Six months later

Hogwarts was decorated and fit for a feast. This was it – Albus' graduation, and the last time he would likely ever step foot within the walls of the place he'd called home for so many years. It was a bitter-sweet day. The last six months had been a whirlwind – he's studied his arse off and committed everything he could to not failing. In the end, the majority of his exams had been far easier than anticipated…. Al wasn't actually sure if that was a good thing or not.

Sitting in the Gryffindor common room, he stared out of the window – this was really it. "Well, don't you look like someone stole your chocolate frogs…" Al turned his head to see Stu walking towards him. Ever since their night dancing it out by the lake, the two had become friendly. Al had spoken to him about his problems and it turned out that sharing the burden with someone other than family helped immensely. Truth be told, Stu had been a god-send these past few months. "Worried about having to see your parents?" Al nodded, even when he'd been on break from school he'd avoided going home. He lied to his parents and told them he was simply staying at school to focus on studying, but in actuality he'd spent every moment possible with Myra at the café, a mere 30 minutes from his family. He felt no remorse about that. At least he had a place to sleep where memories of someone he cared for getting stabbed in the stomach weren't around every corner.

"Yeah, first time I'll be seeing them in about a year… if they even bother to show up." Stu put his hand on Al's shoulder,

"They'll be here. Have you given any thought as to what you're gonna do next? My offer still stands, if you want to come backpacking with me for a few months – y'know, south of France, Spain, Brazil, Peru – wherever you want." Al shook his head,

"I have some news on that front, actually." Al handed Stu a letter he held in his hand, "This arrived about five minutes ago." Stu skimmed the paper,

"You got accepted to study applied runeology and artefact crafting… wow, this is major don't they only accept one maybe two students a year?" Al nodded,

"Yup and all of the submissions are anonymous and portfolio based, so I know I got it because they liked by designs, and not because of my name." He sighed, "I've honestly never been so excited for anything in my life…" Al looked over at Stu, who placed the paper down on a nearby table,

"I'm happy for you, Al." Stu wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, "You did good – even if your parents don't show up, I'll still here hollering for you." The other boy let out a breath he didn't even realise he was holding,

"Thank you. You kinda saved my life this past few months… it's been nice having.. well… you know… Just… thanks." A couple of other students had gathered in the common room, they were friends with Stu and by extension had become Al's de facto support system.

"Don't worry about it – I'll always be around… well, when I'm not backpacking through Costa Rica." Letting out a small chuckle, he released the smaller man – "Right, let's go graduate!"

...

...

The ceremony was a grand affair, people walking up on a stage to receive a diploma and shake hands with the headmistress. Hundreds of students stepping into adulthood and families watching their children grow up. Truth be told, it was that last part that set Albus on edge.

Communications with his parents had been all but none-existent over the past several months. Al had responded to several of his mother's letters, albeit curtly, but his father never wrote to him. Never enquired as to why Albus was opting to stay at school longer than was strictly necessary. Not the Al really cared, he suspected his dad would be busy with James who was a fresh recruit at Aura HQ. He'd always liked James more anyway, so he supposed he was happy his brother was doing something his father would approve of.

His lack of communication also meant that he was effectively in the dark regarding any advancements between Ron and the Malfoy's. He'd heard from Lilly that Draco was taking Ron to court for grievous bodily harm with intent, but how far along that was he had no clue.

He'd caught glimpses of hit pieces taken out in the Daily Profit, with the intent of dredging up the sordid history of the Malfoy family, but his aversion to that particular 'news source' meant that he was unaware which side was winning the hearts and minds campaign.

Part of him was confused as to how the whole process worked- he knew that the charges against Ron were criminal, as he attacked a minor, but because he was technically an aura and that was sure to have implications on the process - not to mention the fact that Draco Malfoy was richer than sin and would certainly have the best lawyers money could buy helping him with legal strategy.

It all hurt his head, and if he was being perfectly honest he didn't want to think about it. He felt a tap on his shoulder, indicating that it was his time to walk towards the stage. Name after name was reeled off, and students made their way across the stage until the professor said "Albus Potter, graduating Summa Cum Laude in Runes." Al's heart almost stopped in his chest, whereas previously he would have been mortified to have so many people staring at him, this time he only felt pride. He'd worked his arse off and to graduate top of his class in the only subject he really cared about made his genuinely happy. He made his was across the stage and received his diploma from the headmistress, all the while listening to Stu and the rest of his friends cheering and whooping from the stalls.

"Well done, Potter. You made it through." Albus nodded,

"Please don't take this the wrong way, professor, but I am so happy to be finished here." Despite herself, McGonigal smiled.

"You have a bright future ahead of you, Albus. Just try not to get too hung up on what other people are doing. You'll always know what's right if you just listen to your heart." Nodding, Al stepped off the stage and the ceremony continued. Al had yet to see his parents, but he was sure they were there somewhere – looking off into the stalls, he tried to place them throughout the rest of the ceremony.

"And thus concludes the call of graduates." Professor McGonigal looked down at the students before her. "You have all proven yourselves to be exceptional young adults, and I am proud to call each and every one of you a Hogwarts alumni." She paused and cleared her throat, "Now then, before I send you all off into the world, I have one last request for you all… I like to think of the students of Hogwarts as a family, that wherever you may roam, you are all still connected to this place and to one another for the rest of your lives. But your graduating class did lose someone- someone who wanted to pass on a special message for you all today – so, with that in mind, please put your hands together for the musical stylings of our very own Scorpius Malfoy."

Albus' heart almost jumped into his throat when he heard the name, and behind McGonigal a curtain rose to reveal a stage complete with a host of muggle instruments. Scorpius stood centre stage and waved to the crowd who began to cheer at his appearance

"Didn't think you could get rid of me that easy, did you?" He smirked and gestured to the audience, "Congratulations all of you. Leaving Hogwarts was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made – but you should all be so proud of yourselves! You did it!" He clasped his hands together and looked out over the crowd. Albus couldn't help but notice how different he looked. It hadn't even been a year, but he looked like a completely different person – his hair was short and cropped and he wore a pair of skin tight black trousers with a blazer over top. He'd opted to go without a shirt – his toned chest on display, and an immediately noticeable tattoo peeking out of the lapel on his left pectoral. He'd certainly developed in his year away.

"I'd like to introduce my band: we have Ben on the keys, Big Mick on the drums, Letitia on base and last but not least, Chris on the electric guitar and, because he's multi-talented and oh so fancy, the brass and strings section. We're going to play a couple of songs from my first album, 'Lost but Looking, which is available on now on all streaming platforms… he says, to a crowd full of people who don't use the internet… OK, well – I wrote these songs myself, so I hope you all enjoy!" He took a breath and centred himself, "This first song was adopted from a poem my father wrote about 20 years ago." Albus could feel other students looking at him, watching his reaction – and to his own surprise, Albus was livid.

How dare he leave and block all forms of contact only to show up and act like nothing's wrong. Why would he do this and not even try to reach out, didn't he realise how much it hurt to be away from him? Didn't he feel the same? Albus felt a pit form in his stomach, he had to get out of here, he couldn't be this close to him without…

If this lasts longer than the song or the nightclub, I don't know
It wasn't made for you to swim or you to want to get deep, you're only shallow
Very careless I have been, this sweater ninety-six
Ask before my tour, before I even exist, before I even exist
Before I even existed, before I even existed.

The music was deep and resonant - totally different to anything that Scorp had played previously. It had a deep thumping beat and a dark but pervasive sense of melancholy.

Albus had never heard anything like it and he stared transfixed as moved around the stage, singing with more passion than he ever displayed singing songs written by other artists – all jagged shapes and a haughty confidence.

All the sudden this, all day
That's twenty-four hours outside of the gym
It's been nineteen tears to nineteen years
And now is that you wanna question
How, when, where, and who I have been
This time I don't be losin' my head
Truth is I don't wanna lie again
Truth is I wanna find myself again

Albus was struggling to breathe, what the actual fuck? He was just starting to be OK and now this? He looked around panicked, before feeling a hand settle on the back of his neck. He recognised the touch instantly as Stu – the only person who would even attempt to make physical contact with him without the fear of one of Al's knee jerk flailing responses, in which someone usually got hurt.

"You OK?" He whispered, sliding into the seat next to Al and promising the student who was already sat there that he'd buy them a butterbeer later. Albus shook his head,

"Can't breathe. I'm so… angry." Stu raised an eyebrow,

"Angry?" Albus just nodded, his eyes fixed on the man who was wrapping up his first song on the stage in front of him.

"Thank you!" he said over a round of applause, "Many years ago, my father wrote a poem called 'the wakers and the waves. When I found it tucked away in some dusty old book, I just knew I had to write something that encapsulated pain but made good on his dreams for a brighter future." He smiled and walked over to the guy on Guitar,

"Now this next song is a tad different. It's from my first solo project, and I wrote it just after realising I'd not be returning to Hogwarts for my final year". Scorpius picked up a case next to the floppy haired guy and the pair of them walked over to the centre of the stage.

"If you guys need to take a moment to swap places, please do so – I want you all to be stood , sat or knelt with the people who mean the most to you. The friends and the memories you made at this place will be with you forever, so please go to someone you care about and take their hand. This is a fast one, so feel free to dance!" People stood and began shuffling around – magicking away their chairs, so people could have room to stand. Al looked around, the parents watching from the stalls were still sat still, but the majority of the students had moved to huddle in their friendship groups. Al remained with Stu, whose presence beside him was the only thing keeping him even remotely calm.

Big Mick moved away from his drums and over to a large box looking machine with lots of glowing buttons, whilst both Scorpius and Chris helped each other load guitars onto their backs with a strap and place violins within reaching distance. "This song is dedicated to you. All of you. Go forth into the world and spread greatness." Both Scorpius and Chris began plucking at their guitars, a slow melancholy tune with a thumping base. They looked at each other and smiled and they strummed the notes before singing in unison,

We haven't talked in months
Fun just isn't fun
I barely even eat anymore
And we don't cry for sleep anymore
There's something I may try
This drink doesn't taste right

Scorpius swung his guitar onto his back and moved over to the keyboard that was set up behind him. In his movement the single button on Scorp's blazer had come undone, revealing Scorp's bare torso, "Merlin" he heard Stu whisper as the blonde continued to play, unawares of what happened Al's breath caught in his throat, he remembered the conversation between Scorp and Teddy at their dinner table, just before Ron….. A long jagged scar ran up Scorp's sculpted abdomen – the wound was closed, but the scar was angry and undoubtedly a constant reminder to Scorpius of what had happened that night.

Al didn't know what to think. This was too much for him – After not seeing the other boy for months to have him meters away was almost unbearable; admittedly, he was so angry that Scorp had left him and made no attempt to contact him but the sight of that scar just brought back all the reasons why Al would never be good enough. All the hurt he'd caused.

For their part, Scorp and the other guy seemed exceedingly focused on their music, both of them were taking it in turn to sing, creating harmonies and riffing of each other's vocal patterns. Scorp even started to clap at one point, unintentionally giving the entire audience the chance to ogle his physique… but all Al could stare at was theat damn scar. Setting their instruments down, both artists moved towards a single microphone stand that remained in the centre of the stage.

Scorpius sung directly to Chris,

And do you still think I'm funny, funny, funny?
Tell me, baby do you love me, love me, love me?
Love me, love me, love me, oh
Love me, love me, love me
And you sting like a bee, sting like a bee

Who replied in turn

I don't wanna hold you back no more, no
With this love, with this love, with this love,
And do you still think you're funny, funny, funny?

Their vocal patterns created a deep tenor that began erupting into sparks as the other band members played their instruments. The sparks began jumping along the stage, before flying off into the audience. They began buzzing around the air, almost like a snitch before zeroing in on a person and flying in their direction. Albus watched as one of the sparks set its sights on him and hovered in front of his face.

You know I really hate it when you turn around
You know I really hate it when they talk you down
It don't gotta be what it has to be
Turn around and just dance with me

The spark moved closer to Al before running straight into his chest. Al placed his hand over the place the spark entered. Blinking, Al turned his attention back to the stage, but it was gone. All Al could see was a beach. He was there with Scorp and they were walking down the white sand hand in hand… What the hell? Was everybody seeing this? Al watched as Scorpius pulled him closer and placed a kiss on him lips. Al blinked again and the scene was gone. Scorp was back, and he and Chris were dancing with each other as they sang. Watching another man be so comfortable with Scorp set Albus' skin on fire with envy.

You know I really hate it when you turn around
You know I really hate it when they talk you down
It don't gotta be what it has to be
So baby turn around and just dance with me.

Reaching the end of the song, the pair smiled at each other and hugged before Scorp looked down at the audience. "I hope you all got a glimpse of an amazing future that I'm sure you will achieve. Your heart's desires are all achievable – now let's finish up this set so you can all go out into the world and kick some go kick some ass!"

Cheers erupted from the audience, but Al couldn't focus… what was that vision? He turned to Stu who was already mumbling something.

"Did you also get a weird vision of the two of us backpacking?" Al squinted and nodded his head, that was a much more acceptable truth.

"Yeah," he lied "Weird, right?" Stu just snorted,

"Pretty cool if you ask me. Maybe you'll come with me after all!" With the songs finished, Scorp moved into the rest of his set. A mixture of synths creating an orchestral sound with his voice ringing out loud and clear over the top. At the end of his performance he took a bow and people started to file out of the ceremony - eager to see their loved ones and share their respective visions of the future. On an academic level, Al's new the vision weren't really the future, more of a hope or a dream, but… damn that just made everything harder. He turned to Stu,

"I'm going to pop to the restroom. See you in the great hall?" Stu nodded, "Don't worry, I'll keep your parents entertained until you get there." Al simply nodded… He needed to speak to Scorpius. He felt somewhat guilty leaving Stu. He knew he shouldn't be talking to Scorp, with the court date still pending and all, but he couldn't pass it up now that the other boy was so close. He had to speak with him, find out why he'd been abandoned. Find out why Scorp wouldn't even acknowledge him for almost a year.

Al pretended to walk in the opposite direction to the rest of the crowd, but slipped behind the stage the school had erected to the ceremony. Scorp had to be there with his band, right? Moving through the unit he quickly found who he was looking for, tuning a guitar and looking completely in control.

"Good show today, guys! Chris, I love what you did on the strings, giving me a run for my money!" the slightly taller brunette snorted and threw the rag he was using to wipe a cello with at the blonde.

"Thanks, boss. You know what they say… magic fingers." He shot a wink in Scorp's direction – a low growl sounded in Chris' throat – "Don't look now but you've got company." Scorp whipped his head around to see Albus just staring at him. Chris stepped between the two men, "You lost, kid?" Scorpius put a hand on his shoulder,

"It's alright, Chris. Look, I hate to ask, but could you pack up today? There are a few things I need to take care of." Chris eyed Albus suspiciously and pulled Scorpius close,

"Anything happens, just call my name and I'll be there, OK?" Scorp nodded and turned to face Al.

"Wanna take a walk?"

...

...

Albus followed Scorpius in compete silence. They walked past the groundkeeper's hut and down to the edge of the forest, where Scorp found a clearing and turned to face Albus. Al couldn't hold it any longer, he closed the distance between the two of them and threw his arms around the blonde. He smelt the same. Albus inhaled deeply before letting out a muffled sob, tears had formed in his eyes and he couldn't think straight. He was just go relieved to see Scorpius again – to hold him.

"How could you leave me?" he murmured, burying his head in the crook of the other boy's neck. "You left me all alone and I had no-one…" Scorpius wrapped his arms around the smaller man and began to slightly stoke the back of his head, "I hated it here without you." Scorpius hummed,

"I know… I know." Albus sniffed and pulled away from the embrace,

"Then why did you do it, why wouldn't you at least tell me you were OK? I spent every night wondering if you'd died or been seriously hurt - If you hated me…" Scorpius smiled sadly and stepped away from Albus,

"You know why, Al. Your family hate me, hell they almost killed me and you're worried about me hating you?"

"That's not what I meant."

"I know." Scorpius found a stump and sat down, Albus following closely behind.

"So why are you back now, what's changed?" Scorpius raised an eyebrow,

"You haven't heard?" Al shook his head,

"I haven't exactly been on speaking terms with my family. I kinda moved out and got a job in a café somewhere nearby." Scorp nodded and began to fiddle with the stump he was sat atop,

"The trial starts in less than a week and all of the evidence has already been submitted. All of my memories have been taken and there's nothing more to do. Next week it'll be Malfoy Vs Weasley with the Potter's used as battering rams for both sides." Running a hand through his hair, he looked directly at Albus, "I truly am sorry for what's about to happen to your family. Please know that this was never my intention". Albus frowned,

"What do you mean?" Scorpius withdrew a vial from his pocket and passed it to Albus,

"I'm trusting you to do what's right, Al. Protect your family, protect your siblings and your mother… but please. No matter what, remember that I gave you all a chance." Scorp looked back towards the castle and sighed, "Your father and uncle have been playing a vicious game with the press and with my life but regardless of how I feel about them, I'll always care for you. You don't deserve to be blindsided by their mistakes." He stood and dusted off his trousers,

"Where are you going?" Al tucked the vial in his pocket and stood to follow Scorp,

"We both know I'm not supposed to be around you, let alone talk to you about the trail. I just couldn't let you get hurt even more because of this." He wiped the tears from Al's eyes and smiled softly – "I'm so proud of you." He sighed, and this time it was Scorpius wrapping his arms around Al, "Goodbye, Albus… You were so special to me." Al felt a kiss be placed on the top of his forehead and the other boy backed away. There was a small crack and Scorpius was gone.

Walking back to the castle, Al's mind was racing, what did Sporp mean 'blindsided by their mistakes'? A cold wind was picking up and Al hurried back to the great hall. Stu would no doubt be waiting for him, and his parents would be wondering where he'd run off to. Time to face the music.