Chapter 7: Easter in Hogsmead
After his confrontation with Zane Scorp never returned to the glade.
After that life continued as per usual.
Scorp excelled in all of his subjects coming second only in flying, to Al, and in Herbology, to Rose.
Rose took great pride in the fact that she had beaten Scorp in something.
Scorp lay in his bed staring at the ceiling.
Yes, Rose was very irritated at him for some reason.
She'd yelled at him all day before she, Al and Evanna had gotten on the train home.
Everything was his fault, apparently.
Al and Evanna had been kinder and apologised for leaving him.
He sighed and rolled over to look at the clock, it was only 6:30 in the morning.
It was odd for him to be awake at this hour. He usually was only awake at 7:45. Just in time to make breakfast.
He was so worn out from school and homework that he only had a few hours sleep, along with his nap through History of Magic.
He got up and put on his robes, no use wasting time.
He grabbed the marauder's map and headed out towards to owlery, hoping Grin had something from home.
As luck would have it she did.
A small envelope from Scorp's Mother.
Scorpius,
I'm sorry about your father. He was very upset to here from Horace that you were place in Gryffindor.
I'll get him to calm down, but for the moment I think it would be best if you stayed at school for Easter.
I'm sorry.
Love,
Your mother.
The letter was dated for a week ago.
It was a good thing he hadn't gone home with the others.
Scorp's heart sank. So even his mother could not convince Draco to let Scorp come home.
As cruel and scary as Draco was he, like Scorp, was terrified of his wife.
Nothing compared to the wrath of Asteria Malfoy when her husband had upset her.
Scorp shuddered at the thought.
He gave Grin a quick scratch on her neck and left.
He decided not to go back to the boy's dormitory, he'd just patrol the halls until breakfast.
He past a statue of a humped one eyed witch and stopped.
He quickly pulled out the map and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good"
The map snapped open.
He scanned the page.
Aha. The One Eyed Old Crone.
He gazed at the map.
A little ink figure of Scorp appeared on the page and tapped the statue.
Scorp pulled out his wand.
It couldn't hurt to try.
He tapped the statue.
Nothing happened. He looked back at the map. The smallest speech bubble appeared next to his figure. The word inside said 'Dissendium'.
"Dissenduim" said Scorp as he tapped the stone witch,
The statues hump opened wide to reveal a stone slide.
Scorp gazed at it unsure of what to do.
He certainly wasn't going down there.
He had no clue where it led!
He turned around to leave when he heard the distinct, creaky voice of Mrs Campion.
"Is there a student out of bed? Oh dear oh dear what shall we do on Easter morning? Hand them by their thumbs. Boil them alive? Ohoho! I love Easter!"
Scorp panicked.
No way was he going to let that old hag get a hold of him.
He took a deep a breath and slid down the slide, then landed on cold, damp earth.
He brushed himself off and looked around at the dimly lit room.
There were boxes all over the place.
Where was he?
Something moved behind him and he spun around.
And came face to face with a very surprised face.
The man blinked at him, and at the map in his hand.
He turned to see the entrance to the slide close up.
And then, he laughed.
He laughed so loud and so hard his face went red.
Scorp took and step backwards and the man stopped and looked at him.
Scorp could barely see his face.
"So," said the man, "I see you've got the map. Wow. That brings back memories. Come on up. We'll have some tea."
The man turned and went up a flight of wooden stairs.
Silently and confused Scorp followed.
As they got into better light, Scorp saw that the man had the same red hair as Rose.
He looked around, at what seemed to be a shop.
The colour almost knocked him out.
Everywhere he looked there was something exploding, making noise or just being well… bright.
The dark skin woman with braids behind the counter stared at them.
The man winked at her,
"Just found this one… ermm, sliding into our basement."
The woman laughed and smiled warmly at Scorp, he smiled back.
He followed the man up another flight of stairs, into what appeared to be an apartment above the shop.
"Sit down. Make your self at home," said the man, as he went into the kitchen the make some tea.
Scorp sat and looked around.
The place was just as colourful as down stairs.
A tall boy walked in from one of the rooms.
Scorp recognised him from school, he was a sixth year.
He had the same red hair, but his skin was the same dark African colour as the woman downstairs.
"Dad," called the boy, "Have you seen my transfiguration text book? And a bucket of Flopquash juice fell on me as I left my room this morning. Was that you?"
The man in the kitchen laughed.
"Easiest trick in the book, my son. Your textbook is under the couch. Your mother's using it to stop the ouch from wobbling. Stop being rude and greet our guest."
The boy looked at Scorp, "Oh hello," then noticing his Hogwarts robes, he grinned. "The One Eyed Old Crone huh? Ahh I use to use that one all the time in my first two years. And then again when I got banned from coming here."
The man came in and set tea in front of the bewildered Scorp.
Scorp looked from the man to the boy.
They both laughed.
The man smiled, "I'm George Weasley. This is my son Fred. And from the looks of you, you must be little Scorpius Malfoy."
Scorp nodded, then realised something.
"Weasley? Are you related to Rose Weasley?"
George nodded, "She's my niece, do you know her?"
"Yea. She's a friend of mine."
George sat down next to him, "Yea? And what's my cute little niece doing hanging out with a Slytherin?"
Scorp shook his head, "I'm not a Slytherin. I'm a Gryffindor."
George looked shocked.
"Seriously? A Malfoy actually got into Gryffindor? Wow guess your dad wasn't too happy with that."
Fred shook his head, "Nah. He wasn't everyone heard that howler he sent. Pretty rough stuff there."
Scorp's face flushed red.
"No worries," said George, "A father can never be mad at his child for too long. Even if he is a spineless git like Draco Malfoy,"
He said the last part under his breath so that Scorp couldn't hear.
"So," said George, "What are we going to do with you?"
Scorp panicked, "Please don't tell the teachers! I've already had one detention this term, and that opened up to even more troubles! Please don't tell them. I'll be out of your hair as soon as I can Just-"
George looked appalled.
Scorp got the feeling that he was up for a lecture about lying, but instead.
"One detention? Only one? That's disappointing. I'm guessing that's the same for Al and Rose too then?"
Scorp nodded.
"Outrageous" exclaimed Fred, "My cousins are obviously aren't working hard enough."
George nodded in agreement.
Scorp gapped at them.
They were mad. Completely bonkers.
Acting as if people just came out of slides everyday. Dropping flopquash juice on each other. Thinking Draco would accept his son. Encouraging getting detentions.
Yep. They were complete nutcases.
But they were nice nutcase.
And that was how Scorp spent his Easter day.
Helping about George's shop, which he discovered was called Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and listening to stories of when George and his brother Fred were at Hogwarts.
Scorp was completely caught up in it all, and before he knew it he had to go.
He left hands full of gifts and a promise to bring Rose and Al down.
And for the first time, he felt like belonged.
He was sure that could get him through the next few days with out Al, Rose and Evanna.
A/N:
I thought it was about time for a warm and fuzzy chapter. Plus I love George!
If any of you are wondering, the shop in Diagon Alley is still there, it's just run by a friend of George's. He moved to Hogsmead to be closer to his son.
Next chapter: I have no idea!! I'll think of something, it'll probably be back with Al and Rose.