The next morning, the Potter household awoke again to the sounds of yelling. Harry and Ginny were in the kitchen tearing each other's head off. To Albus it was like the sound of a rooster in the morning. Albus woke up in just enough time to hide the letter in his hands before Teddy saw it. He told himself that he would never let that happen again, not after James found him with one and tortured Albus to let him read it. Albus had to eat it just so James wouldn't see. The expensive paper that Scorpius used caused digestive problems for weeks. Never again, Albus reminded himself, never again would he put himself in danger of being caught.
Albus dressed in a plain shirt and jeans and nodded quickly at Teddy. Teddy and Albus never spoke to one another unless it was absolutely necessary. They were not on speaking terms after Teddy screamed at Albus to kill himself as Severus had killed Dumbledore. Albus had retorted by calling Teddy a womanizing monster like his father. Why Teddy still lived here was beyond Albus. He could never get a job, but whether or not he was trying was up for debate.
James was coming out of his room across the hall at the same time Albus was. He scowled at Albus and began to make his way towards him with heavy stomps. James held his fists clenched, fists that have connected his Albus' flesh time and time again. Albus looked James dead in the eyes. He was ready for what was coming because no matter what, James could not take away what was important to him. The words under Albus' bed were something James could never beat out of him.
"Do you hear that?" James shouted at Albus. "How many more arguments are you worth Snakeboy?" James was arm length from where Albus stood, but neither of them made a move. James was grinding his teeth and staring down at Albus, who was a foot shorter then him.
"I'm not worth any! If dad would let me leave, I would go!" Albus yelled.
"You would go? Go where, you fucking bastard! Where would anyone take you in?" James smirked. "The only person who loves you is dad. You have no one else who would waste their time caring for you. And after all he does for you, after all the attention he gave you, what do you do to thank him?"
"I got into Slytherin and I'm proud of it, James! We have been through this already so if you are going to hit me, do it now." Albus stood completely still as James raised his fist in a threat, but then lowered it. He shook his head softly and looked for just a second like he was going to shed a tear. The next second, his face was hardened again.
"If you didn't look so much like him, Snakeboy, I would've bashed your face in for what you have done to my family." Albus stood silent. He was used to these speeches from James. "If only you didn't look like him, then this family might live in peace for one morning," James said before raising his fist again. Albus did not flinch.
"Do you think Dad would love you even more James," said Albus harshly, "if you looked like Voldermort? That seems to be the only person dad thinks about." James' eyes flashed in anger.
"How dare you say that, you bastard! I swear sometimes I think the shit that comes out of your mouth is straight from the devil. Is that who you are, black sheep. Are you the Devil? Are you Lucifer himself, Snakeboy?" James clenched his fists harder. He looked on the verge of exploding, but then again, he looked like this so often.
"Hit me, just do it James. Take a shot, please." Albus whispered as Teddy opened the bedroom door. James turned to look at him and grinned. Teddy returned the grin, snuck past them quickly, and headed downstairs. Teddy had never once tried to defend Albus, but instead he frequently helped James get away with his violent battery.
"See Snakeboy," said James, who had now slowly started off down the stairs too. "It's like I've been telling you all these years." James paused, knowing that Albus would finish his speech for him.
"I know James," said Albus softly. "When the black sheep dies, no sheep cries." James laughed slightly at his saying. He looked once again at Albus, with nothing but hatred in his eyes, before he took off down the stairs.
Albus breathed a sigh of relief. If James hadn't hit him after what he had said, did that mean that he was tired of the violence, or did it just mean that there was worse coming later? It didn't matter which one it was to Albus. Scorpius had said yes to his proposal. All else was meaningless.
