Fractured Souls

More or less the same disclaimer that everyone puts; Do not own, make no money, contains Yaoi, might be graphic, has character death, implies rape, ect. NOTE: According to Rowling, James could have been born between 2002-2005 being at least one year older than Albus. In this Fiction, he is two years older than Albus and Scorpius, born August 26th, 2004.

Prologue: Father's Son

There is a saying: 'to some degree, all of us are fractured souls – cut in half – and we wander through life looking for the rest of ourselves. Sometimes we're fortunate enough to meet someone who possesses, in themselves, the part of ourselves that we've been missing. But sometimes it takes another life-time for us to find them, and by that time, our souls may be different people all together.'

Scorpius was afraid. It wasn't the fact that life was catching up and he was making his way onto the Hogwarts Express for the first time, it was the small little voice in his head telling him he would be a failure. His father told him not to worry, told him that the old days were done, especially since Grandpa Malfoy had passed away. Scorpius wasn't convinced. The blonde, too tall for his age and too quiet for his namesake, was worried about everything.

Here he sat, under the Sorting Hat, waiting for an answer to where he would spend the rest of his life. Gryffindor.

Gryffindor.

Shit.

It wasn't until the second year – during the Quidditch team try-outs – when he met his rival. Saint James Sirius Potter, the perfect loud-mouth who always ran into trouble. He was the team's Seeker, best in the school according to some, best in the world according to James. Scorpius hated him. It wasn't his charm or good-looks that irritated him, it was just the air of confidence that the boy walked with. The small smirks he gave everyone who would pay attention to him, the way he muttered Scorpius' name like it was trash, those eyes. They weren't green – Scorpius could tell that much from the safe distance he kept – but they flashed with something bright every time the boy smiled, or frowned, or laughed, or cried (Scorpius really didn't know about the crying, but it was a pretty good speculation on his part). The worst, however, was the look he gave Scorpius, eyes filled with fireworks of emotions, super-charging every word with venom and seething hatred.

It was only directed at Scorpius.

Suffice to say, Scorpius' first two years at Hogwarts were nothing spectacular. He made the Quidditch team as their Keeper as a first year, won the house and Quidditch cup twice in a row, made some enemies with the other Slytherins, and was completely ignored by James other than on the field. The boy would soon be a fifth year, well on his way to leaving the school and forever leaving Scorpius alone. He said good bye to the few friends he made (meaning some teachers and this one Hufflepuff that gave him a smile every morning), and boarded the train.

It was mid July when the owl from James arrived for Scorpius. It was a simple reminder that he was hosting a Quidditch Team party towards the end of August and he was cordially invited. He didn't tell his parents at all, and didn't plan on going. That was, until his father found the invitation. Scorpius was all but forced into his party attire and flooed to the Potter Manor for the event. When he got there, the foyer was empty save for Albus (who was the Hufflepuff) and a little red-headed girl he assumed was the youngest. He stepped out and bowed lightly, smiling his best.

"Is the party still going on?" Albus nodded furiously and grinned back.

"James'll be happy someone came." He quickly led Scorpius down into the basement where lights had been strung carefully down the banister, alternating between gold and maroon. The room was brightly lit by floating lanterns, the Gryffindor Lion evident on each one. Sitting alone in the middle of a large banquet table was James Potter, his eyes focused on a small piece of cake in front of him. Scorpius knew something was wrong. This wasn't a Quidditch Party, this was James' Birthday Party. Suddenly, he was grateful his father had made him bring a gift.

"Hey James! One of your friends came!" Albus pranced around to the table and patted his brother on the back. James stood up quickly, the table shaking slightly from his excitement.

"Scorpius." James said, his eyes flashing the fireworks once again and Scorpius felt the deep hatred returning. Then something strange happened. James smiled in his direction and walked over to hug him quickly.

"Glad you could make it. Would you like some cake?" Handing over the present, he nodded slightly and bowed again.

"Happy Birthday, James." The brunette paused, his eyes dulling and mouth slowly turning to a frown.

"Thanks. But one year older is nothing to celebrate." Confused, the blonde just nodded and asked to use the restroom. After being directed, James went off to fix a plate for him and Scorpius ascended the stairs.

"I don't understand it, Harry. James has a lot of friends." Scorpius paused, not wanting to get in between two people and their private conversation... ok, he wanted to hear what they were talking about.

"Ginny, it's because you-know-who was invited."

"Oh come on Harry, he's an 11 year-old kid, he deserves his name to be used."

"Alright. If James wouldn't have invited Scorpius tot he party, more of his friends would have shown up."

"Honestly, Harry..."

"No mum, it's true. I heard James talking about it in the compartment on the way back from school. He said he was going to invite the whole Quidditch team, including Scorpius. Well, the rest said they wouldn't come if he did..."

"Albus. Please, mummy and daddy are talking. But seriously. How can children be so petty? Scorpius didn't do anything wrong. He's just a little boy."

"Some parents are stuck in the past, Ginny. They can't get over what a father does so they blame the child."

"Harry James, that is not why people hate the boy. How could they? He was so polite and sweet..."

"But Draco wasn't." Scorpius had heard enough. He hated himself for coming, hated James for inviting him, hated... hated his father for having him. He hated this. He wanted to cry, wanted to sit down and cry his little heart out like he had never done before. He was the reason James was so miserable today. He was the reason the boy couldn't have the party he wanted, nay, deserved. He pulled himself together and walked down to the basement once more. James was sitting, staring down at the cake once more, but this time a smile was on his face. Of all the places he could have put Scorpius' plate, he had set it right next to him.

He hated himself.

Third year went by in a blur. James went back to ignoring Scorpius, Scorpius went back to hating the Saint Potter. James was a Prefect, Scorpius was the Keeper. Scorpius tried to forget everything that had happened to him that summer; the conversation between Harry and his wife, James' sad look at his lonely table that Scorpius had caused, the pure look of hatred James gave him when he opened the present which Scorpius had picked out himself, per his father's suggestions (A small golden ring with a lion engraved on it). Scorpius had not seen him wear it once, which only told him James resented it being his only birthday present. Another house cup, another Quidditch victory, another train ride home. Maybe this summer James would wise up and not invite him to any parties.

This time, the owl came in early June. Scorpius was sure the boy must be mental if he wanted another birthday party like last time, but instead the invitation was for him to come enjoy tea in the gardens. He figured tea wasn't the sort of occasion you really cared about, so he figured there was no harm in going. He picked out the present once more (making sure to have one for all of the family), and flooed into the manor right on time. He was greeted by Albus again, who gave him a small hug before he could walk out of the fireplace.

"Hey Scorpius, nice to see you again." Scorpius smiled, bowed, and handed Albus the small statue of a badger he had picked out for him. Albus' eyes lit up in excitement as the statue came to life and began pawing at his finger tips. Scorpius was led to the foyer, where Lily was playing. He passed off the small doll who had bright red hair to the girl. She blushed and ran off with it. The kitchen followed where Ginny sat at the counter while Harry was in the back cooking something.

"Mum, Dad, Scorpius is here." Harry and Ginny whirled around, both eager and hesitant to see the blonde.

"Hello Mrs. Potter." Scorpius bowed and handed her a wooded rose that bloomed and smelled like a real one, without the short life span. "Hello Mr. Potter." He bowed again and gave him a small broom with parchment that whizzed around reminding you of notes. Harry and Ginny both grinned at their gifts and proceeded to thank the blonde.

"I'm sorry we don't have a gift to share with you." Harry hesitated, not knowing if it was necessary or not.

"You are the host, you deserve the gift of thanks for allowing me into your home."

"Scorpius, you are always welcome in our home. Any friend of James, is a friend of ours." Scorpius cringed at Ginny's words. If only she knew her son only invited him to be polite.

Albus led the blonde into the garden, where James was laying in the grass, half asleep in the shade of an oak tree.

"You should wake him up, the last time I did he tried to strangle me..." Albus trailed off and backed away slowly, closing the patio door behind him. Scorpius sighed and trudged up the slight incline towards James. Not even half way to the brunette, James sat up and smiled a little in Scorpius' direction.

"Thought I heard you coming. Let's have some tea." He stretched and stood up, brushing the grass from his pants. They made their way to the little table and sat down to hot cups of earl grey.

"Here." Scorpius handed him the small package and sat back in his chair. James gave him a skeptical look and frowned.

"It's not my birthday." Scorpius motioned for him to open it while he gingerly sipped from his cup. Sighing, James complied and opened the small box to reveal a little snitch. The ball whizzed a little bit and then settled itself on James' shirt motionless. James looked up at Scorpius, fireworks building behind his eyes once again. Anger.

"You can take it off, it just looks cool the first time you put it on." Scorpius explained, placing his tea down slowly. "As for the gift, it is customary for the guest to bring a gift to the host for allowing them entrance into their dwelling." James looked at the blonde and laughed. He laughed for a long time and Scorpius knew he was mocking him. These are just pity invitations.

He just wants to mock me.

James didn't have a birthday party that year, Albus confirmed it on the train ride to Hogwarts for their forth year of school. Scorpius didn't really care about that, but it did hurt him a little when he didn't receive another owl that summer. Lily was sitting with them that year, as it was her first time on the train. She would occasionally look over at Scorpius and giggle softly, still clutching the doll he gave her.

Forth year was the same as all the others. James completely ignored him, save the field, and refused to even look in his direction. Scorpius also noticed that the boy still didn't wear the things he had given him as gifts, even though that wasn't so surprising. He won both the House and Quidditch (again), and got on the train with a heavy heart and an empty soul once more. If this kept up, he would probably end up alone for the rest of his life.

The letter this summer came later than usual, and barely gave Scorpius enough time to pick out a gift for James. This year, he was sure of it, James would give him the same look of happiness he gave everyone else. Scorpius flooed in again, but was greeted by James this time instead.

"Hey Scorpius. Albus is off with his girlfriend today, so he couldn't be the butler." He chuckled a little and motioned to the basement, allowing Scorpius to go down first. He wasn't the only one there! Several people, including some of the Quidditch team, showed up. Most of them scoffed when Scorpius walked down, but a few like Rose Weasley smiled at him and offered to sit next to him at the table. Rose was one of the beaters on the team, going to be a fourth year like Scorpius. It was her first year on the team, plus she was James' cousin.

After cake came presents. Slowly James opened the packages of sweets and broom-care items, giving each person a smile and a small twinkle from his bright eyes, until he opened Scorpius'. The blonde had tried really hard, he really wanted to make James see him as a friend, and not a pity invite. The brunette opened the silver package to reveal a golden banded watch, the face a lion with a ruby eye and small broomsticks for hour and minute hands. On the back of the watch was an inscription of James' full name and graduation year. Scorpius held his breath as James looked up from the watch. The blonde nearly cried as the brunette's eyes filled with more fireworks than he had ever seen in his life.

"Thanks Scorpius," for wasting my time. His heart sank, his tongue went numb, and he felt like curling up in a ball. Why did James hate him so much... Why was he acting so nice in front of everyone, but stabbing him in the heart every time he looked in his direction? Rose lowered her hand and squeezed tightly, smiling at Scorpius.

"Are you ok?" she whispered, the room erupting in loud cheering after Jame had suggested Quidditch. Scorpius shook his head and swallowed the huge lump that had been forming in his throat.

"I think I'm sick. I have to go now, tell James..." He paused, looking at the brunette's smiling face and sparkling eyes. "Happy birthday." With that, he stood and walked to the fireplace, bowing and excusing himself from Harry and Ginny. He stepped into the fireplace and as the powder engulfed him in bright flames, he began to realize this would be James' final year at Hogwarts. Scorpius began to believe it was his last year for redemption.