A/N: Short chapter sorry. Enjoy.

Chapter Nine

Al woke early the next day and went straight to the hospital wing once he was dressed. He stopped and stared at the empty room. It took him a moment to regain his senses, when he did he knocked on the door to the nurses office.

She opened the door and took in the sight of Al, "Yes. How nay I help?" she calmly asked.

"Where's Scorpius?" he demanded.

She gave him a firm look, "He has been transferred to St Mungos."

Al gawked at her, "What!"

"Mr Potter keep your voice down. St Mungos has a specialist burns unit and they can treat him more efficiently. Now please return to your dorm room." She gave him one final look, before closing the door again.

Al was frustrated and annoyed. He had yet to see Scorpius since leaving him in the entrance hall, and he really really wanted to see him. He knew sensibly the best place for him was St Mungos, but it still made him angry that no one told him that they were taking him away.

Al stomped back to the dorm room and noted Goyle was gone. Hopefully being questioned by McGonagall. Al had returned Goyle's wand this morning and hissed a variety of warnings and threats to him.

Al grabbed some parchment and sent his dad a letter.

Dad,

I need your help. Please. That guy I told you about, the one that is my close friend and the one I have started getting feelings for – well he was attacked at school and he's been transferred to St Mungos.

I never got to see him before he left. Dad I am really worried, I just want to check he's okay.

Please can you arrange for me to have permission from McGonagall to leave school and go visit him? Also can you please please please take me to St Mungos so I can see him?

Can you let me know what your answer is as soon as possible, I am going mad with worry!

Hopefully see you soon.

Love Al

Al rushed out and sent it as soon as it was finished. He hoped his dad would take pity on him and take him to visit Scorpius. Al was fairly certain that Rose or someone had mentioned that it was Scorpius who had transferred schools to his dad. But he hadn't actually told his dad directly that it was Scorpius Malfoy – he wanted to tell his dad in person that he was, dating? Scorpius.

Al spent the next few hours reassuring Rose that there was nothing she could have done and in fact she probably helped by washing Scorpius face with water.

Al's heart jumped in his throat when he saw his dad's owl. He snatched the letter as Rose petted the owl and fed it a treat.

Al unrolled the note, and read frantically.

Al,

I cannot do anything today. It is short notice, but I have arranged with the headmistress for you to be excused from morning classes tomorrow. I will come collect you and we will floo from the headmistress' office to St Mungos.

Be ready by 8:30am. Please try not to worry too much, I am sure your friend is going to be okay. He is in the right place and I am sure that the attackers will be reprimanded soon.

See you tomorrow son. Take care.

Love you

Love Dad

X x x

Al sighed a tremendous sigh, flopping back against the sofa and closing his eyes. He was going to see Scorpius, not today but still he was going to see him.

"Al?" Rose questioned, sitting back against the sofa to watch him.

He opened his eyes and turned his head to the side to look at her.

"Who's the letter from?"

Al remained silent and handed the letter over.

"That's great Al. Send him my well wishes when you see him. I hope he is all right." Al could tell she was worried and was fretting.

"I will Rose, I'll tell him you're thinking of him," Al hugged her and then returned to his room to catch up in homework.

Goyle grunted at Al and mumbled, "Thought you'd want to know that Paige is being questioned right now." The he slouched out the room, not wanting to stay for fear of Al hitting him again.

Al knew she'd only deny it. He had faith in the headmistress's integration skills and just had to trust that she would wheedle it out of her. Al had started feeling added guilt as Paige was his ex and she only attacked Scorpius because he was friends with him. He also felt guilty for not being with him, for leaving him alone. He tried very hard to get on and do homework and push anything Scorpius related out of his mind. He wasn't very successful.

He went to bed early, hoping that the sooner he slept the sooner it would be morning. He used to do the same at Christmas when he was a kid – it never worked. Because he went to bed early he woke a stupid o'clock in the morning and struggled getting back to sleep.

Eventually he gave up, got up showered and dressed. Waiting in the common room until it was time to head up to the headmistress's office. He wondered if McGonagall would tell him how Paige's questioning went if he asked. I'll ask, if she says no then no harm done – but there is a chance she might tell me.

After an excruciating wait it was finally time to go meet his dad. His dad was already in the headmistress's office when he stepped in.

"Dad," Al walked over and briefly hugged him. "Thanks for doing this for me."

Harry smiled at his agitated son, "You're welcome Al. Come on then let's go see if your friend's parents will let us see him."

Al frowned, "Oh I didn't think of that. I hope Mr Malfoy will let me." Al worried out loud.

Harry raised his eyebrows, "Mr Malfoy?"

Al met his dads eyes, "Oh yeah. I was meant to break it to you gently. The transfer student was Scorpius Malfoy, um Draco Malfoys son." He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly at his dad.

"Is that going to be a problem dad?" he asked after a few moments silence.

Harry shook his head, "No of course not. I was waiting for you to tell me who it was. Everyone else knew, but I told them I didn't want to hear. I wanted to wait until you were ready to let me know. I guess going to the hospital and seeing the Malfoys would have been a big clue." He joked.

Al smiled brightly at his dad. He loved his dad very much and this just increased his love for him.

"Thanks dad. Oh and another thing, um Mr Malfoy doesn't know what I feel for Scorpius. He thinks we're just close friends and he doesn't like the fact that Scorpius is …um gay." It was awkward and cringey talking to his dad about these things.

"Right noted. I'm sure he will take any frustration out on me anyway." Harry chuckled.

"Dad?" Al asked as the approached the fireplace.

"Hmm"

"I was going to ask the headmistress but she's not here. Did you hear from her how the questioning of Paige went?" he really wanted to know.

"No she only said she was busy dealing with a situation and to go ahead and use her office without her." Harry felt sorry for Al, he was kept out of the loop.

"Okay. Let's go see Scorpius. I miss him." Al sighed and stepped in the fireplace.

St Mungos was busy as always, but being an Auror Harry knew the hospital lay out of by heart. So they avoided the welcome desk and went straight to the burns ward. Once on the correct floor they asked the Healer at the Healers station what room was Scorpius'.

"Thank you," Harry turned to Al, "Come on room 119."

Al felt strange he hadn't seen Scorpius for a while and he was nervous. It didn't help that the last time they spent any time together they had finally kissed. Al wondered if Scorpius would even want to associate with him now, after all it was Al's ex that attacked him. Scorpius might decide it wasn't worth the hassle.

"Al. Let me talk with Mr Malfoy to get permission first." Harry knocked on the door and waited.

Draco answered and then arched an eyebrow at Potter and Potter clone.

"Malfoy….." Harry started.

Al interrupted, "I think my dad means either Mr Malfoy or Draco." Al didn't want his dad pissing Mr Malfoy off by calling him Malfoy like he did at school.

Draco laughed, "Yes Potter listen to your son. He obviously has better manners than you." He teased.

Harry sighed, "Also better than yours. Seeing as you just called me Potter instead of Mr Potter or Harry." Harry fired back.

That wiped the smug look off his face, "What do you want Mr Potter?" Draco snapped.

Al sighed in frustration. He didn't have time to deal with snapping old school rivals.

"Please Mr Malfoy, I want permission to see Scorpius. I'm worried about him. I went to see him in the hospital wing yesterday but he had been moved. Please." Al asked as politely as possible.

"I guess I can allow a visit from a friend. He has been asking for you anyway." Draco stepped aside and indicated for Al to go on in.

Al stepped in and Draco stepped out closing the door behind them. He suspected that Al and Scorpius were more than friends and wanted to give them some privacy. Now he was left in the corridor with Potter.

"Do you know if the attacker has been identified?" Harry casually asked. He wasn't standing out here for Merlin knows how long in silence.

Draco stared at him, "You are the Auror you tell me."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Fine be a git."

Draco huffed, "No we don't know. Scorpius has only just woken up this morning and we have taken his memory of the attack. The headmistress will view it in a pensive and see if the attacker gives themselves away."

"Hopefully that will be enough. I'm sorry that something like this happened to your son." Harry sincerely meant that. He'd be distraught if it was one of his children.

"Thank you Harry."

Harry astonished, Malfoy had just thanked him and called him Harry.

"Um you are welcome Draco." He only thought it was fair to be nice if Malfoy was.

"I have a feeling that Al means more to Scorpius then a friend." Draco carefully said, he wasn't sure how much Harry knew.

Harry blushed, "Yes I think you'd be correct in your assumption." He fidgeted.

"Out with it Potter," Draco demanded. Harry clearly knew more than he did.

"Um it's not my place to say." He faltered in the face of Draco's glare.

"All I know is that Al wrote to me to say someone transferred to Hogwarts and that he was his friend. He didn't even tell me who it was. But I think he has developed an attachment to Scorpius and maybe he would like to….um dunno….date him." Harry finished lamely. He hoped Al wouldn't be too mad at him.

Draco suspected as much, from the way his son reacted. Threw a tantrum and an epic sulking session because Draco refused to bring Al to visit. Well it appears he didn't have to, Al took matters into his own hands.

"Yes. I think Scorpius is attached to Al too. Great!" Draco couldn't help the sarcastic tone.

"You can be difficult all you like Draco. But I suspect the more you try and force Scorpius or tell him he isn't allowed to see Al, then he will do it anyway and resent you for it. You will only succeed in pushing him away. Yes it was a shock to me that Al was attracted to boys. In fact I don't think he even knew until Scorpius showed up. But he's my son and I love him no matter what. I'm sure Scorpius would rather have your acceptance. You don't have to suddenly act like you're okay with everything. Just tell him you will try." Harry couldn't help offering his opinion.

"Finished giving me parenting advice?" he drawled.

"Um yes." Harry replied.

"Good. I suggest the next time you have an urge to tell me how to be a good father and raise my son, you close your obnoxious mouth and go interfere with someone else's life. I will do as I wish. If I accept my son's preferences and even his choice of boyfriend, then that will be because it was my own decision. Not because St Potter told me to." With that he sneered and entered the hospital room.

Harry stayed outside, he didn't dare go in. He suspected he would probably hex Malfoy and that wasn't setting a good example to his son.

Al entered the room and instantly relaxed. Scorpius was sat up against a stack of pillows and beaming at him.

"Al!" he cried out happily.

Al grinned back, "Yep the one and only. I convinced dad to bring me here. Sorry it took so long." Al sat in the chair beside his bed.

"It's okay. I only woke up this morning, you didn't miss anything." Scorpius took in Al's face.

"Al you look awful. Have you been eating and getting enough sleep?" He fussed.

Al laughed, "Leave off Scorpius. My boyfriend is in hospital of course I didn't eat or sleep well." Al waited for his words to sink in.

"Boyfriend?" Scorpius echoed Al's choice of words.

Al reached out and took hold of Scorpius hand, "Yes if you'd still have me." He bit his bottom lip.

Scorpius reached out with his other hand and pulled Al's lip free of his teeth. "Of course I'd still have you. You Pillock. Why wouldn't I?"

Al lowered his head and focused on their joined hands, "Because I left you alone to be attacked. Because I didn't return fast enough to help you. Because I couldn't see you in the hospital when you needed me. Because I suspect it was my ex that did this to you." Al felt sick again, there were plenty of reasons for Scorpius to reject him.

Scorpius stopped the eye roll threating to take place, "Albus Potter you look at me this instant." He commanded.

Al snapped his head up and met Scorpius soft warm gaze.

"Have a day off will you. Stop being so silly. I have wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I'm not going to reject you because of something that was out of your control." He comforted him.

Al rubbed Scorpius hand, "Really?"

"Really. If you ask me again I will get my dad in here. If you think I have a glare that could melt icebergs, you haven't seen my dad's." He playfully joked.

Al laughed, "No I've seen it and I don't want to see it again thank you."

Scorpius raised a quizzical brow and Al explained about the night of the attack and Al's conversation with his dad.

Scorpius looked like he did before the attack, his skin was a bit redder and he had a few blisters. But Scorpius explained that spells, potions and healing cream had healed him. It was healed almost instantly and that was what prevented the scaring. He said he hoped to return to school in a few days.

Al stood and was about to lean in for a kiss, his mouth hovering over Scorpius lips. When he heard.

"Mr Potter put my son down." Al jumped back and dropped Scorpius hand.

Scorpius hid a laugh. Al looked at his shoes and refused to meet the glare that he knew Mr Malfoy was sending his way.

"Well it is disheartening to know Scorpius that you do not confide in me anymore." He coolly scolded his son as he approached his bed.

"What! It's not like I could write to you and say, oh dad I know you hate that I'm gay but I have a huge man crush on Al Potter. You know Harry Potter's son, I hope he's welcome around for tea." Scorpius sarcastically said.

"Drop the attitude Scorpius." He warned.

"Sorry I forgot there is only room for one sarcastic egotistical Malfoy and that's you." He crossed his arms over his chest.

Al chuckled and immediately regretted it, "Mr Potter care to enlighten me as to what is so funny?" Draco asked icily.

He was half teasing but he guessed his son and Potter didn't know that.

"Um nothing Mr Malfoy – Sir." He promptly replied.

"I think he means father that you are a hypocrite. I'll drop the attitude if you do." Scorpius countered.

Draco glared at him, "I wouldn't push it young man. Or you can live with your grandfather over the summer."

Scorpius blanched, "Sorry dad."

"Well seeing as I almost caught the two of you kissing – I assume Mr Potter is…" he trailed off waiting for Scorpius to finish.

"My boyfriend yeah. I guess you should have left me at Durmstrang huh dad." Scorpius couldn't help adding the last part. He had learnt from the best after all.

Draco almost smiled and Al noticed his lips were twitching, like they were when he almost made him smile the other night.

"I can always transfer you back!" he deadpanned.

"No dad you wouldn't. Please dad I want to stay at Hogwarts, I like the school and I like going to the same school as you and mum." He begged.

"Calm down, I was teasing you. You can stay and I guess in time I can tolerate this Potter spawn." He indicated to Al.

Al smiled at him, that was as near as an acceptance they were going to get.

"Thanks Mr Malfoy." Al felt so happy.

Draco frowned, "I have no idea where you learnt your manners. It couldn't be your father, or your mother for that matter." He sounded genuinely puzzled.

"Dad!" Scorpius exclaimed.

Al laughed though, he was getting the measure of Mr Malfoy. Half the time he was joking or testing you to see what you would do. Al was starting to like the man.

"No Mr Malfoy I was taught manners by my Uncle Ron." He quipped.

It was Draco's turn to laugh. "I think my tolerance levels have just increased. Now I will step out the room so you can say goodbye." He walked to the door, "Mr Potter I suggest you keep your hands to yourself for the time being, my patience isn't that great."

Al grinned at Scorpius, "I think I can maybe push my luck just a little. After all it is expected of me, Potters like to break the rules." He bent down and kissed Scorpius gently on the lips.

Scorpius said against Al's lips, "I'm not going to break Al."

So Al increased the pressure and caressed the side of his cheek. After a few moments he pulled away, just in case Mr Malfoy decided to check up on them.

"Hope to see you soon. Bye." Al hated saying goodbye he had hardly spent any time with him.

"Bye Al. See you very soon." He squeezed Al's hand.

Draco entered the room followed by his dad. Al noted his dad looked as if he was refraining from punching something or someone for that matter.

Al whispered to Scorpius, "Think I'd better go now my dad is going to kill your dad if we stay any longer." He kissed his forehead and walked over to his dad.

As he left the room he called, "Bye Mr Malfoy. See you at Christmas." Knowing that would leave the man gobsmacked. He hoped Scorpius wouldn't mind that he landed him in it.

Al heard Mr Malfoy say, "What does he mean see you at Christmas Scorpius?" in an agitated voice.

"Dad thanks for putting up with Mr Malfoy so I can visit Scorpius." Al smiled warmly at him.

His dad seemed to relax then, "Your welcome."

"Um so I guess I should tell you, Scorpius and I are going to try and be together see how it goes." He looked at a spot over his dads shoulder.

"Yes that much was obvious seeing as you kissed him Al. So Christmas?" he queried.

"Ah yes can Scorpius come over to meet the fam?" he asked sheepishly.

"I'll have to check with your mother of course and maybe your grandparents, but maybe." He patted Al's back.

"I think you need to worry about your little visit to the Malfoys son. You've seen the Adams family – well the Malfoys make them look like the Brady Bunch." His dad the cheek had the nerve to laugh at Al's predicament.

Al paled and gulped.

"I'm sure it will be fine son. Besides they're all bark and no bite. Well maybe Lucius has a nasty bite, but maybe Malfoy will have him muzzled." He pondered out loud.

"Dad you're not helping." Al complained as they floo'ed back to school.

Upon returning they were greeted by the headmistress. Al gave her an update on Scorpius condition and she was pleased to hear that he was making a full recovery.

"Did you view his memory of the night?" Harry asked, remembering what Malfoy had said.

She turned to him, "You know about that. Very well, yes and it was difficult to make out anything. The attacker snuck up on Scorpius under a disillusionment charm and wore a muggle balaclava." She sighed.

"Well have you asked the other students if they have seen anyone with a balaclava? Or even investigated how a student managed to sneak in acid in the first place." Harry crisply said.

"We are investigating both now. However the caretaker may keep acid in his store room." She didn't appreciate Harry's tone of voice, she was doing all she could.

"Um have you questioned the fellow Slytherin girls? Because Paige isn't liked very much – she has upset many people. Maybe they'd be happy to inform you of anything she has hidden or done." Al suggested.

"We are hoping that someone will come forwards. If you excuse me I have work to do." She said as a form of dismissal.

Harry and Al left. Al said bye to his dad and set off to do a little interrogating of his own.