The Good Son

Chapter Seven

The Outcasts

"Xavier . . . oh god," a loud moan split the dormitory, waking Albus, who blearily rubbed his eyes to find Scorpius and Delphin sitting on either side of him, both looking disgusted and amused.

"Oh fuck Kat . . ." the second voice was definitely Xavier's, but none of the three boys had ever heard it sound so devoid of cynic and sarcasm and yet so . . . lustful.

"About time you woke up," smirked Scorpius, glaring reproachfully down at his friend, "We need a silencing charm cast on that bed and you're the only one who isn't complete pants at charms."

"Xav and Kat are . . . oh Merlin," Albus groaned, reaching for his wand. It was their first night back at Hogwarts for their fifth year and he was very full after the Welcoming Feast and quite exhausted. Two of his best friends finally overcoming their shyness and pent up sexual tension was not what he had in mind for the first day back. Finally, he found his wand on his bedside table and muttered, "Silencio Maxima," instantly dimming the sounds of sex.

"Fucking like bunnies," said Delphin cheerfully, patting Albus on his head, "Can't say it's not disgusting, she's like our sister and he's like our brother. Its incest is what it is."

"You're a pureblood mate," pointed out Scorpius.

"So?" asked Delphin, not quite seeing the hypocrisy of his earlier statement.

"You were born of incest," sighed Albus, now was not the time to debate such matters. Now was the time to sleep.

"I have never been so insulted in my life," declared Delphin dramatically, stalking off to his bed, before turning and coming back, "Ok you may have a point."

"Never thought it would be Xavier to get a girl in bed first," said Scorpius, Albus groaned, why did his friends hate sleep?

"Yeah, I thought it would me, then you, then Xav, then Hugo and then Albus," said Delphin in a matter of fact voice.

"Hey!" Albus thumped his friend, "Why am I last?"

"Because we're all whorish and stuff," said Scorpius as if pointing out the obvious.

"And you're all virginal and stuff," pointed out Delphin with a raised eyebrow.

"Would you three idiots shut up and go to bed! You're killing the mood!" screamed Kat from behind the closed bed-curtains. Delphin scurried off to his bed as fast as his legs could carry him; he had a healthy respect for their female friends hexing abilities. Scorpius paused for a moment before leaning over Albus and speaking in a low voice:

"You were whispering my sisters name in your sleep," Scorpius held his hand up to silence his friend when Albus made to protest, "No I'm not angry, she's old enough to know what she wants and I'm not blind, you obviously fancy her but listen up. Life isn't going to be easy for either of you but you're smart enough to know that by now, just think of what your father put you through. The Slytherin Potter and the Malfoy Heiress getting together will be scorned by everyone out there and you know it. I'm not saying that you should stay away from her, because if she likes you as much as you like her then go for it. But honestly Albus, you're my best mate and you may be more powerful than me but she's my sister and if you break her heart I will hurt you." Without another word Scorpius walked to his bed leaving Albus to think about what his best friend had just said.

(*)(*)(*)

"Today we will be practicing duelling," said Professor Lupin with his usual endearing smile, "It has come to my attention that whilst you have received significant knowledge and experience in spellwork, Professor Creevy had not had you trained in combat, which you will need for your OWL at the end of the year."

Teddy had taken the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor following Dennis Creevy leaving Hogwarts in favour of a new job at the Ministry, where he now worked under Harry in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Albus had been quite pleased that Teddy was now teaching at Hogwarts, he had always been his favourite sibling because he never judged. He listened to your problems and then gave sound advice on the subject. Even though Albus had become quite distant with the metamorphmagus over the years following his Sorting he knew that he could always count on his god-brother in a way that he couldn't rely on James.

There was a hum of excitement through the room; Teddy had instantly become one of the student's favourite teachers due to his hands-on approach to the subject and his quirky personality. The fact that he was a former auror helped. He had left the Auror department after Victoire had fallen pregnant in the summer. It was another reason for Albus to hate Harry; his father had not allowed him to go to their wedding. Lily had shown him the memories later, when their father was at work, but it just wasn't the same.

"You will be practicing in pairs," Teddy added as an afterthought before motioning for his students to stand.

Before the hour was up, it couldn't be denied that the Slytherins were the most formidable fighters in the class. Scorpius had disarmed and stunned his opponent before she could so much as draw her wand; Delphin had petrified Roxanne Weasley effortlessly; Xavier had hesitantly stunned Kat – "A spout of domestic abuse," quipped Delphin before falling silent at the look on Albus' face – but there was no comparing them to the skill and power possessed by the youngest Potter. He duelled two on one (one of his opponents was Rose Granger, the best witch in their year), effortlessly blocking their jinxes and returning their assault with his own. Within five minutes he had them flat on their backs and had winked at Teddy, a friendly challenge.

The metamorphmagus raised an eyebrow but obliged, stepping forwards and drawing his wand as the class fell silent, watching in awe as Albus duelled their professor. Teddy found himself shocked by the power the younger boy possessed, in the end he had just been able to overwhelm him – and he had just begun his fifth year, whereas Teddy was a fully trained Auror – by stunning Albus in the face. For a brief second the glamour charms surrounding the younger boy shifted and Teddy could see the fading bruises, old enough that they had definitely been obtained during the summer, and then the charms snapped back into place. He wasn't sure if he had imagined it, nobody else in the class seemed to have noticed.

"Mr. Potter," said Teddy, quickly releasing Albus from the stunning spell, "A word after class if you will."

The class ended soon after that and the students bustled of, excitedly talking about their experiences and the iconic duel between Albus and Teddy. Teddy frowned in consternation as he detected the barest glimmer across Albus' face; had he not been looking he wouldn't have noticed but now he was sure of it. Albus was wearing multiple glamour charms over his face.

"Why are you wearing glamours Al?" asked Teddy once the last student had filed out of the room, he quickly silenced and locked the door to prevent them being overheard or interrupted.

"If you're asking then you certainly know how I look without them," said Albus bitterly, avoiding his god-brother's eyes.

"Who's been hurting you?" he asked, dreading the answer but needing to know. He hoped it wasn't who he thought it was.

"I can't tell you that Teddy," said Albus, and the Teddy was sure that the regret in his tone was not imagined.

"I don't want you to be in danger Albus," said Teddy gently, "Can you please tell me?"

"You asking these questions is putting me in danger!" snapped Albus, fearfully looking around the empty room to see if someone was watching them or listening in. The boy hastily turned on his heel and walked to the door, flicking his wand to remove the locking charm.

"One more thing Al," called Teddy urgently, "Where did you learn to duel like that?"

"I'm an Outcast Teddy," he said from the doorway, not turning his head but gazing resolutely at the corridor before him, "I've had to learn to protect myself."

Teddy frowned as the younger boy walked away, he was sure that he had imagined it. But during the duel with Albus he could have sworn that, had he not known any better, Albus was fighting using dark magic.

Pushing the absurd notion aside he turned and walked up to his office to floo-call his heavily pregnant wife.

(*)(*)(*)

Dear Katherine and Xavier

We, The Outcasts (or the three who have to share a dorm room with lover-boy over here) have had enough of being kept awake at night because of your incessant shagging. You two both know silencing charms – USE THEM!

Albus would like to remind you that it is our OWL year and that he spends most of the night studying, sadly he cannot accomplish this when you two are going at it like bunnies. He also points out that unlike the rest of us rich pure-blood brats (Hey! We resent that) (Shut up Scorpius) he needs good results as his father will likely kick him out as soon as he turns seventeen.

Scorpius is of the opinion that Albus should just move into the Manor and be done with it but that is beside the point, he would like to remind you that whenever he brings girls over he politely asks Albus to cast a silencing charm on his bed. He does not do this to show off that he is getting laid but rather because he does not know how to cast the charm – nevertheless if he can make the effort then so can you two.

Delphin states that he views you both as siblings and he does not, nor will he ever need to know that Kat enjoys being lic– (Delphin! You cannot write that!) (Sorry Rose). At any rate, he urges you both to take into account his delicate sensibilities and that he needs his beauty sleep.

Rose would merely like to point out that if she ever catches the two of you in the library doing "that" again she is going to hex you both into oblivion for befouling her beloved books.

Hugo would like to point out that using the common room at midnight because you think its deserted is not a good compromise. The first years who had detention with Flich last Monday and got to the dormitory late that night will never be the same again.

Cass would like to state that she doesn't care as long as you two keep it out of her dormitory. She does however care when Xavier tries playing footsie under the breakfast table and kicks her by accident.

Seriously Guys, You know the damn Silencing Charm. USE IT!

Sincerely

The Outcasts

P.S. This letter was Scorpius' idea –Do not hex Albus and I(Delphin)

"Uhm guys . . ." said Albus quietly, looking at a very red-faced Xavier and a murderous looking Kat.

"What Al?" asked Scorpius, not looking up from his parchment as he scribbled out the uses of dragon's blood in potion making.

"Kat is coming this way and she looks mad," he said, eyes widening as a jet of orange light sailed passed his head.

"RUN!" screamed Delphin, abandoning his books and taking off with a speed that would make a cheetah jealous.

(*)(*)(*)

"Why are you crying Cass," asked Albus, his face taking in the porcelain girl, wet tears streaming down her angelic face as she cradled her right hand. And in that moment Albus knew.

"C'mon," he whispered gently, lifting her into his arms, his arms hooked around the small of her back and the crook of her knees as she wept into his shoulder, the blood from her cut hand staining the front of his shirt. A blood quill. There was only one teacher in Hogwarts who used them. He carried her up to his dormitory and set her down on his bed before uncorking a bottle of murtlap essence and straining it into a bowl. The look in her eyes was a wordless thanks as she dipped her hand in the pale yellow liquid, the pain in her face fading as she felt the solutions soothing sensation wash over her hand. Already the essence was darkening, filling with scarlet. For a moment Albus could read the words, deeply carved into her otherwise pale skin – a red ruin across the back of her hand.

I must remember my place.

And he saw red, not because of the blood which filled the bowl, but because it was Cass who was wounded. Cass who was crying. Cass who had been wronged and hurt and punished in one of the most vile and reprehensible manners known to man.

Cassiopeia Astoria Malfoy.

Whom he loved.

Had been forced to cut open her own flesh to appease a sick, prejudiced professor.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice fragile and broken, her tears slowly drying as he held her, her head resting on her shoulder as her hand healed in the bowl on the bedside table beside her.

"What happened Cass?" he asked, stroking her back.

"Longbottom . . . detention . . . stood up for myself in class . . ." she managed through her sobs, looking vulnerable and utterly destroyed. Cassiopeia had always been outspoken, never willing to concede a point in which she knew she was right. Draco had always warned her it would one day lead her to trouble and he had been right. Albus had no doubts that if Cass had spoken up for herself when Neville began his usual victimisation then the older man would have no qualms about causing her physical harm.

"Shhh . . ." he said, holding her close, "I'll protect you. Nobody will ever hurt you again. I promise." And then she kissed him, her soft lips dancing against his own, he could taste her tears on his tongue as she allowed him entry into her mouth, pausing only to nip at his lower lip, causing a drop of blood to smudge across their bruising lips. He felt her hand, healed yet still painful, lose itself in his dishevelled raven hair and he followed suit, fingers trailing through the silky platinum blonde that cascaded down her back.

"Thank you," she murmured against his lips when they finally broke apart for air, before he laid his lips against hers again.

(*)(*)(*)

"Draco," muttered Hermione anxiously, hefting the books she had found in Albus' room and slamming them down on her husband's desk. Their wedding ceremony had been an intimate one, privately witnessed by only their family and Draco's close friends. Scorpius had stood as best man, Rose as the maid of honour . . . they had written their own vows. Hermione remembered his vows word for word; she doubted she would ever forget them till the day she died.

After the war I was left with nothing. My mother was lost in grief over losing most of her family; she lost the will to live soon after. My father was in Azkaban, no matter how much I hated the man he was still my father and when he died I was truly alone. But you gave me something to believe in after all that I had been through, you gave me a hope that there would be a better future for me. You gave me love, something that I have rarely known in my entire life.

Hermione I love you, I have loved you for nineteen years. I vow to always love and cherish you, to protect your heart even if it means stopping my own. I vow to be faithful and loving in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, from this day to my last day. You were my first true love . . . and you'll also be my last. I am yours Hermione, now and forever.

"What is it?" he grimaced at the force with which she dropped the books onto his table, nearly upsetting an ink bottle.

"These were in Albus' room," she hissed, flipping the top most book open and turning to a page that had been bookmarked. Over the Easter Holidays during their fourth year, Albus had finally convinced his friend to let him sleep in one of the guest rooms. Scorpius had readily complied this time, he was older now and understood the need for privacy – he was grateful for it this year when he had begun sneaking girls in and he didn't have a roommate to kick out. Over time the guest room had become Albus' own room and he stayed in it whenever he visited the Manor; which was most of the time as he only spent brief periods at his own home during the Summer, usually returning covered in bruises and glamour charms. Ginny was still none the wiser to her sons beatings; Albus had pleaded with his sister not to say anything, James was torn between wanting to protect his brother and be loyal to his misguided father and Albus himself was terrified of telling Ginny himself in case Harry made good of his threat to break bones.

"That's . . ." Draco trailed of in horror at what he was reading.

"These are the personal grimoires of Bellatrix Lestrange," said Hermione grimly, trying to block out the horrors that she had seen in the many ghastly illustrations.

(*)(*)(*)

"What are you doing here snake?" snapped seventh year Joshua Jordan as he spied Albus Potter sitting cross-legged beside the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"I'd like a word with my brother," sneered Albus, "Now be a good pussycat and go get him."

"I don't take orders from you snake," spat the older boy, drawing his wand, a hex on the tip of his tongue. Joshua was a tall seventeen year old who was one of his brothers best friends, his parents had both been in the Order of the Phoenix and the D.A and had passed on their anti-Slytherin prejudices to him. He was intelligent, good-looking and as nasty as they came, almost as bad as Seth Finnigan and Fred II Weasley, both of whom never passed up the opportunity to "put a Slytherin in their rightful place". Albus didn't know what had happened to Fred, his parents George and Angelina were two of the most unbiased people he knew.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Albus grinned evilly at the dark-skinned boy, "Hex me and the entire school finds out whom it is you spread your legs for every other night in the Room of Requirement shirtlifter."

Joshua paled, stowing his wand away quickly as he muttered the password to the Fat Lady – softly enough so that Albus couldn't hear – and disappeared through the portrait hole. Albus rolled his eyes as he smirked; the Gryffindors were too noble and honourable for their own good. The barest hint of blackmail was enough to send them packing, their tails between their legs. He had learned that lesson in his fourth year and pretty soon the Outcasts were holding snippets of incriminating information over half the school. The teachers had been amazed at the sudden change in the schools dynamics over the past few months, whereas once the Slytherins had been victimized and bullied by the other houses it now seemed that the Slytherins were treated with a grudging respect and a hint of fear. Minerva Mcgonagall turned a blind eye; to her it simply meant that there were less fights in the hallways and for that she was grateful.

"That was a low blow and you know it Al," said James snippily as he passed out the portrait hole. Joshua had been shaking violently at the thought of his carefully guarded secret being shared around the school. The boys in his dorm were the only ones he thought had known as they weren't homophobic and didn't give their friend any grief or insult because of his sexuality.

"Low blows are all we Slytherins have to protect ourselves," said Albus evenly, "Or have you forgotten all the times you Gryffindors hit us below the belt and then kept kicking us while we were down."

"Why are you here Al?" asked James tiredly, his NEWTs were coming up and he was exhausted at having to study for them so diligently. He looked at his brother, who was still seated cross legged on the floor below him and sighed. In the past year he had seen a change come over his brother, how he had stopped Albus and had started being Al. When James passes him in the corridors these days, Albus didn't so much as flick his gaze in recognition – even when James used to bully him, Albus had always forced himself to smile at his brother when they passed each other on their way to class – Al didn't do that. Al doesn't say anything, he avoids the rest of his family like they have the plague, except for Lily, he meets her in the kitchens for tea every Saturday afternoon. The one time James tried to join them, Albus fell silent and left as soon as he saw his brother, his cheerful smile quickly disappearing behind his emotionless mask. He carries himself with the same elegance as the other pure-bloods now, the same haughty demeanour that Malfoy and Zabini possess. James doesn't understand the sneering youth that used to be his brother, some days he isn't sure he wants to. Other days he remembers that it was his father who made his brother this way and more sickeningly that it had been him as well, him the older brother whose job was to protect and care for, who had forced Albus down this path.

"I came to wish you a happy birthday," said Albus, somewhat bitterly, "Or am I not allowed to do that either?" James flinched, his younger brother had sent him and his sister a singing Christmas card during the holidays (Albus had once more stayed at Hogwarts rather than go home) and Harry had responded with a Howler – declaring he needed to stop trying to poison his decent siblings minds with his Slytherin venom.

"Thanks Al," said James, forcing himself to smile when all he felt was sad; terrible biting sorrow for his brother the stranger.

James Sirius Potter sometimes wonders if this is his fault, that maybe if he hadn't been taunting his brother so much about becoming a Slytherin on that first train ride to school; then maybe, just maybe things would be different.

Albus knows differently, he made his own choice, just like his father did. If his family couldn't accept it then he would find a new one and he had, he had found a family in Slytherin house.

They were called The Outcasts.

(*)(*)(*)

A/N: You will notice that fourth year was skipped in this story, which is because nothing of significant import happened in that year and I wanted to speed things along slightly. It's getting a tad redundant writing about Al as a young vulnerable boy, as you've noticed this chapter has begun showing the change in him as he becomes older.