Chapter 8

Potatoes With Eyeballs

It was a week later when Scorpius and Albus came up from the Common Room one bright morning, into the Great Hall for breakfast. It came at no surprise to them to see Alex already there. The past two weeks, she had been getting up before the crack of dawn, to come up to breakfast - hours before it was even served.

"Still no sign of a letter, then?" Scorpius asked sympathetically, sitting down next to Alex, while Albus took the seat opposite them. Alex shook her head. "No, no letter yet."

Alex had written a letter every week since they had been back at Hogwarts; describing the architecture with as much detail as she could muster (she even attempted to sketch a few of the archways and pillars - she ended up only sending two out of the fifteen she had drawn), as well as describing Albus and Scorpius in depth, and telling her parents, and grandparents (for she had written her grandmum and granddad as well once) all about her classes, and how much she was enjoying it - but how much she so terribly missed her family, and longed to see their faces again.

She had received no letter back. The other students in her year had started noticing it, too. One of the girls in her year - one Margaret Pucey, had made it her mission in life to tease Alex about it every chance she got. The older students visibly disapproved - for it was no secret that Slytherin's had worse people to deal with than those within their entire house, but none made an effort to help her. None except Scorpius' cousin, Andrew Flint, his Aunt Daphne's son. Scorpius wasn't buddy-buddy with his cousin, or for the rest of his family excluding his grandmother and parents, but there was a feeling of mutual respect between the first and fifth year, as well as a sort of 'I got your back, and you got my back' mindset going on.

This worked for them, and it most certainly worked for Alex. Especially when one morning Margaret ended up getting jinxed so that all of her beautiful black locks, relocated themselves on her chin and upper lip. (Alex made sure to write that down in the journal she had started since her time at Hogwarts - just to make sure she never forgot it.)

"Well," the ever optimistic Albus said, "Keep your chin up! A letter's sure to turn up, isn't it? You're their daughter, for Merlin's sake." Alex shrugged. "I suppose so, yes. After all, if I wasn't their daughter, than you and I wouldn't be related, then, would we?" Albus rolled his eyes. Scorpius smirked.

"Well," Albus asked ('persistent tosser,' Alex thought), have you written them, asking what's wrong?"

Alex and Scorpius sat looking at him, unblinking. Albus tried to stare back at them, but, as James and Lily reminded him, he never was much good at staring contests, and so he blinked. Scorpius smirked. Alex rolled her eyes. "Yes, I've written to them. Why do you think I spend so much time in Study Hall? You don't actually think I'm studying, do you?" Albus huffed. "Well, it is called 'Study Hall' for a reason, innit? But I guess you're right. Anyway, depending on the owl you used, it could take any number of days for just one letter to get to wherever it is you live. I know my Grandmum and Granddad's old family owl, Errol, has been 'out of commission' since before I was born, but sometimes they still use him - and he is the worst owl to ever owl. And apparently, it's been this way since he was just a little chick!" This brought a smile to Alex's face. "Thanks, Albus. But I'm fairly certain that the owls I've used are at least fairly decent, if not good - for why else would the school entrust them with student's packages and letters?" Albus rolled his eyes. "Well fine then, Miss Pessimistic, have it your way." Alex smirked, "I will."

Just then, they heard the familiar sound of sqwaking, and wings flapping. "Mail's here," Scorpius commented. Just like every week, a letter was dropped down in front of both Albus and Scorpius, both giving their owl's a piece of toast. But, this time, there was a letter dropped in front of Alex, as well. Two letters, in fact.

Alex couldn't contain her grin when she saw the sets of handwriting on both letters.

"It's from my dad and grandmum!" She exclaimed.

Scorpius looked up from his letter and smiled at the joy shining in Alex's eyes. "Well don't just gawk at it," he said good-naturedly, "open them so you can read them!"

Albus was too engaged in his own letters (for he had received two; one from his mother and father, and one from his baby sister, Lily) to make a comment, but Alex saw him smile after Scorpius spoke. Now, whether he was smiling at something his sister had written him, or at Scorpius, was unknown.

Alex did what Scorpius instructed, a giddy smile on her face, and opened the letter from her father, first.

"My Darling girl,"

Alex smiled.

"My Darling girl,

First, I am so terribly sorry I haven't written to you in what seems like ages. I'm afraid that I have undertaken an extra shift at work, and haven't found the time to just sit down and write down all of my thoughts, until now. That isn't to say that I haven't thought about you and missed you every day. Gosh, I don't know how those parents are able to handle it!

Ethan has missed you terribly. He often looks at the stairs during dinner time, saying "Alex? Where's Alex?" wondering where you are. Mother has missed you as well - she says she will write to you at a later date.

Don't be too cross with her, Pirate. I know it hurts, and I know the months from your birthday leading up to September were hard on you; they were hard for me too. I think she is starting to cope with it, however. She spends a lot of time in your room, sitting on your bed and looking at the glow-stick-on stars on your ceiling that you and she put on, long before Ethan was even thought of. She spends a lot more time at the library, in the children's section. In fact, did I mention she asked to be transferred to the children's section? She works ten hours now, rather than six. The daycare drops Ethan off at the library now, so that he can play, and your mother can keep an eye on him.

Oh! While I am thinking on the subject; Ethan stole your giraffe, the one you got when you were three? I can't remember what you named it, but it was the one that had the orange collar on it. He's named it 'Alex'.

I can't believe how large Hogwarts is; from how you describe it, it must be one of the largest schools in Scotland! Have you spoken to any of the knights? Do they even speak? Are they enchanted? Have you befriended any ghosts? If so - how did they die? (Don't tell your mother or grandmother I asked that - they don't know I allow you to watch murder mysteries.)

I am so pleased to hear that you are enjoying your studies! Well, some of them, anyway. Your classes sound very… interesting. I suppose they don't teach English or Science or Mathematics, hmm? Well. If you think you are starting to slip in your non-magic courses, I can send over a few of your textbooks, so you can keep up, and improve. Just because you are a witch, doesn't mean you need not know how to live in the Muggle community. I don't mean that harshly, I just mean it in a practical sense

I'm afraid I need to stop writing now, Alex. I hope you are having a good time. I love you and I miss you.

Dad"

Scorpius, who had already read the letter from his mother, watched Alex's face as she read the letter. At some points during the letter, she looked as though she was going to burst from happiness - and others, she looked as though she was going to burst into tears at any given moment. However, by the end of the letter, she was smiling once again, and so Scorpius decided not to find out what had her in near-tears, only moments before.

"Aww, you still have stuffed animals? That's cute!"

"Ahh!" Alex yelped at the seemingly booming voice in her ear. Alex looked up from her letter to see that Albus was standing behind her, having read her letter.

"Did your dad mention that our dad's went to have coffee the other day?"

Alex frowned, "No, he didn't,"

Albus shrugged. "Well, my dad said that it was nice, albeit awkward, to catch up with your dad - but that they planned to have coffee again soon."

Alex's lip quirked upwards. "That's nice, I suppose,"

Albus rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure, whatever. I still can't believe you have stuffed animals,"

This time Alex rolled her eyes. "I'm eleven, of course I have stuffed animals. Scorpius has a stuffed animal - a wolf or fox I believe, he calls it Snowball."

Scorpius, who had been eating his scrambled eggs during this conversation, pointed his fork accusingly at Alex, "How do you know?"

Alex smirked, "I read it in your mother's letter, of course! I wondered why you didn't open that package here, after you had received it last week - so I swiped the letter when you weren't looking."

"Wait," Albus said, "That's what was in the package? Your stuffed animal?"

Scorpius frowned and lowered his eyes in embarrassment. "Yes… it was,"

Albus snorted and started to laugh, but quickly coughed after seeing the look of disapproval on Alex's face.

"Yes, well," Albus said, "That's perfectly normal for someone of your age. Nothing to be embarrassed about."

Scorpius and Alex rolled their eyes simultaneously. It seemed as though Albus forgot that he had told his cousin the exact opposite, only moments earlier.

"Whatever," Scorpius said, looking at his watch. "It's time for class now anyway."

"You're right," Alex sighed, folding back up her father's letter and putting it back in the envelope, and putting it in her satchel where the letter from her grandmother awaited. "I can finish reading these later,"

Albus stuffed the last few bites of toast and bacon in his mouth - Scorpius and Alex both visibly winced. "What class do we have first, again?" Albus asked, crumbs spewing over Alex's plate.

'It's a good thing I was already full,' she thought.

Scorpius sighed, "Potions, you goob."

"Oh, right," Albus said.

~oOo~

"Well, that was a bore," Alex said, swinging her satchel back over her shoulder as the three of them exited the classroom.

"What do you mean?" Albus asked, confused. "I thought it was kind of interesting, myself,"

Alex rolled her eyes, and wrapping her arm around his shoulder she said, "That's because you haven't done any studying in that class. I, however - and I'm sure Scorpius has as well, have read the next two chapters in Potions."

Albus sighed dramatically, and threw his arms up. "You'd think that considering none of us are in Ravenclaw, that I'd be able to get away from bookworms quite easily!"

Scorpius - who had been walking behind them a ways, trying to organize his backpack while walking, snorted and said, "That's rich talk coming from you,"

Alex turned towards him, "What do you mean?" Scorpius smirked. "I mean, that he keeps his torch on at least two hours after the rest of us have gone to bed, reading some dumb book,"

Albus looked outraged. "It is not a dumb book! Hercule Poirot is a very serious matter!"

Alex quickly covered her mouth with her hand to smother the snort that came out.

"What?" Albus drew out, rolling his eyes.

"I know Poirot, that was a TV show, wasn't it? My mum liked that show. We have the books somewhere,"

"Well, if you're familiar with it, then why were you laughing at me?" Albus said (although he was trying to hide a smile).

"Because!" Alex said, laughing, "You're you! You always scramble to catch up with homework. I just never guessed that you, of all people, would like soft murder mysteries!"

"Wait," Scorpius interjected, "that's what you're reading?" When he didn't see Albus object, he smiled. "Murder mysteries? Really, now? Hmm." Upon seeing Scorpius' lip curl into a smirk, and the gleam that was in his eyes, Albus groaned. "Oh Merlin, you're never going to let me forget about this, are you?" Scorpius' smirk grew larger. "Never."

Alex, who had previously been giggling, looked at her watch, and then groaned. By this time, both boys knew what this meant.

"Is it time for flying lessons?" Albus asked, trying to hide his smile.

"Yes." Alex looked as though she just found out that she was being forced to go to the funeral of a relative she didn't much care for. She felt like she was going to one, too.

"It'll be fine," Scorpius said, wrapping his arm around her, in what he hoped to be reassuring, quickly removed the offending appendage, upon seeing the deadpan expression on her face.

"Seriously, Al," Albus said, "is she honestly that bad?"

"She is too bad!" Alex replied, quite heatedly.

'She' was one Rose Weasley, first cousin of Albus.

Of course Alex knew her, they shared almost every class together. It wasn't that she disliked Rose, per se, it's just that she was the best flier in her class. And she (Rose), and everyone else knew it.

That wasn't even the part that annoyed Alex - what annoyed her, was that Rose bragged about it. Rose was a know-it-all, and that was very plain to see. She always raised her hand during class - no matter what the class was, and Alex was sure she had an O in each one, if nothing else than for participation.

Alex didn't know why Rose aggravated her, but she did. And she hated flying class because that was where she could no longer ignore how much Rose truly did aggravate her.

"I don't know why you think she's all that bad," Albus commented, "the only differences between the two of you is that a) she's a Ravenclaw, and b) you don't brag."

"That's just it!" Alex exclaimed, "She brags far too often for my taste." Albus and Scorpius looked at each other before rolling their eyes simultaneously. Luckily for them, Alex didn't see because she was too busy pulling her converse out from her book bag.

"Madame Hooch is gonna send you to Professor Slughorn if you wear your converse to flying lessons again," Scorpius drawled (sounding very much like his father, although the three of them didn't acknowledge that).

Alex swore under her breath, "Do I look like someone who cares?" Albus gave her a blank look. Alex huffed. "Fine, fine. But these mary janes are so… ugly,"

"Like your face," Albus coughed. Alex glared. "Well, sucks to be you, dumbbell, because we look almost identical except for our eyes and skin tones." Scorpius snickered.

Alex's watch beeped, signaling she had less than five minutes to get from the dungeons, outside. "Dammit, I've got to go. Have a good class, you two," she yelled back at the boys, before slinging her book bag over her shoulder and running like her life depended on it. Which it probably did.

~oOo~

She made it with ten seconds to spare. Madame Hooch glared at her, but didn't say anything. Alex dug her feet into the grass, in the hopes that Madame Hooch (or anyone else) wouldn't see her converse. She was successful (or at least, if M. Hooch saw, or anyone else for that matter, they didn't call her out).

All they had to do for today's lesson, thankfully, was just get used to being on the broom. Thankfully there were cushioning charms on the brooms, or else Alex was sure her bum would have been sore after only five minutes - and she had to be there for thirty.

Although Alex disliked flying, she was rather good at it. Well, she at least was able to get her broom to go up after commanding it to on her fifth try - which wasn't bad, and she was able to fly around without falling (more than once).

So all in all, Alex was okay. And she was fine with that. But Rose wasn't, and constantly badgered Alex about 'doing her best', and 'trying harder'.

Alex got on her broom - an old, thin, splintered thing of a broom - and started hovering about four feet off the ground. A moment later, she felt someone's presence next to her, and so she turned to look beside her. Rose. She should've guessed. "Your back should be straighter, you know," Rose's high-pitched voice rang. Alex rolled her eyes. "Forgive me if I have not perfected the art of sitting on this death trap, as you have done so." Alex ignored the pang of remorse she felt, upon seeing the flash of hurt on Rose's face.

"You know, my mother's a muggle-born, just like you - she wasn't good at flying either. I started flying at age three, you know. My dad gave me a broom - my aunt got all of the Harpies to sign it. I've always been a huge fan of Quidditch, haven't you? Oh, wait, sorry - that was a rather dumb question, wasn't it? Sorry about that, sometimes I don't think before I speak," Rose said these things so quickly, Alex hardly got the chance to digest any of the things she said.

"... come again?" Alex asked. Rose looked embarrassed before muttering a quick "nevermind," and flew off to talk to a fellow Ravenclaw.

Alex felt a bit bad, but she truthfully could not understand that girl - nor did she want to. She was too loud and boisterous and popular and good at everything… "And she's everything I'm not," Alex whispered to herself.

Shaking that thought out of her head, Alex focused on keeping her back straight (as straight as it could be on this floating tree branch, at least), and her grip firm, and her feet tucked in.

She only wobbled once in that entire half hour.

Rose didn't wobble at all.

~oOo~

The rest of the day's classes had gone on without a hitch.

Charms was always the same; Alex did just enough to pass, getting the spell right on the second or third try, but didn't do anything to try to do better than the others. Rose got it right the first try.

Lunch was boring, Alex only had a salad and sandwich (while she was sure Albus caused the poor house elves to have panic attacks, for he ended up eating twenty sandwiches, and more than once there were plates left bare of food, only for them to refill themselves again. Scorpius didn't eat.)

Transfiguration was amusing, as Scorpius thrived in that class (almost always being able to do the spell right the first time), while Albus failed miserably - incinerating the game card he was trying to turn into a flower. (Alex turned it into a flower alright - only she used origami rather than magic… Professor Finch-Fletchley gave her half marks for 'amusement, and originality'. Albus glared at her. Scorpius smirked.

History of magic was intriguing, as always (for her, anyway. The only people in that entire class that were even half-interested in it, were the muggleborns. Meaning, only five or six were even awake during the class). They were learning about the wizarding world during the 20th century. Alex could barely write fast enough to keep up with what Professor Creevey was saying. By the end of the class, though, there was only one thing Alex could think about. "Albus snores too loudly,"

Defense Against the Dark Arts was unimportant, as always. Alex liked DADA as much as the next person - but it was called 'defense against the dark arts'. Yes, Alex thought to herself. I'm sure that Doxies and Garden Gnomes are dangerous creatures, and deserve to be cursed. Why wouldn't they? Such dangerous, nasty things they are. Definitely a danger to society. Definitely.

So, instead, Alex doodled in her textbook. Scorpius, who sat next to her, glanced down at her textbook and tilted his head in confusion. He dipped his quill and wrote next to her drawing of a garden gnome, "Why does that potato have eyeballs?"

Alex took her quill and stabbed his leg with the tip, smirking as she heard him yelp, and grinning when he had to answer Professor Nott why he was disrupting his classroom.

As Albus and Scorpius wanted to play wizarding chess by the fire in the common room, Alex decided she was going to curl up in one of the many window seats in the common room, and (finally) read the letter her grandmother sent her.

"My Dearest Granddaughter,

I don't know how much longer I can bare until Christmas, I miss you so. I hope you are doing well, and keeping out of trouble. Ethan is growing so much! It is obvious he misses you. I am glad you are doing well at your classes, especially your potions.

I never told you this, but my sister, your great aunt Lily, was exceptional at potions. She and our neighbor, Snape, would always exchange ideas and modifications for their potions. I, at the time, disapproved entirely - something I sorely regret now.

But no matter!

I am glad that you have found something you're passionate about. I am also pleased, especially as your grandmother, to hear about your newfound love of plants! All those years I tried to get you to help me garden, and you complaining - only to find out that as soon as you go to a wizarding school, you suddenly love gardening? I am shaking my head at you, young lady. Is it cold there? I bet it is, castles are no places to teach children. Drafty castles, at that. I do hope that they have central heating? Or at least, have some charm or spell or what not to keep you warm? Let me know how you're feeling - I would never forgive myself if you caught ill. I should send you a scarf and hat - in fact, I will include a scarf and hat with my next letter. Would that suit you? Well, it will have to. (I mean that in the most loving way possible - my job as your grandmother is to make sure you are in good health, and your being in Scotland isn't exactly making my job any easier!)

I love you, darling. I hope you aren't too lonely, and that you've been able to make a few more friends. I am glad to hear about your befriending Harry's son. Tell me, does he have vibrant green eyes? Or auburn hair? Lily did.

Hugs and kisses,

Grandmum"

Alex sighed, folding the letter back into her bookbag. She knew that her grandmum and dad were hiding something from her, but she couldn't figure out what. She smiled, remembering what her grandmother said about drafty castles.

Alex knew her grandmother hadn't been that good of a mother (far too willing to do whatever her son, Alex's father wanted), and an even worse aunt (that went without saying). However, Petunia was an excellent grandmother.

Ever since Alex's birth, her grandmother doted on her, and never hesitated to discipline her when she saw fit (which wasn't that often, as Alex had always been a reasonable child). Every mother's day, Alex would make her grandmother a bouquet of lilies, petunias, and daisies, and would always sing 'La Vie En Rose' off key (the song that Petunia would sing to Alex in order to fall asleep - for Alex had colic when she was a baby and young toddler, and often times Petunia would stay the night at Dudley's house in order to allow her son and daughter-in-law to get some sleep), reveling in the thin, yet genuine smile her grandmother would give her.

Alex took this time to catch up on some homework she had been neglecting, before Albus informed her (while pointing to his stomach) that it was time for dinner. Upon Scorpius' questioning as to how he knew it was dinner time, Albus said, "I'm half-Weasley. That says everything." Alex and Scorpius nodded, knowing he was right.

~oOo~

Dinner was normal. (Normal for them, at least, considering the fact that Albus was able to spit mashed potatoes and creamed corn on her face, from across the table, and the fact that by this time she was no longer disgusted, and able to continue on eating as though nothing happened.)

"You're disgusting," Scorpius said.

"I know," Albus replied.

Scorpius smirked. Alex rolled her eyes.