Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. This is only for entertainment purposes.

Becoming of a friendship

Chapter IV

Scorpius rushed to the dormitory. He threw himself on his bed, burying his face in his pillow. He was overwhelmed by many emotions. Joy, anger, sadness... It was particularly confusing.

He talked to me. Albus talked to me after all this time.

Albus had clearly wanted to start a conversation, but then, there was that idiot David Collins who had to come. Scorpius hadn't liked the way Collins had looked at him.

Hold on, there's something more important to think about. What if Albus starts talking to me again? What am I going to do? Should I encourage him? Or should I remain distant? If I let him approach me, will my secret be threatened? Ugh, that boy is gonna drive me crazy!

At that time, the boy in question opened the door abruptly. Scorpius jerked his head up in surprise.

What is he doing here? Shouldn't he still be upstairs?

Albus was standing on the doorstep, panting a little, as if he had rushed to come. His face was flushed and his deep green eyes were fixed on him.

Merlin, he looks so adorable!

Albus walked up to him, unsure of himself. He was fidgeting lightly. His shyness made him even cuter.

Wait, what am I thinking?

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yes, sure."

Albus sat on his bed, next to Scorpius' one.

"I'm really sorry for what happened previously."

Oh. He came up to here to apologize to me.

"It's nothing, don't worry." Scorpius said with a smile.

Albus seemed to relax, but he didn't stop there.

"No, really, David was rude. I know you felt unwelcome, and I'm truly sorry for that."

Scorpius didn't know how to respond to that.

"I forgive you. It wasn't your fault anyway."

"Yeah, but he's my friend, I feel responsible."

At the word 'friend', Scorpius winced just a tiny bit. He knew it shouldn't be bothering him; they weren't friends anymore for a while now — thanks to him — but it still hurt him a little inside.

"You don't need to. Actually, I should probably apologize too, you know, I wasn't very hearty with you."

"No, no, you don't have to. I guess you were just in a bad mood. I mean, your friends weren't with you tonight…" Albus said.

Scorpius eyes widened. He hadn't expected Albus to comment on that, much less noticing it at all.

"I-I'm sorry if I said something I shouldn't have…" Albus apologized.

"No, it's nothing. They are working on a project right now, so they're kind of busy."

"Aren't you working with them?" Albus asked, curious.

"It's for the Astrology class. I don't take that course."

"Yeah, I know."

There was a long, awkward, silence.

Albus didn't seem to intend to leave. He seemed lost in thought.

"So, do you want something else?" Scorpius asked.

Albus jumped.

"Huh?"

"Do you want something else?" Scorpius repeated.

"Um, yeah…" he answered, without looking at him directly.

Albus hesitated.

What can he want?

"I'm listening." Scorpius encouraged him.

"Well, I'm aware it will sound weird and all, especially after all this time…" he paused "but, I was wondering if…" he paused once again.

Damn, what does he want?

Oh God.

Has he… Has he found out I like him?

Scorpius started panicking. He felt his cheeks get hot. He closed his eyes tightly.

Just spit it out already!

"Would you like being my friend again?" Albus blurted out in one breath.

What?

Those last seconds had seemed like a century for him. Scorpius had expected the worst. And there he was, wanting a second chance. Scorpius couldn't help but laugh.

"Is this funny?" Albus asked anxiously.

What a relief!

"If you don't want to, I'll understand." Albus said, disappointed.

"Of course I do!" Scorpius exclaimed without thinking "It's just that I thought you'd say something bad, judging from your behaviour."

Albus let a light chuckle. He passed his hand through his messy hair, embarrassed. Scorpius' eyes followed the hand unconsciously. He had the sudden urge to know what it felt like to run his fingers through that black hair. He had already touched it before, when they were little, but now it was different.

Albus' voice interrupted his daydreaming.

"So? The answer is yes?"

"Definitely."

Albus grinned instinctively from ear to ear. Scorpius felt dazed. He thought that no one's smile should be so breathtaking.

"What do you want to do now?" Albus asked.

Scorpius blushed. As innocent as his question was, he couldn't help imagining various things. Stop it right there, he ordered himself.

"Scorpius?"

He loved the way Albus was saying his name.

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yeah, sorry."

Albus laughed again. Scorpius loved his laugh too. But frankly, was there anything he didn't like about that boy? Those emerald eyes, those freckles, that hair that looked so soft and… those lips. It was true that Albus looked like a copy of his father, because of the eyes and the hair, but he had inherited his mother's soft and fine features. Oh, and the Weasleys' trademark freckles, Scorpius added, amused. Fortunately, Albus didn't have his father's bad eyesight.

Albus must have felt Scorpius' intense stare, because he cleared his throat.

"I guess I should go find David. I almost yelled at him. So, um, see you later." Albus said.

"Okay." he answered simply.

Shit. Well done, Scorp'.

Albus left, and Scorpius lay on his bed. Collins, ugh. He knew he had acted stupid though. He shouldn't frighten Albus.

Have I made the right decision? Is it a good idea to be his friend again? Wasn't it me who stopped that friendship? Can I handle my feelings?

Lots of questions passed through his mind. Well, it was too late now. He had acted instinctively, without thinking twice. But how could he have refused? Scorpius wanted, no, needed, Albus' company so badly. And more importantly, Albus wanted his company. There's no way he could not accept that. It must be a sign or something, he thought jokingly. He smiled and then sighed. Ah, that Potter.

David was eating all alone, next to Albus' empty seat. He still couldn't believe what had happened. Albus had yelled at him and left him for Malfoy. Malfoy, the boy who, for years, had forgotten that Albus existed; and now, that same Albus was running after him. That boy can be so naïve sometimes. David was sure Malfoy would hurt his friend. His behaviour didn't seem steady… The Slytherin was quite awkward in fact, David observed.

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"David?"

David looked up to see Albus' worried face.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry. I… I shouldn't have treated you like that. I hope you're not too mad at me…" he said.

"Don't worry, Al', I forgive you. But… next time, let me know." David replied with what he hoped to be a teasing tone.

Albus answered with a warm smile. David grinned back.

"'Want to eat something?" David asked.

"Yeah… That would be nice."

When they got back to their dormitory, David was awaiting Albus' reaction. Would he talk to Malfoy again? Would Malfoy talk to him first? Would Albus answer him? But nothing happened, since the curtains of Malfoy's bed had been already pulled. He said goodnight to Albus and went to his bed, at the other end of the room.