Chapter 2: Facing the Inevitable
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters or affiliated books, movies, games, etc. The creator and copyright holder of Harry Potter, to the best of my knowledge, is J.K. Rowling. However, this story's plot is my original idea as are the original characters, so no stealing, taking, copying, borrowing, etc.
Scorpius had not been sure what sort of welcome he'd receive at the Slytherin table, but he was pleasantly surprised that at least a few of his fellow housemates were pleased with the Sorting Hat's choice and others were waiting to find out what he was like before judging. Of course, plenty had already decided to hate him. So, he slid gracefully onto the bench and immediately began talking to everyone around him, instinctively taking note of those he would be able to establish an actual friendship with, those who could be manipulated, and those he eventually have to mark as enemies. This was a skill the blonde had mastered early in life due to unfortunate necessity.
He was only vaguely aware that the Sorting Ceremony was going on, because he knew that ingratiating himself with his housemates would be one of the most important things he would do at Hogwarts. No matter what path his school life took, he would need allies. And as soon as he heard Albus being sorted into Gryffindor like he had predicted, Scorpius ignored the rest of the Sorting Ceremony entirely. Dinner passed without much incident, but his evening on the whole was far from boring. It all began on the way to the Slytherin dorms.
"MALFOY!" a voiced shouted from behind. All the first years stopped and turned around to see a fellow Slytherin, probably a third-year, stalking toward them. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, leaving Scorpius alone in the center. As the third year came closer, the blonde examined his would be opponent. After a few moments, Scorpius decided that he was stupid and violent but harmless.
The third year aimed some sort of curse at him, but Scorpius was more than ready and easily blocked it with a simple shield charm. Then, he immediately followed through with a body bind curse.
Tension was thick in the air as everyone watched this quick exchange and waited with baited breath to see what the Malfoy heir would do next. Knowing that they were expecting more annoyed Scorpius, but he merely stashed his wand back inside his robes. The spell would wear off soon enough, and the third year had learned that he was not an easy target. For Scorpius, that was more than enough.
"Let's get moving," the prefect said after a few more minutes of stagnant silence, acting as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Scorpius was the first one to move, but the other first years quickly followed. And he didn't need to see it, but Scorpius already knew that his fellow first years were staring at him with something akin to hero worship. True, he didn't relish the attention, but there were far worse feelings he could have inspired in them. So, he'd just live with it, though the incident had pretty much killed the friendship idea. After all, hero worship was far from conducive to forming true friendships.
When he retired to bed that night, Scorpius was feeling, despite the fact that most of the world hated his family, secure with his position in the Slytherin house. By that time, word of the incident in the hallway had spread all throughout the house. As the currently most interesting person in the common room, Scorpius had been constantly surrounded by people asking him what had happened and quickly learned that vast attention formed from positive feelings was just as annoying as vast attention formed from negative feelings.
"Hey, why did you let him off so lightly?" No one was sure who exactly had asked the question, but it was the one everyone wanted to know the answer to. Scorpius felt his earlier annoyance come roaring back, but he let the feeling wash over him and dissipate before answering.
"Well," he said with the most charming smile he could muster. "He was no longer a threat, and I generally don't find pleasure in other's pain. He now knows that I'm not an easy target and probably won't be trying anything else that stupid anytime soon. Crisis averted. Point made. End of story."
"Good man!" said the boy nearest him in a loud voice while clapping him on the shoulder. He was one of the older students, at least a sixth year, and Scorpius had no idea who the hell this person was. But the guy kept talking. "I wasn't sure what to make of you at first Malfoy, but it's quite obvious that you're no Death Eater, unlike your dad and grandpa."
"Thank you," the blonde said mechanically, because he knew that those words were meant to be a compliment. They were only half right, and it pissed him off when people talked badly about his father. However, it was still the first day of school, and he had to stay on these people's good side. So, he bit back his angry, insulting retort and just kept smiling.
"No problem," the boy said. "The name's Chase Parkinson, by the way. Let me know if anyone else bothers you. I'll teach them to mess with my little buddies."
"Sure," Scorpius said, again biting back his words. Hadn't he just proven he could take care of himself? Whatever. It didn't matter. An ally was an ally, and it was obvious from the new attention the conversation had garnered that, even though Chase was a bit of an idiot, his approval was important and worth having.
After that little exchange, Scorpius allowed himself to be dragged through a few more conversations before claiming he was tired and headed off to bed. It had been a long time since he went to bed before nine, but he figured it was the only way to politely get away from the most boring round of conversation had had been a part of in a long time. A few minutes after he was settled under the covers with the bed curtains closed, he heard a commotion outside. It was other male first years arguing over who would get to stay in his dorm. Figuring that they could work it out amongst themselves, he rolled over and went to sleep.
When Scorpius awoke the next morning, he found, to his horror, en pairs of eyes staring at him from the foot of his bed. Apparently, these first years hadn't been able to decided who would get to sleep in his dorm and had decided to let him choose in the morning. Groaning in frustration, the blonde rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom to splash some water on his face. It was way too early in the morning for such nonsense. These kids were worse than Albus, thinking that houses and dormitories dictated everything.
After taking a few more minutes to wake up in peace, he walked back out to where they were all still waiting. Their eager faces did nothing more than annoy Scorpius. His grey eyes searched theirs, and he found one first year who was still there for no other reason than to annoy the others. He could tell because the first year's expression had momentarily morphed into a mischievous grin. That was the first dormmate the blonde chose.
Unfortunately, the rest of them were genuinely hoping to be his newest bosom buddies. Sighing, he looked among them again and pointed to the four that were least eager and sent the rest of them to the empty first year dorm he knew would be down the hall. As the four nameless eager dormmates were having a mini-celebration, Scorpius grabbed the arm of the mischievous one and dragged him down to the Great Hall for breakfast. There were maybe a dozen people at each table. He sat down at a completely empty portion of the Slytherin table, pulled the other first year down on his left and told him to stay put.
"Dude," the other boy said indignantly. "I'm not one of your adoring fans."
"I am well aware of that," Scorpius replied as he began scraping some eggs onto his plate. "That is the only reason I dragged you down here with me. And you're not moving."
"Whatever," the guy said, shrugging in an uncaring way. "By the way, the name's Sven Stickle." Scorpius merely nodded in acknowledgement and continued piling breakfast onto his plate. Sven stared at him for a few minutes and seemed to decide that he didn't really care whether the blonde acknowledged his presence, because he stayed exactly where Scorpius had put him. As people started slowly filing in, the table easily filled up around the two, but Scorpius kept the seat to his right empty, claiming that he saw saving it for somebody. He was, but that wasn't the only reason. The blonde really didn't feel like dealing with anyone claiming to be his new right hand man, and Scorpius didn't want someone like Chase Parkinson claiming him as their new right hand man. That's why he had Sven sitting on his left. Those who mattered would understand his unspoken statement.
A little while later, Scorpius heard confused whispers and soft steps coming up behind him. He knew who it was and said nothing as Albus sat down next to him. The blonde hadn't been sure the young Potter would come over, but he was immensely glad he had left the seat open. His fellow Slytherins seemed shell-shocked for a few moments, but very soon, their surprised expressions morphed into glares that were aimed at the Gryffindor. The blonde knew that Albus could sense that the people around them were glaring at him for reasons beyond general dislike and rivalry between houses. Before Albus could contemplate leaving, Scorpius smiled slightly and pushed a plate of not quite Belgium waffles toward his friend, and said, "I've been waiting for you. And you should try these, they're really good."
"Thanks," Albus said brightly as relief washed over him. He really had been worried that he made the wrong decision for a few moments. He grabbed two waffles, slathered them with butter and syrup, and dug in. Scorpius waited a few minutes, letting Albus eat in peace, before introducing the black-haired boy to the Slytherins nearest him. Albus smiled shyly and said hi or good morning to each of them, but nothing else.
"So, you like the waffles?" Scorpius asked and couldn't resist chuckling when Albus nodded emphatically. Breakfast continued quietly, Scorpius resuming his conversation with Albus, the one that didn't require the Gryffindor to respond with more than one or two words. Breakfast was almost over before someone finally decided to comment on it.
"Hey Potter," a fifth year who was sitting almost directly across from them called out. "Why don't you talk?"
"I'm shy," Albus said, suddenly very quiet with so much attention on him. It would also be obvious to those who looked that he was attempting to shrink into nothingness.
"Painfully shy," Scorpius said with a grin while patting him on the back. "But don't hold that or the fact that he's a Gryffindor against him. He's actually really nice. And he's my friend." When he spoke that last sentence, he smiled coldly at everyone around him and let them be clear that there was an underlying threat and promise in those words. Fortunately, Albus didn't notice, and those words were all it took for the Slytherins to grudgingly accept that a certain Gryffindor would be spending a lot of time with them. Unfortunately for Albus, Slytherin was only one of, and the most hate of, all four houses.
September 1st had fallen on a Friday that year, so Hogwarts students had an entire weekend to enjoy before classes started on Monday. After Saturday morning breakfast at the Slytherin tales, Albus spent almost the entire weekend with Scorpius and the blonde's ever present posse. The young Gryffindor wasn't sure why Scorpius kept them around when all they seemed to do was annoy him. However, Albus never asked, figuring his friend had his reasons.
When Albus wasn't with Scorpius, he was in his house common room or holed up in his dormitory. People talked to him at first, but he was still too shy to say more than few words at a time. However, none of them were as perceptive as Scorpius, and eventually, no one but Slytherins would talk to him. Word had spread like wildfire through the castle, and rumor said that Albus Potter thought he was too good to associate with other houses. In other words, for the first time in a very, very long time, a Gryffindor had been stereotyped as a Slytherin. And poor, shy little Albus hadn't even noticed that three-fourths of the school hated him.
The Slytherins who were forced to spend time with Albus due to Scorpius's influence actually became fond of the shy Gryffindor rather quickly. So long as one took the time and effort, it was extremely obvious that the black-haired boy was an extraordinarily loveable person. But most people in the school were content to believe that the newest Potter to attend Hogwarts was extremely arrogant with a bloated ego to match. And by the time word of these rumors reached his family's ears, nothing of his cousins could say would change those people's minds.
The Monday that marked the start of their classes, Albus found himself being forcefully dragged out of bed long before he was fully awake. A familiar voice told him to hurry up and get ready as its owner pushed him toward the bathroom. Albus grumbled under his breath about annoying older brothers but began rushing his breath about annoying older brothers but began brushing his teeth anyway. Within minutes, the black-haired boy had pulled on his robes and was being dragged toward the Great Hall by James.
"You're sitting at the Gryffindor table this morning for breakfast," James stated, not for a moment letting go of his younger brother's wrist. His tone was as commanding a twelve-year-old could make it. "Why you're so chummy with a Malfoy, of all people, I don't know, but you need to stop alienating every student who isn't a Slytherin. They all hate you. We can't go back in time, regrettably. But we can do damage control."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Albus said as he struggled to get away. He hadn't really registered what James had really said, but he knew he didn't like it when James tried to order him around. "And I want to sit with Scorpius."
"No," James growled, and that was the end of the conversation because they had reached a more populated corridor, and Albus clammed up.
When they reached the Great Hall, Albus resumed his silent useless struggle until the two brothers wee at their house table. Giving up, the black-haired boy glanced up and won the table, found the Halibel twins, wrenched his arm out of a distracted James's grip, and marched over to sit between his friends. They happily moved aside for him. Before he sat down, Albus caught Scorpius's eye and smiled apologetically. The blonde shrugged and waved his hand carelessly to say it was okay. But Albus still noticed the empty seat on Scorpius's right hand side.
"So," Hannah said as soon as Albus sat down fully. "What's Scorpius Malfoy like?"
"Really nice," he answered with a small smile. Absentmindedly, he pulled food off a nearby plate, and his heart felt a pang of guilt when he noticed that it was a not quite Belgium waffle.
"What about the other Slytherins?" Hannah continued.
"They're okay," he said honestly. Other than Scorpius, he really didn't know them well enough, but a few of them had seemed nice enough. They had honestly seemed to like him.
"And has Scorpius figured out how to have an actual conversation with you?" Hannah asked with extremely curious eyes.
"Course," was Albus's short reply.
"When did he figure it out?" Hannah persisted. "How long did it take him?"
The first question was not one he was willing to answer as it would take the explaining of a story he was not yet willing to share. Luckily, the answer to the second would be enough of an answer for both. So, he said, "Couple minutes."
"He's rather observant then," Hannah commented. "Not that it takes too long to figure out that you're shy. Sorry, Albus, but it is rather obvious. But it take more to understand that you're more than capable of carrying a conversation so long as you don't have to say more than a few words at a time." She was about to stay more but was cut off by her own squeak. Holly had reached around Albus and poked her twin in the side. She hadn't poked her very hard, but Hannah was extremely, extremely ticklish.
As the two started bickering over his head, Albus finally got to start eating his breakfast. He would've avoided the waffles, still feeling a bit guilty, but they were very tasty, and he couldn't help himself. It was when he was slathering his third waffle with syrup when he felt them, the glares. He was afraid to look around, but he was well aware that they were coming from all directions, even his own table. Confused, Albus's mind finally registered James's earlier words.
"…you need to stop alienating every student who isn't a Slytherin. They all hate you."
So, they were glaring because they hated him? But why? What had he done to anger them so much? He couldn't recall doing anything bad. He always answered as much as he was able when people talked to him. Due to his shyness, it wasn't much, but he always responded. And every member of his family would tell you that Albus really didn't have a single mean bone in his body. Stubborn, yes. Short-tempered, very occasionally. But never ever intentionally malicious.
Either way, none of that changed the fact that a small legion of wizards and witches in training glaring at him. So, he shrunk back a little more than normal and finished eating in silence. Albus didn't even have the heart to respond when Hannah and Holly began talking to them again. They were worried about him, but any courage Albus might have had already gone up in flames.
Obviously, breakfast ended on a quiet note for the three first year Gryffindors. Their new Head of House, Angelina Johnson, called the students in descending year alphabetical order to hand out their new school schedules. Seventh years, then sixth, then fifth, and so on. Finally, only the first years were left. As they got their schedules, the Gryffindors began heading off to class in their little, premade groups. A few people called to Hannah and Holly to join them, but the twins shooed their new friends along and waited for Albus.
When he got his schedule, the black-haired boy was thrilled to see that he had two separate subjects with Slytherins and that he would be in at least one class period with Scorpius each day. He wasn't so excited that he had a class with Rose later in the day, because he was still miffed at her. However, he grudgingly admitted to himself that he would be glad to have her there later in the year. Because he knew himself well enough that he wouldn't stay mad at her for very long and their shared subject was his worst. Anyway, he quickly joined up with twins after getting his schedule, and they headed off to their first class.
First Year Gryffindor's Weekly Schedule
Monday
9:00 AM Transfiguration
10:30AM Charms
1:00 PM Potions (Double with Slytherin)
3:00 PM Defense Against the Dark Arts (Double with Ravenclaw)
Tuesday
9:00 AM Flying (Double with Slytherin)
10: 30 AM History of Magic
1:00 PM Herbology (Double with Hufflepuff)
10:00 PM Astronomy
Wednesday
9:00 AM Transfiguration
10:30AM Charms
1:00 PM Potions (Double with Slytherin)
3:00 PM Defense Against the Dark Arts (Double with Ravenclaw)
5:00 PM Herbology (Double with Hufflepuff)
Thursday
9:00 AM Flying (Double with Slytherin)
10: 30 AM History of Magic
1:00 PM Herbology (Double with Hufflepuff)
10:00 PM Astronomy (Double with Hufflepuff)
Friday
9:00 AM Transfiguration
10:30AM Charms
1:00 PM Potions (Double with Slytherin)
3:00 PM Defense Against the Dark Arts (Double with Ravenclaw)
It happened in the hallway from he prying eyes of the teachers but within clear view of one of his many cousins. Albus and the twins were happily chatting in the hallway about halfway to the Transfiguration classroom when Albus collided with something and landed on the ground hard. There was no cliché scatter of all his possessions because they were safely housed in his bag, but there was a sharp pain in his rear end. Looking up that he had bumped into someone else, and it was obvious from the other's smirking expression that it was done of purpose.
As the twins helped him off the ground, Albus only sighed. He already knew that these were some of the people who had been glaring at him during breakfast. But he didn't know what they hated him for, and his supposed courage never popped up when he needed it during situations like these. So, he figured he would just have to get used to being bullied like this. After all, it was a lot less unpleasant than other ways. His assumption was confirmed when the guy who had bumped into him spoke, "Hey Potter. You're nothing special, and since you seem so convinced that you're better than everyone else, we're going to give you constant reminders."
"Leave him alone!" Hannah instantly jumped to Albus's defense, despite the fact her would be opponent was at least five years older than her. However, Albus was now standing on his own and motioned for her to stop. She stared at him with a confused expression, but he just said, "Just ignore them."
With that, Albus began walking away, and the twins moved to follow. But the sixth-year bullies weren't satisfied with that, and neither was Louis. Albus's thirteen-year-old cousin was an imposing presence, even to those older than him, because had hit puberty early for a boy and had done serious weight-lifting for years due to an aspiration to become a professional beater. He had become a beater for the Gryffindor team in his second year. Anyway, as the group of sixth years moved to go after the first years, Louis did as well, quickly becoming a solid human wall between the two groups.
"What do you want Weasley?" the original instigator sneered at Louis. He acted like he wasn't afraid, but it was quite obvious that it was just that, an act.
"I'm giving you one warning to you and your friends David Stewart," Louis said cracking his knuckles threateningly. "Leave Albus alone, or you'll have to deal with me. Never let me see you touch him again, or you'll regret it. And remember, this isn't a threat, it's a promise."
"Whatever," the guy now known as David said with a shrug and left with his friends.
"I appreciate the thought," Albus said once the four of them were alone. "But I wish you hadn't done that."
"Why?" Louis asked looking incredulous. He wasn't stupid enough to believe that Albus liked being bullied, but he couldn't understand why his cousin had said that. But instead of offering an explanation, Albus just shook his head with a small sigh and headed for the Transfiguration classroom once more, the twins following close behind.
A/N: And here are at the end of Chapter 2 of Return, Rebirth, Redemption. Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter as well. To those of you who like Albus, I'm sorry, but it's necessary. Obviously, this chapter isn't as long as the last but about 1000 words shorter.
Also, I love reviewers, but I do have a request. I would really love for someone to seriously critique my work. It doesn't have to stop at constructive criticism. I'd love for someone to really pick apart my work and tell me every little thing they hated, what needs to be improved, and what parts of my writing they liked best. Believe me when I say I love all reviews, and it's really nice to know people appreciate my work. However, I'm a far cry from being perfect, and there's always room to improve. Also, if I can get better, I can give better fan fiction to my readers. Anyway, thanks again for reading this fan fiction and hopefully you seriously considered my request.