Chapter 7: Will you teach me?

Throughout the first two weeks of classes, Albus wrote back and forth to his writing partner every other day. Although they had mentioned they might be busy with schoolwork, they seemed to have no problem fitting Albus into their schedule.

Scorpius, however, hadn't received a single letter from his partner. Every morning and every night he checked his bedside table but every time there was nothing. It didn't help watching his friend excitedly read and write his letters most nights.

Scorpius spent several nights going over what he could remember writing in his first letter. Had he been too boring or too dorky? Surely they would have read it by now. Maybe their reply got lost on the way back. Maybe.

Headmistress McGonagall did say participation was mandatory but Scorpius didn't see how they could enforce this. He wasn't going to go running to the Headmistress to complain about not receiving a letter.

Albus had noticed Scorpius' mood starting to sink. Not long ago, he had been so excited about Hogwarts, classes and even this letter program. Although Albus had enjoyed conversing with his partner, he'd wished the Headmistress had never introduced the program. It was causing Scorpius too much grief, and he couldn't bear to see how best friend so sad.

Albus tried to hide his letters but it was difficult when they kept appearing in their shared dormitory. He tried not to write in front of Scorpius but they were always together. He'd tried to wait until his friend had fallen asleep one night, but he found he couldn't keep his eyes open that long.

On the Friday of their third week of classes, Albus and Scorpius had 5th and 6th period free so after lunch they went straight up to their dorm to change out of their uniforms. They had been planning to go for a walk around the grounds and lake.

As they entered the dormitory, Albus cried out in joy "Scorpius!"

"What?" asked Scorpius, looking at the other boy confused.

"You got one!" replied Albus cheerfully.

"I've got what?" asked Scorpius as he turned to follow his friend's gaze. "Oh" he said quickly.

Scorpius ran to his bedside table excitedly, and opened the parchment quickly. He began to read as Albus watched him from the doorway. But as Scorpius read, his smile faded and Albus watched it be replaced with a heavy look of disappointment.

Scorpius placed the parchment back down and sighed.

"Scorpius?" asked Albus tentatively approaching him.

Scorpius suddenly jumped up smiling. "Alright get ready, we're going to the lake" he said with forced joy.

"Did you want to talk about -" Albus began concerned.

"Come on, I want to be back inside before dark" interrupted Scorpius, taking his clothes into the bathroom to change.

Albus sighed sadly. He saw the parchment sitting on Scorpius' bed and went to pick it up, but stopped himself. Scorpius would tell him about it when he was ready.

They spent about an hour wandering the perimeter of the school before stopping at the Great Lake. Scorpius insisted they stop here. He liked watching the ripples of water as he skipped pebbles across the surface. Albus didn't object as he enjoyed watching Scorpius do this.

Scorpius directed his focus intently on each little ripple and the next and the next. In doing this, he was able to relax his mind from his recent worries, particularly the disappointing letter he had just received.

Albus lay on the grass lazily watching Scorpius throw pebbles in silence. He couldn't take his eyes off his friend - the way he leant his arm back to prepare for each throw was so graceful and precise. Scorpius's arm movements reminded Albus vaguely of ballroom dancing. Although it didn't make sense for Scorpius to be dancing alone.

"Will you teach me?" called out Albus suddenly.

Scorpius paused mid-throw and turned back to his friend grinning. "Will you actually listen this time?" he asked cheekily.

Scorpius had already tried to teach Albus back in their first year but skipping stones hadn't come so naturally to Albus who was not as graceful as Scorpius, and certainly not as patient.

Albus pouted at Scorpius. "Please?" he asked.

Scorpius shook his head smiling. "Of course, Albus."

Jumping up eagerly, Albus ran to his friend's side and picked up a pebble near his feet.

Frowning, Scorpius picked the pebble from Albus' hand and replaced it with the one in his own. The lingering contact of their hands causing a small blush on Albus' face, which luckily the other boy didn't notice.

"This pebble's too rough" he explained, holding it out to Albus to inspect.

Albus looked from the pebble in his hands to the one in Scorpius' hands amused. "They look exactly the same!" he cried.

Scorpius shrugged, chuckling. "You'll learn."

"So how do I chuck it?" asked Albus, raising his arm high.

Scorpius laughed loudly. "Well first of all, you don't chuck it." he said, shuffling over to Albus's right side and pulling his arm down slowly. Albus's heart beat a little faster at the contact.

"Keep your forearm flat like this" Scorpius said still holding onto Albus, "and pull your arm back…" Scorpius released his grip, keeping his hands lighting brushing Albus' arm for support.

"No, wait" called out Scorpius urgently as Albus quickly moved to throw the pebble. Scorpius grasped his friend's forearm and shoulder instinctively, but it was too late, and the pebble plopped into the water pathetically.

Albus turned to look at Scorpius sheepishly and found the other's boy's face only centimetres from his. Their eyes locked on each other for a moment, green on silver, silver on green, Scorpius still clutching Albus' arm tightly. Scorpius quickly let go of Albus and took a small step back, swallowing nervously. Albus turned back towards the lake, blushing.

Wordlessly, Scorpius picked up another pebble and placed it into Albus's palm carefully, rearranging his hand delicately so that Albus was only holding the sides of the pebble. He picked up a pebble for himself and slowly pulled his arm back to throw, looking over at Albus to make sure he was following his actions. Scorpius nodded at Albus and they both released together, one pebble skipping across the water effortlessly, the other skipping only once before faltering. They smiled at each other.

They continued skipping pebbles together, mostly in silence, Scorpius occasionally offering advice, until it started getting dark. The boys headed straight to the Great Hall for dinner before returning to their dorm.

As they entered the dormitory together, Albus noticed another letter sitting on his table. He looked over to Scorpius nervously but he had already seen it as well.

"It's okay," said Scorpius smiling weakly. "You read. I'm going to have a shower."

Later that night, with Albus asleep, Scorpius picked up his own letter and reread it.

Bloody parchment kept nudging me every time I was in the dorm until I wrote a reply. This is stupid.

Scorpius felt incredibly silly about his first letter now. Although he tried to tell himself it wasn't him and it wasn't his letter that had caused this. He had just been paired with someone who wasn't interested in writing. That's all. "It's not me." He whispered to himself sadly as he rolled over in bed, closing his eyes.

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