Run – A Harry Potter Fan-Fiction Featuring Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy

Chapter Seven – Crack the Shutters

The next morning came early, Scorpius woke up to all of his dormitory mates still fast-asleep, including Albus Potter. Scorpius stretched his arms and stifled a yawn. He took a quick look around, appreciating the quiet and peach that came with the early morning. Not being able to quite help himself, he looked over at Albus Potter's bed and could just make out his face between the pulled curtains of his four-poster bed. Scorpius smiled slightly too himself, not entirely sure why, but he shook it off, and pulled himself out of bed and made his way over to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, Scorpius dressed, and by that time, his dorm-mates were waking up and preparing for a Saturday breakfast before heading down to Hogsmeade for their first Hogsmeade visit of the term. With all of the events of the previous few days, Scorpius hadn't thought of Hogsmeade and suddenly felt excited and nervous all at the same time. This was an excellent opportunity to escape the stares and pitying looks of his fellow students, but it also meant the villagers would be new people to offer the same. Scorpius found that, although it would be uncomfortable, he would definitely be happy to escape the castle for a little bit at least, he made his way over to Albus Potter's bed where Albus seemed to be getting out of bed.

Scorpius Malfoy was walking towards him as Albus pulled himself out of bed. Scorpius seemed to have already showered and was dressed in muggle clothes, a pair of jeans and a tight-fitting t-shirt. Albus couldn't help but linger just a tad too long on the way the shirt clung to Scorpius' skinny, yet toned frame. Catching himself, he quickly looked down. As Scorpius approached, he didn't seem to have noticed, but did begin to ask Albus a question.

"Hey, Albus, would you want to go down to Hogsmeade with me today? It's ok if you don't want too, I know its last minute and you probably have plans, but I just wanted to ask."

Albus was taken aback, it wasn't what he expected, but inside he was jumping for joy, but in an attempt to contain himself, he simply said, "Sure."

Scorpius gave him a quizzical look, "Sure?"

Albus felt his face turn red, "I mean, yeah, I'll come with you."

Albus watched Scorpius' face, and saw it light up immediately, but all he said was, "I hope it's not too much trouble."

Albus responded, "Of course not."

Scorpius shook his head and then said, "Alright, well I will see you down at breakfast."

Albus nodded and as Scorpius walked away, he pulled his shirt off and headed towards the bathroom to shower.

As Albus walked away, Scorpius took a quick look behind him. Albus Potter's back was well- muscled despite the fact that Albus himself was rather slim, tan, and showed all of the evidence of Albus being a quidditch player. Scorpius felt his cheeks get warm, and quickly looked away, he also felt a stirring elsewhere, and quickly walked down out of the dormitory, shaking his head at himself and wishing he had not looked at all. Scorpius made his way across the deserted common room, and headed out into the castle towards the Great Hall.

"Headmistress, whoever did this has no fear of ministry wizards or being in public, I strongly urge you to keep the students at Hogwarts, Hogsmeade may not be safe." Hermione's head was speaking urgently from Professor McGonagall's fireplace next to his own. Harry and Hermione had returned to the ministry amidst the nightmare that had unfolded in Godric's Hollow. Nearly the entire Magical Law Enforcement and Auror departments were deployed, gathering evidence and trying to determine who was the culprit. They were also altering many muggle's memories, and working on trying to look to the wounds of the muggles that had been in the middle of the event. Hermione had come to his office immediately the next day and had brought up the Hogwart's visits to Hogsmeade as potentially unsafe, Harry couldn't help but agree, but he also knew causing a panic may not be the best way to approach the situation. Instead, he let Hermione say her peace and waited for Professor McGonagall's response, which soon followed, "Minister, I assure you, we can insure our students are safe, the one thing we cannot do is allow ourselves to be bullied or scared. Hogsmeade is a village full of wizards, surely this person that is determined to bring harm to muggles wouldn't think twice of attacking an all-wizard village?"

"While I would agree, Headmistress, I do not believe we are dealing with rational people, I also am worried, particularly about Scorpius Malfoy." Hermione responded.

Harry finally found himself ready to speak up, "While I agree, the students' safety is the most important thing here, I still think it is best that we make sure they have as normal of a time as possible, given the circumstances. Why don't I relocate some aurors, and myself to Hogsmeaded today for the trip, as added security?"

Hermione looked at Harry, but he couldn't tell if it was anger or relief, at that time Professor McGonagall spoke up as well, "I think that would be more than sufficient."

Hermione sighed, "very well, thank you for your time, headmistress."

"Thank you for your time, minister." Professor McGonagall responded.

Harry and Hermione pulled themselves out of the fireplace, "well I better get myself over to Hogsmeade." Harry said quickly.

Hermione looked at him, and then said, "Harry, be careful."

"Always am." Harry responded with a smirk.

Hermione gave him a half-hearted smile back, "I mean it, if there is any trouble, let me know, immediately."

"Of course I will." Harry replied.

The great hall was nearly full, students all assembled for breakfast on the first Hogsmeade weekend of the year. The teachers, including Headmistress McGonagall at their table at the head of the hall, seemed to be in deep conversation, Albus made his way over to the Slytherin table and saw Scorpius, his white-blond hair alive with the sunlight reflecting from the windows around the hall.

"Oh hello." Scorpius looked up as Albus sat down on his left side. Albus could make out a slight smile on Scorpius' lips, and decided that that made him feel more at ease.

"Any idea why the teachers look so anxious?" Albus asked.

"I don't, there haven't been any owls yet, and nobody has spoken." Scorpius replied, but as he did so, Professor McGonagall stood up.

"Students," she said, her voice carrying across the hall, and the low murmur that had filled the hall died down immediately, "last night in Godric's Hollow, a dozen muggles were murdered and significant damage was done to multiple houses by an as-of-yet unidentified culprit."

Several sharp intakes of breath were heard across the hall, and then complete silence fell, Albus felt himself tense up and looked at Scorpius, who's face was a mask.

Professor McGonagall continued, "Now some of you may be wondering how this will affect us here at Hogwarts, and for now let me tell you, classes will continue as scheduled, and the visit to Hogsmeade will go on as scheduled today, but a few changes will be made. The auror office is sending more aurors for security at the village, to insure your safety. Here at the school, we will begin a strict curfew policy each evening, to insure all students are safely in their dormitories. Now, please enjoy your breakfast, before beginning your Saturday. I do strongly encourage all of our students to be mindful of your surroundings, please report suspicious activity to your head of house, your prefects, or your head boy or head girl. Thank you."

With that Professor McGonagall sat back down and the rumble began across the great hall, hundreds of shocked voices began discussing the events of the night before. Albus again looked at Scorpius, who seems stony faced, but determined to keep himself contained. Albus couldn't help himself, he reached over and touched Scorpius' hand with his own, giving it a slight squeeze, Scorpius looked over and smiled, half-heartedly.

"I'm alright Albus," Scorpius responded as he turned his hand over and squeezed Albus' hand. At that moment, a fellow Slytherin by the name of Knott, looked over and gave Albus a slightly confused look, to which Albus quickly pulled his hand away and began loading his plate with food.

Scorpius watched as Knott gave Albus a confused look, and could tell that Albus was uncomfortable, he felt the comforting hand pull away suddenly as Albus began to pile food on his plate. Scorpius felt a sudden drop in his stomach, and now felt, if it were possible, even less hungry than he had after hearing the news about Godric's Hollow. The minutes passed as students around him consumed their breakfast, including Albus next to him, but he couldn't bring himself to eat anything. Albus did look over a couple of times with a concerned expression, but Scorpius couldn't bring himself to touch anything. Once Albus had finished his breakfast, Scorpius gestured towards the doorway entrance to the Great Hall, to which Albus stood up and began walking.

"I didn't think you were ever going to be done." Scorpius remarked as they walked towards the doorway.

"Hahaha," Albus laughed, "don't think I didn't notice that you didn't eat. You certainly do not to be skipping any meals."

"Albus Potter, are you making fun of me?" Scorpius smirked.

"No, just pointing out that you're so skinny, I could probably break you just by squeezing you!" Albus shot back.

Scorpius suddenly had a mental image of Albus wrapping him in a hug, and squeezing him hard. He felt a warmth spread across his face and a smile come to his lips, but quickly shook the feeling away, and looked down. "You'd have to catch me first." Scorpius replied.

"Is that a challenge?" Albus asked.

"If you want it to be," Scorpius responded, but then his voice fell, "I couldn't eat. Just wasn't hungry, all of the news."

Albus nodded his head, "I understand, but you should still have tried to get something down."

"I know, I know. But hey, more room for lunch now." Scorpius said.

Scorpius and Albus walked down the pathway from the Hogwarts entrance hall out onto the grounds, taking the long trail amidst groups of other students heading down towards the village of Hogsmeade, situated on the opposite side of the lake as Hogwarts was, the winding trail took them along the lake. It was beautiful this weekend, the sun glinted off of the top of the lake and sparkled in the morning mist.

This was the first weekend the Hogwarts students would be at Hogsmeade. His plan would work, he had faith. His master would soon forgive him and reward him, most effectively, for capturing the Malfoy boy. He just needed a little more time, and a way to get the Malfoy boy alone. He had an idea, he hoped would work, but the timing would need to be just right.

As they walked down the pathway to Hogsmeade together, Albus's thoughts dwelled back to the feeling in his hand as he felt Scorpius' hand against his own and found himself imagining what it would it be like to hold it longer.

"Albus, isn't that your dad?" Scorpius was squeezing Albus' arm and pointing towards a thin man with glasses and messy hair. Sure enough, it would seem one of the Aurors the ministry was sending was his very own father.

"Hey, Dad!" Albus called out over the groups of students that were still in front of them.

"Albus! Scorpius! It's good to see you again, boys. Any exciting plans for Hogsmeade today?" Harry asked them.

"I don't think so," Albus admitted.

"Well, I was thinking we could catch a drink in the Three Broomsticks, and I was thinking about looking at some new dress robes." Scorpius answered.

"Well there you go!" Harry answered, a little too excitedly.

Albus could tell his father was trying to keep things calm, although he surely knew that they knew why he was there.

"Alright dad, well we will see you later." Albus said.

"Boys," his voice grew more quiet, "please be careful and look out for each other. Hermione is worried that something may happen here today, and I can't say I disagree, but that's why we are here."

"Aunt Hermione is here too?" Albus asked.

"No, no, just myself and some Aurors, but if something does happen, she will be here in a heartbeat." Harry responded.

Albus and Scorpius nodded and said their farewells and made their way down the last bit of trail into Hogsmeade proper.