Author's Note: Longest TTG Chapter yet! (though there are longer ones later) And I wrote it and about half of the one before it all in one sitting. I was on a roll. Then again, what else do you do while sitting in an airport and on a plane? The homework you didn't do during the week you just missed school? Surely not. :)

-SQ

Disclaimer: Once again, the only thing that's mine is my plot. And my OCs.

Chapter Fourteen: Will This Be How It Always Ends?

"What happened?"

"He fainted."

"After they brought you up here."

"While McGonagall was bringing him, I heard."

"You heard? Were any of you there?"

"Er—no—"

"No one stayed with him?"

"We were worried about you!"

"No one stayed with him?"

"Lily did, I think. She came up with him at least."

"He fell too, you know! He could have been hurt! He could have—"

"Al, calm down, you'll hurt yourself—"

"Out, out, out, out! Visiting hours are over!"

Scorpius opened his eyes. Madam Pomfrey was ushering a small crowd of people through the door, but Scorpius only had eyes for one person—

"Al!"

Albus was sitting up in bed, a white bandage wrapped around his head.

"Scorp!"

Both boys yanked back their covers and leapt up, meeting halfway between the two beds in a fierce embrace.

"Albus, I'm so, so, so sorry!" Scorpius started, almost sobbing as his hands traveled over Albus's arms and back, assuring himself that the Gryffindor was really there.

"Sorry?" said Albus in surprise, pulling back from the other boy but keeping a firm grip on his hands. "Whatever for?"

"For—for crashing into you, for hurting you for—" He reached up and touched the bandage on Albus's head.

"Scorp, don't be a ninny," said Albus. "We crashed into each other. And it's nothing."

"When I saw—so much blood—" Scorpius swayed and Albus lowered him onto his bed, putting a firm arm around his shoulders. It was all Scorpius could do to resist the powerful urge to grab Albus right there and kiss him.

"It's a head wound," said Albus. "They always bleed a lot, even when they're not bad. I've got a concussion, but that's about it. You do too," he added. "Madam Pomfrey says we'll be out of here tomorrow though. Congratulations on winning the Cup, by the way."

"Please don't hate me," said Scorpius in a barely audible voice.

"What? Hate you? Scorpius, I'm congratulating you! You did a really good job out there today." He smiled, and Scorpius smiled back at him.

"You really mean that? You're not mad at me for winning?"

"Mad at you for winning? Scorpius, don't be ridiculous. You deserve that Cup."

"Thanks."

Albus looked down from his friend's face and suddenly stopped cold. On the exposed skin of Scorpius's pale arms he could see several new parallel cuts running crosswise on the Slytherin's arm.

"Scorpius..." he said dangerously.

"What?" said Scorpius, confused.

"What is this?" He grabbed the other boy's arms and turned them into the light. The angry red cuts stood out vividly against the white skin.

Scorpius swallowed, all the blood draining out of his face. "I—I—I—"

"You told me you'd stop. You promised me you'd stop!"

"It's not what you think!" said Scorpius. "I wasn't trying to kill myself! I don't want to die anymore, I don't!"

"Then what were you doing?"

"I—you wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"It helps, okay? When things get—bad. It takes the pain away."

"How can hurting yourself take the pain away?"

"It's a—a release I guess, I don't know. Physical pain is so much easier to deal with. Besides, I don't feel it anymore."

"What kind of things?" said Albus.

Nott and Goyle he thought. And you. You, when you touch me like you're touching me now...and I want you, I want you...

"Well?" said Albus impatiently

"Just—just things, okay?"

"No," said Albus. "It's not okay. Whatever it is—if it's Nott and Goyle, or your other house-mates, or—or whatever. You come talk to me. I don't care what time it is or where we are. If you feel like you're going to cut yourself talk to me—or to Rose, or even Lily or James or someone. I don't want to see any new cuts on your arms. Do you understand?"

Scorpius looked into Albus's green eyes and nodded.

"Yes," he said quietly. "I understand. I'm sorry."

"Shhh," said Albus more gently. "Forget about what we were in the past. I'm your best friend now, remember? Nothing can change that."

And Scorpius wished with all his heart that he could believe it.

*****TTG*****

Albus and Scorpius were indeed released from the hospital wing the next day. Scorpius, to his utter amazement, was hailed as something of a hero in Slytherin House. Sure, there were some people who still didn't like him, but most of those who had simply ignored his presence before were now giving him high-fives and slaps on the back. Slytherin had not won the Quidditch Cup for five years in a row, and the older students assured Scorpius that his spectacular catch would go down in House history. This new attention from his house-mates had another definite upside as well. When no one paid any attention to him, it was easy for Nott and Goyle to corner him. Now, with the other Slytherins actually noticing him, it was a lot harder for them to torment him without attracting attention. Even as the Quidditch Cup mania died down and his house-mates stopped high-fiving him whenever he entered the common room, there was much more of an air of geniality between himself and the rest of the Slytherins than there had been before the match.

Now that the Quidditch season had come to an end, there was only one more significant thing to happen before term ended: Exams. These were not something to look forward to, unless you were Rose, but they were something to be taken seriously. Albus and Scorpius's joint Quidditch practices were replaced by joint study sessions, often accompanied by Rose, who quizzed them mercilessly on everything from Transfiguration to Ancient Runes.

As exam week drew ever nearer, Scorpius became increasingly stressed out and tense, a state which was not helped by a letter which he received from his father a week before the first examination.

Dear Scorpius,

I hope that you are doing well. Congratulations on the Quidditch Cup, that is something

a father can be proud of. I know that your examinations are coming up, and I trust you are studying

hard. I expect nothing less than the excellent marks I know you are capable of. Your mother sends her love.

-Father

"Relax, Scorp," said Albus, gently prying Scorpius's fingers out of his long, blond hair." You're smart. You'll do great."

"But what if I don't?" moaned Scorpius. "He'll be so disappointed!"

"He didn't say that."

"He implied it!"

"Your father is proud of you, Scorp," said Albus. "He said so. You are not a disappointment. Let's take a break. We can go down to the kitchens and get snacks from the house-elves. All you have to do is tickle the pear. James told me, he goes all the time."

Despite these reassurance, Scorpius frantic energy was matched only by Rose's by the time exam week rolled around. Doing his best to keep both his best friend and his cousin from a nervous collapse, Albus bid Scorpius good luck and walked with Rose to their first exam, which happened to be Defense Against the Dark Arts.

*****TTG*****

Albus was confident that all three of them had done well on their exams, though he had a sneaking suspicion that Scorpius and Rose had done rather better than he had. They each only had one exam left, Potions for Albus and Rose and Charms for Scorpius, and then they would be free.

Scorpius came out of the Charms exam looking relieved.

"I think I did well," he announced.

Albus rolled his eyes. "Scorp, you're the best at Charms in our year! Better than Rose! Of course you did well!"

"Really, better than Rose?" Scorpius asked.

"You scored higher than her on the last essay, didn't you?"

"Only because I had done some background reading on the subject before we even studied it," protested Scorpius. "I didn't know nearly enough about mood-changing Charms just now though," he added worriedly.

"Me neither!" said Rose, coming over. "On question twelve, what did you say it was? Because I thought the answer was d, but now I think maybe I should have chosen a because—"

"Urgh!" moaned James, walking by. "It's bad enough having to take the exams once without having to relive them afterwards."

*****TTG*****

The next day the students of Hogwarts packed up their trunks and boarded the Hogwarts Express, ready to head home for the summer. Albus was excited for the holidays, but he noticed that Scorpius was looking a little glum.

"Hey Scorp, what's up?" he asked as the two boys seated themselves in an empty compartment on the train. "Aren't you looking forward to the holidays and seeing your mum and dad?"

"Yeah," said Scorpius. "I am, really, it's just—"

"What?"

"It's gonna be kind of lonely is all."

"Lonely? How so?"

"Well, Mother and and Father are pretty busy, especially Father. I didn't mind it so much before, 'cause I didn't have friends at school anyway. But I've gotten used to you and Rose and Lily and everyone..." said Scorpius, hoping his real reason for not wanting to part from Albus wasn't blatantly apparent.

"Oh, Scorp, I'll miss you too!" said Albus.

"Really?"

"Of course, you ninny!" Albus thought for a moment. "I know! You can come over to my house during the holidays! I'm sure Mum and Dad won't mind. I'll ask them and sent you a letter as soon as I can, alright? That is...if you want to come?"

"If I—yes I want to come!" said Scorpius. "Are you really inviting me? Only—I don't know if Father'll let me..."

"Your dad knows we're friends, right? He's known all term. He has to let you come! I'll talk to my parents. This is gonna be so awesome!"

Scorpius grinned in spite of himself.

*****TTG*****

When the train finally pulled into Platform 9 ¾, the two boys spotted their families standing at opposite ends of the platform.

"I'll write to you as soon as I know, okay?" said Albus, hugging his friend tightly and making Scorpius's heart thud so loud Scorpius was sure Albus must be able to hear it.

"Okay," said Scorpius.

"See you soon!" said Albus, waving as he lugged his trunk toward his waiting parents.

"Bye, Al!" said Scorpius, waving madly himself. Around him he could hear the chorus of "See you next year, Al!" from Albus's other friends.

Scorpius lugged his trunk through the crowd until he came to his parents, standing a little bit apart from the other waiting families at the far end of the platform.

"Hello, Mother. Hello, Father," he said

His mother bend down and gave him a quick hug. "How are you, Scorpius, darling?" she asked.

"Good," he said, smiling a little.

"Who were you waving goodbye to?" she asked.

"Albus," said Scorpius. "You know, my friend who was in the hospital wing when..."

Both of his parents shifted uncomfortably.

His father coughed. "Potter, is it?" he said. "Still friends with him, are you?"

"Yes," said Scorpius. "He's really nice," he added lamely.

"I see..." said Draco. "Let's go, then."

Albus, meanwhile, joined the sea of Potters and Weasleys headed toward their respective parents. Unlike the Malfoys, the Potters and Weasleys were right in the middle of a great crowd of other families, many of whom were shooting them awed or admiring looks, which they studiously ignored as they watched their children disembark from the train.

"James! Albus! Lily!" said their parents, swooping them up into a big hug, which James promptly squirmed out of.

"How was term?" asked their mother, Ginny

"Good," said Lily, grinning. "A lot happened!"

"Oh?" said Ginny, cocking an eyebrow. "What kind of a lot?"

Albus silenced his sister with a look.

"Er—you know, school stuff," she added hastily.

James opened his mouth, but Albus kicked him in the shin.

"Ow!"

"Al, don't kick your brother," Ginny admonished.

"Dad," said Albus, turning to his father, Harry Potter, "can I have a friend over to stay during the holidays?"

Harry laughed. "You've just gotten off the train and you're already asking about having a friend to stay? Don't you want to spend time with your family?"

"Oh, yes," said Albus. "But I really want my friend to come over to stay too, can't he Dad?"

"Who is it?" asked Harry. "Asher? Jerry?"

"No-o..." said Albus. "He's a new friend."

"Well, we'll see," said Harry. "Let's at least get home before we talk about it, okay?"

"Alright," said Albus. "But I won't forget."

"I know you won't," said Harry. "You're like an elephant."

"Huh?" said Albus.

"It's a Muggle expression," said his Aunt Hermione from his father's other side.

"So, who is this new friend you're so eager to have over here?" said Harry, sitting down with his children and wife after dinner that night.

"Er—" said Albus, wondering why he was suddenly so nervous. "It's—er—Scorpius Malfoy."

Harry paused with his glass of firewhiskey halfway to his mouth and Ginny dropped the plate she was holding on the floor.

Oh. This was why.

"What?"

"Scorpius Malfoy," repeated Albus.

"Malfoy?" said Harry, as Ginny quickly repaired the shattered plate with a flick of her wand. "I thought you two were arch rivals."

"We were—that is—we used to be—before—"

"Before what?"

"Before Malfoy tried to kill himself," said James quietly.

"What?" The plate clattered to the floor again.

Slowly, with each Potter child telling bits and pieces of the story, the whole thing was explained to their bewildered parents.

"Let me get this straight," said Harry, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. "You want to invite Scorpius Malfoy—the gay, mentally unstable son of my schoolday enemy—to spend part of his summer here? In my house?"

"Oh, Dad," said Albus, "don't say it like that! That's not who Scorpius is at all. He's so—so—"

"Beautiful," supplied Lily.

"Yes—" said Albus. "And smart, and kind, and fun, and fragile... Dad, he needs me. He's my best friend. He never had any friends before me. He gets beat up by kids in his own house."

"What makes you think Draco will even let him come here?" said Ginny.

"I met Scorpius's father—Draco—in the hospital wing after—after Scorpius's—er—accident..."

"You mean Draco knows that the two of you are friends and I don't?"

"I didn't mean to keep it from you Dad, honest," said Albus. "I just never got around to telling you."

"Please let him come," added Lily. "I like him."

Harry and Ginny looked at each other, at their children's hopeful, pleading faces, and then back at each other.

"A-alright..." said Harry. "You can write to Mal—to Scorpius."

"You're not sleeping in the same bed though, when he's here." Ginny added firmly.

Albus blushed. "Mum! Just 'cause he's gay doesn't mean we're—you know, like that!"

"Tell him he can come for two weeks starting next Thursday," said Ginny.

"Thanks Mum, thanks Dad!" said Albus, beaming. "I'll go write to him right now!" And he bounded off up the stairs two at a time.

*****TTG*****

Scorpius,

Mum and Dad said yes! They said you can come and stay for two weeks starting next Thursday. I hope your dad lets you come, Lily and James are looking forward to your visit too. Sent me a reply as soon as you can. I think my dad's going to write your dad as well with a more formal invitation. I miss you already.

Your friend,

Albus

*****TTG*****

To Draco and Astoria Malfoy,

Apparently, my son Albus and your son Scorpius have struck up a friendship during this last year at school. From what I hear from Albus, it has been a hard year for your family and your son, and my wife and I express our deepest sympathies. I hope you will put aside any bad feelings between us and allow your son to come and stay with us for two weeks starting next Thursday so that the boys can see each other. I await your reply.

Sincerely,

Harry James Potter

*****TTG*****

Dear Albus

Father got your Dad's letter. He's thinking it over right now, but I hope he will say yes. I think Mother is going to try to talk him around. I will write to you again as soon as I know for sure.

Your friend,

Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy

*****TTG*****

Scorp,

Crossing my fingers that your Dad says yes! I miss you more every day. I can't believe we've only been friends for one term, I feel like I've known you for ever. Tell me as soon as you know, okay? I can't take the suspense!

-Al

*****TTG*****

To Harry Potter,

After much consideration on the part of my wife and I, we have decided to allow our son, Scorpius, to visit you and your son during the specified period of time. We will arrive at ten-thirty in the morning.

I hold you no grudge for what may or may not have gone on during our schooldays, and I feel that the friendship between our sons has been beneficial. I trust that you will take utmost care of my only heir.

Until Thursday.

Sincerely,

Draco Malfoy

*****TTG*****

Albus,

Father said yes! He has just written your parents. See you at ten thirty on Thursday morning, I can't wait!

-Scorpius

AN: I hope you liked the letters at the end. I'm kind of a fan of parts of stories being told through letters myself.

-SQ