AN: Hey all!! Guess what? Halfway through the chapter, a few months pass! Yay!

This chapter marks the beginning of a section of the story I really enjoyed writing, so I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to review!

Feel free to ask questions and the like. . .

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters or anything even remotely related to the Harry Potter Franchise, except my own copies of the books and some merchandise.

Secrets and Issues

Things had gone back to normal at the Potter residence. Well, except for the fact that Ginny and Albus weren't speaking, James was confused as to why, Lily knew why and was taking Albus's side, and Scorpius was banned from the house where he'd previously been treated as part of the family. Oh, and Harry Potter was in love with Draco Malfoy. But nobody knew about that one.

Harry had no idea what to do. He couldn't just tear apart his marriage. It'd been twenty two years since the war, and he'd been with Ginny for all of them, and married to her for eighteen.

But he hadn't been in love with her for at least ten. And now, he was pushing forty. He'd only just found out what it felt like to truly be in love.

Lily, on the other hand, had just turned twelve, and was developing an attitude Harry didn't like. But he couldn't say anything, because it was only directed at Ginny.

James ended up spending most of the holidays by himself, which was unusual. Teddy, who knew about Scorpius and Albus's relationship, was very supportive, and he helped Albus get through the remaining weeks at home. He snuck Albus out so that he could see his boyfriend. He invented errands to run, where he could take Albus to Malfoy Manor. Harry of course helped, and so did Draco. Nobody knew why Ginny had so much control over everyone, but she did.

Things between Draco and Harry had returned to being platonic. . . but they avoided getting drunk together. Harry was afraid he couldn't control his desire and would rape Draco, who was afraid he wouldn't be able to resist Harry's lure again. So they had civilized, sober fun instead. Which turned out to be relatively pleasant for both parties, except for the distinct awkwardness that no one else seemed to notice.

Term resumed. Weeks then months passed, and Albus was horrified to find that Scorpius was depressed. He'd withdrawn and was not quite as affectionate with Albus in public, almost as if he was afraid of being caught. But as soon as they were alone together, he'd return to being his normal, sociable, mischievous self; flirting and attacking his boyfriend.

But Albus was worried. It hurt him to see Scorpius so disinterested in life in general. Nothing he did could influence the young Malfoy to be himself. No prank, no conversation, no food, nothing.

But what Albus did notice was that Scorpius was throwing himself into his potion-making more than ever before. He concentrated really hard in class, and began experimenting with his own concoctions in the girls' bathroom that was haunted by Moaning Myrtle.

Albus wasn't seeing as much of him as before, and definitely not as much as he would have liked. He noticed over a few weeks that the blonde, normally so radiant and energetic, was becoming increasingly pale and thin. Even his hair seemed to have lost its lustre.

When he couldn't take it any more, Albus cornered Scorpius in the bathrooms, where the former found the latter brewing some potion.

"Oh, hi babe" Scorpius greeted when he saw Albus leering at him with worried eyes.

Taking a seat across from Scorpius, the small cauldron separating them, Albus told him that he was concerned about his health and his happiness, bringing to the blonde's attention his absence. "I miss you" Albus finished despairingly.

Scorpius looked as if he might burst into tears at any given moment. But he just looked at the floor, eyes swimming but remaining silent. "I'm sorry" he said eventually. "I didn't want to let you down" he choked back a sob.

"What? No, my angel. . . No! Don't say that" Albus said gently, grabbing Scorpius's hand. "You never let me down. . . I just want to you tell me what's going on! I want to share everything with you, but I need you to share everything with me. It's been months since the incident with Mum"

"You still haven't made up with her" Scorpius stated sadly.

"No, and that's fine. She told me to choose and I chose. And I've never regretted my choice" Albus said with conviction, lifting Scorpius's chin up so that they were looking each other in the eye.

"I'm not good enough for you" Scorpius said with a sudden, violent sob.

"What?!" Albus yelled in shock. "Scor, why would you say that?" 'What happened to the confident, even arrogant boy I know?' he wondered incredulously.

"Your mother said so"

And it was all clear. Scorpius had always liked Ginny; always valued her opinion. He admired her for raising such wonderful kids. James, a protective older bother-type figure; Lily, the little 'sister' he adored so much; Teddy, his mentor and friend and partner in mischief who shared his love of potions. But most of all, Albus: his best friend, his lover, his soul-mate, the sunshine in his darkness.

For Ginny to have told Scorpius he was not good enough for her son. . . Angered Albus beyond comprehension. Because he knew Scorpius would believe her.

"Lies! It isn't true, Scor! Look at me" Albus pleaded. Scorpius reluctantly looked at Albus again, falling in love all over again with those emerald green eyes. "I love you, and I'll do anything for you. I'll do anything with you"

Scorpius began crying again. "I love you too, Ally. Always"

"I know babe" Albus gathered Scorpius in his arms, almost knocking over the cauldron in the process, and the two held each other.

"I'm sorry" Scorpius said again.

"No secrets. . . From now on, we do everything together, okay? Like before?" Albus proposed.

"Everything" Scorpius promised.

And that is how Albus Potter began taking drugs.

AN: Dun dun dun! (Ominous music. . .) And now we have the foundation for my favourite part of the story.

Thank you SO MUCH to the reviewers! Looking forward to your opinion!

Next Chapter: Asphixus Potion

"We're gay, we're dating, and yeah, we're shagging. Now you know" Scorpius stated matter-of-factly.

. . .to be continued!