Mind Your Own Business [Fall 2018]

[Albus Potter]

Albus was absolutely tired. He had made the Quidditch team and was playing Keeper. It was tiring work, especially when your older brother was on the team and always made sure to distract you so you get nailed by the Bludger or miss the Quaffle, although there was one time he got hit by the Quaffle because James was being a jerk. By the time Albus had landed, he wanted to strangle his brother. The third year was driving him up a wall, especially after he practically bugged him every day to try out. It hadn't been on the top of the list of Al's things to do but once he signed his name, you would think someone would have destroyed a classroom or something. He became not only the talk of Gryffindor but the school. Was it some big that yet another Potter was trying out for the Quidditch team? And when he made it, members of the other house's Quidditch teams would give him a pat on the back and what he guessed was a pep talk, although it more sounded like he needed to watch his own back on the pitch. They were all intimidating upperclassmen. They weren't about to cut the second year a break it seemed.

Albus sighed as he swung his broom over his shoulder. He was a little bit over half it's size but it still made him look small. He was still in his Quidditch robes, as he was just leaving the pitch. He was the last to leave, even his brother heading back before him. He knew James had homework to do, but whether his brother was going off to do that or not was beyond him. Al figured he'd head back, curl up on the couch and finish his Charms homework due tomorrow. But the site of a student in his path made the middle Potter child stop in his tracks. "Can you please move?" He was too tired to be nice at the moment.

Scorpius was in the stands in the Quidditch pitch watching the Gryffindors training. He was eyeing one specific player, the Keeper to be precise. As the training session was about to end Scorpius walked from the stands and waited by the entrance towards the changing rooms. All the Gryffindors looked exhausted and sweaty; Scorpius looked at them in disgust. The boy Scorpius was awkwardly stalking was Albus Potter. Everyone was talking about him, so Scorpius decided to meet the chap. Just as the Gryffindor was about to take a step forward Scorpius blocked his way.

“I will not move, thank you very much!” snapped the Slytherin in reply. He eyed Albus up and down. “Hmm, you must be Albus Potter?”

Albus looked small, roughly the same height as Scorp himself, he decided to explain about himself first: “I am Scorpius Malfoy, coming from a wealthy, pureblood background” he smugly ironed out a tiny wrinkle on his robes. “You probably would’ve heard about my family, one of the most ancientl magical families around” Naturally Scorpion’s chin was pointed to the sky.

[Albus Potter]

Albus wanted to groan when the other began to speak. He was tired of students coming up to him and starting conversations over his father. Why did they all have to see his father is if he was some hero? His dad was his dad. Plain, short, and simple. That was all there was to it. And yet even this Slytherin boy, who even recognized from the sorting ceremony their first year, had to come before him to strike up a conversation. It was probably because he was tired and already annoyed with being on the same pitch as his brother, that it was actually annoying being in front of a Slytherin instead of his normal skittishness with Slytherin students. He still had yet to overcome his nervousness with the house, even though he had been sorted into Gryffindor and came to realize they couldn't just up and move him to a different house.

"Yes. I am." He said the words almost matter of factly but without force. He didn't like the way the other looked him up and down as if sizing him up. Was this boy about to pick a fight or something? But when the other introduced himself, Al's frown remained. "Your father is Draco Malfoy. He and my dad went to Hogwarts together." Albus spoke, clearly remembering some of the stories his father would tell him and how the stories left a bad taste in his mouth over the Malfoy family. Just even saying the name made him want to wrinkle his nose and wash his mouth out with soap. Sure, his dad may not say mean things now about the Malfoys but it always seemed like Scorpius' father always made trouble for his own. And to be the same age as his father's childhood enemy's son didn't settle too well with him. It was annoying.

Scorpius' grey eyes noticed that Albus' face looked kind of annoyed. Scorpius wondered why, surely all the attention should be great, right? Scorpius would adore such attention yet this Potter never wanted to be cocky. Which made him seem to Scorpoius every bit more cockier. This was typical...

"Very accurate, Potter" exclaimed the Slytherin, "My wonderful Father attended the same School as your hero of a Father" Scorpius was complimenting his own father who he very much looked up to. As did he also say something...nice?... about Albus' father. Surely he never meant it nicely, no, that wasn't Scorpius. Or was it? Scorpius awkwardly shook his head as if to get rid of his thought.

In reality Harry Potter was actually a hero, and Scorpius understood reality. Despite this Scorpius hoped that Albus wouldn't think that he thought Harry was a hero. Why? Scorpius never knew, he just hoped.

[Albus Potter]

Albus fought back the urge to groan when the Slytherin boy called his father a hero. What was up with everyone and calling his father a hero? "My dad isn't a hero, he's just my dad." Everyone always seemed to be in awe. It was probably because Al had never realized exactly how big the things his father had done were.

He wondered what the chances were that his father and Scorpius' father had been in the same year and Gryffindor and Slytherin and here the two of them were, the same exact situation just a couple decades later. Al almost wanted to groan at whatever reason fate decided he should have to interact with Malfoy.

"But is there a reason why you decided to stop me, Malfoy?" He honestly just wanted to change and go to bed.

There was Albus again, denying what was obviously the truth. Why oh why does Albus not understand the simplist of things? Scorp remembered what his Father had told him. Everything what happened in his fathers Seventh year. It was an exciting story, but then again it wasn't a story. It was true.

Could this boy ever get more crankier? Scorpius thought. There's Scorpius being the politest he's been in a while, but this Potter was getting rude by the second. How did these Potter's ever get raised, eh? So Draco got to the point.

"There's a reason I stopped you Potter, I wanted to get to know you better" Scorpius said, "Since all the people are talking about you I thought you must like the attention, eh?" Scorpius wanted the other to be honest with whatever his answer was. Scorpius would manage to get the honest answer, thats for sure.

[Albus Potter]

Albus didn't know what to think about the words the other just said. He honestly didn't like all the attention he was getting. He wanted everyone to just leave him alone. They should all just pay all their attention to James.

"I don't want the attention one bit." Albus gripped his broom. The attention made him nervous. He wasn't James. He didn't do good with attention. No, Al loved being in the background. He liked when people decided to just ignore him instead of making it a point to try and befriend him. Between making the team without trying much and being Potter, there was so much to talk about him. It also didn't help that his family was so large he was forever having one of his cousins yell his name across a courtyard when he decided to walk away on them.

"If you're here to make friends because of my last name and the fact our parents knew each other, then I think it best you leave, Malfoy." He wanted to only make friends who wanted to know about him, who wanted to be friends with him because he was himself. Not because he was a good Keeper or that he was the son of Harry Potter. It also didn't help that the Slytherin boy in front of him was just a tad bit intimidating.

Scorpius let out a slow chuckle. "Ha!" Not the first little person Scorpius had met who claims not to like attention, it seemed funny. Scorpius did receive much attention and praise from teachers, and most Slytherin students, but hardly any from Gryffindor. Scorpius wanted to be friends with this Gryffindor, who might help him be more popular with the Gryffindor's too. It was an idea, right?

"No, no, no" Scorpius said, he stood next to Albus and rested his arm on Albus' shoulder, "you've got it all wrong; I like you because of your personality” Scorpius gave a fake friendly smile. Then took his arm of Albus.

[Albus Potter]

Albus wanted to know what was so funny that caused Scorpius to laugh. It was almost annoying, as if he had been left out of a joke and no one would explain it to him. But the Slytherin student was at his side and rested an arm on his shoulders. Just the action made him feel weird and make him want to slip away from the other's grip. He had been uncomfortable being so close to the Slytherin student and Al hated going out of his comfort zone. But the other didn't keep the arm there long and removed it mere second later.

"You like me because of my personality?" Al raised an eyebrow, trying to figure out the other student. "Surely that's just a lie. Slytherin students and Gryffindor students do not befriend each other." They just didn't get along, it was why they were in two different houses that have been in competition for...well...forever.

Scorpius nodded, "yes, yes, we do not befriend eachother, however I am one who is differnet from all the other SLytherins. I am something completely differnet. Trust me." While Scorpius said that he had moved his hands to behind his back, his fingers were crossed. It never hurt to tell a lie.

Scorpius thought of what he could do with the power of having a Gryffindor friend. Well is wasn't power, it was more just making Albus look like a fool. He would make sure Al would turn against Gryffindor and hang out with the Slytherins. Oh boy, he could ruin his reputation. He would want to Albus best friend... A grin swept over Scorps face, his wild ambitions where already happening inside of his head. But would Al be foolish enough to believe Scorpius?

[Albus Potter]

Albus watched Scorpius carefully while he spoke. Malfoy was different from other Slytherins? He had always figured there was going to be some type of rivalry between the two of them like there had been for their parents. Harry and Draco had been in the same year and he and Scorpius were in the same year. It almost made the boy want to shiver at the coincidence. He didn't know what to think of anything really.

"Different...?" He tried to think this through. How exactly was this boy different from other Slytherin students?

[James Potter II]

Unfortunately for Scorpius' little plans, there was someone walking down the hallway who would not tolerate the sight of seeing innocent little Albus Severus Potter fall for such corrupted lies - and that of course was the most anti-Slytherin person in all of Hogwarts - Albus' older brother, James Sirius Potter. James had enjoyed practice far more than Albus had - after all he had not only made the practice Snitch they had used into his witch, catching the thing so fast it almost wasn't even funny, he had also managed to significantly embarrass his poor younger brother - which was always a plus. Of course, James had stuck around the Pitch for quite a while after the practice was over - a few Fourth Year girls had been hanging around by the Pitch, and James was never one to pass up on a chance to make a good impression on the ladies.

Now though, James was headed back to the Gryffindor Common Room, and he came to a halt when he heard an unmistakeable voice ... Albus' voice. Albus had left the pitch quite some time ago, and he should have been back at the Common Room, and so James' curiosity was immediately piqued. Wandering over towards where he had heard his brother's voice, James came to a dead halt when he saw who Albus was talking to - Scorpius Malfoy. "Albus!" James said incredulously "What the heck are you doing talking to him?!"

[Albus Potter]

Scorpius frowned when a new voice was heard, fighting back the urge to groan. On the other hand, Albus was a little confused when he suddenly heard his brother's voice call his name. He turned to see James standing there. "Malfoy wants to be friends." He said the words innocently enough. So innocently it made Scorpius smirk. His words of "That's right. Me and Albus could be good friends, you know" never once making Albus think anything differently of the situation. Scorpius wanted to be his friend, but Al still wasn't sure if he wanted to be friends with the snake. After all, he was Scorpius Malfoy. And the two of them never really interacted much before, outside of James' tendency to use Malfoy as a prank target.

[James Potter II]

James' jaw nearly fell out of its socket at these words, and he stared at the both of them for a long moment before saying very quietly "Albus, can I have a word with you please?" What was going on here - Albus and Scorpius Malfoy? No! It was just not possible! It could not be possible! Malfoy was a Slytherin! He was the latest Pure Blood brat in a family full of Death Eaters! He was evil!

[Albus Potter]

Albus paused for a minute when his brother said he wanted a word before sighing. He followed after his brother, not really wanting to have this conversation. James was going to tell him not to befriend Malfoy. He would say he wasn't going to do it anyway. Malfoy was going to become his enemy. And then they would simply go back to pranking the Slytherin student and life would go back to normal. At least, that's what Albus figured was going to happen. And he hoped that this would get over and done with quickly.

[James Potter II]

The second they they were out of sight, James looked at Albus and demanded "What do you think you're doing talking to him? Don't you know who that is?" Not only was Malfoy a Slytherin, but he was the most Slytheriny Slytherin that there was! He was public enemy number one, and Albus was talking to him like they were pals or something!

[Albus Potter]

Albus stared at James. "Of course I know who he is." He huffed. "Scorpius Malfoy. I wasn't born yesterday, James." Albus sighed. Couldn't his brother give him some credit for knowing who people were? "And it's not like I was actually going to accept being friends with that guy. You obviously don't know me." He didn't know why he was so defensive, but he just felt like his brother was underestimating him and it was annoying. His brother should know him better than that, to know him and Scorpius weren't going to be friends.

[Samara Raillen]

Third year Gryffindor beater Samara ambled down the path to the quidditch pitch, knowing her Magical Creatures essay was in the locker room and that she'd be up all night doing it, but still not wanting to hurry. It was fairly nice weather out, and although she was sore and tired from practice a little while ago, she still had some spring to her step. She nearly made it when she saw two figures a little ways off talking animatedly. They were her teammates, the Potter brothers. Sam immediately sprang forward, waving.

"Oy! James! Albus! What're you ...still doing...here?" Her words slowed as she approached, sensing the conversational tone to be less than jovial.

[James Potter II]

James smiled at his brother and said "Okay, I'm sorry Al I just worry sometimes." James knew he was a bit overprotective of Albus sometimes, but that was just because he loved his brother too much. Not that he would ever admit this out loud. A few moments later they were interrupted by a girl in James' year - and he looked at her blankly and said "This is a private conversation."

[Albus Potter]

Albus rolled his eyes, "Stop worrying so much. You're going to start sounding like mum soon." He mocked the other, who would know that their mother was forever worrying about them and how it was so annoying. However, before he could say another word, a new voice called their names. But he wasn't the one to speak first, it was James. He glanced at Samara briefly before turning his attention back to James. "Although I pretty much think the conversation is done and over with." He was slightly daring his brother to say their talk wasn't over with. He already had a come back for it if James was going to push the issue further. Come on, James knew better than to think he'd befriend a Slytherin let alone Malfoy. That was just silly.

[James Potter II]

"Eww gross, I sound nothing like mum!" James protested immediately, sticking put his tongue at the very idea of such a thing. Of course, when Albus pointed out a moment later that their conversation was largely at an end - in regards to the arrival of Samara, James simply glowered and mumbled "Still doesn't mean its not private."

[Samara Raillen]

"I was only asking." Samara rolled her eyes and continued on past them. "Well, what're you doing having a private conversation in the middle of the grounds?" she asked as she walked. She glanced back at them, pausing before rounding the corner to await an answer.

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How does this work, if there's a new player for Scorpius?

[Albus Potter]

Albus huffed, "Yes huh. I bet Lily would agree you sound like mum sometimes." Lily would probably just tell them to grow up or that they both act like mum, but it wasn't like he was actually going to involve their sister in this. Al looked from his brother to Samara and then back to his brother. "We can have a conversation wherever we want," the younger Potter shrugged.

[ Click for OOC Comment ]

You NPC them.

[James Potter II]

"Yeah, thank you Albus!" James said, looking at Samara in annoyance and waving his hand as he said "Now can you please go away so that I can continue talking to my brother?" James said, more of a demand than a request. If there was one thing that everyone knew, it was that James Potter could make life very unpleasant for anyone who annoyed him.

[Samara Raillen]

It was a good thing Samara really didn't give a niffler's left arse what James thought of her. Obviously they couldn't be bothered, even though she had only been going to get her previously-abandoned essay anyway. She just shrugged them both off and headed around the corner, only to come to an abrupt halt one moment later at the sight of Scorpius Malfoy. Clearly he was waiting for the brothers to return from their closed-off conversation.

Now entirely sick of being caught up in all this drama, she shot into the changing room, snatched up her roll of parchment, and headed back past all three of them. Once she got back to the castle she could go settle in somewhere and get back to a more pleasant state of being.

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I'm outtie