Scorpius and Rose

Chapter 2 - Marauder's Map

I'm antsy. My Dad and Mum are driving us to King's Cross, and I haven't seen Scorpius since school got out in June, what with us not wanting to tell our parents about our friendship, for obvious reasons.

"You alright back there, Rose?" My Mum asks, glancing back at me through the rear-view mirror.

"Yeah, I'm fine Mum. Just excited to go back to Hogwarts." It's technically not a lie, as I do enjoy all my classes and I know quite a few teachers, but it's definitely not the whole truth.

When we finally park I practically jump out of the car, lugging my suitcase behind me.

"Wait for us, Rosie." My Dad says. "We're getting old you know..." He sighs exasperatedly.

"You're not even 40 yet!" I shout over my shoulder.

⋯

Soon enough we're at the platform and saying our goodbyes rushedly.

"I love you too, Mum." I say, wrestling myself out of her grasp and starting towards the train, which is scheduled to leave any minute now.

"And remember to stay away from that Malfoy!" My Dad says before I'm out of earshot. I pretend I don't hear him, instead running even faster towards the train, but I allow myself a small smile as I hear my mother begin to reprimand him.

Once I find an empty compartment I slide into a seat, lifting my suitcase next to me. The train starts moving, and I wave goodbye at my parents until they're out of sight. Just in time... Where's Scorpius? The door slides open and I'm met with a familiar face... and yet..

"Scorpius?"

"Um, hi?" He leans against the doorway.

"What did you do to your HAIR?" I leap to my feet, gaping in shock.

"What does it look like? I dyed it." Scorpius rolls his eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"But why?! It was so beautiful!" I motion towards him.

"You liked it?" He runs his hand through his light brown hair.

"I...never said that." I say, realizing my mistake.

"You just did!"

"Did not," I say defiantly.

"Did too."

"Why did you dye it?" I say, knowing if I keep it up it could go on for ages. "And brown of all colors."

"No reason. Just felt like I needed to change things up."

"Sure." I say disbelievingly. "Though I'm not completely against the brown..."

...

I sit in the Ravenclaw common room, flipping through the pages of Chadwick's Charms, Vol. II, but I'm not really reading it. For the first time in the three months my hair has been brown, I find myself regretting it. Father hated it, but that had made me feel proud.

Father hates most things. Including Mother, some days. Her sickness. By extension, me. She wanted a child, even knowing it would make her weaker than before, make the curse act quicker.

....

"Full grown mandrakes are fatal to anyone who hears them." Professor Longbottom says, but it's all background noise.

I know I should be paying attention to him, but I learned all of this when I was eight, so I pretend to listen to the professor, facing him and staring at the potted plant right behind him. Instead, I daydream.

...

As we walk out of Herbology class, Scorpius and I talk. "What amazes me is how a plant as small as that can both kill you, and un-petrify you." He says.

"Right," I agree. "Too bad I can only do one of those things."

"Oh, stop it," Scorpius said, but there was a look in his eyes that said he wasn't just joking.

"Oh, I have something I wanna show you! Meet you in the common room." I say.

"Wha- Okay," Scorpius says, shaking his head.

I scramble up the stairs leading to the Great Hall, racing towards the Ravenclaw girls dorm, excited to show him what I've done.

...

When I meet Scorpius in the common room a mere five minutes later, I carry my most prized possession. I beam at him as approach.

"What is it?" Scorpius asks, eying the folded parchment warily.

I smooth it out and whisper to it, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The map of Hogwarts appears, and I see Scorpius and I's names in the Ravenclaw common room. The path to our destination is clear. I grin down at the Marauder's map. "Alright," I say in a matter-of-fact tone, "We're going to the Room of Requirements."

I march out, grabbing Scorpius' arm and dragging him after me. After a few moments, he catches up to me and I drop his hand. I wish he didn't have such long legs, then I could keep leading. The thought is fleeting, however, as I spot the door I need to see. I need my clubhouse.

I pace back and forth in front of the corridor wall, 3rd floor this week. After a moment, the door appears, and I push it open, revealing the clubhouse.

"Meet Albus Potter, James Potter, Lily Potter, Victoire Weasley, Dominique Weasley, Fred Weasley II, Louis Weasley, Lucy Weasley, Molly Weasley, Hugo Weasley, Teddy Lupin, and Roxanne Weasley. Everyone, meet Scorpius Malfoy," I say loudly, pointing to each person as I name them.

They all come up to inspect who "this Malfoy fellow" is, seeming very polite. James makes a face at the name "Malfoy", and lingers around the edge of the small crowd surrounding us. After everyone says hello they all, including James, though reluctantly, go back to casting spells.

Scorpius waves, pointedly avoiding James' gaze, then pulls me aside. "What is this?"

"Nothing bad. Just a bunch of family. We're practicing spells. Protective spells, this week." I say with a smile.

He frowns. "Nothing bad? That James Potter is bad news. He's, like, a bully, except not as bad. And more arrogant. Basically, a Gryffindor bully." He gestures to James, who tackles Hugo, proving Scorpius' point.

I sigh. "True. But he's my cousin. I couldn't leave him out."

"How long has this been going on?" Scorpius demands, running his fingers through his hair.

"Um. A week? Ish?" I shrug." I just needed time to tell you." I cock my head. "Why? Does it matter?"

"When were you busy?" He asks, avoiding the question.

"All week! And so were you. We have a lot of homework." I point to the stack of papers in a corner. "That's a copy of all the homework for this week. One copy."

He sighs. "I know. Sorry." All the anger evaporates from his posture.

I grin and glance around the room. Everyone seems occupied, so I lean in to hug Scorpius. He smells like ink and old parchment, and I breathe it in. It smells like home.

...

Rose is hugging me. And I just want this to be a happy moment, but goddammit can't stop thinking about my mother. I try and melt into the hug as best I can. I mean, I really am happy about the club, and all, but am I even allowed to be in it? Everyone in here has a family that was on the good side of the war, and then there's me.

I wish it was my mom hugging me.