Chapter 14: What is wrong with you?

Scorpius walked back slowly to the Slytherin dormitory. Although he was set on his decision to tell Albus he was gay, he didn't see why he had to rush it. Logically he knew that Rose was right about Albus, but at the same time he had this horrible persistent feeling that this could mean the end of their friendship, and he wanted to stay friends with Albus Severus Potter for as long as possible.

His heart was pounding as if he had just completed a marathon when he finally ascended the stairs to his Slytherin dorm. He scanned the room quickly and found Albus alone on his bed reading one of Scorpius' muggle books. This surprised Scorpius.

"I didn't know you liked muggle books" said Scorpius, trying to sound casual as he leant up against Albus' bed post.

"I don't" Albus replied without looking up.

Scorpius frowned. He hadn't even started confessing and this was already going terribly.

"I didn't see you this morning," he tried again.

"I went to breakfast early" Albus said expressionlessly as he flipped a page.

Scorpius sat down on the edge of the bed nervously. "Albus, I have something I need to tell you."

Albus finally looked up, but didn't say anything. He just stared at Scorpius blankly.

Scorpius frowned again. "This was so much easier with Rose," he muttered sighing.

Albus' expression suddenly distorted to be replaced with obvious anger. "Why don't you go and find Rose then?"

Surprised, Scorpius stood up leaning away from Albus. "I didn't mean...Albus, I really want to talk to you about -"

"Well, you've obviously already spoken to Rose about it so I don't know why you need me" he said aggressively, folding his arms.

Scorpius looked as if he might cry. "Albus, please! I'm sorry I told Rose before you. You're my best friend, I want to talk to you!"

"I get it, Scorpius. Clearly your one day old girlfriend is more important than your best friend of five years" he said coldly.

"My girlfriend? Albus, what are you-oh." Scorpius finally pieced it together. Was that why Albus had disappeared last night - he had seen him kiss Rose?

Albus sneered cruelly. "Yeah everyone saw it."

"Albus, it's not what you think. I don't fancy Rose."

Albus scoffed. "Scorpius, I don't care. Do whatever you want. Go snog your girlfriend."

"Albus, please listen to me," he pleaded desperately.

"Sod off, Scorpius. I don't want to talk to you," he said aggressively.

Scorpius, looking as if he were about to burst into tears, ran from the room.

As soon as he left, Albus threw the book he had been pretending to read against the dormitory wall and cursed loudly. He immediately regretted the way he spoke to Scorpius. He had been a right arse, but he just felt so angry.

He knew it was jealously that was making him angry but he didn't know how to control it. Albus had only just realised his feelings for Scorpius last night and seeing that kiss - it made him livid to think about it. He knew he'd have to avoid Rose as well, or his temper would get the better of him again.

He jumped up, not being able to sit any longer. He paced back and forth across the dormitory, giving Scorpius's bed post a kick for good measure. He immediately regretted this, just as he regretted his words to Scorpius earlier.

Albus let loose a few choice swear words before leaving the dormitory. He knew he had to calm himself down then find Scorpius to apologise. He decided to go to the Great Lake - he found that always calmed him.

However, when he got there he realised the Great Lake didn't calm him at all. As he leant up against a tree, he thought back to all the other times he had been here and felt so peaceful. It suddenly dawned on him that he had been with Scorpius all those times. It wasn't the lake he'd been watching.

Albus cursed. He wished he could go back to yesterday morning before he had realised his real feelings. Everything would be more difficult now. How would he even be able to talk to Scorpius and Rose, or sit next to them together, or see them kiss again?

He heard footsteps behind him and turned his head to see Rose and Scorpius approaching the lake. They obviously hadn't seen him behind the tree. Not now, Albus thought.

Scorpius looked up and met Albus' eyes. Albus noticed that Scorpius had obviously been crying and he felt incredibly guilty. He wanted to run to his friend and comfort him, but it was clear Rose was already attending to that. He felt his jealousy taking over him again and he desperately tried to calm himself.

Rose suddenly looked up and saw Albus as well. She scowled. "Albus Severus Potter. You absolute jerk."

"Rose, don't" said Scorpius softly.

Rose marched towards Albus, ignoring Scorpius. "What is wrong with you?" she asked.

Albus rose to his feet to meet her. 'Sod off, Rose" he said, irritated, trying not look directly at her. Stay calm, he told himself, stay calm.

"No, I will not sod off, Albus! What in Merlin's name did you say to Scorpius?"

"Did he come crying straight to you, did he?" Albus flinched as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He was only making things worse.

Rose looked ready to murder Albus, but before she could reply, Scorpius reached out to her, trying to pull her back. "Leave it, Rose," he said, not looking at Albus. "Let's just go."

With one last scowl at Albus, Rose let herself be dragged away by Scorpius back up to the castle. Albus watched them go bitterly.

He sank back down to the ground, putting his head in his hands. He cursed. Suddenly reminded of Scorpius' swear jar, he cursed again.

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