"Well, isn't this a nice change of scenery," Scorpius said dryly as Albus hammered on the door, cursing his meddlesome siblings. "Looks like paradise."

"I'm going to kill them!" Albus seethed but after a few moments, Scorpius heard a soft thud as his head fell against the door. "I swear, as soon as we're out of here…"

"Do you still have your wand?" Scorpius asked. "Or did Lily tickle you mercilessly too until you gave it up?"

"...She took it," Albus muttered. "She knows I could beat her in a fair one-on-one duel…"

"...so she leveled the field," Scorpius finished.

"Yep."

The broom closet was tiny and so even if they stood at opposite sides, they would still be in close quarters. Scorpius rather liked this fact — it would make what he had to do a lot easier.

"So, what do you want to do?" Their legs were touching and Albus felt heat crawling up the back of his neck. He cleared his throat before answering.

"What can we do? We're stuck here until James or Lily decide to stop being childish and let us out of here."

"I know that. I meant how are we going to pass the time until they let us out?"

"...Talk?" Albus suggested lamely and Scorpius chuckled.

"I suppose we could."


"How is it going in there?" James's voice came from the outside and Albus jumped up — but he tripped over Scorpius's legs and he fell facefirst into the door.

"Bloody hell," he swore, rubbing the new bump on his head and glared at the door. "James, I swear to Merlin —"

"Have you two kissed yet?" Lily's voice interrupted them both and Albus —

Scorpius could not see at all what Albus was doing, but he assumed their reactions were pretty similar — Scorpius blanched then flushed, burying his face in his hands.

"K-Kiss?" Albus stammered. "What the — we are not going to — "

"Yes, you are," Lily said smugly. "See, we enchanted this door so the only way to get out is to kiss, on the lips — and if you don't —"

"—you'll be stuck in there forever," James concluded.

"Why —"

"Because we think you two are meant to be together," Lily said, and Scorpius could hear the affection in her voice. "We really like Scorpius and we think he'd be a good fit for Albus."

Albus had fallen silent, seemingly floored, and Scorpius struggled to his feet. "It's just a kiss, Albus."

Albus turned around so fast he almost tripped again. "You're considering this?"

"Aren't you?" Scorpius shrugged, then remembered that Albus couldn't see him. "One kiss and we're out of here, and then you can hex James and Lily as much as you like."

"I like his idea," James said. "Except for the hexing bit."

"That's what you deserve," Albus shot back, but he now seemed to be taking the thought of kissing seriously. Scorpius smiled.

"Just one kiss —"

"Fine, I'll do it," Albus said and Scorpius heard the determination in his voice. "On the lips, right?"

Scorpius felt like he was going to die with happiness — it was working. "Yep. Just so you know, this is my first kiss, so don't screw it up," he joked nervously.

"...It's actually mine too," Albus admitted and Scorpius's butterflies beat their wings faster. "I'll do my best —"

They bumped noses a couple of times and giggled, but Albus's lips eventually found Scorpius's and they both discovered that kissing was really, really good.

They were still kissing when the door opened and only jumped apart when James whistled. Scorpius blinked, his eyes adjusting to the light, and James and Lily came into focus — as did Albus.

"Well done, little brother," James said proudly. "I didn't know you had it in you — ow!"

For Albus had socked him in the arm and he looked murderous. Scorpius grinned.

"Uh, Albus — ?"

Lily took off down the hall and James, after recognizing his brother's intent, shot after his sister.

"Are you going to follow them?" Scorpius asked.

"Nah, I can kill them later." Albus smirked and stood on his tiptoes, his eyes on Scorpius's lips and Scorpius swallowed, his stomach flipping. "I've got more important things to take care of."


"I...actually had my wand the whole time."

"Wait what?"

"Yeah, it was just a setup. I masterminded the plan, James and Lily just helped to execute it."

"...I'd be mad at you, but after what happened in there, I can't be."


756 words

Founder Says - Rowena - 1. "Well, isn't this a nice change of scenery."

Pick a Wick - 31. Tropical Paradise

Skyscraper, Floor 4 - First Kiss

Build a Better Breakfast - 17. Coffee

365 - 71. Determined

1000 - 805. Locked in together