The first years
Scorpius had always been a thorn in my side. Academically speaking.
For as long as I can remember, he was a lonely figure. He had very few interactions with others except a very few friends. He usually sat alone in class. His work was always perfect, his essays longer than necessary, his research well-led, his answers were correct but to the point. He was laconic at best. I've always heard dad joke about the amount of time mum used to spend in Hogwarts library. I think Scorpius was worse.
He was a strange guy. I mean, dad told me to better him at school. I tried. I really did. But I wasn't as dedicated to school as mum was. I love to read. I love to learn. And I'm curious. But then, I also loved to spend time with friends and family, to stroll through the grounds of Hogwarts, to watch ripples on the lake in the wake of the Giant Squid. I liked to watch Quidditch and to wander the deserted corridors and classrooms of the school. I loved to explore with Albus. I loved going to Hogsmeade and see my family. I loved snow ball fights, talking late into the night with the girls in my dormitory or to curl up on the Common Room couch watching the fire burning. School was such a lovely time that studying didn't really need to take all my time. And well, if that meant Scorpius was better than me, I had made my peace with it. The least I could do however, was to stick close and be just behind him. It wouldn't do to disappoint my dad. Or my mother who strongly believed I didn't try my best. I couldn't in all honesty disagree.
I spend most of my time alone. Most of the school hadn't wanted to associate with me.
At first, I was bullied. It didn't happen again. I was a Malfoy. My parents had expectations of me. I was to be well-bred, to know how to navigate the Pureblood society. I was to be well-educated and proficient with spells. But my parents were no fools. They knew what I should expect. I'm sorry to say they were right. And Father taught me a few spells before school - just in case. I must confess they had been handy, if not allowed.
I had a few friends, the very few who were courageous enough to talk to me and get to know me. They spend most of their time with more powerful and influential company. Certainly more pleasant too. I was at peace with it. The up of being an outcast is the total freedom you have.
I knew the castle most deserted places. The forgotten pieces of paradise. The quietest spot near the lake. The cosiest armchair in the library. The flowery glade on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. The sunny unused classroom. The short-cuts and empty corridors. The portraits nobody ever visited. How much did they tell me over the course of the years ? How much did I learn through them ?
I remember how the teachers used to watch me, with something akin to pity in their eyes. They didn't understand. Sure I would have appreciated the comfort of my fellow classmates or Slytherins. Sure I would have loved to be the date of the prettier girls in the school. Sure, I would have loved to stay during the school holidays to spend Christmas with friends doing nothing and laughing like first years. But I had found other joys here. If the other pupils would not be seen with me, I'll make the most of what I had been given. All I had, I made for myself. It was my strength. I didn't need anybody's pity. And after a while, their gaze changed. I knew some of the teachers expected more of my work. I strived to be even better. I like to have a challenge.