Scorpius didn't come down the next morning, either. When Astoria arrived home at lunchtime, Scorpius hadn't come downstairs yet.
Scorpius was lying on his bed, thinking about what had happened last night. He didn't write to Albus or Rose. He didn't dare. He wondered what to do. He wasn't going to talk to his father. He was so angry at his father. There was a knock on the door.
"Scorpius?" came his mothers voice. Scorpius didn't answer. The door opened. Scorpius sat up.
"Scorpius, why have you not come down?" Astoria asked. Scorpius didn't answer.
"I heard vat happened in ze Ministry, Scorpius," Astoria said quietly, "And I know zat your father doen't wish for you to speak to your friends."
"I have to talk to my friends, Mother." Scorpius said.
"I don't think zat you should be in touch with zem just now." Astoria said gently.
"But, they'll wonder why I'm not writing back, Mother!" Scorpius protested.
"Scorpius, eet ees for the best." Astoria said, slightly firmer.
"It's not fair," Scorpius said quietly, "They're my friends."
"Scorpius, darling, you know why we do not wish for you to be friends with them. But, I understand. It will be very 'ard for you. But, we cannot allow you to be friends with zeeze people." Astoria said.
"I can't just ignore them, Mother." Scorpius said, tears running down his face.
"Scorpius, I'm sorry, but, you understand why we don't want you naking friends with zem, don't you?" Astoria said, comforting Scorpius by giving him a hug.
"Because you and Father don't like them." Scorpius said.
"Eet's not like zat, eet's just..." Astoria trailed off.
"It's because they don't accept the whole blood purity thing." Scorpius said. Astoria couldn't think of what to say. She decided to change the subject.
"Are you hungry?" Astoria asked. Scorpius nodded.
"But I'm not coming down." he said.
"I will get you something. But, come down soon." Astoria said. Scorpius didn't say anything.
...
Over the next week, Scorpius recieved three letters off both Albus and Rose, one off James and even one off Harry. He didn't reply.
Scorpius,
What's going on? Why aren't you writing back? Are you upset with Albus and Rose? They are very worried about you. I'm very, very sorry about the Ministry. I told Albus to tell you in one of his letters, I hope he did. Please write back, we are all getting seriously worried about you. Maybe your Father doesn't want you to write back? I know he doesn't approve of your friendship, but please, at least tell us your okay.
Write soon,
Harry
He felt awful, but, he rememebered how awful it had been when the family had ignored him last time, he didn't want to fight with his family again. He spent most of his time in his room. He went downstairs for meals, and that was mostly it.
Vincent walked into the bedroom.
"Scorp? Do you want to play some Quidditch, or something?" he asked. Scorpius shook his head.
"No."
"You don't want to play Gobstones, or anything?" Vincent asked.
"No." Scorpius said. Vincent sighed.
"Mother and Father are rather worried about you, Scorpius." Vincent said, sitting down on the bed.
"They're the ones who wont let me write to my friends." Scorpius said bitterly.
"You're not writing to them, are you?" Vincent asked.
"No." Scorpius said. "Honest."
"Really?" Vincent said disbelievingly.
"I swear. Look at the letters, they are all worried. Even Harry wrote." Scorpius pointed to the pile of letters. Vincent read the open one from Harry.
"Oh." he said.
"I don't know what to do at school though." Scorpius said.
"Forget it, for now. Look, tomorrow, we'll be going to Diagon Alley for the school stuff. Mother says she really wants you to go. You need school robes, anyway." Vincent said. Scorpius nodded.
"Fine. Tell Mother I'll go." Scorpius said and went to open the window, where an owl was waiting with another letter. VIncent left the room.
Scorpius,
Please, please write! We are so, so worried! Uncle Harry said he'd write to you too. Why aren't you answering. We're all seriously worried. My dad told me to tell you to ignore you father if he's giving you a hard time. Oh, Scorpius, please write! Albus is really worried too, and so is James, even little Lily. Everyone told me to tell you to please write. My Gran sends her love, and says to tell us you're alright. See, everyone is giving us messages for you. Even Uncle George was serious for a moment when he told me to tell you to write.
Please write,
Rose.
Scorpius looked at the letter sadly, but he let the owl go back with no message.
...
In Diagon Alley, none of the Malfoy family talked much. They got all the supplies for school, they got robes, stuff for the owls. Nothing lightened the mood for the remainder of the summer. Scorpius recieved dozens of letters from the Potters and Weasleys. He got them from Albus, Rose, James, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Teddy, Andromeda, Gran Weasley and even little Lily, who had just written "PLEASE WRITE BACK" in colourful writing. Scorpius didn't write back once.
As school approached, Scorpius got more and more nervous.
I'm trying to make up for not writing, by writing loads. Any tips, advice, praise, criticism appreciated. Tell me what you think. Enjoy.