[OOM] Conversation at Flourish & Blotts
Albus Potter is late.
He checks his wristwatch for the hundredth time (the one he received for his seventeenth birthday, as is tradition - a new one, silver-plated and quite sturdy; James got Dad's old one, passed down to him from Grandpa Weasley) and fidgets.
"Dad," he starts, "um - I've got to -"
"Blimey, Dad," James is saying, "you can't possibly think Lily can handle a broomstick like this one. It's a Firebolt S Class. That's like - that's the sort of broomstick a professional would use. Lily's just starting. And we don't even know if -"
"Please, Dad? I'm going to be on the team. I know it. I've been practicing, you've seen me; I even beat James last week!"
"Oy - you did not," James protests.
"I so did. I'm going to be Seeker like Dad."
Their father laughs, running a hand through his ever-messy mop of dark hair - the same hair he passed down to both his sons, but not his daughter who has their mum's vibrant red hair, currently gathered into a ponytail. He shakes his head and simply says, "This is the first broomstick we've looked at. Let's see a few more before we make any decisions. Hmm, Lily?"
Albus fidgets again. He bites his bottom lip.
"Dad, d'you mind if I quickly pop into Flourish & Blotts? There's um - a book -"
"Books again, Al?" James huffs.
Albus shrugs, keeping his expression as impassive as he can. He doesn't want to give away the fact that he's actually meeting someone at the bookshop.
"Of course, Al," says Dad. "Come find us after you've finished."
"Right."
Before his father can say anything else, Lily is tugging at his wrist and Albus nearly flies out the door. Broomless, sure, but with almost as much speed.
Over the summer, there had been two owls sent to Malfoy Manor. One requesting that he see Scorpius, and the other setting and confirming a time. He didn't want to say why; he didn't want to ruin it by putting anything into written word.
He - he wanted to say it aloud, so nothing would get mixed up and neither of them would be misunderstood or confused. His grandmum Lily had taught him that.
But mostly, he just wanted to see the other boy. He isn't sure what he's expecting. He isn't even sure how long this is going to take, or if it will even go well.
Inside Flourish & Blotts, he'd written. Just by the ancient histories shelf.
And that's where he heads once he steps inside, the familiar (and comforting) smell of old books greeting him like an old friend. It's cool and well-lit inside, but it takes a moment for Albus to readjust his eyes; outside had been even brighter.
He checks his wristwatch for the hundredth time (the one he received for his seventeenth birthday, as is tradition - a new one, silver-plated and quite sturdy; James got Dad's old one, passed down to him from Grandpa Weasley) and fidgets.
"Dad," he starts, "um - I've got to -"
"Blimey, Dad," James is saying, "you can't possibly think Lily can handle a broomstick like this one. It's a Firebolt S Class. That's like - that's the sort of broomstick a professional would use. Lily's just starting. And we don't even know if -"
"Please, Dad? I'm going to be on the team. I know it. I've been practicing, you've seen me; I even beat James last week!"
"Oy - you did not," James protests.
"I so did. I'm going to be Seeker like Dad."
Their father laughs, running a hand through his ever-messy mop of dark hair - the same hair he passed down to both his sons, but not his daughter who has their mum's vibrant red hair, currently gathered into a ponytail. He shakes his head and simply says, "This is the first broomstick we've looked at. Let's see a few more before we make any decisions. Hmm, Lily?"
Albus fidgets again. He bites his bottom lip.
"Dad, d'you mind if I quickly pop into Flourish & Blotts? There's um - a book -"
"Books again, Al?" James huffs.
Albus shrugs, keeping his expression as impassive as he can. He doesn't want to give away the fact that he's actually meeting someone at the bookshop.
"Of course, Al," says Dad. "Come find us after you've finished."
"Right."
Before his father can say anything else, Lily is tugging at his wrist and Albus nearly flies out the door. Broomless, sure, but with almost as much speed.
Over the summer, there had been two owls sent to Malfoy Manor. One requesting that he see Scorpius, and the other setting and confirming a time. He didn't want to say why; he didn't want to ruin it by putting anything into written word.
He - he wanted to say it aloud, so nothing would get mixed up and neither of them would be misunderstood or confused. His grandmum Lily had taught him that.
But mostly, he just wanted to see the other boy. He isn't sure what he's expecting. He isn't even sure how long this is going to take, or if it will even go well.
Inside Flourish & Blotts, he'd written. Just by the ancient histories shelf.
And that's where he heads once he steps inside, the familiar (and comforting) smell of old books greeting him like an old friend. It's cool and well-lit inside, but it takes a moment for Albus to readjust his eyes; outside had been even brighter.