CHAPTER FOUR
Nina spent the rest of the morning talking to Scorpius, and as they got to know each other, she found out he was actually pretty cool.
"Why do you hate him?" She asked once, her arms wrapped around her legs, staring off into the lake.
"I don't." He answered calmly.
"Really?" The blonde girl raised an eyebrow.
Scorpius nodded. "My father, he doesn't hate the Potters either. Yet still, there's this – how to say it? Animosity between the kids."
"I had met the Potters several times before, mostly in New Year's Eve at the Ministry Party. It was the older brother who started it all."
"And so everything points at James." Nina commented, under her breathe, frowning. "What did he do?"
The boy shrugged, "Mostly he was a git."
"Just like he is now?" Nina smiled, causing the other to smile weakly too.
"Pretty much. Only back then, Potter – the younger brother – followed suit."
"Albus." She said slowly.
"Well, there was also the Weasley boy – Fred. Quite the duo aren't they? James and Fred?"
"You know, I haven't actually met them. I mean, I met Al and James a month and a half ago, and Peter and I kept in contact with Al throughout the rest of the summer, but I don't really know the family." Scorpius smirked. "What?"
"I would've bet you're all life-long friends."
"Peter and I are, yes, but it always was just us."
He nodded slowly.
"Scorpius!"
The new voice had come from behind them, and made them both stand up abruptly. It was hoarse, a little rude. Nina turned around when she heard Scorpius groan.
A boy – must've been fourteen or so – was walking towards them, his gaze curious as he saw the girl. He was tall and built, with long and unruly chocolate brown hair.
"Max." Scorpius said, nodding to him. "Nina, this is Maximilian Thompson. A… family friend."
Maximilian nodded at Nina and proceeded to grab Scorpius by the elbow. He looked back apologetically at her while the Slytherin pulled him away.
"I'm commanded to watch over you, and you go and end up in Gryffindor… No consideration… You know… Your father would…" Afterwards, Nina heard nothing.
She turned her back on them and walked towards the castle. She made her slow way up towards the Common Room, thinking and rethinking. Scorpius had been reluctant at first, but she – or that's what she thought – had convinced him.
Had he expected to go through his seven years without friends? Seemed so, but she wouldn't let that happen. She decided she would have to talk to Albus about it, convince him that it was worth the try and…
"I don't trust her, Albus!"
"You don't know her!" He replied.
Talking about the King of Rome, she found herself turning a corner to the voices of Rose and Albus. The three stared at each other – more like glared in case of the two girls – before Nina hastily walked through them and into the Common Room.
Once inside, she sat down with her friends for a while, and made small talk. Eventually, Albus came inside too, but excused himself immediately and went, fuming, into his room.
"What's wrong with him?" Richard asked.
"How would I know?" She replied. "I should go write that letter to my parents. I'll be back later." She stood up and started walking.
"Hey, Nin." Peter stood up and grabbed her wrist, turning her around. "What did you do the whole morning?" He whispered.
"You know perfectly what I did." She replied, unable to stop herself from raising her brows at her best friend.
As an answer, Peter raised an eyebrow too, and guided her to a table on the far corner of the room. "Shoot."
"Okay, well, I spent the morning getting to know Scorpius. I think I may have convinced him to stop." She said, as she found no need to lie to him.
"Stop what?"
"Misinterpreting, being alone and sullen. I told him to join us."
"Are you crazy? Albus and him would kill each other in seconds."
She smiled, "That's where you come in. I need you to talk to Albus; he'll listen to you more than me, and tell him to at least try to know him." She hesitated before continuing. "And tell him I want him to know that there's no reason he shouldn't trust Scorpius without knowing him."
"Did something else happen?" Peter asked her.
"Yeah, but nothing important." She stood up. "Shall I write to your parents, too?"
"No, I'll do it myself, but thanks Nin."
"Oh, and Pete?" She asked. "Can I borrow Orion?"
He nodded, and she walked up to her room alone.
… I don't know what her problem is, but I want to figure it out. I will figure it out, though I know Albus won't tell me. Mom, please don't tell Father about this, as he will most likely contact Mr. Weasley. I'll owl you if I find out. Don't worry about me.
Love you always,
Nina Blotts
Your daughter
Nina knocked on the boy's dorm room after sealing the letter with her family emblem.
"Damien, hey." She said as soon as the door was opened.
"Nina." He smiled politely, opening the door further so she could come in.
However, she only took a few steps inside. "I was wondering if Peter was here."
The other boy shook his head, and Nina looked around.
The room was well picked up to belong to a group of boys, but they had just spent a couple of days there. Apart from Damien, only Richard and Albus were in the room. She locked eyes with Albus, before a hoot came from outside. Nina turned her head around just as Orion flew inside.
"Orion!" She exclaimed, extending her arm to her friend's familiar, and he immediately accommodated himself in her arm. She stroked the owl's soft plumage. Even after all these years, Nina still believed Orion to be the most beautiful owl she had ever seen. "Come take a walk with me, little fella, I need you to deliver something." She looked up at Albus. "You don't happen to know where Pete is?"
He shook his head after they shared a look. "Won't he mind if you take his owl?"
"No." She answered. "I already talked to him. See you later, guys."
Nina walked out with the white owl in her arm, walking outside absentmindedly. Halfway there, Peter found her, and the fresh air hit her just as he fell into step with her.
"Nina." He said.
"Hello." She answered, and looked down at Orion. The owl was now looking between the two kids, as if deciding whether to stay in Nina's arm or go with his owner.
"I think he likes you more than he likes me." Peter said after a while.
"No. I think he likes us equally." Nina shook her head, regarding the owl.
She took a seat in one of the benches of the Clock Tower Courtyard, and attached her letter to the owl's feet. She looked at Peter, who took out his own letter from an inside pocket of his jacket and tied it next to Nina's.
"Take them home." He whispered to his owl, who looked up at him, understanding, and flew off.
Orion twirled in the air, entertaining them, and both kids followed him with their eyes until he was only a tiny spot in the sky.
A/N:
Yes, this is it.
The formerly called Nina Blotts Life Chronicles is now Nina Blotts and the Burnt Flame.
Another chapter is coming up in a few hours because of two reasons: (1) I promised double update if I broke my vow, and (2) I'm currently on Spring Break!
This chappie is dedicated to candysweet1423, just because she pressured me a lot in school so I would update.
I LOVE YOU CICI :*
