Albus knocked timidly on his bedroom door. When no reply came, he popped his head in. "What's up, Scorpius? Lily said you weren't feeling well." The other boy moaned and Albus frowned. Scorpius had nestled his head underneath Albus's pillows on the bed. Albus grinned at the image and sat near Scorpius's feet. "If you let me know what's wrong, I can probably go snag something out of my father's medicine cabinet."
Scorpius grumbled something. Albus laughed quietly and pulled the pillows away from the other boy's face. "What was that?"
"I said that my head hurts." Scorpius pouted. "But I don't want any medicine for it."
Al shrugged. "It's your call." He leaned against the wall. They were quiet for a moment until Scorpius groaned. Al got up. "I'm going to get you some potion, whether you want it or not."
Scorpius sat up. "No. Don't. I'll be fine. My stomach aches usually go away after an hour or so, anyway."
Al turned back to face the other boy and cocked his head. "I thought you said it was your head that was hurting."
Scorpius blanked. "Right. It does. My stomach hurts, too, now, but I can wait it off."
Albus crossed his arms. "Don't you want something for your head?"
"No." Scorpius lay back down on the bed, and Albus followed to resume his previous position at Scorpius's feet.
"So, what's all this about, Scorp?" Al tossed his hands in the air.
"What's all what about?"
"You faking illness to get out of Lily's party. Not that I blame you."
"I'm not faking, Albus."
"Is it because of your Aunt? Are you worried about her? Because if it is, I know you like to be alone and think when things like this happen, and if you want me to go I can," Al offered.
Scorpius sighed and rolled so that he could look at the other boy without sitting up. "My aunt just has a cold. The reason my parents are following her beck and call is because she's also pregnant, and not really able to take care of herself because the only thing on her mind is the baby. She's not dying, and she'll be fine."
"So it's not your aunt?"
"No, Albus, it isn't."
"But it does exist, right? I mean, there's something bothering you." Scorpius shrugged. "Do you want me to leave? I won't be offended or anything if you mind me being here."
Scorpius smiled. "I don't mind just spending some time hanging out here with you. I don't find many people who treat me like you do."
Albus grinned. "I'm not ready to accept any oaths or covenants of undying love, yet, Scorpius."
"I'm not ready to give any yet, either, so I think we're fine."
Albus looked somewhat serious again. "So why aren't we friends again?"
"Because I'm queer."
The boys were silent. Albus could hear shrieks and giggles coming from Lily's party. He looked pensively out the window.
"Is there a law forbidding queer Malfoys from being friends with Potters?" Albus asked. "Because, if there is, I'll have you know that I'm not always a law-abiding citizen," he grinned cheekily at Scorpius, who laughed.
"Really? And what laws have you broken?"
"Oh you know, curfew at Hogwarts, no quaffles in the house, don't murder your neighbor. Stuff like that. Mostly trivial, but I'm willing to go a little more serious if it means I get to keep you." Scorpius blushed. "Now you listen to me, Mr. Scorpius," Albus started, "you don't really have many friends."
"Ouch, Potter."
"Oh, sorry. Well, you know it's true. You don't have many. And you've just outed yourself to me, so we know everything about each other, basically. So I think I am clearly the most qualified candidate for your best friend."
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "And your competition?"
"Well, the lack of competition does nothing but boost my qualifications."
"Ah, I see."
"So I think we should be best friends. And I'm not letting you disagree. Maybe I'm perfect for you, Scorpy." He grinned.
Scorpius responded after fifteen seconds. "It will be difficult to maintain a friendship after I murder you and your sister for degrading my name." Albus laughed.
"No, seriously though, Scorp," Albus crawled next to his renewed best friend, "you've obviously been dying to tell someone about the queer thing, right?" Scorpius shut his eyes and nodded. "And you told me and I love it!" Albus paused. "That sounded weird. Anyway, I meant to say that I could be your confidante, just one of your, uh, girlfriends, you know?"
Scorpius burst out laughing. "I'm not flaming, Potter. I don't need a shopping buddy."
Albus shrugged. "So no on the girlfriend. That's too bad, as I was dying to try on a pair of high heels. I don't know how girls can do it." He shook his head. "But I still think you should have someone to gossip with and talk about your crushes and such."
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "And you're offering for the job?" Albus nodded happily. "Why?" He sat up. "Why are you doing this? Because I know that's not what you want. No one wants that."
Al shrugged again. "I want a best friend other than my psychotic little sister. I want a happy best friend. I want you to be my happy best friend. And no one is happy when they have to bottle up secrets. So I figure, I'll be your secret keeper."
Scorpius rolled his eyes.
"Best to start now, Scorp. Practice makes perfect."
"Perfect what?"
"Perfect happy best friends. You tell me all your secrets so I can keep them, and if you want, I'll tell you all mine."
"I can't imagine you having many secrets. You are awfully prone to just blurting out whatever crosses your mind. And what happened to us already knowing everything about each other?"
Albus flipped his hand. "We know all the big stuff. Like, you know my favorite quidditch team and ice cream flavor, and I know your favorite gender." Scorpius laughed. "So, what's your favorite quidditch team?"
"I don't like quidditch." Albus gasped, horror-stricken. "Next."
"What's your favorite ice cream?" Albus wheezed, still shocked by Scorpius's admission.
"Strawberry."
"Have you told your parents that you like boys?"
Scorpius shot a glare at Albus. "You're showing an awful lot of interest in my preferences. Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Albus blushed. "Yes and no. I have told my father. My mother knew out of instinct, I think."
"How'd your dad take it?" Scorpius sighed. "We don't have to do this if you don't want-"
"No, Al, it's fine. You were right. It does feel good to get this off my chest. My dad was supportive as always. When I told him he shrugged his shoulders and patted me on the back. He loves me."
"Have you ever, uh, dated someone?"
"No. Have you?"
"No." Albus was quiet for a moment. "You talk in your sleep." Scorpius blushed but nodded. "You were dreaming of someone last night."
"Potter, I cannot see how that statement is going to lead to a question you will want answered."
Albus grinned and continued on despite Scorpius's warnings. He leaned in close to Scorpius so their faces were an inch apart. "Now tell me, Scorpius, who have you been dreaming of?"
Scorpius sucked in his breath. He stared intently at Albus's grinning face. "You," he replied casually, "and you alone." Albus's eyes widened.