Albus and Scorpius continued to meet on the Hogwarts grounds, near the lake almost every day. It had been three weeks since the first time they had met there, and they increasingly enjoyed their time together. Sometimes Albus would be there first, sometimes Scorpius would. Scorpius would be sketching occasionally and Albus would read. It was comfortable. And they had fun. Scorpius became more tactile the more time they spent together. They would hold hands frequently, Scorpius would hug Albus before they went to bed and would still touch him affectionately. He would touch Albus' arm, shoulder, his legs. It was always friendly and probably innocent but Albus couldn't help but become more and more attracted to the blond.

Once again, the two boys were sitting on the grass, though this time they were just under a tree. They weren't doing anything else this time. Just chatting and enjoying each others company. Albus was very content with this current situation. He didn't think he could be any more relaxed than he was at that moment in time.

"I don't think my brother would be very happy that I'm hanging around with you," Albus said casually.

Scorpius laughed and shrugged his shoulders, "Probably not. But that doesn't matter, does it?"

"No..."

"Why does it matter what James thinks?"

Albus scoffed and chuckled, "I just said it didn't."

Scorpius shoved Albus lightly and gave him a look, "Don't lie to me, Albus Severus."

Albus couldn't help but think about how sexy his name sounded when Scorpius said it. He blushed at the thought and then decided on a whim to actually tell Scorpius the truth.

"I look up to James a lot. He's... my big brother. And everyone loves him. So I want to be more like him."

Scorpius reached out and grabbed Albus' hand. He held the brunette's hand in his and traced Albus' palm with his thumb. If Albus wasn't already flustered, he was now.

"Tell me a secret."

Albus was disconcerted by this statement. What could Scorpius possibly mean?

"Tell me a secret that you've never told anybody before," Scorpius said as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

Albus took a moment to think before something came to mind, "I don't really like Quidditch very much."

"Well I could've told you that," Scorpius chuckled, squeezing Albus' hand before carrying on with caressing Albus' skin.

"How do you know that?" Albus grinned.

"I saw you in practice a week ago and you looked like you wanted to throw yourself off your broom."

"Are you stalking me Scorpius?" Albus teased, pursed lips.

"You would know if I was stalking you Albus Severus," They both descended into laughter, but Scorpius wouldn't stop pushing the subject, "Anyway. Why are you on the Quidditch team if you do not like it?"

Albus suddenly became sheepish, "I don't know... Most of my family played Quidditch... My dad did. My mum was a professional Quidditch player most of her life... James is the captain as well."

"Who do you want to be more like, your father or your brother?"

Albus felt tears spring to his eyes and he wondered why Scorpius' words affected him so much. Scorpius comforted Albus by placing his other hand on Albus' shoulder. How did Scorpius see through so easily? It was like Scorpius knew him better than anybody else and he had only known him for just about two months. It was overwhelming and Albus didn't know what Scorpius was trying to achieve anymore.

"How do you know all of this...? I don't understand how you always see through me like this... Are you like a mind reader?"

Scorpius smiled softly, "Unfortunately not. I am just a good observer. Tell me."

"I... I've always been told I look like my father and that I have his heart. I've just always felt I need to live up to his reputation. And James... Well everyone loves James. I just... always thought I should be like him. They're both amazing."

"I'm sure they are. But so are you," Scorpius' arm slid around Albus' neck and he pulled Albus into his chest, "You're amazing Albus. As yourself. And you don't need to try to be anyone else. You're perfect as you."

Albus mulled over Scorpius' words without end in bed that night. You're perfect as you. He had never had anybody tell him he was perfect before. He never thought he would ever hear someone describe him as perfect either. His heart fluttered. Scorpius was the one who was perfect. He made Albus feel like he was the only person on the entire planet who mattered when he was with him. Albus craved his company.

When Albus finally fell asleep he dreamt of Scorpius Malfoy. He dreamt of his encouraging and knowing words in that beautiful, soft voice. He dreamt of Scorpius' soothing touches. He dreamt of Scorpius taking him in his arms and holding him close. Scorpius would smooth a hand over his cheek and stroke him like he had stroked his hand earlier that day. Scorpius would pull him close and whisper you're perfect before claiming Albus' lips as his.

When the Potter woke up that morning he swore under his breath. Not only had he fallen asleep thinking of Scorpius, he had dreamt of him all night and now woken up to the thought of the blond boy too. Albus lifted his head slightly and saw Scorpius still sleeping. He looked like a god even now.

Albus worried that he was actually beginning to fall for Scorpius Malfoy.

Albus knew he had to speak to someone. There was only one obvious choice. Teddy. Teddy Lupin knew both Albus and Scorpius well so he thought Teddy would be the best person to help shed insight on the situation Albus had found himself in.

He arranged to meet Teddy at Hogsmeade that weekend at the Shrieking Shack. He knew Teddy was back for a few week, his father told him he was staying with him. He knew Teddy liked going to the Shrieking Shack. It reminded him of his father. He felt discouraged because Scorpius had actually asked if Albus would show him around Hogsmeade. He had to tell him that he already had plans.

Albus was nervous while waiting for Teddy. It was quite cold anyway, being November and everything. Albus couldn't tell whether he was shivering or shaking.

He thought about Scorpius. What if Scorpius found out about this conversation he was about to have with Teddy? Teddy might tell him about Scorpius' many girlfriends in France and that he was definitely straight... But wait, Albus didn't even know if he was gay himself! He had never been attracted to a boy before. He always admired girls but had only ever kissed a few. He slept with an Italian girl on holiday last summer but it had been very awkward. It was good, but felt forced. It was James that had encouraged him to do it but he felt too young for it for some reason. He didn't want to do anything with another girl until it felt right. But could it feel right with a boy? That was something completely different and something Albus had never considered before.

Albus jumped when he felt two hands grab his shoulders. A gasp slipped from his lips and he instinctively pulled out of the grip. He turned around violently when he realised it was Teddy.

The Potter laughed and dipped his head in relief. Teddy joined him in the laughter and pulled Albus into a hug.

"Albie! Why so tense?" Teddy asked ruffling the younger boy's hair.

Albus raised his eyebrows, "Well when someone sneaks up on you from behind... it kinda can't be helped."

Teddy chuckled and threw an arm around Albus' shoulder, "Oh I missed you."

They chatted briefly about the beginning of the school year and Teddy's job. Teddy told Albus that he had met a girl called Serena who was on his wandlore course and he really liked her. Teddy had dated Victoire about a year back briefly. Victoire was very in love with Teddy and had been for a long time. Teddy had given it a go but he didn't reciprocate her love. He ended it and she was devastated.

Teddy was looking out at the Shrieking Shack when they sat down on a bench. Albus decided to let Teddy think for a little.

A few moments later Teddy smiled and turned to Albus, "So, what's wrong Albie?"

"I have to talk to you about something..." Albus managed to say, "It's a little bit hard... and you can't tell anyone."

"Of course I won't. Are you okay?"

"N-no I'm fine... Just a bit confused," Albus sighed, "You know Scorpius came to Hogwarts?"

Teddy nodded, "Yeah. You've met him?"

"He's in the same dorm as me."

"Oh yeah? Draco told me he was put in Gryffindor. What... do you not like him or something?"

"No... I do like him. That's the problem actually..." Teddy stared at Albus while Albus struggled to get his words out. He looked the Lupin in the eye and reminded himself that that this was his best friend, Teddy, who had been there for him all his life. He would surely be here for him now as well, "I think I have a crush on Scorpius."

Teddy looked a bit taken aback, "Oh..." Albus panicked a little bit inside until Teddy finally smiled, "I wasn't expecting that. So... you're gay?"

"I don't know... I've never really thought about a guy like that before I met him."

"Okay," Teddy stroked his turquoise hair out of his face and tilted his head, "Tell me what's happened from the beginning."

"We started to hang out together... and Scorpius is just amazing. I love being around him... I feel myself when I'm with him. And I've never felt like that so quickly around someone before. It's like he understands me... and I think he's gorgeous," Albus started to babble, spilling his heart out to his god-brother, "And sexy and I've never wanted someone to touch me, or to be touched so badly... He's just so, I don't know, alluring..."

"He does have a presence..." Teddy admitted, "Well do you know if he feels the same way?"

"I don't know... He's very touchy and he says he likes me but I don't know if it's just a friendship way. I thought you might be able to... shed some light. You know him better than I do."

"Well, Scorpius doesn't really swing any way in particular..." Teddy smirked.

Albus gaped at him, "What does that mean?"

"Albie... Scorpius is an artist. He sees the beauty in everything, he kind of believes that there's not one right thing to like or dislike," Albus still didn't understand so Teddy decided to be more clear, "He doesn't have a gender preference."

"Oh..." Albus didn't know whether this was supposed to be a good or a bad thing. Scorpius could potentially see him that way. But he also likes girls. If Albus was honest he was thoroughly confused.

"He's dated both boys and girls in the past. Never been serious with any of them."

Teddy placed a hand on Albus' sensing the boy's tension. Teddy understood how confused Albus must be. Scorpius was a... complicated person. He was worried about Albus getting hurt. He was a sensitive soul and Scorpius lived his life without a care and sometimes could hurt other people along the way. Albus seemed to be infatuated with Scorpius but Teddy had no way knowing what Albus meant to Scorpius. He didn't want to give Albus false hope.

"Just be careful though Al... Scorpius has a way of living that can sometimes hurt other people. He's not always very considerate of others."

Albus looked extremely defeated. He thought Scorpius was caring and was attentive towards him, was Scorpius not what he seemed? Was it all an act?

"Don't get me wrong, he's fiercely loyal and loving when he cares about someone. I'm not saying he couldn't be like that for you. He never lies though. If he said he likes you then that's doubtlessly true."

"So... what should I do?"

Teddy held Albus' shoulder and gave him a soft smile, "Take things as it comes. Don't rush into it. Keep hanging out with him. But if you do get into anything... just make sure you're both on the same page."

"Okay..." Albus welcomed the supportive hug from his friend. He knew Teddy was trying to help, but his head was even more muddled than it had been before. He thought he knew Scorpius but perhaps he didn't.

"Everything will be okay, Albus. And if he does ever do anything to you, I'll kick his little ass."

Albus laughed for Teddy's sake, "Thanks Teddy."

When Albus walked back to Hogsmeade with Teddy, he couldn't help but think what he had gotten himself into. Teddy was moaning about Victoire and her berating whenever they saw each other. But Albus was off in his own little world, his mind absorbed with Scorpius. What did Scorpius think of him? Did he care about him at all? He said he liked him, but Albus wasn't sure now.

They arrived in the village and Teddy walked Albus to the carriages. He changed his appearance because Victoire didn't know he was in England and if one of the family saw him it was bound to get back to her. It benefitted to be a metamorphmagus.

"Alright Albie, I better go. Write to me if you need anything, yeah?" Teddy hugged him one more time.

"Yeah I will," Albus said, "Thank you, Ted."

Albus got on one of the carriages and Teddy waited for him to leave before waving and walking away. It was only then that Albus noticed Scorpius on the carriage ahead of him. And he was with Nicholas Sand. Scorpius stared at him, his face emotionless. The Potter turned his head so it seemed he was watching what he was passing and hadn't noticed Scorpius.

Jealousy rushed over Albus and he tried to repress it. Every word Teddy had spoken played over in his head. Scorpius lived in his own little world and he wasn't sure whether he liked or cared for Albus to be a part of it. He was with Nicholas now as well. The only comfort was that Scorpius must have asked Nicholas as a second resort. Nevertheless, he was still internally annoyed.

Albus sighed and rested his cheek on his hand. Really, what are you getting yourself into Albus.

-x-

I really enjoyed including Teddy in this chapter and hope to explore him more! Albus and Scorpius' interactions were fun to write this chapter, as they know each other a bit better at this point!