The Walnut Tree

Chapter 1: The Lone Wolf

Scorpius Malfoy always followed in his father's footsteps. He was a good child and didn't get into trouble. He--

Oh to hell with it. That's what most people want to hear when they think of the Malfoys. Rich, the very definition of perfection. But not me. I, Scorpius Malfoy, am far from conventional. I go wherever the wind takes me. Poetry is my way of expression, and whatever you do, I'll do the opposite. I don't care for petty things; I love nature. I've taken up Muggle picture taking, which of course, my father isn't happy about.

Speaking of my father... Do you recall that war your parents would talk to you about (might I add, bored you senseless in the process?) my dad played a rather major role in it; though he wasn't on the good side of things like that Harry Potter bloke you've heard of. He was Draco Malfoy: part of the Slytherin house, paler than a ghost with hair to match, and once a Death Eater--well, almost. He wasn't good enough for them, so he didn't really belong anywhere. So I suppose he wasn't really good or bad, but that didn't stop people's opinions. They always said, "Even though he didn't become a Death Eater, if he had a chance, he'd surely jump for it." My dad tried to ignore these accusations after the war, but wasn't so lucky in preventing them from running over my life.

Though I take everything in stride now, I wasn't so a few years ago. When I first arrived at Hogwarts, the students judged me as soon as they heard my last name. Not because of me, but just because I was a Malfoy. I know; I don't see the logic either. Everyone else seemed to, though. And so that's how I was, a loner, or as some people called me, The Lone Wolf. I didn't really take as an insult, but more of who I was. I think it annoyed the students even more just because I wasn't bothered by their attempts to break me down. After that, they just left me alone, which suited me just fine. I didn't need friends to make me happy. Or so I thought.

And so, this is where my story begins, though it starts in the middle of my life, it is definitely the beginning of my sixth year at Hogwarts, and the year that defined who I really was, or maybe who I always was, but just hidden behind a mask.

________________

"Now Scorpius, you know how important this year is for you, don't you?" Dad asked me as we walked towards Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

"Dad, I've told you just yesterday!" I growled, losing my patience.

He'd been nagging me about it since fifth year started. I've long since tired from hearing about it.

"I know, I just want to be sure you've got it into your head how important it is for you to not mess it up!" Dad replied.

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled, adjusting the camera around my neck.

"And must you continue using that bloody Muggle object? You're a wizard for Merlin's sake!"

We were now at the platform. I kept a firm grasp on my trunk, and frowned slightly.

"I'll see you at Christmas, dad," I said before going into the barrier.

When I finally arrived on the train, there were plenty available compartments and I chose one towards the back with a slightly larger window so I could take some nice scenery pictures. I put my trunk above my seat and settled in for the ride. No one ever came into my compartment, so I knew I wouldn't be bothered. Soon enough, while I was watching the people pass by from my window, they started to disappear from view, and buildings started passing by.

I leaned my head against the window to catch up on my sleep. I know, not the most interesting start to my story, but just wait. I had almost nodded off when I heard the screech of the door open and close.

"Is it all right if I sit here?" a girl's voice asked.

I looked up to see a girl with bushy red hair smiling down at me. I knew who she was, of course: one of the many Weasleys. Rose Weasley, actually. I had no idea why she was in my compartment, nor did I particularly want her there.

"I'd rather you didn't," I replied.

"Oh, alright. I suppose I can go sit with my brothers. It was...er, nice talking to you," she replied, that smile still plastered on her face. It wasn't a fake smile...just strange.

I watched her leave, completely bewildered by her strange motives. I was sure she was dared by her brothers or something to come in here. That's the only reason any of them come into my compartment, and it didn't happen often in the five years I've gone on the train so far. After shaking off this strange start of the train ride, I pulled my camera to my face and started clicking away at the hills passing by the windows. Soon enough, we had arrived at Hogsmeade Station and I descended the train and glanced around for an empty carriage. I went into one which I thought was empty, but was quite surprised when I saw the same bushy-haired girl already occupying it. I made a move to leave to find another when she turned and smiled that strange smile.

"You're welcome to stay, if you'd like. I don't think you'll find another carriage now," she told me.

Surely she must have gone mad to ask me to stay in the same carriage as her. I gave her a befuddled look, but nodded and took a seat in the opposite corner from her. As we were pulled along, I was glancing out the window, trying to figure her out, when she tapped me on the shoulder.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but why do you carry around that Muggle camera wherever you go?" she asked, looking slightly worried, as if I'd bite her head off or something.

"I like taking pictures," I replied, turning back to the window.

"Could you...show me how sometime?" I looked over at her, trying to make sense of this whole ordeal. What was she playing at?

"Who dared you to be friendly with me? Was it your cousins?" I demanded, squinting at her as if to read her.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I just want to get to know you," she replied, smiling slightly. "I want to know the real story behind Scorpius Malfoy. Not that rubbish other students have talked about."

To say the least, I was confused. No one ever talked to me, let alone wanted to. Her doing exactly what everyone didn't want to puzzled me more than anything. I couldn't decide whether she was just playing some idiotic game or being true to her words. I did know that I couldn't trust her; I didn't trust anyone, especially the ones who wanted to "get to know me."

"Well, I don't want to get to know you," I told her snidely.

"I never asked you to. All I was trying to do was be friendly towards you, which is more than you could ever say. No wonder you don't have any friends. You're so rude and conceited," Rose snapped, her eyes blazing.

She crossed her arms and turned towards the window.

When we arrived at the castle, she jumped out of the carriage and sped off towards her friends, talking avidly as they walked away. I shook my head and started off towards the castle doors, my camera in hand.

The start of the year feast was just as boring as always. I sat beside my fellow Slytherins, sulking as the Sorting Hat roared in the background. Who did Rose think she was, yelling at me for speaking to me? As if it was my fault she decided to talk to me! I looked over at the Gryffindor table, where I spotted her mass of bushy hair immediately. She seemed to be listening to the Sorting Hat with enjoyment, but she turned around when the voice stopped. She looked up to see me, and quickly looked away. After a moment, she looked up again to see me still watching her, and she stared intently back at me. We sat there for what seemed like an eternity, glaring at each other angrily, until one of her friends started talking to her. She averted her gaze for the rest of the night, but I still glanced at her every once in a while, just to see her face.

As I laid in my bed that night, I couldn't help but wonder what her motives really were. What if she was being sincere? Well, then I had been a real arse to her, and that made me a bit uneasy. I didn't want to seem like a huge prick, but I really didn't think she was all that serious about knowing me. Well, I supposed it wouldn't hurt to return the friendly greetings towards her.

And so the next day I decided it'd be only fair to apologize for being so rude to her. At breakfast that morning, I went over my career options with Professor Zabini and received my schedule for the year, which included Potions, Astronomy, Defence against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration.

About a half hour later, I entered my Potions class to find that only about eight students decided to continue with it, Rose being one of them. After taking a deep breath, I sat next to her, giving her a smile. She didn't return it, and took to staring blankly at the book in front of her.

"Rose," I whispered, as our teacher was speaking to class and I didn't favour getting into trouble my first day back. I'd give it a few weeks first. "I'm sorry for how I acted yesterday. I shouldn't have been so rude to you."

"Is that so," she snapped back. "You don't sound very sincere."

"What do you mean? I am sorry!" I told her, my temper rising again, as it always seemed to when I was around her.

"Seems to me you're just trying to get into my good graces," she said, turning to me. "Now, if you wouldn't mind, I have a class to pay attention to."

I stared at her in disbelief. What was she trying to do? Have me kiss her feet? "Stupid toad," I grumbled.

"Excuse me! What did you call me?" she hissed, her brow furrowed.

"Stupid toad," I repeated, louder this time. So loud, in fact, that Professor Zabini overheard. So much for not getting into trouble.

"Malfoy? Weasley? Is there a problem?" he asked.

"No, sir," I grumbled.

"Then shut your mouths and pay attention," Professor Zabini said.

When class was over, I was last to exit the classroom and I saw Rose sitting on a bench with a book. Taking this as a chance to snap at her, I sauntered over and sat down.

"Go away, Scorpius," she said without looking up from her book.

"Look, Rose. I apologised, didn't I? No need to be rude about it," I said to her, prying the book from her hands and closing it.

"You just lost my page! You insufferable little--"

I put my finger to her lips. "I'd rather you not say what I am. Just accept my apology and we can be free to go our separate ways."

"Accept your apology? I have no intention of doing so, Malfoy. Just because you're the Lone Wolf or what ever they call you these days, doesn't mean you can get your way all the time and do what ever the bloody hell you want!" she shouted, pointing a finger in my face.

"You've obviously--"

"Got things all wrong?" she suggested, interrupting me. "Tell me, Scorpius. Why is it you have no friends? Is it because you're too good for us? Hmm?"

"I don't have any friends because they've judged me by my name," I countered, moving closer to her so I could see her eye to eye. "Not by me. No one gave me a chance, and no one will."

"Oh really? And what was I doing if I wasn't giving you a chance?" she hissed, and I could feel her warm breath on my face.

"You were trying to be the bloody prefect you were and felt pity for my loneliness," I answered, not moving my eyes from hers.

"You don't know who I am at all!" she said, but didn't deny any of what I said.

"I think I do," I whispered, moving away from her face. "You're your mother's daughter. Perfect at everything you do. The best grades, the best ideas, the best family, the best life. Everyone knows that."

She looked at me, and for the first time I saw something different in her eyes. Almost a slight sadness in their brown colour. "You're quick to judge aren't you? Funny how when others judge you by your name, you get angry that they don't know who you really are. Yet you know nothing about me except what you've heard, and you go by that," she said quietly. She took one last look at me, picked up her book from the ground, and slowly walked away.