Chapter 3
22nd September, Thursday ‘21
Scorpius had been jittery the whole day, either tapping his foot, tapping his nail on the table, chewing on the inside of his cheek or repeatedly tugging parts of his hair. Albus had to ask if he was okay around 4 times before he gave up.
It had just been lunch and Scorpius was sitting in an empty hallway on a blocked windowsill reading a book, away from everyone, he was sipping his metallic crimson nectar, or what other people called blood, from his metal bottle happily as he read. His calm silent break had been interrupted when he noticed a quiet thump approaching him. He looked up, and he saw professor Ferox approaching him. He placed his bottle back in his green leather messenger bag before the professor spotted it.
Oh, just great. He thought as the professor bee-lined his way to him.
“Malfoy, you're not at lunch?” He asked, Scorpius almost flinched at the stern fake politeness in his voice.
“No professor.” Scorpius responded, he was trying so hard to sound confident but his voice still sounded meek and quiet.
“How come?” The underlying accusation in his voice made Scorpius shiver. What was he even being accused of?
“I wasn't hungry, sir.” That made the professor raise his eyebrow.
“Not hungry… I see, you must have had a full breakfast, except I don't think I saw you at breakfast either.”
“No sir.” Scorpius was not liking this conversation. It was becoming a pattern.
“I don't think I've ever seen you in the Great Hall outside of dinner all month. Why's that?” Professor Ferox pressed.
Scorpius wanted oh so desperately to tell him it was none of his business, but sadly his parents raised him with manners and to respect elders. Scorpius didn't know why the DADA professor was always targeting him, he had never done anything that was wrong per se, but over the last two weeks he decided to tally how many times the professor called on him versus the rest of the students in the class. His ratio? It was 5:1, for every other student he called once, Scorpius was called on five times more.
He honestly couldn't understand it, he always got the answers right, so in the end he only earned points for Slytherins, was this professor trying to catch him in a slip to ridicule him? Albus suggested that and Scorpius had accepted it.
“I asked why, Malfoy.” Professor Ferox's husky voice broke Scorpius's train of thought.
Bloody hell is your problem?
“I eat between classes in the kitchen sir, I don't like crowds…” Scorpius knew that Aurors were trained to pick out lies, or at least his father could, he was gambling by lying but it's not like he could tell the truth.
“I see… That must be because of your… rather sheltered upbringing I suppose?”
Scorpius nodded, the professor did not look to believe him one second and he couldn't care less if he did. “Hm.” The professor just looked at Scorpius, then his book, then left. Scorpius let out a sigh of relief. Finally.
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It was 4pm and Scorpius was getting to head to Professor Slughorn's “dinner invite”. He was given some solace at the fact Daphne was also invited, although it was Daphne . He liked her but she was certainly… unique.
She was loud and energetic, she did gymnastics as a child and was always doing flips and somersaults in the courtyard or the common room, she was loud to the point Scorpius was convinced she physically couldn't speak below 55 decibels. She was practically obsessed with muggle things, from clothes to music to technology, mostly as a way to rebel against her family, which he found odd because she would sing nothing but high praises for her parents and eldest sister. She complained nonstop about her other siblings but from how Albus talked about his siblings Scorpius assumed that's what having siblings was like.
“There always needs to be a black sheep in a large family and in the Lestrange's, it was Daphne.” Cassandra said, which also didn't make sense to him. From Daphne's own accounts her eldest sister was similar to her so it's not exactly like there isn't a black sheep in the Lestrange family.
“She’s always been eccentric, that's just how she is.” Lyrin continued. The three girls had practically grown up together so Scorpius took what they said about each other at face value.
“Where is she anyway?” Scorpius asked, fixing his hair in the common room mirror, he'd been messing with it for a while now, before glancing at the small group. Albus was sitting on an armchair nearby flipping through a magazine, Lyrin and Cassandra on another sofa.
The girls shrugged, it's not like he was in a rush, but still. Scorpius would be lying if he wasn't slightly worried about how she would dress. For their day to day, Daphne's usual graphic t-shirts, jeans and sneakers combo wasn't an issue, but for a dinner party? No, Daphne would surely be sensible enough to wear something appropriate.
“It's funny, for a girl who couldn't care less about bougie dinners or social events, she's never missed a dinner.” Cassandra commented as she got up and went to Scorpius to help with his hair.
“Really?” Scorpius looked at her through the mirror.
“Yea, she got invited last year after hexing my brother on the train and she's been attending ever since.”
“Which brother and why did she hex him?” Scorpius asked, knowing full well that the answer could range from, he was being annoying to she felt like it.
“Cedar, he was being a git, nothing new.” Cassandra explained gently brushing his hair. “So what do I do with your hair?”
Scorpius shrugged, “I don't have any preferences.”
“Okay then, Lyrin, what do I do?” Cassandra turned to the lounge area by the fireplace where Lyrin and Albus were still sitting.
“Hm~ what about like a few small braids in the front?” Lyrın suggested.
“That could be cute, Scorpius?” Cassandra turned to him.
“I guess… Albus?” Scorpius turned to him, so did the girls.
“hm?” Albus looked up “um… I don't know… tie it?”
Cassandra looked at Scorpius and put her hand on her chin “what about half up half down? Your hair's long enough for it and you'd look good.” She thought out loud, nodding at her own words.
Scorpius shrugged “Go ahead.” He gave the greenlight and Cassandra accio’d a hair tie before she started doing his hair. It took maybe two minutes for Cassandra to brush and tie his hair and he had to admit, it wasn't bad. The hair near his face was pulled back, making his face less hidden although his wispy bangs still framed his face.
“So?” Cassandra asked, placing the hair brush on the coffee table by the couch as she went back to her old seat.
“He looks cute.” Daphne's voice interrupted as she made her way to them, still in her uniform. Scorpius had been so distracted he didn't even notice her approaching.
“And where were you?” Lyrin asked as Daphne headed to the girl's dorms to get changed.
“Detention for charms, had to write lines, I asked to do it early so I could still go to the dinner thingy.” With that explanation she descended down to the girl dormitories.
After a short pause Scorpius realised something “Wait did I hear her correctly? She actually did her detention early to go to Slughorn's dinner party?”
“Told you, never missed one.” Cassandra shrugged.
“Must be some bloody good food then.” Scorpius sort of mumbled in surprise causing all three of his classmates to laugh a little.
Scorpius smiled a bit, it was the first time he'd ever made a whole group laugh and he felt oddly good about it. Scorpius headed to where Albus was sitting, taking a seat on the arm rest and glancing at his magazine.
After around 20 minutes Daphne came up. She was dressed… so her. She was in a navy blue halter neckline dress where the hem of the skirt was asymmetrical and sort of torn, it reminded Scorpius of pirates for some reason, the left edge dipping lower than the right. She had flared black jeans under it and a black cropped bomber jacket with some patches on the arms. He recognised the jacket, Daphne tended to favour it whenever she felt her outfit needed more “flair”, as she called it. Her hair was down, which wasn't surprising.
Scorpius looked down at his own outfit, feeling overdressed. He was wearing a black silk button up with an ivy green waistcoat and cotton trousers, the same shade as his leather messenger bag. He got off the arm rest and cleared his throat, “well if you're ready let's head out then?”. He looked up at Daphne and nodded.
“Let's go.” Scorpius agreed, the pair waving at the other three and headed up to the dungeons.
Scorpius glanced over at Daphne, he couldn't help but think she seemed very pretty especially when she was dressed in a way that so undeniably her. It was a rather quiet walk to Slughorn's office, Scorpius was sure this was the first time he'd ever seen Daphne be silent by choice. She seemed nervous.
They entered Slughorn's office after walking for a while in comfortable silence. The office was massive, there were maybe 14-16 other students beside them. Scorpius froze at the door at the sight of so many people he didn't know. Daphne had to drag him inside “Scorpius, calm down, no one's looking at you.” She said as an attempt to comfort him.
Scorpius nodded, 'Yea… yea you're right I'm just another student like everyone else.” He mumbled to himself as he followed Daphne to a desk with some drinks.
“Here, just hold this and take a sip every now and then and trust me you'll blend in.” Daphne said as she filled up two cups and handed one to Scorpius. Scorpius looked around, seeing that Daphne was right, most of the students were at least holding a cup.
He took it and nodded “Right… Thank you…”.
Daphne went up to a student and Scorpius followed behind her.
“Hiya.” Daphne greeted. Cedar then turned around and spotted them.
“Oh hey.” The senior turned around and waved and Scorpius recognised him as Cedar Parkinson “Ah, Malfoy finally got an invite?” He asked, noticing Scorpius standing near Daphne.
“Well I'm not here as a plus one…” Scorpius said quietly, earning a small chuckle from Cedar and Daphne that made Scorpius relax a little. He liked it when people found him funny.
Cedar got called over by someone else leaving Daphne and Scorpius alone again.
“I'm definitely overdressed.” Scorpius commented, noticing how the rest of the students were in much more comfortable looking attire. Jumpers, blouses, simple dresses, trousers and jackets.
“Nah, I say lean into it.” Daphne said, waving her hand dismissively as she leaned back on a wall. Scorpius watched her and blinked, “Just dress way too fancy for everything, it could be your thing, you're a Malfoy after all.”
Scorpius thought about it, it wasn't the worst idea, better than getting a whole new wardrobe. “I suppose there's no harm in entertaining the idea…” Scorpius thought about it.
“ “Entertaining the idea”? Scorpius come on, you talk like you're 40.” Daphne light-heartedly teased, taking a sip from her cup.
“Well… I didn't really have much interaction with anyone that wasn't immediate family.” Scorpius mumbled, swirling the liquid in his own cup, why was it blue?
Daphne shook her head “That's not what I meant, I think it's cute the way you sound so proper all the time.”
“.... Then what does everyone else think of it?” Scorpius questioned, he never realised his speech was that much different from his peers. Did they think he was weird? That he was a try hard? Or were they weirded out that the weird looking student talks like an old person?
“Can't speak for everyone but Cassie probably hasn't noticed and Ly doesn't care” Daphne said with a shrug.
Scorpius continued looking down at his drink, unsure if he should risk the potential stomach ache for a taste. “How does this taste?” Scorpius asked, looking up at Daphne and her half empty cup.
“It's a blue lagoon mocktail.” Daphne said, taking another sip “it's fizzy and tangy and sweet.” She explained.
The word “sweet” immediately made Scorpius's nose scrunch in distaste. He knew that whatever everyone else tasted when they meant sweet, it wasn't what he tasted. “Oh, alright.”
“Not gonna taste it?” Daphne and, pushing herself off the wall and walking over to an armchair. Scorpius shook his head and followed behind her.
“I don't have a tooth for sweets.” Scorpius leaned on the edge of the armrest.
“Really? Not even any guilty pleasures?” Daphne asked, taking a sip of her blue lagoon, finishing it off as she sat down. Scorpius shook his head, offering her his own drink since he didn't want to waste it. “Here then. Just fill this up with whatever you drink from your little bottle.” Daphne offered and handed her empty cup.
“No… I'll keep it in the bottle…” Scorpius lightly protested, placing the empty cup on a table nearby. Daphne shrugged as she sipped on the cup.
It'd been maybe 20 minutes, a few students, mostly Slytherins, had come over and chatted with them for a bit before leaving. Scorpius and Daphne had been firmly planted at their spot on the armchair and Scorpius was starting to get used to the situation. Although he did feel a bit odd just standing there so he had taken out his metal bottle, taking a sip every now and then.
Scorpius almost jumped when the sudden thud of Daphne's heart beating caught him off guard. He turned around to look down at Daphne who was looking in a direction with this dreamy smile on her face. Scorpius followed her gaze to find two Ravenclaws talking. Evelyn and Ryan Reilly. Scorpius was vaguely aware of them. A Half-blood and muggle-born cousin pair from what he'd heard, both moderately attractive at least to Scorpius. Scorpius took a few seconds, his eyes switching between the dreamy look on Daphne's face and the two cousins talking before connecting the dots.
“Fancy him?” Scorpius asked casually, taking a sip as he looked down at Daphne, glancing at the cousins again.
“Fancy her ” Daphne corrected, her eyes still focused on the pair.
Scorpius paused for a few seconds as he looked back at the cousins and realised who she was talking about.
“Oh.” He said matter-of-factly. He didn't know how else to respond, “How long?”
Daphne finally looked up at him, “That's it? No “wait you like a girl?” Or anything of that sort?” She asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
“No?” Scorpius asked confused as to why he would.
Daphne cracked a grin, “I knew I liked you.”
“What?-”
Daphne cut him off as she turned back to look at Evelyn. “She's so pretty… I want to talk to her but I can't find common ground. I mean there's homework and stuff but I never need help with that. I don't want to look stupid around her.” She complained as she watched the Ravenclaw.
“I-”
“You're right, I'm rich, gorgeous and hilarious. Why wouldn't she like me? You know what I'm going to talk to her about.” Daphne said as she stood up and patted Scorpius's shoulder, “You're a good friend.” she said before heading over.
Scorpius, still confused about the situation, simply followed her.
“Hiya.” Daphne greeted the two Ravenclaws with a smile.
Scorpius and Daphne were greeted with a look of surprise from both of them before Evelyn smiled “Oh hello.”. Ryan joined in with a nod and “Hey.” despite him looking a bit more on guard at the sight of them.
Daphne sort of went quiet, unsure what to say. Scorpius caught her eye, also awkwardly.
Ryan was the first to speak up. “Since you're here… I was wondering, what's up with the bottle?” He gestured to the metal water bottle in Scorpius's hand.
“What do you mean…?”
Great.
“I mean you're always carrying it around and drinking out of it, never seen you refill it or drink out of anything else, so what's up with that?” Ryan elaborated.
“Oh, it just has a refill charm on it… parents are paranoid about me… getting sick or poisoned by someone y’know… as a joke or something, so yea…” Scorpius lied, hoping it was convincing enough.
Daphne gave him a weird glance but decided to continue with the topic “yea, his parents, real paranoid, rumour has it they sent the Headmistress a whole list of things he was banned to do.”
That seemed to catch the Ravenclaws’ attention as they turned to Scorpius for confirmation. Scorpius nodded a bit at that, recalling his first day at Hogwarts. “Yea, I'm not allowed to fly or go to Hogsmeade among other things.”
“No flying? Bloody hell, you can't even play quidditch?” Ryan asked, surprised.
Scorpius shook his head, “Never learned either.” .
“Wow that sucks,” Evelyn chimed in sympathetically, “flying and going to Hogsmeade are like staples of the Hogwarts experience, especially Hogsmeade, you missed your first two years too.” She added, a bit sad.
“Yeah yeah… everyone keeps telling me that, I'm not too upset about it.” Scorpius explained. He understood that Hogsmeade was important, but he honestly didn't care much for it, if he needed supplies he could just Albus or one of the girls to bring some back for him and it's not as if he can eat anything there anyway. “Albus offered to try and sneak me in though, I might accept the offer eventually.”
Evelyn and Ryan nodded. The two looked a bit less surprised after hearing that although Evelyn had this sad look in her eyes.
It's not pity. It's not pity. It's not pity. She's just sympathetic. Scorpius repeated in his head.
Daphne then quickly spoke up before things got awkward. “So the potions homework… has anyone been able to crack it?” She asked and quickly shot Scorpius a glare that he interpreted as “don't you dare say anything.”.
Scorpius silently relented as Ryan spoke up instead. “Nope” he said with a pop of the p, he seemed to have relaxed a bit as he leaned back against a wall, “honestly, I feel like Professor Slughorn just wants to fuck with us.”
“Honestly, sometimes I feel like it's pure rubbish.” Daphne agreed which earned a giggle from Evelyn which in turn made Daphne blush.
“We should stop before he pops through from a wall.” Evelyn said between giggles. Scorpius had to suppress a shiver at the reminder that Professor Slughorn was a ghost.
Ryan chuckled “Yeah yeah, oh Evie, tell them about the club thingy.” . Scorpius looked at Evelyn curiously.
“Oh yeah, I've been trying to get permission to start an archery club.” Evelyn shared. That immediately got Daphne's attention as she stood up a bit straighter.
“Archery club?” Daphne repeated, “like the muggle sport with a bow and arrow?”.
“Mhm, our parents made us do it as kids, Evie really liked it growing up.” Ryan explained.
Daphne looked a bit annoyed at the fact Ryan answered her question but continued, “So you both do it?”
“Yea but Ryan doesn't wanna be a part of my club and the headmistress said I need at least 2 other people who want to join for me to open a club.” Evelyn explained.
Daphne, predictably, immediately offered to join, “I'd love to join, I've never tried archery but I'd love to learn from you-” she immediately shut her mouth before she said something else she'd regret.
“Great, that's one down-” “I'd like to join as well.” Scorpius interrupted Evelyn, he'd never really been allowed to do sports growing up and he never objected, never having an interest but trying new things was what Hogwarts was about right?
Evelyn's eyes seem to light up even more, “Really? Well that'd be great, uh I'll get you a piece of parchment to sign at breakfast tomorrow and I'll bring it to the headmistress?”
“Sounds good.”
“Alright.”
Evelyn flashed a bright smile and bounced in place a bit. Scorpius glanced over at Daphne who has a goofy grin on her face. Scorpius then noticed that Ryan had left the area and went over to speak with another older looking Ravenclaw.
Scorpius had mentally checked out of the conversation until they were all summoned to dinner. Scorpius had spotted Professor Slughorn floating around, his eyes followed where Slughorn went , not wanting to be caught off guard, he was already small for his age, he didn't need to be known as jumpy too. Eventually dinner was served and students sat down.
Scorpius wasn’t excited at the prospect of having to eat food, he also wasn’t keen on leaving early to make a scene, so he sat next to Daphne, trying his best to seem like he had an appetite.
Scorpius managed to down a good ⅔ of the meal, he needed to take a sip from his bottle after and before every bite but he still ate the majority of the food. He made some excuse about feeling full before pushing away his plate.
After the meal, the underclassmen started heading out, the older students staying back later. Scorpius and Daphne were walking behind me hufflepuffs also heading to the dungeons, as they walked, Daphne was humming an upbeat tune with an enormous smile plastered across her face. As they got closer to the dungeon, Daphne took a hold of Scorpius’s arm and led him into another hallway.
“Daphne where-”
“Shush.”
Scorpius was led to a small abandoned room in the east wing on the second floor. “Now will you tell me what we’re doing here?” Scorpius asked as Daphne finally let go of his arm.
Daphne then proceeded to let out a long and loud squeal/scream, jumping on her toes before seemingly calming down. “I’m just so happy! I had a full length conversation with Evelyn! I made her laugh! Did you see her smile! It’s so perfect, I swear! And her eyeliner! How is she so gorgeous!?” Daphne continued to ramble while half-shouting out of excitement and happiness. Scorpius couldn’t help but smile a little, Daphne was the type to show her emotions on her face, he had come to appreciate it.
After maybe another 5 minutes of her rambling excitedly, Daphne took a deep breath, “Okay I got it out of my system.” She gave a firm nod to Scorpius.
“Great, can we head back now?” Scorpius asked, pushing himself off of the wall he was leaning on.
Daphne nodded again and the two of them headed back, Daphne still humming happily as they headed down to the dungeons and then down into the Slytherin common room. With an excited wave Daphne said bye and went to the girls dorm and Scorpius went down to the boys.
Scorpius had expected Albus to be awake but was surprised to find him asleep. Scorpius felt a pang of disappointment that Albus didn’t wait for him but he just quietly changed and slipped into his own bed. Scorpius looked at the clock. 8:47. Scorpius then closed his eyes and tried falling asleep.
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23nd September, Friday ‘21
Scorpius couldn’t sleep. He thought about the day. It was the first day Scorpius was the one at a social event instead of Albus. Usually Albus had lunch with his godfather/professor Longbottom, or tea at Professor Hagrid’s shack. Scorpius looked over at his clock, 2:35. Scorpius oddly didn’t feel tired yet despite having been laying for hours. Albus had been sleeping somewhat peacefully, Scorpius could hear his breathing and heart thumping. It was an oddly comforting sound. Scorpius was almost lulled to sleep by the white noise before he heard Albus’ heart beat increase as he stirred awake.
“Albus, are you fine?” Scorpius called out, turning to look at him.
Albus sat up, rubbing his eyes, his voice was heavy “huh..? Yea uh.. I’m awake.. I’m fine..”
Liar.
“You sure?” Scorpius asked again, sitting up as well.
“Mhm… just a nightmare.”
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds. Scorpius got up, walking over to the desk where an empty glass was sitting.
Aguamenti
Scorpius said in his head as he flicked his middle finger at the glass, filling it with water instantly and with enough force that some of the water spilled. Scorpius ignored it and picked up the glass, walking to Albus and handing him the cup. Albus murmured a small thanks before gulping it down. Albus looked dazed, staring into space. Scorpius watched him for a bit as he sat down on his own bed.
“Are you okay?” Scorpius asked again.
“Mhm.”
“...”
“...”
“Do you want me to lie down with you?” Scorpius asked softly.
After a few seconds, Albus nodded “Yeah… That’d be nice”
Scorpius grabbed his blanket and went to Albus’ bed, laying down next to him. Scorpius was facing Albus, he couldn’t help but notice that Albus’ skin looked clammy.
“How was the Slugfest?” Albus suddenly asked.
“Slugfest..? Oh you mean the dinner? It went well. Professor Slughorn didn’t really talk to me but it was better that way.”
“Yeah? That’s cool… So did you just stay glued to Lestrange the whole night?”
“I guess, we talked to some Ravenclaws… Are you familiar with the Reilly cousins?”
“A bit, half blood girl and muggle born boy right?”
“Evelyn and Ryan, yes, well Evelyn is starting an archery club.”
“Oh that’s cool”
“And I joined.”
“Oh… Oh… No uh yeah that’s cool, why though?”
“I thought I should try something new.”
“So archery huh… That’s cool..”
“Yeah…”
“...”
“...”
“I…” Albus started, “I actually got an invite to the slug club, back in my first year.”
“Really?” Scorpius asked not expecting that piece of information.
“Yeah, but so did all my brother and cousins and I really didn’t want to spend the entire night having to be compared to them.”
“I see…” Scorpius felt a wave of sympathy wash over him, even if Albus never told him, he had a feeling that Albus held some resentment at being a part of the younger half of the Weasley family. “None of them were there tonight… I think…” Scorpius commented.
“Yea, I know, today was Dom’s birthday. We all had a birthday party in an empty room.”
“Oh I see… How many cousins… do you have..?” Scorpius asked, realising he actually didn’t know how many Weaslys there were.
Albus took a deep breathe, “Okay there’s Victorire, Dominique and Louise, they’re uncle Bill and aunt Fluer’s kids, then Lucy and Molly, their uncle Percy and aunt Audrey’s kids, uncle George and aunt Angie’s kids are Fred Jr and Roxanne, then of course there’s James, me and lily, you know our parents and of course uncle Ron and aunt Hermione’s kids you know Rose and her little brother Hugo, he’s not in Hogwarts yet. So counting all that, there’s 12 of us.”
“Bloody hell.”
“Did you get anything I said?” Albus asked, Scorpius swears he had a small smirk.
“I got that I’m too tired to remember any of that.”
Albus chuckled, “Goodnight?”
“Good night.” Scorpius repeated and closed his eyes.