Chapter 11: You're my best friend no matter what

Albus was frustrated that his best friend wouldn't tell him what was bothering him. He was jealous that Scorpius seemed to trust a complete stranger to share it with but not Albus, his best friend. Although his jealously and frustration with Scorpius was nothing compared to the anger he felt at Scorpius' writing partner for not responding, and that in turn couldn't compare to the agony he felt at seeing his friend in pain.

He wished desperately that Scorpius would open up to him, but he didn't push it, because his biggest priority was making his best friend feel as safe and comfortable as possible. This usually meant that they skirted around the topic of letters, and never again mentioned Scorpius' crying episode.

Scorpius went back to avoiding sweets, or so he claimed, but Albus often heard the unmistakable sound of wrappers in the middle of the night, accompanied by muffled sobs. The first time he heard it he called out to Scorpius in the dark but there was no reply. The next morning, the boys didn't mention it. After that, Albus would lay awake each night listening intently until Scorpius's sobs stopped. Only then would he be able to fall asleep himself.

Albus often felt he should be doing more to help his friend, but every time he reached out, Scorpius shut down completely. He found the only thing that seemed to work in the slightest were distractions, so he allowed Scorpius' to keep up the pretense that nothing was wrong, and tried his best to keep their conversations light and good-humoured. Whenever he managed to claw a genuine laugh from his best friend, he counted it as a success.

As the weeks went by, and Scorpius had still not received a letter, things slowly got better. Where before, Scorpius cried almost every night, now Albus heard sobs only rarely. He still spotted sweet wrappers in their dormitory trash bin often, which he doubted all belonged to their roommates. Scorpius also seemed to be smiling more often, and Albus often caught glimpses of the old easily excited Scorpius, who showed enthusiasm over things most people wouldn't have noticed or cared about.

They were studying in the library one Friday afternoon and Albus, encouraged by Scorpius' excitement about finding a book on the hidden magical properties of typically considered non-magical plants, decided it was finally time to broach the topic again.

"Scorpius," he began seriously.

Scorpius looked up quickly, his previous smile fading.

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want, but I know there's something you're not telling me."

Scorpius sighed, looking down at the table nervously. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, Albus. I'm just…afraid" he admitted quietly.

Frowning, Albus reached out and placed his hand over Scorpius' on the table. "Scorpius, it's me. You can tell me anything. You're my best friend no matter what."

Scorpius stared at Albus' hand where it rested over his, gritting his teeth in frustration. "You don't understand what you're saying, Albus."

"Then help me understand, Scorpius. I want to help."

Scorpius sighed again and finally looked up to meet Albus' eye. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but was interrupted by Rose who suddenly plonked down in the chair next to him. Scorpius quickly slid his hand out from under Albus'.

"Your brother is a complete arse" she said to Albus, as she started laying out her books on the table. "I honestly don't understand how we are related to him."

Albus glared at her pointedly, trying to convey that she was not invited. Rose looked from her cousin to Scorpius, who was staring down at the table nervously.

"Did I interrupt some –"

"Yes" replied Albus at the same time Scorpius stood up abruptly.

"No," he said in reply to Rose. "I've got to go, anyway."

"Wait," Albus called out, "I'll come with you." He started packing up his books.

"No, no," said Scorpius, his eyes pleading to Albus. "We'll talk later, I promise. I just need to…go."

Albus could see the desperation in his friend's eyes. "Okay," he said slowly. "Come find me when you're ready."

"Thanks, Albus," Scorpius replied smiling weakly before all but running out of the library.

Albus turned to Rose in frustration. "Great timing," he said sourly.

"What was that about?" she asked, her brow furrowed.

"I would know if it wasn't for you."

"I'm sorry for interrupting, I really am, Albus." She responded, looking shameful.

Albus sighed. "It's not your fault," he conceded. "I was just so close."

"Is there anything I can do?" asked Rose.

"No, no. There's nothing. I can't do anything either. I should be doing something. Anything! I'm supposed to be his best friend. I don't know what to do." Albus put his head in his hands.

Rose came around to sit down next to Albus. "I'm sure you're doing everything you can for him, Al. Just give him time, and keep being his friend. I'm sure he needs that."

Albus smiled at his cousin.

"And I'm not sure if this will help," she continued, "but there's an early Christmas party in the Gryffindor common room tonight. Maybe you and Scorpius should come and unwind. I heard one of the older students is smuggling in firewhiskey."

"I don't know," said Albus.

"There'll be other houses there too. I'm sorry for not inviting you earlier. James was supposed to be looking after invites but I just spoke to him and he said he forgot about Slytherin, that git."

"It's okay, thanks. But it's not really Scorpius' thing. We might just stay in tonight" Albus responded.

"Fair enough. If you change your mind, the password will be mandrake." Rose said returning to her books.

Albus tried to go back to studying, but he found it difficult to concentrate as all he could think about was what Scorpius was going to tell him. What could be so terrible that Scorpius didn't think he would understand?

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