Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy.

A Slight Misunderstanding

Heading towards the Great Hall for supper Albus didn't really see what was going on around him, too lost in his thoughts. It was only now sinking in how close he'd come to getting in real trouble with Malfoy earlier and that was the only thought his mind could keep in his head. And it wasn't even so much that Malfoy had seen him mostly naked, because really, he wasn't what you'd call impressive, but he wasn't bad looking so what did that really matter? Unless seeing that he wasn't all that great looking without his clothes on had turned the Slytherin off. He wouldn't like that one little bit. Of course he didn't want to rush into bed with the other man either, but he was thinking more and more…that he really wanted that to happen eventually.

And it was the thought of what could happen between them that obsessed him.

On Saturday he was definitely going to have to leave the school and head to…to some place where he could find out more about how sexual relationships between men worked exactly.

He sorta knew where to go for that, or at least where there was a shop that catered to men like Malfoy and possibly himself. It was a couple blocks from the university his Muggle second cousin Finn had attended. Taking after his grandmother Finn had been quite scandalized by it and had pointed it out to him while giving him a tour of his neighborhood.

So he knew where to go, provided that the shop was still there, Albus thought as he absently shifted over to the side so that he wouldn't get mowed down by a group of boys too hungry to look where they were going. But growing teenage boys were like that, he thought with a smile of remembrance.

In no rush himself the Gryffindor walked at a leisurely pace, slowing further when he caught sight of the Grey Lady floating off to the side, watching the students as they headed into the Great Hall. Raising a hand in greeting Albus made his way over to her, turning to join her in watching the crowds. "Good evening, Helena."

"Good evening, Albus." The Grey Lady echoed. "I heard about the potions incident. It was well done of you to take over and see to the students so quickly. I would imagine Professor Malfoy would have been willing to let the students run amok in their stench induced confusion."

Lips twitching Albus had to admit that she was right. The Potions teacher had been far more concerned about his classroom than he'd been about his students. "I'm just glad that the elves were able to get their hands on the ingredients necessary to deal with the potion's effect. They deserve more credit than me."

Used to his modesty the Ravenclaw didn't argue, and instead gently reminded him that he needed to head in before supper started without him.

Nodding in agreement Albus bid her good night and then strolled off towards the teachers' entrance to the Great Hall.

)

Giving the food on his plate a great deal more attention than was necessary Scorpius stubbornly ignored the students, other teachers, and most especially Albus Potter. He'd spent most of the afternoon obsessing over the man and that mortified him enough that he was actually dreading collecting his reward once the meal was over. And how messed up was that? He wanted to snog the Gryffindor, he wanted to do a hell of a lot more than just that. He wanted to strip the man naked, tie him to his bed, and have his wicked way with the Gryffindor until neither of them had the energy to do anything but struggle to breathe. Which was the problem, Scorpius thought as he skewered some of his peas with a great deal more force than necessary. He was starting to want the other man way too much. To an unsettling degree in fact.

It hadn't been like this when they were students together. Back then he'd been well aware of the fact that the Gryffindor wasn't remotely aware of men sexually and therefore he'd never gone beyond occasionally stopping or moving to better enjoy the sight of the other man's ass. It wasn't like he'd spent THAT much time fantasizing about Harry Potter's youngest son, Scorpius reassured himself. Just ever so often, when the Gryffindor had done something to draw his attention.

But back then he hadn't known what the man tasted like, the scent of his skin, the way it felt to hold him in his arms. And now that he did he couldn't stop obsessing, like he'd reverted back to his school boy days when sex was something to be thought of as often as possible.

Knowing that the Gryffindor had the power to…to enslave his thoughts to that degree worried the Slytherin like few things did. He was a man who preferred to be in control of his life, especially his love life, and the idea that the brunet could tie him up in knots when they hadn't even had sex yet was cause for worry. A lot of worry.

Instinct said that he should try to regain control, lessen their contact until he was sure that he had a handle on his emotions and desires where the other man was concerned.

The problem with that was that he wanted more, a hell of a lot more. Not to mention the fact that he knew the way Potter's mind worked and didn't doubt for a moment that if he were to try to hide his interest the other man would take it personally and possibly withdraw from him, retreating into that shell of his. And if that happened the Gryffindor might go back to not being aware of him on a sexual level. Potter could even decide that it really was just his celibacy that had caused their chemistry together and hook up with some girl instead.

So what was he supposed to do?

Not pushing the Gryffindor further made the most sense, at least for the rest of the week.

But damn if he liked that idea.

He was still brooding over the idea when he just happened to notice the object of his obsession getting up from the table, obviously intending to leave.

Cursing in his head, Scorpius did the same.

Controlling himself around the other man was going to be a bitch.

)

As he got dressed to go out that Saturday afternoon Albus sighed, absently running a hand through his already tousled hair. He didn't feel like going out, but his sister would kill him if he stood her up, especially since she'd made it clear in her return letter that she was going to have a hard time clearing a spot for him in her busy schedule. As it was he was supposed to meet her directly after her Quidditch practice or else. Though when she heard why he'd needed two hours of her precious time she'd probably forgive the short notice.

His sister was the type who would view going to a gay sex shop as a wonderful lark.

He'd decided to bring her along because half way through the week he'd had to face the fact that Malfoy was already growing bored with him. The man had come for his 'rewards' every night, but he hadn't pushed for more at all this week. And there had been a restrained, almost forced quality to the kisses they'd shared, the Gryffindor thought with a look of misery. That meant that if he was going to find out if he was gay he was going to have to investigate things on his own, which would include forcing himself to learn about the sexual aspect from outside sources.

Knowing himself well, he'd enlisted his sister's attendance because she wouldn't let him chicken out.

Not that he'd told her any of this in his letter, what if someone else had gotten ahold of it? So on top of everything else he had to tell his baby sister that he might be gay and convince her to keep it to herself until he had more information.

Most people would find Lily to be a strange choice, but he and sister had always been close. His male friends might be a bit disturbed at the idea of going to such a place with him, and he couldn't think of any of his female friends that he'd feel comfortable asking. He supposed he had relatives both male and female who would go with him, but Lily was unquestionably the pick since the others were either unable to keep a secret, wouldn't have the sensitivity not to make him even more uncomfortable than he already was, or would get hit on which would probably not go over well. Other than Lily his next pick would have been Teddy, but his god brother was also Malfoy's second cousin. It struck him as fundamentally wrong to discuss such things with the oldest family member of his generation.

Lily was his family, friend, and someone he'd trust with his life, much less a secret.

And on that thought Albus walked over to his door and opened it, letting himself out. Turning around he pulled out his wand and secured the door, since he was pretty sure that he wasn't going to be back that night. He'd go to his own home, check the place over, and absorb whatever it was he was going to learn from his…shopping trip.

Returning his wand to his jacket pocket the Gryffindor shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and started out, nodding vague greetings to the various students and teaching staff he ran into on his way. But even lost in thought he still sensed it when he was joined in the hallway by the man who had so completely rocked his world.

Looking over at the blonde Albus nodded his head in acknowledgement, unsure whether he should say anything to the other man or not. He didn't want to force his attention on the Slytherin if it wasn't wanted.

But apparently the man wanted to talk to him after all, Albus thought, his mood lifting as he watched Scorpius walk towards him. "Hello."

Inclining his head Scorpius studied the Gryffindor, sensing all the undercurrents swirling beneath the other man's surface. When he'd seen the man at breakfast he hadn't been wearing the clothes he was wearing now. From the looks of it the man wreaking havoc with his life was going out. "Going somewhere, Potter?"

Blinking in surprise at the man's interest Albus nodded his head. "Yes, I probably won't be back until tomorrow."

"Where are you going?"

Albus could feel his ears flushing, and cursed that fact. "Nowhere in particular. Do you have plans for this weekend?"

Why were his ears blushing, Scorpius wondered, eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he studied the other man suspiciously. Just where was the man going? What was he up to? And why the hurried, flustered change of subject? "No, I don't have plans."

The look in the other man's eyes made the Gryffindor want to squirm and not in a good way. "Well, I'll let you go then. I have to get going, she doesn't take kindly to being made to wait." That at least was the truth. Lily thought nothing about making others wait for her, but heaven help you if you kept her waiting for even a couple minutes. "Have a good weekend."

Echoing the sentiment automatically Scorpius watched the Gryffindor walk off with stormy eyes that hinted at the fury rising within him. So Potter was going to spend the weekend with some girl? The whole weekend, overnight. Overnight.

Had the man decided to seek out female company? Had what they done together sent the Gryffindor running into the arms of a woman to end his celibacy and keep his status as totally heterosexual? Was this all his fault for not pushing the other man further, getting his hooks in deeper?

Dammit, dammit, dammit!

It took all of the Slytherin's considerable pride not to chase after the Gryffindor and force the other man to stay with him.

But when the man got back he was going to really be in for it, Scorpius thought with dark promise.

)

Lily Potter vigorously dried her hair with her towel, anxious to get the chore done so that she could head out to meet her brother without being too late. He wouldn't bitch and complain about being made to wait the way James did, but Albus had a way of making you feel guilty without saying a word. And besides, she really, really wanted to know what her brother had come to talk to her about. Big enough not to tell her in a letter, and for him to ask her for her help…well she couldn't wait to have her curiosity appeased.

Once that was done Lily put her stuff away in her locker, slugged her purse strap over one shoulder, and calling out goodbyes headed out.

As expected her brother was patiently waiting for her at the entrance to the stadium, waving a greeting as she hurried up to stand in front of him. "So what's up? What do you need my help with?"

"It's a long story. Give me your hand and I'll apparate us to a spot near our destination. Then I'll explain."

Nodding Lily gave her brother her hand, smiling at him as he sent them whizzing off to their new destination. The smile fell away though when she got a good look at where she was. Eyes narrowing Lily looked up at her brother with an expression that suggested dire threats about to be vocalized.

"If you've brought me to give Finn girl advice again I'll blacken your eye so bad you're grandchildren will be born looking half panda."

Lips twitching Albus shook his head. "No, I learned my lesson the last time. I brought you here for an entirely different purpose." And now he took a deep breath, and squeezed the hand he still held. "I need to ask you a question, and I need you to take me a hundred percent seriously. Okay?" When she nodded Albus asked the question that had been turning around in his mind for the past two weeks. "Did you ever once think that I might be gay?"

Obviously he didn't mean the happy sort of gay, Lily thought as she blinked in surprise. Numerous smart ass responses came to mind, but he'd asked her to be serious. So after several thoughtful moments Lily shrugged her shoulders. "Not really, no. I mean not in a serious sort of way. In passing maybe, in a 'maybe he should give men a try since he has so many problems with girls' way. Why?"

"I might be gay."

Opening and closing her mouth Lily stared at her brother in dumbfounded shock. "Are you serious?"

"Obviously."

Immediately demanding to know how he'd got that idea in his head Lily's eyes got wider and wider as her brother told her everything, not sparing a detail since he knew her too well to think she'd let him get away with a vague explanation.

"Holy Hogwarts." Lily breathed when he was done. "Holy Hogwarts with Hogsmeade on top."

"Exactly. So I need you to keep this a secret, just for now. And if you would come with me…I'd really appreciate it."

Hugging her brother tightly Lily had so many questions that she wasn't even sure where to start. But she'd been honored to be the first person her brother had told and she wouldn't make him sorry that he'd picked her to confine in. She'd be the most supportive sister she knew how to be and then she'd go to the nearest Muggle bookstore and buy out every book they had advising people what to do and say when a member of their family was gay.

Letting go of his hand once she was sure she had her thoughts under control Lily placed her hands on her hips, a sassy grin on her face as she winked at her brother. "As if you could stop me from going with you. And I'll keep my mouth shut so long as you promise not to tell James Malfoy's after shagging you until I'm around to capture his reaction on my camera. It'll be a keeper, no question."

Nodding his agreement as he choked back his own turbulent emotions Albus held out his hand, the two exchanging their secret handshake that signified that the promise made would be kept between them no matter what.

That completed the two set off in the direction of the store, Lily peppering her brother with questions the whole way there about what he thought Malfoy was up to and how serious the Slytherin was about wanting to get her brother naked.

A question he couldn't answer, and would really like to know the answer too as well.

The shop didn't look like anything special, there weren't any tawdry window displays, just black block letters on the windows that listed the various items that could be found within the store, which was simply called 'Lovers'.

"Looks like we're at the right place." Curious as hell now Lily was all but vibrating with eagerness. "Let's go in then."

Taking a deep breath Albus followed his sister into the store, looking around nervously. He got embarrassed going into sex shops catering to heterosexual couples. And it had been so long since he'd stepped foot into one he'd forgotten how mortifying it was to be in one.

Smirking over the look on her brother's face Lily patted him on the shoulder. "Oh come on, it's a Muggle shop. It's not like we're going to run into anyone we know here. Now let's find whoever's working today and get some advice."

"Mind if I let you do the talking?"

"Would I have it any other way, brother dear?"