Words are the building blocks of life
Al cornered Scorpius after potions, he pulled him by his robe sleeve into a large alcove.
"What's your problem?" He demanded to know, he was angry as Scorpius had hurt him by burning his note.
Scorpius yanked his robe free of Al's grip, he stood straighter, eyes boring into green fury filled ones, "Nothing is my problem. I don't want to be your friend, take the hint, Potter." He coldly retorted, spitting the name Potter.
Al shrunk back, he wouldn't normally be so bold, Scorpius just brought the worst – or the best out of him. He felt braver, more confident around Scorpius, but when Scorpius lashed out it stung.
"Fuck you, Malfoy." Al snapped back.
Silence.
Al scowled, "I was only trying to be nice."
"Don't be. Go back to your fan-club and leave me alone." He warned him.
Scorpius pushed past Al, knocking his shoulder roughly, so it jerked Al's body. Al stayed where he was, he was confused. Scorpius was a fucking arse, but Al had also sensed the desperation that was pouring from Scorpius. Scorpius' words were deadly and cold, but his eyes looked scared, hopeful and sad all at the same time.
Al had this special ability to read people very well, Scorpius may be saying one thing, but Al sensed that Scorpius Malfoy needed a friend more than ever.
Scorpius was shaking, he hated confrontation, he hated the fact that he caused such hurt to appear in those green eyes. He hated himself.
School was lonely, it was hard and it was frightening. He had endless detentions for not submitting his homework. He struggled with the school work, and worst of all he had no one. No friends, he didn't even have his father. At least at home he had his fathers company.
Scorpius wondered if he should drop out – it wasn't going to get better. In fact school work was only going to become increasingly more difficult. He was also worried about his father. Now he was at school his father was home alone. No one to care for him, apart from a batty old house elf.
Al felt awful, Scorpius had skipped dinner. Against his better judgement Al headed for the kitchens, asked for a plate of food, and for it to be covered. He then went in search of Scorpius. Fortunate for him, his dad gave him the map. James had the cloak.
The map showed Scorpius to be outside by the black lake. Al headed out to find him, he was against a large tree, he looked so broken.
Al coughed and Scorpius looked up, "What now Potter!" he greeted, it was said lifelessly – no anger, no sneer.
Al thrust the plate in Scorpius' general direction, "Erm, I...um...I noticed you weren't at dinner, I thought you might be hungry."
Scorpius looked to the plate that was being thrust into his face, "Thanks." Was all he could be bothered to say, he should have told Al he could stick his dinner. But he was starving and it didn't mean they were now friends.
Scorpius took the plate and then frowned, "I don't have any cutlery."
Al gaped, "Oh yeah."
Scorpius shrugged and picked up the chicken leg and ate it with his fingers. Al was still gawking at him.
"What?" He snapped.
Al closed his mouth, opened it and then tried again, "I never would have you down for someone who eats with their fingers."
Scorpius shrugged again, "Hungry. It's not like it's soup." He stated matter of factly.
Al grinned and sat down on the grass facing Scorpius.
"My uncle Ron eats with his fingers a lot. My aunt Hermione – his wife, she is..."
"I don't want to hear your life history, Potter." Scorpius cut him off, Al had clearly taken this as a sign that they were now friends.
Al narrowed his eyes at him, "I'm just making conversation. Would your dad have a fit if he knew you were using your hands?" Al asked amused.
Scorpius put the chicken back on the plate, "Do not bring my father into this. You don't know me. You know nothing about me, and it will stay that way. Got it!" His voice raising in volume towards the end.
Scorpius stood and Al copied, "Stop being such a fucking jerk." Al yelled.
"I am a jerk. That's me. You don't want a friend like that. You won't like being my friend – it's for the best." He replied.
Al took a step closer, "I don't think so. I think you're acting the jerk to push me away. I don't think that's really who you are. Why don't you let me decide if you're friend material? Just give me a chance. Please." He asked kindly.
For a split second Al thought Scorpius was going to say yes, "No. I am a jerk. I have nothing of value to offer you, nothing that would make us friends. I'm not worth it. Just leave me alone." He stormed off.
Al was more determined than ever now. Scorpius lacked self esteem, confidence whatever you called it. He was just like him, Scorpius truly believed he wasn't worth having as a friend. Al could see the good in Scorpius, he knew that Scorpius was an amazing person – he could sense it. Al would make Scorpius see that he was somebody.
Scorpius avoided Al as much as possible. He sat in the farthermost corner of the classroom. Ate at the end of the dinning table, and stayed locked behind his curtains in the evenings – unless he was in detention for not doing his homework.
Half term was soon approaching, and Scorpius couldn't wait to get home to see his his father. He hoped that his father would pick him up at the train station – or at least arrange for someone to collect him.
On the last day of term Scorpius was told by the headmistress that he had to try and catch up on all of the homework he hasn't done. Scorpius groaned, he knew he couldn't – or wouldn't. He nodded and was already dreading the many detentions he was going to get upon his return.
Half way through the train ride home, Al joined him in his otherwise empty compartment.
Scorpius rolled his eyes, Al was a stubborn git.
"Potter," he greeted, telling him to get lost was useless.
"Malfoy. Want some sweets?" He asked, dumping some on the seat between them without waiting for a response.
Al picked up a chocolate frog and thrust it into Scorpius' hand.
"Here, you like chocolate. I've noticed you always pick the chocolate dessert if there is one." Al confessed, blushing slightly, after admitting how much he watches Scorpius.
Scorpius took it without speaking, opened it and ate the chocolate frog. After a short silence Al looked at him and said, "Whose on your card?"
Scorpius picked it up and looked at the picture, "A goblin." He said unimpressed.
Al frowned, "Read the back. I've not had a goblin before, I want to hear what it says." He requested curious.
Scorpius didn't read it, instead he put it back on the seat and stared out the window.
Al frowned, "Scorpius? Go on what does it say?" He asked again.
Scorpius picked up the card and shoved it against Al's chest, his hand still holding in place, "If you want to know so badly you fucking read it." He snapped.
Al frowned and took the card, "It's Gringott. He's the founder of the bank obviously." Al said awkwardly, trying to break the tension.
Scorpius huffed, "Big deal."
Al sighed, "Sorry. Whatever it was that I did, I'm sorry."
Scorpius relaxed a bit but stayed with his arms crossed and remained looking out of the window.
Al stood, "I'll leave you alone. You obviously don't want my company. See you next term Malfoy."
It took a lot of willpower to not turn around, but Scorpius remained facing the window until he heard the compartment door close. He looked back at the seat and noticed Al had left a few sweets for him, and the chocolate frog card. Scorpius picked up the card and tried to rip it. It didn't work. He stuffed it into his pocket and brooded for the rest of the journey.
At the platform Scorpius' heart sank. His father wasn't there waiting to collect him. He looked around to see if maybe his aunt Daphne or someone he knew was here instead. Nope.
He told himself not to panic. Maybe his father was running late, he would just wait for him. He had no idea what he would do if no one showed. He couldn't send an owl, he couldn't apparate and he had no means of travel.
Al noted that Scorpius looked frightened and that he had moved to sit on a bench, away from the crowd. Al greeted his parents, they would be here sometime. Waiting for all the various Weasley/Potters to be ready to leave. By the time the whole family had greeted one another, most of the other students and parents had left.
Al noted that Scorpius was still sat on the bench, alone and sad.
"Dad, I think Scorpius' parents forgot to collect him." Al quietly informed his dad. His dad would help.
Harry looked over to the area that Al was looking, and his heart clenched. A small blond boy, clearly Draco's son was sat all by himself on a bench – he looked worried, frightened and like he wanted to cry but was trying very hard not to.
Harry told Al to wait with his family and approached Scorpius.
"Hey, mind if I sit?" He asked in a friendly voice.
"Guess not. If you're anything like Al you won't take no for an answer anyway." He huffed, please of the distraction. Besides Mr Potter was an Auror. It was risky, but hopefully Mr Potter wouldn't pry too much, and just help him get home.
Scorpius had his arms wrapped around his stomach, leaning forwards slightly, "He forgot me." He said in a small voice that Harry barely heard it.
Harry sat down and looked at him, "Who?" Although he could guess as to who, he just wanted Scorpius to open up.
Scorpius looked at his shoes, "Father. He forgot to pick me up."
It looked like it to Harry, but maybe Draco was caught up at work, or had been in an accident – anything could have prevented him for arriving to collect his son.
"What about your mother?" Harry asked gently.
Scorpius frowned slightly, "No idea where she is. Left when I was toddler. Think she's in Australia. No grandparents – or none in this country anyhow. No siblings – no one. Just me and father. I hope he's okay."
Harry put a hand on Scorpius knee, "I'm sure he is. And I'm sure he has a perfectly good reason for not being here." Harry reassured.
Scorpius sighed, he knew full well what probably happened. His father had severe depression, and would have really bad days. He could have drunk too much dreamless sleep, or any number of potions he was too dependant on. He might not even be aware of what day of the week it was, let alone remember to pick his son up.
"Can you maybe get me to a floo? I can floo by myself. I just..."
Harry smiled, "Sure. Come with me."
They stood and Scorpius dragged his trunk along, following Mr Potter to the large crowd of predominantly red headed people.
Al was suddenly by Scorpius' side, "It will be okay."
Scorpius didn't say anything, he really hoped that it would.
