chapter image by emmapotter @ tda
Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy
born 2006
2015
The loud voices from the drawing room had caught his attention. Scorpius could not resist sneaking down, and was hovering at the closed doors now. He could hear his parents, and his grandmother. Someone else; a hoarse, chilling voice.
“You cannot mean that, Draco,” it was saying. “You cannot send the Malfoy heir to Hogwarts! He deserves better than that!”
“The only reason I could think of why I should not send my only son to Hogwarts is the way he will be treated
because he is the Malfoy heir!”
“You will not send him to that school! The place that saw our name dismantled, our pride destroyed!”
“That is not your decision to make! It’s mine, father, and he will not suffer your madness.”
Father? His father’s father? Scorpius peeked through the keyhole, hoping to get a glimpse of his notorious grandfather. He was rarely spoken of, and Scorpius had never met him before. His grandmother would leave every month to visit him, and Scorpius often wondered why he wasn’t living with them.
A tall, gaunt man was pacing agitatedly through the drawing room, his hair long and blinding white. His grandmother stood at the side of the fireplace, eyeing him cautiously. His father was also standing, giving Lucius Malfoy a cold glare. His mother was sitting in an armchair, looking from one man to the other like she was watching a tennis match.
Scorpius guessed this was about him. Why else would they argue about going to Hogwarts?
The words got louder and louder.
“Ma-master Scorpius, you is not allowed to listen to Master’s conversations,” he heard a tiny squeak from behind.
He jumped at the sudden interruption, and turned to find one of their house elves, Rosie. “I need to know what this is about.”
“You is supposed to be in bedroom. Rosie is having to punish herself if Young Master is not sleeping as he should,” the elf told him.
Scorpius grumbled a bit about it being unfair, but knew he had to comply. Rosie was practically his Nanny, and responsible for overseeing his daily routine. He followed the tiny house elf through the vast halls of Malfoy Manor, until he reached his bedroom.
He slipped back into his bed, and the still suspicious Rosie left his room. He knew she would watch his door now, to make sure he stayed there.
Scorpius huffed, annoyed. He was not tired at all now, how could he be expected to sleep after what he had heard?
He picked up his favourite book, “Hogwarts A History”, from the bedside table. He was eight years old now, and could not wait to start in three years. It was his mother’s old copy and he wanted to see all that for himself. And now they were speaking of not letting him attend? For different reasons, as he had gathered from that argument, but did no one want to ask him?
He had dreamt of his first day since he had first read that book. He would finally get to meet other kids.
Sure, he had his mother and Rosie to play with, but that just wasn’t the same. His father spent most of his time in his study, writing and reading. He did not know what, and he was always supposed to be quiet. His mother taught him a lot of things, writing and reading, and he loved to pretend to be just like his father, and maybe one day he would be able to help his father, and his father would spent time with him. Even if it was in that stuffy study. Scorpius was very keen on learning as much as he could, he would usually be allowed to see his father after dinner, the only meal they spent together, and show him what he had done that day. His father would nod and talk to him a little.
Rosie sometimes took him to play in the garden, but she would complain when he started to play a little too wild, and start punishing herself because he was not supposed to do that, so he quickly stopped that every time.
His grandmother was always very silent, petting his hair and talking about her little Draco when he was younger.
They barely had company at their house, and he often wondered about it. Malfoy Manor was so big! He had tried exploring, but Rosie always found him before he could get too far. They only lived in a small part of it, which seemed still huge to him. He had come across a lot of unused rooms, where all the furniture was covered with white fabric, but he thought there must be so much more.
His parents and grandmother did not talk about their past, and if he asked something, he would not get a reply. He thought his mother must have some family, but she always got sad so he didn’t ask any more questions, and no one ever visited.
One thing he had learned was that you didn’t ask questions. The books in the library were all old, and he had could barely understand what they were about yet.
He often wondered how it would be to run away beyond those high walls that surrounded the garden, but he couldn’t. Rosie would have to punish herself for not looking properly after him, and his mother would be devastated. He wondered what it would be like to have a sibling, so she could spread her love a little, but he was the only one so far.
Scorpius wanted to go to school, really wanted to. He’d meet others, and he could even try out Quidditch. His father wanted him to, he knew that. But his mother and grandmother always were so afraid that he’d hurt himself, and wouldn’t let him. He wondered what it would be like. Flying sounded so good from what he had read in the Quidditch books.
He fell asleep over those thoughts, but his sleep was a restless one. The next morning, he was awakened by Rosie. The morning went as usual, only that he had to be even quieter than usual.
In the afternoon, he was summoned to the drawing room. He swallowed nervously as he knocked on the door as he was taught, he usually didn’t go in there during the day.
His parents were waiting for him, and he followed his father’s summon to his side. His grandmother was sitting on the sofa, and beside her was the man from the day before.
“Scorpius, this is Lucius Malfoy, your grandfather. He and grandmother will be staying in the East Wing from now on, and you are not to disturb them there, unless you’re explicitly summoned …”
“Now, Draco, let me talk to my grandson myself,” Lucius interrupted in voice that must have been smooth once. “I wish to spent an hour after breakfast with you, to see what you have learned so far. You are the Malfoy heir, and it is important you have an excellent education.”
Scorpius thought his father wanted to contradict, but no words came out of his mouth. This man looked severe and cold. Scorpius did know better than to say something, he just bowed his head and bit his lip. A horrible thought had occurred to him, would they want to home-school him? He did not know what the feeling was that took over; he felt like crying and at the same time wanted to hit something.
As soon as he could, he left the room quietly, running into the garden. He knew he would get in trouble, but he had felt like suffocating in that room.
***
It didn't get any better during the course of the next few years. That feeling of suffocation only intensified. His grandfather taught him about the past of their family, but always stopped with his great-grandfather Abraxas Malfoy: for some reason he never answered what interested Scorpius the most, things about his father. He claimed that this was the condition Draco had set down for those lessons to be allowed.
The lessons with his mother became more intense too. The reading classes continued, also some other basic things. In one of them, he had managed to get out of her that she had no contact anymore to her own family, because she had married his father. From then on, she seemed to have the idea that he had to gain a good reputation for their name. This confused him a lot, and when he asked whether their name did not have a good reputation now, she would not answer. None of the books in the library gave a clue to that as well. He often suspected the books he wanted to read had been taken away.
Scorpius barely saw his father at all anymore; since his lessons with his grandfather, Draco Malfoy had drawn back even more.
Why was everything so complicated? He was supposed to restore the honour, but gain a good reputation as well? How did that work? And, he asked himself with a growing feeling of dread, was it something his father had done?
On his eleventh birthday, a letter was sitting on the breakfast table. And what was even more astounding, his father was also there, looking regal in a pristine white shirt and black pants. He nodded at him, and the surprised child took his usual place at the table. He looked at his mother for directions as his father disappeared behind the Daily Prophet again. She smiled briefly at him, poured a cup of tea and motioned for him to eat.
Scorpius did as indicated, although he could barely swallow anything. The letter sat in his line of vision, bearing the coat of arms he had looked at so often in his favourite book.
It seemed to take ages for his father to lower his paper. Draco cleared his throat and turned to him.
“So Scorpius, this is your eleventh birthday, and every magical child receives an invitation to Hogwarts on this day.” Duh, he knew that. But that wasn’t really the problem, was it?
“I had intended to let your education continue at home, and it was never clear if children of D…, never mind, children like you would get that invitation.” Children like him?
Scorpius could not dwell on that thought any longer, his father had given him the letter to read.
HOGWART'S SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmistress: Professor Minerva McGonagall, Order of Merlin First Class.
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term commences on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Horace Slughorn
He had no idea what to say. He had wanted this, more than anything, but what his father had said …
He just stared at the words, not daring to look up and hear for certain that he would not be going.
“It would be unwise to deny you an opportunity like that, Hogwarts is still the most prestigious school there is. Although you should be aware that not everyone will welcome you with open arms.”
Scorpius’s head jerked up, his eyes wide. “I can go?” he whispered, in awe, completely disregarding the second part of the statement.
His father nodded, and for once, Scorpius disregarded all rules, as he charged his father, hugging him around the middle. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” he muttered over and over again, holding on as tightly as he could.
His father’s word was considered law. From this day on, it was deemed a fact that he would go. Although, he sometimes wondered what it was all about. Everyone – everyone being his parents and grandparents - told him he should just ignore everything he would hear at Hogwarts, he was a Malfoy and it would be beneath him to listen to any of them.
Scorpius still wondered what this was all about, but most often, his anticipation dominated and so he ignored every other thought. He would be going to Hogwarts, so what if there were some people who talked about him, he would still be able to meet new people.
Time seemed to stand still. Never before had he felt so frustrated. His mother had gone to buy all of his school supplies, and he buried himself in his new books as soon as he had them. Was there anything more wonderful than the smell of new books?
One thing was still missing though. His wand. One day after breakfast, his mother told him to get ready to a visit to Diagon Alley. He had no idea what Diagon Alley was. Still, there were so many things he did not know about, and he was a pureblood! The adventure had already started; he would get to see something new!
She took his arm and told him to hold on. Scorpius did as he was told, and got the feeling he could barely breath, like he was sucked through a tight robe that was squeezing in on him.
When the feeling suddenly stopped, he just fell to his knees, retching out what little he had managed to eat that morning.
“Scorpius, darling! What is it? Come here,” Astoria Malfoy helped him up, stroking his clammy face as she guided him towards a couple of tables and chairs.
Scorpius felt sick. This was certainly not normal. As he started to breath in the fresh air, he felt the embarrassment rise.
“Mum, what was this feeling? Where are we?”
“Oh poor boy, I should have realised this was your first side-along apparition! We’re in Diagon Alley, of course, London’s shopping venue for wizards. We don’t need to look at all the other shops; that is all done already. We’re only going to buy your wand today.”
He did not know whether to feel put out that he did not get to see all of the other shops - maybe there would even be a book shop? – or thrilled because he would be getting his first wand today. He decided for the excitement, everything else would be pointless anyway.
“Wait here, I’ll get you some ice-cream, that might help,” she said, and disappeared into the shop in front of which they were sitting, which was called Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour.
While he sat licking his ice-cream and watching the crowd milling about, he saw many children, they could have all his age. Whom of those would he meet again next year?
A lot of people gave them strange looks. “Mother,” he whispered. “Why are they looking at us like that?”
Astoria Malfoy’s posture stiffened, but she did not look around. “You are easily recognizable as a Malfoy, and people … You know what, just ignore them. I will be talking to your father. Now come on, you will need a wand either way.”
Scorpius furrowed his brow. What did she mean?
The street and the shops were new to him, he could not decide where to look first as they travelled through the crowd. There was noise and colours and smells – and life – everywhere, he soaked it all in. He wanted to see it all, would have liked nothing better than to scour every shop, every nook and cranny. Mother ushered him forward though, not wanting to stop anywhere.
She tugged him toward a shop with the header “Ollivander’s”. They were approaching the door just when it opened and a small family stepped through the door. First was a brown-haired woman with a little boy on her hand. Then, a tall red-haired man stepped out, talking and laughing with someone behind him.
The girl looked perfect to him. She had red hair, blowing around her in a red halo. He wanted to laugh at how big it was, but her eyes had captivated him. They were blue, and seemed to sparkle with life.
She radiated everything he longed for but had never known to put a name on. Life, warmth, joy.
When the red-haired man caught sight of them, he instinctively stepped in front of his family, obscuring the girl’s captivating eyes from view. Scorpius felt like he had lost something important, as his own mother moved in front of him. She nodded to the man and his wife, who she seemed to know, in greeting and pulled him into the shop. He tried to catch a last glimpse at her, but could only see her cloud of red hair disappear among the crowd.
Who was that? He wanted, he needed to know it. If his mother had not gripped his hand so tightly, he would have run after her. It was like a magnetic pull that she had over him. He looked up to his mother as he realized just how tight the grip was. Her mouth was drawn in a very thin line.
“Mother? What is it?” he asked her timidly.
Astoria shook her head, like ridding herself of a bad memory. “Nothing, darling, let’s buy that wand,” she said, giving him a tight smile.
An ancient looking man scurried out of the depths of the shop. His face turned into a mask when he spotted them. “Mrs Malfoy, what can I do for you?” His eyes turned toward him, appraising him. “Is this the time already? Another Malfoy off to Hogwarts?”
Astoria looked at him with a tight expression on her face. “Mr Ollivander, always a pleasure. My son will require a wand, if you could.”
The eyes of Mr Ollivander seemed to search his for an eternity, before he nodded. “Certainly. Come here, young one. May you make better choices than those before you.”
Scorpius didn’t know what that meant. Before he had too much time to contemplate all of this, Mr Ollivander was back with a couple of boxes.
“Try those. You will know when it is the right one.”
Scorpius shrugged, and started waving them around. He did not feel anything. Mr Ollivander took them again, murmuring, “No, no, completely wrong direction.”
He came back with some others, and Scorpius tried once again. The third one he tried, he had a strange feeling in his hands, like the wand belonged to him, like it was just an extension of his arm. Red sparks flew from the tip of the wand, red like the girl’s hair.
“Ah, unusual, highly unusual choice. Birch and Dragon Heartstring, 13 inches. Not easy to handle for someone as young as you. New beginnings, purification and divination, strength of will and domination. We shall see what will become of that.”
Although Scorpius did not know what that meant, he just felt proud to finally have his wand. He eyed it curiously. So that would be his tool, his way to do magic.
“Thank you, we will be taking that one,” his mother said, going for her purse.
When he came home, the first thing he had wanted to do was show the wand to his father. He was sent to his room immediately afterward, as his mother said she needed to talk to him. Scorpius was suspicious and turned around to see if he could hear something.
“Draco, this is not a good idea! He will face so much prejudice! You know we do, you cannot do that to him!”
What did she mean? The glances they had received today? His ears perked up as he heard his father’s voice.
“Astoria, don’t be ridiculous. It can’t have been that bad. He will go to Hogwarts …”
“You can’t do that!” she yelled.
Scorpius felt his heart stop. But he needed to go! He had had only one glance of the outside world, and now they talked about denying him that. He did not know how, but he was suddenly standing in the living room.
“Please no. Mother, please, I want to go! Father, please let me go! Please!” Tears were leaking out of his eyes, and although he tried to hold them back, as tears were frowned upon in the Malfoy household, he could not control them. “Daddy!” he cried in anguish.
Scorpius felt his father’s hand awkwardly pat his shoulder, he had been beside him in a flash when stormed in and started crying. “Stop crying, Scorpius. You can go, I promise you. Astoria, this is not a matter of discussion. He will just have to learn to ignore those who have a problem with our family.”
Scorpius had gathered this much by now, that somehow, his father was not too popular. Sure, he was not very social, but he had just supported his biggest wish. If those people gave him strange looks because of his father, he would not want to talk to them either.
He looked at his father with shining eyes, and thought he had seen something like surprise on his face. But that couldn’t be. Nothing ever threw his father off, he was always so cool and collected.
The time flew by for him. Soon, it was time for his departure. At the station, his father strode through the crowd, everyone seemed to give him either cowering, suspicious or hateful looks which he ignored altogether, giving a regal and cold air. His mother answered them all with cold looks of her own, daring anyone to step closer.
“Listen, Scorpius, if anyone gives you a hard time, you go and tell a teacher, yes? No one will get away with giving you a hard time,” she told him, before she pulled him in for a hug. Scorpius nodded, determined to show them all. He was sure if those people just knew his parents better, they would not be doing that.
He caught sight of red-hair again. And a lot of it. Was that the girl from the wand shop? He could not be sure, as he could not see her eyes from that distance.
“Father?” he tugged at his father’s sleeve. “Who are they?”
Draco adjusted his eyes and looked what he had meant. “The Weasleys and the Potters, son. If I’m not mistaken, they have children around your age. You will learn soon enough who they are, they are famous. Best to stay clear of them, we – we are not on the best of terms.”
Scorpius nodded earnestly. The Potters and Weasleys? Was he supposed to know them? Grandfather’s history lessons had not included them. Then again, grandfather had never spoken about anything later than the 1960s. He hoped he would soon learn more.
Hope you enjoyed :)
I just posted a one-shot - Silver Lining - which is my take on how Astoria and Draco got together. I wouldn't mind some feedback on it *winks*.
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