HP next Gen. [Closed RP]

It wasn't every morning that Scorpius Malfoy's Daily Prophet was used as a landing pad: only on the days his paternal grandparents sent a letter. Their snowy owl, Maleficus, refused to drop the envelope and fly away like a common messenger. He swooped down onto the table and remained until fed a treat. During seven years at Hogwarts, Scorpius had only once tried to reward the owl with an appreciative pat instead of food. He still carried a scar on the tip of his right index finger.

On the first day of March, after Maleficus delivered an envelope and left behind the usual pile of shredded newspaper, Scorpius said, "Hand over your business section, Nott."

Across the table, Nathanial Nott's horsy face turned mulish. "Why is it always mine? Why not take Goyle's?"

"He's still reading the political cartoons."

Nott handed over the section of paper. "The cartoons are in the business section?"

"No." Scorpius plucked a green apple from a fruit bowl to eat later. "Double Potions today, Edgar. You set up, I'll clean up." He'd be on time, but not early, and needed his Potions partner to assemble the ingredients.

Beside him, Edgar nodded and took an enormous bite of muffin.

"Only half? Why not stuff the whole thing in your mouth?" Scorpius asked when he bent to retrieve his schoolbag.

"Uncouth." Edgar's smile displayed berries stuck between large teeth.

Scorpius shook his head as he walked away. They'd sit their exams and leave school in a few months. Maybe then, his best mate would stop pretending he was another Gregory Goyle. That would be a welcome change. In Scorpius' opinion, it was one thing to be underestimated by adversaries and quite another to be called the missing link between man and troll. Edgar never seemed to take offence at slights, but Scorpius wasn't as forgiving. Although he didn't misuse his authority as Prefect, he still settled scores, albeit in a more subtle, untraceable manner.

In the Entrance Hall, instead of heading for the Slytherin common room, Scorpius ducked into the chamber reserved for first-years before they were Sorted. It was quiet, and better yet, private. He wouldn't have to guard his reactions.

Scorpius recognised Grandfather Lucius' handwriting on the envelope, so he broke the seal with extra care. The anti-tampering charm prickled his fingertips as it disengaged. He wondered what would happen if someone else had tried to open the letter. Would it have exploded in their face? Burnt their fingers? He decided he didn't want to know, and that he was stalling.

It was only a letter, thin and flat. There were no objects inside that, while not Dark, per se, could become so if a wizard had the right spell—which always happened to be included. Mere words on parchment; how bad could it be?

Scorpius read the letter and cursed. Then he read it again.

In three weeks time, an elite order will hold a ceremony to initiate new members. It will be my very great pleasure to share further details when I meet you at Kings' Cross.

No greeting, no signature, no naming the group: he was expected to know who was writing and what was implied. And he did. Scorpius had grown up hearing stories from the grandfather who slipped into the nursery after parents bid their son goodnight. The tales of clever Slytherins amused and enthralled until the night of his eighth birthday.

The tip of Grandfather Lucius' wand illuminated the smile Scorpius never saw him give to anyone else. "Are you too old to be read stories now?"

"No, sir." Like the smiles, the stories made Scorpius feel special. "Is that a new edition of wizard tales?" he asked eagerly. Bound in black dragon hide, the book had a red snake on the front.

Grandfather sat on the edge of the mattress and opened the book. "This is better than made up stories. Unlike those Muggles with their round table—yes, I'm aware of what your mother gives you to read—wizards created a circle of power. They became the Knights of Walpurgis."

"Real knights with swords?"

"Spells that cut like swords, wielding magic Muggles only dream of." Grandfather's voice took on a far-away tone. "Their name was changed to suit a powerful leader, but when he died in battle, bold knights who remained loyal to old ways reformed the circle and reclaimed their heritage."

Scorpius was unsure. "This isn't about . . . Voldemort . . . is it?" His mum and dad wouldn't like that.

"No. The Knights of Walpurgis formed centuries before the Dark Lord was born and they will continue as long as wizards draw breath." Grandfather's smile became conspiratorial. "Shall I begin?"

Mum and Dad still might not like it. They said the past was buried and people should live for the future. He looked at the book. His grandfather really wanted to read him the stories, and Scorpius was curious. "Were you a knight?"

"I still am."

"Is father?"

"No, he isn't like us." Grandfather gave him a meaningful look.

Scorpius felt thrilled and disloyal at the same time. He loved his father, who wasn't bold or daring. Father worried about Scorpius being safe and wouldn't let him have a racing broom. "Yes, sir," he said. "I'd like to hear a story."

The memory caused Scorpius to curse again. Loudly. It didn't relieve his frustration. He would do almost anything for his grandfather, but not this. Understanding someone's beliefs didn't mean sharing them, and tales of cunning and adventure didn't change the fact that the Knights of Walpurgis were wizard supremacists. They revered purity of blood and married cousins—even ugly ones they didn't like. No way would Scorpius accept "knighthood."

There was no way to tell Grandfather, either. Lucius Malfoy's word was law. Everyone in the family did as he said and if someone disagreed with him, he acted as though he or she hadn't spoken. It was fiendishly effective. Scorpius had used the tactic himself on his dorm mates, Nott and Willoughby.

He found it easy to imagine Grandfather tossing his letter of refusal in the rubbish bin, discounting it as nerves. Scorpius would get off the train and find himself railroaded into so-called knighthood.

Unless he didn't go home.

The idea was radically appealing. Malfoys didn't stay at school over holidays, so if Scorpius broke tradition and remained at Hogwarts Grandfather would know why, and he'd have to deal with it.

Long distance.

Cheered, Scorpius entered the dungeon with a minute to spare. Every classmate looked in his direction except one: ____________.

At the blackboard, Professor Blackwell halted writing in her elegant script. "You have made your grand entrance, Mr. Malfoy. No need to linger in the doorway. Be seated."

A few Gryffindors snickered; amused the Head of Slytherin House didn't give Slytherins preferential treatment, no doubt. They'd heard too many Professor Snape stories from their parents.

Without missing a beat, the blond did just as he was told, sitting down beside Edgar as he pulled out his wand, reviewing the list of ingredients in front of them. Edgar clearing his throat brought Scorpius' attention back to the potion he was supposed to be brewing. He picked up a silver knife and reached for a jar. "I'll handle the porcupine pâté," he said. His friend was squeamish about body parts.

Although the instructions given were minimal, Scorpius didn't doubt his ability to brew the potion. Seventh-years were routinely expected to complete the practical portion of the lesson and then discuss theory. Besides, a failed potion didn't necessarily equal a low mark. Professor Blackwell was strict, but fair. She allowed students a second chance to achieve success.

((Gah closed? Damn. lol))

Seeing a snowy owl move through the great hall, Cherish's slate blue eyes followed the owl as it landed down the table on the shoulder of the Malfoy heir. It answered her orders with surprising accuracy. And she was starting to think that this generation of Malfoy had pulled out of the order. Their potions class wasn't long away; double potions to be exact. They were making some kind of potion and she had no interest in participating in such things today. The order she'd received had her on edge; so her focus was else were. She'd been doodling on her napkin since breakfast had started.

Tossing said napkin into her bag, she wandered off to be on time for potions. Walking inside, her long curly black hair streamed after her; once seated, her red headed partner darted in not long after, giggling about a note her boyfriend had left on her bed side table. He was in another house, so getting into their common room showed his love for her; or so Eris assumed from the contents of the note. They talked for a short time before class started.

The late entrance of Scorpius made Cherish roll her eyes uninterestedly. This boy was going to be much harder to follow. Over the past three weeks, four boys and one girl had received the same letter via owl. She knew this because they always had a special marker on their leg which she could recognize. Tonight, she was going to confront them all, whether they wanted it or not.

Getting up to grab something to the cabinet, she dropped a note on Scorpius' parchment. Inside was a simple note;

Meet me tonight at 10 under the clock tower.

Scorpious glanced down at the note and frowned, his stormy eyes moving over to Cherish before looking back to his potion. He knew she had a boyfriend, most people did....Which meant this had to do with something else... Part of him hoped it wouldn't be regarding the letter.

Right... the letter. As if she would know about it.

He sighed as he stirred the potion. "Something bugging you?" Edgar asked hesitant to pry into the blonds buisness.

"I'll know for sure later." was his simple reply, tucking the note into his robe pocket, still working on their assignment. Potions was an easy class for him.... It was transfiguration that he really needed to focus in. Really though, all he could think about was the damned letter, and now the note. Why should he go? No one ordered him around. Why should he listen to the request of a girl who attempted to make believe he didn't exsist?

Cherish leaned up against the wall, looking up at the clock tower. Finally, it struck ten, chiming ten times before it stopped. Grinning, she looked up at the sky; she was wearing a midlength black skirt which shifted when the wind blew. Her slate blue eyes wandered as a shadow moved towards them.

Her best friend, Eris's boyfriend had come to talk to her about asking Eris to move in with her. She gave him a few ideas. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. Her boyfriend of three months had broken up a week before, and she was still pissed off about it. Looking over her shoulder, she pushed away from the wall and glanced at the clock. It was getting about to be about five minutes after ten. She wanted to meet them all separately in order to avoid anything serious; including conflict.

Turning around, she saw a shadowing close and she rested a hand on her hip.

Scorpious frowned, holding up her note, one hand still in his robe pocket. "What is it?" he asked curtly. "You know you shouldnt be out of the dorm after hours."

Scorpious never had been one to play games. Passing notes was childish. And only this once would he come when she asked, unless she asked him in person in the future.

Cherish smiled at him, a sweet look on her face. It wasn't deceptive and seemed genuinely kind. "You're taking this too personally." Waving her wand, the note turned into dust in his hand; blowing away in a gust of wind. "I asked you here to speak of the note you received this morning from your grandfather, Lucius Malfoy. The letter mentioned The elite order's meeting. If you wish to go, I will be the one to take you there, should you refuse, this is the last you will hear of the order and any activities into which we partake."

Scorpious frowned, looking her over. "You're joking." he said dully, not seeming amused. "You're prancing around school, snogging that mudblood boyfriend of yours, and you think you have the right to do anything with that order?" he sneered. He was good at the Malfoy persona. Infact, noone, not even his parents, had ever seen through his act. No one had ever noticed that he hated every lousy and sarky moment of it.

He crossed his arms, waiting to see what she had to say for herself.

Probably much to his surprise, she laughed. "So... let me get this straight, you're criticize my choices rather than looking inwardly towards yourself." Walking out from the shadows, a large white cape hung around her shoulders, fluttering around her as she walked to stand inches in front of him. "I see the way you act, and yes, it's what it is; acting. My ability is to see inside of people, I suppose you could consider me, as they'd say in the muggle world, a psychologist; act as a human pensive. I don't care what you seem to think you can hold up to your family, for that's not my business. Answer my question, do you want to partake, or not?" Her wand was in her hand in crossed arms.

"..." He narrowed his eyes at her. "Fine. Now get back to your dorm. And I'll be deducting you of 20 points for being out past hours." he added, annoyed with her now.

Sliding her wand into her robes, she closed her cape in the front and pulled the white material onto the top of her head. A smile met her shined lips which reflected the moons light. "I'll meet you tomorrow, here, when you finish your morning classes." Turning her back to him, the long white cape had red markings which appeared to be ancient symbols covering the entire back in a very organized pattern. "And deducting points would mean that you'd have to report you came to meet me here as well." Walking into the darkness, her entire body seemed to disappear, despite the fact that apparating was impossible within Hogwart's grounds.

"She says it as though I would have an issue with that." Scorpious snorted. He was a prefect. It was his job.

He turned, heading back to the school, gritting his teeth. What an irritating girl. She was dead wrong if she actually expected him to show up the next day. He had other things to do- in his opinion more important than this silly knighting buisness.

Cherish went up to the owlry and summoned her own midnight colored owl; he had a single white pack on his back in the shape of one of the characters on her cape. ripping a piece of parchment from her pocket, she made two short strokes with a quill on the page before folding it in a special manner and sealing it with a green wax seal, using a candle in the owlry to melt the wax. It held nothing of value, needing the security which Lucius used. Attaching a small clip to its leg; one resembling one of its registration, she gave it a letter that contained two words;

He's reluctant.

Her owl leaned up to gently peck her lips as she brought it to the window. "Let's see what Lucius has to say about his grandson's acceptance." She whispered, petting the owl softly on the stomach. Moving her arm, the owl jumped from her slender arm and flew off into the sky.

Scorpious didn't show up to breakfast the following morning. He was too bussy with home work, having been on potrol all night the night before. Just a quick 'pep up potion' though and he was right as rain for the rest of the day.

he stayed in the library, his quill scrathing across the paper as he worked, his storm gray eyes scanning te book next to him as he worked, though his mind was elsewhere. On Cherish actuly. Now not only was he wondering what she was up to, but rather still adgitated that she called him on his life long bluff.

Cherish spent their day off finding the others whom had received the same letters. After she spoke to them, she had narrowed it down to two males and one female. When they denied taking part, their minds were wiped of her approach, and receiving and reading the letter. She was going to speak to them privately, and then bring them together when she was sure that it was safe to do so. Wandering up to the library, she sat down on one of the couches, pulling her legs close to her, cape around her acting almost as a blanket to warm her shoulders and legs as she started to read through her potions textbooks, and another one for her advanced spell class.

Of course such a flashy cloak cought Scorpious' attention. Hell, it cought everyones.

Standing up, the blond gathered his things and moved over to her table. "Been harrasing any more students in the dead of night?" he asked coyly.

Cherish looked up and smiled at him. "Not during the night, but I have seen some other people. I assume that you're not upset with me for it, are you? I mean, I never said that you and I would be exclusive." She winked at him and leaned backwards. A few other men in the library were watching her, having wanted to approach her, but didn't because Scorpious was now with her.

scorpious didn't seem as amused. "I want to know more about the Knights." he said. "I never get into something I can't get out of."

Spoken like a true Malfoy. His storm gray eyes watched her susspiciously.

"They're not too complicated to understand, Scorpious." She looked up at the ceiling uninterestedly. "But I am not able to tell you much here, not openly." She draw her wand and rested the tip of it on a journal she removed from her robe. It looked like a normal journal that a girl would carry and had curly elegant script writing that had to be hers. When her wand touched it, all of the writing rearranged itself.

The Knights were organized to keep the power in the hands of the True Lord. The true lord was a code name for Voldemort without having to use the Dark Lord in case they were being watched. [i]However, we're in search of another True Lord. Your grandfather desires your assistance. You accepted, therefore I will be training you and a few others to become the most powerful and better able to serve the Knight's order." She smiled, crossing her legs, resting her chin on her hands.

Her wand slid into her robe. "I suppose you could say I transferred here to be with you." She smiled, looking down at her painted nails. They were black with a silver design.

Scorpious seemed amused for a moment, but just as fast the look was gone. If he were going to dabble in the Dark arts, he woudl not simply be some subservient pawn like his father and grandfather. He would see to it he became the most powerful.

"Right." he said. "well then, you'll have to keep me posted on when these little training exercises of yours will be conducted." he said, already standing up. "In the mean time I'm going back to my studies."

Cherish nodded. "Keep in mind that you won;t meet the others until i judge you all ready to know of the others. Good luck with your studies, you will need it in order to succeed in the order." She stood up and shifted her cape, making it billow out around her. "We will be in contact very soon." She smiled at him and turned, walking away. She walked to another section of the library and sat down, starting to read the book she'd brought with her. It was for one of her most advanced classes. She also needed to do well in school or the order would throw her out as well. Failure of any kind wasn't accepted.

Scorpious watched her walk off, frowning slightly before turning away, leaving the library. Her cockiness wasn't something he found admirable. And so far as he was concerned, the Dark Lord was a twisted man.... But he would use her. Learn what he could of the dark arts, become the best... He woudl be the new lord- and not allow himself to become some warped individual in the process.

Still... he woudl have to be careful. Staying on campus over winter Holiday seemed like more and more of a good idea. It woudl give him a chance to clear his mind and keep some distance from his family.