Title: A Tale of Two Princes

Disclaimers: Nothing belongs to me

Warnings: Male x Male, underage

Chapter Three: First Year, November

"You don't belong in Slytherin," were the first words that Scorpius spoke to him all day. Albus raised his eyes from his Potions book to meet the scornful ones of the blonde. "If you keep running away in tears then you're never going to make it! You might as well go back home until you're not a baby."

"What's your problem?" Albus frowned. "A spell backfired, hit me in the nose. Why? Did someone say that I was crying?"

"So, you didn't—"

"No. You told me that I had to grow a backbone in order to get through the year. I'm not going to let them get to me. They're not worth it. Besides, I grew up with James. I'm pretty much invisible to threats and bullies." He closed the text with an audible thump. "I'm not giving them the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Were you worried about me?"

Scorpius scoffed. "Yeah right. I just, you know, have to watch your back. You're not about to do it yourself." He crossed his arms in front of his chest and pointedly avoided looking directly at the other boy. "James keeps glaring at me like I've corrupted you. It's not my fault that you were sorted into Slytherin. You'd think he'd be over it by now. He's had two months to get used to it."

"He's just mad because he won't have me to be his loyal slave and probably secretary of his stupid fan club," Albus rolled his eyes. "He's always been a brat. I guess being first born as its perks. Lily's being spoiled rotten. Being the middle means that I get screwed from both ends. James gets doted on because he's the oldest and Lily because she's the youngest. Do you have brothers or sisters?"

"No. I'm the only one," Scorpius laid down beside Albus. "I think that my father wanted an heir and once I was born, he didn't have a use for any other kids. He has someone to carry on the Malfoy legacy."

"You talk about your dad like he doesn't even love you."

Scorpius laughed. "Does it even matter?"

"Everyone should have someone they care about and cares for them," Albus tucked his arms behind his head as he joined Scorpius, both of them staring at the ceiling. "I know that you don't believe that. You can't do it alone, Scorpius. That's something that I've always known. I grew up around family and friends that would do anything for each other. Sure, some things have changed but I know that if I were ever in bind that they would help me."

"I don't think I'll ever understand why the Sorting Hat put you in Slytherin," he chuckled, turning his head to glance at Albus. People with romantic drivel and idealistic optimism weren't generally linked to Slytherin. Yet here was Albus Potter, spouting his nonsense about universal love and acceptance. Albus Potter, who should rightly be in Gryffindor but was instead chosen for Slytherin. Scorpius had to wonder if Albus hadn't been placed in Slytherin for a different purpose. To save me. The thought terrified and disgusted him at the same time.

"Me either," came the quiet response. "My Dad told me that he was supposed to be in Slytherin but that he didn't want any part of it because of Draco. He told the Hat he wanted Gryffindor."

"Why didn't you?"

Albus bit his bottom lip. "Because I shook your hand. I offered you my friendship and…I wanted to keep that. My friends won't speak to me. They think that I'm some kind of traitor. And you can hardly stand me. The only reason you do is because you don't have anyone else."

"That's not true."

"Then why do you act like I'm your worst enemy? You flinch every time I touch you. You make fun of me. You don't talk to me in our classes. You don't even make eye contact with me unless I start it. We were fine at the start of the year and now a couple of months into it you act like I'm a complete stranger. I don't get you, Scorpius."

Scorpius was silent. How could he possibly convey to Albus the doubt and fear in his heart? He never voiced his emotions and he rarely showed them. Feelings weren't necessary to survive in a world against him and yet, he felt oddly guilty for causing Albus any sort of pain whether from anger or sadness. Perhaps it was because Albus was the only friend Scorpius had ever had, ever wanted. If he became too attached to Albus and then something unfortunate occurred, he didn't want to remain with that empty, hollow void that Albus had once occupied. Because slowly but surely, Albus was becoming a permanent fixture in Scorpius' day to day life and that scared him the most. He'd been raised to loathe everything associated with friendship and love and then along came Albus Potter, a radiant petal amid the decaying blossoms that was his soul.

Those beautiful green eyes, the color of glittering emeralds, were full of so much life that Scorpius felt he didn't deserve to be underneath their gaze, that they might see through to the blackness that resided within him. Scorpius had faced his demons when he was little. He knew that his maturity was beyond that of a normal eleven year old. He knew that was one of the factors that had him isolated from his peers, that had his closest friends being those that were years older. His mentality was that of three, maybe fours years older. That was another obstacle hindering his ability to let go. There were issues surrounding Scorpius that he knew Albus wouldn't comprehend until he was older.

"You've been pushing me away."

"I know," Scorpius admitted, knowing that he would lose Albus if he didn't swallow his pride. Albus was worth it. He'd known that from day one. Even his father's demands that he break off all ties with Albus hadn't been enough. His mother, on the other hand, had been encouraging and Scorpius suspected that Draco had no idea about his wife's support of the friendship that he rejected. Their House mates had come to accept Albus as one of their own despite Albus having friends in the other three Houses. As long as Albus was loyal to Slytherin, they didn't care. James was the only one out of Albus' family that was openly hostile about their friendship.

"You've meant to."

He wasn't going to deny it. Albus had a circle of friends. Scorpius had acquaintances, not comrades. Albus was the only one that Scorpius had ever deemed friend. As the school year went by Albus was gaining his fair share of admirers. Scorpius stood on the side lines and kept an ever watchful eye on Albus. Some of the older girls fawned over him; they were usually part of James' posse.

He knew his jealously was wrong. He had no reason to be envious of Albus. But then, part of him had to wonder if he wasn't jealous of the girls that hung onto him, smiling their fakes smiles, trying to gain his attentions. He knew it was futile. Albus wasn't interested. Not yet. Girls were still foreign to him as they were to most of the first year and second years. Albus' age didn't deter them from seeking to gain his affections. His appearance was aesthetically appealing; he didn't use it to his advantages like James. Albus was very attractive. He wasn't in that awkward phase, being stuck between a boy and teenager. He was lean and tall with hair as dark as a raven's back that fell in disheveled waves. Honey colored skin was striking against his black hair and vibrant green eyes. There was nothing ugly about Albus; neither his physical or character traits.

"You know me better then anyone, Al. You know things about me that no one else does."

"Yeah and the same goes for you about me. I've told you secrets. I've never told anyone about how Dad was meant for Slytherin. James doesn't even know. Why can't you trust me like I trust you?"

Because one day, you'll break my heart. Scorpius knew it to be true. He was no idiot. He knew he would lay his life down to protect Albus. He knew he would have to suffer from loving him from afar. Because that was truly what it all boiled down to; the fact that he cared more about Albus then would have been considered proper between two boys. His body reacted to Albus like it had never responded to any girl. Not even the voluptuous Violet Finnegan could compare to the racing pulse or rise in temperature that he experienced when in Albus' presence. Being this close to him, on one bed, all alone, was maddening.

"Scorpius," Albus frowned, gently touching the blonde's face with his fingers, making him look at him. "I can leave Slytherin at any time. I just have to tell the Headmistress. If you don't want me here then I'll leave. I stay because of you."

His face burned where Albus' fingers were. "I don't want you to leave me."

"Then why are you acting so weird?" he asked, withdrawing his touch.

Because I love you. "I didn't know I was," he lied. "But I promise to stop it."

"Why don't I believe you?"

You know me better then anyone. Of course you'd see through it. My masks aren't any use against you. "That's your choice. I'm starving." For you. I really am a sick fuck. "I'll make you eat okra and I know you hate that crap."

"It's nasty. Ugh," Albus shuddered, getting to his feet. "We good?"

"We're good," he echoed, following behind the smaller boy, knowing that it might never be the same.

Fin

It was short but it was a necessary little filler chapter. You get to see into Scorpius' mind set. He adores and loves Albus, something that he can't quite cope with. He knows that Albus won't love him, at least, not for a while. He knows that he might never feel the same way that Scorpius feels for him. He knows that he'll have to watch Albus date girls and it kills him.

But don't worry. Scorpius might realize how he feels for Albus, it's going to take a couple of years for Albus to reciprocate. It'll just be angst ridden until then! XD

And there will only be interludes into each year. I'm not writing a two hundred chapter story about all seven years.

Any comments and suggestions are always appreciative!!!

Peace, Love, and Doughnuts

Shiny Ryuichi Sakuma