Written for Forever Siriusly Sirius' Hate-to-Love Relationship Challenge

Written for Aenaris' Character Trait! Boot Camp using the prompt 'indecisive!' (Indecisive!Scorpius)

Prologue

My trunk was all packed, my books sorted and my robes laid out neatly over a chair in my room. Tomorrow, I'd be making the long-awaited journey to Hogwarts and I honestly couldn't wait.

I wasn't really sure what to expect once I reached the school, though. I knew of the Sorting, of course, which was the first thing first years did once they arrived. I knew that there were four Houses, each with their own qualities and misgivings.

I, for one, was hoping to be placed in Slytherin. I was perfectly aware of its bad reputation, but it was also the House of my ancestors – the House my mother and father were put in, my Aunt Daphne, as well as all my grandparents. I was already kind of considered an oddball because I didn't really care for all of that pureblood nonsense that was in their time, and I didn't want to be considered any more of one (not that I thought Slytherin was a bad House).

That's not to say I didn't want to be put there because I think it will please my family. I knew it would make them proud, yes, but I actually did want to be placed there. It was where I thought I belonged. All Malfoys went to Slytherin.

With a feeling of glee, I picked up one of the books I needed for the next day. Hogwarts, A History (edited by Padma Patil) by Bathilda Bagshot. I turned to the final chapter, smiling proudly at the picture that stared right back at me. It was of my father. He was standing in between my grandmother and grandfather. Each had their own bleak expression on their face, but it was the only photo I had of all three of them together.

No photos existed like that anymore. Not long after this photo had been taken, my grandfather was sent to Azkaban. My father would never tell me the reason why, but I know why. He seemed to forget that I could read.

I had never met my grandfather, Lucius, but part of me was glad that I didn't. He sounded like a terrible man who did terrible things. I was kind of ashamed to even admit that we were related.

Not long after he was sentenced to live the rest of his days in Azkaban, he died. It happened before I was even born. I knew my grandmother, though; Grandma Malfoy was still alive today, actually, living in a room in Malfoy Manor. She was very ill now, though. Father said she has been like that for many, many years.

I talked to her all the time. She often said seeing me made her happy, so I tried to make her happy.

My father's face looked up at me and I couldn't help but smile down at him. My father was famous – he was in a book. Of course I was taking it to Hogwarts. I'd show everyone. I bet none of their dads were in that book.

"Scorpius, it's bedtime, dear."

I jumped at the sound of my mother's voice. She always walked so lightly. I never knew when she was coming my way. I put the book aside and turned to face her.

"Okay, Mum," I replied.

She smiled at me and I knew it was a sad smile. She'd been complaining for weeks that it was too soon for me to be going to Hogwarts. But I was eleven – almost twelve – and my letter had arrived on my eleventh birthday. Of course I was ready.

"It will be quiet without you here, Scor," she said, inviting herself into my room and plonking down on my bed.

"You will have Grandma Malfoy and Father," I replied, choosing not to join her on my bed. I didn't like all the mushy stuff Mum liked to say and do when it was just us. I decided to sit on a plain wooden chair that was by my desk instead. That way, if she wanted to hug or kiss me and tell me how much she was going to miss me, I'd have time to get away.

"They aren't my son, dear," Mum answered.

"I'll write every day, I promise," I said, just to make her happy. I actually had no intention to write to her every day. Maybe once a week if she was lucky, but probably more likely once a term. I bet no one else wrote to their parents.

"Besides," Mum continued as if she hadn't heard me, "your father leaves on a long business trip in two days and your grandmother doesn't talk all that much anymore."

"She talks to me," I said with a shrug. But I knew she didn't talk to Mum that often. It wasn't that she didn't like Mum. Grandma Malfoy just didn't talk.

"Are you all packed?" My mother looked around the room, as if hoping to find something that we had missed. But nothing was missed. I had everything.

"You packed for me, remember?" I told her.

She gave another sad smile and nodded. "Yes, okay," she relented, standing from the bed. "I can't believe tomorrow is the day."

"I'll be alright," I assured her. "But for now, I really have to get some sleep." Not that I was tired. I didn't bother telling her that, though.

That was when she decided to come for me. On any other day, I would have retreated, but I could see that she was sad, so I let her hug me. Her arms were actually quite warm and comforting, and her lips were soft against the top of my head.

I let her hug me for as long as she wanted to. If it made her feel better, then there was nothing I could do.

"Oh, I remember when you were just a little baby," she whispered to me.

"Well, I'm not anymore," I answered.

"I know that, dear." She planted another kiss on top of my head (thank Merlin it wasn't my face) and broke away. "Get some sleep," she then told me. "You have a big day tomorrow."

I waited until I was sure she had gone before I closed my door and pulled back the covers of my bed. As tired as I didn't feel, I knew my mother was right. I did need to get some sleep. I needed a clear head for the morning, so the Sorting Hat would know exactly what House to put me in. I didn't want to end up in Hufflepuff, or something. I definitely didn't belong in Hufflepuff.

As I climbed under the warm covers and blew out my candle, I didn't even bother to remember that I hadn't placed my most treasured book back where it belonged. By the time I remembered that I left it on my desk, I was already halfway to Hogwarts.

It seemed that what was supposed to be a good day had started out to be a terrible one instead.

I would like to take a long moment to thank Maya (lovinMaya) for beta-ing this for me. This is the first time I've really done first person, so I was very, very confused about what tense to write in. But she has fixed it up for me and made it a lot easier to read than the mess I originally sent her.

I'll be following my personal head canon for as much of this as I can, though some little things are going to have to change to fit the nature of the challenge I'm writing it for. But, being next-gen, the beauty is that there's no right and wrong to it. I just kind of feel that I'm betraying my head canon :P The little details are my head canon, though.

So, here is the prologue. I think I'll be updating this every 3-4 weeks, so chapters won't be coming quickly, but for me, I find writing chapters slowly makes them better. Please leave a review. I'd love to hear what you think.