This is the Night

The ending of this fanfic is inspired by the "Bella Notte" scene in Disney's Lady and the Tramp, but it's not a song fic. I'm trying to figure out if I'm any good at writing this pairing, in case I want to turn my longer fic, The Second Scar slashy. Not a part of my SAT Word Fanfiction Challenge, btw.

Please R&R to let me know if you like my version of Scorpius (a little different from the norm) and if you want to see another fic with this pairing. Cookies and cuddles for all reviews! ^_^ ~Elsie


James Sirius Potter ran a hand through his hair then rubbed his temples, trying in vain to calm himself. He ignored the wide, silver eyes peering at him from the desk facing him. They looked too innocent and puppy-like for the Gryffindor to stand it.

"You're an idiot, Scorpius."

For once, the Hufflepuff stopped speaking. He looked at his annoyed friend in silence while they packed their things and left the library to go to Herbology. James secretly thanked Merlin he was only behind a year in two classes so that he didn't need to repeat everything with these "immature little imps." The word "imps" made James think of how Albus went on about Scorpius favourite things, like the pepper imps he constantly craved from Honeydukes. He glared at Scorpius and his dejected yet sincerely concerned eyes. Damn him! Damn him with his infernal ignorance that I have a not only witness in every study hall and Herbology class, but also hear about in my own room at home!

"You really have no idea, do you?"

"What d'ya mean, Jamie?"

Shaking his head, James sighed and muttered, "Tell me I don't have to put up with this when you become my brother-in-law."

Scorpius made a disgusted face, sticking his tongue out in a mimck-gag. "No offense to your sister's looks, James, but I'd vomit before marrying her. And she's a third year!"

"'No offense,' he says," James snorted. "I'm more concerned about Albus' lack of taste. Don't get me wrong, Scorpius – I like a nice blonde now and then, but preferably one with developed breasts. And long hair. And nice legs and—"

"Wait, you want me to turn into a girl?" Scorpius gawked at his older friend and clamped a hand over his mouth.

James gave an exasperated groan and grabbed the Hufflepuff's shoulder, shaking him slightly to and fro like a rag doll. "Did you even listen to what I just said – before the part about hot blond chicks?"

"Um, you quoted me on 'no offense…'"

And Albus likes this oblivious nut head!

James could no longer hold it in, promise or no promise.

"Scorpius, when you finally start dating my brother, I'm kicking him out of my room and muffliatoing it every night so I don't have to hear the details on your every make out session. Oh, and he's planned them already, the smart ass, so you better go practice on your teddy bear. Wouldn't want to disappoint him, now would you?"

After a very long pause, James looked worriedly at Scorpius for a response, only to see a pale face petrified in shock. Crap, oh crap, oh no! I he doesn't like Al back or I've scared him off, I'm done for! He'll hex me so bad, I'll be in St. Mungo's for a year. I can't screw this up worse!

"Just kidding, Scorp! Just a joke, I swear!" James gave a shaky laugh, not getting more than the blinking of Scorpius' eyes. "Tell you what, why don't I give you some pepper imps at dinner and we pretend that this one-sided conversation never happened…"

"Me… date—Albus…" Very slowly, a grin spread across the blonde's face, initiating a pink blush upon pale cheeks. "I-I like that idea…" His voice was the most soft and calm James had ever heard it.

"Well, he does, too," James said, feeling somewhat relieved. "Only he might just kill me for saying that because, knowing Al, he probably had some huge, elaborate plan to tell you himself. Well, I'm off to try and outrun my doom. That, and I can't take another awe-struck, ooey-gooey lovebird around me. See you later, Scorp."

When James left, Scorpius' face fell; his friend was probably only joking. How could Albus really want him and not say anything? It had never occurred to the Malfoy that Albus' flirting methods meant more in the Slytherin's mind. Those feather-light touches to his face or arms or hands, the sparkle in his jade green eyes when they spoke to each other… they had to only be gestures of friendship, in Albus' mind.

"Me—date Albus," Scorpius murmured to himself again. "Why would he want to date me? We're best mates, yeah, but we're completely different. Albus is so brilliant and I barely pass anything but Herbology and Charms even with his help. And I could trip over air, but Al – he's the beater for Slytherin and he's up for quidditch captain next year. Even if he somehow did like me and we, by some miracle, got together, he wouldn't have any time for me…"

But Albus always had time for him. If he didn't have time, he made time for Scorpius. Who had the Hufflepuff always gone to when he had a bad experience, knowing he would be accepted and help instead of laughed at? Who had told him over a hundred bed time stories during their sleepovers to help him sleep soundly? Who had always encouraged him to be himself and not take crap from anybody because of his family's past?

Albus was always there for him, and Scorpius wanted to be more than friends. How could he ask that of his best friend, who already did so much for him? He wanted Albus to be happy, more than everything. A relationship between them would only slow everything down.

That was, if Albus really even liked him back.

Scorpius found himself looking at his reflection in a dark window, seeing himself and not his father because of Albus. He was small and delicate-looking. Albus' favourite cousin, Louis, always joked about how Scorpius looked more like a Veela than he did. He wished he looked more like Louis, who managed to be beautiful without looking girly at all. He wondered if Albus would rather date a boy like that, remembering how Albus' closeness with Louis slightly bothered him at the Potters' house.

Did Albus and Louis share the same tender gazes Albus gave him at times? The brushing of hands, Albus' warm smiles and rosy blushes, their longer-than-needed embraces, long discussions about anything and everything… what did they mean to Albus?

The bell sounded throughout all of Hogwarts for class changes and Scorpius panicked. He had missed Herbology and wandered into some small hallway of the castle near the Great Hall and could already hear someone walking toward him.

"Scorpius?" One of Albus' cousins, a prefect named Dominique, looked curiously at him. She toyed with her striped blue tie absentmindedly and noted the younger boy's face was deeply flushed. "Why are you out of class early, deary?"

"Oh, hello, Dominique…" Oh Merlin, what would Albus do… what would Albus do! "I, erm, was going to the nurse. I thought I might have a fever and I feel a little dizzy." Well, that wasn't a complete lie… Wow, it's like Albus was talking just now and I wasn't!

"Poor thing – you look as flushed as a rose. Let me accompany you there; it's not safe to walk alone, even if you're only slightly dizzy." She put and arm around Scorpius' shoulders to somewhat support him in case he needed to fall. There was a slight smirk on her face that Scorpius didn't see when she added softly, "cousin Albus will kill me if I let you fall." She didn't need to look down to know that Scorpius was looking at her, even more flushed. "You know, people wonder why he's in Slytherin, but I think it's a perfect fit."


P.S. There WILL be a next chapter! (I didn't even get to the wonderfully fluffy part I mentioned from Lady and the Tramp! ^_^