CHAPTER 3

AN/ : I own nothing except the plot and a few minor OC's, I hope you like it, it is my first fic and constructive criticism would be appreciated, although no flames, I won't read them.

It was the last days of the Christmas holidays, and Albus and Scorpius were hiding throughout the castle from Filch who had recently found out it was they who left the sick trail.

Albus had noticed that over the past few days there had been something different about Scorpius, he always had a slight presence of fear behind his eyes when Albus tried to talk to him about it he dismissed it as nothing and quickly changed the subject.

Scorpius was beginning to question some things about himself which he would never admit to Albus, he had begun to see his best friend in a different light lately, and he couldn't put his finger on it, but he was beginning to realise what it could be, he felt so many things, 'What would his farther say? What if Al didn't feel the same way? What if he didn't feel like this and it was just a phase? He was almost scared to look Al in the eye if fear that he would figure out that he was , just , maybe a tiny bit, attracted to him.

As they heard a faint meow from Mrs Norris from the end of the corridor they scarped and found a small alcove in which they hid to regain their breath without being seen.

Scorpius loved Albus, of course, he did but before now that was only in a friendly way, although he was sure that his feelings did not stop there, and went deeper, and it was at this moment that he noticed the soft caring emerald eyes looking down at him. Is breaths were starling to slow, but he felt like he was still gasping for air.

Albus wasn't sure what Scorpius was hiding but he didn't like how his friend was at the moment, he was scared, clearly, but also he seemed guilty and he was beginning to be suspicious of what the other boy was hiding from him.

He suddenly knew the way his friend was acting, it was the same way he had acted a couple of years ago before admitting he was into guys and girls, he know how worried he had been that his friendship would be over, and Scorpius would hate him and never speak to him again, but his friend simply hugged him and said he was glad that Al trusted him enough to tell him.

I dawned on Albus suddenly what Scorpius was going through, and he knew how he could help his friend know that he wasn't alone. Albus looked down at Scorpius and noticed for the first time that his eyes were deep blue grey and gentle and they reminded him of the sea .He had never been this close to Scorpius before who looked more handsome than Albus had ever seen him. It was quiet which meant that neither Mrs Norris of Filch were nearby. They both had their breath back, but neither of them dared or wanted to move only needing to look at each other's eyes for comfort.

Albus was no stranger to men and women. It was true. However, in this small nook in a deserted corner of Hogwarts, he felt his heart race and his stomach summersaulted and scrunched up like paper like it never had done with anyone.

Albus slowly slid hand onto Scorpius's blushing cheek, relishing in the softness of his skin, the other boy took a sharp intake of breath although he had been burned but he didn't move away. Their faces were centimetres apart now and both boys were staring at each other blue into green, green into blue. Albus suddenly leant forward pressing his lips, hard, into his best friend, much to his surprise Scorpius didn't pull away, instead leaning into him. Albus put his arms protectively around the other boy who felt so warm and good to his touch. He loved how Scorpius fitted perfectly into his arms as they continued to embrace each other.

It was like an explosion of fireworks in Scorpius's head, what was happening?, This was Al, his friend, his best friend, he couldn't do this but he also couldn't move away, slowly snaking his arms up the other boys back, and feeling fire sprout through every vein in his body. He didn't realise how much he needed this, this spoke to him and he knew what he had somehow always known. The kiss was long and powerful and Scorpius's lungs were screaming for air, but he was content to drown in this kiss knowing that if he did, he would be happy.

Albus was in a tempest of emotions. All the rage, angst, and yearning he had suffocated over the past few days had spewed out of him whether he wanted it to or not. He wasn't mad at himself for kissing Scorpius, he knew why he did, he felt like he had to, that he deserved to. The kiss felt more natural than he had anticipated, and he leaned in deeper achieving a blissful moan from the other boy. It was bitterly cold outside, but here. Here with Scorpius, who was beginning to realise what his heart wanted, Albus needed him and only him to keep him from the cold.

"Al?" Scorpius said finally breaking from the kiss and receiving a gasp of air "what's happening" he said sounding eager yet scared of what was going on.

As they headed down to the Slytherin common rooms, they walked in silence with, they both appreciated and hated, finally breaking it Scorpius said, "Al, I'm not sure what that was, but…" he struggled for words "I liked it, whatever that was… I liked it a lot," he said staring sheepishly at his feet.

"I liked it too," Albus replied, truly meaning it. It seemed they both had some things to figure out, and they both knew that at least they were not alone.

"Scor?"

"Yes Al?"

"Thank you" Albus said suddenly pushing the other boy into the wall and kissing him again and rejoicing in the heated nature of the kiss, loving how Scorpius was a hungry, as he was, both of them knowing that this was not the end.