01

Albus Potter sat in the deep set alcove of a window in the deserted charms corridor. Slumped back against the wall, he swung his leg back and forth, sock-clad toes skimming the floor. His gaze fixated on the distorted glass panes beside him, watching the clouds as they moved with ferocious speed across the sky. Colliding, joining, and parting again, they made their way in and out of his view. The wind was blowing a gale, whipping through the trees of the Forest mercilessly. Browning leaves ripped from their branches, swirling high into the air. Autumn was coming up fast, not that Al minded.

The thing he did mind was that he was spending his free period sat here instead of outside. He'd always been able to tell when a storm was going to break out. Something about them gave him headaches, and today's was a big one. On any other free period he'd be outside, or maybe on a visit with the aged, but no less enthusiastic, Hagrid. He'd contemplated it, but messing around with drying spells was too much effort.

He lent against the glass, cradling his legs to his chest, the cool surface soothing his pounding head. He closed his eyes, revelling in the feeling of his headache easing a little as the wind whipped and howled at the window once more.

Scorpius Malfoy walked the halls without much purpose. He raised his head now and again to respond to greetings from other students, but he didn't stop to chat. Scorpius wasn't all that used to be alone, nearly always surrounded by company. Although he didn't much care for any right at that moment. At least not from his usual crowd of followers anyhow.

Sighing and changing direction for the umpteenth time, he ran a hand through his hair. For longer than he'd like to admit, there had been this little nagging voice in the back of his head almost every single time he was around his friends. Why don't you find something actually worth talking to? It wasn't that he disliked his friends, or thought himself superior, he was just struggling. None of them could keep a secret, no matter how small, and few could participate in a decent conversation. I mean, he was aware that keeping people at arm's length didn't make for strong, solid friendships, but none of them interested him. He honestly felt bad for feeling that way, but he couldn't help it.

Passing a small window, he glanced out to the grounds below, washing again that he could go and fly. He'd feel so much more refreshed breathing the crisp, clear air. But if the increasingly darkening sky was anything to go by, flying wouldn't be a great idea. The weather was malicious, the wind whipping the castle walls with ferocious force. Scorpius let out a short laugh. The weather outside matched his current mood perfectly.

The blond sighed again as he turned into a seemingly empty corridor, no real destination in mind. It wasn't until he'd reached the middle that he noticed someone sat in the alcove ahead. His steps faltered slightly as he neared, not sure whether to continue or turn back the way he'd come. It was Albus Potter. Not one of his usual crowd, making him feel a little more at ease. He took a few steps closer, arching one pale eyebrow, waiting for any sign that his presence was known. Scorpius wouldn't have said that him and Albus were friends, more... acquaintances. In the six years of being at Hogwarts they had probably only spoken a few dozen times. In all honesty, Albus intimidated Scorpius a little, not that he'd admit that. There was something about him that made Scorpius feel suddenly unsure and prickly.

Watching carefully, he moved closer to the boy perched unaware on the windowsill. Albus looked completely lost in a daydream, his eyes closed and head lent against the window pane. He looked almost absent from the world. If he hadn't of been so tense, Scorpius might have thought he was sleeping. He approached cautiously, not entirely sure he should disturb Albus from whatever thoughts he was lost in. He cleared his throat, apparently deciding that yes, he would. Leaning against the wall and folding his arms he broke the silence.

"Albus? Uh... you okay?"

Al jerked in surprise, startled by the sudden intrusion. He blinked against the change in light as he looked up at the figure leaning on the wall in front of him. His eyebrows raised a little as the face of Scorpius Malfoy came into focus. He faltered, open-mouthed, for just a moment before clearing his throat and bringing a hand up to the hair at the nape of his neck. He wasn't exactly sure what made him feel so nervous around Scorpius, but it happened every time. One time in Potions, his hands were shaking so bad he'd accidentally sent a newt spleen flying across the classroom, smacking Rose straight in the face. She didn't talk to him for a month.

He was aware how silly it was. Scorpius had literally never done a single thing to make him uncomfortable or embarrassed. In fact, they got on really well. If circumstances had been different when they first started Hogwarts he thought they'd probably be good friends. The more Al tried to figure out his feelings, the more confused he felt. And now he Scorpius was, making him feel all funny again. He realised that Scorpius had asked him a question as he was just sat there gaping like a fish. He coughed, swallowing awkwardly before answering.

"Uh yeah, absolutely. Just thinking." He rolled his eyes and gestured his hand in the air lamely. Seconds of silence passed and Al squirmed a little before he added, "So how about you?"

He watched as Scorpius shifted about, clearly uneasy with the conversation. Scorpius's lips twitched into a small smile, looking as unsure and awkward as Al felt.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just bored I guess. You seemed a little lost there."

Scorpius's small chuckle sounded uncomfortable. Al started to wish the guy had just passed him by. He didn't want him to leave, but everyone seemed to be uncomfortable right now and it was putting him on edge. Swinging round so that his back was against the window, Al crossed his legs as he played with a loose thread. He smiled to himself a little as he thought about Scorpius's comment. He supposed he was a little lost in his thoughts. If he hadn't been, Scorpius probably would have nodded hello and continued walking down the corridor and they wouldn't be having this weird exchange right now. His smile grew. He always over-analysed everything. Lily was right in saying he thought too much for his own good.

Al snapped his head back up to look at Scorpius, realising the once again he'd been too busy in his head to answer. A smirk tugged at the corner of Scorpius's mouth, his eyebrow raised in amusement. He found Al to be sort of adorable. Always in his own little world, not flustered, just a little spacey. He talked a lot sometimes, but it meant Scorpius didn't have to, which he liked.

"I guess I was lost in thought. Boredom gets the best of us all. Plus the weather is positively shit and it's giving me a headache."

Scorpius chuckled, shifting his hands to his pockets before drawing his lip between his teeth. Al found this particular habit of Scorpius's rather cute. It made all his sharp features soften and he looked more approachable. He was pretty sure Scorpius didn't realise he did it. He'd noticed it in their first paired Potions class together. Scorpius was concentrating hard on preparing ingredients and Al was concentrating hard on not looking at his mouth. His eyes traced the movement as Scorpius released his lip to speak.

"I know what you mean. I wanted to fly so badly today."

Scorpius's words were mumbled as he looked distractedly out the window. The gloomy weather was making him feel crappy. He honestly could have just stayed in bed that morning. He only had 3 classes, with lunch and a 2 hour free period between. He'd spent the last hour looking for something to do and had found Albus Potter instead.

Something was bothering Scorpius, Al could tell. He studied the blond for a moment as Scorpius continued to stare out the window. His usually broad shoulders were slouched, his expression was kind of sullen and unguarded. This wasn't the demeanour Scorpius usually displayed when surrounded by his friends. He almost looked vulnerable. The thought made Al's insides clench a little. He had no idea why, but there was some part of him that wanted to comfort Scorpius. He didn't even seem like he was sad. Lonely maybe?

Brought to his senses with a loud sigh from Scorpius, Al tore his eyes away just in time for the other boy to look back at him.

Silence hung in the air, still a little awkward but more comfortable than before. Al stared at his feet trying to think of something to say. A soft chuckle from Scorpius broke the quiet and Al looked up with a confused smile.

Scorpius grinned. "I just noticed you're not wearing any shoes."

Al looked down at his socks and stretched out his legs, tapping his feet together with a grin.

"I don't like shoes. But feet are also 100% gross. Plus I like to show off my socks."

Scorpius laughed as he stepped out of the way of Al's swinging feet, watching the little golden snitches dance around the cotton. He caught Al's eye and they both laughed again. A little bubble swelled in his chest and he had to look away before he blushed. He had that prickly thing going on that he'd noticed before. He looked down at his watch and noticed the time.

"You know, it's almost time for Defence..."

Al put his feet back on the floor and stood. He brushed Scorpius's arm lightly as he reached for his bag. Scorpius always forgot how tall he was. He waited as Al paused for a moment before speaking.

"Wanna walk there together?"

Scorpius considered for a moment, his lip caught between his teeth again, Al noted. Finally he nodded, falling into step beside Al as they made their way to the staircase that would lead them to first floor.

Walking together was easy. Much easier than making conversation because no one had to think of things to say. A few times Al would cast a sideways glance at Scorpius. A few times Scorpius caught him because he was doing the exact same thing. Neither spoke as the descended the stairs. Both nodded hellos to passing housemates, and both pointedly ignored the confused looks.

Al supposed it was maybe a little odd that after six years of kind of not being friends they were friends? He threw a hesitant smile at Scorpius who had turned to look at him as they rounded the corner.

"I don't really get why people are staring. It's like they've never seen two people walking together before." He rolled his eyes and Scorpius flashed a grin in return.

"Anyone would think we were famous enemies or something..." Scorpius trailed off as they entered the first floor corridor. Passing a large gathering of Hufflepuffs, he slid behind Al as they squeezed past. He reached out, his hand lingering against Al's back as he followed him through the crowd. Al flushed ever so slightly. He wasn't used to physical touch. He always felt a little weird about it. Someone pushed and Scorpius pressed into the back of him, his hand coming round his stomach.

"Shit, sorry."

Scorpius's voice was low and very close to Al's ear as they pushed on towards their classroom. The flush on Al's cheeks travelled to his neck as Scorpius's voice tickled the tiny hairs on his skin.

The other Ravenclaws and Gryffindors were gathered around the door waiting to be called in for class. Al shot Scorpius a glance as they reached them, suddenly feeling very self conscious. They stopped and stood awkwardly, avoiding each other's gaze as both wondered what they were supposed to do now.

All at once, two different hands reached out. One dark and very freckled, belonging to Rose Weasley. The other long and manicured, belonging to Elena Goldstein. Both boys were pulled in opposite directions, unable to say another word.

In the sudden burst of conversation, Al missed the look Scorpius threw at him before getting pulled against Elena. Al looked back over his shoulder, his stomach rolling as he watched Elena run her hands up Scorpius's arms. He swallowed thickly, just as the first low roll of thunder rumbled through the air.