Saturday December 17th 2022:

Albus woke up relaxed, convinced that the events that had unfolded the night before was simply a nightmare to awake from. When his mind sluggishly snapped back to reality however, he was made aware that it was not a dream, and his mood changed drastically. Still, all of that crying and then sleeping afterwards felt good. He was still upset but he slowly started to realize that Scorpius had no idea why he was truly upset with him. Granted he was an idiot for not noticing, but he could not stay apart from Scorpius, even if he was upset.

Today they would be boarding the train home for the holidays, and Albus wanted to do one thing before leaving Hogwarts and talking to Scorpius, to play his flute (gifted to him from Hagrid for his sixteenth birthday) in their special spot. He may get his pants wet from sitting on the snowy ground without Scorpius' special blanket, but he was too lazy to slip on snow pants.

XXX

Scorpius and Erika were sitting in the Great Hall, playing a game of Exploding Snap and opening some wizard crackers. The seemingly endless noise of explosions from both activities spooked Dexter – who was perched upon Scorpius' shoulder – to the point of him biting his owner's ear. Scorpius briefly yelped, but he soothed his pet and decided to cease with their card game and go through the items received from their wizard crackers. The gifts given were a top hat each, a grow-your-own-warts kit, a wizard's chess set (which made Scorpius reminisce of Albus,) and scented holiday-themed stickers that smelled of pine and mint. Scorpius was comforted to detect there being no live white mice in his wizard crackers this year, what with Dexter being around.

They were laughing and enjoying each other's company until they stopped and the moment of silence restored Scorpius' thoughts to dwell on Albus' well-being.

"He can't still be asleep," Scorpius said, examining the entrance of the Great Hall, anticipating Albus to walk through it. "We'll be leaving for the Hogwarts Express in nearly an hour."

"Is there a significant place he prefers to be alone?"

Scorpius simpered. "There are quite a few places, but there is a particular special spot. I don't know if he'd be there though. Since it is our special spot."

"You know him best. Really think about where he could be."

Scorpius heeded Erika and closed his eyes with his head motionless in such a way that he was in a meditative state.

"I'm not sure if it's wishful thinking, but I really think he'll be there," Scorpius said.

"The special spot?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll go with you."

Scorpius grinned and continued to allow Dexter to perch upon his shoulder so he could get some fresh air before needing to be put back in his cage for the long trip.

XXX

Outside sitting in the muggy patch of grass undisturbed by snow sat Albus playing his flute with agile fingers and his lips fixed upon the embouchure hole. The environment around him felt so still; there was no snow, no wind, even the thick, grey clouds in the sky were undisturbed, but these lack-of-chaos surroundings were ideal for Albus at the present time.

Erika and Scorpius heeded the mellow, airy harmony of the woodwind instrument, and the sound led them to Albus, but Scorpius unconsciously prevented them from walking any further and simply watched the brunet diligently perform. Albus always did what he loved with such passion; Scorpius could especially hear it whenever he played the flute. Al's eyes were shut, and he came across as so peaceful, almost beautiful. Scorpius grinned a slanted grin.

Erika tugged at Scorpius' sleeve when she spotted two unfriendly figures ganging up on the unaware teen. One of them snatched up the flute.

"Hey!" Albus exclaimed. To his horror, the two intruders were Karl Jenkins and Anastasia Cynder.

"The professors are busy so they can't watch over you, huh? You fucking baby." Karl harshly kicked Albus in the shin. Anastasia -- as usual --just cackled and was incapable of thinking up insults.

Karl cunningly observed the wooden contraption in his hand.

"We've gotta do something. Obviously they are going to do something to that flute. Or worse, Albus," Erika urgently whispered.

"Obviously, but I've got a plan," Scorpius said quickly. He took out a pouch from one of his pockets and when he saw Karl lift up the flute and aimed his wand directly at it, he did not hesitate to act, until Erika disarmed Karl first. While the Gryffindors were distracted, Scorpius flung a dungbomb at them, exploding with a green fog of putrid odor on impact. The bullies coughed and masked their mouths and noses.

After time, they gave up and fled.

Albus escaped the fog of stench, coughing as well. When he could properly see again, there stood Scorpius and Erika. Erika applied the hot-air charm on Albus' pants so they were no longer wet. "Was that you two?"

"Erika disarmed Karl, I thought of the dungbomb," Scorpius said, relieved to be speaking with his friend again.

"Brilliant. Only, they still have my flute," Albus said unhappily.

Erika and Scorpius gasped, but Dexter unexpectedly abandoned Scorpius' shoulder and swopped in after the bullies on their way into the viaduct courtyard. He violently flapped his wings and screeched, biting when they tried to retaliate. Karl's swings and dodging caused him to drop the flute.

"Come on! Let's get out of here!" Anastasia said.

"I'm gonna tell Professor McGonagall," Karl warned, heeding Anastasia's advice by running.

Dexter returned to the gaping Slytherins with the flute within his talons. Albus reached his hands out and caught his possession. "Dexter, that was bloody brilliant!"

The snowy owl settled on Scorpius' shoulder and rubbed his head against Albus' hand when petting him.

"Why was Dexter so defensive? And how did he know about the flute?" Erika asked, curiously keen on the content bird.

Scorpius fed his pet a couple of treats. "Owls are very observant critters. He saw Albus playing with that flute, and he sensed that he was at a loss without it. It's simple really; he cares about Albus. I'm worried though, Karl said he was going to tell McGonagall."

"I'm sure she will understand," Erika said.

Albus continued stroking his savior's fluffy white feathers, which pleased the owl a great deal. "Thanks. All of you."

Erika and Scorpius smiled warmly.

"Mr. Malfoy."

McGonagall peered at all of the teens with her traditional severe demeanor.

"Yes, Professor McGonagall?" Scorpius asked, nervous from already knowing what she wished to speak to him about.

"Mr Jenkins went on about a snowy owl attacking him and Ms Cynder," McGonagall said.

"He didn't attack anybody! He was trying to defend Albus by getting his flute back," Scorpius said.

"So, it is your owl. I suggest you tell me everything that's happened."

"Karl and Anastasia were threatening Albus," Scorpius said.

"They stole his flute and were about to cast a spell on it. Presumably lncendio," Erika added.

"I see, and you sent your owl after them, Mr. Malfoy?" McGonagall asked.

"No, it was his decision to defend Albus."

The headmistress studied the contributors to the conversation carefully, eventually reaching Albus. "Is all of this true, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes mam."

"Even so, if your owl confronted the two on it's own accord, it proves that they are prone to be a dangerous threat to others," McGonagall said to Scorpius. "I suggest keeping an extra close watch on your pet from this point."

"But he didn't even attack," Albus said. "He only distracted them."

"Even so, Mr. Potter, further supervision is necessary. As an Animagus, I assure all of you that animals tend to be quite vicious when provoked," McGonagall said.

"Yes mam," Scorpius said, discouraged.

"Good. I will have a talk with Mister Jenkins and Miss Cynder concerning their actions. I wish you all a pleasant holiday."

The teens wished their headmistress the same, and she walked back to the castle.

"Well, I was expecting worse," Scorpius said, veering his head towards Dexter. "I just hope those tossers get what they deserve."

Identical to McGonagall, the trio made their ways back to the castle. "I was going to talk with you after my playing," Albus said to Scorpius.

"I'm sorry," Scorpius and Albus said together. They chuckled, and Albus continued. "I shouldn't have been so angry. I was upset that you didn't tell me but apparently told Rose, but I am also going through other things, so I took it too far. You two are good together."

Erika and Scorpius smiled.

"Just to clarify, Rose didn't know we were together, I only told her that I had feelings for Erika beforehand," Scorpius said, blushing when Erika smiled at him. " But I'm still sorry. I should have told you sooner."

"And you'll never have to worry about me coming between you two. I never wanted that," Erika said. "I'm sorry too."

"I know, and you have nothing to apologise for," Albus said.

"By the way, you never told me what you were going to tell me at the party," Scorpius said. "It wasn't anything really."

"Is it cuz Erika is here? I can cover her ears."

"Hey!" Erika said playfully. Her and Scorpius laughed. "No, perhaps another time," Albus said.

"Whatever you say, but the suspense is killing me," Scorpius said. "Let's just head inside."

Close to the entrance of the castle, a third-year Ravenclaw chased them down, gawking. "So, Scorp, I heard you and Erika are dating."

"Yes, we are," Scorpius said.

Erika held her partner's hand to prove it. She was still discomposed from the attention, but it was worth it for her.

"Nigel Finnigan-Thomas said he saw you two snogging like mad the other day." The Ravenclaw winked at Scorpius.

"Perhaps we did, but that's between us," Scorpius said defensively for Erika's sake.

Albus felt nauseated from the subject of Scorpius snogging someone who was not him. Rose and Scorpius' kissing sessions alone were painful to reminisce about. He was thankful that vacation was starting so he would not have to deal with the school buzzing on and on about Scorpius and Erika. He was upset all over again and Scorpius noticed this, looking bewildered.

"Are you certain you're okay?" Scorpius asked. "And don't try to say yes because I know you."

"Then why ask?"

"Because."

"Like I said, I just have other things on my mind right now. I'll tell you soon enough."

"Yet more suspense..."

Albus grinned. He would need to scheme up a lie to tell, and it would need to be a believable one. He could not possibly confess the truth anymore, he just couldn't.

Scorpius handed him something, and he noticed they were fifty pounds worth of galleons. "This is for your playing. You didn't have a hat I could toss into, so..."

"Are you viewing me as a hobo?"

"Precisely! With talent!"

Albus rolled his eyes. "I still stink from that dungbomb. I'll have to wash up as best as I can before going to the kitchens to see Twiddles. I could see why you view me as a hobo from the odor alone."

Scorpius smirked. "But it's an early Christmas gift for you to get whatever you want for the holidays," he whispered, affectionately tousling Al's hair. "You're welcome."