HP:Next Generation 5

The boy in the mirror was a stray hair away from perfect, what with his neatly tucked in muggle shirt, brand new jeans (which for once were stain free) and his trademark dishevelled yet awesome jet black hair. He took a moment to run his hands through it, admiring the view. However much too soon he was interrupted by a painful blow to the head.

"I always wondered what you'd see in the Mirror of Erised, but now it's clear. You'd see a thousand James Potters."

James groaned and wheeled around. He wasn't surprised to find Fred lounging on the biggest couch by the roaring fire. He had his legs stretched out, just inches away from the flames and wriggled his toes. James scrunched his nose up at the ghastly odour. He should be used to it by now, for when wasn't there a day that Fred Weasley lazed around the common room in bare feet? His eyes then spotted the large pile of Pumpkin Pasties by Fred's side.

"Not like you need a reason," he sighed, "But why may I ask did you just throw something at the back of my head that you should really keep in your mouth?" He paused, thinking about what he'd said and slowing patted his hair. False alarm- his hair remained perfect and saliva free.

Fred chuckled, throwing another one, but into his mouth this time. "Since when have you been such a pixie? Oh yeah, since Quiditch Trials. You did look a little blue."

Fred smirked through a mouthful of Pasties, while James was all of a sudden defensive and even more self conscious.

"That girl was fast," he muttered and turned back to the mirror.

"She was a first year!" Fred chortled, "On a broken broom! And she still knocked you off! Even bloody Moaning Myrtle had to cover her ears to block out the wailing! "

James merely scowled at his reflection, trying hard to ignore his laughter. It was often like this between the two boys, insults, glaring and constant abuse. But at the end of the day, they were family. And not just in the mandatory, stuck with each other way. However in some ways that was partly true; James and Fred were the only boys in their very large family in Gryffindor (well at the moment, with the exception of the newbie Hugo. Oh, the fun they would have with him...) Point is, they ended up hanging out together in the common, staying up all night, playing pranks on the others- even if James wasn't as good a partner in crime as Dominique; His thing about his hair had prevented them from pulling some messier stunts.

James had been getting ready for Slughorn's welcome back dinner for over an hour now. The slug club mostly consisted of Weasley's and Potter's, so really it was a family dinner. Well, without any parents and a funny looking old guy questioning your ambitions. It wasn't exactly a night out with a couple of mates and some admiring witches, where James obviously cared about his appearance. Nevertheless that wasn't relevant to him. As far as he was concerned, all eyes needed to be on him wherever he went.

"So, I heard Hugo was invited too," James said as they headed out the portrait hole, "Shouldn't we wait?"

Fred shrugged his shoulders. "Last time I saw him he was with Lily by the lake. They've probably already gone." His mouth twitched into something of a smile as he spoke. James ignored it.

"Yeah. If I know my sister she'll have poor Hugo in his robes, ready for a magical dinner with magical people and magical things."

However, as it turned out, Hugo was not with Lily down by the lake, though he was still wearing his school robes. He was in fact running desperately through the corridors, red-faced and in search of a bathroom. He could have sworn he saw Fred drop something into his Pumpkin juice at lunch. As a result, he had to leave Lily at the lake, as a sudden and very uncomfortable feeling overcame him. He had to admit the black water had looked ever so tempting, but unfortunately was sure to get him expelled. Somehow the stern and unforgiving glare of Professor McGonagall told him she wouldn't tolerate public urination.

Relief broke out across Hugo's face as the boy's bathroom came into sight, a beam of bright light seeming to shower the stony archway. Nevertheless it soon vanished and in one instant all his hopes were shattered.

"Well, well," came the haunting voice of Scorpius Malfoy, "Look what the rat dragged in,"

Hugo became stiff and ducked his head to avoid any chance of contact with those cold, grey eyes.

"Can I get past?" Hugo mumbled to the floor.

Scorpius looked from Hugo to the bathroom entrance, a smirk playing across his lips. Clearly this amused him.

"Oh, I apologize. I never realized you needed the loo," A thought then passed across his ashen face. "Though I was hoping to have a chat, acquaint ourselves. After all, isn't that the point of Hogwarts?"

Hugo was now approaching the breaking point. He even began doing his, 'toilet dance', which consisted of hopping from one foot to the other. This he wasn't proud of. He knew Scorpius was only enjoying his suffering, standing there proudly with his arms crossed. There was no use. He wasn't budging anytime soon, and certainly not by Hugo's accord.

"Let's see, where to begin... Not family. I already know you're a," Scorpius then broke off as a look of utter shock passed his face. He was staring ahead past Hugo. "Weasley," he then finished in an odd soft tone.

Hugo gritted his teeth and with all the power in his body, managed to turn around. He also managed to groan when he saw who was striding towards them.

His sister, Rose, had never been shy to speak her mind, especially when Scorpius Malfoy was involved. In fact, the first day she met him had been a turning point in her life, for the reason that she unleashed a newfound anger and authority she never thought she had. He'd just been so pompous and down-right mean, wrestling the last instant darkness powder off her at the grand-reopening of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes; it had closed down for a time after Rose's Uncle Fred had passed. Of course once he heard she was the owner's niece, he'd let her have it, but asked for a discount on practically every other item. She'd told him, "Certainly not," before stalking away and adding, "You really shouldn't colour your hair that god awful white. It makes you look like an old grandpa."

Now, as Hugo watched Rose stride towards them in that superior manner, her head held high so she could be sniffing the air, he felt the dread wash over him. It was times like these when he hoped his dad was joking when he said duels to the death were common among Hogwarts students.

"Is there a problem here boys?" Rose piped, standing by Hugo protectively.

Scorpius straightened his shoulders. "Not at all. I was just showing your brother the way to the bathroom."

Hugo couldn't help but snort in disgust at his lies. Rose then gently placed a hand on her brother's shoulder. It was clearly her way of telling him to shut up. Her and her parents alike had always taught Hugo not to give bullies a reaction, as it only provoked them. However, Scorpius Malfoy was such a, a... well he couldn't think of an accurate comparison right now, but that was what he was. And that's the reason why Hugo could not believe his ears when he heard what came out of Rose's mouth next.

"Thank you. And you must excuse my brother for the way he's been acting today."

Scorpius seemed to be in the same boat as Hugo, his fair eyebrows raised in sheer disbelief. Nevertheless this quickly turned into suspicion, as his dark eyes narrowed.

"How he's been acting?" he enquired, cautiously.

A smug grin grew across Rose's freckled face. "Well all the excitement makes him... nervous, you could say. What with meeting a strapping troll like yourself."

Hugo bursts into fits of laughter, although he hadn't caught onto the insult directed at him. Scorpius, on the other hand, merely stared at her with an expression as hard as the statues themselves. Then, after a long moment, he gave her a weak smile.

"Good one," he said before turning around and stalking back down the corridor.

Hugo was left gobsmacked. He raised his head to look at Rose. She was looking straight ahead, watching Malfoy's dark and slender form as it retreated into the shadows. Hugo searched her eyes for any sign of, well, anything. But as she often did when around him, Rose was wearing a mask to hiding whatever wacky emotion she felt. And though Hugo didn't know, it was screaming at her inside, desperate to reach the surface.