A/N: Hmmm not much to say. Enjoy!

Chapter Four

Scorpius woke feeling happy, he was in a very good mood. He no longer had to conceal who he was. Yes whoever stole his dad's letter was still wrong to do so, but they did him a favour. They forced him to come out and now he felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

He smiled brightly at Al. That was another thing, he hated keeping it from Al and now he knew. AL had said last night that he was okay with it, which helped his good mood too.

They dressed and went to breakfast, many people were still whispering and gossiping but Scorpius didn't care.

Bryony and Jasmine met him outside of the great hall.

"Shame Scorpius – all the best looking ones are gay. You do realise that you made a few girls cry when they heard the news. I hope you are happy!" Bryony teased.

"Very. So did you cry?" he joked.

Bryony mock sniffed, "I have only just stopped crying this morning. Oh how you shattered my dream of being Mrs Bryony Malfoy. How will I ever cope?" she wailed.

Jasmine laughed, "Its okay Al's single now." She comforted Bryony, patting her back.

Al blushed but remained silent.

"Oh yes of course. Okay well I can see it now Mrs Bryony Potter – we will have a spring wedding." She looked at Al and laughed.

"Sorry Al just joking. See you lovely specimens later." She called as she veered off to the Gryffindor table.

Al shuddered. "Marry a Parkinson – um no I don't think so. God I think she would drive any man to jabbing a quill in his ear so he can become deaf. That way he won't have to listen to her endless chatter."

Scorpius smirked, "She's okay. Funny." He felt compelled to stand up for her.

"Oh I know. As a friend she fucking great. As someone's wife, well I don't envy the bloke." They reached the Slytherin table.

Goyle stood and made a big show of sitting somewhere else, loudly declaring, "I'm not sitting next to a fag."

Scorpius snorted, "I'm glad you moved Goyle. Otherwise I would have been overcome with desire and buggered you on the Slytherin table right now."

Al blushed. Scorpius and 'buggering' well that conjured inappropriate images for breakfast time. Al hastily sat to use the table to hide his now inappropriate reaction.

Scorpius sat next to Al and swore under his breath. "Bloody Goyle is a jerk."

Al agreed with him, Goyle had left him pretty much alone. But now he was treating Scorpius like this Al realised how much of a dick he was.

"Do you think it was him who stole your dad's letter?" Al asked as he reached for the scrambled eggs.

Scorpius shrugged, "Most likely, him or Paige. Or both."

"Really? Not sure Paige wold go that far?" Al had never really seen Paige's dark side.

Scorpius snorted, "That's because she acted like little miss innocent around you. She hates me and has told me on a number of occasions. She hates me for reasons I cannot fathom, and Goyle hates me because I am a Malfoy and a fag." He sneered.

"Don't say that. Just because he called you that doesn't mean you should use that language to describe who you are. You are a wizard who know who he is and isn't ashamed to admit it. That is a lot more than most can claim." Al reached out and touched Scorpius arm, keeping eye contact.

Scorpius felt the warmth of Al's touch and it worked, he had managed to calm and comfort him. Scorpius smiled at him and nodded. Turning to his breakfast, he didn't trust himself to speak, not yet.

Al snatched his hand away, he had just realised he had kept it on Scorpius' arm far longer than what was classed as normal.

After breakfast Al called out to Paige, who was walking in front. She stopped, smiled sweetly, flicked her hair and waited for him to approach.

"Hey Paige. How are you?" Al started off being pleasant.

Scorpius hung back, not wanting to interact with the spiteful bitch.

"I'm well thank you. You?" she simpered.

"Not so good. I guess you heard what happened yesterday. Did you by chance hear any gossip about who did it?" he enquired.

She put on a face of mock shock, Scorpius spotted the fakeness a mile away. Al didn't seem to notice.

"I know what an awful thing for someone to do. Poor Scorpius. No I'm afraid I haven't heard anything, I do hope you find out. To publically humiliate him like that, how horrible. To think he kept that secret from you, what else is he keeping from you?" She reached out and touched his shoulder.

Al stepped back so her hand fell off, "He was going to tell me. I'm not bothered that he kept it from me. In fact there are a few things I am keeping to myself at the moment – it isn't a big deal."

"Yeah but he's a Malfoy, he's bound to be keeping big things from you." She snapped.

"Paige you sound bitter. Scorpius had nothing to do with my decision to finish with you. You should have a bit more sense then what you are displaying. Are you like your dad? We all know that Marcus Flint is a bastard." He firmly said.

She did genuinely look shocked now, "Al since when can you be so nasty and mean. Scorpius has changed you." She glared at Scorpius over Al's shoulder, spun on her heel and strode off with her friends.

Al shook his head and joined Scorpius. "Sorry about that. She's adamant that you're bad because you're a Malfoy. Whatever that is supposed to mean? Being a Malfoy doesn't equate to being mean, bad, evil and well any other stupid notion that the idiotic students seem to think it means."

Scorpius smiled, "I love being a Malfoy. I'm proud of my dad, yes he was on the wrong side of the war. But the experiences he went through proved that he was a decent person and he wouldn't have had that realisation if he wasn't on the wrong side in the first place. He's my role model and I've learnt a lot from him."

Al could tell how much Scorpius loved and admired his dad, it seeped into his voice and flowed in every word Scorpius spoke.

"I'm sure your dad will come around eventually. Give him time." Al wanted to reassure him.

"I hope so Al. I really do." He sighed sadly.

Al put his arm around Scorpius shoulders, "If he is half the man you say he is, I know he will."

That cheered Scorpius up. He beamed at Al and it made Al's step falter. I wonder if he knows how breath-taking his smile is.

Al kept his arm around Scorpius shoulders all the way to their classroom.

That night Scorpius sighed, "I'd better write to my dad and warn him that the students know I am gay. I'm sure they will tell their parents and then their parents in turn will torment dad about it."

Al smiled reassuringly at him, "Good idea, keep your dad on your good side."

Scorpius pulled the parchment towards him and began to write.

Dad,

I am writing to inform you of an event that occurred yesterday and will have repercussions for us as a family.

Someone - I do not know who, stole your last letter and put it on display for all of Hogwarts to see. Now the whole school know that I am gay and that you are not pleased about it.

The majority of students are gossiping about it, but generally are not bothered by the fact that I am gay. However a few are displeased with it and have made the odd insulting and disparaging comments. Such as Goyle – I suspect it was him who stole the letter, but I have no proof of that.

Anyway it's out there now, no taking it back. So you might as well face up to it. Seeing as it will soon get out of Hogwarts and spread to the social circles that you so often frequent.

I miss you dad and I could do with your support.

All my love, take care.

Love you

Love from

Scorpius

X x X

"I'm going to the owlary Al. Be back soon." Scorpius informed Al, who was frowning at his homework and pulling at his hair.

"Hmm yes okay. See you soon" he absently replied.

Scorpius smiled to himself, Al could be so adorable. Scorpius sent a school owl off with his dad's letter and slowly made his way back to the common room.

Scorpius spotted Goyle up ahead and knew he wouldn't be allowed to pass by without Goyle insulting him. He was right, Goyle stepped in front of him.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Queen Malfoy. I bet that was how your grandfather and father escaped the dark lord's wrath. Became his playthings!" he seemed smug and was holding himself with confidence.

Scorpius stared at him, letting Goyle see that he wasn't bothered by his insult, "Just because I am gay, it doesn't mean the whole Malfoy family are too. Don't be so stupid Goyle. You can call me all the hateful names you want, no insult will get to me. It just shows how narrow minded and hateful you are." Scorpius would rise above it.

He stepped around Goyle, "Next time I expect an insult that shows some creativity or intelligence" Scorpius drawled in a bored tone, and shook his head in a disapproving manner.

Goyle clenched his fists and ground his teeth as Scorpius breezed past him.

On the weekend Scorpius talked Al into going flying. Scorpius could see the amount of homework they were getting, was getting to Al. A stressed Al was an unhappy Al, and Scorpius couldn't have that.

They were walking down to the pitch, it was a bright warm day, with only a slight breeze. Perfect for flying.

"My dad replied to my letter. There were two. One piece had a name of a book and page number, the other was blank. I found the book, the page showed a spell used to conceal writing and the counter spell. I learnt it and then used the counter spell on the blank piece. It was dad's response. He said from now on he will send my letters with that spell on, so even if someone steals it, it is unlikely they know the counter spell. It was a really old and rare spell." Scorpius spoke with pride in his voice.

"Your dad is a smart man. What else did he say? I mean about the school now knowing your sexuality?" Al complimented Scorpius dad, he did sound smart.

Scorpius' smile wavered, "He is still struggling with the idea of having a gay son. His only son, that's the issue I think. Not the fact I'm gay, he isn't homophobic. He can't deal with the consequences my being gay has on the Malfoy family. He feels I should marry, have an heir and then maybe take a gay lover or something equally ludicrous."

"It must be hard for him. I know that purebloods depend on their traditions. Give the guy a break. I'm sure he will deal with it, but only when he's ready." Al glanced at Scorpius and hoped that he had somehow made him feel better.

They flew about for an hour or so, however they had to stop as Al had made an error and fell off his broom. Not from a great height and he hadn't sustained any broken bones. But he was a bit scratched and bruised from the tumble onto the ground.

Scorpius flew to the ground and dismounted in record speed time. He crouched down in front of Al, "You good?"

"I'm good" he chuckled. Then added, "Bit sore, bruised and scratched. That's what I get for trying to catch the snitch with no regards to my safety." He confessed.

"Pillock." Scorpius scolded, as he helped Al to his feet. "You're going to the hospital wing and we're going to get you checked out properly."

Al huffed, "No whining Albus, you're going and that's the end of the discussion." His voice serious.

"Okay dad. Blimey you can be so bossy." Al joked.

The school nurse tutted and grumbled about quidditch. She told Al to remove his shirt so she could look at his torso, as he had explained that he had landed on his side, and his ribs hurt.

Scorpius noticed the various bruises that had started to develop and a few scratches, but he looked okay. The nurse conjured a healing salve that would heal his scratches.

Just as she was about to start applying the salve, another group of students entered. Rambling about hexes and unfortunate results. She gave the salve to Al and instructed him to apply it, telling him he was well enough to go.

Al silently applied the salve to all the scrapes and bruises he could see, but he couldn't reach around his back. Scorpius stepped forwards and took the pot out of his hands.

"Here let me. Turn slightly and I will do your back." He hoped his face didn't show how nervous yet thrilled he was.

He dipped his fingers in the cream and scooped up a small amount. Scorpius inhaled and held his breath for a second, in anticipation. He had thought about touching Al's bare skin, feel his muscles and cause him to respond to his touches.

"Scorpius? What's up? Do I have a huge wound on my back or something?" Al was worried, Scorpius hadn't made a move yet and he was eerily quiet.

Scorpius cleared his throat, "No. No huge wound. Just little scratches and a few bruises. The healing cream will fix them."

He tentatively reached out and lightly rubbed some cream onto the nearest scratch. Al flinched slightly, Scorpius frowned.

"Is the cream cold? Or am I pressing too hard?" he didn't want to hurt Al.

Al's voice was strangled when he replied, "Um no. Not cold or too hard. Just wasn't prepared. Sorry."

Al had flinched because he hadn't expected Scorpius' touch to be so gentle, a caress almost. The lingering touch had sent a jolt of pleasure through him and he was startled. Scorpius must have interpreted it as a flinch.

Al expected it the second time and managed to remain still. However that was difficult, he wanted to squirm and move into Scorpius touch. He knew he was blushing and was pleased that Scorpius was stood behind him, so he wouldn't see.

Al could feel the tension building and wondered when he would finally give into it and just blurt out how he felt, or kissed him. Anything, to feel Scorpius' hands over his body – but he managed to control his urges.

"That's all of them" Scorpius declared, looking at his hands and not at Al.

Al put his shirt back on. He was feeling vulnerable and he needed the distraction of doing up his shirt buttons.

"Thanks." He muttered, chancing a quick glance in Scorpius' direction.

He looks just as flustered as what I am. I wonder what that means.

Al's imagination was running wild, he could easily picture what Scorpius' caresses would feel like in a more intimate situation. He knew they would stimulate him and heighten his pleasure at the crucial moment.

Why am I getting so turned on by something as simple as a few tender touches? I have no idea, but I know I want to feel Scorpius touch me again.

Al had received a response to his letter from his dad. His dad had reassured him that what he was feeling was normal and he shouldn't be ashamed of his feelings. His dad had said, being attracted to people of the same gender or to both genders is also perfectly normal for many, many people. He mentioned that Al should maybe try and discover who he was, and that whatever Al decides his sexuality was, he would accept it. Al had felt considerably lighter after reading that, like a great weight had been lifted.

He could see why Scorpius was saddened by his dad's lack of acceptance of his sexuality. Al knew it didn't bear thinking about, if his dad turned against him because he decided he was gay.

Scorpius took the pot of healing cream and said he would re-apply it again if needs be. Al wondered if he could get away with saying he needed a second application later, even if he didn't.

Rose lectured Al and Scorpius at dinner, telling them quidditch was dangerous and idiotic.

"Do you say the same thing to Wood? Because he is like the king of quidditch or something." Al teased.

Rose's face flamed red, "No, but he isn't stupid enough to get injured in a friendly game. Prats."

Al snorted, "You're going to have to get used to quidditch, be a supporter. As Wood's girlfriend you need to at least try and put up with it."

"I'm not Wood's girlfriend" she seemed disappointed.

"Why not?" a voice behind Rose said.

Rose jumped in her seat and spun around to see Scott stood behind her.

Eye's wide and face red, "What?" she stuttered.

Scott's eyes were bright, his smile huge, "You said you're not my girlfriend and I want to know why not. Why aren't you my girlfriend?" he asked her in a confident and cheerful tone.

She stared at him, struck dumb. "What?" she repeated. Well aware that she sounded like an idiot.

He chuckled, "I guess that was my unique way of saying, Rose will you be my girlfriend? As I cannot understand why you're not my girlfriend already."

Scorpius kicked Rose under the table, which caused her to jolt back to reality.

"Oh um maybe we can date first? If I like you enough, then yeah I'd like to be your girlfriend."

Scorpius clapped and Al exclaimed, "At last – fucking hell that was torture."

Rose smiled at Scott, "Maybe we can go to the next Hogsmeade weekend together?"

He nodded, "I'd like that. Hopefully I'll see you before then though."

She agreed and he left the hall to join his friends who were waiting for him.

"Did that just happen?" Rose asked stunned.

Al and Scorpius shared an amused look, "Yeah Rosie it did" Scorpius couldn't help get in her despised nickname.

She covered he face with her hands and moved so her hair fell, blocking her face.

"I …that…what….to…" she looked up at them.

Al stared at her and Scorpius arched an eyebrow.

"You covered your mouth, we only heard every other word of that mumbled garbage." Al explained.

She sighed, "I said, I can't believe that just happened. What am I going to do?"

"You date him. Blimey Rose it isn't that hard." Scorpius teased.

"Says you. Mr smooth operator. I bet you'll soon have guys lining up to date you." She huffed in annoyance.

"Not a chance. I doubt there are many gay people at Hogwarts, or openly gay anyway. Also none that are my age or above – kind of limits my options. Then they have to be comfortable with me being the dreaded M word." He reasoned.

Al didn't like the idea of Scorpius dating various other male students and was glad that he didn't know of any other gay students. Otherwise he would be picturing them with Scorpius.

"Dreaded M word?" Al asked, he had no idea what he was on about.

"Malfoy. I think that puts people off more than me being gay. It is a curse I tell ye!" he joked.

Al laughed, "Being a Potter is worse!" he countered.

Scorpius gawked at him, "Are you insane? You banged you head when you fell off your broom. In what universe is being a Potter worse than being a Malfoy? Nutter." Scorpius said dumbfounded.

"Well no matter what I do it will never trump 'saved the world' I will be a let-down. Your father gave you a good start, you can achieve anything and people will say it is an improvement on what they see as the Malfoy reputation." Al sounded smug, he thought he had a good point.

Scorpius snorted. "I could invent a potion that healed all diseases and people would still grumble about it and say 'I bet he stole the idea form someone' never trust a Malfoy."

Al laughed, "Well then I can become the next evil dark wizard and you can be my sidekick and we will show the demented fools."

Scorpius slapped Al around the head, "Idiot. You'd be my sidekick. You can do all the grunt work, whilst I sit back and lavish in luxury."

"You mean like you already do?" Al playfully said.

"Yes like I already do, but you'd be my slave." He seriously said, even though he was joking.

Al was always good at knowing when he was teasing though.

"Oi one moment I'm an evil wizard, then I'm demoted to sidekick and now I am a mere slave. Well that sucks!" he whined.

Scorpius nudged him in the arm with his elbow, "You'd make a good slave though. All pouty and whiny. You can brood and mope, wishing you were like your wonderful and devilishly handsome owner." Scorpius loved messing around with Al. Having ridiculous conversations and not caring if they were being silly.

"Boys" Rose quietly said in bewilderment.

"Devilishly handsome? Bit vain of you. More like ….um"

Scorpius smirked, "Can't think of anything because you know I'm right." He didn't really care about how he looked, yes he knew he was attractive but he liked to joke about it and act vain.

"Twat" Al replied.

"That's a pregnant goldfish. They are called twat's – I am neither a goldfish nor pregnant."

They both started sniggering and neither noticed Rose leave, moaning about immaturity.

"That's not true." Al said.

"Maybe I don't know. I overheard a muggle say it to his friend on the bus in the summer." He casually explained.

Al stared at him and Scorpius began to feel uncomfortable, "What?"

"You took the bus? A Malfoy took a muggle bus and you didn't even moan about it." Al sounded astounded.

Scorpius crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at Al, "Yes I took a bloody bus. I happened to be in the muggle part of London and needed to get to another part of London."

Al hadn't realised he had offended Scorpius, "I thought you'd have a personal chauffeur for such occasions." Al honestly did think that.

"Sod off Al. I am a normal teenager, who likes to visit London and I can manage a few bus journeys. You have a strange notion of what being a Malfoy involves." He complained.

Al noticed Scorpius' voice was no longer playful or happy. "Oh shit sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just couldn't picture you taking the bus sorry. We Potters have our own helicopters." Al tried to make a joke.

Scorpius frowned, "What's a helicopter?" Scorpius hadn't a clue.

Al laughed glad that his question had seemed to break the awkwardness between them. He explained what a helicopter was and Scorpius said for a laugh he'd ask his dad for one, for Christmas.