Chapter 10: The End
With summer rapidly approaching came exams, and stressed out teenagers. James and Maia spent all their time in their rooms studying for their NEWT's. They were up there so often that Kreacher had to bring them food at meal times. Sage and Rose spent all their free time together getting ready for the last challenge. As they are champions they are pardoned from all exams. Despite her OWL's coming up Lily was rather clam, yet she still spent all her free time in the library studying. Hugo joined Lily on her trips to the library, putting Edwin in an awkward position. He didn't have many friends and wasn't that close to the Potter-Weasley and Malfoy clan, so he tended to along with Hugo and Lily. even though Lily spent all her time studying, her and Scorpius had never been better. When he could he'd help her study, but he mostly left her alone and hung out with Natalia. Albus was getting ready for the world cup coming up in a year, he spent all his time on the pitch leaving Natalia alone. Her and Scorpius spent quite a bit of time together studying. Even though she enjoyed her time with Scorpius, Natalia couldn't help but feel abandoned by Albus. She felt like they had been drifting apart ever since he got the offer to play for England at the world cup.
"Nat? Hey Nat." Scorpius had woken Natalia from her thoughts.
"Yeah sorry. I just got a little lost in my thoughts." She went back to making study notes for potions.
"Are you okay? You looked really sad, like you might cry." Scorpius looked at her a concerned expression washed over his face.
"Yeah I'm fine just a little tired." Scorpius knew she was lying. She was always "just tired" when something was really bothering her.
"Is it Albus?" The expression on her face when he asked said it all. A mingled look of sadness, love, and anger danced across her face.
"It's nothing. Everything's fine." Her voice cracked with the last word, tears began to well up in her eyes. Scorpius got up off his bed and walked over to sit beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Nat what's really going on?"
"I'll tell you if you promise not to tell Albus." Scorpius nodded as to promise. Natalia whipped the tears away from her eyes.
"Ever since Albus got the offer to play for England he's spent all his time either practicing, eating, or sleeping. Even when he has free time he's spending it with you and Rose. I just feel like we're drifting apart, and I don't want to lose him but I'm afraid I might. There's also something really big I need to tell you but you can't tell anyone else, not even Lily."
"Of course." Scorpius moved the textbook that was between him and Natalia so he could sit closer to her.
"I'm moving back to Durmstrang next year. My dad wants to spend more time with me and here I never get to see my family. At the end of the summer I'm moving and I haven't told anyone yet aside from my teachers. Scorp I'm afraid that me moving will just put a giant rift in my relationship with Albus. I think… I think I might break up with him. I don't want to, but I think it's the best option for us if we ever wish to be together in the future. Scorp what do I do?" Tears were now streaming down her face as she buried her face into Scorpius' shoulder.
"Nat there's no good ending for you and Albus right now. It's either you move away and try and do long distance but we all know that won't work out because Albus will be spending all his time on the pitch and it'll probably end in a messy break up. Or you could break up with him and have to break his heart, then move away and give him time to himself to heal and think. Then maybe in the future try and make it work again. Nat I'm not going to tell you what to do, I want you to make the best decision for you and him." Natalia lifted her head off of his shoulder, looking up into his eyes. She then leaned in and kissed him. He knew this was wrong, but he continued to make out with her knowing how much pain she was in right now and knowing that in the end this was the only thing he could do to make her feel better.
"What the heck is going on here?!" It was Lily. She had walked into the room to see Scorpius and Natalia making out. Scorpius and Natalia both jumped up off of Albus' bed.
"Lily wait it's not what you think I swear." Scorpius said running over to help Lilym who had dropped her textbooks in shock.
"Please explain then as to why you were just making out with your best friend's and my brother's girlfriend, who also happens to be one of my best friends." She said, a look of fury spreading across her face.
"Lily it's not his fault, it's mine. I'm the one that kissed him." Natalia said, her voice shaking.
"Why? Why would you do that to my brother? And why would you go along with it?"
"Lily let me explain please?" Natalia begged. She knew she would have to come clean about everything to Lily. After a few minutes of trying to explain everything and trying to calm Lily down, they were now all sitting on Scorpius' bed.
"Nat I'm so sorry for everything. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I didn't know what to say. I'm sorry."
"It's fine, but quick question. Did you really have to make out with my boyfriend?" They all broke out in laughter.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I was just really hurting and didn't know what to do and Scorpius was being really comforting. It just kind of happened. I promise it won't happen again."
"Okay good. I mean I get it, you were hurting and were angry at Albus so kissing his best friend seemed like a good option. And Scorp I'm happy that you were there for Nat just don't go kissing her or any other girl for that matter again."
"I promise I won't Lils." Lily pulled Natalia into a hug.
"Don't worry about Al, everything will work out." Lily whispered into her ear.
"Thanks Lil."
For the rest of the afternoon Lily and Natalia talked about what to do in Lily's room. By the time dinner came around Natalia knew what she had to do, but knew she had to do it after exams. She spent the last three weeks of school in complete agony, unable to do anything including be happy for Sage and Rose who had won the Triwizard tournament. Soon it was time to go home and they were all on the train, crammed into one compartment. Natalia made sure she wasn't sitting next to Albus but in close enough proximity to as not look suspicious.
"So Nat what are your plans for the summer?" James asked, waking Natalia from another day dream.
"Oh nothing much. I actually have something I need to tell everyone." She said looking down at her shoes. Everyone in the compartment stopped talking.
"Go ahead Nat, you can do this." Lily whispered into her ear.
"Uh okay. So at the end of the summer I'm moving back to Bulgaria. Im transferring back to Durmstrang."
"What, why?" Maia asked, speaking for everyone.
"Well my dad wants to spend more time with me before the world cup, and when my grandfather died in April it was really hard for me and grandmother. She was really hurt by it and it was so hard for me being here in England instead of with her. There are so many more reasons but I don't feel like getting into it right now."
"Well we'll all really miss you. But we do expect to get at least one letter." James said cracking a smile. They all broke out into laughter.
"Of course I'll write, how could I not? I'll even make sure to make your's extra special James." They all broke out laughing again.
"Oh yeah, one thing. Can all of you promise me you won't make this summer sad?" Natalia looked around at her friends, they were all nodding.
"I want my last summer with all of you to be fun and special. Also I'm having a going away party at the end of the summer and you are all invited, I'll owl you the details."
"That sounds like fun, but you know my mother and grandmother will be having a party as well for you with the entire family." James said jokingly, but everyone knew it was true.
"Yeah they'll go crazy with this." Lily joined in.
They spent the rest of the train ride joking about how Mrs. Potter and Grandmum Weasley will go crazy with a goodbye party for Natalia. When they arrived at Kings cross station everyone's parents but Natalia's were waiting on the platform, she was going to be staying with Lily for a few days till her mum could come and get her from the Potter's. As they stepped out onto the platform Natalia felt someone grab her hand.
"Can we talk for a second?" It was Albus. Natalia nodded and was then dragged off it a not so crowded area by Albus.
"Why didn't you tell me you were moving sooner? Did anyone else know before today?"
"Al I didn't tell you because we had exams and I didn't want to worry you, plus you were busy with quidditch so I didn't really have time to tell you. And the only people that knew before today were Lily and Scorpius. I wasn't actually going to tell Lily today but she walked in on me and Scorpius talking about it." Albus looked a little shocked.
"Why did you feel it would be better to tell Scorpius and not me?"
"I told him because I needed to tell someone and once again I didn't want to worry you, and I guess I chose to tell Scorpius because we've been spending a lot of time together lately and he's one of my best friends."
"What do you mean you've been spending a lot of time together?" Albus looked kind of angry at this point.
"Well both you and Lily were really busy and once again he's one of my best friends, so we spent a lot of time together studying. It's not what you're thinking." albus seemed to ease up a bit but still seemed a little tense. The headed back to the rest of the group. When the got back to Godric's Hollow Lily and Natalia went up to Lily's room.
"What's up with Albus? He looks like he just saw his best friend betray him. Wait you didn't tell him about you Scorpius did you?" Lily asked spinning around on her heel to face Natalia.
"Oh god no. It's just that on the platform he asked why I didn't tell him I was moving sooner and if anyone knew before today. So I told him I didn't want to worry him and that only you and Scorpius knew. Then I told him that I didn't mean to tell you, and I only did because you walked in on me and Scorpius talking about it."
"And he just left it there?"
"It's Albus of course not. He asked why I told Scorpius and not him. So I told him it's because he's one of my best friends and that we've been spending a lot of time together and getting closer."
"So that's why he looks mad."
"Yeah, I explained we were only spending more time together because you guys were busy and we were studying."
"Well you weren't just studying, you were also snogging." At that moment the door swung open to reveal Albus and Scorpius. They must have been going downstairs as they didn't have their trunks anymore.
"Al, what were you doing outside my door?" Lily asked trying to delay the conversation she knew was coming.
"We were going downstairs to get food, when I heard you guys talking about our conversation on the platform." He looked at Natalia, a look of anger and betrayal washed across his face.
"I then heard you talking about Scorpius and Natalia. So can someone explain to me why my best friend and my girlfriend were snogging and why Lily is so calm about it?"
"Albus mate it's not what you think." Scorpius said walking over to stand in between Natalia and Lily.
"Did you and Lily break up and just not tell anyone? Then did you decide to go and snog my girlfriend?" Albus looked like he might break something.
"Albus let me explain." Lily said in a calming tone, that reminded Albus of his mother.
"Go ahead." Albus said trying to avoid eye contact.
"A few weeks ago Nat and Scorp were studying for their exams when Nat zoned out. When Scorp got her attention again she seemed off, not like her normal happy self. It turns out she was having a really hard time with the whole moving back to Bulgaria thing. So she poured her heart out to Scorp, because no one else was there for her, everyone was so busy with their own things. Nat was so emotional and didn't know how to deal with it so she kissed Scorp. Scorp was just trying to be a good friend, so he continued to make out with her. I then walked in on them making out, that's when Nat told me everything. That's why I know and that's why I'm fine with it. Neither One of them has feelings for eachother, Nat just needed someone to comfort her in a hard time." Albus still looked a betrayed and a bit angry.
"Why didn't you just talk to me about this stuff Nat, or at least tell me you snogged my best friend?"
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I kissed Scorp Al, but I'm not sorry for not talking to you about his stuff. You've been so busy with quidditch you've forgotten you have a girlfriend. I never see you anymore aside from at lunch and even then you talk more to scorp and Hugo than me. Even when you take a day off from practicing you're spending time with Scorp and Hugo or studying." Natalia looked like she might cry. Her cheeks had turned a shade of bright pink and her hands had balled up into fists.
"I'm sorry that I get to play for England at the world cup and that I need to practice. I'm sorry that when I had time off I wanted to spend it studying for exams or with my mates. Like what do you want me to do Nat?"
"I want you to care about me and actually spend time with me, not push me away. I should be just as important as exams or as your mates, but clearly I'm not." Natalia stormed out of the room. Albus made to follower her but was stopped by Scorpius.
"Mate, don't follow her. Let Lily go." Lily ran after Natalia. She found her in the backyard sitting on the hammock hanging in the far left corner of the yard. She sat down next to her.
"Lily, why doesn't he care about me?" Natalia asked, her eyes welling up with repressed tears.
"Don't say that. He cares about you Nat, he just got caught up in his own success that he forgot there are other important things in his life. You know what you need to do Nat."
"I know it's just that I really thought he was different. He was sweet and caring, and actually took an interest in me. To go from that to out right avoiding me, I just never thought we would drift apart."
"You know you'll have to do it tonight?"
"I know, I'll do it after dinner."
Hours had passed of Lily and Natalia in the backyard talking and avoiding the boys. By the time dinner rolled around you could cut the tension with a knife. After dinner they were all in the sitting room watching a muggle movie. Natalia looked over at Albus. She pointed to the back door, before getting up.
"I'm going to go get some fresh air, Al will you come with me?" He nodded in agreement, then followed her out the back door. Natalia walked all the way to the back of the yard without saying a word. When she reached the giant hedge she turned to face Albus, who was standing a few inches away from her.
"Al we need to talk."
"Okay."
"Before I say anything else I want you to know that I have no feelings for Scorpius and that me moving to Bulgaria has nothing to do with this."
"Alright." Albus looked a little confused but didn't say anything, he thought it's be best just to see what she had to say first.
"Albus I love you, I love you so much that's why I have to do this. Al… Al I'm done. We're… we're over. I'm so sorry." She began to cry. Albus hurt and confused, pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her waist like nothing was wrong.
"I'm sorry, I just can't do this anymore. I can't be a supportive girlfriend when I'm constantly pushed aside. I'm so happy for you but I just can't deal with it anymore."
"Nat please don't do this. I know I've pushed you aside these last for weeks but I have all summer to make up for it, and I know long distance doesn't always work but I'm going to do my to make it. I'll come visit you as often as I can and I'll write to you everyday."
"Al stop. I know we have all summer but what happens when I leave? You say that you'll write everyday and come visit me as often as you can but I know you won't. You'll write everyday for a for weeks maybe even a few months but then it'll only be a few times a week, then only a few times a month. By the time we graduate we'll barely be writing and you won't have seen me for a few months. Even after we graduate you'll be getting ready for the world cup that summer and I'll be in Bulgaria. It won't work no matter how much you want it to. I'm sorry."
"Nat please don't… don't do this. Please." Albus' eyes began to well up, he was trying so hard to hold back the tears. Natalia looked up at him, getting lost in his hazel eyes for the last time. She placed her hand on his cheek and gently pulled him into a kiss. It was slow and soft, a kiss that was meant for a goodbye. As Natalia pulled away she knew that this was goodbye, at least goodbye for now. Albus let go of Natalia's waist knowing he could hold on to her, no matter how much he wanted to. Natalia walked back towards the house wiping the tears away from her eyes, Albus could bare to watch her the pain was too much. When he heard the back door click shut in the distance he walked over to the small bench in the corner and took a seat. Numb from the pain of losing the girl he loves, he didn't notice that James was standing in front of him.
"Al, what happened out here with you and Nat? When she came inside it looked like she had been crying and she went straight to bed." James took a seat next to his brother.
"We uh… we broke up." Albus' voice was shaking and crackly. He was looking down at the ground so James wouldn't see him crying.
"What, why? You guys seemed so happy earlier."
"Apparently not. She felt we were drifting apart and thought it'd be best to break up before she moved. She said I was pushing her away. I know was but I just didn't want to believe it." Tears were now streaming down his face.
"I've been so bad to her these past few weeks. I just about abandoned her. I was so caught up in my success that I forgot to think about those who are important to me. She'll never forgive me for this."
"Al, you're a good guy you just made a few mistakes. She knows you love her and is only doing this now so you both don't get hurt even more than you are now in the future. Just think of it from her view; it's next year, she's in Bulgaria and you're here. You try to write as often as you can but you just don't have time, because you're so busy with NEWT's and quidditch practice. She's can't write either because she's on the quidditch team there and has school. You guys begin to drift apart and start to wonder if you should even be dating, then you both meet someone new. You want to pursue this new person but you can't because you're in a relationship, so you don't. You just stay with each other wondering what could have happened with that other person. You're both miserable and wishing you had ended it sooner because you knew deep down, even back then that it wouldn't work out. Al I know you're hurting right now, but this is for the best. At least now that she broke up with you sooner you won't be as hurt later and may have a chance with her in the future." Albus nodded, he knew his brother was right this was for the best. He slowly got up.
"I'm going to go to bed now. I'll see you in the morning." He walked back inside and straight upstairs. He ran into Natalia in the hallway, her eyes were red from crying. Albus pointed to his room,
"Can we talk?" Natalia looked hesitant but went inside anyways. He sat down on his bed, Natalia sat down beside him.
"Look Nat, I know I was a complete ass to you and I'm not trying to get back together I know this is for the best, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I know us being together is a bad idea right now and I know that us even writing to each other is a bad idea, but I hope one day we can get over this. I love you Natalia and I don't want to lose you forever."
"I don't want to lose you either Al, but for now we shouldn't talk."
"I know. How about we take time away from each other, no seeing each other after you leave no writing. We agree the first time we'll see each other or talk to each other is at the world cup."
"Yeah, that sounds good." Natalia stood up to leave.
"Goodnight Albus." Albus stood up and pulled her into a kiss before she could leave. This kiss was like the last at first, slow and soft. It quickly became rough and fast. Natalia kicked the door shut and Albus pushed her up against it. As they rapidly made out Albus picked Natalia up and moved over to the bed. Albus began to lift up her top, but was quickly stopped by Natalia,
"Al stop, stop. We can't do this, we broke up like 20 minutes ago." They both sat up, avoiding looking at each other.
"Goodnight Albus." Natalia said standing up. She placed a gentle kiss on Albus' cheek and left the room.
The summer went by in a flash, and soon Natalia was saying goodbye to everyone.
*Author note: Thanks to everyone who has read 24 years later. It's the first Fanfiction I've published and I hope you liked. To anyone who is wondering how things are going to work out with everyone, don't worry I have decided to make this a series. I have so many ideas for these characters that it's hard to try and fit it all in one fanfiction. Part two will be coming out within a month or two. School is starting up again for me soon and I want to make sure I have a few chapters done before I publish it. Thanks to everyone - Kay*