Here's another installment, finally :)! Thank you everyone who remains loyal even with this crazy updating schedule, which isn't much of a schedule at all. And you know what? I got a bit carried away with this one chapter and ended up writing a good third of the next one. I'm exam free for the next week and a half, so I can guarantee you an update within that time. Without any more ado, here is the newest chapter!
A World of Expectations : Chapter Eight
Scorpius glanced at the door of the Great Hall for what seemed like the hundredth time since he left earlier that morning. He figured his best chance to corner Albus would be to work around the one thing he knew Albus wouldn't miss- food. The Gryffindor had entered the hall only a short while after himself yet it seemed to take him twice as long to eat, leaving Scorpius to linger as his classmates all flitted away to enjoy their final day within the castle. Anxiously bouncing his feet as he leaned against the wall, Scorpius found the wry humor in the fact this was probably amongst his most anticipated meetings with the other man. Their relationship had blossomed from such a strong friendship that both took for granted the ability to see each other at will, making only the long absence of the summer holidays pique anticipation, and even that they had placated by numerous visits.
When the hall doors swung open once again, Scorpius nearly leapt from his position with eagerness to catch up with the familiar mop of unruly hair. The only reason he slowed his pace was the two redheads flanking him. Deciding not to let the presence of Albus's family take his chance from him, Scorpius let himself slip into his signature saunter and steeled his face.
"Albus," Scorpius called, causing not only the trio to turn around but also a fair amount of the hall's occupants as well. Albus's expression was the most comforting of the three of them- a sheet of surprise while his cousin Rose pasted on a large smile that was not often seen on his academic rival and most worrisome was Lily's narrowed eyes and tense body. Scorpius nearly frowned at that reaction, having come to consider the youngest Potter a close friend over the years. Whenever Albus and he were up to something, she was right there with them. She even had taken to cheering alongside Albus for the Slytherin Quidditch team on the games their two houses weren't facing each other.
"Rose, Lily," he added politely, nodding at each of the girls respectively. Lily just crossed her arms, expression not softening. Oddly enough, it was Rose who jumped to talk first.
"Hey Scorpius- excited for the hols?" she questioned. Before Scorpius could respond, she continued on. "I'm quite happy to head home. Exams this year were nothing in comparison to NEWTs next year and since I'm volunteering at the Ministry this summer I figure that the best way to learn is through actual practice. Do you have anything planned for the summer?"
"Not particularly," Scorpius admitted, earning himself a disapproving cluck from the girl.
"Nothing? That's disappointing. Hopefully you won't spoil yourself over the summer, I was hoping that we could study our NEWTs work together next year- something that wouldn't be fitting if you became rusty," she sighed.
"She didn't mean that as an insult though," Albus quickly smoothed over, shooting Rose a glance, leading her to smile apologetically at Scorpius.
"I know," Scorpius assured was a kind smile, "It's all in the Weasley charm- or lack there of. I'm well versed in such things by now Albus."
"Right," Albus said awkwardly, glancing between his family and back towards the blonde. "So…did you need something?"
"I was actually hoping I could talk to you alone for a moment," Scorpius explained, tone neutral. If this surprised Albus he didn't let it show, merely shrugging and ignoring Lily's pointed gaze. Unable to bite back his momentary contempt for the younger girl, Scorpius trained a heated glare on her smaller form.
"Don't worry, I've never been one to beg or blackmail so whatever fears you may be concocting aren't well founded. I can guarantee that I'll leave Albus alone after we have a quick word." His uncharacteristic outburst was enough to shock the girl into letting her guard slip but before she was able to retort, Albus stepped between them.
"Yeah, we can talk," Albus said quickly, gently pushing Scorpius's shoulder to turn him around and lead him across the hall, far enough away from his now volatile sister but still close enough that neither her nor Rose would be compelled to come after him if it took longer than the few moments Scorpius asked for. Back to his tepid self, Scorpius allowed himself to be guided and set his silvery gaze upon Albus as soon as the brunette squared off in front of him.
A wave of warm nostalgia washed through Scorpius, leaving a smile painted across his lips. He'd been thinking of Albus as an entity of the past so much in the last week that it seemed his mind had actually forgotten that the man was still very much a part of his life. The calculating gaze and nervous fidgeting may not have belonged to the version of Albus that Scorpius had tied himself to, but it was still Albus who had made his time at Hogwarts unforgettable.
"I'm happy for you," Scorpius started, effectively stopping Albus's shuffling. "I don't think I've said that yet, but I truly am happy for you going after what you want. I didn't want you to sit here thinking that I was bitter over us ending and held some ill wishes for you." Scorpius glanced over at Lily, and Albus smiled sheepishly at the veiled jab.
"I hoped you weren't," he admitted, drawing Scorpius's gaze back to him.
"I want you to be happy. We may have had a relationship but we were friends first, and nothing would change that I care about you. I respect your decision and wanted to let you know that I agree about our parting romantically. I know that statistically most couples cannot go back to being functional friends, but I was hoping to clear the air between us and see if anything can be fostered from there," Scorpius explained.
"So you're completely okay with everything?" Albus asked and Scorpius thought that he could see a flash of confusion behind those familiar green eyes but it was gone within an instant and he didn't dwell on why the other man would be confused.
"I'm not one to sit and sulk over my losses, Albus. I wanted there to be no fretting over possible hard feelings or caution when we move onto new partners as I know that these typical tensions are unnecessary on my behalf. I was hoping you'd feel the same as friendship shouldn't be lost to a failed romance."
"Oh, erm," Albus mumbled, beginning to shuffle his feet against the floor once more. It belatedly dawned on Scorpius that perhaps his ex had not yet thought of such concerns for the future and berated himself that he had moved on so quickly. Thankfully there was no hesitance in Albus's gaze when he met Scorpius and spoke.
"I think you're right. About the friends part, that is. I mean, you're right about the lack of hard feelings over this on my part too- not that I'm happy things didn't work out, but yeah. It's for the best," Albus finished with a firm nod. Scorpius just smiled fondly at him, the slight bumbling reminding him of why he had become taken with Albus in the first place.
"So, friends?" Albus offered, extending his hand. Scorpius considered for a moment what Albus would think if he knew the reason behind this confrontation, but decided those thoughts were for another day as he slipped his hand into Albus's.
"Friends. Now I'll let you get back to your family. I got a bit worried when Lily stopped glaring at me and began to ignore us. I'm quite familiar with her plotting habits and if you return unharmed it lessens the chance of me having to watch my back too much," Scorpius joked. Albus laughed, glancing over towards the pair of girls nodding slightly.
"I'll see if I can convince her you weren't here trying to extort me or take advantage of my innocence."
"Well that I may have already done," Scorpius admitted with a small smirk. Albus just shook his head, patting Scorpius on the shoulder with a bit of hesitation before leaving him to return to Lily and Rose. Rose offered a smile of her own before following her cousins towards the main entrance. As they left, the smirk grew into a content smile, knowing that Albus would soon be on his way to James and hopefully would say the same thing to his elder brother as he had to him.
"And I'm thinking about proposing to Verity. She may have a few years on her, but there is definitely a lasting spunk to that girl." Fred finished, slamming his drink on the table, causing James to jump slightly.
"Oh, are you?" James asked, eyes coming back to focus on the dimly lit room his mind had temporarily left.
"What's wrong, Jamie," Fred questioned, eyes narrowing as he leaned forward. "No more odd side effects from that potion, right?" James just shook his head.
"I'm fine Fred. Just a few things on my mind, that's all." Which was probably the understatement of his life. When Albus had stopped by James needn't even attempt to figure out how to broach the subject of Scorpius with his younger brother as he quickly spilled into an explanation how the blonde had talked to him earlier and was oddly, in Albus's opinion at least, alright with everything. He had even propositioned remaining friends Albus had said- something James wasn't so keen on and would have to mention to the Slytherin later on.
While Albus clearly spelled out his relief that Scorpius was accepting and moving on, James wasn't sure of his own feelings on the matter. It was easier to think clearly when he wasn't around the blonde or directly after meeting with him. What cut at his conscious the most was Albus's response to James saying he was proud that he was so happy. 'Now it's your turn to figure out what makes you happy'; the words hung over James's head and made him consider if Albus would be saying that if he knew why Scorpius was so accepting of their separation. Scorpius's earlier warnings seemed to be seared into his mind and it was slightly bothersome that he knew his brother better than James did.
"James!" Fred snapped again. James turned to him sheepishly, ducking his eyes as he took a large gulp of his drink. Wincing as the firewhiskey burned the back of his throat, James's eyes were watering from the familiar pain as he turned his gaze back to his watchful cousin.
"What?"
"Merlin, what's gotten in to you?" Fred demanded. "I haven't seen you this far off since you asked if you could work at the shop. Wait- you aren't thinking about leaving, are you?"
"No, nothing like that." James assured.
"Good," Fred said, voice smug. "Dad was actually going to ask you about working more than just shop help for the summer. He wanted to be the one to talk to you about it, but I guess boggart is out of the closet now. Ministry finally approved us to not only export goods but also set up locales outside of Britain. Figured you're the best man for the traveling, seeing as you've always talked about it." And the fact that I don't have anything to tie me down here, James added to himself, knowing that was one of the reasons Fred was not the one going.
"Sounds excellent," James said, pushing enthusiasm through his cloudy mind. Smiling as brightly as he could, Fred just frowned at him.
"Not to you, apparently."
"I-"
"No, you don't need to defend yourself to me. It's fine. But I can tell something is going on in that muddled head of yours. Spill?" Fred had gone from his joking self to his rarely serious state. It unnerved James how the deep brown eyes seemed to be pulling apart his will to hide his thoughts, resulting in him sighing in defeat.
"I'm just not sure what I should do about…a few things," James evaded.
"And seeing as you have very little that you let get to you, I'm guessing this is about a girl?" James dropped his eyes again and Fred smiled in triumph. "Thought so. You're acting just like you did with Luna Longbottom. So, do I know her?"
"It isn't anything serious," James rushed, although completely disagreeing with Fred's comparison. Fred's face was pulled in such a grin that James felt his nerves subsiding.
"Of course it isn't- you're brooding! If you're going to actually brood over someone then it's obvious what should be done."
"It is?"
"Yes, James," Fred sighed, clearly exasperated. "Just go for it." James quirked an eyebrow at his cousin, glee rolling off the latter in waves.
"You'd think you were the one with the girl," James commented. Fred frowned, waving him off quickly.
"In good time, dear Jamie, in good time. When I become the head Weasley of Wheezes the ladies will come flocking too me. They're quite fond of successful businessmen."
"Although I hear they aren't too fond of being turned into various creatures or have their hair tampered with," James commented wryly. Fred laughed, ducking his head at the allusion to his Hogwarts days.
"Yeah, I've heard as much. Look Jamie, what do you have that could possibly be holding you back?" James nodded in agreement while his mind ticked off the reasons he shouldn't pursue anything with Scorpius. "Am I right?"
"Er…"
"Even if you do, don't you remember what you told me when you first asked my dad to take you up at the shop? The reason why you left everything behind? You just wanted to be yourself and follow what makes you happy. What if this is what will make you happy? Are you going to hold yourself back from that after everything?" The conversation with his mum at the Burrow flashed through his mind and James nodded more vigorously now, the whispering part of his mind finally quieting. Fred watched the tension drift out of James and smiled, patting him on the back.
"So…do I know her?" Fred pressed. James shot him a look and Fred just laughed. "I'll let you get away for now. But I'll figure this out!"
"I highly doubt you'd be able to figure it out," James antagonized.
"Not someone you'd usually go after then? What, does she have some sort of disability? Horrid scars from a boils curse gone wrong? Oh- is she a muggle?" Fred guessed.
"Muggle?" James shot back and Fred just shrugged.
"There are a few fit muggle girls," he commented mildly. James just shook his head.
"No to all three. And I'm not going to play this game."
"That's what you think, mate," Fred said, patting James's arm as he stood up. "Now, I think you need to go out and sweep some damsel off of her feet now that I set you on the right path. Keep this in mind when you're planning the wedding party- I expect to be your best man," Fred snickered and James shoved at his arm. Standing as well, James collected himself and followed Fred out of the room. Fred saw him off by making crude kissing faces and catcalls at James's back, only lifting his spirits farther.
The shops were beginning to close and James realized he had spent more time than he thought with Fred and would probably be late to meet with Scorpius. Quickening his pace, James kept an eye out for anyone who'd recognize him. The last thing he wanted was something to stir doubt in his decision. Thankfully no one seemed to be in the town as seemed to already be set for the summer lull and when the shrieking shack came into view, James grinned to see that the blonde was already there, back turned to him.
His pace quickened and the distance between himself and Scorpius was quickly covered and as his hand flashed out to snag the other man's shoulder, Scorpius gasped in surprise and James caught sight of his confused expression before James pressed their lips together. It was over as suddenly as it began but somehow Scorpius's hands had come to frame James's face. A smile stretched its way across the brunette's features and James's hands came to remove Scorpius's.
"Hey," James said laughter tingeing his voice.
"Something has you in a good mood," Scorpius commented, backing up just enough to give James adequate personal space.
"It's nice to catch you off guard," James admitted with a shrug. Jutting out his bottom lip and narrowing his eyes, Scorpius regarded James coolly.
"I was not caught off guard."
"Unless you typically go around wide eyed and open mouthed, I'd have to say your expression told a different story."
"Maybe I'm just not used to people jumping me from behind."
"And I caught you off guard," James prompted and Scorpius huffed. Laughing, James cocked his head towards the shack, motioning for the other man to follow him as he made his way towards the old building. Instead of trailing behind him, Scorpius took a few quick strides to fall in step next to James who in turn shot him a wide smile.
"I'm guessing you talked to Albus and it went well?" Scorpius inquired.
"I don't want to talk about him right now," James dismissed, voice not wavering from its pleasant tone. Vaguely he wondered if Fred had slipped something in his drink within their last few moments together that left him feeling so on top of the world. With another glance at Scorpius he shrugged off that theory and decided it was just the effect the blonde had on him.
Stumbling to the left as Scorpius suddenly tugged at his sleeve, James found himself whirled around and back being pressed into old wood. Silver eyes twinkled mischievously for a moment before they closed as Scorpius's lips descended upon his own. His hands came to steady the pair of them by resting on the blonde's hips and Scorpius's own wrapped around his neck. Tugging slightly, James forced the younger man to press gently up against him.
Scorpius moaned a content sound into the kiss at the feeling of being so close to James and for a moment James was surprised at how firm Scorpius's body was. There was no soft curves or padding on the chest to buffer the space between them and while it was a strange feeling for him, all the hard planes of Scorpius's body seemed to make the embrace that much more intimate. Scorpius seemed to sense his slight discomfort and pulled back.
"James?" he questioned, voice a few pitches deeper than normal. James just smirked and flipped their positions over. While it didn't change the strangeness of being pressed against another man, it was a position of dominance he was used to.
"Shh," James hushed, nipping at Scorpius's bottom lip. Eagerly, the blonde did just that, neck straining to try and capture James's teasing lips with his own. Giving in, James took control of the kiss. Tongue eagerly ravaging the other's mouth, James set out to map out just what made Scorpius squirm. Reveling in being kissed so thoroughly, Scorpius let his finger dance lightly over James's skin, making their way from his forearms to the nape of his neck where they tangled in the fine hairs that stuck up erratically.
Scorpius's fingers were warm against his skin but that didn't stop James from shivering at their touch. Slowing down his explorations James eventually just let his lips, now swollen and hypersensitive, rest against Scorpius. The pair stood there against the wall, breathing each other's air as Scorpius's hand continued to caress the back of James's neck and James's own framing Scorpius.
"I have to go back soon," Scorpius whispered, breaking the moment. "I've been neglecting my friends recently-" a snort from James interrupted Scorpius, making him smile, bottom lip running against James's due to their position. A jolt of desire shot through Scorpius, senses still peaked from their previous activities. Pushing it aside, he continued with what he had been saying. "I'm leaving tomorrow and while I wouldn't mind hiding behind this place forever, I do owe them some time before the summer holidays." James pulled away, making sure that he had Scorpius's attention before speaking firmly.
"We aren't hiding."
"Of course not," Scorpius said with a smile. James sighed, reality coming back to him with the thought that they were slightly hiding. Slightly, he assured himself.
"If we do this…I don't want to hide," James said. "I've never been one to skirt around something."
"And I am?" Scorpius nearly laughed. "James…" The name fell from his lips like a caress and James closed the space between them again, catching Scorpius's lips in a frenzied mass of limbs and passion. James's fingers dug harshly into Scorpius's side, holding him firmly against the wall but the blonde didn't seem to mind and kissed him back with as much intensity. Regaining control of himself, James gently eased himself off of the blonde who chuckled fondly, eyes closed as his chest rose and fell with his heavy pants.
"I'm not going to get used to that, but I don't think I want to," Scorpius admitted. "You are-"
"Shh," James said for the second time that evening. "You're right, you should get back soon. I forget that you aren't a lonely old man like me."
"You're quite spritely for an old man," Scorpius teased, eyes once again hinting at his mischievous side. James made a note to see how far he could push that aspect of Scorpius in the future but just shook his head for now.
"Can I see you soon?" James asked. Scorpius paused for a moment. Hazel eyes bore into him and behind their intensity he could see the other man's nerves and hope. Heart swelling, Scorpius felt the pit of his stomach drop. For a moment he wasn't sure he'd be able to respond but was able to control his vocal chords enough to reply, although voice shaky.
"As soon as you'd like." No more words were said but both parted with excitement of what this arrangement may hold.
