A Tale of Two Princes

This is a love story between two under-aged boys. Get it? It has homosexual themes that will be making themselves known as the story progresses and the boys get older.

I do not own Harry Potter.

Notes: After reading HPDH, this plot bunny worked its way into my head. I figure, I might as well play with it and see where it takes me. There are definitely spoilers for HPDH so if you haven't read the book, you might want to stop reading until you have.

Chapter One

Albus Severus Potter was aware that he wasn't an ordinary boy. With your father being the Great Harry Potter, it was expected that people knew who you were. So, he'd been prepared when he'd entered the Great Hall that there'd be a certain amount of ogling. He just hadn't been anticipating the entire student body. It seemed that all eyes were on him. He didn't even have to speak for them to know that he was Harry Potter's son. He was nearly an exact replica of his famous father except he had deceased grandmother's green eyes.

"You get used to it after awhile," a familiar voice came from behind Albus. James patted his younger brother's back comfortingly. "I still get those looks from time to time. Quit being a baby, alright? Besides, you have your big brother to protect you." He winked at Al conspiratorially, ignoring the glare that was sent at him. "Stay out of Slytherin, by the way."

Al kept his comments to himself as he watched his brother join several other third years. He had the sinking feeling that he would be ignored by James for most of the school term. Albus rolled his eyes. Heaven forbid that James socialized with his little brother instead of keeping his status among his group of admirers. The Potter Fan Club, Al thought, as he passed by James regaling the doting lot another story of Harry's. He briefly wondered if this is what his father had been subjected to; people that wanted to kiss his feet in order to obtain their own popularity.

"What are you doing, child? You're supposed to be with the Headmistress," a teacher said, nodding towards a stern older witch.

Albus fell into line behind the last of the first years following Professor McGonagall; a platinum blonde haired boy that had an oddly vacant expression in his gray-blue eyes. While the other students were talking excitedly to each other, the boy was hardly conveying any emotion at all. The Malfoy boy, Albus realized, recognizing the same pointed chin and features of his father. He was another boy that came from a famous family although the Malfoy's were known for entirely different reasons. Had he been told stories about the Potter's? Had he been taught the same hatred that had existed between their two families?

Those stormy sea hued eyes met Albus's and he knew he'd been caught. "I'm not a freak so you don't have to look at me like I am but…you're hardly the first one." His full lips curled into a wry, self-deprecating grin. "And you won't be the last. I was already forewarned that most people won't be very kind towards me."

"It isn't your fault. You shouldn't have to pay for your father's mistakes," Albus said, hearing his own father's words in his head. "It's all in the past now."

He laughed hollowly. "That's a nice fantasy but the truth is that people still hate us."

Albus frowned. Should any eleven year old sound as if he'd already experienced much of life's hardships and truths? "…My father says that people can be ignorant when it comes to forgiveness, that people are blind. If it's any help, I forgive your family." Al extended his hand. "I'm Albus Severus Potter. You know that."

"Scorpios Malfoy," the blonde said, hesitantly accepting the proffered appendage. "Our fathers were faced with this as well during their first year," Scorpios spoke softly, hand not straying from Albus's. "Your father didn't accept it. Why are you different? Why offer me your hand in friendship? I'll be in Slytherin. You'll be in Gryffindor."

"I thought with the end of the War there wouldn't be any more House rivalry?"

"You're naïve," Scorpios shook his head and withdrew his hold on Al's hand. "There will always be enmity between the Slytherin's and the rest of the Hogwarts Houses. I was told that by my parents but my parents haven't always been right. They weren't right about you. They told me you'd be a stuck-up little prick."

Albus chuckled. "Hardly. That's my older brother, not me."

"Scorpios Malfoy?" McGonagall inquired, eyes scanning the remaining students to land on Scorpios. The blonde smirked at Albus before walking towards the Sorting Hat. He ignored the voices and the leers as he sank onto the chair. It wasn't all that uncomfortable. He just had to focus on something other then the taunts and jibes at him.

"Ah, another Malfoy. Hmm. You're very unusual in regards to the other Malfoy's that have been here. A vastly intelligent boy with a need to prove himself to not only his parents but to the rest of those that still hold onto the past. Yes, you're a remarkable wizard. Powerful and brave. You'd be an asset in Gryffindor."

"I can't be in Gryffindor. My parents would disown me. I have to be in Slytherin."

"Slytherin may be your bane. If you truly desire it be…"

"I do."

"Slytherin!" The Sorting Hat called. There were nods all around him as Scorpios rose to his feet. He caught Albus's green eyes as he headed towards the Slytherin table. It was for the best, Scorpios shrugged, his message clear towards the other boy. His father wouldn't have settled for his only child to be in Gryffindor. His mother wouldn't have minded so long as he was receiving his education. His father had been firm that if he was in any other House, he might as well stay at Hogwarts until he graduated and not bother returning home.

"Albus Potter!"

Albus felt his cheeks burn at the attention he was being bestowed as he sat in the chair. Another Potter but you…you want to set yourself apart from celebrated father. You want your own individuality and be known not for your name or parentage but for your own skills and strength. You resent the Potter fame. Yet you want to be more like your father. Yes, you're a mass of contradictions and confusion. You have much to learn, young Potter. Gryffindor would hinder you."

"Hinder me?"

"Slytherin!"

The decision was met with astonished cries and widened eyes. Teachers and students alike were in shock that the Sorting Hat had chosen Slytherin for Albus Potter. The silence that descended upon the Great Hall rang clear in Albus's ears. His heart palpitated maddeningly as he felt cold sweat form on his brow. James was staring in open dismay at his brother, mouth moving but no words forming. Albus swallowed the lump in his throat, walking towards the Slytherins.

"My parents are going to kill me," Albus muttered, taking a seat beside of Scorpios, resting his head in his arms. His face burned with embarrassment. He was supposed to be in Gryffindor and follow the same path of his family to eventually become an Auror. He wasn't looking forward to hearing from them.

Albus was silent as one of the Prefects led the first year Slytherins to their tower. He'd barely touched his food, ignoring everything around him. The pointing and whispering in his direction had been unnerving. There had been ridicule among the Slytherins; some of the children were directly connected with Death Eaters. To Albus's surprise, the only one that didn't bother him was Scorpios. He had pegged the boy to be one of the main instigators. If anything, Scorpios had been as quiet as he'd been.

"You will be rooming together," the Prefect was saying, leading them through a small tunnel and into a dimly lit common room decorated in black, silver, and green. "The password for the Sea King is Salazzar, for those not interested enough to pay attention," the gaze was fixed on Albus. "Does Mister Potter believe he's too good to be in Slytherin with the rest of us?" the mocking tone lodged its verbal arrow into Albus's heart. "What? Are you going to cry to your father? Does he change your diapers too?"

Albus's fists clenched at his sides but before he could speak, another voice came to his defense. "Why don't you shut your bloody trap, Davies? Do you get your jollies from threatening defenseless kids?"

"Fuck off, Malfoy," Davies hissed, hand going for his wand.

"Too slow," Scorpios sneered, wand resting against Davies' chest before the older boy could withdraw his. "I suggest you leave him alone. We wouldn't anything unfortunate to happen to you, now would we?"

"You better watch your back and your boyfriend's."

Scorpios rolled his eyes, watching Davies hastily leave the Common Room, wand not straying form its mark until he was gone. "You had better learn to stand up for yourself, Potter. He's not the only one with resentment towards your family."

"I could've done that myself," Albus scowled, following Scorpios towards the stairs.

"Since when have you ever had to defend yourself in your perfect little world? You've been sheltered and babied since the day you were born. You're going to have realize that no one's going to hold your hand for the rest of your life."

"I know that!"

"Are you dense? Do you think that all the Death Eaters are rotting in Azkaban?"

"My father says"

"I don't give a damn what your father says. Being naïve won't save you in the end, Potter," Scorpios opened his trunk, glancing at the raven-haired boy beside him. He could see the inward struggle, the conflicting emotions dancing in his green eyes. "I know how you're going to be treated, especially by the older students. Davies is just one of dozens that wouldn't mind telling their parents they sent you to the Infirmary."

Albus watched Scorpios meticulously unpack his belongings. "Why don't you hate me?"

"You're not your father. Besides, I have my own share of enemies. My father is just as disliked as yours."

Albus didn't respond to Scorpios' remark. Albus had heard stories about Draco Malfoy for years but Harry had never expressed any dislike for the other man, only a profound pity. Albus doubted Scorpios would want to know that tidbit of information. Albus turned his back on the blond and started his emptying his own trunk. Not for the last time, Albus wondered how Scorpios could possess such a bleak outlook on life for an eleven year old.

This is the end of the first chapter/prologue. Scorpios is an extremely mature boy that's been told how cruel the world is by Draco. He's also the target of much dislike by his fellow Slytherins and some of the other Houses. Albus, on the other hand, is naïve due to Harry's need to keep him sheltered.

This story is going to take place over the entire seven years of Hogwarts, including another Dark Lord uprising. There won't be any Albus/Scorpios until they're in the teens so anyone wanting a quick, under-aged love fest is just going to have to wait until they're older.

I'm wary about the response to this story so any constructive criticism and comments are greatly appreciated.

And yes, On This Cross will be regularly updated for those wondering if I'm going to abandon to write this one. :-P

Review please:-D

Peace, Love, and Doughnuts

Shiny Ryuichi Sakuma