After supper Albus and Rose made their way up the stairs to the hospital wing. An old, strict looking woman introduced herself as Madam Pomfrey.
"Our friend came here before lunch, her name is Clara," said Rose, "Do you think we could see her?
"Sure," said Madame Pomfrey, "but she's sleeping now, so stay quiet. I don't like having people disturb my patients."
"Okay," said Rose.
Madam Pomfrey lead them through beds that had starched white curtains surrounding them. The smell of the room was sharp and clean, which made Albus's nose sting. The whole room was silent except for the sound of their footsteps and the people behind the curtains breathing. Finally they reached a bed surrounded by a curtain over in the far corner away from the rest of the beds.
"Clara," whispered Rose anxiously as she and Albus opened the curtain to see that she was awake. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, or at least better," she reassured them, "How was the first day?"
"It was good. Albus was brilliant last period; he named the most uses of potions," Rose said proudly.
"That's good," said Clara softly.
"When can you come back to class?" asked Albus.
"Madam Pomfrey said I only broke my arm and needed rest, so all I have to do is spend the night here and I can come back to classes tomorrow."
"Good," smiled Rose, "I'm glad. We both missed you."
"Look what you have done," interrupted Madam Pomfrey suddenly, "You have woken my patient. Shoo shoo," she clucked at them softly as she lead them out of the hospital wing.
"I am glad she's better," said Rose, "I really missed her."
"Yeah, me too," said Albus.
The both made their way tiredly up stairs and into the Gryffindor common room. Albus muttered the password and they both clamored through the portrait hole. The common room was warmly lit, with students talking quietly and studying in various parts of the room. A large fire crackled warmly and made the whole setting very cozy. Albus looked sadly down at the floor, knowing he had to go to detention with Scorpius and Slughorn. Albus turned to Rose and said, "I'll drop my stuff off up stairs and then I'll go to the dungeons."
"Fine," sighed Rose, "goodnight."
Albus turned and walked up the stairs to the boys dormitories and dropped his bag at the foot of his bed. He turned and hurried downstairs. He climbed out the portrait hole and walked down the hall silently until he met Scorpius.
"Albus," said Scorpius.
"Scorpius," Albus said back.
They walked down the hall together. The tension grew as the silence progressed. Finally, they reached the door to the dungeon. Albus pushed open the door and walked in with Scorpius behind him.
"Hello boys," Slughorn said quietly without looking up from the papers on his desk, "Thank you for coming." As if we had a choice, thought Albus. Slughorn continued, "I am not much of a person for detention, but I thought you two boys needed it. Here, sit down and talk to me."
Slughorn flicked his wand and two chairs from the classroom flew up and settled themselves behind Albus and Scorpius. They both sat down.
"Boys, have you ever wondered why you two hate each other without even having a civil conversation?" Slughorn never even paused to hear their answer, "It's because of the rivalry between your families. Now I don't know why your families fight, but I have an idea that might solve some problems between you two. I have an assignment. I want you both to write to your parents and ask them to send back their first memories of each other. They'll know what I mean, even if you don't Then, when you get the answers come back to me in two days after dinner so we can talk again. Goodnight," Slughorn looked at them both and said, "Dismissed."
"Don't think this makes you and I friends," Scorpius said viciously.
"Oh, don't worry, you won't," Albus said firmly.
When Albus came back to the Gryffindor tower he saw that Rose was still up. He said good night to Rose and climbed the stairs up to the dormitories. He walked down the hall until he reached the door that read First Years. He opened the door and went in. Most of the boys were already preparing for bed and Albus joined them. After brushing his teeth and changing, he got into bed, pulled up the covers, and was fast asleep within minutes.
Why can't I reach it? thought Albus. He stretched as tall as he could, clawing with his hand for the shimmering, golden ring just out of his reach in the air. It's right there, jump higher, he commanded himself. Suddenly the image started to fade.
"Albus... Albus... wake up," someone was shaking his shoulder. "Are you okay?" the voice asked.
"Yeah," muttered Albus, unable to see he sat up blinking, "Thanks."
"Are you sure you're okay?" asked the person again, Albus could see more clearly now and saw the speaker was Neville Longbottom's son.
"Yeah, just a dream," Albus said to Frank, suddenly remembering his name, "Thanks."
Albus was still wondering about his dream as he got dress and wandered down stairs. He ate his break fast quietly and quickly because he wanted to hurry and send his father Slughorn's strange request.
The breakfast was warm in his belly as he walked up the stairs to the Owelry. He reached the tower after a few minutes of walking. He walked through the rows of owls sitting on perches and sat down with his back against the cool stone wall. The room was quiet with only a few rustling noises coming from the owls. He pulled out his parchment, quill, and ink that he had brought with him and began to write,
Dear Dad,
Slughorn wants me to ask you what your first memory of Malfoy was. He wants it because he thinks it might solve some problems between me and the younger Malfoy. Hope Mum is well.
Love,
Albus
He chose a brown barn owl and sent it out the window. He watched as it flew away, its wings flapping and propelling itself along in the morning sky. Someone coughed quietly breaking the silence, Albus turned and sighed, he saw a boy's blond hair glinting in the sunlight and immediately knew who it was. He stepped cautiously forward, away from the window and nodded at Scorpius, then he walked by him slowly and out the tower door. As he walked down the steps he smiled to himself for this day was going well already.