A.N.: Finally! I was able to produce an update! So sorry that this was way overdue. I was extremely busy with life for a prolonged length of time. But it's here! A new chapter! My next update should be within the next week or so, so please stay tuned! Please review if you can! I'd appreciate it a lot!

Chapter 8 – Confrontations

Scorpius had been sitting by himself in the corner of the Common Room for a while before he sensed that someone was standing next to him. He turned away from the window and looked up at whom was next to him. The boy that stood next to the armchair was rather tall and had a shaggy mop of dirty blonde hair. He smiled brightly at Scorpius and his ocean blue eyes seemed to follow suit.

"Hey there, I'm Benjamin Praxon. I'm the other Slytherin Prefect," he greeted as he extended a hand for Scorpius to shake. "Oh, and you can just call me Ben," he added.

"Scorpius Malfoy. Pleased to meet you," Scorpius said as he hesitantly shook the older boy's hand. Ben pulled up a nearby stool and sat down on it.

"You seem a bit troubled. If you don't mind me asking, is anything going on? It's only the first day of classes and you already seem like you're having a foul time," Ben observed.

Scorpius was a bit reluctant to tell a complete stranger about what was going on with him, but then reconsidered. Scorpius told Ben all about the accusing looks from the other students, the article in this morning's edition of the Prophet, and about how he never knew about any of his father's past. After Scorpius was done telling his tale, Ben had a rather flabbergasted expression on his face.

"Wow, you sure do have a lot on your plate there," Ben said, sounding a little exasperated. "I don't really know how to help you with this, but maybe you should send an owl to your father. Ask him about what was in the article. Since this article is out now, he'll have to tell you about what happened when he was younger. Good luck, Scorpius." With that, Ben got up off the stool and started to walk away. He came to a halt as if he had remembered something that he needed to say. "Oh and by the way, should other students start to bother you about your family, don't hesitate to tell me, Wisteria, or a professor about it. Also, your first class hasn't started yet so you'll be able to make it," Ben added with a smile.

"Thanks Ben," Scorpius said smiling.

"Anytime," Ben finally said before walking over to a group of Slytherins that were sitting by the fireplace.

Scorpius quickly walked through the corridors of the Third Floor to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He stopped just outside the doorway to catch his breath. Scorpius walked through the classroom door and breathed out a sigh of relief; the professor had not arrived yet, however, the entirety of the class was already in their seats. Scorpius' spirits were again lifted when he saw Albus sitting at a table at the front by himself. Scorpius looked around for Jasper and found him sitting next to a girl with long red hair. A few of the students turned to see who had walked through the door and their expressions turned a little dark when they saw who it was. Scorpius noticed this, but tried to not let it bother him as he walked past all the staring eyes.

"I'm so glad that Slytherin has Defense Against the Dark Arts with Gryffindor," Scorpius announced as he sat on the chair next to Albus.

"There you are! I was wondering where you were!" Albus exclaimed as he turned in his seat to face his friend.

"Sorry about that, I'll tell you what happened after class," Scorpius said. Albus was only able to nod his head in response as Professor Niphler came out of his office and descended the stairs to start the lesson.

"So that's what everyone was whispering about during breakfast!" Albus whispered in realization.

"Yeah, I'm not quite sure what to make of all of this," Scorpius said, nodding.

The two continued to talk about the morning's happenings, Scorpius was just about to discuss Ben's suggestion, when suddenly, Gavin Nash appeared in front of them in the corridor. Accompanying him was Crispin Hall and a group of older Slytherin boys who looked to be in their Third or Fourth year, one of whom looked like an older and taller version of Gavin.

"So it's true then, what they said in the Great Hall. You really are the son of a Death Eater," Gavin sneered.

"I didn't know myself until this morning so lay off, Gavin," Scorpius explained angrily.

"I don't really believe you," Gavin retorted as he took a threatening step closer to Scorpius. Albus suddenly maneuvered himself so that he stood between the two Slytherins, attempting to cut the building tension between them.

"I don't know who you are, Gavin, but stop bothering Scorpius. He honestly didn't know about his family's past. Do like he says and just leave it be. Besides, you two are Housemates, you shouldn't be making enemies with each other," Albus asserted. Gavin frowned at what Albus said and narrowed his eyebrows.

"Fine, I'll leave it, but this isn't over," he said as he turned to walk down the corridor. As Gavin and his band left, Scorpius noticed that Crispin had hung back.

"I'm sorry about that you two," he said quietly before sheepishly following the Slytherin pack out of the corridor.

Albus turned to Scorpius with a dumbfounded look on his face.

"What the bloody hell was that all about? Who put a Blast-ended Skrewt in Gavin's trousers?" Albus asked. Scorpius shrugged his shoulders in confusion.

"I don't know, search me," he replied as they started to continue down the corridor. "What class do you have next?" He asked.

"Flying with the Hufflepuffs, should be fun," Albus replied. "What about you?"

"I've got Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws. Hopefully I'll be able to sit with Rose so that I can fill her in about today. She'll probably know how to deal with this mess," Scorpius said.

Albus nodded in agreement.

To his surprise, Scorpius arrived early for his Transfiguration class. Not surprisingly, Rose was the only other student in the room besides himself. She was sitting at the very front of the classroom; her required texts were already neatly stacked in one corner of the desk, her quills and wand lay perfectly next to them. Rose turned around when she heard footsteps coming towards her. Her face lit up immediately and her mouth transformed into a huge grin.

"Are you waiting for anyone in particular?" Scorpius asked politely.

"Nope, feel free to sit," Rose replied.

Scorpius nodded and sat down next to her.

"Have you heard those nasty things that people have been saying about you? Honestly, it's totally barbaric," she huffed.

"Yeah, I've been hearing plenty since the Prophet came out this morning," Scorpius sighed. He then began to tell her about everything that had happened in the Great Hall, his conversation with Ben, what happened in Defense Against the Dark Arts class with Albus, and about the confrontation in the corridor.

"Seems to me that the answer is quite simple. Your Prefect named Ben is right, you simply just need to send an owl to your father. Ask him about everything. He's going to have to tell you what happened. There's no avoiding it now," Rose explained.

"Thanks Rose. Will you come with Albus and me to the Owlery after class?" Scorpius asked.

"Of course I will," she said with a nod.

By this time, the rest of the class had slowly filed into the room and took their seats. Within a few moments, Professor Siegaul entered the classroom and began the lesson.

After class had ended, Rose and Scorpius met up with Albus near the West Tower. The three friends ascended the staircase to the Owlery that was at the top. Once that arrived at the top of the tower, Scorpius began to look for his eagle owl, Adonis, in the rafters of the roof. Once he had spotted him, Scorpius whistled for his owl. Adonis swiftly flew down from his perch and landed on Scorpius' outstretched arm. Rose and Albus gasped in surprise about the sheer size of the bird. Scorpius couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

"Most people react to him that way. This is my eagle owl, Adonis," Scorpius said.

"He's beautiful," Rose whispered.

"Yeah, I wish our owl was as handsome as him," Albus admitted. "Did you get a letter drawn up?" Albus asked Scorpius.

"Yes, I somehow managed to write it during Transfiguration. Not sure how I managed it though, Rose and I were sitting right in front of Professor Siegaul," Scorpius replied. He retrieved a folded up piece of parchment from his robes and gave it to Adonis. "Bring this back home to Dad and Mum," he told his bird. As soon as Scorpius had given direction, Adonis spread his large wings and took off from his owner's arm. Albus, Rose, and Scorpius watched the eagle owl fly away with the letter.

"And now we wait until tomorrow," Rose piped up.