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Scorpius, Albus, Zenneth and Rose were all seated at the Gryffindor table for dinner.

Rose laughed "You two really posed together naked? That's too good!" she buried her face in her hands, unable to contain herself.

"Oh shut up will you?" Al pleaded, looking down the table at a few first years who were staring.

"Come on Al, it wasn't all that bad. You got to see my prick remember?" Scorpius teased.

"Come off it Scor, he looks downright uncomfortable!" Zenneth was smiling but he was looking at Albus curiously. Zenneth was the only person that Al had told about his crush on Scorpius. When they were walking back from Hogsmeade and Scorpius had broken the news to their two friends, Zenneth had smiled at Albus sympathetically, and Albus knew that a talk was coming. But he welcomed the thought of being able to talk openly about Scorpius with someone.

"Sorry mate, you know I'm joking right? Not trying to make fun of you or anything?" Scorpius finally made eye-contact with Albus

"It's fine Scor, really." Albus tried to arrange his face in a sort of smile

"So, are you two going back then? When does she want you?" Rose seemed to have gotten a hold of herself.

"Well, Ella said she would owl us. I expect it's going to have to be next Hogsmeade trip, though we only have two left this year…" Scorpius supplied

"Oi, you know she can't have you for the last Hogsmeade trip of the year right? Tradition since first year to go get butterbeer and then load up on enough sweets from Honeydukes to last us all summer, you can't break that!"

"Of course not Zen, don't get your knickers in a twist" Scorpius smiled easily, cracking them all up with his stupid saying, and finished off his mashed potatoes. "I'm heading up to the common room, any of you lot want to come?"

"I'll come" Rose answered, standing up and stretching "Could you read over my charms essay Scor? I just need help with the last couple of inches".

"Sure Rosie, anyone else?" he asked, looking at the two still-seated boys.

"I've got to go to the library, I'll catch up with you later" Zenneth said, shooting Albus a meaningful look

"Me too, need to finish research for Potions tomorrow. We'll see you in the common room"

With that Scorpius and Rose left, leaving Albus and Zenneth alone at the table.

"Shall we go to the library and then talk?" Zenneth asked, not beating around the bush.

"Yeah, let's go."

They headed to the library, pulled out a few books on the Advanced Potions class that they were taking and settled into a secluded table.

"How're you feeling Al? Was it really bad?" Zen seemed full of concern.

Albus couldn't help but let all his feelings finally explode "Blimey Zen, it was terrible! I wanted to check him out, and I sort of did check him out…but I was all exposed! And I got us into this mess! And he really does seem to want to go back. I don't know what to do. It's… it's what I want. Lying there, staring into his eyes, it felt really right…well, besides the fact that Ella was there…but you get it right?"

Zen nodded.

"And, then it sort of hurt, because I know that the next time we go will probably be our last, and I don't know how to ask Ella for a copy of her pictures without Scor finding out that I did, and I don't want it to end! But at the same time I do want it to end, because it's a lie. And…and…"

"Al, Al! Slow down mate. Breathe a little! It'll be alright. I'd say just get through the next sitting and see how that goes, what more can you do?"

"I know Zen, it really sucks though. Gosh! Why did I send that owl?" Albus put his head in his hands and slumped on the desk.

"I really am sorry mate. You know, maybe Scor feels the same way about you?"

"Oi, shut it Zen, you know that's not true" Albus muttered into his hands.

"Hear me out! I know he's a flirt, but he never commits, and it's not like he hasn't had the opportunity. But he flirts with you just like he does the random girl…but with you; it's so much more personal!"

"So? You just said he was a flirt…"

"Yes, but he doesn't flirt with Rosie, or me…"

"Oh gosh. No, Scor is most definitely not into me." Albus said firmly

Zen shrugged. "Let's get to work then mate; you want to take these books back to the common room, or work here?"

"Work here please; I don't want to face Scor for a little while longer".

"And Al?" Albus looked up "It's going to be alright." Zen gave him a small smile and they started on their homework.

The next morning, Scorpius was the first of the four friends to turn up to breakfast. He had woken up early and couldn't fall back asleep. He had been thinking about that modeling job he and Albus had done…and how cute Albus looked. Scorpius knew Albus was gay, but he suspected that Albus would never fall for him. And he never thought that one day; he would wish Albus would fall for him because he was starting to fall for Albus? No, it couldn't be. He knew he was attracted to guys - namely Albus - but he never thought that it was something serious. That stupid modeling job….stupid Ella…stupid Al for agreeing…

"Morning Scor, aren't you up early today?" Rose smiled, sliding onto the bench opposite Scorpius, serving herself some eggs.

"Morning Rosie, how are you?"

"Fine, but you look troubled, everything okay?"

"Yeah, just tired, you know?"

Rose just raised her eyebrows the leaned in. "I know this has to do with Albus. Listen Scorpius, I know you like him. Are you just figuring that out?"

Scorpius just sat there with his mouth hanging open.

Rose smiled "I saw it from third year, you two didn't notice anyone but each other. Al's my cousin and one of my best mates Scor, I know him. And you're one of my best mates, and I know you too. And I know the both of you would need a right kick before either of you admitted liking the other one."

Scorpius just stared; he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Him liking Albus? Albus was his best mate…you're not supposed to like your best mate. Though, the more he thought about what Rose said, the more he found himself agreeing.

"Listen Scor, this is your kick in the pants. And you better not screw up. Not with Albus okay?"

Scorpius nodded, and was thankful that hoots from the owls delivering the post broke the somewhat threatening silence that Rose and he were sitting in. An owl he didn't recognize dropped a letter by his plate. He picked it up and opened it, casting a glance around the great hall for Albus, and avoiding Rose's questioning look.

Hello Scorpius and Albus,

Thank you both for your modeling, the picture really does look great and I owe it to both of you. I'm sorry that you both didn't know what life drawing was, but you two did fantastically.

I was wondering when you both will be available and of course, if you're still willing, to sit for another drawing? I was also wondering if you two might be up for a slightly more intimate pose. I had an idea that I think would convey your chemistry a lot better.

Please let me know, and if you don't want to do a more intimate pose, that's completely understandable.

Thanks!

-Ella

Scorpius stuffed the letter back into its enveloped. "It was from Ella" he mumbled to a curious Rose, who then buried her head in the Charms book she had pulled out of her bag, unknowingly looking strikingly like her mother when she roamed the halls of Hogwarts. Scorpius saw Albus and Zenneth crossing the Great Hall over to their table and put the letter in his bag. He thought he would reply to it later.

That evening, after classes, Scorpius stole away to the Owlery and penned Ella a quick response.

Hello Ella,

It was our pleasure; your work was truly amazing. We'd be more than happy to sit for another picture and don't worry, the intimacy doesn't bother us at all. Our next Hogsmeade weekend is on the first Friday of next month. We'll send another owl closer to the date.

Thanks!

-Scorpius and Albus

Scorpius knew that he really should talk it over with Albus, and that it really wasn't his decision to make. He also knew that Albus would likely be very upset with a more intimate pose. But he thought that if he only had one more chance, he needed to make it the best chance he'd ever get. Keeping that thought in mind, he sealed the envelope and sent it off with his Screech Owl, Saber.