AlbusScorpius
On Your Side
Chapter Six: Dubious Characters
A/N: MY USB BROKE and I lost like half the chapter and now I'm slowly making my way through rewriting it because I LOATHE rewriting chapters. They're never as good the second time round.
Albus was surprisingly disappointed about their Hogsmeade visit for once. He was still excited to go of course; after spending just over a month in the castle doing sixth year N.E.W.T preparation he was ready for a nice break. But the visit was on a Saturday, which meant he had to forfeit his lesson with Professor Malfoy, something he wasn't entirely happy about. While he was glad he wouldn't spend the day exhausting his magic on Conjuring charms, which they only had one week left on thankfully, he wasn't happy about not spending time with his new favourite person.
"Don't look so sour, Al. Don't you get to see him tomorrow?"
The green eyes looked up at the girl sat on the other side of the table. "I do. He said that I couldn't even miss a week if I wanted to pass. Tomorrow, same time as usual. Then next week back to Saturdays."
"Why didn't you just make it Sunday in the first place?" Lucy questioned.
"Perhaps he does things on a Sunday, I don't know," Albus rolled his eyes at his cousin. "I don't question everything he says."
"No, you just go along with it like the good little boy you are."
He flustered slightly, thankful that Liam chose that moment to appear at the table, sitting next to the girl and going straight for the bacon and eggs. Lucy relented with a slight pout, moving onto a different subject as she spun her spoon round in her bowl of increasingly soggy cereal.
"You know, they have a sale at Honeydukes," she said helpfully, an innocent look passing across her face. "Seeing as it's the first visit for the students."
"That's great," Albus said, fully aware of what his cousin was trying to do. "Have fun with that."
"It's a shame I don't have anyone to take me," she said mournfully, sighing heavily and dropping her spoon. "If only I had a sweet boy to take me."
"Don't look at us," Liam said with a smirk. "We've got to save our money for The Three Broomsticks."
She huffed, glaring at them both. "You're going to leave me for a pub? What about family-love and all that crap?"
Albus continued to eat. "It's crap?"
She stuck up her nose, turning from them and folding her arms across her chest.
"Who's coming then?" Albus asked, turning to the boy next to Lucy.
"The usual, most the boys in our dorm, I think a couple from the other houses are tagging along. Pretty sure Louis said he'd pop by, to rub it in our faces that he's now old enough to buy alcohol no doubt."
The girl turned and scowled at them both, remaining quiet.
Albus tried not to smile as he continued to ignore her. "He won't, else I'll tell his mother that he's been drinking at school."
"I don't want to know what Mrs Weasley would do to him."
Lucy let out a humph, looking between the pair angrily.
The dark haired boy rolled his eyes. "I'll come to Honeydukes with you."
"Oh, Al! I knew there was a reason you were my favourite cousin!"
"Don't let Rose hear you say that."
Liam chuckled. "We'll meet you there then, shall we?"
"Rose was wanting to come too I think!" Lucy said helpfully.
Albus scowled slightly, nodding at Liam before turning on his cousin. "I thought didn't have anyone to go with you?"
"I had no boys to go with me. Really, Al, you should be more observant than that," she said with a wicked grin. "Besides, it'll be fun! So much better than wasting your time in the pub."
"I beg to disagree."
She clapped her hands happily. "This will be fun!"
Lucy grinned happily as the exited Honeydukes, looking into one of her bags with a bright smile, smelling the beautiful scent of orange chocolate filling her nose as she breathes in, eyes slipping shut in pure bliss. Rose followed closely behind with her own bag, unable to stop herself being amused at the situation, Albus right behind her wondering if his wallet was as light as it felt. He couldn't complain however, when his cousins had bought him a new hat while they were out shopping.
"So much for just taking you to Honeydukes," Albus muttered darkly, though his heart wasn't in it.
Lucy merely gave him an innocent smile. "You can't deny you didn't enjoy it. Why aren't you wearing your hat?"
"It's not that cold," he said, rolling his eyes. "And just because I'm gay doesn't mean I enjoy shopping."
She cooed, threading her arm in his. "Aw, look at my favourite cousin, becoming more comfortable about talking about it. I'm so proud of you."
Rose cleared her throat, taking her place on the other side of Albus. "I'm pleased to hear you say it so casually."
The long haired girl stopped, waving across the street at some of her hands, jumping slightly in excitement. "Oh, Annabelle! Anna, wait for me!" she squeals before leaning up and placing a kiss on Albus' cheek. "I best let you get to your little boys-club then," she teased, winking at Rose. "Do you want to come with us?"
"No, I'll walk Al to The Three Broomsticks, then head to the bookshop. Thanks anyway."
Lucy nodded, bouncing off to her friends as Albus and Rose continued down the street, heading towards the shortcut they usually took to get to The Three Broomsticks, turning off the street and down a curving alley way, exchanging pleasantries about what Rose wanted from the bookshop, and who Albus was going to be joining at the pub, not paying attention to the familiar road. Not until Rose spotted something.
Rose grasped her cousin's arm, sucking in a sharp breath as she pointed to the men in the alley, talking in soft voices as the one shrouded in a hood exchanged a bag with his companion. Albus' eyes narrowed as he tried to identify the familiar blond hair and handsome jaw.
"Isn't that-?" Rose started, trailing off with wide eyes.
"Professor Malfoy?" Albus finished, calling out to the man.
He turned, stormy eyes meeting Albus'. "Mr Potter, Miss Weasley," he greeted, voice neutral like there was nothing wrong. The hooded man's lips pulled into a snarl, grumbling something in a low tone. Albus couldn't see the man's nose or eyes, but the left of his mouth and jaw appeared scarred and blackened.
The blond man muttered something back, moving towards the cousins, the twisted man turning, disappearing with an audible crack, leaving nothing behind.
"What are you doing here, Professor?" Albus asked curiously. "I thought Professor Longbottom and Professor Smith were supervising?"
"I was unaware this meant I was forbidden to leave school grounds," Scorpius said.
"Oh- no! That's not what I mean!" the dark haired boy said, flustering at the smirk that spread across the pale face.
"Al, we're in a rush," Rose said, squeezing the arm in her hand.
"Of course!" Albus smiled brightly at their teacher. "Would you like to join us?"
"Albus!"
Scorpius either didn't notice the girl's reaction, or chose to ignore it. "Thank you, but I must be heading back," he said, nodding his head politely. "I wish you both a pleasant afternoon."
"Thank you, Professor Malfoy," Rose replied with a tight smile, tugging her cousin passed the man. "Come on, Al."
"Later, Professor!"
The teenagers glanced back at the older man, who was already disappearing round the corner, wasting no time in heading to whatever his next task was. Rose waited until they were out the alley before speaking, brow creased with distrust, eyes fixed on the floor as they walked.
"I'm not sure about that man, Al. Not at all."
Albus rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. Rose was never sure about anything. "Oh lighten up, Rosie; I'm sure it was nothing."
"Did you see the man he was with?" she snapped, glancing behind them once again.
"Don't judge people by their looks."
Rose turned her frown to him, eyes sharp, and nails digging into his jacket. "I'd rather judge a book by its cover than be dead."
Albus sighed, wiggling his arm free. "Okay Rosie, I'm sorry, I'll be more careful, I promise."
"Good," the girl smiled slightly, mood becoming slightly amused. "So, Lucy's calling you her gay bestie now?"
Groaning, a flush spread across Albus' warming face, glancing about nervously even though her voice dropped so low only he could hear it. "Please, don't join her."
"I won't," Rose assured with a chuckle. "I can see you're glad you told us."
"Yeah, you're both being wonderful about it," he replied sarcastically.
"Well, I'm glad," she said. "I feel honoured that you trust me so much. Anyway, I should let you go."
Green eyes looked up to see The Three Broomsticks approaching, the welcoming sound of cheering and laughter pouring from the doors. "You're welcome to join us, Rose. The others won't mind."
She looked unsure, but before she could answer Albus was guiding her towards the pub, ignoring any protests when she finally found her voice. As soon as they entered the familiar smell of Butterbeer and warmth hit them, causing a smile to tug at Rose's lips, despite her protests in joining the boys, Albus ginning in response, pleased his cousin was happy. They travelled further in, spotting a familiar table by the window where a large group of boys were crowded round, chanting away as all the focus was on the only two sitting down, one blond and one brunette shovelling food into their faces, both wearing the Gryffindor uniform. Rose scoffed and rolled her eyes at the childish competition, while her companion merely laughed, watching the two boys munch away happily, not even looking up to acknowledge their presence as the others round the table greeted them, one getting a chair for the only girl to sit on, Albus throwing his coat to join the pile mounting up by the window.
They weren't kept long as the blond boy finished his meal, half-standing and guzzling his drink as his rival began to eat faster, finishing as he was half way through his drink before starting on his own, enthusiasm not deterred.
As the blonde's glass hit the table and he threw his arms in the air, declaring himself the winner as the others started to applaud; Albus patted the loser's back. "There's always next time, Finnigan."
"He's older than me," Liam complained, though there was a smile on his face. "He would win."
"Honestly, Louis," Rose said, trying her best to look reprimanding instead of amused. "Surely you're too old for these antics now."
"Lighten up, Rosie!" the blond said with a wink, ruffling her hair. "I'm eighteen, not dead. I can still live a little!"
The others seemed to return to their cluster of tables, chatting in groups and occasionally leaning over chairs to join other conversations. Albus found a chair and sat himself next to his cousins, round the table with two now empty plates and two empty glasses of Butterbeer.
"I don't suppose you want a drink, do you?" Liam asked, looking at the two newcomers. "I'm about to head to the bar and get myself another."
"Do you need another so soon?" Rose asked dubiously.
Louis chuckled at that, while Liam grinned. "Well, I can't let myself go thirst, can I?"
"I'll come with you," she muttered, turning to Albus and asking him what he wanted.
As the pair left, he turned to the elder boy, who had also requested a drink, and was watching them leave with a slight smirk, turning to Albus and rolling his eyes slightly. "I can see why Lucy seems to think they're interested in each other, even though they're not."
"They do walk rather close, don't they?"
"I imagine Rose knows one of his dirty little secrets or something. Everyone seems to confide in her," he turned his brilliant brown eyes on Albus. "Do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Confide in Rose," he laughed slightly, waving a hand. "No need to look so panicky, Al! I would be surprised if you didn't, she's your best friend," a grin that reminded him all too much of his cousin Fred's passed across the perfectly shaped face. "Though you apparently have some dark secrets I don't know about."
"I imagine you have a lot of dark secrets I don't know about."
"Touché."
Albus resisted the urge to look too proud. "So how's seventh year going?"
The boy cringed, groaning loudly. "Ugh, I don't even want to talk about it, you have no idea. Seriously, you think you get worked to the bone in sixth year, but then you enter seventh and from the moment you step into your first class its none stop. I think I might kill myself."
"No need to be so dramatic."
"Then again, you're working even on weekends, aren't you?"
Green eyes sighed slightly. "I am, yes. Though Professor Malfoy is an amazing teacher, I don't think I'd ever be so far if it wasn't for him."
"Careful Al, it sounds like you like him a little bit too much."
"I do not!"
Louis chuckled at the bright pink scattering his cousin's face. "You are edgy today," he looked behind Albus, and the boy turned to see Rose and Liam returning with drinks in their hands, Liam passing his to Louis and Rose to Al. "Are the classes going well though?" Louis asked politely.
"They are, I think."
The only girl scoffed. "He's certainly improved, and without my help. Gives me more time to focus on my own studying."
Louis' face hardened as he looked at the door, his usual cheerful demeanour seeming to freeze up with anger. Louis was never one for openly being angry. He was not like Fred, who would lash out if he felt like it, or James who would deal with his anger verbally. Louis would just give you a look that seemed to stop time. It was his eyes that expressed his anger, not his perfectly smooth features, nor his fists. Albus had been on the receiving end of all three, and he had to say, Louis was possibly the most frightening. Though the fact it was so rare to see the look on his face contributed.
Albus turned to see what the boy was looking at with the other two at their table, heart stopping in his throat as he caught a sight of familiar honey brown hair and slightly tanned skin. How the boy managed to have slightly tanned skin still he would never know. He probably bunked off the first couple weeks of school to have an extended holiday.
Spinning back round, Albus stared into his drink, a heartbreaking look stricken across his face. Rose turned to him with sympathetic, concerned eyes, while Liam had to drag himself away from glaring to look at his friend. Louis didn't even bother pulling his gaze away.
"Don't, Louis," Albus begged, running a hand through his hair and glancing about nervously, hoping no one would notice his odd behaviour. "Just leave it be."
"He's an arsehole, Al," Louis ground out.
"Yes, we know, Lily's dealt with him; can we please just let it lie?"
The blond was reluctant, but sucked in a breath, eyes narrowing slightly before they glanced into green ones, begging him to ignore it. He smiled, face relaxing and nodding slightly. "I can't imagine anyone will want to get on the bad side of Lily twice in one year."
Albus nodded thankfully.
"Are you okay, Al?" Rose asked, rubbing his back and glancing out the corner of her eye at the boy causing so much distress. "Do you want to leave?"
"I-I'll be fine," he said, nodding slightly. "Maybe I'll go on ahead of you all after this drink."
Liam gave his shoulder a quick pat before changing the subject, grin spreading across his face as he turned to ask Louis how he was enjoying being a seventh year and eighteen. The eldest Gryffindor went on a slightly overdramatic rant about how much he hated Defence and he didn't know how he was going to survive a whole year of dealing with Professor Zabini for Potions. Albus had never been more grateful for his Irish friend, always perfectly happy to sit in the dark if no one wanted to put him in the light. He was pretty sure if Liam hadn't been there to rescue him, Rose or Louis would have probed. And he wasn't quite ready to admit his little secret to Louis yet.
It was a good hour before he'd finished his drink and was ready to go.
"Okay, I'm off," he said, giving Rose a reassuring look.
Louis seemed to pout slightly. "You're such a boring toad, Al."
"Do you want me to walk back with you?" Rose asked softly, glancing at a table where a group of Hufflepuffs were. "I don't mind."
"Nah, I'll be fine. You guys have fun," he said, nodding and taking his coat from the back of the chair, shrugging it on and waving goodbye to the others in their group, the sound of the bell ringing at someone leaving announcing his exit. His mind registered the bell ringing again, not bothering to check who it was. People came and left the pub all the time, there was nothing strange about it. He cut down his usual alley, where he'd just been with Rose and seen their professor, jumping out his skin as a hand grasped his arm, spinning him on his heel and knocking him against the wall.
"I need to talk to you."
His breath was caught in his throat, heart stopping for the second time at the sight of the honey brown hair and soft tan, stunning brown eyes meeting his own. "Jeremy."
"Al," he smiled a sweet, soft smile, melting Albus' insides. "It's been so long."
"Yeah, I remember last time I talked to you, while that little blond tramp tried to dress herself and run out the room before I did."
Jeremy had the decency to look guilty. "I wanted to apologise, for how I treated you-!"
"Do you want to apologise for the rumours floating around school too?"
He paled slightly. "I didn't mean for those to start. It was a slip of the tongue."
"Well, I hope I don't need to help Lily teach you your lesson," Albus snapped, shoving the boy away and steeling his nerves.
Jeremy pushed back, placing one hand on either side of the wall to trap Albus, his brow creasing. "We need to talk about this, Al."
"Albus, to you."
"Don't be like that."
"Let me go, Jeremy."
"I want to apologise, for everything," he said, a sad look crossing his face. "I don't want to fight with you."
"You should've thought about that beforehand then, shouldn't you?" Albus spat, feeling his eyes become wet, cursing his emotions for the display. "Just fuck off."
A look of slight anger crossed the tanned face, making Albus worry slightly. Anger was not one of the emotions he'd ever seen on the Hufflepuff's face. He was too in control, too manipulative to let anger show. "I'm not going anywhere, Albus, and neither are you."
"You can't keep me here!"
"Watch me."
And then soft lips were pressed against his own, salty trails sliding down his cheeks as he pushed his hands out, scrambling to get away from the surprisingly strong grip. Of course, last time he was in this grip he was enjoying how strong it was, rather than trying to escape.
"What's going on here?"
Albus whimpered with joy as he was released, legs folding slightly as he slid down the wall, hand gripping it to keep himself steady, refusing to fall to his knees. He didn't bother looking up to see who had saved him; he was too busying trying to hide his face in his hand, wiping away the shameful tears.
"I'm sorry, Professor. Just having a little chat."
The scorn in the man's voice was as frightening as Louis' face. "Why don't you stop having your little chat and see me tonight at eight o'clock for detention."
"Yes, Professor."
Albus looked up, the blond hair forming a halo round his Professor's head, grey eyes looking at him with such a soft expression as he walked over to him, focused on Albus, helping him stand. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders, relief flooding through him at the sight of Scorpius Malfoy standing there, saving him. He turned to Jeremy as the boy gasped, glancing between Albus and their Professor, a startled look on his face, like he'd just learnt something that Albus didn't want him knowing. Like he recognised the look in Albus' eyes as one he had once been on the receiving end of.
"You're crushing on-?"
"I suggest you leave, Mr Edwards, before I lose my temper."
Albus looked away, merely clutching desperately onto the taller man's arm, shutting his eyes tightly. He heard the patting of someone walking away, sighing in relief as the sound slowly disappeared, resting more of his weight onto his crutch.
"Thank you," he breathed shakily, not really trusting his voice.
The pale man said nothing, taking out his wand and casting a spell he had been working so hard to teach Albus. He passed his student the white handkerchief, concern written all over his face as Albus looked up to finally meet his eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked simply, making Albus' head thump, heat rising to his cheeks.
"I-I'll be fine."
He nodded, though he didn't look convinced. "I'll make sure he gets his punishment, though it would be more than a detention if I had the power," he said, wrapping an arm round the boy and waiting for him to clean the tears off his face. "You're safe now, don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't try this again."
"Lily already tried."
His jaw locked, a strange look coming into his eyes. "Is this the boy who was spreading rumours about you?"
Albus hesitated. "Yes, it is. He-we dated. He cheated on me."
Professor Malfoy looked up at where Jeremy had disappeared. "When I get my hands on him…"
Albus laughed, though it came out more of a sob, but the smile on his face was unmistakeable. Scorpius' eyes softened once again at the look of teary eyed Albus Potter smiling, a slight tinge of pink on his face. "Thank you, Professor. I appreciate it."
"Let me escort you back to school," the blond insisted, letting the boy go as he seemed to recover.
"That'd be nice."
There was a slight silence as they started to walk in the direction of the castle, Albus sniffling slightly, the only sounds from other people in the area and the expensive looking shoes Professor Malfoy wore clicking against the floor. Glancing up at the man walking next to him, Albus felt his stomach flutter as his smile was returned, a hand patting his back comfortingly as they reached the long path towards the school and away from Hogsmeade.
I don't like how I ended it. But no matter! It's (finally) finished. Only took me three weeks to write. Three very, very, very painful weeks. I hope you enjoyed it still. I like the chapter as a whole. Credit to my BETA for the idea with Jeremy, it was muchly helpful.
R+R
Thanks to all reviewers, alerters and favouriters!
~ Kivea Rain
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"Mr Potter, can I help you with anything?"
"What time is it, Professor?"
"Oh, Albus, I'm so sorry!"
"It's not a problem."