Hey guys, I may not have time to update as much as I'm loaded with college work again :(, but I'm still writing it won't be abandoned. Thank you for the lovely reviews it means so much, keep reviewing and reading!

Albus' first week passed by without any more encounters from Rowell, but he had been noticing Scorpius Malfoy staring at him from across the great hall a few times. Albus had to stop himself from staring back, but he always smiled over to Scorpius to be polite, he wondered if the boy wanted to begin a friendship. Albus also began to notice just how attractive the Malfoy was. His hair seemed to reflect any light, and his grey eyes were soft and sincere.

He had dainty, almost pixie like features, and Albus liked the way he rested his chin on his delicate looking hands...

James waved a hand in front of Albus' face. "Stop day dreaming Al, we have important quidditch tryouts soon!" Quidditch try outs were the third week back, and Albus and his brother James couldn't wait to be back in the air with the team. "I'm telling you, if Roxanne doesn't let us on the team I'm never speaking to her again" James said, and Albus laughed. Roxanne Weasley was in her 7th year and had been named captain of Gryffindor quidditch team this year. She was a Chaser, and Albus would be trying for Seeker and James for keeper. Albus was hoping no one would take his spot on the team he'd had since second year, it was one of his few happy places in his school life.

*****************time break******************

It was a cool September day for the quidditch try outs and Albus had been practicing with his brother over the past week. Rose, Lily and Hugo had come to support James and Albus and sat in the stands smiling and giving the occasional wave. Albus was nervous, he really wanted to make the team, and he was worried about being so closely observed by the potential team members.

Roxanne released the quaffle, the snitch and the bludgers, and Albus kicked hard off the ground and felt the wind take his breath away. For a few seconds all he heard was the wind in his ears, this is where I belong Albus thought, and then he slowed down half way across the pitch to look for the snitch. He glanced at James at one end of the pitch and gave him a thumbs up. James didn't have time to answer as the quaffle came hurtling towards him, and he did a spectacular save. Albus and the rest of the crowd cheered for James and Roxanne looks impressed. As Albus darted his eyes in all directions looking for a shimmer of gold, he saw an unexpected guest in the stands. Scorpius was sitting alone watching the action with interest, and looked to Albus and gave him a small wave. Albus was taken aback, was he spying for the Slytherin team? Albus in spite of the thought gave a small wave back, but then concentrated on finding the snitch before his rival Marcus Creevy. Eventually, Albus spotted the golden fluttering wings of the snitch and zoomed after it. He was miles quicker than Marcus, and caught the snitch right in front of Rose and the others. Roxanne blew her whistle and signalled for Albus to land. "Congratulations Albus, you're once again seeker!" She said and clapped a hand on his shoulder. Albus winced a little, but was overjoyed and relieved he'd made the team. Albus waited for the try outs to end - James made keeper - and he got changed and walked to the castle with his family. Scorpius walked up to Albus on the way back to the castle, "Well done Albus, that was a really great catch" he said in a cool voice. Albus felt a strange warmth in chest he wasn't familiar with and grinned at Scorpius, James however wasn't pleased. "Hope you're not spying for the Slytherins Malfoy, there'll be trouble if you are" James said defensively. Scorpius rolled his eyes "You don't have to worry about that, the Slytherin quidditch team don't concern me. And its Scorpius if you don't mind." He added coolly. Scorpius walked ahead, a slight frown on his face. Albus was dumbfounded. James looked annoyed "If I find out he's been spying-"

"Then it won't matter James, we're still an excellent team." Albus cut in to save any arguments.

Albus was feeling the happiest he had since arriving at Hogwarts, but he knew it would not last. It came crashing down when Albus had made the mistake of leaving a glove in the changing rooms and had to dash back to get it. "Go on without me, I'll meet you back in the common room" he called to his friends. As Albus was about to climb the staircase, he was stopped by someone grabbing his shirt from behind. Shit. Rowell. Albus thought. "This is my lucky day" began Rowell, he had his companions with him, 2 others. "All of us together, without any disturbances, this will be fun." Rowell cracked his knuckles and gave Albus a grim smile. Albus could feel a panic attack rising so fast it was like bile in his throat, he felt himself begin to shake and he tried to keep his breaths even. I could run now Albus thought. He began to slowly back away from them, keeping his hand over the pocket with his wand in, and asked "Why are you doing this" in the steadiest voice he could. Rowell laughed, "Oh Potter, we're doing it because you deserve it, and you're our entertainment for the evening! Now, let's see if you're really as weak as you look" Albus spun round so fast he thought he might have apparated by accident. He'd only managed to run up 4 steps before 3 pairs of hands seized him back, Albus let out a yell. Rowell's two companions pinned Albus' arms to the banister, and Rowell glared down at him. Albus was in full panic mode now, his head was fuzzy and he felt like there was no oxygen in the air as his chest heaved up and down. "I'll make sure you don't try and run away from me again you little shit." Rowell growled. He punched Albus hard in the stomach 3 times, each time enjoying the whimpers of pain Albus let out. He grabbed Albus' neck with one hand and punched him hard in the face with other, the impact caused Albus' nose to bleed and Albus grunted in pain. Albus was screaming on the inside, every inch of him wanting to shut down and hibernate. He felt his neck being squeezed and had to stop himself gagging too much. Albus felt another punch to his face before he was released and he slumped to the ground, gasping and panting from the pain. Rowell kicked Albus hard and spat beside him. Albus heard Rowell hiss in his ear "If you tell anyone we beat you up I swear you and your friends will be dead." before Rowell and the others walked away, leaving Albus on the floor.

Albus couldn't breathe, he felt like he was drowning, and no one was here to save him. Albus managed to heave himself up from the ground and stumble up the stairs to where the Gryffindor common room was. He stopped in his tracks, how am I going to explain this? They'll think I'm weak, they'll probably laugh because I didn't defend myself. They can't know, they'll get hurt. Albus was walking hunched over and his face was probably a mess, plus he was still in panic attack mode. Albus slid down the stone wall clutching his stomach, and attempted to bring his breathing back to normal. He could feel tears stinging his eyes as he leant his head against the wall. This is the worst. Warm tears ran down his face and the salt water was harsh on the cuts on his face. Albus' heart started to slow to a normal pace as the panic attack began to subside. The humiliation of having being beaten up by Rowell washed over him, and a new wave of tears spilled from his eyes.

Albus wasn't sure how long he sat there crying quietly, but when the sobs died down, he managed to stand up and breathe almost normally. He could feel dried blood on his face and it was on his hands and clothes, so he walked slowly and painfully to the boys bathroom to clean up. Albus looked at himself in the mirror with disgust. His nose and cheeks were covered in dried blood and there was a cut across the bridge of his nose. Albus could tell it was broken, and he was grateful he knew how to perform the episkey spell. A black eye was forming on the right side of his face, Albus lifted up his shirt to see the damage on his stomach. He winced as he saw 3 dark blue bruises clumped together on his abdomen, they would be there for a while. I'm so useless, no Gryffindor should end up like this, Albus thought. Albus cleaned the dried blood off his face, and pointed his wand at his nose and muttered "episkey". There was a crack and Albus grunted as his nose slipped back into its rightful place. His reflection had improved greatly, but there was still a small cut on his nose and cheek and the black eye was forming rapidly. Albus attempted to heal the cut on his nose, and after several attempts he got it so it was just a faint red line. But the black eye was proving hard to conceal, and he decided he could dodge James' eyes with it for now. Albus trudged back to the common room, doing his best to conceal the pain he was in. When he entered the room, his friends were sitting by the fireplace. Before they could ask what took him so long he rushed past them and shouted in the calmest voice he could muster "Sorry guys, really tired, g'night!"

Albus didn't see, but James and Rose turned to each turned to each other with confused and worried looks on their faces.

So this chapters got more violence and is a lot longer which was my aim, hope you enjoyed!