Chapter 3

Andrew and Albus sneakily crept out of the forest, cautious not to get caught. When they saw that it was clear, they ran behind the red barn of food for creatures. Albus was about to casually head for Hogwarts when Andrew grabbed him by the arm. "Shh! Don't move. I hear something."

Al stopped and waited, listening for a noise. Almost a minute passed, and yet there was no noise. He opened his mouth to tell Andrew it's nothing when there was a squeal and faint laughter.

"There, that!" Andrew whispered. Al glanced at his friend, then peered out from behind the side of the barn. He saw Slytherin robes and... Is that a rabbit? Albus pulled Andrew toward the boys in the robes, curious.

"Wait, why are we walking toward them?"

"I want to see what they're doing to that rabbit, is all."

"Al...," Andrew had a warning tone in his voice. He knew his friend better than to just feel a little curiosity.

A tussle of blond hair shook as the guy imitated the rabbit's squeal. "Go on, do it!" A beefier brunette said to the blond. The blond hesitated before raising his wand.

Albus began to walk faster, almost to the point of running, his own wand in hand. He pointed his wand at the boy and quickly shouted, "Expelliarmus!" The blonde's wand flew out of his hand and landed near some bushes.

The beefy brunette, Jay Goyle and the lean, lighter brunette, Brock Dolohov, abruptly turned around. Scorpius Malfoy turned as well, stunned and on edge.

Andrew took a small step back, sighing. He did not want to get in a fight today, or any day for that matter. Being a pacifist, fights were never his thing. Albus, on the other hand, was a different story. He took a step forward, not minding if he had a small duel with Scorpius right now. After all, the git had managed to both embarrass and confuse him yesterday. Revenge was a bitch.

"I wasn't going to do anything, I swear." Scorpius finally spoke, his eyes wide sans the gleam in them. He tried to explain himself as if he were in trouble with the headmaster.

"That's not what it looked like," Albus fired back, arms folded across his chest. Jay took a step closer to Albus. He was huge in comparison. "Mind your own damn business, Potter."

Albus narrowed his eyes, focusing his attention back to Scorpius. He could care less what the mindless Goyle thought or said. "So now you've taken to picking on innocent bunnies, have you? Seems a bit cowardly considering they can't exactly fight back. That what you're afraid of?"

Scorpius pushed Jay out of the way and stepped closer to Albus, scowling at him. "Brock, fetch me my wand," he commanded. Brock immediately obeyed.

"Do you want something, Potter?" His voice was thick with venom.

Albus glanced at the helpless rabbit. It had a gash on its side, which reminded him of the dead unicorn they saw in the woods earlier.

Andrew tugged on Albus's sleeve and said, "Let's just go mate. Let it alone."

"Oh, we wouldn't want to impose on your little makeout session with each other." This statement came from Brock. He and Jay laughed aloud. Jay continued to make more jokes about Andrew and Albus being gay lovers.

"Everte Statum!" Jay flew, twisted in the air, and landed a few feet away from them. Brock rushed to his side. Albus was used to being made fun of for his sexuality, but to bring his straight-edge friend into the jokes? That pissed him off!

Andrew looked pleadingly at Albus. He felt extremely uncomfortable, more so than before, in this situation. But Albus avoided making eye contact. I can't back down. Not now.

"You could get suspended for killing the school's animals." I wouldn't mind getting expelled for killing you and your posse.

Scorpius finally opened his mouth, letting out a light laugh. "We weren't going to kill it. Just having a little fun, that's all."

"Oh yeah? Tell that to the innocent animal over there!" Albus' dislikement for Malfoy grew even more. And thankfully, that overshadowed his attraction for the Slytherin.

Scorpius glanced at the rabbit, then bit his lower lip. Meanwhile, Jay, having recovered, glared and pointed his wand at Albus.

"Al, stop!" Andrew held Albus back from doing anything. They'd attract a crowd if things kept going in this direction.

"Look at the two lovebirds, holding each other. Faggots," Jay spat.

"Oh shut-up!" Scorpius yelled at Jay and Brock, "Stop being so bloody immature!" This statement was a surprise to all parties. "Let's go."

"But Scorp, you need to show us that trick!" Brock exclaimed, hurrying to his leader's right side while Jay took the left. "I'm not in the mood," Scorpius snapped as the three Slytherins walked toward Hogwarts.

Andrew faced Albus and glared. "You need to learn to control your temper!"

"Sorry," he said, and he meant it. Albus knew Andrew didn't like these difficult, tense situations. "Let's go show everyone our unicorn tail hairs," he said, lightening the mood. This suggestion quickly brightened Andrew, and they bounded off toward the Gryffindor tower.