Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters end up in.

Bonding Through Snogging

Even after a week of groveling, heartfelt apologies and explanations, Gabrielle was still refusing to speak to Fred Weasley, much less forgive him for the perceived insulting of her ass. She just refused to believe that he'd meant to compliment her and had no intention of ever speaking to the former Gryffindor ever again unless it was to change him back into a weasel so that she could skin him and have his fur made into lining for some gloves.

Since Gabrielle was an animal lover Scorpius made it clear that she meant business, to threaten that and mean it.

And she had meant it.

For his part Albus wracked his brain trying to come up with some way to help his cousin out without much luck. Everything he'd come up with had been met with extreme distain and threats according to his cousin, making him very glad that he wasn't in Fred's shoes. She at least tolerated his existence in her world.

But that was about all she tolerated, Albus thought ruefully as he walked through the hallways with Phoenix's hand in his. Gabrielle had learned he was attempting to help sway her where Fred was concerned and he was now guilty by association. She was only speaking to him when she had to at the moment.

Looking down when his son yanked on his arm the Gryffindor followed the boy's line of vision, smiling automatically when he saw who Phoenix was pointing out. "Hey, Scorpius!" Smile widening when the Slytherin changed his direction Albus grinned as he let Phoenix's hand go so that the little boy could run over to meet his other parent. "Shouldn't you be in Potions right now?"

Ruffling the little boy's hair with his right hand Scorpius raised his bandaged left. "I had to go to the Medical Wing."

Good humor immediately vanishing Albus moved forward to get a look at the damage, which unfortunately he couldn't see thanks to the wrappings. "What did you do? It wasn't Vince, was it?"

Scorpius shook his head. "It was my fault. I accidentally spilled some of the potion I was working on onto my hand. It's not bad, I just have to keep it wrapped for the rest of the day to give the salve a chance to soak in and do its thing."

"Does it hurt?"

It did a little, but Scorpius shook his head again anyway. He didn't want Albus to worry.

Not believing the other man Albus leaned down and grasped Phoenix by his little waist, lifting the baby up so that the giggling boy was on level with Scorpius's hand. "Give your other mummy's hand a kiss all better, okay, Buddy? Just like we do when you fall down, remember?"

Phoenix cranked his neck back to look at his mummy questioningly. "Kiss?"

"Kiss." Albus confirmed.

"Ogay." Leaning forward Phoenix placed a smacking kiss on the bandaged hand before looking back up with a look that suggested he wanted confirmation that he'd done well.

"Very good, I bet his hand is loads better now." Albus assured their son, who smiled back at him in delight.

"Given how tuned in he is to our moods I don't think you can kid him about that." Scorpius pointed out dryly, though he lowered his head to place a kiss on his son's downy head in thanks for the adorable, if prompted gesture.

"Ah but one always feels better after a kiss from a loved one." Albus resorted with a grin, though now that he thought about it Phoenix had been more squirmy than usual about a half an hour ago. Guess he knew why, the Gryffindor thought as he set Phoenix back on his feet. Then, because he was a firm believer in following his own advice, Albus gently grasped the Slytherin's wrist and brought the injured hand up to his lips so that he could bestow a kiss as well.

Blushing bright red Scorpius tugged his hand, trying to get it free. "Someone could see you!"

Chuckling, Albus grinned, reaching out to ruffle the blonde's hair as he let go. "You worry too much."

)

Scorpius hung out with the two since he wasn't expected back in Potions, seeing Phoenix off into Lily's care before leaving the Gryffindors behind to head to his next class, Albus doing the same. His hand hurt a little, but he could flex his fingers which was the main thing. He could take notes, and to his surprise a couple people in his class offered to copy their notes for him so that he wouldn't hurt his hand more by using it. Their offers were appreciated, and it was nice to actually have classmates who were willing to help him.

Class went reasonable well, and heading out afterwards Scorpius was in a fairly decent mood, all things considering.

Or it was good until a hand suddenly shot out from nowhere and grabbing his arm swung him out of the hallway he was in and into another one which was empty except for one other person. The one who'd grabbed him and flung him into the space, letting him go in the process to hurl him further into the hallway.

Staying on his feet Scorpius watched as Callendar approached, seeing in the man's eyes that he was in serious trouble. Enough trouble that he fisted his hands at his sides.

Seeing this the Gryffindor laughed mockingly, obviously not the least worried. "You don't honestly think you could hurt me with those fists, do you? You Malfoys are barely dangerous with wands. I heard your father once got owned by a girl and cried like one too."

Actually Malfoys could be pretty lethal wand wise but yes, his father would probably get his ass kicked in a physical fight, even against a girl. But his father hadn't been the one to teach him to fight with his fists. Gabrielle had. And Gabrielle had learned how to fight from her brothers, which was one of the few good things the twins had ever done for her, even if they'd only done it because they hadn't liked the idea of a Goyle who fought like a girl. He knew how to fight dirty, but had never really applied the knowledge outside the rigorous training his best friend had put him through when he was younger. But if necessary he knew where to aim, Scorpius reminded himself.

Not that he was about to tell Callendar that.

"What do you want, Callendar?"

"You know you're smarter than your father. He fucked up everything he did, right, and relied on muscle to carry out his will because he was just bloody useless as anything other than a whiney brat. You're smarter than that." Callendar began in a calm tone of voice that was completely at odds with the predatory feel to his movements as he moved closer to the Slytherin. "You came here and played the victim, stoically taking all the abuse, the name calling, pretending to be something that you're not in order to convince everyone around you that you're not a threat to them. And for the most part they bought it hook, line, and sinker. They started calling you Ghost and pretty much forgot you existed, didn't they? Which was just the way you wanted it. Everyone becoming so nice and complacent that they never saw who Scorpius Malfoy truly is under his sheep's clothing like I did. Well…everyone but the Sorting Hat, right? He put you in your proper house where you belonged."

Scorpius didn't react to the insults to his father, there was no point. As for him pretending his whole school life to be someone he wasn't sounded ridiculous to him, but people did do that. Callendar was an excellent example of someone who wore his good Gryffindor mask well in public. But the man's mask slipped plenty, because you had to have those breaks or explode.

Instinct said he was going to be witnessing an explosion momentarily.

"I've already told you I won't hurt Albus. He's the father of my son, for Merlin's sake. For that reason alone I would never harm him."

Callendar's chuckle was harsh and dismissive. "Right, because members of your family never kill other members. Tell that to Albus's godbrother."

"Bellatrix Lestrange was insane." Scorpius's voice was as even as he could make it. "The Wizarding World is all related, it would be impossible to find a long standing wizarding family without a member who went bad. You're likely to find several, in fact. That's human nature."

Like he hadn't even heard the Slytherin Callendar continued to move forward with single minded focus. "I've been waiting and waiting for you to make your move, to show who you truly are because seriously, how long could you keep it up before you showed your true nature. And then this mess with Albus happened and I stood back and MARVELED at the scope of your little plan. All that watching and observing you did these past six years served you well, you knew just how to work everyone here, didn't you? You played them perfectly really as you seamlessly slid yourself into the Potter/Weasley circles like you actually belonged there. Using a Soul Egg to do it, forging that kind of unbreakable bond with Al was bloody brilliant. Well…almost unbreakable." The Gryffindor corrected himself with a grin. "Without the kid you'd be back on the sidelines again, wouldn't you?"

Ice cold clarity washed over Scorpius, causing the blonde to straighten as without thinking he dropped all his masks as well. And in their place was the face of a Malfoy/Black who sensed that someone he loved was being threatened.

It was the face of someone who was perfectly capable of shedding life's blood and enjoying it. It was not the face of someone you wanted to mess with.

"Ah, there you are." Triumph crossed Callendar's face, a horrible joy in having his opinions of the Slytherin confirmed to his way of thinking. Because looking into Scorpius Malfoy's face he FINALLY saw the predator under that soft, harmless exterior. The predator he'd always known HAD to be there.

It took a great deal for Scorpius not to draw his wand and impulsively eliminate any threat the Gryffindor might pose to Phoenix, but he restrained himself as he made himself think clearly. Callendar was usually just talk with everyone else, and for the man to harm someone Albus loved, an innocent, was something he couldn't see the other man doing. The Gryffindor watching him was capable of great cruelty, yes, but it took a kind of evil to harm a defenseless child and he didn't think Callendar had that in him.

But just in case… "Harm my son and they'll never find your body."

Reeling a little from the shock Callendar's face flushed with furious insult. "How dare you suggest I would ever harm a child! I'm not the monster here, you are!"

The complete honesty and insult on the Gryffindor's face had the tension in Scorpius's body easing automatically. Of course it would probably be a different story when Phoenix was no longer a 'child', but by then the baby's abilities would be pronounced enough that only someone truly evil could attempt to kill his son. And it would be only an attempt, because he and Albus would kill anyone who tried to end their son's life. That was a given.

Riding his fury Callendar took the steps necessary to get up in Scorpius's face, the Gryffindor looking like he wanted to strange the blonde with his bare hands. "You act so high and mighty, like you're the victim here. Running away from me like a scared little rabbit all the time, only showing any real emotion when it comes to your precious son. But that's a Malfoy for you because at the end of the day, you only care about people whose blood is similar to yours, and that's only if they think and do as you say. What if I were to hurt Albus, you wouldn't care one-."

Reaching out Scorpius had the Gryffindor's lapels in his white fists in a flash, yanking the other man close so that they were nose to nose. "Let me make it clear to you once and for all, you stupid, arrogant, bully." He hissed, his eyes swirling, dangerous storms. "Touch Phoenix, touch Albus, touch anyone I care about in anger and I will prove you right about just what you think I'm capable of. You just won't be conscious long enough to tell anyone that you told them so. Know it. Fear it."

"As if I could ever be afraid of you." Callendar snarled back, though there was something in those eyes, something that made him believe that the Slytherin believed, one hundred percent, what he was saying.

"My father was a screw up who could get taken down a girl." Scorpius all but purred as he threw the Gryffindor's words back at him, his own words dripping with venom. "And look at all the pain and misery he was capable of causing before he graduated from here. If I'm half as brilliant and dangerous as you seem to think I am…imagine the damage I could do if you pushed me too far."

And sure that his message was for once received and understood Scorpius let the Gryffindor go and marched forward, not carrying that his shoulder hit Callendar's, not even remotely worried that he was giving the other man his back and his wand wasn't drawn.

In that moment, to his mind, Callendar wasn't his hunter.

Callendar was potential prey.

)

Striding through the castle's hallways Scorpius couldn't remember feeling quite so…bad ass. It was a completely foreign feeling, and he imagined it would fade quickly into horror at what he'd done since he'd all but challenged Callendar to try for him. And the muffled voices in his head pointed that out, but were barely noticed thanks to the extreme testosterone and adrenaline rush he was moving under. He felt strong and powerful and…and manly. Like for once he could stand toe to toe with Albus and really believe, to the core of his being, that he was just as tough as the Gryffindor could be. Just as alpha.

That belief would probably wear off with the adrenaline and testosterone high, but he was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

I am a bad ass, I am a bad ass, Scorpius sang in his head, in some part of himself recognizing the humor in chanting that of all things in his head like a five year old. But what the hell, if you couldn't sing in your head then where could you?

And since the voices in his head were getting louder by the minute as to all the reasons why threatening Callendar back had been far from one of his better ideas Scorpius picked up the pace, since there was something he wanted to do before he reverted back to his normal self.

Turning into the hallway that led to the rooms he shared with the rest of his family Scorpius crashed into a familiar warm body, Albus's arms automatically coming up to wrap around his waist, supporting him.

"Hey. Are you okay?" Albus demanded to know, loosening his hold, though he kept the man in his arms. "I just got back and Lily said Phoenix had been really fussy about ten minutes ago. I was coming to look for you, in case you were the reason. Did you hurt your hand again?"

It was a testament to how completely his mind had been on other things that he'd completely forgotten about his injured left hand. He'd even fisted it a few times without even noticing the twinges that must have been felt in some corner of his mind. Starting to notice it now, the Slytherin noted, but Albus was in front of him, caring about him, and that focused him on what was important.

Lifting his hands Scorpius slid his fingers into the Gryffindor's hair, pulling the man's head down so that their lips were almost touching as he smiled at him. "I'm better than okay. Let me show you."

He'd kissed Albus a couple of times all on his own without something prompting him, he wasn't a complete coward, thank you very much. But he'd never done so with this amount of downright carnal, 'I want to screw your fucking brains out' kind of kiss designed to drive the person being snogged wild with passion too. Not remotely his usual style, so it was sloppier and not nearly as well executed as it would have been if the Gryffindor had been in charge, but the Slytherin got his point across.

Moaning his pleasure Albus shuddered at the unexpected assault upon his mouth, his arms tightening once again around the Slytherin's waist as he let the man have control, wanting to feel just how much Scorpius wanted him. Apparently, the blonde wanted him bad.

It went without saying that he was pleased.

And since it wasn't in his nature to completely give over the reins Albus contented himself with moving his hands under the back of other man's robes and shirt so that he could move his fingers over the Slytherin's bare back while he allowed Scorpius to do as he liked mouth wise. It was a good plan.

Both men were so absorbed in what they were doing and feeling that they didn't hear the polite 'ahems' being said in their direction, and their names being called went completely over their heads.

It took a finger being jammed into each of their shoulder blades to finally clue the two boys to the fact that they were no longer alone and someone wanted their attention.

Slowly raising their heads, turning them to look in the direction of the fingers, Albus raised an eyebrow at the person interrupting them while Scorpius took one look and went bright red, groaning low as he turned his head again so that he could bury it against the side of his man's neck.

"Hi, Rosie."

"Hi, Al." Lips twitching, Rosie couldn't help but think it was so cute how the Slytherin who'd been frenching her cousin's brains out was now hiding his face from her. "You know, I'm thinking that my father should have given you the 'not too friendly' speech on our first trip to Hogwarts, Cous."

"Wouldn't have done any good." Al assured her, wiggling his eyebrows as he kept a tight grip on Scorpius. "He's just too cute."

Looking at the Slytherin Rosie had to agree.

Boy were Louis and Domi going to be smug when they found out they'd been right about the two.