Disclaimer: As in I don't claim Harry Potter or the song. Enough said.

Chapter Ten: And Now It's Happened All Again

When Scorpius slid into his seat at the back of the Charms classroom next morning, every eye in the room turned to focus on him. Wishing very much that Albus had this class with him, Scorpius stared determinedly at Professor Carmichael and tried to focus solely on the lesson. Scorpius was good at this; it was how he had endured the past two years of school. Having no real friends, Scorpius had thrown all his concentration into his studies, earning good marks and making it easier to tune out all of the whispering and block out all of the stares. Taking a steadying breath, Scorpius tucked all of his emotion deep within himself and pulled on his mask of indifference, so that even when Professor Carmichael called even more attention to him by welcoming him back, he barely registered embarrassing mutters from the other students.

*****TTG*****

Albus, meanwhile, was fidgeting his way through double Herbology.

"Ablus, relax!" said Rose exasperatedly, catching Albus's planting pot before it fell off the table. "I'm sure he's doing fine."

"I know," said Albus, struggling to shove a wriggling seed pod into the soil. "But what if he's not? He must be scared shitless. I just wish I could be with him, you know?"

"Don't swear," Rose scolded mildly. "You'll see him at lunch." She slid her own seed pod into the pot effortlessly. "Right now you need to concentrate on Herbology."

Albus sighed. He couldn't explain it, and he knew it was silly, but he felt responsible for the Slytherin, as though it was his job to protect him, almost like he did toward Lily. But that saw ridiculous. Scorpius was a few months older than him, and he and Albus had only been friends for a few weeks. Hell, Scorpius was probably sick of him. This thought made Albus's insides tighten uncomfortably and he tried to push it out of his mind and focus on his and Rose's planting pot, which was now wobbling dangerously on the table as one of the seed pods Albus had planted tried to get free.

"Careful, Albus!" called Professor Longbottom, as the pot gave a particularly large jump and Rose barely caught it for the second time. "Keep your mind on your work, please!"

*****TTG*****

As Scorpius left the History of Magic classroom and headed toward the Great Hall he felt a large hand push him back against the wall.

"Look who's back," sneered Zachary Goyle, a burly, goonish fifth year. "Nice to see you Malfoy."

"Did you miss us?" said Sylvester Nott, reaching out and taking a handful of of Scorpius's pale hair in his fist.

"Leave me alone," said Scorpius weakly, trying to pull away from the older boys. "I need to get to lunch."

"What's so urgent that you can't even spare some time for old friends?" leered Goyle, shoving Scorpius harder into the wall.

"I know," said Nott, his sharp eyes glinting evilly, "he's off to see his prissy pants Gryffindor boyfriend Potter."

"He's not my boyfriend!" said Scorpius, flaring at the insult to Albus. "You leave him alone!"

"Oo-oo, possessive little fagot, aren't you?" sniggered Goyle, leaning in so his face was inches from Scorpius's own.

Scorpius's turned his head away. "Let go of me!"

"Hey Zach," said Nott, running a long, bony finger down Scorpius's cheek. Scorpius shuddered. "I reckon he thinks he's too good for us now, since he started hanging out with Precious Potter, Son of the Chosen One."

"Is there a problem boys?" said a voice.

The three of them looked up. Professor Longbottom, the nice, but slightly absentminded Herbology professor was walking toward them down the hall. In one motion, Nott and Goyle stepped away from Scorpius and put on their most innocent expressions.

"No, not at all, Professor," said Nott smoothly, practically oozing charm. There was a reason he got away with pretty much everything. "Just welcoming our house-mate here back to classes."

Goyle clapped a heavy hand down on Scorpius's shoulder.

Professor Longbottom scanned the scene.

"Run along now boys," he said sternly. "You should be in the Great Hall for lunch."

"Yes, sir," said Nott with false sincerity. "Right away." And he and Goyle grabbed Scorpius by the arms and steered him toward the Great Hall.

See Albus? he thought miserably. I told you it was just going to be the same as before.

*****TTG*****

"I don't see him," said Albus, craning his neck to look over at the Slytherin table.

"Eat your lunch, Al," said Rose impatiently.

"But why isn't he here?"

"How should I know?" said Rose. "Maybe he's getting help with his schoolwork or catching up with his friends. Stop worrying.

"I'm not worrying," said Albus defensively, "I'm wondering. And he hasn't got any friends."

"Gee, you're optimistic," said Asher from Albus's other side. "Come on, your soup's getting cold."

"There he is!" said Lily, poking Albus in the arm and pointing.

Albus looked over quickly and then frowned.

"What's he doing with Nott and Goyle?"

"Their dads were friends with his dad," said James, piling his plate with a second helping of potatoes. "And I've seen them and him together before. Probably know each other outside of school."

"Yeah," muttered Albus, trying to shake the idea that something didn't feel right about those two being with Scorpius, "you're probably right."

*****TTG*****

Once they reached the Great Hall, Scorpius ate his lunch as quickly as possible, which wasn't difficult since Crabbe and Goyle had caused him to completely lose his appetite. While the two fifth years were still wolfing down their third helpings, Scorpius got up from the table and headed straight for the exit. As he reached it, he felt a hand on his shoulder and swung around, fists raised in front of his face.

"Whoa there, Scorp," said Albus, taking a step backwards. "It's just me."

Scorpius lowered his hands, flushing. "Al!" he said, relief washing over him and his earlier resentment of Ablus's optimism draining away. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Why were you so late to lunch, huh?" said Albus, looping his arm through Scorpius's and leading him out into the entrance hall.

Scorpius drew his arm away from Albus. Though he almost craved the Gryffindor's reassuring touch, it was far too dangerous to be so close to him.

"Some of my house-mates wanted to speak with me," he said in casual voice.

"Nott and Goyle?"

"Yeah."

"What did they want?"

"Nothing much," said Scorpius vaguely. "How's your day been?"

"Like usual," said Albus, giving him a searching look. "How about yours?"

Scorpius shrugged. "Same."

"Anyone give you trouble?" asked Albus.

"Er—not really," said Scorpius. I wasn't that much of a lie...it was only Nott and Goyle, and he'd had worse from them.

"See?" said Albus, flashing Scorpius a dazzling smile. "I told you everything would be alright."

"Yeah," said Scorpius, watching the dimples at the corners of Albus's mouth and wishing that he could believe the words coming out of it. "Sure."

AN: I really don't want to be one of those people who begs for reviews. But if you do feel so inclined I would love to have them :)

-SQ