Thursday February 9th 2023:

The Charms classroom was empty, with nobody but Albus and Professor Flitwick situated inside. By one of the rows of desks, Albus slouched his cheek against his palm to support the weight of his weary head, with the sound of Flitwick rearranging paperwork at his own desk.

Albus read through the books in front of him and jotted down important spells and facts as quickly as he could until his hand balancing his face and the other gripping his quill was too sore.

Diverting attention from his train of thought, Albus detected something small hitting him in the forehead. He picked up the object, seeing that it was an eraser, and then he noticed Scorpius standing at the doorway.

"Hey, big brain," Scorpius teased.

"Big brain? That's the best you can come up with?" Albus asked, bouncing the eraser off of Scorpius' shoulder. Scorpius shrugged and walked in (surprisingly with Rose flanking him.) "What are you two doing here?"

"To bug you of course," Rose said.

Scorpius sat himself next to Albus on the desk and hovered over him. "Whatcha doin'?"

"What does it look like?"

"Mr. Potter is trying to study, so I suggest you leave him be," Professor Flitwick said.

"It's fine, professor," Albus said.

"If you say so, Mr. Potter," Flitwick said kindly, "but please keep your voices down to a minimum you two."

Rose and Scorpius kept their word, but that did not stop them from pestering Albus every once in a while with sound alone. In the midst of his studying, the two played a classical game of Exploding Snap, to Albus' further annoyance.

Sometimes Rose and Scorpius would whisper to Albus to contribute by picking a card, and he did blindly. Two out of the three cards Albus selected exploded and for the second time, it was uncontrollable not to chuckle alongside his friends, much to Scorpius' glee.

Rose withdrew early to get things ready for her next class (early as in twenty minutes early to be precise), but Albus grasped that Scorpius was not finished with him yet.

"So, after classes today, perhaps we could practise some flying on our brooms, or play some Exploding Snap, or --"

"That sounds good and all, but I can't be too distracted. Maybe tomorrow though," Albus said, still preoccupied with his textbook.

"We could do anything you want. We could even... play some wizard's chess if you want to."

That suggestion attracted Albus' attention away from his book. "Since when did you enjoy playing that?"

"If you want to play, I do too."

"Sorry, but no."

Scorpius frowned, and Albus was oblivious to the true disappointment on his face.

After a long period of silence, Scorpius said, "You know, I am surprised somebody as studious as you doesn't have Felix Felicis."

"Lily told me about that potion once," Albus said. "Slughorn doesn't just give that to anybody, especially since I failed potions. Besides, the effects of the elixir can only get me so far."

Scorpius' chin dipped to his chest and he crossed his arms. "What about that book that contains numerous magical-related subjects with footnotes and even pop quizzes at the end of each chapter?"

"That sounds an awful lot like The Standard Book of Spells but with pop quizzes," Albus said, intrigued. "What subjects does it cover?"

"Pretty much every subject we have here in Hogwarts, so fourteen subjects overall."

Albus mustered all of his attention on his friend in wonder. "What?! How did I never hear about this book? What's it called?"

"The name slips me, but I got it from Flourish and Blotts years ago."

"You have it?"

"Yup."

"You need to let me borrow it! Um, please?"

"Good bloke, remembering your manners," Scorpius said, patting Al's hand. "But not until later. Gotta get ready for class after all."

"Oh, come on."

"See you later. Have a good class!"

Albus was already losing his patience, and Scorpius walked away, feeling pleased with himself.

XXX

When their final period of the day concluded, Albus could not wait any longer, and Scorpius expected this. Because just when Albus raced on over to him, Scorpius assured, "Don't worry. I'll show you the book."

"Thanks," Albus said enthusiastically.

"It should be in our dormitory. Follow me."

Starting off on their trip to the dungeons, Scorpius asked, "Want to play I spy?" Albus tilted his head. "Oh come now, we used to play it all the time!"

"When we were first years."

"And second years, and third years."

"Okay okay. But I was never good at the game anyway. You always won."

"That's just because I know the Hogwarts castle inside and out. But hey, if you're not up for the challenge." Scorpius smirked.

"Alright," Albus gave in. "I'll come up with a good one."

"Yay!"

Sometimes Albus forgot what Scorpius was like when he first knew him. On the Hogwarts Express he was acquainted with a shy, bumbling boy who got excited over so many little things. Over the years, his confidence grew to the point of him being rather arrogant or oblivious at times, but the very same Scorpius Malfoy he met was still in there, and it showed at this very moment, proving that Scorpius was still Scorpius, even with certain differences over the years.

Albus observed their surroundings in the dungeon corridor, and then the Potions classroom as they strolled past. "I spy with my little eye, something..."

Scorpius absorbed every meager detail around him before Albus granted him his hints. "Something, clear."

"Oh, that is a tough one. Alright," Scorpius said, one of his fingers tapping his chin.

The pace of their walking went even slower, which irked the already typically impatient Potter, but he was delighted to watch Scorpius guessing. His thin, pink lips would pucker like a duck and he would ponder out loud with little 'hmm's or ' let me see's. Why must he be so cute?

"A potion vial?"

"Nope."

"An empty jar!"

Albus shook his head.

They proceeded down the narrow staircase.

Scorpius snapped his fingers. "Veritaserum !" Albus raised an eyebrow. "You know, because it's a clear liquid inside?"

"Scorp, you know I'm absolute rubbish at potions and I didn't bother continuing the course." They arrived at the secret entrance of the Slytherin common room.

"I'll take that as a no then. Am I least close with any of my answers?"

"Not really, no. But it is in the Potions classroom."

"See? You are getting better at this!" Scorpius continued thinking with all of his might, his duck lips puckered up. "I give up. What is it?"

"Window."

Scorpius curled his fingers into a fist and huffed. "Well, what did I tell you? You're smart!"

In their unoccupied dormitory, Scorpius flopped down on his bed and released a steady sigh. Albus avoided the temptation of looking at the bloke he had feelings for spread out on a bed, breathing deeply.

"Do you remember where it is?" Albus asked. "Where what is?"

"The book," Albus answered, giving Scorpius' shoulder a little shove.

"Oh yeah!" Scorpius said, flustered. He got up from his bed to search, but then said, "Alright, now it's my turn to pick something."

"What? But you failed to guess the answer."

"Oh, come on. I want to try too."

Albus sighed but with a smile. "Go ahead."

Scorpius scanned the perimeter of the dorm, and then he looked over at Albus with a grin. "Alright, guess away! I spy with my little eye something that's black."

"Thank Merlin you didn't say green," Albus remarked. "Will you let me know if I am warm or cold?"

"You're neither. You're hot," Scorpius laughed.

"Cut it out," Albus said, shutting his eyes. He tried not to dwell on that joke any longer. Months ago he would believe that was Scorpius' way of flirting, but he knew better now.

"Sorry, sorry. And yes, I will let you know."

Albus began his search. "The book on Dominic's bed?"

"Cold."

Albus looked again. "Orion's cat!"

"Cool."

"Really? Uhm... my hairbrush?"

"Very warm."

"Ah! Okay... wait, my niffler slippers!"

"Warm enough."

"What?" Albus did a double take. "I don't see anything really black near both of those things."

"Give up?"

"Fine. Guess we're even then. What is it?" Scorpius pointed up at Albus' head.

"What? There's nothing on my head ... wait... did you honestly refer to my hair?"

"Bingo!"

"How was I warm with those last guesses then?"

"Your hairbrush because it involves your hair, and your slippers because they belong to you."

"That's not how that works, y'know."

"Oh. I guess I'm not used to those terms with this game."

Albus crossed his arms. "Also, how was I supposed to see my own hair?"

"Did you see your reflection in the mirror?"

"Yes, but--"

"Well, there you go."

"You win this round. Now, could you try to find the book, please?"

"Since you kept your manners." Scorpius searched around his area of the dormitory, but ended up unsuccessful. "Hmm, I thought it was here."

"Oh," Albus said, disappointed. "Well that's alright. I'll just—"

"Wait! Might be at the Quidditch pitch. Must have accidentally left it there. Let's go check." Scorpius held Albus' hand to join him.

Albus was not up for another long walk, but how could he say no? Especially if the book was going to help him in the long run.

They reached the Quidditch pitch, and dug around the stands, then the benches and lockers in the changing room, but their search was again unsuccessful.

"No book, but to make up for it, perhaps I could interest you in the Animal Crackers I have. Perhaps you could sound out a mating call to those around you." He winked and nudged the brunet. "You've already got the looks, so you're set."

"I'll pass. Also, can you not say things like that?"

"Why?"

"It... makes me uncomfortable."

"Sorry! Forget what I said then."

If only it were that easy. "Thanks for helping me out and everything. I appreciate it, but I think I should--"

"Wait!"

"What? What?" Albus said in alarm and impatience.

"I finally remember! I left it over at Hagrid's hut."

"You were at Hagrid's?"

"I was looking for you, and I just thought I would say hi."

"If you're right, it would be great to see Hagrid's again."

"Exactly, so let's go!"

Albus was just relieved that there were no staircases to climb or mount to get there, and they were already close.

They knocked at the door, and sure enough, there stood Hagrid. "Gulpin' gargoyles! I'm so overjoyed teh see yeh, Albus!" Hagrid hugged the young Potter. "I've seen Scorpius over here more than yerself lately, an' he only visited once teh find yeh. Come on in."

"I'll have a look around," Scorpius whispered to Albus.

"We could just ask Hagrid you know," Albus said, not even bothering to whisper.

"No no. That won't be necesa-"

"Hagrid, Scorpius is here to find a studying book he left behind."

"Mustta lef' tha' somewhere else. There is no book here. I admi' I'm no' very organised, but I would'a seen it. Unless one o' the critters in here destroyed it," Hagrid said, setting a kettle over the fireplace.

"Thanks, Hagrid. I guess my memory isn't as good as I remember," Scorpius said. Albus glanced over at his friend suspiciously.

"Is that all yeh both came fer?" Hagrid asked with his big puppy dog eyes.

"We wanted to see you too," Albus assured. "I was excited when he brought it up. I'm sorry I haven't visited more. I've been busy with my studies."

"So I've heard, but yeh migh' be overworkin' yerself. Your N.E.W.T.s aren' till nex' year after all. Though, I've bin expelled meself, so I migh' not be the bes' person teh ask abou' tha'."

"I know. I just want to stay focused," Albus said, taking a seat on Hagrid's giant armchair; it was large enough to support both him and Scorpius' weight. "I really want to be apart of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"So happy fer yeh! Yeh'll make so many critters happy."

The two teens enjoyed their time with Hagrid. They drank some tea and politely tried some of Hagrid's new speciality: rock biscuits. The rocks were much smaller and there were less of them compared to his rock cakes, so it was easier to spit them out or conceal them in a cloth while eating.

When they exited the hut, Albus said to Scorpius, "There is no book. Is there?'' Scorpius went scarlet. "Why did you lie to me like that? Is this your overcomplicated way of teasing me for being a nerd?"

"Do you seriously think I'd sink that low?" Scorpius asked, insulted. "No, I'm sorry. I just don't understand."

"I wanted us to hang out more," Scorpius admitted. "We still talk, but it hasn't been the same for a while."

"I'm surprised since you've been spending most of your time with Erika anyway." Albus did not intend to come across as bitter as he did, and it was worse when Scorpius noticed it.

"Do you have some sort of problem with Erika?" Scorpius asked. "No. Erika is great..."

"Then I don't understand. I feel like there's something you're keeping from me. But I suppose I deserve it since I did the same with you last year."

The day Albus was hit with the bad news -- bad news to him at least – he was supposed to break some news to Scorpius as well, but he just couldn't. Nonetheless, he knew he had to come up with something so Scorpius would get off his back about it since he never seemed to forget. He came up with a fib during Christmas vacation, so he speculated it was most fitting to continue along with it. "I've still been worried about graduating."

"We all are," Scorpius said. "Those who care at least."

Albus nodded.

Out of the blue, Albus aimed his wand at Scorpius without reciting the spell he intended verbally. The results was a fluffy brown hare in the very spot Scorpius was standing. Hare Scorpius stood up on his hind legs and his tiny sniffing nose went wild.

Albus immediately switched Scorpius back to his normal state.

"Bloody hell! I just turned into a rabbit!" Scorpius exclaimed in utter shock, looking down at the very spot on the grass where he was transformed. "I've always wondered what it would be like to be any kind of animal. Do you mind trying it again? I want to see what it's like to hop!"

"Shame, that was meant to be a punishment for tricking me," Albus said playfully. "And also a way of me practicing some difficult spells."

"Human Transfiguration is difficult!" Scorpius said. "But you were able to do it! You're absolutely brilliant!"

Albus blushed. "Well, I made sure to practise often enough."

"Exactly! You don't need some fancy studying book to help you with that!" "Alright, suck up."

Scorpius tied his arms behind his back. "I mean it though, and I'm sorry. I just miss you is all, and because of the stress, I thought you could use a little lighting up."

"I did have fun, and I'll try to hang out more."

Without a heads up, Scorpius stepped forward and hugged Albus, one hand on his back and the other on his neck. Albus was unsure what to do with his hands at first. It's been a while since they've hugged like this, and Albus missed it, but at the same time being held close to Scorpius was too much. Scorpius snuggled his face into the crook of Albus' neck, and that's when Albus hesitantly used his hands to hold Scorpius' back. They held each other for a beat, with Scorpius eventually dislocating.

"I'll let you get back to your studying, big brain," Scorpius said, winking.

Albus watched Scorpius wander off back to the castle, missing the warmth of their bodies being so close.

"Hey! You're outside?"

Bringing up the rear of Albus was Rose with a toboggan, along with Dominic.

"Briefly," Albus said.

"Can we talk?" Rose asked.

"You're going to lecture me, aren't you?"

"Yes, now listen—"

Albus groaned.

"Coming from somebody who takes the time to study as often as possible, you're a wreck."

"So I've been told."

"Why are you doing all of this? Don't get me wrong, I know you've been the studying type during our last school year, but at least you knew when to take a break."

"I--"

"Don't try to give me that 'I want to do my best for after graduation' rubbish. You expect me to believe that ever since you found out about Scorpius' snogging mate, that is when you just happened to be extra studious?"

"What's so wrong with trying to distract myself?" Albus snapped. "It's been helping out with everything."

"The scenario itself is fine, you're just going too far for your own health."

"I get it, but I'll be fine."

"Must you be so stubborn?"

"Must you?"

"I am not !"

Albus scoffed from the irony. "I'll see you around."

Rose reflected on the events that just unfolded.

"I don't think he's going to listen to you, gingersnap," Dominic said.

"Of course he isn't." Rose's face lit up when a light bulb turned on in her head.

"Dominic, you're close enough to Albus aren't you?"

"Not as close as him and Scorpius to any degree, but yes."

"And you're very skilled at Divination ..."

"I don't see where you're going with this, but I don't think I like where this is going..."

XXX

"Filch is sure going to be happy to be seeing me again," Scorpius said, exiting the Great Hall with an upbeat attitude.

Erika walking next to however did not share that attitude. "Was that really necessary, Scorpius?"

"No, but it was fun!" Scorpius said. "You saw all of those laughing happy faces."

"Not everybody likes food being thrown at them. Not to mention it's a waste of a house-elf's hard work. I even saw some first years running out."

"I was only trying to lighten things up."

"Scorpius, it's more than that. You've got to be more careful. You can't keep getting yourself into trouble. You know better than that."

Scorpius bowed his head. "I'm sorry."

"I forgive you. But it's not really me you owe an apology. Just, please be more careful."

"I'll try my best," Scorpius said, his head still lowered.

Erika kissed Scorpius on the lips and he smiled warmly. She left the entrance of the Great Hall, only to see that Scorpius stayed put. "Are you coming?"

"Soon," Scorpius said. "I just… have some things to think about."

"I understand. See you in the common room?" Scorpius nodded, and Erika smiled before walking away. Scorpius was free to think as much as he pleased, until Dominic appeared.

"Wotcher," Dominic greeted.

"Hey, Dominic. What's going on?" Scorpius asked weakly. "Did you and Erika have an argument or something?

"No, no. Well, sort of. I suppose. I just needed some time to think about the things she told me."

"Oh, I will leave you to it then."

"No rush!" Scorpius said. "I can use a distraction anyway. So, what's going on?"

"I was just wondering if I could tell you something. It's about Albus."

Scorpius was on high alert. "Of course! What's wrong? Is he okay?"

Dominic chuckled. "He's fine. I just had a vision about him in Divination class."

"Are you certain it's nothing bad? Divination visions and good fortune don't usually go hand in hand," Scorpius said suspiciously.

"From what I've seen, it's a good vision for Albus."

Scorpius positioned himself so he was slanted against the wall. "You're a very talented seer, so I trust your foresight. What did you see?"

"You're not going to believe me, but I saw a clear image of Albus with another bloke. They seemed really happy and close."

For reasons Scorpius could not explain, his heart skipped a beat. "How close?" he asked, surprising himself with how fast he asked the question.

"Very close. I felt Albus' emotions, he was strongly infatuated."

"What?!"

The Malfoy's exclamation echoed throughout the ground floor, startling Dominic. "Crickey, you sure seem surprised."

"Well, yeah! You know Albus, he's very kept to himself, and hasn't been into dating." "I know, I was surprised to see that too."

"What else did you see?" Scorpius asked, his upper body leaning further from the wall.

"I didn't see much else, except that they were holding hands underneath a tree, but I didn't see what kind. Albus appeared the way he does now, only with more stubble, and he was wearing his Slytherin tie. With that said, I assume that these chain of events will take place at some point next year."

Scorpius' stomach did a somersault. "And what did this bloke look like?"

"He had wavy Auburn hair and piercing eyes…"

"Good for him," Scorpius snarled. Not only did he surprise Dominic with that tone, but also himself. "Sorry! I have no idea what got into me. I suppose after what just happened with Erika, I am a little on edge."

"It's alright. I just thought of all people, you would be the best to tell."

"I appreciate you telling me, but there is a possibility that your vision is wrong."

"Ha, I thought you trusted my visions."

"I do, but there is bound to be at least one of them that turns out to be wrong." They laughed awkwardly.

"Thanks for letting me tell you. I'll let you get back to your thinking," Dominic said.

"Huh? Oh yeah. Thanks."

Scorpius was left alone, his heart and mind having a game of tug of war in a daring match between thoughts and emotions.

Rose revealed herself from the entrance of the grand staircase where Dominic met up. "Bloody hell, I heard that exclamation of his from here! As well as all of the portraits in the vicinity. Good job!"

"Honestly, I believe I am lucky to have gotten out of there alive," Dominic said. Rose laughed and Dominic as well, but uncomfortably.

"My plan seems to be working already! This will be setting things into motion for Scorpius to figure things out. "

"I don't feel comfortable with this."

"I know. You said that hundreds of times, but you did agree."

"But he's eventually going to find out--"

"Dominic, calm yourself. I already told you I would take the blame."

"But I still agreed to it."

Rose smirked. "Despite what you previously said, Scorpius isn't the murdering type. He's quite forgiving."

"And Al?"

"Not so much."

"That's reassuring."