"You're late." Albus looked at the clock, shit he really was late.
"Yeah, well. Shit happens." Scorpius raised an eyebrow,
"Indeed. Today I thought we'd brew a potion to heighten ones senses, it's a little advanced but I think you should be able to pull it off. With the proper guidance that is." Albus just rolled his eyes, "Are you O.K. Al?" Scoripus put his hand on the other man's shoulder, "You seem a little down."
"I'm fine, and don't get all touchy," he snapped slapping the hand away
"Excuse me?"
"Well, we spend all this time together and you're always touching me. Everyone can see it and I'm not a faggot. Don't you know what it's costing me to be friends with you? I'm losing my family for fucks sake and for what, a friendship with you? A friendship with a rich pansy boy death eater? Hugo hates me, Lilly's scared, Rose doesn't know what to do and James just tries to stay neutral but somehow never manages to back me up. I'm sick of it! What was I thinking even trying to be friends with you in the first place? Your family basically tried to destroy mine and now this?" Ablus wagged his finger between the both of them "What is this?" Scorpius set the ingredients he currently held down on the table and turned to Albus,
"And would you care to tell me why any of this is my fault?"
"What do you mean? Of course this is your fault!"
"How, what exactly have I done? I wanted to be friends with you, Albus and I am. I do not concern myself with the opinions of others."
"But…"
"I understand that it must be hard on you, given that you are so close to them, but don't take your problems out on me. Don't sit there and say that I'm somehow hurting you because I am gay. You know damn well that I'm gay and it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference to this situation - what does make a difference is the fact that people around you are making it into a much bigger deal than it needs to be. Can't you see that they're making you uncomfortable with something you didn't give two fucks about a couple of weeks ago." Scorpius waved his hand and all of the potions equipment went floating back to their original positions. Albus slammed his fist on the table
"Enough of this. All I ever get from you is fancy words and headaches. You're a joke." Scorpius didn't say anything- he just regarded Albus with tears stinging is eyes. Scorpius simply starred at him with a detached icy stare - he had never looked so much like his father.
"I don't have anything more to say to you. All I ever wanted to do was help you."
"Yeah, well. You did a bang up fucking job. Thanks so much for everything." A slight coughing sound came from behind them and Albus turned around to see Mrs Matthews looking straight at him.
"I invited Mrs Matthews here today to view your progress, but it looks like all she saw was a list of my failings as a friend and teacher. I apologise ma'am, you were not meant to see this."
"No actually," said Paige walking closer to the boys "I heard the entire thing and I didn't see any failings on your part. All I heard were the ranting's of an overindulged brat. You," she pointed at Albus, "to the headmistresses' office. Now."
Albus was so screwed. Given that there had been more than one run in between him and Malfoy they had both been called in for something called 'mediation'. When Albus had first been told what was happening, he had hoped it would mean that he would simply get to sit down with Scorp and the rest of his family to talk about what was going on. Unfortunately he wasn't aware of the fact that mediation meant parents, and parents meant Draco Malfoy.
So, when Albus walked into the headmistresses office the day after he'd been informed of the mediation proceedings he was rather unsurprised to see a very uncomfortable looking Harry across from a very icy looking Draco.
Albus stalked into the room and sat down next to his father who simply sighed and shook his head. They waited in strained silence for another few minutes until Scoripus walked in with Mrs Matthews by his side. When they entered the room, Draco stood and gave Paige a hug, kissing her on the cheek and telling her how good it was to see her again. Never a man to be kept where he was not needed, he got straight to the point asking why exactly he was here and how long it would take as he had to be on set.
Scorpius answered for the Headmistress, explaining there had been yet another famous incident of a Potter speaking before they think. He then asked his father what was wrong with his shoulder as apparently his posture was different. Albus had no idea how he noticed that but Draco revealed that he'd just 'freshened up some ink' which was still in the healing process.
"You have tattoos?" Asked Harry, looking to the Blonde man on the other side of the room. Draco looked confused, clearly he hadn't expected any questions on the matter.
"Erm, yes. I have several actually."
"Really, how many?"
"I don't know around twenty, maybe… my entire arm and shoulder are… wait, why are you asking me this?"
"Ohh, no reason. I…"
"Good. Can we get back to the topic at hand then?" Harry nodded and looked slightly embarrassed.
"To save time, I have had Mrs Matthews withdraw her memory of the incident for you gentlemen to use instead of having to account the entire ordeal from the boy's perspectives."
"Where are they?" Everyone turned to Harry,
"Where are what, Mr Potter?" McGonagal raised an eyebrow.
"Your tattoos." He turned to Draco,
"One is…. Wait, this is none of your business. Why are you asking me where my tattoos are?" Again, Harry shrugged.
"Just curious." This time it was Draco's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Yes, well. That's always been your problem, hasn't it? Always a tad to 'curious'."
"That's not fair, Draco!"
"Cry me a river, Potter. We all have responsibilities and right now I would like to focus on mine as a father- so if you don't mind, can we please get back to the subject at hand."
It was not a question.
Malfoy stood up and walked over to the pensive, he turned to Harry who followed before they were both pulled into the memory. What played out before them wasn't exactly civil, Albus was yelling at Scorpius, blaming him for his family problems and he was just sat there taking it. It was all very dramatic.
The scene ended and both fathers turned towards their respective child, "Given the circumstances and the exceptional bigotry displayed by the young Mr. Potter here, I find it only fitting that he be suspended from this establishment. Immediately."
"Draco!"
"Yes?"
"How can you recommend that my child be suspended?"
"How can you stand there and defend a bigot. What happened to your outstanding sense of morality, Mr. Saviour?"
"Don't patronise me, Draco."
"Don't call me Draco."
"Well, why don't we hear what the children have to say? Perhaps it will give us a broader perspective." Harry growled, he hated how logical and clam Draco could remain under pressure. "Albus, why don't you start?" The boy nodded,
"Things have been rough lately, especially with my family. Scorp has been the only one keeping me sane, but Hugo… Before my potions tutorial yesterday, he confronted me in the common room and things got particularly heated. He told me that I was a disgrace to my family and that if I were to choose Scorp over him then I was abandoning the people who really loved me. So I flipped out, and screamed at Scorpius even though…even though he's probably the only friend I have right now." He stared pointedly at the ground,
"It cannot be ignored that you also made some rather poignant allegations towards Mr Malfoy," added McGonagal peering over the rim of her spectacles. "Take the claim that he is always touching you inappropriately, for example. Is it true that Mr Malfoy touches you in ways you do not wish to be touched?" Albus shook his head,
"No. I was just angry, and I wasn't thinking. He has never touched me. Not like that, anyway."
"Scorpius?" The boy looked to the headmistress,
"Yes?"
"You have the floor." He nodded,
"The things Albus said, they were horrible. More than horrible, but I never asked for him to be brought here. In fact, if he hadn't said it in front of Mrs Matthews I would never have brought it up again." Albus stared at Scorpius- he was defending him. Despite everything he'd said and done, he was still defending him. "But I don't think I can do this anymore. I can't just carry on being treated like a chew toy for the Potter/Weasley clan's to just spit out when they get bored.
I know Albus has had a lot going on with his family and if you knew how horrid Hugo has been these past few months then things may seem a tad more understandable but at the same time... Mrs Mathews was right to bring us here- because under any other circumstances I probably wouldn't have just rolled over and allowed myself to be treated like this again and again…"
"Scorpius…" it was Draco who spoke, moving to kneel down infront of his child. "We will fix this, I promise you." He shook his head
"No. After everything that happened to you- after everything he put you through" Scorpius waved a hand in Harry's direction "and then everything with Andrej and then mum, I just… I don't know what I did to make everyone leave."
Draco wrapped his arms around his child. "You didn't do anything. Don't blame yourself for this, Scorp- you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and believe me when I say that you did not do this." McGonigal frowned,
"Alright, I think I've heard enough. Albus you have clearly caused what appears to be severe emotional distress on the part of Mr Malfoy whose only intention was to help you. Mr Malfoy, you are relieved of your duties as Mr Potter's potions tutor. With the promised extra credit, of course. And you Mr Potter… Two weeks suspension and a month worth of detention upon your return."
"Miverva! You can't…"
"Mr Potter, this is not the first instance of your child harassing Mr. Malfoy, as I'm sure you're aware, but this is out of my hands. I will not play favourites with my students.
"Noted." Draco stood,
"If that is all, I must depart." He turned to his son, "I will talk to you tomorrow," He said, wrapping his arms around the smaller man, "and you," he said moving to hug Paige in much the same fashion
"Must come over for dinner sometime. We miss you." She nodded and Draco turned to the headmistress, "I shall be back next week for our quarterly meeting. Till then."
"Actually Mr Malfoy would you mind staying for just a moment, I have something I would like to discuss with you and Mr. Potter" She turned to the children,
"You are both dismissed, Albus return to the dormitory and pack your bags. One more foot out of line, and you will not return. Do I make myself clear?" The boys nodded once more and left the room, "So gentlemen, shall we continue?"