Malfoy Manor

Scorp's POV

Scorp,

I can't explain everything in this letter but please I need you to do me a favour. Do you think I could stay at yours for a while? I honestly don't care how you do it but I can't stay at my house any longer. I'll come on Tuesday.

Love Al xxx

I started at the letter wondering what was wrong. I assumed that it was probably something to do with James but I wondered what could be so important. Anyway I moved down stairs leaving the letter on my bed and knocking on the living room. "Come in." I heard my father call from inside.

I walked in tentatively and saw my father and mother sitting down on the sofa reading the Daily Prophet, which seemed to be the only thing my parents did. "Father?" I asked as I always asked when I wanted something.

"Yes Scorpius, what do you want." Father said looking up from his paper.

"Well you know my good friend, Albus." I said.

"Potter!" he spat out with a look of disgust on his face.

"Calm down Draco, we should listen to what Scorpius wants to say. Go on then Scorpius." My mother said to him, calming him down.

"Would it be ok if he came around on Tuesday? He won't be any trouble, I promise!" I said trying to persuade him which would be hard but I should be able to pull it off if I persevered.

"Certainly not! Why can't one of your other friends come round like that nice Zabini boy?" Father asked.

"But Al's my best friend and he needs somewhere to stay. You've met Albus before, he is nothing like his dad and he's a Slytherin. Please father, he's been having a really tough time lately and he said that he needed somewhere to stay. Honestly we'll stay out of your way you'll still be able to work." I said desperately needing to do this favour for Al.

"Well I suppose he can come over but just make sure that it's not for long. I don't need a Potter around the house when your grandparents come to visit in two weeks. Only next time tell your friend that I would appreciate a little more notice." Father said. I smiled, relieved.

"Thank you father!" I said.

"Is that all Scorpius?" asked dad.

"Yes father." I said.

"Well then you could do something useful then Scorpius such as cleaning your room for when Potter get's here. That's another thing, where is this friend of yours going to sleep?" he asked.

"In my room." I answered simply. He nodded approvingly and thanking him I left to go up to my room that was already clean anyway, wondering what I was going to do. I really hated summer it was so boring and I really missed all my friends, at least until I got to go to Al's house.

I decided to start writing a letter to Al:

Al,

I just spoke to my father. He says that it's fine if you come. I wish it was sooner and I can't wait to see you again. Are you ok?

Love from Scorp xxxx

Al's POV:

Dad,

I'm sorry but I have to leave. I understand you don't want me and I shouldn't cause the family to split up. I don't know if I'll see you again but don't come looking for me. I'll be ok, don't worry about me. This is the best for everyone,

Al.

I scrawled in my scruffy handwriting. My dad was fortunately in the bathroom so I quietly sneaked down the stairs my bones and muscles aching from lack of use but not as bad as the previous days. I left it on the kitchen table, found the door not locked and as quietly as I could with my case and owl, Hedwig II in trail. I knew what to do, I had gotten the Knight Bus yet I was still amazed by the speed the bus arrived even if I was used to magic. The triple Decker bus appeared and the conductor smiled at me.

"Young Potter, init it? Where will I be taken you then?" he said, he looked as though he was just a bit older than dad.

"Umm, could you take me to Malfoy Manor?" I asked, nervous of what his response would be because most people hated the Malfoys.

"What d'you wanna be goin' there for?" he asked.

I turned crimson counting eleven Sickles, placing them in his hand and stepping onto the bus before answering, "I'm seeing a friend."

"Scorp!" I proclaimed beaming wildly.

"Al!" he exclaimed back as we embraced. It hurt my neck but I didn't want to say anything, I was too happy. Mr Malfoy stood at the doorway of the giant mansion next to his wife looking very disapproving.

"I don't think we've properly met, Mr Malfoy. I'm Albus Potter." I said putting my hand out for him to shake. He did so his nose still turned up at me but his wife seemed more welcoming.

"Hello Albus! You're welcome anytime." She said smiling.

"Thank you Mrs Malfoy." I said quietly, wanting to make the right impression even though I had met them before.

"Is your father here, do I need to speak to him?" asked Mr Malfoy.

"No sir." I said.

"Good." Mr Malfoy said, "How long will you be staying?"

"I'm not sure yet. Whatever length of time is suitable with you."

"I suppose you can stay till next Sunday, as long as you behave reasonably and don't disturb me." He said.

"Thank you Mr Malfoy." I said. If I had two weeks I could just about get sorted before moving to the Leaky Cauldron or maybe Professor Longbottom would let me stay with him! My family would just take me back home but if I explained everything to Neville he should be ok with me staying.

"Father, can Albus and I go up to my bedroom now, I'll show him where we are sleeping." Scorp asked.

"Of course. Just remember lunch is at twelve as per usual." Mrs Malfoy said to us letting us through to race down the large hallway and up the winding staircase to Scorp's room. It was massive! There was a King Sized bed and slotted close was a single one in which I guessed I'd be sleeping. He had a large desk with all his books and many wardrobes and cupboards.

"Wow, this is really big!" I exclaimed.

He laughed and said, "You should see the living room. But anyway what are you doing here, what couldn't wait."

Scorp sat down and I did beside him wondering how to start the story. In the end I decided just to blurt it all out. "Well all my family had a big argument at the station over me, James went mental and did the Cruciatus Curse on me, hence why I've been stuck in bed for the past week. James and mum have moved out to live with my Uncle Ron. Dad was with me but we talked, we both got annoyed each other and I decided to leave because I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't stand James and Lily getting all the attention and the excuse he used was that I never seemed upset. Then dad tried to make me forgive James for everything. I had to leave."

"Oh Al." Scorp said sympathetically hugging me tightly.

He looked at my neck which was still in hand prints around my necks. He stroked my neck carefully and I flinched away because it was painful and I still wasn't comfortable having someone with their hands on my neck, despite I knew Scorp would never hurt me. Though a couple of months I would have said that James would never have hurt me. There seemed to be no one I could trust. "Al it's ok. You can trust me."

"I thought I could trust James." I muttered trying not to cry.

"I'm sorry Al." he said quietly.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. Nothing was your fault. It's just I don't know what to do. When I have to leave where will I go? I thought of Neville's place but he still might tell. I can't go to any of my family and I don't have enough money to stay in the Leaky Cauldron, what am I going to do Scorp?" I asked tears filling my eyes though I still didn't want to cry.

"Don't worry Al. How about your god brother, Teddy?" Scorp asked.

"That might just work." I said impressed by Scorp's genius idea. My god brother, he actually liked me. He didn't just ignore me. "Thanks Scorp!"

"If it was up to me Al you'd stay with me but I doubt my grandfather would appreciate a Potter being in his old house. Father was hard enough to convince and my grandfather still has all the old fashioned views." Scorp said.

"Don't worry about it Scorp. I love you." I said leaning in to peck him quickly on the lips.

"I love you too." Scorp said.