Disclaimer: all characters, places etc., are the property of J.K. Rowling.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: First of all I want to send a massive thank you to anyone who has read this story so far, and an even bigger thank you to anyone who favourited/put it on story alert/reviewed. Actually the BIGGEST thank you goes to those who review, because hearing what people think of my writing really makes my day ^_^

So I spent all day figuring out my headcanon for this story and I think I finally have that sorted, so if a name appears that you don't recognize, it may be an OC. However, Lorcan and Lysander Scamander are actual HP characters, they're Luna Lovegood's kids (though I'm sure all you Potterheads know that)!

Also, as far as class schedules are concerned... I'm going to do my best with that, but they may be a little confusing. It's just because the way schedules are organized at Hogwarts is never explicitly stated, so... yeah. Anyway, this is a LONG author's note, so onto the story!


Chapter Two: Target Sighted

By the time Albus left the library that evening, he was beginning to regret his promise to Rose. He'd meant what he said – Scorpius didn't seem like the dating type. He'd never shown an interest in any of the Slytherin girls, nor any of the girls from the other houses. And as much as Albus loved his cousin, there were much prettier girls roaming the halls of Hogwarts. Surely, if Scorpius was going to pursue a girl, it would be some pretty, sophisticated Slytherin, not a shy, plain Ravenclaw like Rose.

He came to a stop at the wall that marked the entrance to the Slytherin common room and racked his brains for the password. He was particularly bad at remembering passwords, much to the annoyance of his fellow Slytherins. After a few moments he grinned and leaned close to the wall.

"Medusa," he murmured, his lips brushing against the brick. A passageway opened up, allowing entrance to the Slytherin common room. Albus slid inside just in time, nearly tripping over his feet as the wall closed behind him.

A fire flickered cheerfully in the hearth, filling the dungeon with warmth. Albus spotted a few of his fellow fifth years lounging on one of the dark leather sofas by the fire, looking drained. He dumped his bag by the door and made a beeline for the group.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," he said jovially, tipping an imaginary hat before sinking onto the only unoccupied sofa.

From behind him came an amused voice. "Why are you so happy, Potter?"

Albus looked up with a grin into the twinkling grey eyes of Scorpius Malfoy, who looked happy, but exhausted.

"Well, my dear Scorpius," Albus replied, affecting a stuffy tone, "I had a simply delightful evening with my wonderful cousin Rose, during which she agreed to do my Transfiguration homework for me, in exchange for my lovely company."

Scorpius snorted, rounding the couch and taking a seat beside his friend. "More fool her," he said, though not unkindly. "Your 'wonderful' cousin Rose is much too nice for her own good. You should have been working on that essay yourself, with the rest of us poor buggers."

"I couldn't finish mine. Professor Lupin is going to kill me," Portia Farley said mournfully. "You're lucky, Albus. You've got so many family connections that you could do no homework all year and still get all O's in your O.W.L.s."

Albus frowned. "I don't have connections, Portia," he replied icily. "I have family friends who won't give me an inch. Didn't you see what Professor Longbottom made me do in Herbology today?"

The other fifth years immediately erupted into a discussion about Herbology, the girls focussing on how 'hot' they thought Professor Longbottom was, the boys grumbling about the punishments he liked to dole out. Albus took the opportunity to sidle a little closer to Scorpius on the couch. If he was going to help Rose, he might as well get started.

"So," Albus said, wondering how exactly to segue into a conversation about Rose, with Scorpius of all people. "Er... are you taking anyone to the Halloween Ball this year?"

Scorpius looked at him, grey eyes surprised. "Why? Are you offering?"

Albus snorted, all awkwardness forgotten. "In your dreams, Malfoy," he said playfully, punching his friend in the arm. "Anyway, I know that we normally go stag, but we're older now. Maybe we should take girls this year."

Even saying it was difficult. He privately cursed Rose, wishing she'd kept her crush to herself. Still, he had to soldier on. For Rose's sake.

"Girls?" Scorpius repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Like who?"

"Oh, I dunno..." Albus blustered. Maybe he should retreat for the time being. "Just a thought."

Scorpius didn't reply.

"Right," Albus said, awkwardness creeping over him once more. "Well... I think I'll go to bed." He grabbed his bag, said goodnight to his fellow Slytherins and made for the fifth year boys dormitory. There was no-one there – everyone was either in the library or the common room.

He sank onto his emerald-sheeted four-poster with a sigh, closing his eyes tightly. He'd been part of Rose's plan for less than a few hours and already he was stressing. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea.


The next morning dawned cold and grey. Albus could tell from the moment he woke that the weather would be fierce – he could hear the water from the lake crashing against the windows in the dungeon. He dressed quickly, noting that he was the only boy still in the dormitory, and then made his way to the Great Hall. The enchanted ceiling showed dark storm clouds and a sheet of rain.

He slid into his usual seat at the Slytherin table, between Scorpius and Portia. He noticed Portia's cheeks redden as his side pressed against hers and groaned inwardly – she was one of the few Slytherin girls that he could tolerate. He really didn't want to have to avoid her if she had a crush on him.

Oh well. At least it was Friday.

"Care of Magical Creatures is cancelled," Scorpius said through a mouthful of toast. He passed Albus his schedule. "The weather's too bad to take us out and Hagrid's lesson plan for today doesn't translate to indoor teaching, so we have a free period after lunch. I thought you could help me with that silencio charm, Al."

"Fine by me," Albus said, reaching for a plate of bacon. "As long as you help me with the Vanishing Spell for Transfiguration. I can't get the hang of it."

Scorpius grinned. "Deal."

Albus grinned back, his smile widening as he saw a flurry of owls appear in the Great Hall. "Post!"

He spotted his brother's owl amidst the chaos, a small brown package attached to its foot. It flew toward the Gryffindor table, where it alighted between Lily and James. Albus eyed them carefully, making sure that they weren't hogging any sweets – their parents had a tendency to send goodies, and since James and Lily got the packages first, they always tried to take the good stuff before Albus got a chance to stop them.

However, after untying the package, Lily looked up and met his eyes with a smile. She held up a small purple package, which Albus identified as Chocolate Frogs. He slid out of his seat and approached the Gryffindor table, ignoring Portia's barely-audible mewl of protest as he left her side.

"Albus!" Lily said happily, swinging her legs over the bench and wrapping her skinny arms around Albus's neck. She held out the Chocolate Frogs. "Mum and Dad sent these for you – James tried to steal them, but I said I'd put a Bat-Bogey Hex on him if he didn't leave them alone."

"I wasn't trying to steal them," James said, rolling his eyes.

"Don't worry, o brother mine," Albus replied cheekily. "I won't hold it against you. What did Mum and Dad say?"

He leaned against the Gryffindor table while James and Lily filled him in on everything that was going on at home. While they spoke, he allowed his gaze to wander around the Great Hall, lingering on Scorpius and Portia at the Slytherin table before flitting over to Rose at the Ravenclaw table with Lysander Scamander and Genevieve Thomas. He stared at Rose for a moment and then glanced at the Chocolate Frogs in his hand. They were Scorpius's favourite treat – maybe he should...?

He waited politely until his siblings had finished talking and then excused himself, pecking Lily quickly on the cheek before making a beeline for the Ravenclaw table.

"Albus?" Rose said, her brow drawing together in confusion as he approached. "What are you doing–"

"Shut up, Rosie," he said pleasantly. "Morning, Lysander."

"Morning," Lysander replied through a mouthful of scrambled egg.

"Seriously, Albus, what are you doing–"

"Take these," Albus interrupted, pressing the Chocolate Frogs into her hand. "Give them to Scorpius in Potions. They're his favourite."

At the mention of Scorpius, a light blush appeared on Rose's cheeks. "I can't just walk up and give him a packet of Chocolate Frogs," she hissed, shooting a furtive look in the blond boy's direction. "It's weird!"

Albus shrugged. "Fine," he said, holding out his hand. "If you don't want to, then just give them back."

Rose glanced at the package, then at Scorpius, and then back at the Chocolate Frogs. She nibbled on her lip before sighing. "They're really his favourite?"

"Absolutely," Albus promised. "You're welcome. I'll see you in Potions." And with that, he turned on his heel and walked away.


So I hope you liked it ^_^ Please review!