A/N: Sorry it is another short chapter - got my wedding in a few weeks, so been busy doing last min planning.

ARGH! When I read my posted chapter fanfic has removed certain words? whys that? it makes no sense in the sentence now. Even when I correct it, it still removes the words. They aren't offensive.

Chapter Four

"I'm telling you she's up to something." Scorpius told Rose again.

"She's always up to something. But nothing ever comes of it, she's not clever enough to follow through on her plans." Rose reassured him.

Scorpius didn't like it but he didn't have any proof. Paige was sending him hateful looks and she had befriended Goyle after her break up with Al. He didn't like that two Slytherin's who disliked him were 'getting friendly' – he didn't like it one bit. Paranoid – Yes.

"It's been a week since they broke up Scorpius and she hasn't done anything untoward towards you or Al. Stop being paranoid."

Scorpius sighed and decided to let it go. But he would definitely be extra careful just in case.

"So have you spoken to wood?" Scorpius casually changed the subject.

Rose snapped her head around, "What. Why would I?" she asked a bit defensively.

Scorpius smiled, "That bad huh?"

"I have no idea what you are on about. First your paranoia regarding Paige and Goyle, then you imagine I like Wood. I don't I may have said that in the past, but I don't know anymore. It was a silly crush, I'm over it." She sat up straighter and stared firmly at Scorpius.

"Sure" he answered.

"I am. How can you make that one word sound, annoying, fake and sarcastic? You're such a prat." She huffed.

"I said sure Rose. I believe you." He didn't and his tone of voice suggested he didn't.

"Argh are you trying to make me lose it? You are so maddening. I don't fancy Wood." she sounded desperate for him to believe her.

"I think you protest too much. Kind of gives you away. What's so wrong in fancying him anyway?" Scorpius couldn't understand why Rose didn't just go for it.

"Nothing is wrong with fancying him. But that's okay because I don't fancy him anyway." She turned back to her homework and ignored Scorpius.

Something has got up her nose. Oh there's Al –good looking as ever.

Al sat down opposite them. "Hey guys"

"Hi Al." Scorpius replied.

I wonder how he gets his hair to look so sexily dishevelled. I bet his hair would feel nice as it slipped through my hands. I don't think he's aware of how attractive he is.

Al had a very symmetrical face. Scorpius looked at Al and pictured that Al had a dotted red line vertically running down the centre of his face, down his nose.

Yes – his features are similar in form and arrangement on both sides of the line. His eyes and ears match up, on both sides.

Scorpius had heard a stuck up pure blood witch speaking with his mother once. She said the closer one side mirrors the other on your face, the more attractive you were.

Well maybe she was on to something. Al's face is symmetrical and he is very attractive.

"Scorpius?" Al sounded as if he had called his name a few times before he had heard.

"Yes" he said, blinking and coming out of his dazed state.

"Nothing you were just staring and it was weird. You seemed to be on another planet." Al teased.

"He's losing his mind don't worry Al." Rose told Al.

"I am not losing my mind. I was thinking about….um symmetry." He finished lamely.

Rose stared at him and then laughed. Al shook his head, "You can be weird at times" Al joked.

"So what was it about symmetry that had you lost to your thoughts?" Rose asked out of curiosity.

Scorpius frowned slightly, "Just how symmetrical things are very attractive." He explained with only a slight flush.

"What? Like this table, that is symmetrical – do you find that attractive?" Rose playfully said.

Scorpius chuckled, "Yes I was deep in thought as I found the symmetry of the table very attractive and I was almost lost to the pleasure of it all."

He added, "Idiot"

She playfully nudged his shoulder with hers, "Fine keep all your weird thoughts to yourself."

"I was just thinking that if a person's features on one side of their face is symmetrical with the other side, then it can make them attractive. Take um …"

Scorpius looked around the common room and spotted an unfortunate looking first year.

"Take that little first year over there. Draw an imaginary line down the middle of his face, his left ear is a lot lower than his right ear. His eyes are not quite the same. He's not symmetrical and is unfortunately not what is conventionally classed as attractive." He was smug, that proved his theory.

Rose bit her bottom lip. Scorpius knew she would want to prove his theory now.

"Okay sit still" she ordered.

Al watched silently. Maybe Scorpius has a point. Scorpius' face is symmetrical and he is stunning. I'm glad no one can read my thoughts – they would have a shock.

Rose took her quill and drew a dotted line down the middle of Scorpius' face. He smiled at her.

"This better wash off Weasley" he warned.

"Yeah of course it will" she didn't sound convinced.

Once she had finished the line she moved back and studied his face. Then she conjured a ruler and used the straight edge to see if his ears and eyes were lined up.

"Hmm I'd hate to admit your right" she mumbled.

He grinned, "Is that your way of saying that my face is symmetrical and therefore I am attractive?" he laughed.

She scowled at him, "No. How do you know the results? You could have a wonky face and not be symmetrical and therefore according to you unattractive." She answered.

"I think not. No Malfoy has ever been born with a...um wonky face." He arrogantly replied.

Al laughed, "You sound like there aren't any ugly people in your family"

"There's not. Not recently anyway. This theory is all rubbish, because you can have a pretty package, but an ugly personality and that makes you unattractive. There have been many ugly Malfoy's when it comes to personalities. But looks – no." he wasn't embarrassed to admit that some of his relations were horrible.

Rose shoved the quill at Scorpius, "Do me"

Scorpius laughed, "No thanks"

"Don't be so rude. Draw a line down my face. Please." She added.

"That's better. Hold that excuse for hair out the way." He smiled and did as she asked.

"Your face isn't perfectly symmetrical, but its close enough and none of your features are off. Shame about the freckles and red hair though." He jibed.

She slapped him around the back of the head. Conjured a mirror and started measuring her face with the ruler.

"Now look what you have done" Al moaned as he shook his head.

"It's only one small thing that makes someone attractive. It all depends on the person, some people prefer blue eye instead of brown, blondes instead of brunettes and so on. She shouldn't read too much into it." He glanced at Rose and back to Al.

Scorpius smiled and Al tensed, "What? I don't like that look Scorpius"

Scorpius stood and knelt in front of Al. "Keep still" he said softly.

Al stared at the line on Scorpius face, he couldn't make eye contact. Scorpius would see that his closeness was having an effect on him.

Scorpius placed one hand on the side of Al's face. His fingers brushing over his hair -Yes his hair is as soft as I thought it would be.

He carefully drew the line down Al's face. Removing his glasses and taking in the intensity of his eyes as he did. When he reached Al's lips he paused. His other hand was itching to lightly brush over his lips, or even move forwards slightly, shifting his body weight so their mouths touched. But he didn't he continued the line down Al's chin.

He sat back on his heels and looked up into Al's face. Yes I was right, he has a symmetrical face and is very attractive.

People in the common room were looking at them strangely. Guess it does look weird, the three of us sat with lines down our faces and staring at each other. Al thought.

He had to look around the common room to take his mind off Scorpius, who was knelt in front of him and too close. He didn't know why the closeness was effecting him, but it was and he didn't want to think about it too much. Well not now anyway – maybe later when I'm led awake in bed.

"Rose?"

Rose jumped and looked over at Scott Wood.

"Hey Scott"

"What are you doing?" he said, humour clear in his voice.

"Um an experiment to test a theory of Scorpius'. Do you want to be a test subject?" she asked.

He shrugged and sat next to her in the seat Scorpius was sat in before he knelt by Al.

"Will it hurt?"

"Only your ego if you fail" she responded smiling at him.

"Okay"

She reached out and steadied his face in her hand. He keep eye contact the whole time and Scorpius smiled and looked away. Rose was blushing.

Doesn't fancy Wood – Bullocks Weasley.

Rose gently drew the dotted line down Scott's face and then moved back to study the results.

"Do I pass?" he asked.

"Yes. Although your ears aren't symmetrical." She answered.

"What? Um I never really noticed" he said puzzled.

"Not really noticeable, nothing bad. Just slightly. But your other features, eyes, eyebrows and mouth – is all the mirror image of the other side. You just helped prove the git Malfoy right." She whined.

He laughed, "I still have no idea if my passing is a good thing. But um thanks."

Scorpius spoke up then, "Oh it's a good thing Scott. If you have symmetrical features it means you're attractive. So congratulations."

He grinned, "Cool. You guys look so funny with those lines down your face. You're going to start a craze now." He stood smiled at Rose and went to join his friends. He was whispering and gesturing to his face. Obviously explaining what the hell that was all about.

Rose blushed looked at Scorpius and muttered, "Shut up"

"I didn't say anything." He would try and get her to admit it, because clearly Scott liked Rose too.

Al laughed, "Better not tell Uncle George. His features won't be symmetrical."

Rose glared at Al but was laughing the next second.

"What's so funny about that?" Scorpius asked.

Rose snickered, "George won't mind us taking the piss he is a good sport. It's funny because he um lost an ear during the war, so they won't be symmetrical."

Scorpius looked horrified.

"No it's okay he will find it funny. Besides Al is the one to make a joke of it." Rose comforted Scorpius.

"How does he wear sunglasses?" Scorpius blurted.

Al and Rose burst out laughing.

"Of all the questions you could ask. How did he lose it? Can he hear? You ask about accessories." Rose taunted.

Scorpius grinned and put on his snobby voice, "Accessories are the key to making a good outfit look great." Copying his mother once again.

Scorpius joined in the laughter with Al and Rose.

Scorpius had forgotten all about Paige and Goyle. He didn't notice them whispering together and looking over at the group.

Later that night Al did revisit his thoughts from earlier. Why was I effected by Scorpius being that close to me? He thought back to that moment and shivered – in delight he noticed.

He could feel Scorpius breath as he knelt close to his face. Scorpius firm yet gentle hold on his face, his fingers brushing his neck and hair – almost as if he wasn't aware he was doing it. Al could smell his cologne and he felt the tension in the air. Fully aware of how close Scorpius' mouth was – close enough to move in for a kiss.

Whoa what? Okay it was just a fact – Scorpius was close enough to kiss. Doesn't mean I wanted to. Al led there for a few moments trying to go to sleep, when a thought popped in his head betraying him.

But you wanted to. You wanted to kiss him. Al knew the voice in his head was right, he had to grip the side of his chair at the time to stop himself from reaching out and pulling Scorpius to him.

Al sighed and purposely started thinking of quidditch try outs – he wasn't ready to face his unsure feelings for Scorpius.

The next day Al decided to write to his dad. His relationship with his dad was a close one, Al often confided in him about silly fears, worries and anything that was troubling him. His dad never judged and he tried his best to offer helpful advice. He once told Al that he had grown up being told he was a freak and he never wanted Al to feel like he did growing up. So his dad did everything in his power to understand Al and help him.

Dad,

Sorry I haven't written to you or mum until now. Just busy with school and stuff.

I guess Lilly has probably told you, but I will tell you too, Paige and I broke up. I finished with her, she wasn't right for me. I didn't see the point in staying with her for the sake of it. Anyway that links into why I wanted to write to you.

At the start of term McGonagall told me I had to show a new transfer student around. Well I did as asked, and he's now a really good friend of mine.

I've started having confusing thoughts and feelings when he's around. I'm not sure what they mean or why it is happening. It is hard to explain in words – I guess I could admit that I notice things in him that I've never noticed about another boy before.

I've never known anyone like him before. He's intelligent but doesn't make me feel stupid, he's funny but never excludes me or laughs at me. He laughs with me and because of me – I like making him laugh. He is a good flier and has challenged me on the quidditch pitch often – sometime he even wins.

It is weird I just feel urges I guess, urges to be closer to him, to hear him speak and to have his attention. I need his attention, I feel lost without it.

But most of all dad I'm confused because I've never wanted this from a man before. I've even noticed how attractive he is and that is something I've never really thought about before.

Does that mean I am gay dad? I don't know how to deal with these new and confusing thoughts and feelings. What should I do?

Any advice is welcomed.

Love you

Love from Al

X X X

Ps Classes are going well and I am managing to cope with NEWTs even if I am having unwanted dreams about exams and nudity.

Al dressed and went to the owlary before breakfast. He hoped his dad can help, even if he couldn't just hearing that he wasn't some freak or wrong for having these feelings would help settle him.

Paige had cornered him before he made it to the great hall. She tried to talk Al into taking her back, out of all the confusing thoughts he was having, the one he was sure about was that he made the right decision in finishing with her.

He told her that they should never have gotten together in the first place and that he was sorry if he hurt her but he was glad that they were over. She slapped him and stormed off.

Scorpius frowned at Al when he sat opposite him at the breakfast.

"Al? You have a red mark across your face. Are you okay?" He was concerned.

"Morning. No I'm okay. Paige just slapped me that's all – but I can deal with it. Sorry I didn't wait for you this morning I wanted to post my letter to my dad before lessons." Al smiled at him and started getting himself breakfast.

Scorpius returned his smile. Pleased that Al was obviously not going to get back together with Paige and that he was sorry for not waiting for him. It felt nice to be noticed and thought about.

"I should get an answer from my dad soon. Hopefully." Scorpius added the last word, unsure if his dad would actually reply.

That mornings post did indeed bring a reply from his dad. It wasn't complete acceptance from his dad, but it was a shift from his previous stance on the matter.

Scorpius,

I have long since given up on my old school grudges and rivalries. Yes the Malfoy family have been feuding with the Weasley family for generations, but I'd like to think I am above that now. I have grown up. I will not think less of you for befriending any Weasleys or Potters for that matter.

In fact it is comforting to know that you have settled in at Hogwarts and have friends that will be loyal to you. I am surprised that a Potter was sorted in Slytherin, but I do not know Albus so I am uninformed of his character.

Your mother and grandmother have informed me that they accept your choice and that I should try and come to terms with it.

I know you said you are completely sure, but I cannot understand how you would know this. As you have never not to my knowledge ever had a girlfriend. I will not pretend that this isn't happening anymore, I have accepted the fact that you think you are gay. But I want you to be sure before you condemn the Malfoy family to no future heir.

I have much more I wish to discuss with you but feel it isn't wise to put those thoughts to paper. Until the holidays Scorpius – then we will talk.

Keep up the good work. I am proud that you have managed to study NEWTs without any setbacks because of your previous schooling.

Take care.

Love Dad

X x X

Scorpius sighed. His dad said he had decided not to deny that Scorpius had confessed, but he still hadn't accepted it. He wasn't going to have a girlfriend just so he can prove to his dad that he is gay. He felt like asking his dad if he had ever slept with a man so he knew he was straight. He knew he hadn't, so why should his dad expect him to do the same.

His dad just knew he was straight, just as he knew he was gay. It wasn't something he could explain, he just was.

"Bad news?" Al asked.

Scorpius gave him a nervous smile. "No not really. My dad is still struggling to come to terms with something, but I hope he will accept it for what it is soon. I miss him." His voice held a hint of sorrow.

Scorpius was too busy talking with Al, that he didn't notice that someone had summoned his letter from his dad. He had hastily shoved it in his book bag and it was hanging out the top.

"I'm sure whatever it is your dad will come around. From what you have told me he loves you very much and he wouldn't want to risk losing you." Al offered in comfort.

They ate breakfast and headed for the first lesson.

"You can tell me to stop being nosy, but what have you and your dad fallen out about?" Al casually asked. Even though he was desperate to know.

Scorpius searched Al's face and then held his gaze for a long time and Al thought he wasn't going to answer.

"He doesn't agree with – no that's wrong he isn't against it in general. Just doesn't want me …oh look I can't tell you here not with people watching. At break I will tell you. Promise." His eyes held such determination that Al knew he would keep his promise.

Al nodded and smiled at him. He wanted Scorpius to know that he could confide in him with anything. It stung a bit that Rose knew, but when Al asked Rose she had said that she had figured it out and Scorpius saw no point in denying it.

After their morning lesson, Scorpius told Al that they should go to the courtyard so he can confide in him. However Scorpius didn't get a chance to. A large group of students were gathered in the corridor and were chattering and gossiping about something. All trying to get a look at a piece of parchment that had been pinned to the wall.

When the group of students noticed Al and Scorpius they parted. Scorpius approached the piece of parchment and he felt sick – he recognised the handwriting. Someone had taken his dads letter from him and had enlarged it and pinned it on the wall for everyone to see. Scorpius couldn't even pretend it was someone else because he was the only person named Scorpius and his dad had mentioned the Malfoy name.

Now the whole school would soon know that he was gay and that his dad wasn't happy about it. He was glad that he hadn't told his dad how he felt about Al. That would have been horrendous if his dad referred to that.

Scorpius kept his head up and chin raised, he wouldn't let whoever did this, see that it bothered him.

Scorpius glanced at Al and he looked furious. He snatched the letter off the wall and glared at the group of students in front of him, "Think its funny do you? It's not – you have violated a basic right. Scorpius has a right to privacy and whoever stole this letter thought they could take that away from him. You make me sick – spineless cowards."

Scorpius touched Al's shoulder, "Al please it's okay."

"It's not okay. They took the freedom of choice away from you. You had the choice to tell people but now that has been taken away." He seethed.

Scorpius removed his hand from Al shoulder as he saw a few people pointing and whispering – no doubt starting a rumour that he liked Al.

"I know what they done isn't okay. But I don't mind that people know." He gave Al a reassuring smile and then turned to the group of students.

"Yes I'm gay. So What! I wish it wasn't disclosed like that, but whoever did this was trying to humiliate me – it hasn't worked. I am comfortable with who I am and you will not make me feel ashamed for being true to myself." He confidently strode away.

Al followed him, "How can you be so calm?" he was angry on his behalf.

"What's done is done. I can try and contain the situation by dealing with it correctly or I can rant and rave and give them something else to talk about. Yes I am angry that someone thought that it was acceptable to steal my dad's letter and display it to the school, but I will find out who it is."

Once they reached the corridor of their next lesson, Scorpius stopped and turned to Al.

"So you don't mind then? That's what I was fighting with my dad about. Why he made me transfer schools. I was going to tell you today." Scorpius looked nervous for the first time that day.

Al wondered why he wasn't worried about what the rest of the school thought but was clearly nervous and worried about what he thought.

"Why would I mind? I'm not going to stop being your friend just because you're gay." Al reassured him.

Okay so this is a huge deal, but don't let Scorpius know you feel this way. Al honestly didn't care that he was gay, no what made it a huge deal was the fact Al hadn't come to terms with how he felt. Now Scorpius had come out, it complicated things.

Scorpius stared at him, as if he was trying to see the truth in Al's eyes. He won't see anything he doesn't want to see. Al thought and continued to watch Scorpius.

Scorpius smiled, "Thanks Al."