"Their fathers were enemies, but opposites attract, right?" – me
Dear Claudia. Like it. In this you have no choice. I assume you know that his fic, and therefore, my association, you, is the reason I am going to fail my mocks. That and wizard rock.
Dear miscellaneous reader. I was informed by my buddy Claudia from muppetmadness that they were only about six Albus Severus/Scorpius fics on here, which is an abomination of course. Due to my love of all under-represented pairings, I am writing this three part fic to support this cause. I hope you enjoy it. Review or I shall curse you with a failing internet. Cackle.
Dear any regular reader of my stuff who reads this. I'm sorry that I've been abandoning my other stuff. It was all Claudia's fault.
Read on one and all.
Warnings: SLASH AUTHOR GIVEN UNLIMITED POWERS AND NO CHANCE OF OOC EVER! Though let it be noted that hold no claim over any Harry Potter character. Damn it. However, I do own this cool wolf pen.
xxXXxx
They met in a carriage where, twenty six years earlier to the day, one Harry James Potter and one Ronald Bilius Weasley met and became the best of friends. They could not know this of course, and it was not a Potter who sat staring out of the window, but a Malfoy. The boys had always been slightly fascinated by each other, and had glimpsed one another at certain high profile wizarding events, but had been forbidden from talking to each other. Under their parents, and often grandparents' watchful gazes, they did not even talk, but now they were free from chaperones. For eleven year old boys, rules are made to be broken, and so they were, right there on the scarlet Hogwarts Express.
"It's Malfoy isn't it? Can I sit here?"
The voice broke Scorpius out of his thoughts, and he looked up at the boy who was the spitting image of Harry Potter. He frowned as he said, "Potter isn't it?"
Albus looked away as he mumbled, "No, just Albus."
Smirking, Scorpius asked, "Why don't you sit down?"
As Albus obliged, he asked, "Didn't I see you at that wizarding convention in June, the one where the Jenner family were collecting for St. Mungo's?"
"Yeah. The one where the soup exploded right?" Scorpius replied.
"Ah, that was my cousins, Fred and Jane. Unholy terrors in their own right."
"So what's wrong with Potter? I'd have thought that you would want to claim the title as your own, a famous father like yours."
"It's no fun to be named after three of the most famous wizards of this century," Albus muttered. "I can never hope to match them."
"Try being named after a fricking arachnid," grumbled Scorpius.
They fell into a silence that was really quite comfortable, engaged in their own thoughts as they were. After about five minutes of watching the urban London buildings fly past their eyes, the silence was broken by Albus when he saw Scorpius turn away from the window with a shudder.
"You alright?"
"Yeah," said the blonde, "But we're crossing a bridge, and it's a long way to fall, and I hate heights."
"How do you play Quidditch then?"
"I don't, one of my many faults in my father's eyes." He looked uncomfortable, so Albus fell silent. After a moment Scorpius asked in a strained voice, "What house do you think you're going to be in?"
Groaning, Albus said, "Don't even get me started."
Scorpius shook his head. "Go on, spill."
Sighing as he started, Albus told him, "Everyone expects me to be in Gryffindor, like all the Weasleys and the Potters have been. But I've never been all that brave, or hard working, and I'm not as smart as Rosie. So the only feasible option is Slytherin, which from what I've read, I'd actually fit into. And, whatever my dad says, I know everyone wants me to be in Gryffindor, and would hate for me to be in Slytherin."
When Albus had finished his rant, Scorpius nodded in sympathy. "Merlin, I know how you feel, though it's slightly different for me."
With his head cocked slightly to the side, curious, Albus said, "Explain," questioningly.
My father and mother were practically King and Queen of Slytherin in their day, so three guesses where they want me. Well, my mother isn't as concerned, but my father would probably disown me if I was put in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff." Suddenly he laughed, a bit self-consciously, "I'm not sure why I'm telling you all of this."
"People find me easy to talk to," Albus said, embarrassed and lowering his startling green eyes. "I don't know why."
"We all have our gifts," said Scorpius. "That's what my mother always said anyway."
The conversation moved onto families and from there ranged on as the train travelled into the rural countryside as they travelled west. When the sun was beating down upon them at half one, a short, elderly witch pushed a trolley in front of their compartment.
"Anything off the trolley?" She trilled, in the same way she had done in every compartment on every journey of the Hogwarts Express for many years.
The boys jumped as they looked up.
"Merlin, is that the time already?" Scorpius gasped, "That flew by!"
"I'm starving though," said Albus, a rumble of his stomach illustrated this point. "Are you getting anything?"
A few moments later, Scorpius was munching on a pumpkin pie and Albus was sucking on a sugar quill. He then started on a packet of Fizzing Whizbees, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, three liquorice wands, a bag of jelly slugs and a pouch of peppermint toads. When he got onto a box of chocoballs, Scorpius, who had been watching with slightly morbid fascination, said, "Sweet tooth much Albus?"
Laughing in response, Albus told him, "I physically could not live without sugar. It is not possible."
An evil smirk flitted across Scorpius' pale, pointed face, as he jumped up on his seat, rummaged in his trunk, and drew out a paper bag. Slowly, he pulled out a large slab of foil-and-paper-wrapped chocolate.
Albus dropped his half eaten chocoball onto his lap, staining his jeans with strawberry mousse as he did so. His mouth fell open. "That's the… the deluxe Honey… Honeyduke's bar isn't… isn't it?" he stammered. "I'd have to save my pocket money for six months to buy that!"
Saying absolutely nothing, Scorpius ran his fingers under the royal purple paper, making sure that his long fingers caressed the gilt decoration for longer than necessary. Then, with agonising slowness, he began to take off the golden foil. Once he slid the finely moulded bar of chocolate out into the open, just a quarter of the way. He moved closer to his new friend, and snapped a quarter of the bar off. The tantalising smell of it filled the compartment, and Albus stifled a moan.
"A chocolate addict's heaven," the ebony haired boy breathed.
Scorpius took a large bite out of the chocolate, his silver eyes boring into Albus' emerald ones as he did so. Albus dropped his eyes. "You most defiantly will make your father proud Scorpius. Slytherin through and through," he sighed deeply. "Oh how you torture me."
Bobbing his head, Scorpius said, "My thanks." Then the solemn look on his features slid off and his face cracked into a smile. "Here," he threw a large piece of the chocolate into his new friend's lap.
As Albus' jaw dropped open for the second time, he stammered, "But this costs like 60 galleons. It's practically half the bar!"
"I've never been much of a chocolate fiend," Scorpius had a strange mix of embarrassment and pleasure on his face. "Besides, what's the use of having something if you can't share it?"
"To gloat over it."
Scorpius narrowed his eyes. "Slytherin, without a doubt. Now eat it before I change my mind." Albus looked shocked and hastily shoved a piece in his mouth, yet Scorpius chuckled, saying, "I was only yanking your chain. Savour it."
Reverently, Albus nodded his acquiesce, at least, the part of him not captivated by the fire in his mouth at the delicious taste of the most coveted chocolate.
xxXXxx
Starting off with "Ashken, Claudia," a short, stern-looking blonde witch, dressed all in black, called out the names of the new first years to get sorted. Scorpius and Albus stood side-by-side, shaking somewhat, waiting for their turn to be called. When it got to "Lark, Jessica," Albus whispered to Scorpius, "We should be friends whatever the outcome of this, right?"
"You're the only one who would dare sit with a Malfoy, so sure," Scorpius muttered back, "And we'll have some of the same classes anyway. We'll still be friends."
Having had god manners imbued into them from a very young age, they shook hands formally on it, even as the Sorting Hat pronounced, "Neller, Chris," a Hufflepuff.
When Scorpius' name got called, the hat immediately pronounced him a Slytherin. Feeling stressed once he was alone, waiting for his name took ages.
Eventually though… "Potter Albus," the blonde witch called out, and Albus stepped forwards. As he sat on the stool nervously, he saw his ginger brother staring avidly at him, more so than any of the other students except… Scorpius' silver gaze was the most piercing, and he gave Albus a quick grin, before Albus' eyes were covered by the Sorting Hat's dark fabric.
"Now what to do with this," growled a slightly nasal voice in Albus' ear. Then, out of the blue, Albus wondered how a hat with no nose could have a nasally voice. Were he not too nervous, he would have burst into hysterical laughter. "I can see that you could be smart, if you work hard, and Ravenclaw would encourage you to do that. Then again, you seem to adore your friends. And you're dying to prove yourself as your own person aren't you?"
Albus started to feel a little bit panicky, as there was no mention of bravery. He couldn't think, he couldn't remember what he was supposed to think.
"I know where," said the Sorting hat.
No, wait! Albus thought desperately. I want to be in the place where people will accept me, and my friends will be most true.
"Wish granted," the Hat crooned. Then it yelled, "Slytherin!"
For a moment, everything went silent, until a raucous cheer from the Slytherin table went up. The rest of the room was silent, shocked and wondering where Harry Potter, the Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, the Chosen Saviour had gone wrong. Slytherins were evil, and Harry Potter was the epitome of goodness. Hurriedly, Albus slipped off the stool, his head lowered. He scampered over to where Scorpius sat. The blonde had a small, sympathetic smile on his face.
"Can I sit here?" the Malfoy whispered.
His jaw set, Albus said, "Of course. Congratulations."
"Hey," said Scorpius sweetly, "At least there's the two of us now."
He became aware of a heated glare at the back of his neck, and he looked around to find James staring at him furiously. He looked back down into his lap. Inside swore: he had made the wrong choice, made the wrong request and embarrassed his dad.
xxXXxx
Scorpius lay on his back, staring up at the emerald hangings form his four-poster bed, Albus' warm body next to him.
"It's small," said Scorpius, expressing his disappointment. He had expected more of the fabled Slytherin dormitories, where many a foul scheme had been concocted.
In shock, Albus gasped, "This room is huge. There's tons of space, even with eight beds in here."
Rolling his eyes at the boy's stupidity, Scorpius said, "I meant the bed you idiot. It's tiny. I had a king sized one at home. This is nothing."
"How come you're so rich? I mean, we're not bad off…"
"We are not badly off," corrected Scorpius, immediately. "Get your grammar right." He hit the brunette on the head playfully.
"You sound like my brother," moaned Albus, "But that didn't answer my question. How come you're so rich?"
Scorpius sounded irritated as he said, "Malfoy Enterprises, my father's business. It's huge. Father works all the time."
They listened for a moment to their roommates clatter about. "How come you know every one of our roommates then? Except me of course" Albus asked.
"Curiosity killed the kneazle Albus. And they're only roommates until sixth year. Then we get to have just one roommate. But anyway, once again I know these people because of my father. I get dragged round social functions as if there's no tomorrow." He looked at his fingers and ticked off the names of his roommates. "Vincent Goyle I've known for years, but he's far too stupid to be of any use to anyone. His father's in jail at the moment anyway, so he's worth nothing. That other thick one, Bruce Willows, his father runs one of our rival businesses. The nerd Wayne Silver I know because we purchased the Silver Apothecaries firm. David Fowler, son of the Transfiguration teacher, I met at a function where father was trying to find a tutor for me. Most of those we hire leave us, Merlin knows why. Also, Stuart Vice, he hates me because we crushed his uncle's firm. And the last one is at practically every social function I've ever been to. He's practically a stalker. My father says there are spies that…"
"Are you lying to me Mr Malfoy?" asked Albus suspiciously.
Laughing, Scorpius said, "Maybe a tiny bit on that last part."
In response, Albus poked him in the ribs, and watched the blonde squirm. "Oh is that bit ticklish Messier Malfoy?" With satisfaction, Albus ran his fingers across Scorpius' side and began to tickle him mercilessly. Scorpius flailed at the brunette, and their tickling turned into a play fight. Their roommates watched with amusement as Scorpius, trying to escape Albus' spider like fingers, rolled off the bed with a crash.
"Ow ow ow, pain," chanted Scorpius, "Ow get off Al, Albus, Ally, ow!"
"Hmm, Ally, I like that," said Albus with false pensiveness on his face. "Huh, yeah, I think I could live with that as a nickname. Oh, do you want me to get off you Scorpy?"
"Yes damn it," said Scorpius, gasping. He'd been pounding at the Potter boy' leg, trying to get free. "I can't help being smaller than you, and don't call me Scorpy. It's Scorp or Scorpius to you. Get off."
Laughing, Albus clambered off him and pulled his new friend back onto the bed where they lay, panting. They made small talk until Bruce Willows yelled for Wayne Silver to put out the torches. Scorpius glanced at an ornate, antique silver carriage clock, and realized with a start that it was three o'clock in the morning. The hours had flown away in Albus' company.
"I'm exhausted," Albus yawned.
"So go to bed."
"Far too exhausted," he said in a mutter, his eyes closing.
Scorpius laughed softly and said, "I'm not going to be thrown off my bed again."
"Shut up Malfoy," said Albus numbly, and he manoeuvred himself under the covers. "Go to sleep."
xxXXxx
The next morning, Scorpius dragged his friend downstairs to breakfast, having slept for less than three hours.
"You are never sleeping in my bed again," grumbled Scorpius. "You kick like a fricking donkey."
"Sorry," apologized Albus. He hadn't even known that he'd been doing it until Scorpius showed him the bruises on his leg.
They sat at the Slytherin table between two groups of seventh years, feeling substantially tiny. Albus ate looking slightly nervous, but Scorpius sat straight, proud and looking vaguely haughty. The others around him seemed slightly scared in his presence.
When their mail came, Scorpius received both a letter from his father, congratulating him cordially on becoming a Slytherin, and the Daily Prophet. Albus received a short note from his mum and dad, merely saying "Your house means nothing. We love you regardless." Despite feeling embarrassed at the somewhat soppy nature, he tucked it into his pocket.
A sudden sound from Scorpius made Albus look up. "Look it's your father." He threw the pages at Albus, who scanned the text. A moment later, he turned the page, obviously bored.
"It's only about some arrest he made, nothing new. He's an Auror what do you expect?" Flipping through, he stopped at a page in the business section. "Whoa, is that your dad? He's practically identical to you. That's spooky."
Scorpius snatched back the Prophet and ran his eyes over the headline and turned back to the start. "He took over a business. Nothing new."
"Fathers, le sigh."
"Hell yeah," sighed Scorpius.
xxXXxx
Their first lesson was transfiguration. The current Headmistress, McGonagall, had given up teaching in favour of becoming Head, so Professor Fowler had taken over transfiguration lessons. The tall, dark-haired Professor strutted into class a few minutes after everyone else had arrived.
"Morning class," she said as she made her way to the front, a pile of books in her hands. She looked around at the gathered first year Ravenclaw and Slytherin students staring up at her. "I want to start off right now by telling you that first years are my favourite class to teach, but I expect you all to get the highest grades possible. You should be aiming for far above the norm. Now if you'll look over onto that wall," she gestured empathically as she spoke. "You will see my key spells board. These are the spells we will be trying to cast within the course of the year. I've copied you a list of these, you there," she pointed to Scorpius, "Next to…" she froze up, staring at Albus. She then shrieked, "Dear Merlin! Harry Potter!"
Quietly, Albus groaned: he had been scared of something like this. Scorpius elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up and said, "Professor, this is Albus, Harry Potter's son. You can tell because he has no scar."
Looking flustered, Professor Fowler said, "Well… well of course… I know that. I just… for a moment…"
Albus felt like burying his head in his arms, but as Scorpius stood up and took the proffered leaflets, he heard Scorpius' whispered comment.
"Get used to it, Potter boy."
Childishly, Albus stuck out his tongue and started to read the sheet.
xxXXxx
"How on Earth can you do this? Merlin, you drive me insane." James ranted, "You weren't supposed to be in Slytherin. Why can't you ever be normal?"
Albus hung his head for a moment, but then looked up with a fire in his eyes. "You know what? I don't care what you think. You're just jealous because I look famous and you don't, and it's not as fun as you think."
James looked as if Albus had slapped him, and asked, "Are you glad you're in Slytherin?"
"I don't see what difference it makes," argued Albus. "Everyone makes a huge fuss about Sorting, but this morning I realized that all it dictates are my roommates, what people I'm supposed to sit with and who is my Head of House."
"It… it's more than that," said James, staggered. "It's… symbolic of your personality."
"Deal with it," snapped Albus and he turned to face Scorpius who had just sat down next to him.
The blonde raised his eyebrows, asking, "What made you change your mind about us snakes?"
"Being friends with you isn't so bad."
A/N: Tada. Review. Yay.
