Saturday November 3rd 2018:

Crowds of the Quidditch Stadium stands ecstatically cheered, waving their scarlet and gold flags and banners in support of the winning team: Gryffindor. Gryffindor beat the Slytherin team by fifty points, mostly thanks to James' excellent Keeper skills, and the team's amount of speed and effort.

The teams exited the stadium to get a much needed shower in the changing rooms, but it took some time for the vast majority of the winning team to pass through a good number of students just there cheering.

James dabbed his sweaty forehead with his hand-towel while being patted on the back from his fellow team members and supporters from the stands, but then a certain someone approached him whom he did not expect to see.

"What's with your face? You look as if you are seeing your brother actually approaching you purposely for once," Albus said, leaning against the doorway leading to the changing rooms.

"Good, because that's what I was going for," James pointed out, "but couldn't you have approached me at a different time? You know, when I'm not drowning in my own sweat or stinking from B.O."

"It will be quick."

James brushed his moist dark hair away from his face as he tried to settle his pants and exhaled. "Alright, what is it?"

"I need to ask you a favor."

"Aha! That seems more like you, only bothering to talk to me if you need something. I was worried for a moment."

"James, stop being you for just a moment and listen," Albus demanded.

"Wow, you sound like Mum," James grumbled.

Ignoring that comment, Albus hesitated for a moment, struggling to say what he was about to say. "My favor is… well, I wanted to kind of… hang out with you."

The teen stood there in complete utter discombobulation. "That's it?"

"You mean hanging out with me isn't already a catch?"

"Sort of, but I mean the ultimate catch. What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," Albus fibbed. "What are you doing after your shower?"

James wrapped his towel around his shoulders. "Wanking."

"Ucckkk!"

James cracked up. "Relax. Learn to take a joke once in a while. I'm just gonna be hanging out with some mates."

"Whatever. So, can I tag along?"

"If you feel like you must, sure. Are you bringing your boyfriend?"

"My what?" Albus groached.

"Your friend who happens to be a boy."

"Most likely," Albus answered, glancing over at Scorpius praising Rose for her Chaser skills just a few feet behind him.

"Okay. I'll see you then I guess," James said. "Meet me at the entrance courtyard in about half an hour."

Albus nodded, and with that, James finally left for some much needed cleansing. Albus swore he could still smell him.

"Albus, I saw you talking to your brother. Good! You two barely speak to each other," Scorpius encouraged, nearing Albus from behind.

"That's because he's a pain in the arse," Albus stated, facing his friend.

"So I've heard… from you," Scorpius chuckled.

"I'm going to be hanging out with him in about half an hour. I was hoping you could come with."

"Sure, but why are you suddenly so interested in hanging with James?"

Without the brunet needing to say anything, Scorpius came up with an epiphany rather quickly. "Wait, please tell me that for once you're not being your usual persistent self by only being with James just so you could prove yourself 'better' to others."

"So what if I am?"

"Well, not to sound rude or anything, but don't you remember what happened the last time you tried this idea?"

"Yes, and that was a dumb idea," Albus confirmed. "This is what I should have been doing this whole time."

"I don't know, Albus..."

"Trust me!"

Those fierce emerald eyes peering into Scorpius' was like saying no to a puppy, he just couldn't. "Fine, but I'm going only because I wanna be with you, and to also keep an eye out on you."

Albus grinned his appreciation.

XXX

According to plan, Albus - along with a very silent nerve wrecked Scorpius - awaited James to meet them in the entrance courtyard. Both of the preteens knew their wait would not prolong because of the familiar loud and obnoxious voice from behind them. It was of course James himself flanked with three other Gryffindors; two boys and one girl.

"Hey, you two actually made it," James said, surprised.

Two of James' friends didn't bother greeting the new guests, but the third waved.

"Here's to yet another victory for our house!" the girl cheered, holding out a foamy beverage with the others.

Scorpius applauded to their toast -- despite his own team losing -- but Albus' focus lingered on their drinks.

"Is that a butterbeer?" Albus asked.

"Yeah, from Hogsmeade," the boy who greeted them before said.

"With a pinch of actual beer of course," the girl said, winking as she took a sip.

"You're not supposed to drink, James!" Albus said.

"I won't tell Mum or Dad if you don't," James said, slyly as he pulled out his own glass and chugged down a gulp.

After the Gryffindors all gulped in unison, James passed his over to his sibling.

"You want me to have some? Aren't you forgetting that time I got a hold of Uncle Ron's ginger beer and nearly vomited from the taste?" Albus reminded.

"This is a different kind. You might like it this time," James suggested.

"No, it's the taste of alcohol I hate," Albus protested.

"Wow," the girl said rudely.

Albus frowned and grabbed the mug out of his sibling's hand. Instantaneously he chugged down the bittersweet taste of mouth-watering butterscotch, but then tinged with that bitter taste of added alcohol. He passed it back to the teen with disgust the instant the taste of alcohol touched his tongue, while the others snickered.

"Well, at least you tried," James said, lightly smacking his friends to stop laughing.

Scorpius felt he was a statue at that moment; a statue that people can sometimes gawk at and acknowledge, but doesn't have a conversation with and is soon ignored again. He could tell Albus was wishing he was a statue, but his persitantness held him back, so he could sit on the grass and sit through each and every random subject - ranging from Quidditch, girls, to "funny" things that happened in previous days in class - and Albus would not budge.

After that whole ordeal, James said his farewells to the two second years, and he offered both of them to hang out again.

When strolling back to the castle, Albus leaned in to Scorpius and whispered three simple words... "I give up."