I'm sorry that this took much longer than I had expected. This is an important chapter and I wanted to get everything perfect before I uploaded it. I really hope you enjoy it. There will be one more chapter after this. !

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the aforementioned HP characters.

Chapter 13

The next week flew by with midterms taking up everyone's time and soon it was the end of first term. Albus felt pretty good about his exams, all things considering. But Scorpius had had trouble concentrating; his mind had been elsewhere. He was just anxious to get home to his mother.

As Scorpius finished packing, he heard a knock on the door. He turned and in walked Olivia. Scorpius blankly stared at her for a moment then went back to folding his robes.

"You know, there's an easier way to packing, hon. We're not muggles." Olivia said as she hugged Scorpius and kissed his neck. He just sat there, numb.

"Olivia, I'm not really in the best mood," he vacantly stated. Olivia squeezed his waist harder, then placed her hands underneath his shirt and moved them down to the inside of his pants. Scorpius shivered in disgust. He couldn't do this anymore. There was only one person that Scorpius wanted to touch him, and that person probably never would anymore thanks to him.

Scorpius stood up and took Olivia's eager hands out of his pants. "I can't do this. We're over."

Olivia stood there, stunned. Scorpius watched her face go from confusion to realization and then to anger. "Excuse me?" She demanded, placing her hands on her hips.

"You heard me. I only dated you for my father's sake, and since he's in Azkaban, it's not necessary to date you anymore. So, we're over."

Olivia's eyes widened in shock and there was a hint of hurt. But she quickly covered up the hurt in her eyes and smacked Scorpius in the face. As she stalked away, she said, "Your loss."

Scorpius sighed as he grabbed his luggage. He waited a couple minutes, put on a dead-panned expression, and walked out of the Slytherin chambers.

The train ride was uneventful for both Albus and Scorpius, and before they knew it, the Hogwarts Express pulled onto Platform 9 3/4. Albus, who had barely uttered a word the whole train ride, slowly got off with his friends. He absently followed James and Lily to his parents who were waiting for them with smiles. His parents immediately noticed something different about Albus - he seemed upset - but they decided to ask him about it at home. As Albus walked a few paces behind his family, he caught a glance of Scorpius, who was with his mother. Scorpius caught Albus' eye and the two boys stared longingly, yet despondently at each other. Albus finally tore his eyes away and cursed himself for still allowing the blond Slytherin to have an effect on him. Albus hurried to catch up with his family, wanting to leave this place and Scorpius' intense silver-eyed stare.

For the next couple of days, Albus spent most of his time in his room. He only came out for dinner or when James, irritated that his younger brother was still moping about some twat, dragged him downstairs; but Albus preferred to sulk alone in his room. Finally, Harry was able to have a heart-to-heart with his son one night.

Harry knocked on Albus' door and asked, "Hey, may I come in?" Albus, who was lying on his bed performing little charm spells, waved his wand and opened the door. Harry walked in and sat in a chair next to Albus' bed. He watched the charms for a few moments, thinking of how to begin, then concernedly asked, "What's going on, Al?"

Albus discontinued the spell and looked at his Dad. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"You've barely said a word since you came home and you've been holed up in your room. Did something happen at school?"

Albus looked away and focused his gaze on the ceiling, a frown appearing upon his face. "Nothing happened. I'm fine." He muttered.

Harry placed a strong hand on his son's shoulder. "Albus, you're worrying your mother and me." Then he got a thoughtful look on his face and softly added, "Does this have to do with a boy?"

Albus quickly shot up and protested, "What? No!" He saw the smile on his Dad's face and sighed, worried that his Dad knew about Scorpius. "Did Lily tell you?" He said dejectedly.

"So you are upset over a boy," Harry stated, amused that he had guessed right.

Albus frowned and lied back down. "It doesn't matter now. He's ashamed of me." Albus' heart ached at the thought of Scorpius and that devasting day when they fought.

"You really liked him, didn't you?" Harry pensively observed.

Albus glanced back at his Dad and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. I just can't seem to move on."

"Maybe you shouldn't try to let go so easily. If he made you happy and means this much to you, fight for him." Harry gave his son a light squeeze on the arm and stood up. "Night, Al. I love you." And then he closed the door behind him. Albus contemplatively stared after his father, wishing it were easier said than done.

Scorpius arrived with his mother at his grandparents' house. Their house was slightly bigger and more grandeur than the Malfoy Mansion.

His grandmother came out of the house and embraced him. "Oh, I've missed you so much! Someone never lets us visit you in the summer." She said, obviously referring to the someone as Astoria.

Astoria frowned and sighed. "It's not my fault if you two are always taking trips out of the country." She grabbed Scorpius' luggage and the three went inside.

"You can stay in the guest room upstairs two doors on your left, Scorpius. I'm making lamb stew, your favorite." She said as she walked in the kitchen.

Scorpius figured that it would be pointless to tell her he hadn't eaten lamb stew since he was eleven. Instead, he politely thanked his grandmother and headed up the stairs with his mother. As they reached the guest room, Astoria sat down on the bed and smiled wearily at him.

"How has school been?"

"It's been great," he partially lied. The majority of school had in fact been great; only recently had it been anything but.

Astoria nodded and softly said, "Good." She had a look in her eye that made Scorpius ask, "How are you dealing with everything, Mother?"

"Oh, there are good days and bad days. I miss your father terribly, but I'm also angry with him." Astoria sighed again, then put on a cheery facade and added, "We'll just have to do the best we can, me and you, for awhile."

Scorpius nodded and replied, "I'll be here for you." He felt sad for his mother and hated that his father was doing this to her, to his whole family. The past couple of months had just been one huge nightmare from which he couldn't wake up.

Astoria kissed her son's forehead, then walked downstairs to let him rest before dinner.

The next morning, Scorpius woke to sounds of people's arguing. Scorpius groggily opened his eyes and cursed the loud noises which woke him up. He grungily got out of bed and began to walk downstairs.

Downstairs, Astoria and her mother were arguing.

"You never should have married him! Not only has he slandered the Malfoy name, he gave a bad reputation to the Greengrass name as well. And now he's in Azkaban." Her mother shouted.

Astoria raised her voice and angrily retorted, "He was framed, Mother! Maybe you should stop reading Rita Skeeter's lies who is a stone-cold, bumbling idiot and realize that there are bad men in the world who still hold a grudge against what Draco did as a child!" In a huff, Astoria stormed outside.

Scorpius debated whether he should stay out of their arguement or comfort his mother. Out of pity, he exasperatedly followed after his mother. He found her sitting on the porch and joined her, putting his arm around his mother's shoulders.

Astoria let her tears silenty fall as she rested her head on her son's shoulder. "Sorry you had to hear that, Scorpius. Mum and I don't exactly get along."

Scorpius rubbed his mom's back and glanced out at the dead forest in front of him. This would be a long winter break.

Astoria remained quiet for a minutes before softly saying, "I hope you don't blame your father."

Scorpius frowned, wondering how he would answer that question. Of course he blamed his father. For raising him to be wary of how others perceived him, for forcing him to date Olivia, for leaving his mother in distress, for giving this persona to Malfoys that they have to be strong and more superior than everyone else. But Scorpius took the polite route and murmered, "It's just a bad sitauation."

"I'm sorry that you're being put through this. I mean, I get weird looks around town so I can only imagine how your peers are reacting at school," Astoria pondered, turning to him.

Scorpius stared into his mother's eyes and, after a couple of moments, mustered up the courage to ask, "Why should it matter what others think of us?"

Astoria blinked a couple of times, taken aback by his question. "Because we're purebloods, like royalty. Automatically, we are held at a higher standard than everyone else; we're constantly scrutinized."

Scorpius scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

Astoria widened her eyes and scolded him. "It isn't ridiculous, Scorpius. We can't help which blood status we're born into. But consider yourself lucky."

That statement struck a chord inside him. She's right, I can't help the cards that I've been dealt. And I can't be afraid anymore. All the shame he had felt about liking Albus the past few months came flooding back to him. He had been such a prick. This was the first time Scorpius wanted to take that fateful day back; to tell his friends he was with Albus, that he loved Albus. I love Albus Potter. Scorpius broke out in a huge grin and a wave of joy coursed through his body. Scorpius finally knew what he had to do to make things right. He just hoped he wasn't too late.

Scorpius stared back into his mother's eyes and drew in a big breath. "Mother, I need to tell you something. But please don't freak out, okay?"

Astoria furrowed her brow and asked, "What is it?"

Scorpius drew in another breath, waited a few moments, then finally said the words that had been gnawing at him for quite some time now. "I'm-I'm gay."

Astoria was speechless for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, in a quiet voice, she said, "That is not funny, Scorpius."

Scorpius felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart. But he had to do this. "Mother, I'm not joking."

Her face growing redder and redder from shame and anger, Astoria bellowed, "Did your grandfather put you up to this? Did he think this would be some great prank to upset me even more?"

Scorpius downcasted his tearful eyes. "I know this isn't the most opportune moment to tell you, but I couldn't hold it in any longer."

"No son of mine, no Malfoy is gay."

"No Malfoy? Do you listen to yourself? No one cares about us and every little thing we do. And I'm not going to hide myself any longer because I have to keep up this stereotype about us. I've done it once and it hurt someone I care a lot about." Scorpius stood up and challenged his mother.

Astoria stood up as well and turned toward the door.

"I need your support on this. Please."

Astoria turned, her eyes full of tears, but then turned away. "I need to be alone." And with that, she walked inside the house.

Scorpius sat down on the porch and sighed. He knew his mother would react like that. But he didn't feel as dejected as he thought he would, just disappointed. Then Scorpius ran around back to get his broom. He had to make things right to the one person whom he loved more than anything. He mounted it and flew away, hoping to find a certain brunette.

Meanwhile, Albus Potter had walked to the park a few miles away to get some fresh air. He felt too confined at home; everyone kept asking him what was wrong and if he were okay. He was starting to go mad. He just wanted to be over Scorpius, to move on from one terrible mistake. After all, it was only a prank; a ploy to upset him even more. Albus was almost positive that Scorpius had only pretended to like him so that Scorpius could make him even more miserable. But then Albus thought about the night they had sex and the times Scorpius had been open with him, reached out to him. Those memories were keeping Albus from cutting all emotional ties from the Slytherin. He couldn't let go.

After a few wrong turns, Scorpius finally reached the Potter house. He dismounted his broom and hesitantly walked to the front door, expecting the worst. But he was determined. Running the speech in his head one last time, Scorpius knocked on the door. He really hoped that Albus or his parents would open the door; unfortunately, it was James. James opened the door, took one look at Scorpius, and slammed it in his face.

Scorpius knocked on the door again. "James, please let me in. I need to see Albus!"

A few seconds went by, and then the door was opened again. James glared at Scorpius. "No, you need to quickly return home before I kick your arse."

Ignoring the red-head's comment, Scorpius asked, "Is Albus here?"

"No," James curtly stated. He started to close the door but Scorpius quickly stuck his arm in the doorway.

"I made a huge mistake and I've regretted it ever since. I'm sorry I hurt your brother and I'm probably the last person you or he wants to see right now, but I have to talk to him. Please let me talk to him, James."

Before James could say anything, a voice from inside asked, "Who is it, James?"

James continued to glare at Scorpius and said, "Nobody. He was just leaving."

Then a tall brunette appeared at the door, whom Scorpius instantly recognized as Harry Potter. Harry glanced down at Scorpius and frowned. "Er, Scorpius Malfoy?" He curiously asked.

"Yes sir," Scorpius politely answered. "May I see Albus? It's urgent."

Harry questioningly looked from James to Scorpius and then to James again. Then he said, "He's out right now. Would you like to come inside and wait for him?"

Scorpius nodded and followed Albus' dad inside, ignoring the burning stare from James.

"What is it you need to tell him?" Harry questioned, wondering why his son's nemesis was at his doorstep.

Scorpius glanced at his feet, suddenly feeling awkward. He wondered if this were such a good idea after all.

Then James coldly said, "Dad, he shouldn't be here. Albus doesn't want him here."

Scorpius peered at James and frowned. Then, like word vomit, he blurted, "I'm in love with Albus and I need to tell him before it's too late."

James' eyes widened in disbelief and Harry coughed in shock. Scorpius is the last person I thought Albus would like, Harry thought. "Er, come again?" Harry asked once he caught his breath.

"I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. And I did something terrible to him last month which is why I have to find him and make things right." Scorpius said in one big rush. He was surprised at himself for telling even more people his true feelings. He never usually opened up to people, but he was desperate.

Harry blinked a couple of times, then started to smile. "He's at the park."

"Dad!" James protested.

Scorpius smiled and thanked Harry. Then he ran outside, mounted his broom, and sped off for Albus.

It took only a few minutes to find the Gryffindor on the swings. He dismounted and ran to Albus. "Al! Al!" He called out.

Albus looked up, wondering who had called his name. Then he saw a familiar face and scowled. "What the hell are you doing here, Scorpius?"

"I need to talk to you. Please just listen."

"You've already explained yourself. Stop trying. I'm over you."

"That's a lie," Scorpius firmly stated. "I know you have been as miserable as I this past month. I have lost everything, Albus; my father, you, and now my mother. I have nothing else to lose." Albus stood there, staring at Scorpius and waiting for him to continue, so he did. "I told her I was gay."

Albus' forehead creased into a frown, wondering if he should believe Scorpius or not. "Really? What did she say?"

Scorpius softly answered, "She accused me of pranking her. Then she got angry when I told her I wasn't kidding." He thoughtfully stared into Albus' eyes and took his hands. "I've realized that it's pointless to care about how others perceive me, especially when I don't care about them. I only care about you." He got closer to Albus, who had gone stiff with shock and hope. He sincerely added, "I love you, Albus. So much. Since last year when I saw you reading on the lawn and you looked so stunning, I couldn't get you out of my mind. And I tried so hard to crush my feelings for you. But I don't want to hide anymore."

Albus couldn't believe his ears; he couldn't believe that Scorpius, the unemotional prick was professing his love for him. Albus felt his heart swell with such joy and excitement that he impulsively kissed Scorpius. Scorpius kissed Albus back, overjoyed to feel Albus' sweet taste again. He stuck his tongue inside of Albus' mouth and the two tongues danced with each other. Finally, Albus pulled away and softly stated, "I love you, Scorpius Malfoy."

Scorpius smiled and kissed his cheek. "I promise I will never hurt you again."

Albus pulled away and asked, "Even when we return to Hogwarts and your friends start to mock you?"

Scorpius stared into his big green eyes and nodded, "As long as I have you and you're happy, I'll be fine."

Albus grinned and kissed Scorpius' neck. Feeling happier than he had in awhile, Scorpius grabbed Albus' waist and hugged him tightly. Everything was right again.

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