Disclaimer: Everything related to Harry Potter is property of J.K Rowling, including the characters and places. I do not own anything. Everything presented here is just for fun!

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Chapter 2

The Quidditch Challenge

When the time came to board the Hogwarts Express once again for his fourth year, Albus already looked very different. He had grown a lot during the summer. His facial features looked more defined, his shoulders were wider, his arms bigger, and thanks to his extensive Quidditch practices, he now had the appearance of an athletic young man.

After boarding the Hogwarts Express, Albus found an empty compartment by the end of the train and stepped inside with two of his Slytherin mates, Tom Bletch and Scorpius Malfoy. During the last few years, Tom had become one of Albus' best friends. He had never betrayed Albus' trust and understood very well his difficulty opening up to other people, so he kept his respectful distance whenever Albus needed space, something that Albus deeply appreciated. He had grown during the summer as well, but remained rather short and burly.

Scorpius, on the other hand, was rather mysterious. Albus had never had a proper conversation with him, and his family's reputation made Albus feel uneasy around him. And yet, there was something about him that made Albus feel naturally drawn to him. It was, perhaps, that very air of mystery that surrounded him, which Albus admired and often desired to imitate. Scorpius' grey eyes glimmered with a cold, almost regal quality, which worked as a natural barrier, forcing people to keep their distance. He was the very image of his father, white-blond hair and sharp, pointed features. As they entered the small compartment and Scorpius raised his trunk to stow it securely in the luggage rack, Albus couldn't help noticing that he had grown a lot during the summer too. His grey eyes looked deeper and his cheekbones sharper. His blond hair was longer and perfectly combed to the side, and his voice seemed huskier too. Albus thought the boy was actually quite good looking, as he absently stared at the graceful way Scorpius raised his arms to store his trunk.

Suddenly a voice made Albus quickly snap out of his thoughts.

"—Sounds cool, right Al?" Tom said, smiling at Albus.

"Uh..." Albus tried to remember what they were talking about, but immediately realised he hadn't been paying attention at all. "Sorry, I didn't catch that. What were you saying?"

"Like, the news?" said Tom, looking at Albus. But when he noticed that Albus was still at a loss, he sighed loudly. "My father, Al. He works at the Ministry and said that they have some very exciting news for Hogwarts students this year." he added, while struggling to tuck his trunk over the end of the compartment. "But he wouldn't tell me what it was. Top secret stuff, apparently."

"I just hope we get a new Transfiguration teacher. I'd be lucky if I can make out two words of what Mrs Wasilewski says during her lessons," said Albus.

"No, I think it has something to do with next year's Quidditch World Championship. He didn't want to tell me anything, so that's all I know," said Tom, finally letting his body drop on the seat.

"Well, as long as they don't cancel it, everything's fine," replied Albus, whose favourite topic of conversation during the holidays had become next year's Quidditch World Cup.

"They won't. It's far too important for the community," said Scorpius absently, sitting beside the window, across from Albus.

"They'll probably tell us during the feast, so we'll know soon enough. Wake me up when we arrive, will ya?" Said Tom as he huddled into a comfortable position next to Scorpius.

As soon as he closed his eyes Albus felt the tension of being virtually alone with Scorpius. Neither of them was particularly talkative, so after staring at the window for a couple of minutes without saying a word, Albus finally broke and decided to do some small talk.

"So, how was your holiday, Malfoy?"

Scorpius shrugged, but a quick smile appeared on his lips.

"It was fine, Father and I went to France. Mother had to stay here though, she had some family business so she couldn't come..." Scorpius hesitated before carrying on. He knew very well that Albus didn't like people meddling in his private life. He didn't tell anything to anyone, not even his closest friends. But still, he thought it wouldn't be polite not to ask back.

"...What about yours?"

Albus automatically stared at the window again.

"It was fine...loads of Quidditch. Rested, you know...the usual..." He looked back at Scorpius, who was staring back at him, looking very interested.

"I didn't go anywhere though, my dad's busy all the time, so he doesn't have a lot of time for us nowadays," he finished. And with that, the topic of conversation was over. Albus didn't want to go through the awkward silence situation again, so he stood up and walked over to the compartment door, feeling Scorpius' gaze following him.

"I'll go see if I can find Rose. Haven't seen her since we arrived at the station. I'll be back in a while, ok?"

Scorpius looked at him with his eyebrows raised, and then nodded, turning his eyes back to the window, onto the landscape.

Albus slid the compartment door open and then closed it behind him. He immediately walked down the train looking for his cousin.

When Albus came back to the compartment, nearly half an hour later, Scorpius was already fast asleep.

The horseless carriages stopped in front of the big stairs beneath the great oak doors with a creak. Albus and his two friends jumped down and climbed the steps into the castle. There they met with the other three Slytherins: Andrew Crabbe, Augustus Schelden, and Henric Heavyway, whom Albus disliked the most out of the five. He also saw the Scamander twins, but they were talking to their Gryffindor mates, so he just waved at them, making them smile in recognition.

Soon enough girls from all different houses had already approached Albus just to say hello and ask about his summer.

"Look at how they flock to him," Scorpius said as he and Tom quickly detached from Albus to avoid the stampede of girls. His tone was dry and disdainful, almost disgusted. Tom simply chuckled.

"Jealous, Malfoy?" He said, looking at Scorpius while raising an eyebrow. But Scorpius didn't hear, still focused on Albus and his fan club.

Once the Great Hall doors opened, the students walked through them in a failed attempt to form a row. The Slytherin table was the first one near the entrance, so Albus and the rest of his house sat first, admiring the black ceiling filled with puffy clouds.

The tables were already decorated with golden goblets and plates, glimmering beneath hundreds of candles floating in midair, awaiting to be filled with food. All it took Albus was a glimpse of the plates to realise how hungry he was, as he thought about the feast that awaited them. He crossed his fingers and hoped that the sorting process would end soon.

From across the hall he could see James smashing two golden goblets together making an incredibly loud clattering noise while yelling "I'M STARVING!".

"Your brother seems hungry..." said Tom, sitting right next to Albus, quite amused by James' spectacle.

"Please don't mention it" replied Albus, covering his face with his hands, embarrassed by the whole situation. "He likes the attention."

"I know that. In fact, I think the whole school knows." said Tom, watching how everyone was looking at James. Most girls staring at him with dreamy eyes. "What really intrigues me though, is how come you're the total opposite..."

"I suppose it's a balance thing. Y'know?, keeping the world stable and–"

He was stopped by the sound of the big doors opening once more. Professor Flitwick entered the hall followed by two rows of little first year students. He gave James a reproachful look and with a flick of his wand made the two cups disappear into thin air. When the first year students reached the stool with the old hat on top, everyone was silently staring.

The sorting ceremony went faster than expected, and within minutes they were all enjoying the most magnificent feast.

Once all the last bits of tart and pudding disappeared from the table, the headmistress, Professor Sprout, got up to say a few words to the students.

"As you know, I'm not very good with words, so this will be a brief announcement." She cleared her throat. "I've been asked to give you some exciting news." She looked at the tables one by one with excited eyes. "Actually, let me rephrase that. I've been asked to give some exciting news for all Quidditch players..."

The last two words made Albus perk up, grabbing his attention completely.

"As you all know, the 428th Quidditch World Cup will be held next year before the start of term. And the Ministry of Magic, in an attempt to promote sports life among students, has decided to give away..." The entire Hall held their breath, waiting for the punchline. "Free First-Class tickets to the winning team of the School's Quidditch Cup!" She clapped her hands avidly, evidently getting excited at her own announcement, unable to hide the thrill in her voice.

Cheers broke among students from all different houses, and the whispers grew into a buzz of chatter. Albus's eyes grew wider and his heart started beating faster as excitement flooded him. It was the chance he'd been expecting his whole life. A chance to prove that he was a great Quidditch player, not just Harry Potter's son. Excitement was invading his senses, and his chest was filled with a bubbling feeling of joy. He even allowed himself a little "Yes!" that came from the depths of his soul, unheard by the rest of the students. Although some of them didn't look quite as happy as Albus felt.

"Oh bugger, I knew I should've tried to make the team last year." said Tom, with his head resting over one of his hands, looking gloomy.

"Don't worry, you can try to make it this year. tryouts start next week!" replied Albus, unable to hide his excitement. He was already a Chaser in the Slytherin Quidditch team. And a very good one at that.

"That's easy for you to say, you're already in the team. I hate having to compete over positions..." then his eyes shone as an idea popped into his head.

"Oh I know!, why don't you drop your position and let me replace you. Everyone knows you don't need the prize. Your father will get you first-class tickets anyway. And if he doesn't, surely your mother can get them too." Tom looked expectantly at Albus, knowing his logic was sound.

Albus had had many discussions about this very subject with his father over the holidays. He dreamed of the day when people would talk to him without his father popping up on every other conversation. He needed to win something entirely because of his own talent. And as the headmistress revealed the Ministry's competition, he immediately realised it was his chance to prove to everyone, and more importantly to himself, that he actually was special.

"Are you mental? I'm not resigning. This is the perfect opportunity to do something for myself. I'll earn those tickets, or I'm not going to the World Cup at all." he said defiantly.

"Why do you even care so much? you should be happy that your father can get you anything you want."

And just then, he saw his girlfriend, Emily Stark, approaching the table with a wide smile on her face. Just what he needed, another thing that reminded him what life was like having a famous father. His excitement quickly started leaving him, replaced by cold determination. He needed to get out of the Hall and start planning. He wanted to be alone, so he could think properly.

"Hi Al. I missed you during the summer..." said Emily, sitting beside him.

"Yeah..I...I missed you too Emily..." He replied, doing his best efforts to make his fake smile look convincing enough. "Listen, I'm sorry but I cannot stay here for long, I have some important issues to discuss with Tom."

"What are— AAARGHH!" Tom howled in pain as Albus' foot stomped onto his under the table. "Yeah...yeah, sure Albus, there's some important matters we need to...uhh, discuss."

Albus nodded at him. "Sorry Emily, I'll see you in the morning, yeah?" He stood up and grabbed Tom by his robes, yanking him towards the exit.

"Yeah...sure, Albus...I'll see you tomorrow." Emily said, disappointment covering her face. She forced a smile and let the two boys go, following them with crestfallen eyes.

"What the hell is the matter with you!? You should be banging your girlfriend senseless this very minute! Have you actually seen her?!" said Tom as they stepped out of the Great Hall, making their way towards the dungeons, and into the Slytherin common room.

"It's none of your business, now is it?" replied Albus, avoiding his friend's stare.

"It is if you'll keep crushing my toes under the table, I need those to walk you know?"

Thankfully the door to the common room was already open, so they entered and made their way into their dormitories, where their trunks had already been placed.

"Now, but seriously Albus, what's your problem with her?"

Albus gave him an annoyed glare, taking out his pyjamas to get ready for bed. "Drop it, you know I'm not gonna tell you anything, why do you insist?"

"But why not? Just spit it out, you can tell me!" said Tom, leaning on one of Albus' bed columns.

Albus was growing more annoyed by the minute. He sat on his bed and started putting on his bed clothes. "Listen, If I tell you something, I bet you my broomstick that every single magazine in Britain will have the story by tomorrow."

Tom made a hurt expression, his face twisting into a scowl.

"I wouldn't do that, you know it!"

"I'd rather not risk it though. It's nothing personal, Tom."

"But it is, Al. If you can't tell me, then who? You can't keep everything to yourself, that's way too Slytherin, even for my standards, and I'm like, a legit Slytherin."

"Listen, you know I don't like to talk about my stuff, period. Just drop it, alright? I'm moved by your concern, I really am, but let me handle my issues and you handle yours."

And with that Albus slipped into his bed. "Goodnight."

Tom raised his hands in exasperation, completely infuriated by Albus's childish behaviour.

"Fine..." he said, turning around and walking towards the bedroom door. "Just...whatever."

He closed the door with a bang, leaving Albus alone.

He wanted to concentrate on his plans. He was going to win those tickets, and he wasn't going to accept anything that came from his father. If his team lost, then he wouldn't go to the World Championship, and that's it.

Slowly his thoughts started gravitating towards the conversation he had with Tom. He didn't really need anyone to talk to. He was fine just like that, he thought. Surely he'd eventually talk to Tom if he really needed to. But he didn't. Talking was overrated.

And just as that thought crossed his mind, he heard the door opening and Scorpius' voice through the darkness of the room.

"Uhh, you okay Potter?"

Albus closed his eyes, forcing himself to fall asleep.

"'m fine, Malfoy." he muttered against his pillow.

"Alright..." Came Scorpius's voice with uncertainty, "...Goodnight then." He finished as he undressed in the darkness of the room. he slipped into his bed and closed the curtains. Albus didn't reply.

Neither of them said another word, until Albus finally fell asleep.