Poor Boy

[Gebo]

Once he had found the door with a little "1" on it, Scorpius went through it and was momentarily taken aback to see several filled bed in there and hear the sounds of other boys sleeping peacefully. Though he wasn't sure why this surprised him, he figured that he had been so disconnected from reality for the past few hours that anything could just jump out at him like this. He looked around, found the only empty bed left, and went to it. His school trunk was already there, and on top of it sat a caged owl. This tawny owl was a gift from his grandfather for his entry into Hogwarts. He unlatched the cage and the owl swooped out of the dormitory window with a gentle hoot.

Scorpius' mind went back to his situation. His father's words echoed through his mind, "Make us proud, son." He clenched his eyes tight as he lay down on the bed, still fully clothed. He could not let his parents see; they could not know that he had screwed up somehow and not been sorted into Slytherin. Pulling the covers over his head, the pale, thin boy curled himself into a ball and pressed his face against his knees. He would lie to them, there was nothing for it. He would send off a letter in the morning and tell them cheerfully that he had, of course, gotten into Slytherin. He sighed and as hard as he tried to blink them away, a few tears escaped his eyelids. Why did this have to be him? Why did he have to be mean to people, like that red-headed girl down in the common room? Why did he have to act so fake?

For the sake of his family. That was all.

[Inky]

Dominique awoke, and yawned - A large tiger roar of a yawn, yet silent. It was early, very early, and she didn't want to wake any of her fellow Ravenclaws who were sleeping in the beds nearby. She got up, and stealthily crept to the door, narrowly avoiding tripping over the textbookes left at the end of one of the beds.

She made her way down to the common room, which, as always for this time in the morning was empty. Sometimes she did find the odd person alseep in one of the armchairs, or slumped over a table, drolling on the previous nights work, but more often then not, she would be alone with her thoughts. She guessed that Ipsy had gone hunting, or had decided to head down to the kitchens to find a spare morsel or two (the house elfs were very accomidating to the pets), and proceded to pick about some of the ravenclaw mess left over from a previous night's party - someone had compleated some dare, or was having a birthday fling, and she had heard a bit of a noise coming from down here last night untill quite late. Luckily, she had already mastered the scilencing charm and had been able to get some proper rest.

[Gebo]

Scorpius had been awake since before dawn, pondering. At first, he had slipped out of the dormitory and down into the common room. After a while of blankly staring into the empty fire place from an armchair, he got up and left the commons to wonder the hall. Classes started today, so he figured it was wise to try and find each room beforehand, lest he get lost later.

When he felt like he had burned enough time, he returned to Ravenclaw Tower. As he successfully answered the eagle's riddle and went through the portal, however, he became suddenly aware that he was not alone in the room. Looking about, he spotted the Dominique girl from last night. He groaned and his head rolled backwards slightly.

"Oh, no. Not you," he murmured.

[Inky]

Dominique turned at the sound of a little scuffle over by the entrance, and saw Scorpius, the boy form last night standing in the doorway. She blushed slightly, and turned away again, picking up litter again.
She was stuck; At a loss what to do, how to glaze over the situation. She suspected that he would be uncomfortable around her from now on, so wanted to make amends, as they shared a common room and they'd most likely bump into one another in the corridors.
With a stab of confidence, she turned around again and spoke quickly - "I'm sorry about last night I - Uhm - I didn't mean to..." She trailed off, her confidence had subsided.

[Gebo]

What to say, what to say....

Searching for the right scenario in his mind, Scorpius tried desperately to be rational. What did one say at a time like this, when someone is apologizing for something that you did. After all, he did not blame Dominique in the slightest for what had happened. He had been extraordinarily rude, and her defensiveness could only be expected. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat.

"Erm, yes.... Well...." He stared at her, also at a loss. He was not used to having to apologize for things. "Thank you for the apology.... Accepted." He shifted his gaze to stare at the wall over her shoulder instead, wishing someone else was here to break the strange tension.

[Inky]

Dominiques brow wrinkled. Alright, she had been expecting a little somehing in return, but she wouldn't bring it up now; what was done, was done.
She watched him squirm, he was obviously not used to paying for his mistakes, or owning up to them. She added a nother point to the checklist in her mind; somewhat spoilt.
She tried to make conversation - this wouldn't be easy... She cleared her throat akwardly, and began, "So..." but then stopped. She really couldn't think of anything... What could she say.

[Gebo]

"So," Scorpius repeated. He glanced at a table and eyed a stack of parchment sitting there. This reminded him that he had work to do. "I... have a letter to write. If you'll excuse me." He wandered over to the table, set down his bag, which he had been carrying around all morning, and took out his own parchment, quill, and ink. Then he began to write, in a long, sloping hand that seemed incredible for both a first year, and a boy.

Dear father and mother, he began. Then, just like in conversation with Dominique, he paused, at a loss for words. While he though, he looked around and asked, "What's you last name, anyways?" He meant it as a conversation piece, but he realized that she may not at all see it that way.

[Inky]

"Weasley - You?" she questioned him back. The way he seemed to want to assume authority was nearly a little too much, but For once Dominique didn't want to start an argument - they had just settled the last one.

[Gebo]

"Malfoy," he replied smoothly. His teeth clenched. So she was a Weasley, then. This just kept getting better and better. Aware that she had heard Ari Knu's comments of last night, he made himself a mental note that he would have to tolerate her and not anger her, but also not become friends with her. He groaned inwardly. Just another delicate balance for him to hold on top of his head. He turned back to his letter.

As expected, he wrote, all with the sorting went well. I am currently seated comfortably in the Slytherin common room. Several of our family acquaintances also have students here, as you probably know, father. Goyle, Warrington, Bletchley... Just a few of the names of the house.

[Inky]

Malfoy? Her skin lost its redness quickly enough. Her eyes narrowed slightly; no wonder he thought himself all that. She sighed a little - There was only the slightest possibility that they could be friends now, and on hearing the conversation between Ari and Scorpius last night, she doubted he would want to be associated with her so called 'Blood-traitor' family.

She was still bored however, and began trailing around the room again, noting various architecture in the room. There was that eagle, up there in the corner, staring down at her with its beady stone eyes. A flock more birds were present in the design around the fireplace, and a few were painted on the Ceiling Of course this being Hogwarts, the birds on the ceiling were slowly flying around up there, occasionally swooping out of view only for another bird or two to enter the scene...
As she took her eyes from the ceiling, she found she had ended up behind Scorpius, who was scribbling away furiously on some parchment. She leaned over slightly, curious as to see what the young boy could be writing home about so quickly, hoping that she would not see her name mentioned in there.

[Gebo]

The smooth and quick lettering went on for several minutes more before Scorpius became aware once more of his surroundings. The back of his neck prickled; he knew he was being watched. He turned around quickly, expecting to still see Dominique staring at him from the chair. Instead, he spun and smacked his face right into her.

With a startled little intake of breath, he lurched backwards, the table digging into his back. He glared up at her with narrowed eyes.

"Are you aware that it is rude to read over people's shoulders like that?" he asked snidely. He reached around and hastily folded his letter. Lies. All lies. How much had she see? Would she snitch, or did she not care enough to even bother?

[Inky]

She jumped back awkwardly, almost failing over a nearby footstool. She regained her balance and composure quickly however (though blushing somewhat - she had not meant to be seen), her gaze failing on the boy, eyes narrowing to slits.

One phrase had caught her attention - Something about the 'slytherin common room' - and it was odd how defensive he was acting suddenly, though they had already agreed to put their differences aside, more or less. Her sharp mind worked quickly to put two and two together - Was he lying to his parents about being a Ravenclaw? She had heard the discussion last night between the two boys clearly enough, how Ari's father had been ashamed of him once he had broken the news of sorting. What if Scorpius' was so ashamed of his sorting, he was willing to cover up the truth to protect his dignity?

She gave a little sigh, feeling sorry for the small boy in front of her. Maybe she had jumped to conclusions, maybe he was just a little jumpy because he was homesick - or he was just a rude brat after all. Somehow though, she doubted these conclusions were correct, but hoped they might be - It would be awful for him to have to lie to his parents. Surly they'd find out soon enough?...
"I do know that, thanks so much for clarifying. However as a fellow Ravenclaw, I'd expect you to have enough brain to work out that your parents - though they may be Malfoys - will eventually figure out the truth." She looked him dead in the eye whilst she talked, and once finished walked back over to the exit. She turned back to him however, "So, before you start lying your rude little ass off, maybe you should think again." On this note, she exited the common room, off to the quidditch pitch to practice and hopefully clear her head of narky little wannabe slyhterins.