In love with Harry? Scorpius stared out the window as his stomach roiled. That was disgusting. He rested his forehead on the cold glass. He wasn't in love with Harry.

He had fallen in love before. When he was seventeen, he had fallen in love with a sweet girl from school. He knew what love felt like. It felt unnerving and wonderful. His hand was always clammy when it held onto her. When she smiled at him, his head went blank and he nearly stopped breathing. She was kind and sweet and quiet. It had been perfect. Even when they grew out of their love, it had been perfect.

There were other girls too, girls who liked him enough to kiss him and go out with him.

He knew what love was like.

All those times when his parents had been unreasonable, he would shut the door to his bedroom and sit down to write a heated letter to Harry. He would never send it. That would be childish. But he had always felt as though if anyone understood him, it would be Harry. He must have written a letter a day at one point when he was fifteen. That didn't mean anything. Harry was his idol and… that was that.

He gritted his teeth as he tried to shut his brain off. He hardly ever got close with anyone other than his family. Harry was the only exception. He hadn't even spoken so freely with the girl he had loved. Teddy and Harry were the only two he opened up to. That was allowed.

He wasn't in love with Harry. He… loved Harry. Teddy said everybody loved Harry. That was allowed. That wasn't bad.

He glanced back when he heard the floorboards creak. Astoria froze and then smiled apologetically for sneaking up on him. "Feeling better?" she asked as she walked up to him to hand over a bowl of warm soup.

"I'm not sick," Scorpius sighed. "Stop worrying."

"Well, you look sick to me," Astoria fussed. "Teddy's worried too."

"I'm not feeling up for a visit, that's all."

"And that means you're sick."

"Not necessarily," Scorpius maintained. "It means I'm not up for a visit."

"Did you two fight?"

"Mother."

"That's right. I'm your mother. I'm supposed to pry."

Scorpius put the bowl of soup of the window ledge and wound his arms around her waist to hug her tight. "I'm all good, okay? I'm just thinking about some stuff Harry said," he murmured.

"Oh… About staying?"

"Hmm."

"Those are pretty deep thoughts for my baby."

"I'm not a baby anymore, Mom."

Astoria pressed a firm kiss against her son's forehead. "You're always little to me, okay? Don't worry yourself sick over this. There is no wrong answer."

Scorpius bit his tongue and kept his 'right' answer to himself.

A day later, Teddy practically dragged Scorpius out of his bedroom. "Enough moping," he demanded. "Today we're going to a party at Vicky's."

"I'm not in the mood, Teddy. I'm sorry."

"Excuses, excuses." Teddy could be very strong-willed and that's how Scorpius found himself at the party that was filled with Weasleys.

Apparently Rose had gotten accepted into a medical school, which was a pretty big deal. Victoire's flat was tiny in any case. Adding twenty people in there made it a tight squeeze, just the way the Weasleys liked it.

Scorpius had caught one glimpse of Albus by the kitchen and he had skittered away, slipping into Victoire's study, away from the bustle. He knew he was being unreasonable. He had nothing to hide. Why hadn't he just laughed in Albus' face that day? Why did he have to storm out instead? That only made it seem like Al was right. Scorpius silently cursed Teddy and Albus in his mind.

He plopped down on the couch and picked up the book that lay beside him. He had to get his mind off of things. Albus was just a child and didn't know what he was saying. Besides, he knew how he felt. That was all that mattered.

The door opened quietly, prompting him to look up. He nearly groaned aloud when he saw Albus peek in. He looked down at the book furiously and kept reading, hoping that sent the message loud and clear.

"I wasn't going to tell."

Scorpius shifted in his seat uncomfortably and ducked his head even further.

Albus chewed on the side of his cheek, which was his nervous habit, while pushing his glasses up his nose. "Scorpius?" he hesitated.

"I heard you," Scorpius muttered in an attempt to get Albus to shut up and go away.

Albus was used to being talked to that way. His siblings often used that tone on him when they were irritated. It shouldn't have bothered him.

But it did this time. Hearing that tone from Scorpius really bothered him. He moved up to sit down on the edge of the couch. Scorpius tightened his fingers around the book, waiting for more questions. Albus didn't speak, however. He simply sat there with his hands on his lap and his eyes trained on his shoes. That was his way of rebelling and it was very passive aggressive.

After a while, Scorpius was itching to get up and leave. He was feeling unusual anger towards Albus and this treatment wasn't making him feel any better. He was still mortified from their last encounter but Albus didn't seem to notice that. Now he was going to be paranoid about the way he acted around Harry. He hated this. He squeezed his eyes shut because he knew he was getting worked up.

He jerked back when he felt a soft touch against his cheek.

He whipped his head up at Albus in shock, blinking rapidly after a second when he realized that he had just been kissed on the cheek.

"I look like him, don't I?" Albus asked.

Scorpius scrambled up to his feet in horror. "Fuck you," he swore before storming out.

Albus stared after him, feeling confused. Then dismay and embarrassment coursed through him. That was the first time he had ever kissed anyone. He pulled his knees onto this couch and against his chest, hiding his face against them. He just wanted to cry. He dug his nails into his shins. He was so stupid. Scorpius didn't even like him.

"That wasn't very smooth."

He curled up into a tighter ball when his hair was ruffled. He felt the couch sag next to him and he leaned against Teddy, letting himself get wrapped up in a comforting hug.

Teddy smiled when he heard a quiet sniffle. "You should have said 'I like you' instead," he murmured.

"I'm so stupid."

"To be fair," Teddy pressed on, "he's pretty stupid too, huh? It's so obvious that you like him."

That wasn't what Albus wanted to hear. He whined in dismay. He was being obvious?

"It's also pretty obvious who he likes."

Now Albus flinched.

"So, you think he'll like you more if you're like Harry?"

"Maybe," Albus faltered. "It's… It doesn't matter. I-"

"This is the first time you've taken the initiative, Al," Teddy interrupted while chuckling lightly. "I think it matters a whole lot, actually. In fact, I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've seen you get interested in anything other than a fairy tale."

"Fairy tales aren't mean to me," Albus mumbled.


Scorpius dreaded his next visit to the Potters. He had already been humiliated by Albus and he knew that it was only a matter of time before Al let things slip to his siblings. However, Teddy was practically dragging him over to Harry's for dinner. He had tried every excuse in the book, but his cousin seemed to see right through him. He had prepared himself for the worst when he walked into the house.

So he was surprised when he was greeted with the same level of enthusiasm by everyone, including Harry. No one looked at him differently or asked him any strange questions. James was, as usual, too busy with his phone to say a proper greeting. Lily was staring at him with her doe eyes. Harry and Ginny were alternating between talking to Scorpius and checking up on dinner that was steaming in the kitchen.

"Where's Al?" Teddy asked.

"Oh, he's gone to the library," Ginny told them.

Teddy scoffed. "He's got an insane one in his room."

"Like that's going to stop him," she laughed.

"Yeah," Harry joined in. "If he had his way, he would drag his bed all the way there so he wouldn't have to leave."

This was perfectly fine with Scorpius. He was still furious with Albus and didn't know what he would do if he locked eyes on that boy. Dinner was somewhat pleasant as he tried to keep his attention on his plate instead of Harry. Teddy was, as always, the life of the party. No one noticed Scorpius' awkwardness or unusual silence.

For three successive dinners after that, Scorpius was a nervous wreck and Teddy pretended not to notice. During each visit, Albus was conveniently absent.

And, all of sudden, Scorpius realized that he hadn't seen Albus in nearly a month.

He looked up from his breakfast and blinked at Teddy when he noticed this.

"What?" Teddy yawned. "Want more sugar?" He flicked his wand to float the sugar bowl over.

"No," Scorpius murmured. So Albus was actively avoiding him. He put the spoon back in his cereal and sat back as he felt an unpleasant churn in his stomach. Perhaps he had been way too harsh. Sure, Albus deserved it, but he should have just brushed it off instead of reacting like this. "I was just… thinking."

"Mhm," Teddy nodded absently while scanning the newspaper.

Scorpius dropped his head. Why was he feeling so crappy about this now? He didn't even do anything wrong. Everything was Al's fault, after all. "Have you seen Albus lately?" he asked.

Teddy glanced up to study his cousin's demeanor, smiling privately when he saw apparent dejection. "No, not really," he said with nonchalance. "Why? Need a book from him?"

"Um, yeah," Scorpius lied.

"I'm sure he's at home today. Just go grab it real quick after breakfast," Teddy said, gently pushing Scorpius towards a decision.

"No, it's fine."

"Well, if you need the book, just go over there. He won't mind."

"I said it's fine."

Teddy didn't push him any further. He turned the page of the newspaper lazily and read for a few minutes, letting Scorpius sulk in front of his, now cooling, bowl of cereal. He figured that it wasn't fair for just Albus to sulk. After a fashion of time, he made a show of closing up the paper and setting it aside. "He's a weird one, isn't he?"

"Hmm?" Scorpius asked, evidently preoccupied with his own thoughts.

"Al, I mean," Teddy clarified. "He's always been a weird kid."

"Yeah." Scorpius was only half-listening as he ate. "Doesn't think before he speaks."

Teddy leaned his elbow on the table and rested his chin on the heel of his palm. "Actually… he thinks too much before he speaks. It's why he never talks to anyone."

Scorpius looked up curiously.

"He used to get bullied all the time," Teddy said. "I mean, never mind the stuff his sister and brother do to him. That happens in all families. But in school as well, he'd be bullied. And he won't say anything because he didn't really see a point in all this."

"I don't understand."

"He'd always tell me, 'I don't care if they're mean. It doesn't matter to me. They won't listen to me anyway, so I just walk away.' And that's what he'd do. He'd just walk away. No fighting or drama. He hates drama about as much as Lily loves it. So he always makes sure to think carefully before he says anything."

"I see," Scorpius faltered. So, if Albus hated to make a scene, then why did he do what did? It didn't make sense.

Teddy stared at Scorpius for a moment before adding, "He's one of the nicest people I know."

Scorpius felt guilt gnaw at him.

"He's pretty much like Harry. More awkward, but he's the same."


Lily glanced up from her magazine, her brows rising with interest when she saw her brother standing by the door nervously. "What's up?" she asked as she sat up in bed and motioned for him to come in.

Albus shuffled in and promptly sat down on the very edge of her bed. "I need to…"

"Talk?"

"Mhm."

"About?"

He shook his head while keeping his eyes on his hands that rested on his lap. Lily was pleasantly surprised at this new development. She scooted over to sit beside him. It wasn't often that the two of them got some time alone to simply talk. They had entirely different interests, which meant their topics of conversation never overlapped. But now, apparently Albus wanted to speak with her and only her. She didn't pressure him. She sat with him for a long while.

That was enough time for him to gather up his thoughts. "It's… about Scorpius," he murmured.

Lily frowned in confusion as she searched her brother's expressionless face. She hated the fact that she could almost never read him because of his impassive features. "What about him?" she asked carefully.

"He's not interested in you."

The sudden silence was broken with peals of laughter from Lily. She couldn't believe her brother had just said that to her. Of all people, he just told her that Scorpius wasn't interested in her! "Oh my goodness, Al! How would you know that?" she asked shakily.

"He told me."

"Merlin!" She giggled herself silly, finally ending up falling onto the bed and clutching her stomach. She would never understand her brother. He said the darnedest things. She grabbed the back of his shirt and jerked him down. They ended up side-by-side on the bed. "What's up, Al?" she asked again. "Did he tell you? For real?"

Albus nodded. "He thinks you're too young."

"Gee, thanks."

"That's all."

Lily stared up at the ceiling with the ghost of her laughter still on her lips. It was for reasons like this that she loved Albus to death.