Monday September 12th 2022:
"There you are," Scorpius said to his best friend, studying at one of the library tables.
"I'm surprised that you're surprised," Albus said, not bothering to separate his gaze from the current book in his hands.
"Well, I figured since you ended up doing so well on your O.W.L.s you wouldn't really need the extra help." Scorpius stared at the stack of books surrounding the studious Potter in disbelief.
"Dad suggested for the professors to keep an extra close watch on me, so I can only do so much," Albus whispered, flipping a page. " But between you and me, I realise more and more that studying can actually be fun, especially when you don't have to talk to people. Except those who come up to me just to call me a nerd."
"Who is calling you that?" Scorpius asked defensively.
"A few people," Albus said casually. "It doesn't really offend me. I'll take that over being called a Squib."
Madam Pince menacingly advanced over to the talking teens. "If you boys are truly here to read and/or study, I highly suggest for the two of you to sit apart."
"No worries about that, mam," Scorpius said. "I'll be leaving. How about you, mate? Want to turn off your big brain for a little while and perhaps play a game of Gobstones?"
"Not that, but perhaps a game of wizard's chess?" Albus suggested.
Scorpius stifled a groan, but his distaste was indisputable on his face. "Again? That's more of an indoor game; you could use the fresh air. Besides, it's, well—"
"Boring?"
"Sort of—"
"Shush!" Madam Pince demanded, pressing her thin bony finger to her lips.
"Sorry, mam. I'm leaving. And I didn't mean to offend you, Albus. I will see you later?"
"Duh," Al said.
Relieved, Scorpius waved goodbye so he would not bother the eagle-eyed librarian any further.
As Scorpius left the library and travelled through the third floor's corridor, somebody stopped him in his tracks. "Hey, Rose," Scorpius said.
"Nice job at Quidditch practise," Rose said. "I just wanted to let you know that I have decided that it will be less hours for tutoring sessions for the weekends. I know you ended up being really busy with your "fan base" before summer vacation, so I only want you to play a part of your tutoring responsibilities if you stick to your word. Cora Figel and Dominic offered to help, but they also take their Prefect duties very seriously, so they will certainly not have as much time as we do."
"I'd still love to help," Scorpius said. "And I didn't win Slytherin the Quidditch Cup this year, so I don't think my fan base is quite as large now."
"I'll try taking your word for it," Rose said. "See you around." She gave Scorpius a quick, friendly, but rough punch in the shoulder and left.
Scorpius rubbed his arm and walked to the entrance courtyard.
At the courtyard, sitting in front of the water fountain was Erika with Gobstones and a drawn circle already set up in front of her.
"Is Albus going to be joining us?" Erika asked.
"Nah, he's busy," Scorpius said. He kneeled down and craned around to make sure nobody was watching. He quickly kissed her on the lips when the coast was clear.
"That's good in a way, because I was going to suggest for us to do something first before playing our game," Erika said.
"Ooh, like what?" Scorpius asked suggestively.
"Oh, get your mind out of the gutter," Erika said playfully. She comically stuck her tongue out and dragged something out from her robes; it was a pouch supported by a blue ribbon at the top.
"For me?"
"Nope. Sorry to crush your hopes," Erika said. "It's for an adult in this school, and I'll bet you'll never guess who it is."
"Ooh, a challenge, huh?" Scorpius said excitedly, holding his chin in deep thought. "I know! The Bloody Baron!"
"Nope."
"Hmm, I suppose that seems right with him being a ghost and all," Scorpius said. "Madam Pince?"
"Nope."
"Madam Hooch?"
"Nope. One more guess."
Scorpius' face scrunched up. "Madam Pomfrey?"
"Aaannnddd nope. Now I stick to my previous statement that you would not be able to guess who it was," Erika said, smirking.
"You were sure right. Now, will you please reveal who it is before I go mad?"
"You going mad? We can't allow that to happen, can we?" Erika said admiringly. "With that said: it's Mr. Filch, and Mrs. Norris."
Scorpius' face repeatedly formed different expressions and it took a while for him to find the right words. "Wow, I knew you were funny, but not that funny."
Erika rolled her eyes like she was expecting him to say that. "Oh, you're not joking? That was awkward then," Scorpius said.
"A bit, yes," Erika said, smiling. "May sound a bit idiotic but I don't think he gets enough recognition for what he does in this school. Maybe he would be happy to get a nice gift."
"You are not idiotic, Erika. In fact, you are the exact opposite. But you can tell you're a newbie to the school. You haven't been around long enough to get into trouble with Filch or Mrs. Norris."
"I've been here for just over a year now, and I don't get into trouble with them because I don't get myself into trouble."
Scorpius was about to politely argue with that comment, but judging by the sternness of his girlfriend's face, he knew it would not be the best thing to do.
"But before giving him his gift, first I want to help clean his office while he's out. Can you help me out? Please? "
"Err, sure. Why not? For you I will, but not so much for Filch."
"Thanks," Erika said, appearing oddly chipper for someone who was about to clean an entire office. Now Scorpius was wishing that he had been like Albus, pouring over books instead.
XXX
"How are we getting in?" Scorpius asked when arriving outside of Filch's office. "Perhaps I could call Peeves over..."
"Peeves?" Erika whispered, trying not to provoke the poltergeist if he was close by. "No way. I know you're kind, Scorpius, but I will never understand why you would consult with him."
Scorpius sniggered from the irony of the situation currently occurring with her about Filch, but again he knew it was best to remain silent.
"Alohomora," Erika said, pointing her wand to the keyhole of the door.
Scorpius was about to say something among the lines of Filch not letting people get into his office so easily but the sound of a keyhole unlocking proved him wrong.
As if reading his mind, Erika said, "People would think it would be impossible to get into his office but he wouldn't be able to magically seal the door anyway."
"Right. Because he's a Muggle."
Erika gasped. "You've never heard of the rumours?"
"What rumours?"
"Months ago, I saw Filch walking that Dominique Weasley girl out of the Forbidden Forest (apparently for the hundredth time) and I heard somebody close to me of course disapproving of him and saying that he was a Squib. Apparently years ago this boy Teddy was trying to steal back something from his office and found countless magazines related to the subject on his desk. Granted, I wasn't familiar with the term at first, but now I am. No wonder he's so upset."
"Albus used to be called that all the time," Scorpius said dismally. Erika seemed disappointed that Scorpius did not empathize with Filch right away, so he continued. "And that would make sense why he is the way he is. It's a terrible thing to be called, much like being called a Mudblood."
"Awful. Obviously I am pure-blood much like yourself, but I don't think lowly of others like that. I swear some wizards and witches give our blood status a bad name. With all that being said, let's start cleaning before someone walks in." Erika closed the door so nobody else could walk in and she got started.
The very instant the sponge moved without the use of magic, absorbing every molecule of filth surrounding it, Scorpius regretted the decision and again would have preferred to be studying in the library with Albus. However, he reminded himself that his choice was for Erika, not Filch. It was worth it to see the precious smile on her face.
XXX
Albus reluctantly departed from the library. He felt like he had not quite achieved the knowledge he needed from Winogrand's Wondrous Water Plants, but he wanted to see Scorpius.
"Al?"
Though Albus still detested that nickname, he took focus on the full-figured woman walking out of the girl's lavatory. "Hi, Dominique."
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Albus stared off into the empty corridor leading to the courtyard. "Is it urgent?"
"Not really," Dominique acknowledged.
Dominique struck Albus as being upset, and despite not seeing her very often, he perceived that it was out of the ordinary for her. "Okay, sure. I guess."
"Alright. But we must go to the Room of Requirement. It's the only place where nobody else could possibly eavesdrop."
"But that's on the seventh floor. Why not use the Muffliato charm?"
"We're not supposed to use magic in the corridors."
Albus stood there dumbfounded. "You--"
"Yes yes, I know that I break the rules constantly. But one more wrong move and I will be expelled. This may sound hard to believe, but I want to graduate!"
Albus related to his cousin's situation so he did not bother to squabble, but that did not stop his displeasure of climbing countless staircases.
They both reached the left corridor of the seventh floor, panting and sweating. Even more so when they had to walk past the hidden entrance three times, with Dominique carefully and specifically thinking of her desires for entering the room.
The hidden door eventually revealed itself, and so they entered.
Inside the room was packed to the brim with chaos. Doxies swarmed the shredded tapestries hanging on the walls, occasionally nipping at them. Broomsticks hovered in the air on their own. Obstacle courses built with high platforms, springboards, fire, and basically anything that had the potential of crushing a person.
"It's my way of having adrenaline without sneaking off into the forbidden forest or causing chaos anywhere else," Dominique said. "It's because of this room that I'm finally going to be graduating this year."
"Congratulations, but couldn't you have changed the layout of the room for the time being? I mean, all you want to do is talk, right?"
"It calms me. Don't be such a scaredy cat."
Albus studied the room again, not taking in one bit of calming attributes. "I'm surprised you even have tapestries to be honest."
"It's specifically for the Doxies. Relax, you enjoy creatures, don't you?"
"Actually it's everything but the Doxies that are making me uneasy right now," Albus said tensely, paying specific attention to the obstacle courses.
Dominique leaned against the wall, shrugging off Albus' worries. "Have you heard? About Teddy and Vic?"
"No, what?"
"They're getting a divorce."
"Keep in mind right now that my shocked expression is because of them not telling anyone, not because of the actual news."
"What my sis and him have in common is hating to make people upset."
"Poor Dora," Albus said sadly.
"I know."
Albus and Dominique glanced down at the marbled floor. Dominique tied her arms behind her back and Albus shoved his hands into his pants' pockets.
"Is that all what you wanted to tell me?" Albus asked, breaking the silence.
"There's more," the blonde said. "You're the only one I feel comfortable telling this to because I know you would understand the most. I know I should be upset, and while I am for Dora and a little bit for my sister, I am actually glad they ended it."
"Because it's for the best?"
"No, well, kind of." The elder teen shut her eyes just as though she was in pain and practically shouted, "I love Teddy, alright?"
"Wait, you are?"
"Yes," Dominique growled, still not opening her eyes. "And here James told me that he might fancy you."
Dominique was now on high alert. "W-When did he say that? Was he joking? What did he say specifically?"
"Nah, I know when he's joking. He said that he seemed more interested in you than Victoire for a while now. But then again, James is not very observant when it comes to love."
"Oh, okay." Dominique's high in spirit attitude changed back to downhearted considerably quick. "I don't think he does. Teddy doesn't really talk to me too much."
"Perhaps he fears that he would get in trouble, and right now he's just trying to figure stuff out."
"Could be."
"Wait, why do you think out of all people I would understand this situation the most?" Albus asked, his mind slowly catching up and registering what was told to him before.
"Lil told me you fancied Scorpius Malfoy."
Albus sighed. "Of course she did. But wait, even if I was, Scorpius isn't involved with anyone, so it's not exactly the same situation."
"Oh, isn't he dating--?"
"I'm pretty sure if he was dating somebody, he would tell his best friend," Al interrupted crossly.
Dominique was taken aback, but not enough to back down. Being in the forbidden forest and the very room she was in right now often enough meant that she faced more dangerous and intimidating things than her grouchy cousin's anger. "Alright, there's no need to bark at me. That's just what your sister told me."
Dominique was at the point of walking away, but Albus stopped her. "About Teddy, just be there for him. That's really all you can do for now. And if things go well, and you feel he's more comfortable, try to flirt and see if he does back. If he doesn't, then you have no choice but to move on, and hopefully continue being friends."
The possibility of the letting Teddy go scenario scared Dominique more than the one time she was close to being maimed by a werewolf in the forest.
"You and Teddy are close. I think you two have a very strong chance."
"Yeah, I hope you're right. But thanks." Dominique smiled briefly and strolled out of the chaotic room with Albus
Albus stood alone in the corridor as the secret door vanished behind him, deeply pondering Dominique's conflict, but mostly his own advice. He could no longer deny it, he thought of Scorpius more than a friend; he was attracted to him in every way. While he had no clue of where Lily got the idea of Scorpius presently dating anyone, he knew that Scorpius had been awfully chummy with Erika.
Him and Scorpius were best friends, why wouldn't he be able to tell him how he felt? But the idea of Scorpius feeling uncomfortable from the confession and their friendship being affected suddenly put him in a majorly anxious state, a state which was short-lived from what felt like a waterfall being poured on him. Peeves cackled above him, holding a bucket full of now empty dirty water. Being so used to Peeves bothering him, Albus laughed along with him. He could not help but smirk from Peeves' unsatisfied, pouty reaction.
Upon reaching the ground floor to make his way towards the courtyard, Albus found an unlikely sight: Scorpius and Erika standing outside Filch's office (which appeared to be uncommonly tidy and appealing.) That was not the only unlikely sight however, the other aspects being not only Erika smiling in Filch's presence, but Filch himself looking mildly pleased of all things!
"About time I got some recognition for my contributions to this mess of castle. Isn't that right, Mrs. Norris?" The caretaker grumbled to his beloved pet by his side. Mrs. Norris uttered a deep meow and butted her head against his leg in response.
"Of course, Mr. Filch. And I have something else for you," Erika said, pulling out a pouch.
With the reveal of the mysterious pouch, Filch's pale and baggy face returned to its normal ill-tempered state, which was sort of reliving for Albus, but only because Filch's odd behavior beforehand was frightening him. "Wait a minute! This could be a filthy trick! Trying to butter me up and then trick me by opening this up and being sprayed by one of those stink pellets or sweets that makes my face break into boils!"
"Erika is a brilliant person!" Scorpius snapped, stepping in front of his girlfriend. "She cleaned all of this for you without magic, and you honestly think she would be tricking you!"
"Scorpius, it's okay," Erika assured, holding the blond back. To immediately break the ice, she untied the sack to prove to the caretaker that nothing was going to spray him.
Filch cautiously inspected it, and pulled out the item – being pieces of delectable chocolates with the words 'thank you' engraved on them. Unexpectedly, he cracked open one of the sweets and inspected further, but Erika was pleased once he tried and actually enjoyed the piece.
"Seems you actually have brains and respect, unlike so many of these filthy little beasts." Filch not so subtly glanced over at Scorpius when he said that.
Albus – who was still watching from a distance – was about to charge off to defend him, but Erika did before him, but being much more respectful and calm.
"Don't be so hard on him. He helped me clean your office after all."
"A troublemaker is what he is! He served a whole year's worth of punishments, and just this year he slipped belch powder into my drink!"
"That was only one time. With the belch powder at least," Scorpius said, mumbling the last comment.
Erika figured if the two continued to talk, it would only get worse, so she led Scorpius away saying, "I'm happy you enjoyed them. Bye, Mr. Filch. Bye, Mrs. Norris." Filch surprisingly waved, but still shot a dirty look over at Scorpius.
It must have been because of being around somebody like Filch for a while, but when Scorpius saw his best friend standing there, he squealed his name in delight.
"You two actually cleaned Filch's office?" Albus asked, amazed but mainly confused.
"Yup," Scorpius said, running a hand through his messy, sweaty hair. Albus silently cursed to himself, enticed by the sweat, "and yes, it really is as filthy as everyone thinks it is. He seemed to like what Erika did for him though."
"Thanks for helping me though," Erika said to Scorpius. "You should have joined us too, Albus. It's a good workout not using magic! It's crazy how the Muggles do it."
"I don't know. Cleaning isn't exactly my thing. I had to do enough of it because of Filch," Albus chuckled. Scorpius did as well. Erika was not sure how to react.
"Well, it's best I get ready for class," Erika said. She was about to lean forward to kiss Scorpius until she remembered them having an audience. Albus was quick to notice this, worried about the chances of Scorpius actually keeping something from him.
XXX
Divination was already not one of Albus' strongest subjects, but it was impossible to focus on the professor's lectures with his clouded mind; he doubted Scorpius and Erika were actually dating, but he actually acknowledged that there was the slightest possibility of them eventually being involved.
Albus nonchalantly stared at the mystic crystal ball in the middle of the table he was sharing with Cora Figel and Louis Weasley; it was a class of Slytherin and Ravenclaw house. With there being a shortage of students in Ravenclaw for the subject, the class was shared with students who were of different age ranges.
Albus stared into the mist within the crystal ball with a blank expression, while Cora and Louis were taking notes and discussing what they witnessed with each other. Ironically the clouded mist he was witnessing symbolized how he was feeling perfectly; cluttered, gloomy, and uncertain.
"What is it you see, Albus?" Louis asked.
"Huh? What?"
"Mon dieu, I know you do not usually pay attention in zis class, but you seem especially daft today," Louis pointed out, agitated.
"I'm not daft," Albus defended. He was not going to say anything else, until he simply blurted out, "I'm just thinking of somebody."
"I knew it," Cora said. "I know that look." She smiled knowingly.
"Ooh, 'oo is she?" Louis teased.
"I rather not say," Albus said, looking away. "but it's been long enough, and I'm tempted to … tell them how I feel."
Cora reacted uncomfortably while Louis scoffed and laid back in his seat.
"I admire your bravery, Albus. But, you have a high chance of being hurt," Cora said. Well, that certainly didn't inspire the uncertain Potter.
"I've tried it myself, and it didn't work out so well. Others would argue that it's best to confess rather than being uncertain but it hurts more." Albus did not have to guess who Cora was referring to, but he had no idea she actually confessed to James, which made his brother even more stupid than usual. "What do you think, Lou?"
"Love is overrated, I would say," Louis said. "Not zat I am against love itself, but people think it's everything."
"Of course you can tell the person how you feel," Cora added to the Slytherin. "I'm just saying, you can risk getting hurt."
Albus was more uncertain than before; his hopes were dashed quite quickly. From Cora's talk of heartbreak to Louis' impartial attitude to the whole situation. He almost wished he saw a prediction of future events in this very crystal ball, but he saw nothing but mist and fog — how fitting.