followed me.

"I'm fine," I answered, hating how everyone seemed to care whether I was fine or not. It was so bothersome, especially when I didn't want them to pester me with questions about how I felt.

The only person who didn't care whether I was having trouble or not (most of the trouble that I do get into is partially said person's fault anyway) or whether I was all right or not was...

Yes, her.

Rose Weasley.

And with thoughts about her in my mind, I sat down in my usual chair at breakfast. "Morning, Mother, Father. Happy Christmas," I greeted them dully. Merlin, something must be wrong with me.

"Did you like our presents, Scorpius?" Father asked conversationally. Mr. and Mrs. Nott were chatting excitedly with Mother about something, and Christine was too busy eating to speak.

"Of course," I said politely, then stuffed a large piece of scrambled eggs into my mouth so I would not have to talk anymore.

But Father was waiting for me to elaborate.

With a scowl, I added, "Grandfather gave me another Pure-blood book."

"That Lucius..." Father muttered under his breath, "I'll have to remind him not to get you Pure-blood books anymore. He really should get his head out of the past and focus on the present."

"F-Father?" I began hesitantly. He gave me a curt nod, and I went on, "Malfoys have changed since the war, haven't we?"

"We have," he agreed. "Why?"

I asked the question I was dying to know the answer to. "Then...why do the Weasleys and Potters still hate us so much?"

It took Father a moment to reply, but he did.

"They just haven't realized that we've changed."

Sorry for the lack of updating in the last week... and this is more of a filler chapter, though Scorpius does think about Rose more.. eheh.

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