Draco Malfoy was a coward.

That much Scorpius knew. His father was a coward, a sneak, a liar, and nothing anyone said or did would convince him otherwise.

Oh, his father might tell him grand stories of the war, all altered slightly from reality, but Scorpius was gifted with incredible perception, and so he knew. He could learn what was in a person's mind and heart, not just the words they uttered. So he knew that when Draco spoke contemptuously of Harry Potter, it was not the hero he hated. It was himself.

Because indeed, Harry was the antithesis of all Draco was and all he had ever learned; a pinnacle of strength and courage. And for that, Draco despised him.

But Scorpius was not so close-minded and jealous as his father. He had read his history books and watched his father carefully, so when the time came down to it, he knew what he would choose. He would not be like his father and grandfather, easily swayed by false promises of power and terrified into subservience and inaction. No, he would be like Harry Potter, and Ron and Hermione Weasley, and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix. He would be strong and loyal and righteous and intelligent, willing to fight for what he believed in.

Which is how he ended up sitting on a stool in front of all Hogwarts, absolutely petrified, with the sorting hat muttering in his mind.

"Talent, yes, much talent here. And great ambition. Shall I put you in Slytherin, then, like the rest of your family? Ah, no, I see the urge to be different, to turn a page, start a new chapter… Good boy. And that courage and strength, you could do well in Gryffindor… But no, with such a brilliant mind there's really only one place for you. You'd better be in RAVENCLAW!" The last word was shouted to the entire school.

The table on the center left burst into applause. Scorpius sighed, relieved not to be charged with the burden of carrying on his family's legacy. His father's reaction was not to be looked forward to, but Scorpius couldn't bring himself to care, not right then. Not with the cheers in his ears, not with the relief of the trial being over, not with the excitement of the whole school year in front of him. Taking a seat at the blue and bronze decked table, Scorpius grinned widely as he was clapped on the back.

No one seemed to care that he was the son and grandson of snakes, of traitors who betrayed the entire wizarding world. No one seemed even the least bit put off. Scorpius felt hope rise within him that he would never be judged by the actions of his family, that his history could be put behind and never mentioned again. He could forge his own way here, could establish a new legacy for the name Malfoy…

These thoughts in mind, he turned his attention to those who had yet to be sorted.

"Potter, Albus!"

As this name was called, a hush fell over the great hall.

This was the famous Harry Potter's second son.

Scorpius paid particular interest to him, much like everyone else present. Everyone seemed to be looking at the first year, who walked nervously up to be sorted. Even though his place in Gryffindor must surely be guaranteed, Scorpius still read a decent amount of uncertainty in the boy's features, as though he was worried he might end up in the 'wrong' house. He sat on the stool with a pained look, clearly very worried about the outcome.

Long moments passed, and it seemed like the whole school was holding its breath.

Then—

"GRYFFINDOR!"

A huge thundering of applause broke out at the red and gold covered table, and an obviously much relieved Albus went to join his older brother and cousins. Scorpius felt a tiny twinge of jealousy as he watched Albus greeted by his enormous family and numerous friends, wondering what it would be like to be so popular and generally well-liked, even before anyone really knew you. Idle musings, of course, as no one knew of Scorpius except as his father's son, so he'd never know the feeling. But still, he couldn't help but wonder.

After that, Scorpius let his mind drift, not paying very much attention to the Sortings not even to note who was Sorted into his own house. The optimistic feeling he was having earlier was beginning to fade away, replaced with a kind of resigned drudgery.

At least, until a pretty red-haired girl was called up.

This was Rose Weasley, daughter of Harry Potter's equally as famous friends, Ron and Hermione Weasley. She appeared to be just as nervous as her cousin, but there was something different about her, Scorpius was interested to note.

Something in the way she held herself, shoulders back and head up, that gave her a proud, fearless look, despite her timid steps up to the Sorting Hat. With her face turned up she seemed to absolutely glow in the warm candlelight, glints off her auburn hair forming a halo all around her face, giving her quite the angelic look.

But it was more than that.

She had an inner light, a core of shining steel that Scorpius could tell rendered her the most stubborn and yet the most wonderful girl he had ever, or would ever, meet.

So captured by her was he that when to Sorting Hat shouted out it's choice, he jumped.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Oh.

That was his house.

Scorpius was unsure whether the feeling in his stomach was nervousness or excitement, but whatever it was it fizzed and intensified as he realized the only open seat left at the Ravenclaw table was right next to him. She would have to sit next to him, talk to him, probably brush up against him once or twice…

He gulped.

Why was he having this reaction to her? There shouldn't have been anything special about her, nothing that should cause emotions sucj as these to rise within him. And yet, as she drew nearer, he couldn't help but wish that he'd make a good impression on her.

That she wouldn't see him and immediately think of his father.

That she wouldn't treat him like scum because of who his family was.

That she might even come to like him, someday.

Now he saw it: this was his chance. This was his chance to break out of his family's less than admirable pattern, to join to shining life of heroes like the Potters and the Weasleys and be judged for who he was, for what he did, rather than who he was related to. All he had to do was become friends with this vibrant girl, which surely would be no hardship. Hope filled his chest, hope for a brighter future and his family's tainted past.

She sat down next to him, bringing the smell of a fresh breeze with her. She shook her hair back and looked around at her new classmates, taking time to really notice all of them.

At last she got to Scorpius.

She looked at him, and he gazed at her, hope still shining out of his face.

"Hello," he said quietly, after a moment had passed.

She looked at him for another moment, then replied coolly, "You're Scorpius Malfoy."

His heart sank. It was a statement, not a question, but he still responded with a reluctant affirmation. "Yes, I am."

"I've heard about your father. My dad told me to beat you on every test." She turned away from him, immediately becoming engaged in a conversation on her other side.

Shocked at this ultimate dismissal, Scorpius gaped after her. As his brain caught up with his heart and he processed what had happened, anger swelled up inside him and eclipsed to hurt and broken hope.

How dare she just reject him like that? How dare she judge him based only on his family and not on himself at all? Righteous indignation threatened to overcome him.

And then his resolve solidified. If she could snub him, he could do the same to her. She was supposed to beat him on every test? He would beat her instead. She might already be popular and well liked and famous, but he could make himself just as popular.

Her opinions would not dictate his future.

XXXX

So, there it is. My second ever HP fic.

I haven't quite yet decided how I'm going to do this story, so I thought I'd give you guys a chance for input. Would you rather it be just Scorpius's perspective, or should I alternate with Rose's POV? I've done stories both ways, and I really can't decide here. Tell me in a review, and I'll take your opinion into account when I decide.

The other thing about this story is it may not update very often. Definitely not as often as I'd like, but I'm still in school and things get crazy... apology in advance. But stick with the story and I promise it'll eventually end. :)

~Star