Chapter 48: School Preparations

Soon enough, July turned into August. With the months changing, and summer getting shorter, this also meant something else. School preparations. It was an early morning in mid August, and both Scorpius and Rose woke up to owls flying in their kitchen windows.

"It looks like you got mail Rosie." Hermione said when her daughter came down the stairs, and an owl flew into the window, with a familiar cream colored envelope with green ink and cursive handwriting on it.

With her mum's comment, Rose walked over to the owl, and took the envelope from him. When she did this, she ruffled his feathers, before the owl took out off the window again.

"This is a little heavier than usual." Rose said. When she picked up the envelope, it was heavy. Then, she shook it, and it made a rumbling sound. She knew her Prefect badge was probably in there, but what else? Also, when Hermione heard Rose shake the envelope, she let out a smile and tiny squeal.

"What?" Rose asked at her mother's squeal. Why was she excited?

"Oh, nothing. RONALD! Come here!" Hermione said, still smiling. She then called Ron into the room.

"Yes?" Ron asked when he walked into the room after hearing Hermione call him. Rose was still confused. It was just her annual school letter, why was it that big of a deal? But, wait. This would be her last Hogwarts letter of her life. She was going into her 7th and last year. Maybe that's why she was excited?

"Okay Rosie, you can open it now." Hermione said excitedly. Hermione had a general idea on why the envelope was heavier and loud when Rose shook it.

Then, Rose ripped open the envelope. When she did this, out feel two little pins, and a few folded pieces of parchment. But, what caught Rose's attention first was the two pins. She picked them off the table, and took them into her hands. To her surprise, neither of them were a Prefect badge. One had the letters HG on it, and the other had QC. Rose's face lit up when she realized what they stood for.

"I'm Head Girl and Quidditch Captain!" Rose said very excitedly, getting up from her sitting position, and jumping up and down.

"Rosie, that's amazing!" Hermione said to Rose. Hermione already guessed that's what was inside the envelope, but she was still super happy for Rose.

"Wow. Nice job Rosie! You don't know how proud of you we are!" Ron said, as he gave Rose a hug. Ron was extremely proud of his daughter. He was happy that she was ambitious as Hermione was. It was a great honor to be a head, and, to be Quidditch Captain on top of it! That was amazing. Ron was just amazed. He had never finished his 7th year or N.E.W.T's. He was glad that his daughter had all of this going for her. She was truly an amazing witch.

Then, before going off to write to Scorpius to explain the good news, she read the pieces of parchment from Headmistress McGonagall. One was all of her required books for the school year, and different N.E.W.T prep materials. Rose would go pick that stuff up after one of her shifts at WWW. She was about half way saved up for her Firebolt 2. She wasn't going to hit her target goal, but, she still wanted to try. Anyways, she read the other piece of parchment also. It explained why she was picked to be Quidditch Captain and Head Girl for Gryffindor, and different responsibilities she would have to fulfill for those tasks this year.

Rose then collected her little badges and pieces of parchment, and went up to her room to get ready for the day. After that, she was going to write to Scorpius and explain everything.

***

Scorpius's morning was similar to Rose's. When he spilled out of bed, he walked downstairs to find an owl in the kitchen. Scorpius immediately walked over and grabbed the envelope from the Tawny, after recognizing McGonagall's green ink, and saw that it was addressed to him.

"It must be your school letter for the year. It's crazy to think that that's your last one." Draco said to Scorpius, while making himself a cup of tea before he had to leave for work.

"I know, that's strange." Scorpius responded. His dad was right. This would be the last Hogwarts letter he would ever get. He then ripped it open, and a few unexpected things fell out of it. Not just one, but two new badges fell out of the envelope, but neither of them were a Prefect badge.

Scorpius took the two tiny pins into his hands, and gave them a good look. He was shocked and amazed. Both of the badges were green, and one had a silver plated HB on it, and the other had a similar sliver plated QC on it. Scorpius realized what both symbolized.

"I'm Head Boy and Quidditch Captain!" Scorpius said excitedly. He was Head Boy for Slytherin, and the house team Quidditch Captain! Then, another factor popped into his head. Rose. She would be happy for him! He would make sure that he would write to her later about it.

"Wow, Scorpius. That's brilliant." Draco said to his son that's was in a very good mood. He was proud of Scorpius. But, he wasn't surprised at these things. Scorpius had always been a great student, so, being picked as Head Boy really didn't surprise Draco. Even though Scorpius had only played Quidditch on the house team for 2 seasons, Draco still wasn't surprised that this opportunity came up for Scorpius. He was an amazing Chaser, and, he was one out of the two 7th years on the team. But, Draco was still very proud of Scorpius.

Then, Draco thought of someone else. Astoria would be over the moon happy for their son. But, somehow, Draco sensed that she knew about this, and she was extremely proud for Scorpius.

"You know who else would be very proud of you, your mum. She would have been ecstatic about this." Draco said after his first comment.

When Draco said this, it deeply touched Scorpius. He knew that his mum would be happy for him. Heck, back in first year, she would go on about Scorpius simply passing a test. Imagine her now, she would be radiating over the moon with happiness and pride. If only she could see how far Scorpius had come since her passing. He was the happiest he was in his entire life. He had a best mate. He had a brilliant girlfriend, who not only made him so much happier, but brought him back into the light, and showed him how great life was. But, somewhere deep inside, Scorpius had a suspicion that Astoria hadn't missed this all. She had watched it all, from somewhere beyond. She was probably just bursting with happiness at all of Scorpius and Draco's accomplishments over theses past few years that she had to miss. While Scorpius thought all of this, he couldn't help himself but untuck the lock necklace from Rose, out of his shirt, and life the shackle to let out the shimmery, portrait of Astoria.

When he did this, Draco and Scorpius just simply stared at her for the longest time. They knew that she was gone, and never coming back. But, sometimes, they just needed moments like this. To appreciate the good memories that they did have with her before.

After minutes of silence, and staring at the beautiful, misty, portrait, Scorpius closed the shackle, and his mum disappeared. He then went back up to his room to get ready for the day, and write a letter to Rose.

***

Rose had showered, dressed, and got ready for the day. Before she got the opportunity to write to Scorpius, she heard her mum squeal again. She had to go downstairs and see what the commotion was. Her mum never squealed twice in the same day. Now, that she really thought about it, Hermione rarely squealed. That meant something great had happened, again.

When she walked back down into the kitchen, Hugo was sitting at the table, reading his annual Hogwarts letter. But, something was sitting on the table right next to the torn up envelope. It was a little red pin, with a gold letter P on it.

"Oh, it's an amazing day! I have a daughter that's Head Girl, and a son that's a Prefect!" Hermione beamed. Rose let out a small laugh at her mum's remark.

But, she was right. The little thing sitting next to the envelope was a Prefect badge. Hugo had always gotten excellent grades, but, he really didn't tell anyone besides his family that. He really didn't show that side. But, it was definitely there.

"Nice job Hugh." Rose said as she laid a hand on her brother's back. Rose made herself a cup of tea, and headed back up to her bedroom to write Scorpius a letter.

Scorpius,

You will never believe what happened this morning! First, I have to ask you, did you get your Hogwarts letter this morning? I did. I was happy with what I found inside. There were two new pins. I've been made Gryffindor Head Gird, and, I've been made Gryffindor Quidditch Captain! Isn't that amazing! And, to top it all off, Hugo got a nice surprise too. He's a Prefect now. My mum and dad are really happy about it. I just needed to tell you all of this great news. Let me know if something like this happens to you. I would love to know. I can't wait to see you again, Love you.

Love, Rose

Rose wrote this down, folded and sealed it up, and headed back downstairs to Pig's perch. She ruffled his feathers, and he already knew where he had to deliver her letter to. So, the not so little owl flew out the window, towards the direction of Malfoy Manor.

***

Just when Scorpius was going to write a letter to Rose, Pig flew into his bedroom window. She had already beat him to it. So, Scorpius took the letter from Pig, and directed for him to stay a moment, because he had mail for Rose. Besides, it would just be easier for Pig to deliver it back, he was going back to Rose anyways.

Then, he read Rose's letter. That was crazy. She had also been picked to be a head for her house, and, she was the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. He was happy for her, but, he couldn't wait to share with her that he was also a head of his house, and he was the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. The only time that would be awkward would be when Slytherin would have to play Gryffindor. But, that was months from now, all he wanted to do is share his similar news to his girlfriend.

Rose,

Wow! Congratulations! I was actually going to write to you to share my news, but, Pig beat me to it. My news is actually pretty similar to yours. Yes, I did get my letter this morning. And, when I opened it, out fell two little green pins. I've been made Slytherin Head Boy, and Slytherin Quidditch Captain. What a coincidence, right? Hopefully, it's not to awkward when Slytherin plays Gryffindor. Anyways, I thought I'd share that with you, and again, that's great! I can't wait to see you again, and I love you.

-Scorpius

Scorpius wrote this, sealed it all up, and handed it to Pig to deliver back. With that, Pig took the envelope, and flew back out the window to go back.

***

Later that day, Scorpius was in Diagon Alley. While his dad was at work, Scorpius took the opportunity to go to Diagon Alley and pick up his school books for the year. As he walked out of Flourish and Blotts with his bag of school textbooks, he noticed the shop window of Quality Quidditch Supplies.  The whole display was dedicated to showing of the Firebolt 2. He walked over to the window and observed it. He loved it. It was the nicest and fastest broom he ever rode. But, he wasn't looking at it for himself, knowing that he already had one.

Scorpius knew that Rose wanted one. Bad. She had worked her arse off this summer at her families joke shop, trying to save up for it. But, he was aware that Rose was only half way there, and summer was almost over. There was no way that she would have that much in the little amount of time left. And, her birthday was coming up in October.

Before Scorpius knew it, he was walking into the shop. He was greeted by the cashier at the counter.

"Hello. Welcome to Quality Quidditch Supplies. How can I help you today?" The cashier said to Scorpius in greeting.

"Well, I would like to enquire about the Firebolt 2's." Scorpius said back to her.

"Ah yes. The newest broom that Firebolt had released. They're even faster than the originals. Are you thinking about buying it for yourself?" The cashier asked, as she led Scorpius over to the display of the Firebolt 2.

"Actually, I already have one. I'm thinking about as buying one for my girlfriend for a birthday present." Scorpius responded.

"Oh, okay. Well, then, you know how great the broom is. I personally think that is the highest quality of broom. What position does she play?" The cashier continued to ask.

"She's a Chaser. I'm a Chaser myself." Scorpius answered.

The two went back and forth about the broom for about 15 minutes, discussing everything about it. Scorpius had made a decision. He was going to buy it for Rose for her birthday. He knew he was going to get scolded for doing it. Oh Scorpius! Why!?! Do you know how expensive that was! You didn't have to do that! Scorpius could just imagine Rose's scolds now. But, he loved her. He wanted to show it. He knew that this wasn't exactly the best way, but he knew Rose wanted this broom really bad. He was willing to do it for her.

"Yes, I would like to buy this broom." Scorpius said after him and the cashier's conversation. The cashier lit up at that comment. She would probably get a nice commission for this.

"Well, lets get you all ringed up and discuss payment options then." The cashier said, and her and Scorpius walked back up to the counter.

"Now, the broom costs 1,500 Galleons. I assume that you don't have that much on you, so you can make payments on it." The cashier continued. Scorpius took out his wallet and counted to see how many Galleons he had.

"Well. I only have 50 on me right now. I can either make payments, or come back later and pay it off." Scorpius said, handling over all the Galleons that where in his wallet.

"For now, I can set you up on a payment plan. But, you can stop back in here and pay it off whenever you'd like." The cashier said back. She then said, "Our normal payment plans are usually 100 Galleons per week, until it is payed off. You can just send it to us through Owl Post."

"Yea that's fine. We can do that for now. I'll go home and see how much I have, and if I have enough, I'll stop back again to pay it off." Scorpius replied.

With that, the cashier took the coins, and went to the back to get a Firebolt 2. When she came back, she had the broom in her hands, and began to package it up.

She thanked Scorpius one more time for his purchase, and then, Scorpius exited the store. Now, he really wasn't to worried about the payments. He honestly thought it was going to be more. He would have to go home and see. He was 85% positive that he had the money. And if not, he was just a little short. He would find a way. At least now, he got Rose's birthday present out of the way. Scorpius then disapparated home, and went to go see how many Galleons he had.

Author's Notes:Hey everyone! Okay, this was definitely a linking chapter. I just wanted to get one last chapter that takes places during the summer in before 7th year starts. I still hope you enjoyed it though. We are now officially in the home stretch. All I have left to write is 7th year and the epilogue. These past two months have been crazy. I have written a chapter every day. I only skipped one day. At first, I just wrote this because I was bored and had nothing else to do. Now, I have people who really enjoy this story and it now has over 4000 reads! What! This all is just so mind blowing to me. Thank you so much for all the votes, reads, and positive feedback. I am really looking forward to finishing this story for you all. Have a good rest of your day, and as always, stay safe and healthy amigos.

-christinahpfan12