Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in the Harry Potter universe. I only own the plotline and the Ocs. All rights to JK Rowling. No profit is being made from this. No copyright intended.

A/N: I just want to thank those who have reviewed/favourite/followed this story. It means a lot to me, and I appreciate it. – El x

Reference: FOUR DAYS until the wedding guys! x

Albus Severus Potter's POV.

Letters to My Brown Eyed Beauty

Chapter Twenty One

Albus rolled over as he heard shuffling in his dormitory. He opened his eyes, narrowing them when he saw his best friend moving around the room, heading towards his trunk. Albus tried to fall back asleep, where reality didn't matter, and he could hide away, just for a little longer. He wanted to pretend he didn't have a girlfriend and maybe a tiny crush on his best mate's girlfriend. He also didn't want to think about the fact he isn't sure who he's supposed to be attracted to and maybe even in love with. Amortentia was a stupid potion to Albus.

He put his head under his pillow, trying to wield back sleep. He just wanted another blissful moment where he had no cares in the world, but Scorpius wasn't going to allow that. He was far too loud for anybody to sleep anymore.

With predictability, Spencer wasn't in his bed at all. His bed was made without a single crease in it. It looked like nobody had slept in it for hours. Tate's bed, as always, had the sheets pulled to the end of the bed with the blankets hanging off, concealing what was under his bed. It was usually a mess, but nobody commented on it. Beside his bed, Mycale's bed was half-heartedly made. He had no idea how to make a bed correctly. His clothes were hanging out of his trunk that sat at the foot of his bed.

"Get out of bed, you lazy git!"

Albus sat up with a groan, unimpressed at having been woken up. "Good to see you're up now," Scorpius said, trailing off a bit as he bit his lip. It was a nervous habit Albus usually saw on Rose. Scorpius began shuffling around on his feet as he rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. Albus narrowed his eyes at him, knowing something was up.

"I need to talk to you," the blonde boy said as he pulled on a new shirt, turning towards him. Albus was already out of bed and stalking towards him.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

Scorpius rolled his eyes, "I'm perfectly fine. Don't need you to smother me, Potter. I just want to ask you something," he said, taking a seat on his bed. Albus sits beside him without hesitating. This was his best friend and if he needed him, he'd be there for him.

With a sigh and a hand ran through hair, Scorpius begins to talk, "I don't know anymore."

"What are you talking about?"

Scorpius turned to meet Albus' eyes, looking afraid and sad. "I'm afraid Lupin will hate me."

Albus' eyebrows furrowed in confusion for a second. "I have known Teddy my whole life. He isn't one to quickly judge. You always give a good first impression though, Scorp."

"What if he does hate me though?"

"He will like you, don't stress."

"Albus, I'm serious. I'm really scared he'll hate me."

"He can't hate someone he doesn't even know," Albus said, shaking his head. Scorpius stares at his best friend for a moment before sighing, "What if he doesn't like me after meeting me?"

"You're my best friend, I don't make just anyone my best friend. He'll see you the way I see you. You're an amazing person and you stick by your friends and family like glue. You're fiercely loyal to anyone who tries to persecute those you care about. Teddy admires that in people."

Slowly, but surely, a smile spreads across Scorpius' face.

Albus smiled back as if it was contagious. They sat in silence for a moment before Scorpius frowned. "What are you doing about Carlsson?" He asked making Albus swallow. "What do you mean?"

Scorpius rolled his eyes and then realised he wasn't supposed to say anything. "How do you feel about her?" He said, causing Albus to narrow his eyes suspiciously. He knew something before Albus had even said anything. "If I'm correct," he started, "We brewed Amortentia and you looked confused."

Albus frowned, 'I know Vivian smells like lavender, but I could smell rose petals. My whole life is a mess.'

Albus shook his head before remembering the one person he'd told about his predicament.

Rose Weasley.

Albus scowled, 'Rose told him because she's worried about me.'

"I know what you're thinking, Scorp. I like Vivian and I want to be with her."

He didn't even believe the lies he was telling. He was sure Scorpius would see right through him. He'd been having second thoughts for a little while. He sighed, knowing that he had to prove to everyone around him he was fine even if he wasn't. He stood up, "I'm going to see my girlfriend and prove to Rose that I don't give a shit about the girl I smelt in the Amortentia, I am perfectly happy with my girlfriend."

"Okay," Scorpius said, awkwardly, "See you at breakfast."

Albus bolted out of their dormitory, hoping he could get to the Ravenclaw tower fairly quickly.

Albus waited outside of the doors, knowing he wasn't allowed in. He pulled out his wand and transfigured his uniform. He put his wand away, scowling at his tie. He loosened it, so it looked normal again. It wasn't long until a Ravenclaw came out.

"What are you doing here, Potter?"

Albus shrugged, not finding the words to ask about Vivian. It was becoming awkward before the girl asked again, "Are you here for Louis Weasley?" Albus shook his head, "I'm here for Vivian."

"She's still in the common room with the head girl. I think they're laughing about something," she said, trailing off before clicking her fingers. "About your brother, James."

"What about James?"

Albus and James may fight a lot, but he'll always protect his brother. He didn't approve of everything the older boy did, but family always had each other's backs.

"Cleo was smiling, so I think that's good for James."

Albus chuckled in relief, "I suppose so."

"Albus, what are you doing here?"

Cleo and Vivian had just emerged from the common room, quirking eyebrows at the Slytherin.

"Listening about my idiot of a brother," he started before looking at Cleo. "Well, Sis, it appears James needs a date to a family event. I'd go drop hints if I were you."

Cleo brushed brightly as Albus winked at her. Albus chuckled before taking Vivian's hand, "Let's go to breakfast I'm starving."

As they entered the Great Hall, Vivian went to sit at the Ravenclaw table but Albus pulled her back. "My girlfriend sits with me for breakfast," he cheekily commented making Vivian try to protest. He wasn't hearing any of it. He wanted to prove to everybody they were perfectly fine. He put on a wide smile and tugged her hand in the direction of the Slytherin table.

"Hey, who said you could bring girls to our table?"

"Girl, Bryce, one girl," Albus corrected, rolling his eyes as they took a seat.

"So Carlsson, how do you feel now that you're dating Albus Potter?"

Vivian shrugged, "He's normal," she said, leaving it at that. Amelia frowned that she had to move over for Vivian to sit down beside Albus, making everybody shuffle one seat downwards.

Trayton and Bryson snort a bit at Vivian's vague comment. Spencer scowled, "He's still famous. Everybody is going to know you're his girlfriend," he said. "Better get used to the fame while you're at it," added Mycale. Vivian smiled widely, "I'm not afraid," she said. Tate chuckled, "You should be. His mother is more terrifying than the public."

Albus felt a weird feeling erupt in his stomach. He didn't want people to know they were dating. He wanted to hide away again, not see the public for many years. He'd made a mistake, but he couldn't change it now. He tried to crush the weird feeling in the pit of his stomach and attempt to eat breakfast.

During their free period, Albus and Vivian sat down near the Black Lake, having idle chit-chat. Before he knew it, her lips were on his and he tried not to appear as shocked. It didn't feel the way it should feel but he tried to push his doubts out of his mind. He realised he'd been unresponsive for quite some time, so he kissed back lightly. There was no passion in his kiss. He didn't enjoy it at all. He couldn't feel any sparks and that saddened him a little.

She was the only girl he'd ever kissed so he had no idea if kisses were supposed to have sparks in them. He was at a loss. They pulled apart and Vivian looked breathless and Albus wanted to be anywhere but there.

He was determined to prove a point to his subconscious and pulled her into another kiss. He tried to will himself to kiss the best he ever could.

He was a bit inexperienced in that department though. He'd half wished Scorpius had shown him out to kiss. He half wished Scorpius could've explained in words how kissing was supposed to feel like.

Scorpius frowned, "I know you're trying to convince yourself you like Vivian, but I don't think you do. You look reluctant to even kiss her and she's supposed to be your girlfriend," he said. They were sitting in the Main Yard, after classes had ended for the day. Albus shook his head, as if to reassure his best mate that he was completely wrong.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't give me that shit. She kissed you and your whole body tensed up, like you were trying to push her off," Tate said, rolling his eyes. "You looked like you were twitching to do so," Mycale added, quirking an eyebrow.

Albus hated when they ganged up on him.

"Twitching to touch her," Albus corrected but even he knew that was a hollow lie. Albus chose to ignore them and looked in the direction of James and Cleo. Vivian wasn't allowing James to see Cleo and Albus couldn't understand why.

What James said next, made Albus' blood run cold.

"I just want to ask Cleo to Teddy's wedding – can you believe he made me best man? Hasn't Albus already asked you, Carlsson?"

Albus closed his eyes, trying to block out the sounds of everybody around him. He didn't want anyone to know about the wedding, much less Vivian. He didn't even know how he felt about her yet.

"Albus."

He opened his eyes and she was standing right in front of him. "Is this true?"

Albus numbly nodded, not knowing what to do. "Oh Al! You could've just asked me!" She said, throwing her arms around his neck. The boys were right, he was twitching to take her arms off him. It didn't feel right. He didn't want this. If he kept up this charade he'd surely but slowly die a painful death.

Vivian kissed him full on the lips, leaving no room for a protest.

You know when it's your first love and your heart speeds up and your hands get clammy? How you smile involuntarily at the mere thought of them and always find a way to throw them into every conversation? How your face always wears a dreamy smile when you talk about them? Do you ever make time to see them even when you're super busy? Do you ever imagine your life a year from now and they're smiling back at you? You can imagine a future with your first love that's why everybody knows its love. You can see them even in twenty years and they're still there, in the back of your mind, whispering: "I'll be here longer than that". You're happy about imagining that because you love them or at least you think you do because it's your first real relationship and you're on cloud nine and everything seems blissful.

That isn't what happened that day with Albus Severus Potter.

Here's the facts:

Arms rigid.

Legs glued to the ground.

Lips unresponsive.

Something akin to realisation flashed in James Sirius Potter's eyes and he suddenly understood he'd made a massive mistake. He couldn't take it back now and Albus didn't blame him. He didn't know because Albus hadn't told him the truth.

Vivian pulled back, oblivious to all of the stares and Albus' response to her kiss – a kiss he was itching to wipe off his lips. She smiled widely, "It's okay if you're a little nervous, Potter. I'd love to go with you," she said, biting her lips and batting her eyelashes at him. She often called him Potter in a way to tease him, to show how much she liked him. Albus never knew he hated it until now.

Albus faltered for a second before saying in an indifferent voice; "I never asked you."

Vivian frowned, "What do you mean?"

Albus sighed before grabbing her hand and directing her to the nearest empty classroom, ignoring her protests. He shut the door and turned to her. "I never asked you because I think it's best if we don't see each other anymore. You insult James on a daily basis and get annoyed when Cleo doesn't join in anymore. News flash, she loves him and he's my brother. Everything has to be your way, or the high way and I can't work out why. We should break up, Vivian."

"You already said that...but why?"

Albus opened his mouth to reply when an owl swooped down, causing him to frown. He couldn't recognise this owl, but it dropped a letter in his hand anyway. He read the familiar messy scrawl of 'Green Eyed Boy' and the familiar scent of perfume. He knew exactly who it was from. He couldn't' help but smile widely. She didn't forget about him.

Vivian gasped but Albus was hardly noticing.

"I knew you were cheating on me! Nobody cheats on me! I'm dumping you instead! James was never the player type, that was all you."

"No," Albus said, quickly. "I wasn't cheating. It's from my sister," he said, lying. He wanted to be anywhere but here. He may not have cheated but it's definitely not from Lily. "I did lose interest because you are kind of boring and you're hardly around but when you are, you don't want to hang out with my friends at all. You were trying to change me into somebody you wanted me to be and that's not okay."

Vivian glared, "I never even cared about you anyway," she spat. "I just wanted to use you to meet Harry Potter."

And there it was.

The truth, staring Albus directly in the face. He felt a little less bad about losing interest in her now. He waved her off with a sigh as she ran out. She was yelling things like 'Potter is an ass' and 'he had the bloody nerve to cheat on me'. Albus could hear James sticking up for his little brother.

Albus released a bitter chuckle, "The bitter truth."

Scorpius was waiting outside of the classroom for him.

"You feel better now?"

"Much," Albus said, nodding. "What do I do about a date for Saturday now," he asked, vaguely remembering the letter in his hand and wishing he could invite Lyra. She would've made one amazing date.

"I'm not taking a date, we can go stag."

Albus furrowed his brows, "What about your girlfriend," he asked, absentmindedly as he began to open the letter.

'Dear Green Eyed Boy,

How are you? I've missed writing to you. Life is a bit hectic these days. I barely get much time to write to you. Everybody is so nosey these days. Is it so wrong of me to want to keep you a secret a little longer? I'd like to think not. You're a great friend and I don't particularly want to share just yet.

What do you think, Green?

I hope the next letter you can have the courage to tell me your name as well. I'll wait forever if I want to. You're worth it, Romeo.

Until next time,

Lyra.'

Albus smiled, short and sweet. He couldn't help but take another whiff of the perfume. It smelled amazing.

"What girlfriend?"

Albus sighed as he noticed they were now nearing the dungeons. Scorpius had gone quiet for a moment before asking that and Albus was confused. He was sure Amelia was Scorpius' girlfriend. She sure was beautiful. He tried not to think about that as he turned to Scorpius. He looked scared. Albus wasn't sure what to say. Scorpius kept trying to talk but nothing would come out. Albus was starting to worry a little.

As they neared their dormitory, Scorpius finally asked again.

"What girlfriend, Albus?"

Albus stared at his best friend for some time before mumbling, "Aren't you dating Amy?"

"What? Merlin no!"

Albus raised an eyebrow, "You have an awful lot of pet names for her. You guys are awfully close in such brief time," he said, shrugging as if it was perfectly normal to think what he thought. Scorpius shook his head, laughing a little, "She's not my girlfriend."

Silence engulfed them as they both took a seat on their beds. It was starting to suffocate the boys and before Albus went to say something, Scorpius had already spoken again. "While we are on the subject of Amy," he said, clearing his throat. "Yeah?" Albus said, looking up at his best friend. He tried to squish the hope he had inside of his stomach that if she wasn't Scorpius', maybe Albus could see if the tiny crush he seemed to have was anything more than just that.

"Sorry," Scorpius said quickly, "I'm so sorry," he mumbled. Albus went to say something but Scorpius shook his head, "I'm sorry for lying, Albus. You're my best friend," he said, struggling with his words, "My dad told me that he never lies to Blaise because only terrible things happen when you do."

"So, you are dating Amelia?"

"What? No, gross," Scorpius said with such urgency that it made Albus chuckle. "You might one day," Albus said, shrugging with a smirk. Scorpius shot him an icy glare. "Once you hear what I have to say, you'll understand. I've been lying to you since we met that day. I never pictured us being as close as we are. I was just doing as I was told. Fifteen years ago, my dad made a big mistake. Well, I wouldn't call it a mistake, but my mum does."

"How is this lying to me? Your dad made a mistake that doesn't reflect on you."

"You don't understand," Scorpius said earnestly, "it altered our lives. I was one – I didn't know. It affects everything; Mum and Dad I think started fighting after the incident, though I wouldn't call her an incident."

Albus furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as Scorpius continued. "My dad cheated on my mother," he said. Albus shook his head, "What does that have to do with lying to me?"

Scorpius frowned, looking at his best friend, "The woman got pregnant."

That shut Albus up really quickly.

"I mean, it wasn't technically cheating, my parents had broken up for a while. They were keeping it very hush-hush. My mother counts it as cheating though. I got a sibling from it, Albus. I'm not an only child, not really."

Albus nodded slowly, "Cool, so, where is he?"

Scorpius cracked a tight smile, "She is in Hogwarts, right now. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was easier to pretend I was an only child. I love her a lot, but all of the secrecy keeps her safe. The ministry isn't allowed to know about her because if they do, my dad's enemies will attempt to strike and hurt him."

Albus frowned, "That's terrible."

"Albus," Scorpius started, licking his dry lips.

"My sister is Amy Scarlett."