(no subject)
Recipient: GubraithianFire, affectionately known as Gubby.
Title: Failing, Falling and Friends
Rating: All Ages.
Warnings: You will probably hate this. You asked for no fluff, and hopefully, since there’s not romance, it won’t count.
Special Message: A prompt from Gubby. I think that’s probably every SAYSers worst nightmare. What do you write for someone who is the Master of wielding words? I’ve gotta say, I chickened out. You asked for a story that wasn’t fluff and whilst I don’t think it is, you might do. Hopefully it will come across, through my somewhat shoddy writing, that the fears are very real for the children, they just can’t express themselves. IE I’m writing kids so I can write badly! LOL.
I did get some Scorose in for you though and Rose shares your fears of both failing and death...as for the massive plot device that leads to the cheesy ending...shall we call it a coincidence that it happened at that very moment? I think that was on the list somewhere too.
I love you so much, dear. Happy Halloween, you deserve a much better story than this pile of poo.
Summary: Rose may still be young, but she already knows that her purpose in life is to be the best at everything. So when Albus uses magic before her, she’s anything but happy. What will it take for her to prove herself?
There’s a party tonight. A grand ball at the Ministry of Magic and because Mummy works there, we all have to go. It’s for Halloween, you see. All the grownups will put on their best black robes and wear real pointy hats. We get to dress up, but it doesn’t matter because the party’ll be really boring. I’ve been ever since I can remember and Al’s big brother James, who’s nearly eight and a half, has been going even longer. We all think it’s rubbish. All the parents get to dress up and dance in the grand room upstairs and we’re just left with the House Elves. It might be okay though, because James has got a plan.
That’s the problem though. James might not let me in on the plan. That why tonight’s going to be doubly awful. Although I don’t know if the teasing can possibly get any worse than it was this morning. Mum and Dad said it was okay and that everyone grows at the own speed, but I know they are worried. Mummy looked at me with her ‘work face’, the one she wears on evenings when Daddy has to cook dinner and she just sits at her desk looking through papers. It means she’s worried. Her cheeks always go really red, like tomatoes, and her bottom lip moves up and down really quickly. She looked like that when Hugo fell off his broom.
I hate worrying Mummy. The look on her face makes me feel bad. But it’s not as bad as Albus’s look. This morning he looked like Uncle George had given him enough free treats for the whole year. I wanted to hit him.
*
‘Scorpius, we have to go and that’s final! Now, I want you to go upstairs and find yourself a costume. Remember there will be Werewolves there who’ll be offended if you wear that silly mask you made.’
I storm out of the room and slam the big door as hard as I can. I don’t understand why he’s making us go. He’s such a stupid dad. He doesn’t realise that everyone at his work hates him anyway. I overheard Mum’s friends saying so. And the ball is always really boring anyway. The other kids all have brothers and sisters and I’m always on my own. Last year they all tried to prank me, but I was too quick for them. I hid in a broom cupboard. This time I’ll have to think of somewhere new, but I won’t let them get me.
I’m out of breath by the time I get to the top of the stairs; they’re like a mountain to climb. All my clothes are kept in the blue room and that’s right up on the top floor. When I was littler, I used to pretend I was a Knight, like in the fairy tales, and gallop right to the top, but I know that’s stupid now. Dad told me. The door is heavy to push open, but no one is here so I pretend to be a troll. I’m concentrating so hard that I can smell my awful stink even though I had a bath today. Only the room is as dusty as ever and I sneeze.
I’m Scorpius Malfoy again, not even good enough to be a troll. And I really don’t want to go to this party.
*
The collar of my dress is itching, but as usual no one is paying attention to me. I could shout, scream and cry, but they’d only laugh at me, because today’s Albus’s night. When Grandma Weasley heard what had happened this morning she insisted we all had our own party at The Burrow before going to the Ministry. ‘After all,’ she sang, ‘it wasn’t everyday her darling Albus used magic for the first time, was it?’ Stupid Albus. He’s never better at me at anything and he would decide to pick this one thing, wouldn’t he? The most important thing, the thing you can’t fail at and he does it first. Doesn’t he know how that makes me feel? And now they’re all laughing together, all happy for him, because it doesn’t matter. They can all already do magic. None of them notice me. None of them except James and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
‘So cuz, what does it feel like to be the oldest person in the family who can’t do magic?’ he laughs. I just glare at him, feeling my nostrils flare, so he continues. ‘Are you sure you’re not a squib?’
My heart beats faster, I hadn’t even thought of that. I’m so terrible at everything else, what if I can never do magic? What if they all go off to Hogwarts without me? Would Mummy and Daddy make me go off to a Muggle school? Would I never see the place from the stories, the word that lights up everyone’s eyes when they talk about it? My legs begin to go all wobbly like Grandma’s jelly that trembles on the table. I rush to sit down, but James follows me.
‘Come on Rosie, stop being so anti social!’ he giggles, cruelly. ‘Just because your mum is the best Witch of our time and your Dad knew he was a Wizard when he was only three, it doesn’t been it’s bad you’re a squib. They have jobs and everything now and no one hates them! Remember old Filch? The one your dad was telling us about? Maybe you could be his assistant! We could even get you a cat and-’
I jump to my feet and slap him as hard as I can. A blood red bruise grows on his face and I can feel the disgusted looks of everyone else in the room on my face. I’d better run upstairs; they won’t believe he was teasing me. Maybe Mummy will even forbid me from going to the stupid party tonight. I look at James, glaring into his eyes.
‘I am not a squib,’ I hiss, before climbing up the stairs as fast as I can.
*
It’s cold in here and my arms are getting all lumpy beneath my black shirt. Dad doesn’t let me wear real robes; he says I’m too young. I’m wearing a mask with my shirt; it’s a scary monster with blood dripping from its fangs. That’s the magic part, the blood keeps on trickling, but the second it touches something, it vanishes. I’m hoping if I keep it on all night, no one will recognise me. It’s working so far.
The Weasley children are all in one corner, surrounded by friends and having the time of their lives. I see that their parents have let them wear real robes and once again, I curse my father for making me such an easy target. He thinks I don’t know what he’s like, why he’s so overprotective, but I do. Of course I do. It’s the same reason the Weasley children are all so happy. It’s the same reason why, by the law of the playground, gives them every right to torment me. And it’s the same reason why I, if I want to prove that I’m not evil like they were back then, can do nothing but take their punches.
If I were being honest, I would have to say that I’m surprised that they haven’t recognised me yet. I mean I’m wearing the same clothes as last year and my hair, as blonde as ever, is sticking up from behind my mask. Are they really stupid enough not to have noticed? Or do they just not care anymore? My stomach turns a hopeful somersault at the thought and the happiness and relief reminds me of the first time I did accidental magic. I’m so glad, but then something catches my eye. It’s not that they’ve forgotten me, but that they’ve found someone new. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad.
The girl they’re making fun of has red hair, which is what frightens me the most. I can see the horrible look in their eyes, the same one they used to give me and wonder how anyone could do that to their own family. She looks about my age and the expression on her face is not only upset, but embarrassed and angry. I remember her to be called something like Daisy or Marigold and my feet want to take me to her, to make me talk to her and stick up for her, but I know it will only make things worse. She seems close to crying and as I keep on watching her, I realise I have never felt so helpless in my life.
Suddenly she stands up, pushes past the House Elves and storms out of the room. Everyone gasps; it’s forbidden to leave. Quietly I stand up and slink out behind her.
*
‘Are you okay?’
I don’t recognise the voice that calls after me and when I turn around I scream at the terrible yellow eyes and dripping mouth of the monster facing me.
‘No! No, it’s okay; it’s just a mask!’
I blink a few times to see a familiar looking boy peering at me. At once, I’m twice as embarrassed and brush my tears away quickly.
‘Do I know you?’ I ask quietly, trying to change the subject.
He nods and hurries to catch up with me. Soon we are walking at the same pace. I don’t ask him to explain; somehow knowing he will when he’s ready. It’s a long time before he talks.
‘You torment me every year. At this party, at Christmas time, at the Valentine’s and Midsummer Night’s Balls,’ he whispers finally, and automatically disgust fills my body. ‘I’m-’
‘Scorpius Malfoy,’ I spit in interruption. ‘Is that why you’re here? Did you see that I was upset and decide you’d get your payback whilst no one else was here?’
He looks like the thought never even crossed his mind, but I know better.
‘Yes I saw you were upset,’ he murmurs, ‘but I thought you might want to talk.’
‘Talk?’ A tear runs down my face and I hold in a gasp. ‘I’ve been nothing but nasty to you your entire life and now you’re checking to see if I’m okay? Are you joking?’
‘It was never you that was mean, just your cousins.’ He smiles and awkwardly takes my hand to squeeze it. It feels strange, but immediately I feel better. I don’t let go.
‘But I laughed at you.’ It is all I can think to say.
‘It must have been quite funny,’ he reasons with a chuckle, pulling me into a hug and using his sleeve to wipe my tears away. I grin thinking that I’ve probably just made one of the best friends in the world.
‘Thank you Scorp-’
‘ROSE! THERE YOU ARE, ROSE!’
I look to see parents and House Elves rushing into the room. Mine are leading the way.
‘ROSE!’ Mummy is wearing her ‘work face’. I can’t help but giggle at that, even though I know it’ll make things worse, because right now she’s actually at her workplace.
‘IT’S NOT FUNNY! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? YOU COULD HAVE BEEN-’
CRACK!
Mummy doesn’t finish and all the parents pull out their wands, searching for where the awful, loud noise came from. I look up slowly and see the grand chandelier swinging dangerously right above her. The crystals are tinkling, but no one can hear in all the commotion. Clouds of dust are falling from the ceiling.
‘Mummy.’ I call her worriedly, pointing upwards.
‘Not now, Rose!’ She ignores me and continues looking with the other parents.
I hear it snap. Suddenly things are in slow motion. I watch it crash towards her and out of the blue, I remember that the playroom is directly above us. James did say he had a plan. Had he and Fred really stolen the fireworks that Uncle George had sent weren’t ready yet? Did they crack the ceiling? It’s metres away now. I can’t take my eyes off it. My heart hammers.
‘Mum!’ I screech, but, still, no one hears me.
My whole body shakes, I’m freezing and suddenly the beautiful chandelier is in my control. It soars to the corner and smashes to the ground.
The room falls silent.
Finally, Mummy is the first to rush over, pulling me into her arms.
‘Rose,’ she cries. ‘Oh my darling, darling Rose!’
Daddy is right behind her.
‘Your first magic,’ he whispers. ‘My baby’s first magic.’
Behind them, Scorpius smiles at me and makes to leave the room. I blow him a kiss, mouthing the words ‘thank you’. He winks. I blush. .
Title: Failing, Falling and Friends
Rating: All Ages.
Warnings: You will probably hate this. You asked for no fluff, and hopefully, since there’s not romance, it won’t count.
Special Message: A prompt from Gubby. I think that’s probably every SAYSers worst nightmare. What do you write for someone who is the Master of wielding words? I’ve gotta say, I chickened out. You asked for a story that wasn’t fluff and whilst I don’t think it is, you might do. Hopefully it will come across, through my somewhat shoddy writing, that the fears are very real for the children, they just can’t express themselves. IE I’m writing kids so I can write badly! LOL.
I did get some Scorose in for you though and Rose shares your fears of both failing and death...as for the massive plot device that leads to the cheesy ending...shall we call it a coincidence that it happened at that very moment? I think that was on the list somewhere too.
I love you so much, dear. Happy Halloween, you deserve a much better story than this pile of poo.
Summary: Rose may still be young, but she already knows that her purpose in life is to be the best at everything. So when Albus uses magic before her, she’s anything but happy. What will it take for her to prove herself?
There’s a party tonight. A grand ball at the Ministry of Magic and because Mummy works there, we all have to go. It’s for Halloween, you see. All the grownups will put on their best black robes and wear real pointy hats. We get to dress up, but it doesn’t matter because the party’ll be really boring. I’ve been ever since I can remember and Al’s big brother James, who’s nearly eight and a half, has been going even longer. We all think it’s rubbish. All the parents get to dress up and dance in the grand room upstairs and we’re just left with the House Elves. It might be okay though, because James has got a plan.
That’s the problem though. James might not let me in on the plan. That why tonight’s going to be doubly awful. Although I don’t know if the teasing can possibly get any worse than it was this morning. Mum and Dad said it was okay and that everyone grows at the own speed, but I know they are worried. Mummy looked at me with her ‘work face’, the one she wears on evenings when Daddy has to cook dinner and she just sits at her desk looking through papers. It means she’s worried. Her cheeks always go really red, like tomatoes, and her bottom lip moves up and down really quickly. She looked like that when Hugo fell off his broom.
I hate worrying Mummy. The look on her face makes me feel bad. But it’s not as bad as Albus’s look. This morning he looked like Uncle George had given him enough free treats for the whole year. I wanted to hit him.
*
‘Scorpius, we have to go and that’s final! Now, I want you to go upstairs and find yourself a costume. Remember there will be Werewolves there who’ll be offended if you wear that silly mask you made.’
I storm out of the room and slam the big door as hard as I can. I don’t understand why he’s making us go. He’s such a stupid dad. He doesn’t realise that everyone at his work hates him anyway. I overheard Mum’s friends saying so. And the ball is always really boring anyway. The other kids all have brothers and sisters and I’m always on my own. Last year they all tried to prank me, but I was too quick for them. I hid in a broom cupboard. This time I’ll have to think of somewhere new, but I won’t let them get me.
I’m out of breath by the time I get to the top of the stairs; they’re like a mountain to climb. All my clothes are kept in the blue room and that’s right up on the top floor. When I was littler, I used to pretend I was a Knight, like in the fairy tales, and gallop right to the top, but I know that’s stupid now. Dad told me. The door is heavy to push open, but no one is here so I pretend to be a troll. I’m concentrating so hard that I can smell my awful stink even though I had a bath today. Only the room is as dusty as ever and I sneeze.
I’m Scorpius Malfoy again, not even good enough to be a troll. And I really don’t want to go to this party.
*
The collar of my dress is itching, but as usual no one is paying attention to me. I could shout, scream and cry, but they’d only laugh at me, because today’s Albus’s night. When Grandma Weasley heard what had happened this morning she insisted we all had our own party at The Burrow before going to the Ministry. ‘After all,’ she sang, ‘it wasn’t everyday her darling Albus used magic for the first time, was it?’ Stupid Albus. He’s never better at me at anything and he would decide to pick this one thing, wouldn’t he? The most important thing, the thing you can’t fail at and he does it first. Doesn’t he know how that makes me feel? And now they’re all laughing together, all happy for him, because it doesn’t matter. They can all already do magic. None of them notice me. None of them except James and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
‘So cuz, what does it feel like to be the oldest person in the family who can’t do magic?’ he laughs. I just glare at him, feeling my nostrils flare, so he continues. ‘Are you sure you’re not a squib?’
My heart beats faster, I hadn’t even thought of that. I’m so terrible at everything else, what if I can never do magic? What if they all go off to Hogwarts without me? Would Mummy and Daddy make me go off to a Muggle school? Would I never see the place from the stories, the word that lights up everyone’s eyes when they talk about it? My legs begin to go all wobbly like Grandma’s jelly that trembles on the table. I rush to sit down, but James follows me.
‘Come on Rosie, stop being so anti social!’ he giggles, cruelly. ‘Just because your mum is the best Witch of our time and your Dad knew he was a Wizard when he was only three, it doesn’t been it’s bad you’re a squib. They have jobs and everything now and no one hates them! Remember old Filch? The one your dad was telling us about? Maybe you could be his assistant! We could even get you a cat and-’
I jump to my feet and slap him as hard as I can. A blood red bruise grows on his face and I can feel the disgusted looks of everyone else in the room on my face. I’d better run upstairs; they won’t believe he was teasing me. Maybe Mummy will even forbid me from going to the stupid party tonight. I look at James, glaring into his eyes.
‘I am not a squib,’ I hiss, before climbing up the stairs as fast as I can.
*
It’s cold in here and my arms are getting all lumpy beneath my black shirt. Dad doesn’t let me wear real robes; he says I’m too young. I’m wearing a mask with my shirt; it’s a scary monster with blood dripping from its fangs. That’s the magic part, the blood keeps on trickling, but the second it touches something, it vanishes. I’m hoping if I keep it on all night, no one will recognise me. It’s working so far.
The Weasley children are all in one corner, surrounded by friends and having the time of their lives. I see that their parents have let them wear real robes and once again, I curse my father for making me such an easy target. He thinks I don’t know what he’s like, why he’s so overprotective, but I do. Of course I do. It’s the same reason the Weasley children are all so happy. It’s the same reason why, by the law of the playground, gives them every right to torment me. And it’s the same reason why I, if I want to prove that I’m not evil like they were back then, can do nothing but take their punches.
If I were being honest, I would have to say that I’m surprised that they haven’t recognised me yet. I mean I’m wearing the same clothes as last year and my hair, as blonde as ever, is sticking up from behind my mask. Are they really stupid enough not to have noticed? Or do they just not care anymore? My stomach turns a hopeful somersault at the thought and the happiness and relief reminds me of the first time I did accidental magic. I’m so glad, but then something catches my eye. It’s not that they’ve forgotten me, but that they’ve found someone new. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad.
The girl they’re making fun of has red hair, which is what frightens me the most. I can see the horrible look in their eyes, the same one they used to give me and wonder how anyone could do that to their own family. She looks about my age and the expression on her face is not only upset, but embarrassed and angry. I remember her to be called something like Daisy or Marigold and my feet want to take me to her, to make me talk to her and stick up for her, but I know it will only make things worse. She seems close to crying and as I keep on watching her, I realise I have never felt so helpless in my life.
Suddenly she stands up, pushes past the House Elves and storms out of the room. Everyone gasps; it’s forbidden to leave. Quietly I stand up and slink out behind her.
*
‘Are you okay?’
I don’t recognise the voice that calls after me and when I turn around I scream at the terrible yellow eyes and dripping mouth of the monster facing me.
‘No! No, it’s okay; it’s just a mask!’
I blink a few times to see a familiar looking boy peering at me. At once, I’m twice as embarrassed and brush my tears away quickly.
‘Do I know you?’ I ask quietly, trying to change the subject.
He nods and hurries to catch up with me. Soon we are walking at the same pace. I don’t ask him to explain; somehow knowing he will when he’s ready. It’s a long time before he talks.
‘You torment me every year. At this party, at Christmas time, at the Valentine’s and Midsummer Night’s Balls,’ he whispers finally, and automatically disgust fills my body. ‘I’m-’
‘Scorpius Malfoy,’ I spit in interruption. ‘Is that why you’re here? Did you see that I was upset and decide you’d get your payback whilst no one else was here?’
He looks like the thought never even crossed his mind, but I know better.
‘Yes I saw you were upset,’ he murmurs, ‘but I thought you might want to talk.’
‘Talk?’ A tear runs down my face and I hold in a gasp. ‘I’ve been nothing but nasty to you your entire life and now you’re checking to see if I’m okay? Are you joking?’
‘It was never you that was mean, just your cousins.’ He smiles and awkwardly takes my hand to squeeze it. It feels strange, but immediately I feel better. I don’t let go.
‘But I laughed at you.’ It is all I can think to say.
‘It must have been quite funny,’ he reasons with a chuckle, pulling me into a hug and using his sleeve to wipe my tears away. I grin thinking that I’ve probably just made one of the best friends in the world.
‘Thank you Scorp-’
‘ROSE! THERE YOU ARE, ROSE!’
I look to see parents and House Elves rushing into the room. Mine are leading the way.
‘ROSE!’ Mummy is wearing her ‘work face’. I can’t help but giggle at that, even though I know it’ll make things worse, because right now she’s actually at her workplace.
‘IT’S NOT FUNNY! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? YOU COULD HAVE BEEN-’
CRACK!
Mummy doesn’t finish and all the parents pull out their wands, searching for where the awful, loud noise came from. I look up slowly and see the grand chandelier swinging dangerously right above her. The crystals are tinkling, but no one can hear in all the commotion. Clouds of dust are falling from the ceiling.
‘Mummy.’ I call her worriedly, pointing upwards.
‘Not now, Rose!’ She ignores me and continues looking with the other parents.
I hear it snap. Suddenly things are in slow motion. I watch it crash towards her and out of the blue, I remember that the playroom is directly above us. James did say he had a plan. Had he and Fred really stolen the fireworks that Uncle George had sent weren’t ready yet? Did they crack the ceiling? It’s metres away now. I can’t take my eyes off it. My heart hammers.
‘Mum!’ I screech, but, still, no one hears me.
My whole body shakes, I’m freezing and suddenly the beautiful chandelier is in my control. It soars to the corner and smashes to the ground.
The room falls silent.
Finally, Mummy is the first to rush over, pulling me into her arms.
‘Rose,’ she cries. ‘Oh my darling, darling Rose!’
Daddy is right behind her.
‘Your first magic,’ he whispers. ‘My baby’s first magic.’
Behind them, Scorpius smiles at me and makes to leave the room. I blow him a kiss, mouthing the words ‘thank you’. He winks. I blush. .