The weeks passed, as did the potions lessons and Albus found himself spending more and more time with Scorpius outside of their allotted potion times, it had been a month since their first lesson and the pair found themselves lying under a tree discussing transfiguration. Albus had never been particularly comfortable with close human contact but when Scorpius moved to lie down and rest his head on the other boys lap he raised no qualms- he even started he play with his hair a little bit, which earned a satisfied purr from the other boy. Eventually, Albus realised that both boys had fallen asleep and were now out way past curfew. Scorpius it seems had spelled them several blankets and cast a heating charm- he smiled down at the sleeping blonde. Something in his head told him to leave, to go back to his dorm but he didn't want to so he simply altered their positions. He lay curled up against the other boys flank and fell back to sleep with the smell of vanilla and strawberry's in his nostrils.

The next morning he awoke to the very annoyed grunts of one Rose Weasley, and the rushed explanations of one Scorpius Malfoy,

"I swear, nothing happened! Look, I will give you my memory- will that make you feel better?" she shook her head,

"No. I believe you, but why were you out here in the first place?"

"We were studying. Look, please don't hell Hugo about this, he's already putting Alby through the ringer."

"Alby?"

"I mean Albus. Sorry."

"Right, well you may want to move before the entire castle wakes up, I'll see you at breakfast." Albus opened his eyes about a minute later once he was sure she was gone.

"What was all that about?" Scorpius rolled over to face him,

"You were awake?" he nodded,

"Just didn't wanna face her, it's too early to put up with her nagging when I don't have to." The blonde smiled,

"I think we had better make a move, but Albus?"

"Yeah?"

"Never mind, let's go before more people find us." Albus thought he sounded like he was going to say something else, but it was early and he didn't have the presence of mind to figure it out so he just nodded and followed the other boy into the castle. "Hey, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Yeah?"

"There's going to be a party tomorrow in the Slytherin dorms, if you're interested in coming it should be fun. Rose will be there, so will some other Gryffindor's and a couple of Ravenclaws…. I think there may even be a Hufflepuff somewhere. It starts at nine so if you're around?" Albus considered his offer for a moment, before realising much to his chagrin that he had already made plans with Lilly.

"I have plans with Lilly, actually. But we're just deciding on a present for my grandmother. Can I come around 10?" Scorp nodded,

"Sure. And by the way, the theme is mythical creatures."

Another few weeks passed and everything was going really well, it was nearing the end of term and Albus' grades had improved dramatically, not to mention his relationship with Scorpius was flourishing. The party in the doungeons was a huge success and after that the pair even went to Hogsmede together- earning a very angry look from Hugo. It was around that time that things started to get confusing for Albus, he was spending so much time with Scorpius that Hugo was beginning to hate the boy even more and what's worse is that it had really started to impact the whole family dynamic they had going on. Everything however, came to a very messy head as Albus was readying himself for his final potions tutorial of the term.

"Another potions tutorial?" Albus nodded,

"Yeah."

"You know, you never dress up this much for us."

"Dress up, you mean wear a shirt?"

"Speaking of which, why are you wearing a shirt for a potions tutorial?"

"No reason, what's your point Rose?" Albus was so busy checking his hair in the mirror that he didn't even see Hugo walk into the common room.

"Her point is that you should spend less time dressing up like a faggot for some queer blonde Barbie doll." His tone was quiet, but malice dripped frim every word. Albus just sighed,

"Whatever, Hugo. I don't have time for this." Rose tried to intervene but a withering look from her brother shut her up almost instantly.

"Well then you'll make time."

"You know what, I'm getting sick of you acting like a child…"

"And I'm getting sick of you acting like a faggot." The entire common room had fallen silent, just watching the boys go at each other. Albus tried to make his way past his cousin only to be a dragged backwards by his collar,

"Move out of my way, what do you think you're doing?"

"If you think I'm letting you out of here to go see some pansy ass Malfoy arse-licker you're out of your mind." Albus slapped Hugo's hands away before pushing his cousin out of the way,

"I said move." The pullback on Albus' hair made him wince, "Stop it, you're hurting me!"

"If I have to hurt you to stop you from seeing him then that's what I'll do."

"Hugo!" came Rose's voice from behind them, "Let him go. Now."

"No."

"I'm serious, Hugo. Now." Hugo didn't look like he was about to let go but finally he did, shoving Albus forward as he did so.

"Fuck off then, back to your little play thing."

"You know what Hugo, I'm getting real sick of your shit." Everyone turned to see Emmey, widely recognised as one of the more reserved Gryffindor's, walk towards the red head.

"Ohh yeah, and what's it got to do with you?" He tried to sneer, but it didn't work very well. Emmey wasn't overtly physically imposing but when he spoke, people listened.

"I think you should leave, Albus. Your cousin and I are going to have a little chat."

"You're a disgrace to the name Potter, Albus. We're all thinking it. You swan around acting like a big shot with your death eater friends and you act as though they didn't try to wipe out our entire family. They're the reason Teddy doesn't have a real family for fucks sake and you're just going to rub elbows and god knows what else with them? If that's your choice then fine. Go with it. But don't expect to have any family left if you do, don't expect anyone to be here for you when all of this comes crashing down around you. You need to make a choice- choose your family or the Malfoy kid. But do it soon before there isn't anyone left for you to cry too."

"Be quiet, Hugo. You've gone too far."

Albus nodded and fled the room.