Chapter 2:
It took me a while until I remembered, "um, we have Charms, I think, let me check." I dived for my bag, ruffling through the papers and books and found my schedule. "…yeah, we do. You ready to go?" He stood up, scooping another piece of toast ito a napkin and grabbed his bag,
"Let's go!" I followed him out of the hall, trying, for the first time in five years, to ignore the whispers and pointing fingers. When we get to the classroom, I froze. Usually I sat at the back of the class, but Al sat in the middle and he was saying something about me sitting next to him. I decided to allow him to push me toward the desk and sat down automatically. Professor Lovegood stepped in front of the class, her eggplant earrings catching the light from a nearby window and her bright yellow robes were as vibrant as the sun. She was my favorite teacher and this was my favorite class, but I could not concentrate on the spells we were working on. Albus had already mastered them already so while he waited for me to catch up he stared on the essay that had been assigned. It was a good thing today was a partner day.
"We'll go to the library after classes," I promised as I headed to Muggle Studies. I took this class because I was interesting in muggles, not because I was trying to make fun of it or making up for my father's mistakes. My father was glad that I had begun to fin my own interests and not followed in his footsteps. That did not stop him, however from sneering when I asked him to sign the course list in third year and he had seen that I had marked the little check next to it.
Muggle Studies was my next favorite subject. We learned about how they made up for their lack of magic and created science. Instead of owls they had television, phones, and a different mailing system. Instead of brooms, Apparition, floo powder, or the Knight Bus, they had buses and cars and things called planes. Even their art was different, writing styles were similar, but theatre, paintings, sculptures, and in some cases buildings and designs were opposite from hours. The one thing that stood out from the other differences was the way they lived their everyday lives. We discussed the places where they lived, towns, cities, and sometimes even whole countries. Those lecture days were the best ones.
No matter how interesting the muggle dwellings were, they scared me slightly. More often than not, I daydreamed of running away to one of those places. It's not that I was frightened of running away, it was that it was an actual possibility and that I would be alone of I did snap and leave. It might not make sense to anyone but me, but Albus seemed to understand.
Next came Care of Magical Creatures and finally lunch, by that time, I was jumpy and excited. I could not wait to see Al and hoped we could sit together again. When I got to the Great Hall, however, he was sitting in a sea of gingers and brunettes at the Gryffindor table. I began to make my way to my normal seat, at the end of the Ravenclaw table, but Al stood up and, to my embarrassment and amusement, motioned at me to join him.
His family stared at him with shock clear on their faces, but he just smiled his infectious smile and though they were alarmed, had to smile back. Rosie Weasley-Granger moved so I could sit next to him. As soon as I was comfortable, the loud chatting started up again and I stole a smirk form Al before filling my plate with tomatoes and smoked salmon with capers. Lilly Potter, across from me and two years younger, questioned me enthusiastically about muggles (since she knew I took the class) as I ate. Through mouthfuls, I explained the point of light-switches and radios.
James Potter, two years older than Al and I, said nothing throughout the whole meal, glaring at Al constantly and pointedly ignoring my existence, which was fine by me. He was a jock, homophobic, and arrogant, much like the way Father described Harry Potter as a student. I could see the similarities in his features and there was no doubt he was Harry's son. Though he was no as handsome as Al, James had gotten the gift of popularity outside of his own family. Whether it had to do with his house, playing skills, or his father, or all three, I wasn't sure. I wondered if Al and James were treated differently by the Golden Boy.
A bell rang from the heart of the castle and announced the end of the meal. Al and I grabbed our bags and walked to the greenhouse, him talking excitedly about some present he got in the mail from his mother, Ginny Potter. It was some sort of contraption that played any music he wanted with the push of a button. He was so lucky to have a family who loved him enough to send him random, fun gifts even if it wasn't a holiday. He had parents who mattered to the world, not like mine who were considered less than scum on the bottom of a shoe. He had cousins and family friends a school. He was basically the opposite of me. I guess the saying "opposites attract" was true. Well for me anyway.
So it went on that we got to know each other in that way. Sitting at breakfast at my table, lunch with the Weasley-Potters, and then dinner at the library studying, sneaking food so the librarian wouldn't throw us out. I always sat next to him in the classes we had together. He always walked me to my classes and to the Ravenclaw tower before curfew. James began accepting me, though it was hard for him to be nice, but I was already like family to the others and suddenly I had friends. Al was my best friend (self appointed), but they were different and special to me. I had never had friends before and they helped me; asking questions, walking with Al and me in the halls, studying with us, joking, laughing, smiling. It was amazing. Never before has I been treated so nicely or kindly. The days became bearable, my classes easier, dormitories not as lonely.
"Hey, Malfoy, what'cha doing for the holidays?" Tony asked. He was in Hufflepuff and a very good friend of Lily's. Christmas was coming son and that meant break was too. I stayed at school every year. There had been one year where I had gone home, but after seeing Father pass out drunk after screaming at my mother for something stupid, I never wanted to go back.
"Don't know. But I'm not going home, so I'll probably stay here, that's what I always do…"
"Really? Well I heard Lily and Rose talking about inviting you over to Lily's house, I guess her parents said no…. oh well, see you around! Bye." He waved at me as he began to jog over to where Lily and Hugo were sitting.
A few hours later I found myself running up to Al in the hallways after Potions.
"Hey, Al!"
"Scorp, hey! How'd you do on the potions essay?"
"I did… ok, I guess. I terrible at it though, he gave me an E, which is probably better than I deserved. My father's gonna be so mad." He probably would. Father always talked about how amazing he was at making potions and how much of a disappointment I was to the family for my lack of skills I that particular category.
"No he won't, don't worry about it. Anyway, you can make it up after break."
"Yeah…" sighing I took out the rolled up parchment and showed him the red scratches that littered it, shouting out what a failure I was.
"I told you to find more information about the slugs, but it doesn't matter, just remember that for the net essay." I nodded sadly, I hated essays. "Hey, I forgot to ask you, what're you doing for the holidays?" I looked at him and then away. Was he implying that he wanted me to say at his home for break or just wondering? Would he care? Why am I still thinking like this? I'm so stupid sometimes…
"um… I usually stay at the castle…" suddenly the air swirled with awkwardness for some unknown reason and we walked in silence into the Great Hall where we were met by Lily who grabbed my arm and dragged me to the table jumping up and down, talking at full speed.
"Ohmigod! Scorpius, guess what? So Al and I were talking yesterday about the break and we wanted you to come stay with us so I sent Mum and Dad an owl asking them if it was ok and then they answered, or actually, Dad did, saying it was ok, so please stay with us! Pleeeeeeeeeese!" Her words jumbled together, but I understood what she said and look at Al who mouthed 'Thank You' at her. She smiled hugely and whispered 'Welcome.' And then stuck her tongue out and pulled on my arm again.
"I'll have to talk to my parents, but they'll be fine with it. Are you sure it's ok with you guys and your parents?" I hoped I didn't seem to eager, but Lily and Al nodded, James just smirked at me and looked away.
"So you want to come?" Al looked uncertain, I didn't understand why so I said,
"Yeah, of course! It'll be nice, I hope. I've never spent Christmas with anyone other than my parents.
"Yeah it'll be nice. Oh, by the way, for the Christmas feast, we go over to my grandparents house, you know, Molly and Arthur Weasley. The other's will be there too. Its kinda like a huge unorganized family gathering. The best part is when Uncle Fred tells us a story," he and Lily shared a grin, "Anyway, some other people will be there too. The minister, Rubeus Hagrid, he used to be Care of Magical Creatures teacher, and a few other random friends, I guess. It's always fun."
"So Scorpius is coming to your house. Cool!" Rosie said as she sat down, "We'll see you a lot. Mum and Dad always make me and Hugo come over when they visit Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny. You'll get to meet my new baby sister."
"That would be really nice Rosie. I can't wait!" I was grinning from ear to ear. I had never had a Christmas without my parents or not alone. This year is going to be awesome!
We talked for most of the rest of the meal about presents and finally decided on a Secret Santa type thing. James conjured a hat so that when we wrote out names on a slip of paper and dropped it in the hat, it would pick who we gave a present to. I got Roxanne Weasley (George and Angelina Weasley's second child) but I had no idea what to get her and the fact that we had barely ever talked didn't make it any better. I couldn't ask for help because then I'd have to tell the person who I got, which was against the rules. All I knew about her was that she was two years younger than me and in Gryffindor. I figured I would just get her a gift card to Florish and Blotts so she could pick something out for herself.
Towards the end of lunch, I looked around the table. Lorcan and Lysander had their heads together, probably planning some prank. They were both 4th years and, obviously, twins. Their mother was Luna Lovegood and I wondered how they dealt with her being a teacher here, at Hogwarts. On the table next to them, was a huge chocolate bar, maybe it was spiked or something. Louis was being his anti-social self and was immersed in a mystery novel, chewing on one of his finger nails while Rose and Hugo were sitting next to him writing a letter. James and Fred (the II) left to work on a Herbology project. The rest of us were either talking quietly, doing left over work, or sitting quietly, deep in thought.
Through the next week, Al told me about his childhood. From being teased by James to holding Lily for the first time. He told me how amazing it felt when she opened her eyes and giggled at him. I wished he could hold me like that. Hat he would wrap his arms around me, but instead of being only a few seconds, for hours. Maybe even whisper sweet nothings into my ear and I would reach up and we'd share a small kiss before staring into each other's eyes. His beautiful ones sparkling until love took over us…
"Scorp!" Al's voice slashed through my imagination. "Hey, it's Thursday. Are you done packing? I haven't even started, but Lily's done. James is just moaning about not seeing his new girlfriend and Rosie was laughing at him earlier. She said she and Hugo were all set, but Hugo rolled his eyes so maybe not. Lorcan and Lysander were talking about everyone getting together on New Years and playing Quidditch in their backyard, so remember your broom, ok?"
"Yeah, sure. Um, Al? Are you sure your parents are ok with a Malfoy in your home? 'Cause my father is worried your dad is gonna kidnap me or something, stupid I know, but…" Al just smiled and threw an arm around my shoulder. Tingles ran up and down my arm, goose bumps rose.
"Don't worry about it, they really want to meet you. I mean, you might have to charm some of the others into liking you, which won't be hard, but my parents trust my judgment and so far, I think you're no half bad." Sticking his tongue out at me, Al steered us in the direction of the library. "Just remember to pack ok, I don't wanna miss the train." With that, Al bounded off to the Potions section. About ten minutes later, he yelled out to me, receiving a piercing glare from the librarian. I put a finger inside my Herbology book to save my place and walked over to where him. He was holding a book open.
"Look, Scorp! Love Potions! I've been looking for this book for ages. This particular potion isn't like other ones. It doesn't make people fall in love with others, it shows you who your soul mate is, so it's kinda like the opposite. It doesn't say how exactly… but I was thinking of trying it."
"Um… ok…" I said nonchalantly, but inside my organs were twisting. What if he wants me to try the potion. He'd find out that I'm in love with him and he'll be freaked out, 'cause he'll probably get some Gryffindor princess. What am I supposed to do? Shit… "Why do you care who your soul mate is? We're only fifteen."
" I know, it's just I've never had a girlfriend. What if I'm gay or something and I didn't know it? I don't want to break some girl's heart… I don't know, it just seemed like a good idea… I was kinda hoping you'd help me out.." He frowned and I felt bad. Was I a bad friend?
"No, it's ok, I'll help you… I guess. How long will it take to make?" This hadn't been the first time he had asked me to help him out with his potion experiments, but it would probably be the most awkward and the one that would end in the worst way. There would be no way we could go through this without me spilling my secret to him and ruining our friendship.
"Um, let me see… it says… three months. Ok, so I talked to Dad a few months ago through the floo and he said that when he was in second year, he, Uncle Ron, and Aunt Hermione made Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom because they weren't allowed to make it and they hid the stuff there. I kinda wanted to try it, I mean it doesn't have to be a secret, but it'd be cool to do something that Dad did… so, wanna go check it out?"
"…ok..." Not seeming to think about it, Al ripped the page, folded up and stuck it in his pocket. Next, he grabbed my arm and pulled me along behind him.
Three months. That's all I had before he realized how I felt about him. I could runaway, pretend that I didn't like or know him so that we wouldn't be friends anymore, or I could tell him the truth before it was revealed to him in the most revealing way. As I sat with him on the cool, damp tiles of the bathroom, I watched Al create a list of all the ingredients he would need in perfect but cramped handwriting. His back was to me as he jotted down notes and his muscles moved under his thin purple shirt. If only I could run my hand down them, caressing, squeezing, just feeling. Taking in the warmth and installing it to my memory. If I could hug him for hours or kiss his neck or hold his hand, twisting out fingers together, I would be happy. And if he were to accept my touches and hold me in return, rocking gently, I would be satisfied, elated. It would be perfect, if only it were true.
AN: just to be clear, all of this goes along with J.K.R.'s epilogue except for Fred, cuz i thought he should live. Info: James, Lily, and Al are all Harry and Ginny's kids, Louis (and Victoire and Dominique [they r too old for Hogwarts]) are Bill and Fluer's kids, Lucy and Molly are Percy and his wife Audrey's kids, Fred II and Roxanne are George and Angelina's kids, Rose and Hugo are Hermione and Ron's kids, Scorpius is Draco and Astoria's kid, and Lorcan and Lysander are twins of Luna ad some guy named Rolf. anyway, will try and get the next chapter in as soon as possible. :)
