Chapter Eight: A Trip Down Memory Lane…

When Scorpius came to in the next dream, he and Dream-Albus were standing in a small, dark room. The only light came from a tiny window high up one stone wall, and there was just enough room for him, Dream-Albus, and a waist-high stone column, upon which rested a shallow stone basin, with strange markings etched around the rim.

"What are we doing here?" Scorpius asked, trepidation breeding in his chest as he looked at the familiar basin.

"We're going to time travel," Dream-Albus replied, as he held up two clear vials that held a shimmering, silver liquid, his expression a strange mixture of sympathetic and resolute.

Oh fuck no, a pensieve…

Scorpius took an involuntary step back, coming up against the cold stone, but his mind registered only the basin and the liquid.

When Scorpius was nine, he had, during his daily skulk about the Manor, come across his father's pensieve. Not knowing what it was, he had climbed up on a nearby chair to get a better look. Entranced by the pretty liquid, he had leaned forward and tipped in, landing in the memory of his father's first meeting with Lord Voldemort, so he found out later on. At the time, all he had known was that there was a terrifying-looking snake-faced man towering over a teenage boy, who looked remarkably like his father, who was standing beside his grandmother. His grandmother was looking scared, but determined and she jutted her chin out, hand clasping the teenager's shoulder as he spoke.

"I am honoured that you have chosen me my Lord. I will be most able for this task; I'm very clever, probably as smart as Dumbledore was back in school."

"As boastful as your father I see," the snake-faced man had sneered, "I wonder, are you like Dumbledore in other matters? Everyone knows about the scandal with Grindlewald."

Scorpius had seen his father go deathly pale and grandmother tremble with some unknown emotion. Just as grandmother had opened her mouth to reply, a hand had grabbed Scorpius roughly, and he had suddenly found himself on the floor beside the pensieve, his father looming over him, looking absolutely livid.

"Father, I –" Scorpius had begun, but his father had interrupted him with a stony, "Get out."

Scorpius had been near tears all day, and had near bitten his lip off, mindlessly worrying that his father hated him. That evening, his father had come to him, as aloof as ever, but as apologetic, warm, and loving as he could be. However, it had been seven years before they spoke about what Scorpius had seen.

Ever since, Scorpius had steered well clear of pensieves, and in fact, the only time he had gone near one since that time was because Alb-

"Scorp," Dream-Albus said gently, pulling him out of his musings, "it's gonna be okay. I'm here with you. No musings."

Scorpius grinned at the teasing chide and nodded.

Dream-Albus looked into his eyes a while longer, and then smiled and uncorked the two vials, pouring them into the pensieve. He then turned back to Scorpius and held his hand out, a patient look on his face.

"Come on, we'll go in together."

Scorpius hesitated, and then slowly took Dream-Albus' hand and stepped up to the basin.

"On three…One…Two…Three," Dream-Albus said calmly, and Scorpius swallowed thickly as he stepped forward and leaned over into the bowl, his hand gripping Albus' tightly.

They landed neatly in a corridor, which glowed with a faint greenish light. Upon looking around, Scorpius realised they were outside the entrance to the Slytherin common room, and he felt a rush of nostalgia overcome him. True, he wasn't long out of Hogwarts, but he'd left thinking that he'd never see it again, so it was good to be back in the place he had considered his second home for seven years.

"What memory is this?" he asked Dream-Albus, who squeezed his hand and replied quietly, "You'll see."

At that moment, the common room entrance opened, and a not-much-younger version of Scorpius walked out. Scorpius took stock of the shiny prefect badge, the large stack of books in Scorp's hands, and his dishevelled, stressed-out appearance, and deduced that this was his fifth year, probably close to the OWLs, if Scorp's muttering and the quick-notes quill, erasaquill and parchment floating after him were any indication.

"Need to practise the accio charm, the shield charm, study boggarts and mandrakes, and bloody hell where IS Albus? Professor Hiwatari finally grants us access to the labs to practise potions, and the bloody git has to flounce about doing Merlin-knows-what- ARGH! Erase!" Scorp snapped at the quills, which had been writing down his every word.

When they had done so, he continued down the corridor, Scorpius and Dream-Albus following. Scorpius' stomach plummeted as he realised what memory it was they were in. Unconsciously, he tensed and tightened his grip on Dream-Albus' hand. Dream-Albus glanced at him with a puzzled expression, and said nothing, but his thumb rubbed soothing circles on the back of his fingers.

Scorpius watched himself storm down the corridor, hand tangling in his hair, as his was as well, and wanted to shout out, to grab his younger self and stop him from heading towards the secret passageway. But all he could do was watch with pity and resignation, his grip on Albus' hand the only thing keeping him calm and anchored.

As Scorp neared the passageway, he slowed and stopped at the sound of two familiar voices, talking in intimate tones.

"Thanks for the date, I'd a great time," Albus said in a sultry, almost shy voice.

"You're welcome, it was my pleasure," the other voice replied, and both Scorp's and Scorpius' lips curled into grimaces as they recognised the one Mr. Vincent Goyle – Gryffindor quidditch team captain, voted as one of the most handsome boys in school.

"Maybe we could go out again sometime soon?" Vincent asked.

"I'd like that," Albus replied in a breathy tone.

Dream-Albus gasped, and Scorpius frowned and winced as he watched himself inch forward, pulling back the tapestry a sliver and peeking in. Scorpius didn't need to look, he remembered this moment all-too-well: how utterly compelled he'd been to look, but wanting to run away at the same time and forget he'd heard anything. Alas, he couldn't help himself, and had watched Vincent lean forward, hand on the wall beside Albus' head. Albus was gazing up at him as he was resting against the wall, absently toying with the sleeve of his robe. Gently, Vincent had taken Albus' hand, neither of them breaking eye contact.

"I'd better go, I'm supposed to be practising for the potion practical with Scorp," Albus had whispered.

"Ah, the joys of OWLs," Vincent had smirked, "Glad that's past me."

"Just wait for NEWTs next year," Albus had smirked right back.

Vincent had chuckled, and then had said seriously, "May I kiss you goodbye?"

Albus' eyes had widened and his cheeks had flushed.

"You don't have to ask," he had smiled sweetly.

Vincent had smiled and leaned in, Albus meeting him half way, for a long and hungry kiss. Scorpius remembered how he had been frozen, rooted to the spot, before he had turned and walked quickly and quietly away, just as Scorp was doing now.

Scorpius made a sympathetic noise and followed himself as he marched down deep into the dungeons to the potions lab, barking more notes at his quills.

"What were you feeling?" Dream-Albus asked softly.

"Sad, shocked, confused, wistful," Scorpius shrugged, "At first I didn't know what to feel. A part of me wanted to fly into a jealous rage, but I couldn't bring myself to get that worked up."

"Because I'm not worth it?"

"Because you're worth so much more than it."

"Have you ever gotten jealous?"

"A little…mostly I just hope you find happiness."

"I hope that for you too."

"Thanks," Scorpius smiled, and leaned in and kissed Dream-Albus softly on the cheek.

Dream-Albus touched his cheek, looking surprised, and Scorpius blushed and returned to watching himself work around the potion lab, calming himself down by methodically working through each step of the instructions.

He wanted to ask why this memory had been chosen, but he already knew; out of all of the ones similar to this, this was the one that stuck out the most, was the most hurtful and pivotal.

This was not the first, nor would it be the last time that Scorpius had accidentally come across Albus in some sort of tryst with his current boyfriend/girlfriend, but it had been the first time Scorpius had been presented with concrete proof that Albus fancied boys. And by boys, he meant boys that weren't Scorpius – for surely, if he was interested, he would have said something right? And it wasn't like Scorpius could say anything to him now, not when he was dating someone else.

Scorpius watched as his younger self chopped and shredded the ingredients, eyes blinking rapidly, as the numbness wore off, and Scorpius knew that it had hit him now: Albus was interested in boys. Specifically, Albus was interested in a sixth-year handsome Gryffindor with a shiny captain's badge, and not a fifth year pale Slytherin seeker with a shiny prefect's badge. This was what Scorpius got, what he deserved for indulging in one daydream too many over the past nearly two years. Scorpius felt his heart break as he watched himself sniff, let out a great sob, and then hurriedly wipe his face and try to look busy as footsteps approached.

Albus waltzed into the lab, a dopey smile on his face. It suddenly vanished as soon as he took in Scorp's appearance.

"Scorp?" he asked in a scared, worried voice as he strode across the room, "What happened? What's wrong?"

He cupped Scorp's face, gazing intently into his eyes, and Scorpius remembered how he had simultaneously wanted to push Albus away, and kiss him until he forgot all about Vincent Goyle.

Scorp instead rolled his eyes and pulled away, replying, "It's just the boomslang skin, you know it makes my allergies act up."

"Oh sorry, I meant to get here on time…I got a little, um, sidetracked," Albus stammered, going red.

"Anything important?"

"Um…it was a date."

"Who's the lucky girl?" Scorp asked, barely hiding his smirk.

Albus paused, took a deep breath and replied nonchalantly, "It was with a bloke actually."

"Oh. So you're?"

"Bi."

There were so many things Scorpius remembered he had wanted to say at that point – yell at Albus for not telling him sooner, asking what Vincent had that he didn't, yelling at Albus for not trusting him, for not coming out to him properly, for ruining what had been a simple crush, for turning his world upside down – but he couldn't have brought himself to do anything, so instead, had just smiled tightly and said, "Welcome to the club."

The scene melted away, and the second memory started up. This time they were following Albus out of the library. He had a huge stack of books floating after him, and didn't look much different from the previous memory, so Scorpius guessed it was still fifth year, and he wondered what memory of Albus' he was in. Albus pulled out an old-looking piece of parchment and quickly glanced around, before tapping it with his wand.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

The map unfurled and Albus studied it intently.

"Where is he…ah! Astronomy Tower…with Zabini? What the hell's he doing with that bloody poof?" Albus growled.

He sent his books flying down to the dungeons, and stormed off to the astronomy tower, tapping the parchment once again, and saying, "Mischief managed."

"Oh Albus no," Scorpius groaned, as he and Dream-Albus followed Albus up the stairs.

This memory was from a few days after Scorpius had spied on Albus and Vincent. He had decided that he was sick for continuing to hope that something might happen with Albus, and thus had gone out to get over him. Maximus Zabini had been giving him the hairy eyeball ever since second year, it was all too easy to catch his eye and lead him up to the astronomy tower.

Albus threw open the door of the astronomy tower, and made a shocked, strangled noise in the back of his throat, eyes wide as he beheld Scorp, pinning Maximus against the walls, kissing him savagely. At the noise, the two boys jumped apart, and Scorp's jaw dropped when he spotted Albus.

"Heeeyyy Al," Maximus drawled in his annoyingly camp voice, waggling his fingers.

"I, uh…" Albus stuttered, and then turned and fled down the stairs.

"Albus wait!" Scorp yelled, running after him, Scorpius and Dream-Albus following.

Scorpius felt the same nausea and regret coiling in his stomach as he had felt then.

"Do we have to watch this?" he pleaded, "We know what happens."

"I'm afraid we have to," Dream-Albus replied grimly.

"But it gets worse!"

"And then it gets better," Dream-Albus smiled beatifically at him.

Scorpius stared into those warm, forgiving eyes and nodded, then hurried after Albus and Scorp, towards the Gryffindor tower.

"Al wait, please!" Scorp yelled, sprinting after the dark-haired boy.

Albus sighed and stopped, waiting as Scorp caught up with him.

Scorp stopped beside him, caught his breath and then looked Albus in the eye and said sincerely, "I'm sorry."

"Why? For kissing Zabini? There's no need. If anything, I'm sorry for barging in like that."

"It's fine…are you okay? You seemed a little…hurt," Scorpius said in a small voice, licking his lips.

Albus' eyes darted down to his lips and then back up, a look of indecision on his face.

Scorpius' breath caught as he suddenly realised the tension mounting between Albus and his younger self. At the time, he'd been too shocked, embarrassed and worried about what Albus thought about him to take stock of the situation, the way Albus was looking at him. But now, watching it happen, Scorpius realised what had been unfolding.

"You mean you wanted-" he started, looking at Dream-Albus, who nodded and replied seriously, "I did."

"Oh…"

Scorpius returned to watching the scene: himself looking worried and Albus indecisive, tentatively leaning forward. Something changed in him though, snapped, and his expression shifted to one of nonchalance.

"Why would I care what you were up to with Zabini," Albus shrugged, "it's a free country."

"Oh, right," Scorp sighed, half with relief, half with sadness, "And you've got your bloke too."

"Yeah," Albus smiled tightly, then turned and continued walking towards the Gryffindor tower, "So everything's gravy, and we won't go barging in on each other anymore."

"Good plan," Scorp agreed, bumping shoulders with Albus.

The two teens continued along the corridor, Scorpius and Dream-Albus following.

"You were lying when you said you didn't care," Scorpius said in a soft, accusatory tone.

"I was."

"Why?"

"I was confused," Dream-Albus sighed, "and oblivious about how I really felt about you."

"Are…are you still oblivious?"

"Mostly…but hopefully the trials will cure that," Dream-Albus said cheerfully.

Scorpius was silent as they continued along. He didn't really know what to think now, or what he really felt about Albus. True, he still had a massive crush on his best friend, and though he tried to deny it down to Hades, there was a small part of him that admitted he was in love with Albus, but he didn't know if this was all being brought to the surface because of the dreams, or because he couldn't deny how he felt anymore.

"Why are we here?" Scorp asked as they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"I gotta get some supplies I ordered from George off Freddy," Albus grinned, "The fake broomsticks came through – they look just like Cleansweep Fives, but when you touch them they turn into rubber snakes that wrap around you and won't let go for an hour."

"Wicked," Scorp grinned, "first year flying lessons?"

"Most definitely," Albus laughed, knocking politely on the portrait.

"Password?"

"Mandrake root," Albus told her sweetly.

The Fat Lady sniffed haughtily, and swung open, allowing Albus and Scorp to climb into the lion's den, Scorpius and Dream-Albus right behind them.

Having relatives in each house, Albus was blessed with knowing all the passwords (though he avoided visiting Rose as much as possible, the questions were easy to answer, but because he couldn't reason his answers out, the door never let him in). Some people were resentful, and the professors tutted and shook their heads, but the Weasleys and Potters were such a tight-knit family that it was natural for them to share everything and be able to seek each other out whenever they pleased.

As they stepped over the threshold, Albus tensed and stopped, Scorp behind him, and Scorpius heard Vincent's voice drift out from the common room.

"Got the middle Potter wrapped around my little finger, had him begging me to kiss him and everything," Vincent boasted loudly, and there were impressed murmurs in response.

Albus was so tense at this point he was shaking, and Scorpius felt just as angry and indignant on Albus' behalf as his younger self did.

"All I have to do is work my charms for a while longer and I'm sure to be invited to Godric's Hollow over the summer hols."

"Wow, and then you'd get to meet Harry Potter," an awed voice sighed.

"Exactly."

Albus and Scorp both flinched, and Albus strode into the common room, wand drawn and eyes blazing.

"So it was just a plot to meet my dad," Albus sneered, "How very Slytherin of you Vincent."

"Al-Albus!" Vincent gaped, whirling around, "How did you get in?"

"My goodness, six years and you still don't know how to get into your own common room?" Scorpius mock gasped, "I guess what they say about Gryffindor stupidity isn't exaggerated after all."

"Oh of course you'd bring your lap dog," Vincent smirked nastily at Albus, "Still panting after you like a bitch in heat I see."

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK TO HIM LIKE THAT!" Albus roared.

He fired off several hexes in a row at Vincent, who was thrown across the room by the force of them, and lay there unconscious. Scorp gaped at Albus, who was visibly shaking with rage, and Scorpius remembered that he had never seen Albus so angry before, and hadn't since.

Albus glared down at Vincent's prone form, before spitting out, "Pathetic," in a disdainful tone.

He then wrapped his arm around Scorp's shoulder, and led him out of the Gryffindor room and down towards the dungeons. As they walked through the Entrance Hall, Scorp took Albus' hand and pulled him out of the castle doors.

"Where are we going?" Albus asked in a tense voice, "Why are you holding my hand, you never hold my hand."

"I'm holding your hand because you need it, and we're going to blow off some steam," Scorp replied firmly, "we're both far too wound up."

Scorpius and Dream-Albus followed the two boys to the quidditch pitch, where a quick alohomara allowed Scorp to retrieve two Nimbus 2000s from the broom shed – old models, but decent enough – and then he and Albus took off flying, at first energetically and then lazily, circling and looping around each other.

Scorpius and Dream-Albus trooped up to the stands to sit and watch.

"You really helped me that night," Dream-Albus said, turning towards Scorpius, "I was so angry and upset; I thought I was going to seriously lose control of my magic."

Scorpius could only 'hmm' and nod along. He felt tired – not just from the memories, but from the whole trial itself – and he couldn't bring himself to argue with Dream-Albus over whether or not he was actually Albus. Didn't matter anyway; soon he would wake up (hopefully) and he could put all this behind him.

"Vincent was such a pillock, I still feel angry when I think about what he did," Dream-Albus growled, running his free hand through his hair.

"He's a self-seeking git," Scorpius snorted, "But he wasn't the first or last."

"It wasn't that – it was what he said to you!"

"Oh."

"He always was a boaster, I should've seen through him, but I was an idiot…and I am so sorry you saw us that day, I had no idea," Dream-Albus said, his voice and expression anguished.

Scorpius sighed and faced Dream-Albus, cupping his face.

"You weren't meant to know," he said gently, "You were having a private moment, and I didn't want to interrupt what I shouldn't have seen. I'm not proud of myself for looking as long as I did, and I didn't want you to be freaked out that I did, so I kept it to myself."

Dream-Albus looked down, fidgeting slightly, and Scorpius watched him, wondering to himself what was he thinking? Was he really Albus? Of course he wasn't (But then why does he know so much?). Because I know it too (But what about the pensieve?). I don't know, part of the dreams. Part of the trials.

Scorpius sighed, wondering how his real Albus was doing. He hoped he wasn't going through as much emotional trauma as he himself was. He prayed and wished that Albus was keeping safe and looking after himself, but if the physical trial was anything like the dream trial, in terms of intensity and how much it pushed and tested one, then Scorpius could only guess at how exhausted Albus must be. Scorpius was exhausted, deeply and truly. He felt like he had only a tenuous grip on reality left, and too soon he would lose himself in his own subconscious, and he didn't know how much longer he could fight the urge to give in to the pretence playing around him.

"You are so wonderful Scorp," Dream-Albus sighed, looking back up, "I've thought and known it for so long that it must seem like I take it for granted, and I'm sorry for that, and I'm sorry for being oblivious, and for dating people who can't even hope to be as important and amazing as you are-"

"Albus, shhh," Scorpius whispered, pulling a frantic Dream-Albus into a fierce hug, "Please don't do this, please don't apologise, I can't bear to hear it."

"But I've done so much wrong."

"It's not like I keep a record of all your wrong doings," Scorpius whispered, and then echoed his fifteen year old self, "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."

Up in the sky, Scorp had enveloped Albus in a similar hug, and had whispered the exact same words to him.

The memory ended, and Scorpius and Dream-Albus were back in the tiny dark room.

"Ah, back again," Dream-Albus announced, "So what would you like?"

"What do you mean? Where are we?" Scorpius asked, looking around, shivering from the chill in the air.

"The Room of Requirement. Go on, think of what you want it to be."

Right now, Scorpius just wanted to close his eyes and wish for home.

If only I had ruby slippers…

A hysterical giggle threatened to burst out of his mouth at the thought of himself dressed up as Dorothy, so he clamped his lips shut, closed his eyes and thought of the kind of room he wanted.

A gasp from Dream-Albus and the sound of soft music told him it had worked. He opened his eyes and saw a cosy looking room; couches standing against the walls, a thick, luxurious carpet spread across the floor, dim lighting, and Einaudi's music filling the air.

"This is your idea of a good room?" Dream-Albus asked, arching a brow, "Dim lighting and songs full of sad things?"

"Einaudi's music is not full of sad things," Scorpius rolled his eyes.

"It's depressing."

"It's beautiful and it plays with your heartstrings, there's a difference."

"Whatever, all I know is it makes me feel depressed."

"Which is why I don't let you listen to it on your own," Scorpius grinned, tugging on his hand and leading him over to the couch.

The two boys collapsed on the couch, Scorpius groaning in appreciation as he sank into it. The couches at home were stiff and good for languishing impressively on, but when he was tired, there was nothing Scorpius appreciated more than a couch that practically swallowed him when he sat down on it. They sat there for a while in silence: Scorpius trying to clear his head, and Dream-Albus playing with his hand.

"So, what did you think of the memories?" Dream-Albus asked.

"Umm…" Scorpius said groggily, then blinked and yawned, "I'm not too sure why we watched them. What was the point?"

"To show you."

"To show me what?"

"Love does not envy, is not proud, not self-seeking and keeps no record of wrong."

"Why is it that every dream is a lesson?" Scorpius snapped, feeling an irrational bubble of anger rise up in him, "Is it that I'm not good enough? That I have to take on these traits in order to be worthy of love?"

He was riding the edge of hysteria again, coming undone at the seams. Was this, like Albus' incessant dating, just another way of telling him he wasn't enough, didn't deserve love? He felt like a piece of ugly rock, and these dreams were the chisel, shaping him into what Albus needed. Belatedly, he realised that there were tears running down his cheeks, and he swiped at them angrily, tearing his hand from Albus' grasp.

Albus – DREAM-Albus was looking at him with shocked, shocked eyes, probably because he, Scorpius had figured out this whole nefarious plan.

"What? No!" Dream-Albus cried out.

He grabbed Scorpius and pulled him against his chest, and murmured, "No Scorp, Merlin no. These dreams aren't to teach you to be these traits; they're to show you that you already have them, that you had them all along."

Scorpius sniffed, nuzzling Albus' chest, and made a surprised noise, while the dark-haired boy rubbed his back soothingly. They sat in their embrace as song after song played, and eventually Scorpius slowly pulled back, eyes red-rimmed, but dry.

"You okay?" Dream-Albus asked in a concerned tone.

"Mmm," Scorpius nodded, looking at Dream-Albus with a mixture of sadness and longing.

Dream-Albus smiled gently and kissed his forehead.

"Will you dance with me?" Scorpius whispered.

"In the mood for the tango just for two?" Dream-Albus asked, eyebrows waggling crazily.

Scorpius snorted and punched him lightly on the arm, replying, "You wish loverboy," as he stood and held out his hand.

Dream-Albus took it and they moved into the centre of the room. Dream-Albus wrapped his arms around Scorpius' waist, and Scorpius wrapped his arms around Albus' neck, head leaning on his shoulder. They swayed slowly together, losing themselves in the feeling of their bodies pressed and moving together. Scorpius closed his eyes and felt himself slowly relax, melting against Albus.

I could stay here forever…

The pleasant atmosphere was suddenly broken by his stomach rumbling. The two teens laughed and stepped apart awkwardly.

"Hungry?"

"Very much so," Scorpius grinned ruefully.

"Let's get dinner then," Dream-Albus announced, turning to a wall where a door had appeared.

Without thinking, Scorpius reached out and took Dream-Albus' hand. The other boy shot him a surprised look, and then a giant smile, which Scorpius returned with no hesitation. While Scorpius was finding it easier to think of this Albus as Dream-Albus, it was becoming distinctly harder to resist the lure of the dreams and all they offered him.

The teens made their way out of the Room of Requirement and down to the kitchens. Dream-Albus tickled the pear, and when they stepped into the room, Scorpius gasped. It looked like a swanky restaurant, with a table set for two in the middle. Dream-Albus ushered Scorpius to the table and held his chair out for him. Scorpius blushed slightly and sat with a soft, "thank you."

A house elf popped up beside the tables, saying in a squeaky voice, "Good evening, I is Rumbo, what is it Mister Potter and Mister Malfoy is wanting?"

"I'll have the lasagne please," Dream-Albus asked eagerly.

"Could I please have a salmon and shrimp fishcake?" Scorpius asked.

"Certainly sirs, Rumbo will be getting your food right away sirs!" the house elf bowed, and disappeared with a sharp crack.

"Always with the lasagne," Scorpius grinned.

"Always," Dream-Albus grinned right back.

They chatted some more, nibbling on the breadsticks that sat in a basket on the table, and sipping on pumpkin juice. Soon enough, two plates laden with food appeared in front of them, and they tucked in, eating with relish.

***

"So," Scorpius said demurely, when they had eaten their fill, and were lounging on their seats, "Why am I doing these trials? What's the point?"

"To ease my mind," Dream-Albus shrugged, "Surely, even as caught up in study as you were, you noticed I was going a bit barmy the past year."

"I did," Scorpius nodded, "I was quite worried actually. You practically stopped dating altogether, had crazy mood swings and seemed to oscillate between wanting to cling to me and be as far from me as possible."

"Mmm. I was very confused. There were certain…facts I couldn't ignore anymore, and it was harder to deny and be oblivious about my true feelings."

"True feelings about what?"

Dream-Albus threw him a look and Scorpius blushed and looked down. He had known what Dream-Albus was talking about, but a part of him ached to hear it out loud. Could it be true? Could Albus have started to have feelings for him? After all, he stopped dating and had been playing Carn-

"Why were you playing Carnival all the time?" he asked bluntly, looking into Dream-Albus' eyes.

Dream-Albus paused, looking thoughtful and indecisive, before he replied softly, "Ask me that when you wake up."

Scorpius pursed his lips and frowned. As much as Dream-Albus was telling him everything in a roundabout way, it seemed that he wouldn't be getting a straight answer until he finished the trials.

"Well, why are the trials taking so long if you were starting to realise things last year?"

"Because I'm stubborn," Dream-Albus grinned, "and because you can't hurry love."

Scorpius sighed in frustration and resisted the urge to cross his arms and pout petulantly.

I want the trials to be over! I want to be out of this fake fantasy, where nothing makes sense and I'm giving into these dreams more and more. I want Albus to find me and wake me up…

"Um," Scorpius said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable, "when Albus finds me, how is he going to wake me up?"

Dream-Albus stared into his eyes, lips twitching before he smiled THE smile at Scorpius, and Scorpius got the message all-too-clearly.

"You mean he-" Scorpius gaped, "what? NO! He - - there must be some other way!"

He clutched at his hair, internally freaking out over what was going to happen.

What's Albus going to think? Would he even want to? Are we going to talk about it afterwards? Are we even going to be able to be friends after this? Oh god… oh god…I've been asleep all this time – what if I have terrible morning breath – Albus would be disgusted!

The horrifying possibilities were limitless.

Dream-Albus chortled and shook his head, then said nonchalantly, "You know, ancient lovers believed a kiss would literally unite their souls, because the spirit was said to be carried in one's breath. Besides, I don't know why you're freaking out, we've kissed loads."

"But it's not real!" Scorpius moaned, "It's just part of a dream, it doesn't count, it isn't real!"

"Really?"

"Really."

Dream-Albus stood and silently walked over to Scorpius, eyes darkening. He took Scorpius' hand and pulled him up so they were standing face to face, and then tugged him against him. Scorpius hissed and moaned as their hips ground together.

"Doesn't that feel real to you?" Dream-Albus whispered in his ear.

He licked along the shell of Scorpius' ear and nibbled on the lobe before continuing on to kiss and lick and nibble his way along Scorpius' jaw and down his neck, all the while grinding against him.

"Doesn't that feel real?" he whispered again, before he captured Scorpius' lips in a bruising, demanding kiss. "Doesn't it?"

His hands were touching Scorpius' everywhere; Scorpius keened and bucked against him with need.

"Look at me," Dream-Albus commanded, and Scorpius complied, gazing into Albus' eyes with his own glazed ones.

"Does it feel real?"

"Yes, oh Merlin yes," Scorpius practically sobbed, and Albus kissed him and kissed him.

Scorpius' hands ran wildly over Albus' chest and downwards. He needed to feel Albus, needed to know he was his-

-Never had he felt so utterly played with and cheated, as he did when he was enveloped in a bright light, and the dream switched.

***

A/N: and that's the end of that chapter! so scorp is well and truly deep into his trials now, and so next chapter we will see how scorp and al's next trials go as we near the end!! PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!! :D