Convincing Old Acquaintances

Scorpius had gotten better with the drinking thing, no longer of the opinion that getting completely and utterly plastered was the solution to every problem. That did not mean, however, that he couldn't enjoy a drink or two when stressed. Things has been crazily busy as of late, so busy that the blonde had spent almost a minute entertaining the thought of selling Honeydukes to lighten his workload. If that wasn't a completely preposterous thought, Scorpius didn't know what was.

The Malfoy heir couldn't remember the last time he'd gone to the Leaky Caldron - probably while he had still been in school. Nowadays he was far more likely to be found in Satan's, but the man really wasn't in the mood to deal with the people he'd likely run into. And so, the wizard had ended up outside the building concealing the entrance to Diagonal Alley.

Walking through the door with his usual confidant strut, Scorpius headed straight up to the bar and asked for a firewhiskey. As the bartender was fetching his drink, the blonde looked around the pub, searching for a familiar face. Not particularly wanting to sit alone, the man smiled slightly upon catching sight of Sophia Granger. He hadn't seen the witch in years, talking to her again certainly would be interesting. Sophia had been in the year below him in Hogwarts, and for many years the man had thought little of her due to her house. However, upon having spent a lot of time together for prefect duties, the blonde had become almost fond of the girl.

Trading a few coins in return for his bottle upon the barkeeper's return, Scorpius strode toward the witch he hadn't spoken to in years. "Sophia, it's been a while," he greeted, sliding into an open seat.

Ugh.... Sophia was overwhelmed by all the crap that all the sudden fell into her lap,  she was tired of all the bull crap Felix was dragging her in.  All the sacrifices he did for his sorry arse, and for what him not to appreciate it? Sophia was beyond piss at him,  she was about to say screw it and give up on him and Christy for good.  She was tired of it, it was stressing her out on the top of her work load at St. Mungo's.  St. Mungo's all the sudden became busy again due to girls becoming pregnant or delivering their child.

Walking through the dim lit pub,  Sophia walked was a bit different,  it was a confident head held high walk.   Her walk wasn't the only thing that changed,  it was her clothing and her personality.  Sophia didn't take no crap anymore,  she was tired of getting walked all over by people.   The sweet Sophia Granger people knew was gone.   Instead their was a confident girl who took no crap from anyone,  who was fearless and feisty.

" May I have a firewhiskey please? " Sophia asked the bartender as he nodded.  Getting her money out she set it down on the counter.  "Keep the rest as a tip! "said Sophia before winking at him.   Walking over towards her usual spot,  a couple of guys whistle as she walked.  Smirking at them,  Sophia shook her head.  " Sorry... boys,  I'm not sure you can quite handle me, I'm quite the frisky type. " said Sophia.  

Taking her seat,  she seen a familiar face she haven't seen in years walking towards her.  Seeing that he had his same confident strut,  Sophia shook her head.   " Yes indeed,  it has been awhile. " said Sophia before taking a drink of her firewhiskey.   " So.. how you been? I haven't seen you since forever. " said Sophia. " Been keeping out of trouble Mr. Malfoy?"Sophia asked him smirking.

Scorpius chuckled slightly at the woman's words. She was certainly quite different than the blonde remembered. She'd been much meeker, back when they were in school. Then again, Sophia wasn't the only one who had changed. Outwardly the blonde wasn't all that different. He walked the same, talked the same, had the same cocky smirk. His changes, unlike that of the once-Gryffindor, had all been internal. You wouldn't be able to tell from looking at him, but the wizard had matured and sorted out his priorities. For lack of a better way of saying it, the Malfoy heir had grown up.

"Keeping out of trouble? Oh Sophia, you should know better than that. Six months and I'd be bored out of my mind," Scorpius drawled. Sure, he may have grown up, but that didn't mean he had to get dull in the process. The blonde still knew how to have fun. His definition of fun may have changed a little, but he'd be dammed before allowing himself to turn into an old geezer.

Taking a sip of his drink, the wizard paused for a moment before answering Sophia's other question. "I've been doing pretty well, actually. Busy as you wouldn't believe, but well. I'm a lawyer now, never thought I'd end up in the Ministry, but there you go. I've gone and settled down, too. I know, I was surprised as well, but she's great," Scorpius informed her with slightly upturned lips.

"And how about you?" he asked curiously, "don't tell me that nothing interesting has happened in the life of the great Sophia Granger." Leaning back in his seat, the blonde took another swig of his drink, smiling a little at the way it burned as it glided down his throat.

Sophia chuckled at the man's words. Still the same Scorpius Malfoy that she remembered,  just a bit more mature.   He still had that cocky smirk and strut, but Sophia could tell by looking at him that he changed.  Sophia wasn't the same from when she was at school,  she was no longer shy and innocent girl that she once was.  No, that side of her died along time ago, she was now confident,  feisty and fearless.   Let's just say alot of crap happened over the past few years that changed Sophia's personality and aspect on life.

"Should of known not to ask you that question,  you never did know how to stay out of trouble!"said Sophia smirking at him.   Sure Sophia matured,  but that didn't mean she didn't know how to have fun and enjoy life.  Sophia remembered Scorpius telling her she had a personality of a wet mop while in school,  it was clear she wasn't that way now.  

" Wow. .. that's awesome,  I honestly never thought you'll work in the ministry I thought you hated it. " said Sophia honestly.  " Wow.... ladies man Scorpius Malfoy is settling down?  I thought I'll never see the day!"said Sophia smirking.   " Wow... you almost killed me from shock Scorp and I'm vampire!"said Sophia honestly before smirking at him.  " Ah... payback for all the years teasing me. " said Sophia.

" Well... I would obviously be lying if I told you nothing!"said Sophia chuckling.   " Ugh... where do I even start?"Sophia asked him curiously.  " So much s*** has happened I honestly have no clue to begin. " said Sophia sighing.   " From all the Felix issue to St. Mungo's being slammed pack busy is enough to make anyone go mad."said Sophia rambling.   " Heh. I'm rambling aren't I? " said Sophia.

It was interesting, how much Sophia had changed without really changing. True, she acted differently. The female was a lot more open and outgoing than she'd been the last time they met. In fact, it was almost like the vampire had done a complete about-face when it came to how outgoing she was. On the other hand, the man would be willing to bet a sizable amount of his fortune that she was still the same girl.

Sure, she was clearly a hell of a lot more confident, and that was an internal change, but the blonde was almost positive that she still had the same good heart. Scorpius could remember admiring that, back when they had been in school. The girl may have been a bloody wet rag at times, but she had been innately good, no matter what had gotten thrown at her. Scorpius could never be that. He couldn't be sure if it was the way he'd been raised, or if he'd just been born that way, but the man knew that he'd ever be the type of person to be described as kind or nice.

"Oh hush, you," the man said good-naturedly. He may have an ego larger than his father's mansion, but that didn't mean that he couldn't take a joke. Besides, even Scorpius could admit that he deserved that one, he'd certainly teased Sophia enough while they'd been students.

"I know the feeling," the blond admitted softly. A lot had happened in his life as well, some things that he'd planned for and other that he couldn't have hoped to predict. "I can't even imagine what St. Mungo's is like right now," Scorpius continued. He'd never been a fan of hospitals, but he could certainly understand their importance. "So you did end up a healer then," he smirked, "I should've known."

SophiI looked at him and chuckled.  " What just telling you the truth. " said Sophia smirking at him.   " I see nothing changed about you that much Mr. Malfoy. " said Sophia chuckling shaking her head.  " Still have your ego that's the size of England!"said Sophia chuckling.  " Aw... no pouting,  you know you deserved it. " said Sophia honestly before crossing her arms.   "I know payback is such a b!tch isn't it?"Sophia asked her smirking at him.

" I bet you been busy handling people's cases on the marriage law. "said Sophia.  " Ugh... I don't see how you handle that,  it would drive me mad."said Sophia honestly.  " St. Mungo's been busy like you wouldn't believe,  baby boomer like you there's no tomorrow. " said Sophia sighing.   " In all honesty I love my job, but for once I wish it wasn't just babies. " said Sophia.   "I love babies, but something different at times would be nice. " said Sophia honestly.

" Of course I became a Healer,  I told you that I would didn't I?"Sophia asked him smirking.  " Actually I'm assistant director of St. Mungo's. " said Sophia.  " I made that last year."said Sophia shrugging as if it wasn't no big deal.  "Yes I know,   miss know it all Sophia Granger became what she wanted!"said Sophia.  She was always teased by him telling her she always gotten everything she wanted.   She became prefect to Head Girl now she was assistant director of St. Mungo's,  something she always wanted.  

" So... who's this famous girl that made ladies man Scorpius Malfoy settle down?"Sophia asked him curiously.  " I may have to thank her!"said Sophia smirking at him.  " If you're going to ask if I have anyone,  the answer is no. "said Sophia honestly.  " I don't really believe in that true love nonsense anymore after being left and hurt so many times. " said Sophia shrugging as if it wasn't nothing.   " Yeah the girl who believed true love conjures all,  doesn't believe in it anymore she grew up to face reality. " said Sophia honestly.

"Well, you know what they say about men with large egos," the man said jokingly with an over-exaggerated wiggle of his eyebrows. It was fun, just messing around with Sophia like he used to. So many things had changed when he'd graduated from Hogwarts, and Scorpius couldn't have been more pleased that he was finally starting to get them all back. First Albus, now Sophia. He man was almost tempted to take his old dorm mates out for drinks! On second thought, perhaps that wasn't the best idea. They hadn't exactly parted on the best of terms.

Scorpius only just refrained from rolling his eyes at mention of the Marriage Law. "Naw," the wizard admitted with a smirk, "I used to pass those cases along. I pulled the emotional wellbeing card, since I was subject to the law myself. Now people have just stopped bothering, since it's not like the Ministry has ever lost," he told Sophia with a shrug and a slightly bitter twist of his lips.

"Congratulations," the Malfoy heir said with a slightly raised eyebrow, "that's quite impressive."  He'd always known that Sophia would be successful, one way or another, but he'd never expected it to happen quite so quickly. Normally the man would be a little jealous in the face of someone else's success like that, but really, Scorpius could never see himself in anything anywhere near a healing profession.

"You will not be thanking anyone," the blonde said, suddenly serious. He was sure that Mairen knew a little about how he used to be with girls from the whispers that had floated around the office, but she certainly didn't need any more confirmation than that. "Mairen's brilliant," the man admitted with a small smile, "she's an intern in the law office, and we met through working a case together. We were, uh, paired by the Marriage law, but were actually together before that, so." Never had the man been so sheepish in front of the Gryffindor.

"Look, Sophia, you know I'm not the feelings type. But, well, if I can find someone," the man stopped talking for a moment, as if unsure exactly how to continue. "Just, you never know, okay?"

Sophia rolled her eyes at him and shook her head. " Indeed I do, would of thought you mellow down some. " said Sophia jokingly. " Although if I didn't know better it's worse than it was when we were in school!"said Sophia chuckling. It was fun talking to him again, even if it was them teasing each other over things. She missed having a good laugh with her friends, she forgotten what it felt like. Although her and Scorpius weren't the best of friends, they knew each other due to prefect duties and being partners a couple of times.

Sophia simply nodded not pushing the issue, she knew he probably hated the law more than she did. It was stupid in Sophia's opinion, but maybe it will work out in the end. Some how Sophia seriously doubted it, there was already chaos as it is with the stupid law. People were rebelling against the law, and fleeing the country cause of it, others would probably be place in Azkaban due to not following the law. Thinking about it, Sophia would probably be one of those people.

" Thanks Scorp. " said Sophia shrugging as if it wasn't no big deal or anything. Of course she was one of the youngest people at St.Mungo's she didn't want to brag that she had authority and power of the place when Khaat wasn't around. After all, it was quite a accomplishment but it wasn't that big of a big deal. At lease she honestly didn't think it was, but she's honored that Khaat trusted her enough to pick her for the job.

"Ok...ok... I won't do anything I promise. " said Sophia putting her hands up in surrender. " Wow.... that's great Scorp, I'm happy for you congratulations. " said Sophia smiling at him. " Wow...you're so sheepish Scorp, I never seen this side of you before I'm lost of words!"said Sophia smirking at him. " I guess we've changed a lot since Hogwarts. " said Sophia honestly. " Well... you haven't changed but you have if that makes sense. " said Sophia shrugging.

Sophia looked at Scorpius and shrugged. " Perhaps your right Scorp, you never know with things do you?"Sophia asked him shrugging. " I suppose I can in there a little bit longer. " said Sophia sighing.

"I wouldn't say worse than I was in school," the man drawled, "just, altered." Sophia was right though, his ego had changed. In school he had used his arrogance as both a tool and a defense mechanism. Nowadays, the arrogance was just a part of his personality. Sure, he knew he wasn't perfect, and most of the conversation he'd been holding with Sophia was more joking than anything else, but his ego certainly hadn't decreased in size over the years.

Scorpius was observant enough to notice that Sophia had merely nodded in response to his comment on the Marriage Law. She hadn't complained about it, nor agreed in response, leading Scorpius to believe that she hadn't been paired herself. After all, the witch had admitted that she didn't have anyone, and even the couples together out of duty admitted to being married. "Been matched up yourself, yet?" the man asked curiously. After all, he could be wrong on occasion.

Rolling his eyes while fighting back a blush, the man leaned back in his seat and took a swig of his drink. "Thanks. I couldn't have hoped for a better person to settle down with. Admittedly, I wasn't expecting for it to happen this soon, but I'm happy," Scorpius informed his friend with a small smile curled upon his lips.

"You probably knew her in school, actually. She would have been in your year. Mairen Teirney? You, uh, might've been dorm mates?" the wizard said, voice trailing off towards the end upon realizing what he'd just admitted. Yes, Scorpius Malfoy, notorious hater of all things red and gold, had fallen for a Gryffindor. He'd loathed the lion house for almost the entire time he'd been at Hogwarts. It wasn't until his last year there that he'd started to change his mind. His little cunning sister getting sorted into Hufflepuff had helped break the internal house stereotypes, alone with a few other things. His friendship with Sophia had been incredibly novel, at the time, and the two probably would have been closer if not for her house.

"I agree," Scorpius added, as he took another sip of his drink, "we're both changed a little, but are the same in the end."

Sophia looked at and shook her head. " Oh really, is that what you call it?"Sophia asked him crossing her arms and lifting a eyebrow at him. Sophia was sure haven't decreased one bit, he was still that arrogant arse hole she knew in school. Of course Sophia's ego might have increased since school, she was a hundred percent sure of that. Sophia's personality changed once she graduated, and faced the real world. Crazy how things change you when you face the real world.

Sophia shook her head. " Nope not yet, but when they came out with this bloody law I was engaged to Andrian Potter. " said Sophia. " I don't think they know that I'm not anymore, so they haven't sent me anything. "said Sophia honestly. " I know they're going to find out soon enough though. "said Sophia sighing. " I just hope I don't get in trouble, but in my defense they didn't send me no damn bloody letter!"said Sophia. " Although you're suppose to keep the ministry noticed of any changes, blah blah yada yada. " said Sophia rolling her eyes.

" Ah..yes, I knew of Mairen she was indeed a fellow house mate of mine. " said Sophia. " Although we weren't best friends, but we did know each other. "said Sophia honestly. Sophia tried to hold back a smirk, but it escaped from her lips. " Wow... that's all I got to say. " said Sophia honestly. Although she and Scorpius gotten along, was an surprise to everyone seeing how Granger's and Malfoy's never gotten along.

Sophia nodded in agreement. "I couldn't of said it better myself Scorp. " said Sophia honestly.