I'm not sure if anyone's actually reading this, but here's chapter two!
Albus doesn't see Scorpius until the following week; he'd never realized how little he sees some of his schoolmates. Even after the war, the school is still wildly segregated by house, leaving little room for interactions between Gryffindors and Slytherins. Albus keeps his eyes out for the boy all week, but only catches a flash of blond hair here and there.
Finally, Saturday comes, and he finds the Slytherin sitting by the lake, looking relatively fine. He cautiously approaches him, feeling the need to know more about the person who stares at the sky, to make sure that he's okay.
"Hello, Scorpius." Albus says, coming to stand by the tree Scorpius is reading under. Scorpius looks up, surprised at being disturbed, and Albus feels a pang in his chest, realizing how isolated the boy seems compared to the herded masses of students a little ways away. Scorpius sees that it's Albus, and a faint tinge goes to his cheeks as he averts his eyes.
"Oh... hello, Albus." Albus suddenly feels awkward, unsure of what to say.
"Er, how are you? I mean, how've you been?"
"Fine, thank you." They both wait, unsure of how to proceed. Finally Albus sighs and sits down next to Scorpius.
"Look, I just wanted to see if you've been doing better, because you seemed pretty shaken, and I wanted you to know that I'm here if you need
anything"
"You don't know me, Albus, you've never talked to me. For six years we've been going to this school together, known the other was there, and we've done nothing to ever see each other."
"And I'm sorry for that, Scorpius. I was wrong; I shouldn't have been swayed by our family history, I should have noticed you."
"I'm not blaming you Albus, most people don't notice me. I'm just saying that it's not your responsibility."
"But I care, Scorpius."
"Why? He didn't."
"Who is he? What happened?"
"Leave it, Albus!" Scorpius snaps, slamming his book and sending a piercing glare towards Albus. He holds the gaze for a moment, and then sighs, looking away. "Look, I'm sorry Albus, but I just don't see what I have to do with you. Not that I don't appreciate what you did, I really do, but it's over." Scorpius slides down the tree to lie on the ground, looking up at the sky. He no longer seems accusatory, just resigned.
"I just want to make sure you're okay." Albus says, defeated, not knowing what else he can do. Scorpius' face remains blank for a moment before he smiles slightly, not looking away from the sky.
"I think I will be." He doesn't say anything more, instead simply breathing in the crisp air, not seeming to mind the cold breeze or the grass still damp from the melting snow.
"May I join you?" Albus blurts out, not being able to stop himself. Something about Scorpius makes him need to know more. He needs to see what the Slytherin sees. Scorpius looks surprised, but nods slightly, consenting. Albus gingerly lies down, mindful of the soggy earth, a few feet from Scorpius.
The daylight shines down through the leaf-less branches on the tree, making the moist grass shimmer, and reflecting off of Scorpius' hair, skin, and eyes. The sky is a clear blue, mirrored exactly in the Slytherin's eyes. Albus tries to watch the sky, but in the end he can't help but watch Scorpius.
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