ScorpiusAlbus

Love-Hate Relationship

A/N: Almost half way through tidying the old chapters!

Zzz

Scorpius had been thinking about what Seamus had said to him for a few hours, even thought it had been a week since that day. And during those few hours, it was nerve wrecking.

Seamus had mistaken him as Albus' friend.

Edward had known about his lycanthropy, and hinted greatly at it.

Albus knew something.

The first task on his list that day was simply to find Yuna, and ask her what she'd told him. Ask the tall girl if she'd told Albus about his 'condition'. Because she knew, he remembered telling her why he had to leave. She told him she didn't mind, and didn't see what the problem was, that being a werewolf was cool. They'd pretended to be monsters before-

Don't you remember, Scorpius? Riley was a vampire, I was a banshee and you were a werewolf. There's no difference.

She didn't understand, though. She didn't understand that it wasn't just a game they'd play anymore. That it was real. That they'd jinxed it tempted fate- hell, next thing you know Riley will get bitten by a vampire, and Yuna will somehow die from the pain of losing her brother and be forced into becoming a haunting banshee.

"Scorpius!" came a sweet yet sly voice from over his shoulder. He groaned in annoyance; when did he get time to angst and think? He liked thinking.

"Misha," he greeted, turning to the girl. "How are you?"

She giggled, dropping her eyelids a little, thick, full eyelashes becoming more noticeable. She was a very pretty girl.

"I was wondering if you had the notes from the last Herbology lesson. I wasn't there…I came down with something and had to go to the medical room."

The Malfoy set his bag on the bench next to her, shifting through it. "You got skiveritis?"

She giggled again, but looked guilty. "You got me- I woke up late and needed to curl my hair, you know how it is?"

"Yeah, sure," he said, not wanting to give away the fact he probably spent just as much time straightening his own hair. Unlike his father's, his wasn't naturally straight. It had his mother's waves.

"Here," he said, passing the marooned haired girl a piece of parchment. "I want it back at lunch, copy it or something."

"Thank you so much! Are you going to-?"

"No, I have to talk to Yu-Thomas about my Defence thing again," he said, not wanting to be seen as being on first-names basis with Potter's and Weasley's friend.

Misha fumed. "Ah, okay. Have fun."

And she turned around, parchment forgotten at his side.

Scorpius strode to the Ravenclaw table, finding a girl with a large butterfly clip which was occasionally flapping its wings sitting where Yuna normally sat. Next to her was a black haired girl that had a short dipping haircut, the front coming all the way down to her shoulders as the length changed glared, black eyes piercing yet somehow warm. Her face was long and hinted at an Asian background.

"What do you want?" she asked.

The butterfly clad girl spun round, her own hazel eyes widening with fear. Judging by the long face shape and beautiful Asian looks, there was an instant relation between them both.

And they smell the same, snarled a voice in his head.

"I'm looking for Yuna," he said, not caring about what the Ravenclaw thought of his messy friendship with the girl. "Have you seen her?"

"What do you want Yuna for?" the older of the two asked.

"Xing, be nicer," the younger sister said with a nervous smile.

"Yeah, yeah. You're too nice, Xing."

He was incredibly confused. He knew the taller of the two was May-Xing of the Ravenclaw team, but was that a surname? A pet name of sorts?

"I'm June-Xing," the hazel eyed girl greeted. "Yuna said she'd be a bit late down, I caught her in the common room, and someone had put her homework in the fire, so she needed to re-write it."

Scorpius pulled a disgusted face. Someone put her homework in the fire?

"Yeah, it's sad, isn't it?" June asked. Scorpius suddenly realized he'd said it out loud.

He really needed to control the anger of the wolf.

May was giving him a calculating look. "You close to Yuna?"

"Childhood friend, I haven't talked to her in a long time," he said, not wanting to really admit to himself, or anyone else, that the fact disappointed him.

The first real person to accept me, gone in a puff of smoke.

"Ah, here she is now!" June exclaimed, waving over the hall.

May leaned over the table. "Oi, Malfoy," she hissed.

"What?"

"Do you want to help me get those losers back? No one messes with Yuna and gets away with it."

Scorpius glanced at the girl who was approaching, glee in her eyes at seeing him, and found his grey eyes seeking green ones.

"I guess I can help."

She gave him a grin and went back to talking to the blond girl next to her, who gave him a kind look, her baby face adorned with a cute smile. The strawberry blond hair hung in two loose pigtails and she had a mature build.

Appearances weren't everything, Scorpius guessed. At least, not when that cute-looking face decided she wanted to hit you with her beater bat.

"Scorpius," Yuna greeted the excitement in her voice evident. "How are you?"

And suddenly, looking at her over-thrilled face, he wondered how he ever could've thought she told Albus anything. "Fine, and you?"

"I'm fine thank you. Was your girlfriend not upset at you coming over here?"

Scorpius paused a moment, wondering what the other blonde was going on about. "What in Merlin's name…Misha? A girlfriend?"

Yuna blinked innocently, though those eyes were scheming. "Oh, is she not? She seemed to like you a lot."

"Her family likes me a lot more like," the pureblood said.

"Why did you want to see me?"

Scorpius paused, not knowing what to say. He couldn't ask her…wouldn't bring it up. What if it gave her an excuse to ditch him? He couldn't bear that.

"Ah, I just wasn't that hungry. I'm going to the library and wanted to know if you wanted to come. But you haven't eaten yet, so-"

Yuna laughed. It wasn't her normal chuckle, more like a proper laugh. "Scorpius, I'd much rather go to the library. Let's go."

The two started out, and Yuna decided to strike up a conversation about their extended assignment. They had barely started talking before a loud voice came from round the corner.

"Oh, damn it!"

"What's wrong?" a calmer, concerned voice asked.

"I don't know where I put my potions essay!"

"Maybe you should go back to the hall? You were playing with your bag then."

There was a small pause. "Can you help me find it?"

Two people rounded the corner, the first with his sandy hair and dark eyes, looking a lot like Professor Longbottom, and the other with a pair of brown-rimmed glasses and green eyes. "No, but I think I know someone who might."

Albus looked up, eyes widening a fraction and looking messy and out of place. "Yuna, Scorpius!"

"Hey Al."

Malfoy simply nodded.

"Can you help me find my potions essay? It took me forever to write! I don't want to go through the trouble of rewriting it!"

"Like Yuna did," Scorpius said, unthinking again and letting the angry wolf out for a moment. He cursed silently.

Yuna flustered, looking ashamed and scared.

"You had to rewrite yours? Why?"

The girl laughed nervously. "It's nothing Albus, nothing-"

Albus turned on the Slytherin, who found it hard not to smirk at the adorable sight. His glasses were still somewhat askew, he still looked messy and completely unfrightening, yet looked so angry.

"What happened, Scorpius?"

"Someone threw it in the fire," he answered smoothly.

Yuna wasn't looking up.

"Yuna! I told you to stand up for yourself! They only do it because they think they can get away with it! You know-"

"I'll help you find your potions essay."

The three looked at the grey eyed boy.

"Wh-what?" Albus asked, thrown off.

"I'll help you find your essay, so you don't have to rewrite it. You said it was in the hall, right? Let's go."

John turned to Yuna, who was looking after her two…friends. Scorpius had walked off proudly, long strides and an arrogant air, Albus hurrying after him, the messy workaholic look on him.

"Were you going to the library?" John asked, smiling a little.

She nodded. "Do you want to come?"

Zzz

Dear James, Albus and Lily

It's so tiring to write you all separate letters with the same thing in them, so we'll sum up everything in one, is that ok? James, be nice and share with your siblings, ok? I'm sure Rose will sort you out if you don't. Send her and everyone else our love.

Things have been the same. Your father is very busy at work, as is Aunt Hermione, and your Uncle Ron is being lazy as always. We had Uncle George and Aunt Janice over for dinner the other day! You'll be happy to know you'll soon have another cousin, they announced it then. Please, wait for Fred or Phil to tell you before you tell them, I want their parents to tell them, not you (James). I heard that Yuna had her first match, and they won, and that James fell off his broom? I hope you're ok. Your father says at least you didn't swallow the snitch! James and Lily, you will have to give us a run of both matches! I'm sure Albus was distracted by something else. Like a book.

I was wondering if you wanted to come home for Christmas? I know you normally do, but I just want to make sure so I can have things prepared. Teddy and Victore want to see you soon, we'll have to get them an engagement present at some point, you know? I can't believe they got engaged in the summer!

I hope you are all well, and doing well in your studies. Uncle Percy told your father you were doing some sort of extra school project? You'll have to tell us about it!

Lots of Love and kisses!

Mum and Dad.

PS: send our love to Neville and Luna, one of you. I don't care that they're professors, it's no excuse!

James grinned and looked at Fred. "Dude, you're getting another baby sibling! And I thought two was a pain, you're getting three!"

"James, mum told us not to tell him!" Lily whined. "And what's so bad about having two siblings?"

"Nothing, I love you. Mum sends her love guys."

There were a few noises and words of acknowledgements, ranging from a simple grunt to 'send ours back'.

"How are mum and dad going to cope with Daisy and another baby?" Fred asked.

Phil snorted. "How's mum going to cope with dad, Daisy and another baby, don't you mean?"

Seamus grinned. "Daisy will be in first year next year, right? She won't need to juggle for too long. Besides, Mrs Weasley is a strong woman; she keeps your dad in order."

"She's horrid," Fred complained. "She's only nice to you because she recons at home, you're the only one who can keep 'locks' on me."

"That's because it's true," James pointed out.

"I'll have to congratulate her next time I see her," Seamus said, ignoring his friends.

Albus and Scorpius then came up to them, Albus fretting over something and running to where he was sat before, looking around under the table. Scorpius scanning the area lightly, looking over people and through people.

Weasley's glared at Scorpius, who ignored them.

Riley and Seamus simply accepted his presence and focused on Albus.

"What are you looking for?" Riley asked.

"Potions essay."

"Your mum wrote you a letter," Seamus added.

The essay was forgotten and the boy snapped up. "Really? Can I see it, please?"

James grinned and waved it round in his far hand. "I don't know, can you see it? Here it is!"

"James!"

"You asked to see it, not read it."

"Please can I read it then?"

"I believe you can read, why?"

"Please may I read it?"

"I don't like your tone, mister- what- hey!"

Scorpius handed the letter to Albus, after swiping it from James' hand. "Here."

Albus felt his face heat up and he took it, not looking up and stumbling over his words a little. "Th-thanks…"

As the Potter skimmed the letter, Seamus reached for something by his feet and held it out to Scorpius while Albus wasn't looking, winking. The Slytherin didn't really understand, but nodded and took it.

"Potions essay, letter, check. I'm meant to be at the library, not at the Gryffindor table," the blond said, waving the essay in Albus' face.

"Thank you so much, I owe you one," Albus said with a grin. Scorpius nodded and started to walk away. "Hey, we need to meet up to talk about the assignment thing about Theatre."

"Meet me after dinner."

And he was gone.

Zzz

Hey Mum, Dad

I'm glad to hear from you. I hope Aunty doesn't over work herself again, remember what happened last time? Say hello to everyone for me, and good luck to Aunt Jessica- I don't know how she copes with Uncle George and Daisy, but she'll manage with a baby again, right? Seamus tells her good luck too!

James collided with Scorpius on the Quidditch pitch, it was horrible really. They were both in the medical wing for the night, and James broke his arm. Did you know Yuna and Scorpius know each other? They hang out a bit more- don't tell Uncle Ron though!

Love you too

Albus

He hid the letter under some paper, getting back to work for a moment. The potions teacher was giving him suspicious glances, but seemed happy that he'd gotten back to work and turned away.

Albus grabbed another piece of paper.

Dad,

I got paired with Scorpius Malfoy for my assignment. We have to research Muggle Theatre. I don't think he's very happy about it, but he's only complained once or twice. Rosie convinced the others to lay off him for a while, so we can focus on our assignment rather than revenge. I'm meeting him at dinner to talk about it some more.

He was at one of our detentions too, we were in the forbidden forest, and one of the centaurs was guiding us. He was helping us feed the Thestrals. Scorpius and Edward (the centaur) could see them.

Hagrid went with Seamus to feed some giant spiders and Seamus ran away crying to us! It was kinda funny…he reminded me of Uncle Ron.

I know this is a strange question, but it's bugging me: would you mind if I made friends with Scorpius?

Albus

He slipped the letter into his bag, making sure to keep it hidden. He didn't want to see anyone else's reaction except his dads, it mattered most.

The teacher was starting to come to his desk now, probably to know what he was doing.

To Mum and Daddy,

Yuna's match was awesome! You should've seen her; she's so graceful on the broom! You know May-Xing, the Chinese girl? She was awesome too, a brilliant captain! I heard that May-Xing means May-star? That's cute, especially as her sister is called June-Xing. May star and June star, hahaha!

I'm working with Haziq Smith for the assignment; we're doing a presentation of a chosen Muggle job. He wants to do Doctors, but I told him it was too complicated. I think I'll end up doing it anyway.

I hope you're all well! Say hi to Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and Teddy for me! Especially Teddy, ask him what he wants for Christmas!

Love you!

Lily

PS: can I get my hair straightened this holiday? I want to come home.

She put her letter onto the pile in Albus' hand; the three of them were in the owlery, ready to post.

Hey guys!

I'm doing brilliantly! Though Rosie told me to lay off Malfoy for a while, just until he finishes working with Albus on the assignment thing, after that he'll feel my wrath! I'm worried for Al; I think they're becoming friends!

I'm doing some random thing about Muggles with a Hufflepuff called Sue, she seems nice enough, and smart too, she does Muggle studies, unlike me.

Malfoy crashed into me during the match. I broke my arm again, and Madam Pomfrey recons if I break it again it won't mend. She said that last time though. She's just sick of my broken arms, one every year I think? Tell Aunt Hermione no harm is done, I know she'll be worried.

Oh, and also, tell Uncle George that we figured out how to make a polyjuice potion that turns the victim into a girl! It was so worth the effort!

Not much else to say. Lily said she'd send your love around. Saps.

Bye, James!

"Well, I'm going to be late for Deviation, I best be off," James said with a grin.

"I have Care of Magical Creatures," Lily announced.

"Charms," Albus filled, attaching the notes to their owls. They agreed to send one owl for their parents, and if they needed to send any other letters they could borrow or use their own.

"Excellent, I shall see you wonderful siblings later! I believe I have the class with Ravenclaws, and if I can get there in time for partner pick I'll grab a pretty, clever girl!" the eldest said with a grin, skipping off.

Lily giggled. "He's so…"

"James-like?"

"Yeah, let's go with that," she said, turning to her little big brother. "Professor Thomas said we'd be studying dragons today, so we'll be in her classroom instead of in the autumn chill! Bye Al!"

"Bye, have fun!"

Lily ran off, her shoulder bag slipping on her shoulders, wavy red hair flowing behind her.

Albus let out a sigh through his nose and started off to the charms corridor.

Zzz

"Today, we'll be working on charming things to move on their own," the professor said, her short black hair cut to shape her head and her brown skin and deep black eyes giving away her background, full with glossy full lips. Professor Padma Corner. She turned back to the black board and wrote something else down, putting the chalk in its holder and clapping her hands before grabbing her wand and conjuring a set of rag dolls and pot dolls.

"For this, we're going to try charm a doll to life. I want you all to focus on making it walk around. This is a simple charm called anvitaum, I'll demonstrate- Accio doll."

A brown haired doll in a blue dress set itself on her desk, calico skin pale and worn.

"Anvitaum legs," Professor Corner said clearly, pointing her wand at the doll and lifting it up. The doll seemed to follow her wand, as if it was a puppet. There were a few whispers and giggles as the teacher pointed a track around the desk and the doll followed. "And, if you read a bit from page one hundred and three, you'll learn how to make it follow you around a room. Please get a doll and start."

Albus and Rose walked down to get their dolls like everyone else, returning to their two person desk and laying the dolls on their backs. Rose's doll had curly blonde hair and a red coat with large black buttons, black collar and black tights, smart black shoes and a matching hat. Albus' had two brown plaits and a long sleeved blue and white stripy dress, looking a lot more worn than Roses' pot doll.

"Anvitaum legs!" Rose said, raising her wand. The doll gave a twitch, but did not move. The Weasley frowned and turned to Albus as a few other people in the room tried.

The boy pushed his glasses further up his nose and pointed his wand. "Anvitaum legs," he said quietly, waiting. There was nothing.

The table in front of them, Riley's doll had sat up, and Phil's doll's legs seemed to give a helpless kick.

"I give up," the red head announced, running a hand through his long hair.

"You've only tried it once, Phil! Try again."

Rose seemed to also take this advice. "Anvitaum legs!" she said again, more forcefully.

There was a chuckle from the side of their desk, and the two turned to see the professor standing there. A few students sitting close by turned to look at her as well, hoping for directions.

"Avitaum legs!" said Riley, a light tone to his voice as always. The doll stood up. "Phil, look! It's standing!"

"How did you do that?" the other boy asked.

Riley was too caught up in making his doll jump off the edge of the desk and on to another Gryffindor's head in front of them. The rag doll hit the back of the girl's head and landed on the floor.

"Well done, Riley," Professor Corner said with a smile. "You got the trick of that right away."

The boy in question beamed and pulled a face at his partner, who picked up his own doll and threw it at Riley's face, crossing his arms stubbornly.

"What about you, Rose? Try again, and if you can't get it I'll give you a hint."

Rose looked from the doll, to Riley, to Phil. The two boys were playing around with Phil's doll and arguing over something.

"Avitaum legs," she said softly, lifting her wand with the same softness. The pot doll stood gracefully and slowly, large blue eyes unblinking. "I did it…Al, I did it!" she exclaimed, a smile breaking on her face.

The teacher clapped. "I'm proud of you, Rose! Make sure to help Albus," and with that, she walked away to help some of the Slytherin's.

"What's the trick?" Albus asked, looking up at her.

She giggled and tapped her freckled nose with her wand and winked a brown eye.

"You suck."

"Think about something you relate to a doll, I guess," Rose said. "You think of innocence, softness, delicate, attachment?"

Albus looked between the boys in front of them, Phil looking a little angry.

"Avitaum legs!" the brunet said, lifting his wand. Just as he finished the word, an image flashed through his mind.

Grey eyes that flashed yellow.

The doll stood, its calico legs wobbling and its body jerking every now and then from almost falling.

White blond hair that was pushed back.

A single leg stepped, stretching out and landing on the floor. The left leg did the same, arms swinging as if marching.

Pale skin and a single scar on the left of his face.

The doll walked over to Rose's, leant forward and seemed to place a kiss on the porcelain cheek before walking back over to the edge of the desk.

Scorpius Malfoy, current crush.

The doll jumped, throwing itself at the person in front. Phil turned around with angry brown eyes.

"This is not funny," he announced.

Albus grinned. "It's easy, just think of Riley!"

The boy in question blushed, falling quiet under the blue eyed gaze he got.

Phil positioned his wand, not searching for a hidden meaning to the words. "Avitaum legs," he said in his deep voice, lifting his wand with a bounce of sorts. The doll jumped up, seeming full of life.

The other three smiled, Rose and Albus because of the meaning of Phil thinking of Riley, and Riley because his best friend just succeeded.

A playful Weasley smirk. "Avitaum arms."

The black haired doll bent down and picked up a piece of paper, crumpling it into a ball. He flicked his wand in Riley's general direction, and the doll threw the paper.

Riley was too slow to react, and got hit in the face by the paper ball.

"As wonderful as it is to see you doing so well, Phil, I'd appreciate it if you kept your doll under control," Padma said with a toothy smile.

The boy nodded and looked at Riley, who was glaring and rubbing his nose.

Rose leant towards Albus. "So, who was it you thought of?"

The boy flustered. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you obviously knew one of the things you thought of was someone who made you happy, so who was it?"

"Err…mum," Albus lied. Rose nodded, but didn't look convinced. "What about you?"

Rose laughed. "I just thought of delicateness, and linked the protectiveness that comes with it to the doll."

"So, you thought of the doll in a way, rather than a person?"

"Either way, I think it's more of putting an emotion that you link with a doll into the charm. So simple, yet complicated."

Riley turned in his seat and pointed over to the Slytherin's. "One of them managed to show emotion!"

And there it was, a doll with curly red hair and a green dress, white shirt underneath and a four leaved clover on the dress, two green bows in her hair walking up and down the desk. Misha was giggling madly and the owner of the doll was smirking in a pained way.

Albus could see those stormy grey eyes whirling, like what happened when the boy was thinking too hard.

"Congratulations, those of you who figured it out," the teacher said, clapping her hands. "It's a little hard, yet unbelievably simple once you've got it. You must put an emotion you link with the doll, or an image or memory of something or someone into the charm when you say it. It can affect how your doll moves and stands. I'd like you all to write up how you made your own move, or what you think you were doing wrong."

The class nodded and murmured a few agreements.

"Now, keep going to see if everyone can complete the spell successfully. Those who've already got their dolls walking can either perfect it, start to write up, or play around with the charm."

Riley and Phil were skim-reading page one hundred and three, trying to see who could charm their doll into following the other around all day.

In the end, Phil had won. Someone had managed to get their doll to jump around rather than walk, and it had gone out of control, distracting Riley. For the rest of the day, a black haired doll was on Riley's person, as every time he threw it at the wall, it would just walk back up to him and look up innocently, following him a while more until it had a chance to crawl into his bag, or onto his shoulder. Eventually, he'd let it wrap its arms around his neck and sit in the hood of his robe.

He left his friends when he saw Scorpius lingering around the hall entrance.

"Hey, you ready to go to the library or something?" Albus asked.

"Yeah, sure."

The two made their way down the halls, stairs and more halls.

"I really liked the Kabuki play, I think it would be easiest," Albus said.

"I agree, we could write about the costume designs, the Kimono seems to be very complex. It would have most to talk about it."

Albus nodded. "I think there's a book on the Kimono in the library, so we could go find it."

Scorpius nodded, not saying anything else.

They reached the library, putting their stuff on a table, Scorpius sitting and Albus going to fetch the book.

It was a long, long dinner. However, having Scorpius leaning over him to share the book was worth it.

Zzz

Phil snorted with a smirk painted on his face as Riley walked out the bathroom, black haired doll following him with a similar tired air. John and the other fifth year boys were already in bed, or still in the bathroom, and Albus and Phil were sat on the floor between their beds, playing exploding snap. Phil's night clothing consisted of long trousers, showing off his beater muscles. Albus wore a pair of shorts and a large white t-shirt.

Riley sat next to them in his stripy red and white pyjamas, the doll crawling into his lap.

"Who's winning?" he asked.

"Phil," Albus muttered. "His reflexes are way too good."

"You try having Fred for a brother- snap!"

The thing exploded in Albus' face, making him cough a little.

The Thomas boy laughed, clapping his hands. "You're getting slaughtered, Al!"

"I know, it sucks. Want to take over? I want to go to bed."

Riley shook his head and scrambled onto Phil's bed, picking up the doll when he was on the bed and snuggling it, turning his back to the others. "Good night."

"Get on your own bed, Riley!"

"Yours is comfier."

"I don't care, it's mine!"

Riley turned and looked up at him with big pale blue eyes, hiding behind the doll a little, which had a matching look. "Please? I'll be good and not kick you off the bed?"

Phil rolled his eyes and climbed on to the bed, snapping the curtains shut just as the smaller boy was snuggling up to his side.

Albus heard a 'you can't take the teddy and the doll, asshole' from behind the curtains, followed by 'yes I can, watch me'.

He looked at the clock, which read ten past ten, and put away his card set, popping it in a draw just as there was a tap on the window. Frowning, he reached forward and opened the window, an owl hopping into the room and hooting quietly.

Their owl, with a letter in its mouth.

Albus,

What have you been doing to poor Twincile? He looks so hungry! Your mum made sure he got lots of food before he left- I guess that's what happens when you don't send him home for a month, he gets starved!

I'm glad to hear that Rose convinced you all into being civilized for a while, though I hope it does last longer if you want it to. Though I doubt your Uncle Ron or your brother would be very happy with you making friends with Malfoy, I'm sure they could deal with it. Or your Aunt and I would force them to. No, I haven't shown her your letter, but I know she wouldn't mind. I don't either; be friends with who you want, you never know who you could find underneath them.

I guess this assignment's the perfect chance, isn't it?

Tell Seamus that he's not alone in hating the giant spiders, we met them once. Ron was petrified; I thought his hair would turn white!

Glad to hear you are well

Dad

A smile graced the young boy's face as he folded up the letter, slotting it next to the exploding snap game. Trust his dad to send something back that he wanted to know so urgently as soon as he could. His dad was always the one he confined in…

All he had to do now was bring up the topic of liking men.

Zzz