Hey guys! So christmas part one! This has the burrow, some more arrivals of Older Characters and a surprise appearance, by one very very special one, please enjoy and review :)

The Burrow and Malfoy Manor were as different as two magical places could possibly be. At the manor there were hundreds of gaping empty rooms, seeing as the Malfoy's could only occupy up to five, whereas at the Burrow it was impossible to stand in any part of the house without at least two other people with you. Where Malfoy Manor was always kept meticulously tidy by the house elves, the Weasleys' house seemed to run on a system of sort of methodized chaos: there was a very old ghoul in the attic who was prone to loud coughing fits that echoed through the pipes, a clock with at least twenty hands that pointed to all sorts of odd places, home, work, mortal peril, and a mirror that yelled at Scorpius to tidy his hair every time he walked by. Perhaps the oddest thing about the Burrow was that everyone there seemed to understand him.

Hugo Weasley had given him several pairs of "jeans" which Scorpius was starting to like, a few sweaters, and even another pair of trainers-which he desperately needed. James Potter had recruited their entire group as a Quidditch team, and Scorpius discovered he was a fair enough beater-once he could get over the idea that he was airborne. The news of his talent with dueling had somehow leaked to the inhabitants of the Burrow (he suspected Al was guilty of this), and the older Hogwarts students had taken to challenging him. At first Scorpius hadn't been fond of the idea of going up against upper students, but it was actually pretty fun. It was, at least, much more fun than it had been with in Yaxley's class. He could tie with Lorcan and Lysander-the Ravenclaw twins whose mum knew Al's dad, beat James (which the oldest Potter didn't like much) and even stand against Teddy for several minutes before he was disarmed.

Christmas day was fast approaching, and more people seemed to filter into the house every day. Scorpius couldn't help wonder how many more the Burrow could take, he was already sharing Hugo's room with Al, James, Fred, and Teddy. Another thing had him worried about Christmas, he hadn't had a letter from his parents since the howler in September he didn't really think he was getting anything from them-and he wasn't very well going to ask Al and Rose to buy him something they'd already been so amazing, but, even though he felt quite stupid, he really didn't want Christmas to go by without a single present, and he definitely didn't want the backward looks of pity from the Potter's and the Weasleys he was sure to get.

The other funny thing about the Burrow was that all the adults seemed to like him. Mr. Potter, who had come in on one of his duels with Teddy had told him that he was "really quite good" and even given him a few tips of his Expelliarmus-a spell he seemed unusually fond of. Mrs. Potter was very nice, as long as you didn't get on her bad side (Scorpius really didn't want to get a howler that woman). Hermione reminded him so much of Rose it was hard to talk with her for very long without laughing-the only who seemed to dislike him was Ron.

Rose's dad hadn't spoken to Scorpius since the outburst on the platform, he had avoided sitting remotely close to him at the crammed dinner table, and he'd made sure to talk to Al and Rose when he wasn't around. Scorpius would honestly rather he would just yell or insult him, anything to end the awkward silence around him. Still, he'd taken to avoiding Mr. Weasley who seemed perfectly happy to do the same.

The night before Christmas there was a larger surge of people than any of the other. Nearly every one of the Weasley's family friends must have been there, because they were so crowded Mr. Potter had to conjure up a tent outside. Scorpius spotted Professor Longbottom, Andromeda Black (he'd met her one at his Grandmother's funeral), and even a bloke who looked like the Minister of Magic seated around the magically widened table. Scorpius grabbed a seat between Al and Rose who were both grinning broadly, he frowned and following their eyes couldn't help but smile. Mrs. Weasley (who happened to be an excellent cook) had levitated the entire dinner, which was more of a feast really, and with one swift moment everything from turkey to potatoes soared over their heads and neatly onto the white tablecloth, earning a roar of applause from the onlookers. Mrs. Weasley smiled wryly and took a little bow before going to sit with her husband.

"So," Al asked grabbing a leg of turkey as the table broke out into chatter. "How do you like the burrow?"

"It's amazing," Scorpius said taking a bit of treacle tart. "Though I could do without all the mirrors telling me to tuck in my shirt." Al grinned.

"Those things have been telling me to flatten my hair since I was two," he said, running a hand through his mess of black hair.

"And you've never bothered to take it's advice have you," Rose said, spreading gravy on her potatoes.

"Oh come on," Al said, laughing. "Like we haven't all heard," here he took on a nasally voice, "'don't you know what product looks like frizzy!'" Rose blushed and rolled her eyes, Scorpius couldn't help laughing along with Al.

"Shut up you two," She said grinning, "And pass the salt Scorpius," He grabbed the salt from James, who was talking in hushed voices with George-one of Al and Roses many uncles.

"I miss Hogwarts a bit though," he said, quickly dashing the salt over his potatoes before handing it to Rose. To his surprise her expression darkened.

"Yeah," she said, leaning in closer, "But we haven't gotten anything on the you-know-what on the eighth floor." Scorpius cursed, he'd been so distracted at the Burrow he'd Forgotten about the Order of the Phoenix and whatever Hagrid's bowtruckle was guarding. He opened his mouth to respond but he was cut off by an unfamiliar voice.

"So Malfoy-how's the ferret?" Scorpius frowned, and looked up. Ron Weasley, his blue eyes sparkling with malice.
"I mean, you're such a Gryffindor traitor-obviously it's fine if I call your death eater daddy as he is." Scorpius' eyes widened. Traitor? Death eater? He hadn't heard the familiar insults yet at the burrow, and he wasn't ready for them. This-this had been what he'd been worried about, this was the reason he'd taken every precaution. And after all that work Scorpius you really thought you were safe? Your bloody father tormented them for years-this is, this is what they've all been thinking. He tried to clear the thoughts from his head, tried to think that if he didn't care they couldn't hurt him-but it was Christmas eve and for the first time since Phineas Nigellus, he was off his guard.

"Still-I'd think Malfoy, your own mother would at least have the courtesy to take you in for Christmas but," his lip curled. "I suppose not." The table had fallen silent. Scorpius felt a tear welling up in his eye, fight it Scorpius fight it. But he couldn't fight it, he didn't feel angry-he wanted so badly to be angry at Ron Weasley the man so heartlessly insulted his family, voicing everything that had been hurting him since the howler, but all he felt was sad-sad that the place he'd thought he fit-that that was just him being naive. He could never fit in with the Weasleys, not as long as he was a Malfoy.

"Though if you weren't even brave enough to send her a letter-I must wonder how you hoodwinked the hat?"

"Ron!" Hermione said, her eyes were slightly teary. Fight it fight it.

"And I also have to wonder how you managed to get my daughter to talk to you, I guess pity has its uses..."
"Dad!" Rose gasped, jumping to her feet. Scorpius clenched his fist's, he wanted to yell, scream that even if the Malfoy's ignored him they were still his family, scream that he hadn't asked the hat to put him in Gryffindor, hadn't asked Rose and Al to stay in his compartment.

"And I hear you're quite good," he spat out the word like an insult, "at dueling. Daddy's taught you a few of his dark little tricks has he?"

"Ron," James Potter said through clenched teeth. "Shut up." Scorpius hadn't noticed that all the Hogwarts Potter and Weasley's had leaned in around him, like they were protecting him from the sharp words.

"Don't you see," Ron said with a sneer. "He's got you all thinking he's some kind of martyr when all he really is a lost, little-" Scorpius jumped to his feet. There was a clatter and a sound of breaking china as his plate toppled off the unbalanced table. He stared down at his shaking fists.

"Excuse me," He said, not daring to look up. And ignoring their worried faces he pushed through the little crowd around him, and breaking into a run, swung open the door to the burrow and toppled inside.

He kept running until he got to the dining room, mostly because he couldn't really stop. He ran through the kitchen, up the stairs, until finally he felt far enough away-from his parents, from his friends, from the tears that he quickly rubbed away from his eyes. He wanted to cry and he wanted to scream, and he wanted everything to go away. Maybe Ron Weasley was right, maybe he wasn't brave enough to be a Gryffindor.

"Hullo."

Scorpius jumped, tugging his wand from the sleeve of his sweater, the red one he'd borrowed from Al, and turning round to face-nothing. Scorpius frowned, the last time a voice had come from nowhere, it had been Al, but this didn't sound like Al...

"Over here mate." Scorpius twisted towards the voice which was low and gravelly, to see-still nothing.

"Getting warmer, up a bit." Scorpius glanced up and spotted the thick golden frame, and inside it a tall man with long dark hair, grinning down at him. The man's dark eye's met his and suddenly the portrait frowned.

"You look exactly like-"

"Draco Malfoy?" Scorpius said tucking his wand back into his sleeve-there wasn't much he could do to a portrait with his wand that he couldn't manage by walking out of the room-he slumped against the wall. 'I've heard-I suppose it's the family resemblance." The portrait-man's eyes widened.

"Your-"

"Scorpius Malfoy," he said not even trying to hide the frustration in his voice. "I've been told I look a lot like dear old dad."

"What are you-"

"Doing at the Weasley's house on Christmas eve," Scorpius finished raising his eyebrows. "I'm in Gryffindor, and my best friends are Albus Potter and Rose Weasley, the family wasn't to pleased with me." He glared down at Hugo's sneakers for a moment before forcing himself to look back at the portrait. To his surprise, the dark man was smiling wryly, looking down at Scorpius like he knew exactly how he felt.

"Well the original question was going to be why are you crying in the second floor hall, but that's good to know as well." Scorpius blushed.

"You-er-saw that?" The portrait laughed, and Scorpius grew redder.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," the man said, his expression softening. "Even the best blokes need a good cry sometimes." Scorpius nodded quickly, still feeling rather stupid. A few moments went by, and then the portrait spoke again.

"You never answered my question you know." Scorpius suddenly felt angry.

"I'm a bloody Malfoy at the Weasley's house, what do you think happened?" He took a deep breath and mumbled, "sorry."

"Well," the portrait said. "Unfortunately you've filled me with curiosity, I must know what I'm supposed to be thinking because-and I'm sorry to say this mate-you've lost me on that." Scorpius cracked a smile.

"Mr. Weasley called me a death eater, and a traitor-" he blushed here not wanting to sound like he got upset at the drop of a hat. "It's nothing I'm not used to it's just, I got a bit, caught off guard and everyone was listening..." he stopped, going pink again. He looked up at the portrait, expecting him to laugh, but the dark man's face was deathly serious.

"Ron said that? And Harry didn't try to stop him?" The portrait seemed suddenly angry, but Scorpius felt this was going a bit too far.

"I can fight my own battles," he said. "I'm not," he lowered his eyes. "I'm not a coward." There was another moment of silence, then the man in the picture said something that startled him.

"Scorpius, it's O.K. to be upset." He looked up at the portrait and was surprised to see tears brimming in the dark man's eyes. He shook his head.

"No," his voice cracked. "N-not when you're me, everyone-" Scorpius met the portraits eyes, "Everyone's always looking for a reason to hate me, I'm a Malfoy, I'm a Gryffindor. No matter what I do someone's always offended and I-" He looked down again, and a tiny tear slid down his cheek. "I don't know what to do." Scorpius pressed his face into his hands, suddenly feeling very, very, small.

"You know," the portrait man said, Scorpius kept his face down. "You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone who was also a pureblood, and a Gryffindor, and," Scorpius could see the man's grin through his fingers. "Dashingly handsome if I do say so myself." Scorpius felt his face grow hot in his hands, but still he didn't look up. "Anyway, this kid went to Hogwarts where he met three other kids-the only friends he'd ever known. They saw each other through seven years, no one had ever know the boy so well. The four of them-they were like family. Anyway, the whole story is epic-and long, so what I'm gonna tell you is this. Somewhere along the way this kid realized that as long as he had his friends, no one else mattered-that he was a lot happier once he realized that all he could do was show them they were all wrong-and the only way he could do that was by being exactly who he was." Scorpius glanced up at the man who was smiling slightly, like he was remembering something happy.

"It sounds stupid when I say it," The portrait said, his face breaking into a grin. "Remus was always better at this stuff." He looked down at Scorpius, his eyes softening. "But seriously kid, I don't know your story-but be who you are. Hang Gryffindor banners over Malfoy manor! Be friendly with whomever you want! And if Ron Weasley is being an arse, that's his problem. Don't bother with them, just be yourself," here his smile widened even further. Just be Scorpius Malfoy in red and gold."

Scorpius stared at the stranger, suddenly recognizing the sharp features and the dark hair. He scrambled to his feet.

"Wait your-"

"Sirius Black," said the man with a dramatic bow that reminded him an awful lot of Al. "Now get back out there," He said his face darkening, "I think I hear Ginny, and trust me mate you don't want to see her in a mood."

"Thanks Mr. Bla-"

"Sirius," the man said firmly.

"Sirius," Scorpius said, smiling for the first time since Mrs. Weasley had brought out the treacle tart. And with that he headed back down the stairs to find Al and Rose. It was nearly Christmas, and he was with his best friends, it didn't get much better than that.

Rose was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs.

"Scorpius Malfoy," she said, sounding just like she had on the Quidditch pitch the day he'd almost fallen off his broom. "Don't you ever run off like that again." And before he could reply she was hugging him, and grinning and crying at the same time. Scorpius wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do, so he patted her awkwardly on the back. She pulled away.

"I swear he's never like that!"

"Rosie I'm fine."

"And it's nearly Christmas-"

"Rose I swear-"

"Oh don't be so stupid," she said, and then she was hugging him again.

"Oi!" Scorpius grinned as Al walked into the hall. "Hugging's all well and good but mums about to have a fit and I need you," he pointed at Scorpius, "to come with me." Scorpius broke away from Rose who was still slightly teary.

"I'm alright," he said grinning at her, and she let out a little sniff in return.

Mrs. Potter embraced him as well, insisting on apologizing at least ten times though Scorpius assured her he was fine-though he couldn't help be glad Ron was nowhere in sight. All the adults seemed to insist on doing so as well, and by the time he'd told them all that he was absolutely sure he was alright, Hermione was announcing it was high time they all went to bed. Before he could make his way back to the stairs Mr. Potter pulled him aside.

"Scorpius, are you alright?" He nodded. "I swear Mr. Potter I get that all the time, he just caught me a bit off guard." Mr. Potter frowned.

"Well that's very brave of you Scorpius, but if there's ever anything you need, anything at all..." Scorpius nodded.

"Thanks Mr. Potter." He said, and with a faint smile, he followed Al upstairs.

Did you like Sirius? Did you notice the title :) Please leave me a review or P.M. me at magiclulajane. Thanks for reading!

Did you like Sirius? Did you notice the title :) Please leave me a review or P.M. me at magiclulajane. Thanks for reading! (also NO HATE for Ron I promise he will apologize next week :)