Chapter four: Meeting the Head of House and Letters

We walked up and around the moving staircases of the school, saw many portraits of people who whispered and waved as we walked by. We followed Prefect Molly, who I think is a Weasley, but am not sure. She led us to a portrait of a fat lady wearing a pink dress.

"Password?" The portrait asked.

Prefect Molly gave the password, "Emerald Scar."

The portrait swung open and Prefect Molly let us all through the archway into a cozy room that she said was the common room. We stood there awkwardly for a few minutes before a tall blonde haired man stepped through the entrance. The room went silent as he approached the group of first years.

"Hello my new Lions, I am Professor Longbottom. I teach Herbology, and am the Gryffindor head of house. I welcome you to Gryffindor house. We have several years to get to know one another, so with that said I send you off to your beds. Boys dorm is up the stairs, first door on your left. Girls the same on the right. Good night to all of my Lions and I will see you in the morning."

I started to make my way up to bed when I was shoved from behind. I stumbled and let out a sound of pain as I hit my shoulder against the door frame. I looked up to see a boy who looked a lot like Albus Potter. The boy had a contemptuous look on his face. He sneered at me and was about to say something when he was cut off by Professor Longbottom.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy is everything all right?"

We both looked at the professor as he approached. He was giving Potter a "I can't believe I just saw what I saw look."

"James. Am I going to have to take points before classes even start?" The professor asked the older boy.

"No Professor Longbottom."

"Then apologize to Mr. Malfoy."

The older potter boy turned back to me and said, "Sorry Malfoy," and with that he pushed past me and went up the stairs. I winced as he touched my injured shoulder and the professor noticed.

"Mr. Malfoy, did you hurt your shoulder? Would you like to go see Madame Pomfrey?"

I shook my head ''no'' and stuttered out, "N-no p-professor I'm f-fine."

"Ok then. if you're sure. If you're shoulder starts to hurt, let me know and I'll take you to Madame Pomfrey, OK?" The professor asked. I just nodded my head and went up the stairs, and went to bed.

00000

The next morning, Scorpius woke up early to get dressed so none of his new dorm mates would see his scars. He had written a letter to his parents before going to bed and he wanted to send it off before breakfast. He didn't know the way to the owlry, so he made his way down to the common room where he sat reading over the letter for his parents until some of the other students started filing into the common room.

An older girl stood up and spoke.

"OK. First years listen up. How many of you have a letter for your family but you don't know a way to the owlry?"

All nine of us first years raised our hands. The older girl nodded.

"Okay then, here's what we're going to do. All of you get your letters and I will show you the way to the owlry."

The first years that hadn't brought their letters down with them scrambled their way back to their dorm rooms to grab their letters. When they returned, a first year girl with sandy brown hair asked the older girl who she was.

"I'm Dominique Weasley." The girl gaped at the older girl. Dominique just gave the girl a, "shut your mouth please" look.

I turned when I heard the person next to me sigh. It was Albus Potter. I gave him a questioning look, he looked back and mouthed, 'damn bloody stalkers.' I gave him a small understanding look and turned back around when the elder Weasley girl started leading us out the portrait hole.

{Malfoy Cottage}

A black owl came swooping into the kitchen window of Malfoy Cottage where a worried father waited for his son's owl. As soon as the poor bird landed on the table it was just about knocked over by the overly panicked father. The man quickly tore open the letter and began to read. He let out a sound of joy as he read what his son had written. He looked up when he heard his wife's laughter.

Astoria Malfoy was amused when she entered the kitchen. Her husband was sitting at the kitchen table reading what was obviously their sons letter. His owl was sitting on the kitchen table looking rather annoyed. She could only imagine her husband's actions, finally seeing their sons owl.

She walked over and started to pet their sons owl, Ana. "So what does he say?" She asked her husband. "I'm assuming it's something good, since you practically yelled in joy."

He blushed and cleared his throat, "Let me read it out loud." She nodded as he began to read.

'Dear Mama, Daddy,

The train ride was good. I sat with a bushy redheaded girl and a messy black haired boy,

Draco snorted and muttered, 'wonder who they are related to.' Astoria gave her husband a withering look and he went back to reading.

I thought the sorting hats song was stupid sounding. The hat had a hard time trying to figure out where to place me, it said some stuff about all the house's before placing me in Gryffindor.

Hey daddy, you'll never guess what finally happened. Last year, I guess the ghost teacher finally realized that he was dead and decided to cross over so we have a new history teacher.

I just had a problem, one of the older students pushed me into the door frame...

Draco and Astoria looked at one another for a moment before returning to their sons letter.

... but before he could start anything our head of house Professor Longbottom interrupted.

He made me promise him that if my shoulder started to hurt that I would tell him so he can take me to Madame Pomfrey.

Well I'm tired. It's been a long day. I will talk to you both soon.

Love Scorp

PS: daddy, don't worry if my shoulder starts hurting I will let the professor know so please don't worry love you, write to you soon bye.'

Draco set down the letter and rubbed his hand over his face.

Astoria spoke up, "Well let's hope that Professor Longbottom keeps Scorp away from trouble." Draco just laughed and made his way to his study.

{Potter Home}

Harry and Ginny were sitting in their kitchen. Their daughter lily sat finishing her pancakes, when a tap was heard on the kitchen window. Harry got up and opened the window.

Their son Albus' owl flew in and landed on Ginny's arm. She removed the letter from the owl's leg. Their daughter gave the owl a piece of bacon.

Ginny read their youngest sons letter.

'Hi Mom, Dad, Lily,

The train ride was great. Me and Rose sat with Scorpius Malfoy. He's a quiet kid. Did you know that he doesn't have that British accent? I wonder why.

The sorting hat placed me and Rose both in Gryffindor, Scorpius ended up in Gryffindor as well. Neville is the Gryffindor head of house. My only concern is James. I was talking with Neville last night and we saw James push Scorpius hard into the door frame. Neville approached them both and had to give James a warning and make him apologize to Scorpius.

I think Scorpius hurt his shoulder when James pushed him. We don't start classes until Monday so I am going to try and make some friends with my dorm mates. It's late I'd better make my way to bed.

Write to you soon love you all, Albus.'

Harry and Ginny glanced at one another.

Harry side and said, "It looks like we'll have to send James a letter."

Ginny smirked and said, "Have we ever told James about the howler Ron got your second year?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, realizing where Ginny was going with this.