Hello again! Thanks for all the brilliant reviews! I have Chapter 2 here for you.

Enjoy.

Chapter 2: Clashing horns

"Right, Fifth years go with Professor Faulkner and Sixth years to Professor Kettleburn," Professor McGonagall announced after she'd finished outlining the rules for the trip. She had identified the standard rules; respect others, respect yourself, treats others how you'd have them treat you. But she also went over rules specific for this trip; to remember the items in this house did belong to someone and they were to be treated with care, the Ministry had granted the students the use of their wands for this trip and normal Hogwarts rules applied. There was nothing Albus didn't already know from his common sense, something so many others seemed not to have.

Albus and Rose went over to Professor Faulkner who was waiting by the door. Scorpius soon joined them along with Katie Simms from Slytherin, Hugh Daines and Fiona Thumper from Ravenclaw, and John Green and Stacey Gilbert from Hufflepuff. When the group had gathered together, Professor Faulkner led them all into a separate room. Stacey tried to slink up to Albus and walk close beside him, but Rose rather cleverly positioned him snugly between the wall and herself so Stacey was forced to walked behind him which he was probably just as uncomfortable about, to tell the truth. They walked along at a steady pace and just as they reached the door they were to enter Stacey gave Albus a hard pinch on the bum and he yelped loudly spinning to face her suggestive smile. He quickly turned around and hurried into the room to sit down where his bottom would be protected by a seat.

The room had another table in the centre surrounded by chairs, but it was much smaller than the conference table they had just been sitting around. Everyone took a seat, as Albus had already done, and unfortunately he found himself stuck next to his diligent stalker who pulled her chair uncomfortably close to him.

"Don't get comfortable folks," Faulkner announced cheerfully and Albus sighed with relief. "Boys at this end of the table, girls at the other end. This is a decision-making exercise. In front of you you'll find a list of occupations. Imagine you're in the middle of the ocean and your ship is sinking fast, you have one lifeboat and only room for eight people. Who is allowed in the boat and who is left to drown? You have twenty minutes and I want the list of people who will survive and reasons why you chose them and why you left the others to die."

By the time Faulkner had explained the rules Albus had settled into a chair between John and Hugh, carefully avoiding sitting next to Scorpius for fear the physical closeness would prompt uncontrolled blushing; plus the view was better from here.

"Okay, let's have a look at the list," Hugh prompted, snatching up the parchment to read it aloud to the group.

"Well, we have to keep the Healer, obviously, what if someone gets sick?" John suggested, once they'd all heard the list of occupations.

"I think we'd have to consider their skill base, I mean a Healer might know what he was doing with the right kinds of potions and a sterile bed, but how would they cope on an island without all their equipment," Scorpius challenged, playing the Devil's Advocate.

"Well, they'd have a wand, a Healer can do a lot with a wand," Albus replied, backing up John.

"Potter, I can do a lot with a wand," Scorpius scoffed. "If someone else has first aid knowledge we should keep them instead so then we'd have two sets of skills to work with."

"That's fair," Hugh agreed. "What about the Military trained person? They're taught first aid aren't they?"

"Yeah, but first aid is different to Healer training," Albus argued. "First aid is basic care, what if something more serious comes up."

"If something more serious comes up, they're fucked anyway; we're on a deserted island!" Scorpius bit back. "The army dude can provide the medical care."

"What do we need an army guy for?" John asked with a furrowed brow. "In case we come across a war?" he laughed.

Scorpius rolled his eyes and huffed at the Hufflepuff's question, clearly thinking it was stupid.

Albus glared at Scorpius to reprimand his rudeness. "The Military are taught basic training and survival skills, the Military guy is a must on the lifeboat," he explained gently. "With him and the mother and child, we've got five spaces left and several useful occupations."

"Wait, the mum and her kid?" Scorpius exclaimed sitting up from his lounging position in his chair.

"Yes, we can't leave them to drown," Albus said as though it were obvious.

"Yes we can," Scorpius retorted. "They serve no purpose; they'd only be a burden."

"A mother and her baby?" Albus gasped completely shocked. "You'd leave them to drown?"

"This is about survival, Potter! Besides it doesn't say 'baby' it says 'child', you don't know how old it is," Scorpius argued.

"Would it make a difference if the child was older or younger?" Professor Faulkner interrupted, after overhearing the discussion. He'd been hovering over with the girls and had just drifted back.

"Not really, they would still be of no use to the rest of the group," Scorpius answered. Professor Faulkner nodded and then wandered back to observe the girls. Albus frowned in disgust at Scorpius' declaration that he'd leave the mother and child to die. "Personally, I think the hooker serves more purpose than the mother and her kid," Scorpius declared with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Sex is a stress relief."

Albus had never had anyone else work him up the way James could. Scorpius had always kept a low profile at Hogwarts, he'd never made too much trouble – not like his father, according to Uncle Ron – but today it seemed he was fishing for Albus' anger and Albus was biting. "That's disgusting!" he screeched, despite himself, standing from his chair to challenge Scorpius, looming over him.

John looked horrified at the prospect of a fight and he seemed to want to sink into his chair, especially when Scorpius stood to meet Albus' height. Scorpius had a satisfied smile pulling at his mouth and Albus struggled to contain the anger he felt boiling in his chest.

"Is there a problem here boys?" Faulkner asked seriously as he stalked up to them.

"Yeah, Potter, is there a problem?" Scorpius taunted, his bright blue eyes shining with excitement.

"No, Sir," Albus stated addressing Professor Faulkner. He released a deep breath and slumped as he felt the tension leave his shoulders; slowly he sat down eyeing Scorpius closely, who quickly followed suit and took his own chair.

"I'm glad to hear that because you two are pairing up for the six weeks we're at the manor," Faulkner smiled and Albus' mouth fell open in horror; not only had he had his first argument with the boy he'd admired from afar for the last year or so, he'd just been bound to him for the next six weeks. Scorpius, on the other hand, seemed to find this particularly amusing and he grinned openly, which only unnerved Albus further.

"Excellent," Scorpius said, giving Albus one of the most beautiful grins he'd ever received.

Albus tried to sink into his chair like John had, but just like John, it didn't work. No matter how hard he wished he were elsewhere, he still found himself sitting across from Scorpius Malfoy who looked triumphant, like he'd just gotten straight 'O's on his O.W.L.S.

-

The manor was huge and the Portkeys took them right to the front courtyard. The exterior was exposed stone that was clearly beautiful in its prime, but now looked old and worn. There manor boasted two floors with large windows set into almost every possible surface of the house, but most were covered inside by heavy drapes. The house was shaped like a H with front and rear courtyards surrounded by rooms on three sides.

"Wow," Rose breathed, her eyes widely absorbing the magnitude of the house. "How did this just sit here for so long?" she asked.

"Well, the house has the standard muggle repelling charms on it that have been reinforced by the owners as it changed hands through the family, but it seems none of the family members have ever had any use for it," Professor Kettleburn explained. "So here it stands, undisturbed, for you all to indulge your curiosity," she smiled.

"Shall we go in?" Professor McGonagall suggested.

The group of sixteen students, four from each house, and their three professors, entered the manor for the first time. "Take a good look around everyone," Professor Faulkner announced. "This will be your home for the next few weeks. Boys, if you'll all follow me I'll show you to your rooms and girls if you'll follow Professor Kettleburn."

Albus threw Rose a helpless smile as she was pulled in the opposite direction and he steeled himself for being alone with Scorpius – well, not exactly alone, but it seriously felt like it. He had hung back and let Scorpius walk a few metres ahead of him, so he could control the distance between them, when he felt a hand snake around his waist and pull him firmly into a warm, hard body; perhaps, he wasn't so alone after all.

"May I offer my congratulations, you devious little thing you," Oscar whispered into his ear, his tone was light and amused. "Snagged Malfoy as your buddy I hear. Lucky boy… Him, not you," he winked and Albus rolled his eyes. "So are you planning on being a good buddy to him?"

"Would you lay off?" Albus groaned, but he didn't try and escape Oscar's hold on him; after the morning he'd had, it felt kind of nice.

The boys were to be separated into two rooms, Fifth years and Sixth years, and somehow Albus ended up sleeping in the bed next to Scorpius with the other two boys on the opposite side of the room. The rooms had been all set up, crisp white sheets made up the beds and the stone floors had been covered in several new rugs.

"Not as bad as I expected," Hugh commented and Albus nodded in agreement.

"Still, not like it would have been in its prime," Scorpius observed. Albus rolled his eyes at the comment; he'd heard about the grandeur Scorpius was used to and he had no doubt the boy was comparing. "Don't look at me like that, Potter," Scorpius demanded. "I only meant it was a shame they let it get run down like this."

"Wait until you see the rest of the house," Faulkner commented as he swept into the room.

"Can we check it out?" Scorpius asked looking mildly interested.

"Not just yet," Faulkner said, shaking his head. "There's still some things Professor McGonagall wants to go over with you about the house and some equipment you might need, depending on what you come across. Oh, and I believe Professor Kettleburn is going to go over some of the resources – books and things – we have brought here for you to refer to."

Scorpius nodded lightly and tried to smile, he didn't look too bothered that they couldn't explore the house just yet, but Albus could tell he was about as pleased about the extra 'information sessions' as the rest of them were.

-

"What's your problem, Malfoy?" Albus asked with a tired and frustrated sigh later that night. Scorpius and Albus had been given the task of clearing the dinner dishes – actually, Scorpius had been given the task and, as his buddy, Albus was required to help.

"Nothing," Scorpius stated, but his scowl indicated otherwise.

"Okay, whatever," Albus shrugged, not wanting too look like he cared too much about Scorpius' bad mood. He was already having difficulty not openly staring at his flawless physique, beautiful features and the halo of blonde hair framing his face.

The rest of the afternoon had been dull, but necessary, Albus thought. By the time the professors had finished talking to them about everything they might need, what they were and weren't allowed to do, or where they were and weren't allowed to go, Albus was exhausted.

They had been given an hour to relax before their evening meal and, as he wasn't allowed in the girls room and – still embarrassed by their altercation – was trying to avoid Scorpius as much as possible, Albus spent it lounged on Oscar's bed listening to Rose and Oscar argue about which Quidditch team was going to top the league this year as Oscar lazily fingered the hem of Albus' robes. Albus was a little unsettled by this action, but he was so used to Oscar's casual touches he just let it go. Scorpius had come in to collect him for dinner and had been cold to him ever since.

Scorpius loudly exhaled a deep breath. "It's not your fault, okay, I'm just not used to being alone," he said finally.

"But you're an only child," Albus said, genuinely confused at Scorpius' admission; he'd grown up alone, hadn't he?

As soon as Scorpius frowned, Albus knew he'd been careless with his words and hurt the boy. He could almost literally see the walls being built up around him in that moment. "Forget it," he hissed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Albus gushed trying to explain himself so the Slytherin might see he wasn't trying to be cruel. "It's just I'm feeling the same thing, I'm not used to being so alone either, but I've always had my brother and sister and all my cousins and my friends around me."

"I have friends," Scorpius growled, clearly even more offended now than he had been before. "I have family, I have cousins too!"

"I know that, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" Albus said, quickly becoming panicked at the thought his words had just hurt somebody else.

"Just shut up, would you?" Scorpius snapped. "It's bad enough I'm stuck with you for the next six weeks!"

"Hey! Back off, Malfoy!" Albus heard Oscar spit loudly at Scorpius as he stepped up behind them.

"Oh right, of course, the boyfriend," Scorpius scoffed, "I almost forgot about you. Yeah, so alone aren't you, poor thing," he mocked Albus. "You only have your cousin and your boyfriend here with you!"

"Malfoy…" Albus sighed, his heart tightening in his chest.

"You and Romeo just piss off, okay? I'll finish this by myself," he instructed them harshly.

"Come on, Albus," Oscar said gently, glaring at Scorpius and grabbing Albus by the elbow to lead him out of the makeshift kitchen.

"No," Albus said firmly, pulling out of Oscars hold. "I'm supposed to stay and help."

"Albus, come on, he doesn't want you here," Oscar pleaded.

"Yeah, just get out of here," Scorpius told him.

"No. You should go, Oscar, I need to stay here," he repeated, picking up a plate to spell clean.

"Give me that!" Scorpius demanded, grabbing at the plate in Albus' hands. "Just go!"

"No! Stop pulling at it!" Albus shouted as Scorpius tried to yank the plate away, but he refused to let go. "You're going to break it! Let go!"

"You let go!"

"Albus!" Oscar cried out, watching helplessly as the two boys fought over the dirty plate.

"Get out of here, Oscar!" Albus demanded, turning to look at him for just a second.

Albus' concentration wavered long enough for Scorpius to give the plate another harsh tug so that he was able to successfully pull it free from Albus' grasp. The Gryffindor lost his footing and crashed to the floor with a screech, grabbing for Scorpius as he did and pulling him down too. The plate went flying up into the air and shattered on the stone floor with a loud crash.

"What is all this racket?" Professor McGonagall demanded loudly as she stormed into the little kitchen they had fashioned for themselves since the Manor's kitchen was currently inhabited by a range of unknown magical pests.

Oscar looked on with wide eyes at the position Albus and Scorpius had ended up in; Scorpius had cushioned Albus' fall and landed with his back on the hard stone floor, Albus was lying on top of him their bodies flush against each other – face to face, chest to chest, hip to hip – except Albus' leg which had slipped suggestively between Scorpius'. As he absorbed the intimacy of the arrangement of limbs, Oscar couldn't hide his smile; he could imagine how Albus was feeling and he found a deep hilarity in the possibility that he was fighting off an erection right now.

Scorpius looked horrified at first, but, upon seeing Oscar's contained laughter in his smiling pursed lips, he began to laugh too. Albus had not attempted to get off him yet, but he didn't seem to care, his laughter rang joyfully through the room and shook his whole body. It was infectious and Albus didn't try to fight it, as mortified as he was to find Scorpius Malfoy pinned underneath him shaking with laughter, he couldn't stop himself from joining in.

"This is not in the least bit funny," McGonagall frowned sternly. "Albus Potter get off him at once! You were both behaving childishly and now you've broken something that belongs to everybody!"

"I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall, but it's easily fixed," Albus reminded her after he'd collected himself from off of Scorpius and was standing upright again. He pointed his wand at the plate and repaired it quickly; it was perfect, as though it had never been broken.

"That's hardly the point," McGonagall huffed. "You are both nearly of age now, you should be more mature, particularly when you are working as a member of a team. That's what this morning's exercise was about, learning to talk to each other and listen to each other and discuss things properly like civilised human beings! Although, I was informed you didn't manage to do very well then either!"

Albus looked down at his shoes in shame; he no longer found any of this funny, but his skin still flushed at the memory of how close he just was to Scorpius. Still, Minerva McGonagall was not just his Headmistress, she was also a very close friend of his fathers; Harry would be most displeased with him about this.

"Tomorrow morning you will have the pleasure of cleaning out one of the studies, it has been infested with Doxies," McGonagall informed Albus and Scorpius. "You will both work in there until it is cleared and you've learned what it means to behave like a responsible adult." McGonagall turned on her heel and walked out of the room, leaving Oscar to give them both sympathetic glances before he followed her out.

Well, shit.

Shit indeed.

I've actually played that Survival game I talked about, its quite fun particularly if you get someone that throws in something controversial just for the heck of it like Scorpius did. Of course, traditionally theres no children on the boat, just doctors, lawyers, accountants, social workers (of course! yay!), army dudes etc.

Not that you care. lol.

Okies, review if it pleases you, it certainly pleases me :D