Sorry, this took longer than I had intended. Unfortunately, all of my professors felt the need to give tests before Thanksgiving break. Glad that's over! Speaking of, Happy (early) Thanksgiving for those of you who are American! And for those of you who aren't, I'll eat enough for all of us...and then obsessively work all the food off. xD By the way, who else besides me when to the midnight premiere of Deathly Hallows? Wasn't it fantastic? I cried, I laughed, and I squealed like a crazy fan girl. I'm seeing it again tomorrow! Woohoo!
Disclaimer: I own not the HP characters. The lovely JK Rowling does, and thank goodness for that!
Chapter 8
"I'm sorry, I haven't been listening to a single thing you've said," Albus finally spoke, realizing that he was supposed to be studying for the upcoming Potions exam with Scorpius. Instead of studying, however, he had been daydreaming, gazing at Scorpius, not paying attention.
"Seriously?" Scorpius groaned, shaking his head in disbelief at Albus. "What have you been doing for the past thirty minutes then?" He asked the attractive brunette in front of him.
Albus had been admiring Scorpius' features. Not for the whole thirty minutes, though, because that would have been creepy; mostly, he just dazed off into space because studying for Potions was boring. Scorpius looked a lot better and more well-rested than yesterday. He hoped this meant the Slytherin didn't have any nightmares last night. Albus gave a small shrug and sheepishly said, "Sorry, but studying is so mundane. Can't we study some other time?"
Scorpius refrained from rolling his eyes. It amazed him how easily distracted Albus could get. "Albus, the exam is in two days. You want to do well again, don't you?"
Sighing, Albus slowly nodded, his nose wrinkled in distaste. He didn't feel like studying, or at least not with Scorpius. He didn't know why, but today he was nervous around the boy. He became more conscious about how he looked and what he said. He didn't want to look stupid around Scorpius. It was silly, Albus knew that. Throughout the whole time he had spent around Scorpius, he had never felt as nervous as he was feeling right now. Those damn butterflies in his stomach. As much as he hated the anxiety, the adrenaline rush and excitement he also felt invigorated Albus. He could jump from building to building and not injure himself with all this energy bundled up inside of him. This was partly why Albus couldn't sit still or study.
"I'll just study later. I can't concentrate right now," Albus said, dismissing the idea.
Scorpius couldn't help but grin at Albus, though the Gryffindor sometimes irritated him. "Fine, it's your grade," he said with a smirk, closing his books.
Albus smiled when Scorpius put the Potions books away. Maybe he would ask Rose for help later. "So," Albus said, leaning back against the chair, "Are you ready for the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match this weekend?"
Scorpius simply shrugged. He hadn't been to a Quidditch match in over a year. His father had always pushed him into Quidditch. While Scorpius liked the sport, playing - or even watching - Quidditch reminded him too much of his deceased father. "I wasn't really thinking of going, to be honest," he softly told Albus.
Forehead wrinkled, Albus asked, "Why not? Afraid that we'll cream you guys?"
Scorpius gave a small smile as he retorted, "No way, from what I can remember, Gryffindor was never better than Slytherin."
"That was when you were on the team. Now that you're off, we've been in the lead," Albus proudly stated. Then, his smile fading, he asked, "Have you not been to a single game this year?"
"No, I don't really find it appealing anymore," Scorpius casually said, trying to keep the sadness out of his voice. And anyway, he didn't want to be in the stands by himself like a loser. He wanted to be out there playing. But playing Quidditch still hurt too much.
Albus wondered if Scorpius didn't like the sport because of Draco. He thought it was awful to give up on something that used to make Scorpius happy. But, Albus didn't tell Scorpius that, feeling as though he would get upset. Instead, he hesitantly offered, "Well, you should go tomorrow, if only to support me."
Scorpius pondered Albus' offer. He didn't want to upset Albus by not attending, but what if watching Quidditch would bring up painful memories? Then, Scorpius thought back to when he rode around with Albus a month ago. Scorpius hadn't felt guilty or anything; in fact, he missed flying. With this in mind, Scorpius said, "Okay, I'll go. But I'll have to root for you in silence. The other Slytherins dislike me enough as it is."
Albus grinned, glad that Scorpius said yes. He tried not to think about the added pressure of impressing Scorpius. Instead, he thought of hopefully inspiring Scorpius to play again. Albus hoped that by Scorpius being on Slytherin's Quidditch team again, he would have more incentive to feel less guilty and depressed about his father's death. Albus was willing to risk Gryffindor's winning streak if it meant that Scorpius were happy again.
"So, since we aren't going to study anymore, I suggest we call it a night and head to dinner," Scorpius said, standing up, breaking Albus from his thoughts.
Albus nodded, smiling at the thought of dinner. After gathering all of his books, he got up from the table and gave Scorpius a quick hug and a peck on the lips.
Scorpius couldn't help but grin from Albus' quick kiss which warmed his body. The two boys then said their goodbyes and headed off in opposite directions.
(
That Saturday morning, Albus got up early and dressed in his Quidditch uniform. Then, he headed to eat breakfast with his team. As he and James entered the Great Hall, the two Potters trash-talked two Slytherin beaters then happily made their way to the Gryffindor table. He was in great spirits, chatting animatedly with his team. Unfortunately, as he scanned the Slytherin table, Albus saw that Scorpius was not present. Albus' face fell, hoping Scorpius' absence from breakfast didn't mean he'd be absent from the Quidditch match.
An hour before, Scorpius woke up in his bed, sweating and heavily breathing. He didn't remember this nightmare as vividly as the others, but the dream left him upset with tear-stained cheeks. He inwardly groaned as he laid back down on his bed in a foul mood before the day had even begun.
"Hey, you okay?" A voice suddenly spoke out. Scorpius kept his eyes closed for a couple seconds, wondering if this voice were talking to him or someone else. When no one responded, Scorpius opened his eyes and looked to his left. There, Scorpius saw Bryce Selwyn sitting on the bed next to his, looking at him with concern.
Scorpius had only spoken to the muscular brunette a few times. They were in the same grade, but Selwyn always ran with a different crowd. The Slytherin's family was full of death eaters just like his own, but unlike his father, Selwyn's father and grandfather still considered themselves dark wizards. Scorpius was thankful that his father hadn't raised him to believe purebloods were superior and Voldemort was to be honored. Though he didn't know Selwyn well, Scorpius assumed that's what Selwyn's father had done. So it was a surprise when the guy asked him if he were okay.
Briefly glancing at Selwyn, Scorpius gave a half-hearted shrug, fixing his sheets, as he mumbled, "Depends on your definition of 'okay.'"
"Well, I know we don't talk much, but this is the fourth time you've screamed in your sleep this month so I figured I'd, you know, ask if you were okay," Selwyn said a little uneasily, running his hand through his curly brown hair.
Scorpius winced and looked away from Selwyn as he sheepishly said, "I scream in my sleep? Shit, that's embarrassing." He wondered how often he did it and why no one had told him before now. Then, Scorpius made a mental note to perform silencing charms around his bed before going to sleep every night.
"Hey, it's cool man," Selwyn said, not wanting to make Scorpius feel uncomfortable. "We're all used to it by now."
Scorpius gave a small smile, thankful that Selwyn wasn't bitching him out for waking up everyone with his screams. "Oh, well thanks, I guess," he quietly, but sincerely, stated. He was angry with himself for letting the nightmares get to him like that, and Scorpius wondered if he should take Albus' advice and see someone about the recurring dreams.
Selwyn nodded, a sympathetic smile plastered upon his face. "We all have nightmares here and there." Giving Scorpius a meaningful look, he added, "Some more than others."
Humorlessly chuckling, Scorpius frowned and said, "My life would be a lot better if I didn't relive the past every fucking night."
"About your Dad?" Selwyn gently inquired. When Scorpius curtly nodded, Selwyn then said, "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Scorpius replied, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the apology he hated to hear. If he had a galleon for every time someone said sorry to him about his deceased father, Scorpius would be rich – or richer than he already was, rather. After all, he and his parents had always lived off of Mum's inheritance. The Malfoys lost their pride, reputation, and money after the war.
"I know what you're going through, Malfoy," Selwyn said. Scorpius narrowed his eyes, but before he could say anything, Selwyn continued, "My Dad went to Azkaban when I was four. I don't even remember him."
Scorpius stopped himself from saying anything rude when Selwyn talked about his own father. Scorpius felt lucky to have known his father, however short of a time it felt. "What'd he do?" He asked.
Selwyn's eyebrows knitted together and he quietly explained, "He murdered a group of muggleborns. My Mum and I don't really talk to Dad's side of the family. It's bad enough I have the surname."
Scorpius' eyes widened as he realized that Selwyn wasn't at all what he had perceived the guy to be. "And here I thought you were an aspiring Death Eater," Scorpius said with a grin.
Winking, Selwyn remarked, "People aren't always what they seem." Before Scorpius could answer, Selwyn glanced at the clock and said, "Shit, we've missed breakfast."
Suddenly, Scorpius remembered he was supposed to watch Albus play Quidditch. "Hey, are you going to the match against Gryffindor?" He asked the brunette in front of him, turning away to take off his pajamas and put on his robes.
"I've got nothing better to do," Scorpius heard Selwyn say behind him.
"Cool, I'm going too. We should probably head to the field now." He was thankful he wouldn't have to sit by himself watching his former team play.
"If that's an invite for me to come with you, I accept," Selwyn said, smiling, after he got dressed, turning around just in time to see Scorpius pull his slacks up around his boxers.
(
After the Gryffindors received a pep talk, Albus headed to the field with his broom. He mounted his broom and flew in the air along with his team to warm-up. As Albus flew around the pitch, he tried to spot Scorpius in the stands. Finally, after his third lap around with his team, Albus spotted Scorpius sitting in the Slytherin stands. He smiled at the boy then turned his attention to Madame Pomfrey because the game was starting.
The quaffle was thrown in the air, signaling the beginning of the game, and Fred Weasley, a Gryffindor chaser, caught the quaffle. As Fred headed toward the goal posts, he tossed the quaffle to another Gryffindor chaser, nearly missing a bludger. The chaser threw the quaffle but the Slytherin keeper caught it and threw the ball to a nearby Slytherin chaser.
Albus flew up higher, keeping his eye on bludgers, the field, and the Slytherin seeker. He watched as chasers flew up and down the field, tossing the quaffle back and forth or getting hit by a beater. Finally, Gryffindor got their first goal and the score was 10-0. Two minutes later, Slytherin tied the game. Albus flew around the pitch, searching for a golden fleck. As he looked behind him, he heard James, a beater, shout, "Albus, watch out!"
Albus turned around and saw a bludger coming for him. He quickly dove, narrowly avoiding the ball hitting his arm. As he dove, he caught site of a golden glimmer near the Hufflepuff stands. Albus immediately shot toward the stands. Getting closer, he recognized the tiny glimmer as the snitch.
Smiling to himself, Albus chased the snitch throughout the field. Suddenly, he heard someone behind him. The Slytherin seeker, Thomas Flint, a seventh-year, had caught up to him. Albus rammed himself into the seeker, trying to knock the Slytherin off his broom. Then the Slytherin seeker rammed himself into Albus. Weaving in and out, trying to avoid being hit by flying objects, the two seekers chased after the snitch like their lives depended on it.
As the score reached 70-60, Gryffindor's lead, Albus sped up, determined to catch the snitch. Flint followed just behind Albus. He elbowed Albus in the side, almost making Albus fall. But the Gryffindor kept his balance and caught up with Flint. The snitch went higher in the air and so did the two seekers. Now the score was 80-90 with Slytherin in the lead. Albus body checked Flint then sped up faster. He was now within touching distance of the snitch. Positioning his body to balance on the broom with one arm, he reached with his other arm for the snitch. Sensing that Flint was once again closing in on him, Albus kept speeding up. Finally, his two fingers touched the snitch. Stretching farther, he finally grasped the snitch in his palm.
The announcer yelled, "Albus Potter has caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins!" Albus broke out in a huge grin. Albus flew down to the bottom of the field, reveling in the erupted cheers from the Gryffindor stands. He received pats on the back from his teammates. "You guys did great, too," he said back, still grinning. Then, he let his eyes wander to the Slytherin stands and spotted Scorpius smiling at him, mouthing the words, "Good job." Albus' grin grew wider.
"Hey, there's Mum and Dad. Let's go say hi," James said to him.
Albus turned his attention away from Scorpius and focused on his older brother. "Okay," he responded, making his way toward the other side of the field with James.
Walking down from the Slytherin stands with Selwyn, Scorpius stepped onto the field and spotted Albus hugging his father, who looked like an older version of Albus with glasses. If Scorpius remembered correctly, Albus had told him he wore contacts. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. For a moment, Scorpius became angry that his own father wasn't here to congratulate him after winning a Qudditch match, but he caught himself in time before his anger flooded through the rest of his body. He had just gotten out of his bad mood, after all.
Joined by Louis, James, Fred, and Rose; Albus said goodbye to his father and began to walk in the direction of the castle. Scorpius told Selwyn goodbye then rather irrationally followed after the Potter-Weasley clan. Scorpius hadn't thought of the implications from congratulating Albus with some of his family present. In fact, ever since he and Albus hung out more, Scorpius forgot about the bad blood between the Malfoys and the Potters and Weasleys. So, though it should have been no surprise, Scorpius was momentarily taken aback when he caught up to them and Louis, James, and Fred all glared at him with wary, dumbfounded eyes.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" James sneered.
"Come to kiss our arse because we beat Slytherin?" Fred taunted.
Scorpius struggled at first to give a passable excuse as to why he approached them because it was clear they obviously didn't know about his and Albus being friends, let alone their liking each other. He was mentally kicking himself for stupidly trying to talk to Albus in public. Finally finding his words, Scorpius narrowed his eyes and curtly stated, "I have to talk to him about Potions."
Albus glared at his brother and cousin, sharply saying, "Stop being pricks." Then he turned to Scorpius, grabbed his arm, and pulled him off to the side away from his family. "Sorry about them," Albus apologized, clearly embarrassed.
"Come on, Al. We have to celebrate in the commons," Louis said, obviously opposed to Albus talking to Scorpius. He still had a hard time accepting his best friend liked his self-declared nemesis.
Scorpius shrugged at Albus and gave a small smile. "Congrats. It was a good game," he sincerely told Albus.
Ignoring Louis, Albus breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, glad to know he impressed Scorpius. After all, the Slytherin used to be the best seeker in their year. "How did I do?" He asked.
Before Scorpius could answer, James called out, "Albus, stop talking to the Voldemort-worshipper. He's going to turn you into a Death Eater."
Scorpius rolled his eyes. He really hated that arrogant prick. It was a wonder how James and Albus were related. Albus, however, was more upset than annoyed. He whipped around and, scowling, said, "Shut up, James! Leave Scorpius alone!"
James' eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you seriously defending this loser?" He incredulously asked his little brother.
Scorpius narrowed his eyes at James, offended by the term, "loser." He may not have been intimidating anymore, but he was far from being a loser. He was also not one for standing around, letting other people insult him as they pleased. "Why don't you make yourself useful and suck your tiny dick, Potter?" He tartly retorted.
Taking a step closer to Scorpius, speaking before thinking, James shot back, "Why don't you sulk in your room about your dead father? Or better yet, get over yourself and stop being a fucking attention whore."
"James!" Rose and Albus both shouted, appalled that he would say something so insensitive.
The anger boiled in his veins and Scorpius could no longer contain it. He roughly shoved James and gave one swift punch to the elder Potter's face. Immediately, Fred and Louis shoved Scorpius back.
Before the fight got any worse, Albus stepped in between his cousins and Scorpius. He placed his hand on Scorpius' chest. "Scorpius, don't," he whispered.
Scorpius was breathing hard as tears stung the rims of his eyes. He blinked them away and put on an aloof, stoney expression. Then, Scorpius, hurt and angry, briskly ran away in the opposite direction.
"Scorpius!" Albus called after the Slytherin, frowning. He was shocked at what had just occurred.
"You're such an arse, James!" Rose haughtily said before stalking away, upset at her cousin's immaturity.
Standing up, rubbing the offended cheek, James glared at his brother as he shouted, "What the hell, Albus? What's wrong with you?"
Albus glared right back at his brother, angry. "What's wrong with me? What about you?" He shot back. "You had no right to say that! Get off your high horse and stop acting like such a prick!" Then he ran after Rose, wanting to get away from his brother and his two cousins. He was so ashamed at how they acted in front of Scorpius. Talking about Scorpius' deceased father was too far and he couldn't believe James had stooped that low. He wondered if he should find Scorpius and try to apologize, but was afraid Scorpius wouldn't want to talk to him after what had happened. Talk about a great day being ruined in a matter of minutes.
So, there you go! I gave a little angst and drama in this chapter. Drama is fun when it doesn't concern me, baha. And don't worry, I didn't put Selwyn in there as a filler. He has a part to play in this story...but whether it's for better or worse is for you to guess and find out! Anyway, drop me a review and I'll give you a slice of whatever pie your heart desires. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! :)
