(no subject)

[alsoagreengrass]

Scorpius is glad for the interlude he shared with Albus a couple of weeks ago because there's been nothing but work since.

A lot of work.

It seems the professors had thought their seventh year students comfortably resettled into Hogwarts life and preparations for NEWTs could truly commence.

(Mind the work has kept students from gossiping too much and the boys have been able to stop what worrying they'd been doing, but awful can not begin to describe how bad it's been otherwise.)

Maybe there are some students who live for such times, but Scorpius is certainly not one of them. He's had enough.

And having had enough means seeking out Milliways.

It takes a few wrong turns into empty, unused broom closets - the usual door having not worked - but Scorpius eventually finds his way.

He stumbles in, looking every bit the strung-out, sleep-deprived student that he is.

An ecstatic "Hah!" escapes him before he's throwing himself on one of the couches and hugging a cushion.

Comments

[thequietblack]

Next to the couch that the young man collapsed on is a middle-aged wizard reading a Potions book. Orion is dressed as a proper pureblood wizard ought, but his posture is much more one of relaxation than of stiffness. As the young man falls onto the couch he looks over the top of the book and raises an eyebrow. Kids these days. pffff.

[alsoagreengrass]

An unaware Scorpius gives a happy sigh, snuggling into the cushion, before lifting his own gaze and -

"Oh! Sorry, uhm - Sorry."

He sits up and rakes a hand through his (very recognizable) hair, but his own robes - the standard Hogwarts fare - remain a bit rumpled.

[thequietblack]

Orion cracks a bit of a smile. "That is alright. Hogwarts has always had rather onerous homework this time of year." He regards him for a moment, somewhat placing the hair, but not wanting to assume. "Ravenclaw, I see. Quite a respectable House."

[alsoagreengrass]

"Er. Well, I think all of the Houses are, but, uhm - Yes. Ravenclaw."

He rubs at his eyes before taking another look at the other man.

Who looks awfully familiar in a way.

"Huh."

[thequietblack]

"Is something the matter?" Orion regards him for a moment. "You are quite right, however. Each house has its merits and demerits."

[alsoagreengrass]

"N-No?

"It's only, uhm - You look familiar. I think."

He offers his hand, after somewhat of a pause.

"I'm Scorpius Malfoy."

[thequietblack]

"Clearly the Malfoy naming conventions haven't gotten better in the future." Orion rolls his eyes, but takes his hand and shakes firmly. "Orion Black. Pleased to you meet you." There's a definitely wry smile on his face.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate blinks over the rim of a fine china teacup, a few paces removed from Scorpius in one of the plush armchairs by the fire.


A smirk graces her face after a minute or two.

"Should I give you an' that cushion some privacy?"

[alsoagreengrass]

"Mmm, five more minutes," is Scorpius' muffled reply as he buries his face into the cushion.

[ikissdhimbck]

She snickers.

"You'll be late for school."

Sure, it's a touch mean-spirited, but you can't blame her. He gave her the opening.

[alsoagreengrass]

It is a bit mean-spirited.

Scorpius' heart nearly skips a bit in confusion.

"I don't - I don't have class," he says after a pause, frowning into the cushion.

[ikissdhimbck]

"I'm teasin', sugar."

She tips her head forward, trying to angle a better look at his face. Boy's gotta come up for air sometime, right?

"Call it the ol' teacher in me. You all right?"

[alsoagreengrass]

He could probably breathe cushion for a bit longer, but he turns his head anyway to blink at Kate.

"'M alive," he mumbles.

Along with something about teachers being cruel.

Teasingly, of course.

[not_his_pa]

After hitting the punching bag and a nice long bath, William feels better about the world.

He's just sitting down with his dinner and a book when he spots Scorpius, "You alright?"

[alsoagreengrass]

"Brilliant," Scorpius responds, stretching out with a happy sigh.

"Now that I've got Milliways back, anyway."

He flashes William a grin.

"It's been awhile."

[not_his_pa]

"It has, yeah. How long for you?" He looks like he's been working hard at school.

[alsoagreengrass]

"Nearly three weeks on my end."

Which is nearly a lifetime! Or thereabouts.

"It was around Valentine's in the bar.

"How're you?"

[not_his_pa]

"Not too bad, busy but that's always true. School keepin' you busy?" He looks tired.

[alsoagreengrass]

Overtly dramatic as it might sound -

"It's been awful. A lot of essays and projects assigned.

"I don't think the professors will give us much of a break until the hols."

[golden_lyre]

Careful, Scorpius. A certain, smirking someone is about to steal that cushion from you.

A sneaky, smirking someone, as he chooses for his method a softly hummed tune that makes the cushion itself want to wiggle itself free.

[alsoagreengrass]

It's a cruel thing to steal a cushion out from under someone.

And Scorpius would inform Orpheus of such - possibly by way of hex - if he were aware enough.

A ridiculously desperate whine is all he has for now.

[golden_lyre]

Since he has no warning to stop, Orpheus continues his nefarious plan. The cushion wriggles more, worming it's way free of Scorpius' embrace.

And then, it seems like a pillow fight is in order, as the cushion thwaps Scorpius on the back of his head.

[alsoagreengrass]

Well. Scorpius is definitely aware now.

A good thwap will do that.

He groans, swatting at the cushion.

"I hate you."

(He's talking to Orpheus now and not the cushion, mind.)

[golden_lyre]

When Orpheus stops humming to speak, the cushion drops onto Scorpius' head.

"That seems a bit harsh," he says with a smirk. "It's only a cushion."

[alsoagreengrass]

"It's not just a cushion," Scorpius is saying from somewhere under the cushion.

"It's - It's my lifeboat."

Of sorts.