Time After Everything || a Sequel to Saving Myself

V

Glad to finally have a friend that wasn't his brother, Scorpius Malfoy hung around Violet Weasley a lot. She made time for her brother, who seemed to always have Albus at his left arm. Whenever Scorpius was around Erick, his tongue was tied and his mouth seemed to go impossibly dry.

Initially, it was narrowed down to his social anxiety, but Scorpius wasn't so sure about that. He shoved the odd feeling aside, listening to Albus crack jokes with Violet. Erick nudged him with his arm, making the blonde jump.

"How're you enjoying Hogwarts?" the redheaded boy asked, grinning. Scorpius tried not to look at how one corner of his mouth tilted up a bit more than the other.

"Fine, " he replied.

Erick chuckled, "Wow. Sounds like it."

"I dunno what to say. I'm rubbish at these things."

"What?" asked Erick, "Talking to people?"

Scorpius shrugged. His silver-sapphire eyes went cold and he had an air to him that told Erick not to press farther. Pursing his lips, he watched his sister flirt shamelessly with Albus, who was too thick in the head to notice. "Think she'll notice that he doesn't care?"

Erick looked at him. "You noticed too?"

Scorpius nodded. "I'm no idiot."

Scorpius proved to excel in his flying classes, as well as Violet. They received praise from Madam Hooch and Scorpius had to endure everyone saying things such as, "He's just like his father!" "Such a good flyer!" "A born Seeker!"

Violet told him, "Maybe we could be on the Quidditch team next year!"

"Maybe, " he mumbled. "Isn't your brother on the team?"

"Yeah, he is, " she replied casually. "He's a Chaser."

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When Scorpius went home for the summer, Albus was too busy talking of his plans for his fourth year to their fathers to notice Scorpius sneaking out, walking into the woods. There was a spot that he and Violet loved to go to; it was a sort of clearing with a large, flat rock that they sat on.

She was already there when he arrived, her long, strawberry hair pulled back, showing the nape of her neck. "Hey, Scorp."

"Hey, " he huffed ad he sat down. "How's everything? Your mum?"

Violet's eyes darkened. "She's worse. But. . .Dad's a bit. . .he's in denial. She's fine. It's just a cold. But Erick and I can see it." Scorpius looked away, letting her wipe away her tears in privacy. She continued, "I'm closer to her than Erick, though. He never really clicked with her."

"Does he click with your father?"

"No, " she answered slowly. "Only me."

"Why's that?"

Violet was quiet for a while, not looking at Scorpius. When she did speak, her voice was shaky. "I'm not sure if he wants people to know. I'm sure Albus knows, but. . .but he may not. Erick's not. . ."

"You don't have to tell me, " consoled Scorpius, pressing his hand to hers. "Just. . .let's talk about something else." Scorpius pulled

Violet looked at him. "Did you know your mother?"

"She died when I was born. I don't remember her."

"Does your father---either of them---speak of her?"

Scorpius shook his head. "Not really, no. Sometimes, Dad'll look at me and tell me that I have her hair, but. . .I'm not sure. Once, I caught him crying over a photo of her."