Disclaimer: Once again, like in all previous chapters, I wish to state that I don't own this, make nothing from it (except maybe pleasure) and humbly hope the genius JKR forgives us if she doesn't like it.\
A/N: OK my first one of these in this story, for all of you who have favourite or story alerted this story THANKYOU. You are amazing just for that and I promise the blindness of our two boys will be cleared up soon. I have one request though, please, please, please review, Like any writer knowing what you think is a great boost to me, even if your frustrated tell me, anything is appreciated. Ok now back to the story and James Potter.
Chapter 4: Comments and Family.
James Sirius Potter was Head Boy of Hogwarts; he was also the most popular Gryffindor and student in the school and the Keeper/Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. But for a super hot headed Gryffindor, he had always seemed to like Scorpius, sometimes he even favoured Scorpius more than his own brother, but right then he looked terrifying to Scorpius. His jaw was set firmly and his entire body seemed rigid, looking at the assembled group before him he coughed once before beckoning Scorpius to follow him. Before Albus could protest Scorpius stood and walked over to the Head Boy who had strode away a little distance, so as to be out of hearing range of the others. Turning back around James practically scanned Scorpius with his eyes as if trying to make sure he had the right guy. Sighing audibly Scorpius spoke first,
"I haven't changed since you last saw me James why are you looking at me as if I'm a new person?"
James jumped at this remark,
"Sorry Scorp, it's just that, well I guess I kinda suspected it, but I never thought you would ever admit to being like Albie." Scorpius snickered quietly at Albus' hated nickname that only his mother and brother ever used.
"It's just that, well, with you coming out, Uncle Ron is going to be thrilled but Mum, she may send a howler. I know Rose already sent a letter to her mum telling her what happened and asking to keep my mum calm, but I knew I had to send one as well so as she knew if she sent you a howler it would embarrass Albus."
Here James stopped for breath but as he did Scorpius asked the one question that was stumping him.
"Why would your mother send me a howler James? What for?"
James just looked at him for a moment before replying,
"Well, you know, two horny sixteen year old gay guys sleeping in the same dorm room, she is going to want to warn you off shagging Albus."
At this both boys blushed, James because he had just had to talk about his younger brother having sex and Scorpius because not only did he realise that, while James was right that Mrs Potter was going to worry about that, he had not thought about it even though he would actually secretly like it if Albus did want to do that sort of thing with him, which he still thought was ridiculous seeing Albus' obvious preference in guys. And Scorpius voiced this secondary fact,
"Thanks for sending the message and warning me James, but I doubt your mother has anything to worry about, I can't see Albus and me sleeping together, I'm just not his type and I wouldn't want to ruin our friendship by even considering it." James gave the slighter boy one last quizzical look as if to say "You really think that?" before nodding and heading off towards the castle.
Scorpius returned to his friends, cheeks still pink as he relayed a quick recap of the conversation he had just had, noting that when he mentioned the fact of Albus' mother suspecting the boys to get up to mischief that Albus blushed a deep, almost Gryffindor, crimson.
It seemed James had been right to worry but that his message about embarrassing Albus had gotten through to their mother, because the next morning at breakfast, while several more dress robe packages arrived for other students, Scorpius was greeted by Mrs Ginny Potter's owl, Gershwin, with a letter clasped in its claws. Scorpius sighed in relief when he noticed the parchment was a normal white rather than a howler red. As the bird landed depositing the letter, Scorpius noticed Albus receiving a letter of his own from the clasp of his father's owl, Fenrir. Scorpius looked back to his own letter and reading,
Scorpius,
As I am sure you know, in a world, news travels fast. And yes I and Harry have already heard of your coming out yesterday. My husband has been in contact with your parents and we were both glad to hear they already knew and from you. But on the other side of this matter I am slightly perturbed. As we are both well aware this now puts both you and, our, Albus in a similar predicament. You are both male, therefore hormonally more sexually hot headed, and now both openly into the same sex; this therefore leaves me with a slight worry of what the two of you may get up to. Now I know you wish to be seen of good virtue, but I know better than most what hormones can do and so I want to make it very clear to you that I hope you and Albus can restrain yourselves but if I am to hear of the two of you being more than friends physically I will request one of you sleep in a new room.
All the best,
Ginny Potter.
Scorpius read the short letter through twice before believing what was written there, looking up he felt a nauseous wave wash over him before scrunching up the parchment and shoving it into his pocket to burn later. Albus' hand touched Scorpius' shoulder and before the blond could think his own hand went to rest on top of it. Looking over at the other boy Scorpius guessed that Harry Potter had warned his younger son of what his wife had written. Albus' eyes looked so apologetic that Scorpius just wanted to lean forward and kiss the sadness away but stopped himself believing as he did that Albus would hate him for it. Albus meanwhile began to talk,
"I'm sorry about my Mum Scorp; you know she still hasn't forgiven your family for what your Grandfather did to her. But honestly you're nothing like him or even your father back in the day from what I've been told and we discussed, and anyway knowing you I am so below your league and not even your preference I bet." Here the black haired boy broke off with an awkward laugh. Scorpius just shook his head at the stupidity of his friend's words before replying,
"It's ok Al, don't worry. I got over your mother's dislike for me ages ago. Your dad's cool enough as it is. And anyway your mother mustn't know you well enough to think I am the type of guy you would be interested in sleeping with." With this statement Scorpius stood from the breakfast table and left before a now confused Albus could say anything more. As Scorpius passed Lily Potter down in the Common Room the girl swore she saw tears glistening in the boys eyes but before she could go after him he had returned back with his books and eyes clear, walked out of the room off towards his first class.
The next week passed by quietly, Scorpius avoided all conversations about his sexuality and Albus obliging this unasked request. Both boys avoided the subject of Alexander Finchley, even though every evening now he shot them both, at separate times, over confident smirks. The one thing they did discuss with more emphasis over the course of the week was the continuing arrival of more and more packages of dress robes at the daily mail delivery. And it was a week and a half later when they finally found out the mystery of the robes necessity. One night at dinner, two weeks before the Christmas Holidays the Headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall made an announcement.
"Students, may I have your attention please." At her words the noise in the hall ceased,
"As you would have noticed by now, many of the boys have received new dress robes lately. These are for a special occasion. This year to wish you all a merry Christmas, the staff and I have planned for you a Christmas Gala. The Gala will run for two days, the last two full days of term, and so on those days you will be excused from all classes. During the days you will have options on what you wish to do. Teachers will be holding exhibits on magic, with contests that will lead to prizes being included in this, or you will be allowed to go to Hogsmeade where a few stores have willingly set up displays and activities for you to participate in. I suggest you do Hogsmeade one day and the School exhibits the other, so as to maximise the prizes you can win and so as not to block up the entire town or specific class rooms. Also on the first night an early Christmas feast will be held so those of you going home can have some Christmas cheer with your friends who you may not get to see, that night will be for the entire school, but on the last night of term first and second years will have dinner served to them in their Common Rooms while the senior years will be able to enjoy the closing Gala Ball here in the Great Hall from eight pm until midnight."
With the last statement the Hall erupted in cheers, not only were they getting two days off earlier from classes but the seniors were being allowed to stay up way past the normal curfew on the last night. Before the commotion could become too much though Professor McGonagall called for order once more.
"Students, if you please. BE QUIET. Now the condition to the Ball is that, Gentlemen, you must wear dress robes, Ladies, your dresses must not be to skimpish and if you wish to come you must put your name down with your Head of House by the end of next week. Otherwise, dates, and other frivolities are up to you."
Here the Headmistress ended her speech and reclaimed her seat on the dais. And again the Hall erupted in noise, students talking away on what they would wear, some of the boys who had already received dress robes considering sending them back to their parents and asking for better ones, girls already fussing over how their hair should be done or where they would get a decent dress on such short notice. Even the younger years were excited having the chance to go into Hogsmeade earlier than normal and for a special event making them talkative and uncaring about not being able to attend the Ball. As the conversations continued Scorpius began to contemplate what exhibits were to be shown but most of all whether he should go to the Ball alone or take a nerve racking chance and see if Albus wanted to go with him. As these thoughts swirled through his brain, Lily Potter sidled up next to him before grabbing his attention.
"So Scorp, sounds like fun right?" the girl began a devilish smile already gracing her lips.
"Are you thinking about asking my brother to the Ball or are you just going to wait and see if he asks you?"
"Um well, you see, I was thinking I would leave it be. I've only just come out, and Al only just broke up with Finchley, I really don't think it wise to try anything and I know he would only say it was a bad idea anyway so yeah." Scorpius nearly stuttered over his words as he said this but made sure to keep his voice as level as possible not wanting to give Lily any advantage right then. Lily nodded at his words, which surprised Scorpius, but when she did speak it was pure evil,
"Well we'll see, I know some things that might sway the tide but just make sure you at least put your name down for going, I couldn't stand it if you didn't give me at least one dance, even just to peeve Rosie off a bit." Here the young Slytherin girl stood up and walked away, but not before seeing Scorpius' slight smile and head nod from the worried face.
Arriving soon after in the Slytherin Common Room, Lily was quick to spot Albus sitting in a corner, away from the rest of the House, and head straight for him. Sitting on the arm of Albus' armchair the only Potter daughter draped herself over her brother and purred into his ear.
"So dearest brother, what are your thoughts on this Gala? Is it just a nuisance, or a wonderful way for you to gain a new boyfriend?"
Albus hearing these words almost choked on the glass of Honeydukes mead he was sipping on.
"Um, what? No, it's neither of those things Lil. It should be fun and I guess I'll be going single to the Ball but I doubt I'll be the only one and anyway me and Scorp can just hang and talk whenever you or Rose let him be."
"Oh dear, Al where is your spirit, you should be prowling the halls for a new man, hell there may be one closer to home. Though it might give Mum a heart attack when you do start dating Scorpius." Lily smiled at her handy work for this time Albus didn't just choke on the mead but actually sprayed it from his mouth.
"Lily stop being silly, Scorp could never see me like that; I am so obviously not his choice in guys. I bet he prefers someone more graceful and well bred, we just make great friends." Lily smiled even more at this comment chuckling to herself before giving one last comment on the matter to her utterly blind brother,
"Well anyway from what Scorp, said before, he doubts he will be with anyone for the Ball as well, maybe you two could have one dance as friends, I'm sure you would like that wouldn't you Al?" Standing once more Lily strode off to her dorm room leaving behind an Albus who, though confused at his sister's words, had a smile on his face from the thought of dancing with Scorpius.