"Scooorp," Seriously, did the girl have no sense of propriety? And didn't she know that only Albus could address him as such? Everyone knew that by now, it was common knowledge! They had been best friends for six years, who didn't know it?
"What Stella?" She pouted at him, her bubblegum pink lips rolling. He wanted to cringe in disgust.
"It's Sophia," She frowned and began to twirl a strand of her black hair around her index finger.
"Sorry, what Sophia?" Scorpius continued to fork his food into his mouth, trying to prevent any opportunities for a conversation from errupting.
"I think you should take me up to the Astronomy Tower tonight, you know," She cuddled up close to him, "For some alone time." Scorpius wasn't sure if he wanted to flinch or cry. Or maybe run.
"That's a bit of a jump considering we've only been together for two days." And what a miserable two days it had been! Sophia lifted her brown eyes up to him and pouted again. Did the girl have a problem with her mouth? Was she unable to form any other expression than a pout?
"But it's been a lovely two days Scorpius, I feel so close to you." He was definitely banking on running. He began to climb off the bench, desperate to get away from the Ravenclaw table. He saw Albus sitting at the Slytherin table with a few of his friends. Surely she wouldn't follow him there!
"Scorp! Why are you moving?" She hurried along behind him and he wanted to cry. Did she have to use that tone? It was so bloody screechy! He ran over to Albus and grabbed him by the back of his robes before yanking him up so that he could speak into his ear.
"You, me, Room of Requirement, right now!" His words were whispered but quick. The youngest Potter boy nodded his head fervently and followed behind Scorpius. The blond boy had a flashback to how he got into this situation in the first place.
Flashback
"Scorp, what do you think about Magdelyn Wood?" Albus' voice was soft as he whispered from across the table, their usual study spot in the library.
"Mags?" He paused to think about the sweet fourth year that had an easy smile and kind blue eyes. "I suppose she's pretty fair for a bird. Why do you ask?"
"Well..." His best friend's words trailed off and a blush spread through his cheeks. Scorpius sighed. After all these years being friends and Albus still had problems confessing when he fancied a girl.
"Yeah, she's a lovely girl, and no, I have no problems with you asking her to Hogsmeade instead of going with me." The blush deepened even further.
"Well, there's the crux of the matter Scorp," His green eyes flitted up to his gray ones, "I don't want to go alone with her, I'll probably clam up and have all sorts of issues being friendly. But, if you were there, I'd already be comfortable so no problem!" Scorpius paused. What?
"Um, Al, I've got no problem going with you to Hogsmeade, but if it's gonna be you and a girl, I'd be a bit of a third wheel."
"No problem! I've already fixed you up a date, you just gotta say yes!" His eyes widened. Albus had set him up on a date? Bloody hell.
"Who?"
"Don't worry about who." That worried him further.
"Do I know her?" Albus nodded fervently.
"Of course, I wouldn't set you up with a stranger!" He sighed. Albus looked so urgent, and he was using his 'kicked-puppy' eyes on him again. "Just gotta say yes or no Scorp."
"Yes."
End Flashback
Scorpius slammed the door to the Room of Requirement shut after Albus followed him in. He whirled around to face his best friend, a furious look on his face. He almost stopped at the guilty look on the younger boy's face but he was too angry to stop now.
"Bloody hell Albus! Had I known you were gonna set me up with Hogwarts' resident skank, I would've stayed here!" Albus looked up, his face flushed with anger.
"But the date went fine Scorpius! Me and Maggie got along great and you seemed to have a good time as well!" Scorpius rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, if you think having a clingy bint hanging on your arm all day is fun then yeah, I had a grand time!" His best friend walked up until he was standing right in front of him, his finger prepared to poke his chest, something he only did when absolutely furious.
"I hang on your arm all the bloody time and you never mind it! Why does it matter now!?" Scorpius winced, Albus was pulling out the curse words.
"That's different Al, you're my best friend, she's not." He tried to soothe the situation by trying to hug Albus but only received a vicious poke in return.
"Just stop it Scorpius! Unless you can give me a bloody good reason why you're having an issue with her, then I'm not accepting any hugs or anything!" He wanted to cry again. No hugs from Albus? That was akin to murder in his book. He fumbled around for the right words to say. Albus frowned at him, stepping back and turning away. His hand was on the door knob when Scorpius spoke again. His voice a soft whisper.
"Wait, Al." Those emerald eyes peeked over his shoulder to make contact with his own gray eyes. He gathered up his courage and finally spoke.
"I'm gay Al." Suddenly, he was afraid. Afraid that Albus would no longer want to talk with him, or hang out with him, or even be near him. His eyes dropped to the floor and he once again felt like crying. He was such a bloody whimp today.
"Scorp?" The dark haired youth was standing in front of him, a finger on his chin to tilt his head up to look at him. "It's okay Scorp, you're still my best friend."
"Really? It doesn't bother you?" The young man shook his head, his mind set in his decision to accept his best friend.
"No, you're my best friend, it doesn't matter if you're gay or a bit of a whimp." He paused for a minute, a frown spreading across his face, "But no more showers with you in there too, can't take a chance to let you get an eyeful." Scorpious grinned broadly.
"Too late for that Al, community showers and all that since first year." His best friend smiled as well and giggled. Yet again, Scorpius wondered how the boy could still giggle at this age. They both turned to exit the room when Albus spoke once more.
"Next time I try to set you up for something and you have a really good excuse Scorp," He paused, a cheeky grin on his face. "Just say no!"
