A/N: This is my apology for taking so damn long. We started fishing last week, so I had minimal time and energy to put forth towards writing. 100 foot nets are really heavy! :D But I did push this one out. I am fishing tomorrow at 8am. So, I don't know when I will have the correct mindset to write. But, this chapter is long and kind of fluffy and has a little bit of German and is mostly Albus and Calesta. I hope you have fun reading it as I had fun writing it.

Translations:
"Gehen Sie, meine Kleine." - "Go, little one."

Happy reading!

Henny, that lucky Penny!

Not Ready

Getting back into the swing of school was not too difficult. Albus followed me everywhere and I took notice of the excited twitter that generated. It was nothing like when I would travel with James or Scorpius. Those two did not allow much talk about me and them. I listened to the whispers. James had pranked two fifth years who dared say that I was screwing them both at the same time. You could not trace it back to him, since he was a Prefect and had duties to uphold.

The chatter that followed Albus and I was busy body stuff. It never bothered me, but I always saw Albus' ear tips tint pink if we passed by giggling girls or smirking boys. I felt bad for Albus. I was single handedly ruining his reputation. That was the only thing that ever irritated me about the whole situation. I had tried to convince him that I could walk to class on my own. The only response I ever got in return was a grumble about him not caring what anyone said. In fact, I nitpicked it so bad; he ended up snapping at me.

"I said it was fine, Calesta!" Albus snapped at me was we entered Potions. I saw a few heads perk at the aggressive tone. My eyes narrowed at the eager stares.

"You don't have to be the subject of the school gossip, is all I am saying." I whispered back when I brought my attention to Albus' face. The frustrated look that met my gaze pulled at my chest.

"I don't think you quite understand. I don't care about rumors or the hushed words of gossipers." he ground out through a clenched jaw. I held in the flinch that wanted to twitch my muscles, "They can say what they want. They can spread all the lies they want."

"I don't like that the student body whispers about you." I replied quietly.

"Get it through your head; I don't care!" his whisper was rushed and harsh. While his words were almost angry, his eyes were calm. I guess I had not angered him so much that he disliked me.

"I understand that. You have made that very clear." I replied. I heard someone whisper something about trouble in paradise and I felt my guts twist with my growing rage.

"Honestly Calesta, you are worried for nothing." Albus placed a hand in the middle of my back and led me over to our seats.

"I worry because I care." I mumbled. I heard Albus chuckle behind me as he pulled out my chair. So what if I tried my hand at a mom phrase?

"Mum logic only works for mothers, silly girl." he replied while leaning close to whisper in my ear before Professor Quigley cleared his throat to gain the class's attention.

Later during the day, I found myself with Fred, James and Scorpius in the Library. Freddie had a chunk of my hair wrapped around his index finger. I had already tried four times to extract my long, flowing tresses from his grasp, but he was not having that. After my last attempt, he claimed twirling my hair helped him concentrate on what he was reading. I could only roll my eyes at him.

James threw the two of us a smirk before bending over a Charms text and started taking notes. I continued to watch him, scratching away with a quill on parchment. His features were relaxed and smooth. His dark eyebrows were arched and jealous worthy. His forest green eyes, usually sparkling with laughter, were following the words on the page of his textbook. They did not sparkle at present, but despite their darker color, they were bright. I think his eyes were my favorite feature, besides his hair. James' hair was the perfect mix of black and red. And always sticking up in the back.

"If you continue to watch me, I might do a magic trick." James murmured into his page. I could not help myself; I giggled quietly behind my hand, "What do you need, Cal?"

"I was just admiring your beauty, James Potter." I replied jokingly. The sparkle crept into his eyes as a devious grin split his features. I felt Fred let my hair drop to watch us banter.

"Don't stroke his ego, kleine." Scorpius mumbled from behind an Arithmancy text.

"Would it help if I said that while James Potter was beautiful, you, Scorpius Malfoy, is gorgeous?" I supplied. I could feel my eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Stroke away, dear Calesta." the blonde wizard waved his hand in a continuing motion.

"Thank ye, kind sir." I replied with a deep bow of my head. The three young men chuckled softly.

We returned to our individual studying and Freddie continued twirling my hair. I was working on an essay for Potions. I could feel Fred lean over to read what I was writing every few minutes. He was also working on his Potions essay. Normally I would never feel him cheating off my homework, except he would tug on the strands of hair around his finger when he would sneak a peek.

"Oh, I forgot." James suddenly straightened his spine. I blinked at the abrupt movement, "Why are you and Albus fighting?"

I glanced back down at my essay. Fred's hand loosened its grasp on my tendrils. The word 'boil' caught my eyes and held my gaze. Why did I care so much about what anyone at this school said about Albus Potter? Why does it matter that their whispered words embarrassed him? Does his image with these kids really matter to me? I glanced up through my lashes and caught all three of them staring at me. I sighed as I leant back in my chair.

"Because we are school children and they fight sometimes." I replied and I could hear the edge in my voice. I was not ready to analyze why I was disagreeing with Albus. I normally just shut my mouth and listened to him. He would usually say stuff that made sense.

"Fine." James threw his hands up, "But seeing as you are done with that essay, you should go find him and talk it through. He nearly bit my head off earlier." and he went back to scratching with his quill.

"Gehen Sie, meine Kleine." Scorpius murmured as his grey irises shimmered with a smile. I nodded my head and gathered my belongings, handing Fred my finished essay. I did not care if he copied the whole damn thing. But, I knew he would not.

I walked the castle with my head down. I think this was the first time in a very long time that I was alone. I either had a Potter or a Weasley with me. And if I did not have a red head present, well, there was this tall, lithe blonde wizard with me, glowering at anyone who glanced in my direction. Scorpius was very protective of those he thought of as his and I was just a special case. All those times he saw me cry or toss my cookies into a toilet had him keeping me close to his vest. He did not let anyone screw with me.

I caught a few confused glances at my empty sides. I suppose the whole castle would have noticed that I would travel with someone from the famous families. It was hard to miss my head of multicolored locks and a flaming ginger. Especially seeing that most of the Weasleys were fairly tall. So, seeing my shorter frame without my usual guard was maybe a little unsettling to the student body. Or just a shock to their systems.

I knew that Albus was helping a cousin out with some research for an essay, but I could not for life of me remember which one it was. It could have been any of them in three houses. And I did not know if he was going to their Common Room or meeting somewhere else. I figured that I would just drop my bag off in my dormitory and roam the school looking for him. It was not the quickest plan, but it was what I was going to do. If anything, I would run into a Potter or a Weasley and ask them. They always knew where each other were somehow. I blame the whole close family thing.

I entered the Slytherin Common Room and started for the fourth year girls' dormitory. I entered the room and heard a squeak. I closed my eyes and counted my steps. When I knew I was in the vicinity of my bed, I tossed my bag away and turned on my heel. I was not going to witness any baby-making going on. I refused. I suppose I could just sleep in the Common Room tonight. Or if worse comes to worse, I could shack up with James. He would let me sleep with him, undisturbed.

I quickly made my way back to the Common Room and I caught sight of chestnut, messy hair. I felt my stomach twist for the second time that day. This time was nerves. I was nervous to talk to Albus. I had not been nervous around Albus since the first day of classes, when I was learning to trust people again. I saw him reaching around Lucy at a passage in a book. He was helping Lucy today. That is right!

I walked over quickly and quietly. I lightly touched his shoulder to gather his attention. Albus held up a finger to finish his thought for Lucy. I wetted my lips with an anxious tongue and stayed quiet. Albus continued murmuring quietly to the dark red head. I watched the two proceed with their exchange and realized that I had nothing to be nervous about. This was still Albus Potter, my guardian and silent protector.

Hazel irises filled my vision and they were soft. Albus sat patiently, waiting for me to find my voice.

"Can I- can I speak to you?" I mumbled awkwardly. I may have found a sliver of confidence in November, but I was still that meek, little mouse. Albus glanced towards his cousin.

"Are you all set here?" he asked. Lucy nodded her head and began scribbling some notes, "Of course you can. Let's take a walk."

Our footsteps echoed off the walls of the empty corridor. Our still voices were anything but comfortable. Albus was yet again waiting for me to find my words. Why was this so hard?

"Albus...?" my voice cracked and I cleared it nervously, "Are you angry with me?"

"Why would I be angry with you?" his response was calm as we stopped walking, "Have you done anything to make me angry?" I sighed.

"I don't know. James said-"

"What did James say?" the words were sharp and I was taken aback, "Did he say that I yelled at him? Did he mention that he was being equally annoying? Did he happen to mention exactly what he said?" I shrank back from the hounding words.

"N-no." I stuttered.

"Of course he didn't. Just made it sound like Albus was being an emotional sod and crying like a baby." Albus' tone was bitter. I regretted opening my mouth.

"He only said that you snapped at him." I whispered. My soft tone seemed to cut through the raging words in his mind. A faint glow of pink appeared on his cheeks as he ran a hand through his hair, "I'm sorry." why the hell am I sorry?

"'S not your fault." he grumbled. I still do not know why I am sorry, "Look, I'm sorry about this afternoon. You are right. If you don't want me to walk you to class, then I won't walk you to class." his hand raked through his hair again and it stuck up worse in the back. I sighed again. Why is it protocol to be awkward at fourteen?

"That's not what I meant." I stepped closer to him and I caught his eyes watching me carefully.

"Then what do you mean, Calesta?" he asked gently. I reached a hand up and smoothed down the strands that would stay down in the back. I heard a faint quick release of air come from between his lips. I felt it on my cheeks. It was warm.

"I only meant that I don't want you to feel like you have to walk me to class. I enjoy your company very much. I fucking lived at your house for two weeks." I slowly came back down on my heels and stared into the green and brown swirls, "I like that you walk me to class. But don't ever feel like you are required to do so. I like that you pull my chair out for me. But don't feel like you are required to do it. It's like a warm hug." I finished in a murmur.

"Don't ever assume that I feel required to treat you with respect." Albus took one of my hands into his warm palm. I was very happy to note that I still trusted him. I did not even feel the need to pull my hand back, "I don't walk you to class because I feel like if I don't, you will hate me. I don't pull out your chair because I think you aren't capable of doing it yourself. I walk you to class to see the light in your face beam that much brighter. I pull out your chair because I know it makes you happy."

I began to hear a voice in the back of my head. It was saying something about something. But the more I tried to listen, the further the voice went into the background. I began to worry. Because if I am hearing a voice in the back of my head, then it is warning me about something. I have been foolish in not listening to that tiny voice before. I remember it the night of the assault. I remember it the day I first flew on a broom. I remember it when I thought it would be a grand idea to climb on my roof in Salem one day when I was seven.

I was almost assaulted. I fell off the broom. I was only saved from falling off the roof from accidental magic that levitated me to the ground.

The silence was deafening. I felt like a weight was pressing on my chest. Albus holding my hand felt different. This was not the grip he used when he was comforting me. This was not the same position. He normally holds my hand like an adult does with a child. He usually grips it tightly to remind me that I am okay and that I have nothing to fear. This was tender. His fingertips were intertwined with mine with his palm pressing against mine.

This was different.

This was unfamiliar.

I recognized what this was.

I was not ready for this.

"Albus..." I began, but I could not find the right wording. Why is it so hard for me to just say what is on my mind? A lump formed in my throat and I felt my eyes burn. I desperately tried to swallow the tears that were fighting to collect in the corners of my eyes, "I...I can't...I'm not ready..." my voice broke again.

"Shh...None of that now." he murmured as his other hand came up to my hair. I closed my eyes as I felt him brush the long strands behind my ear, "You're still my soft voice and pretty face. Nothing will change that."

"I can't." I whimpered as I felt the tears grow heavy and tumble down my cheeks.

"I know silly girl." he whispered. I felt him lean close. Albus kissed the crown of my hair softly, "I know."

"I'm sorry." I choked through a sob. I knew what I was sorry for this time. I was sorry because I was nowhere near ready to date or have a boyfriend. I was hardly ready to have friends, but I found that Weasleys are pushy. It was just my luck that Potters were just as pushy.

"Shh." he soothed as his grip on my hand changed. His palm folded around my fingers and gripped tightly. I drew in a shuddering breathe from the familiar comfort, "Shh."

After a firm squeeze, Albus let my hand go. I felt him pull me into his arms. His body was warm. A warm hug. That is why Albus Potter is good to have around. He is a walking warm hug. And as I brought my arms around his torso to grip him tightly, I knew that I may not be ready today or next week or next month, but that when I was ready, he would be here, to continue to be my warm hug and comforting kiss. He knew that I would take time to be completely healed. He knew that I would one day be a whole person and that is when I would be ready.

I may not know how it is to love someone who is not family or a close friend, but I knew, in that moment, that when I was ready to find it, I would find it with Albus Potter.